Telegraph Staff Writer
STARKE—The pieces are in place for the grand opening of the Brooker Community Charter School. All that was left was to cut the ribbon and start receiving the smiling-faced students. This breakfast and ribbon-cutting event was a chance to honor the volunteers and community contributors that made it possible.
Volunteer extraordinaire
Pastor Dave Teems of Brooker Baptist Church, which donated a van to the school, gave the opening reflections. Board member Jerome Kelly and volunteer extraordinaire Patsy Pullen cut the ribbon that officially opened the doors.
Pullen is a humble woman who shies away from the spotlight and steers credit to others, but she is a dynamo in her own right. There was no hiding her thrill of the moment, and she was ready with the golden shears to cut the ribbon and get this school officially opened. According to Board Secretary Jerome Kelly, “This would not have happened if not for Patsy Pullen, who dug right in and helped us find out what we needed to do to get started. She’s been involved every step of the way.”
The newly hired food service manager, Laura Broome, put on an elegant breakfast spread of quiche, fresh fruit, and an assortment of bite-sized donuts and muffins. She will pick up the breakfasts, lunches, and snacks from Starke in the morning and bring them back to Brooker, where the students will go through the usual cafeteria line for a hot lunch.
When it closed, it was devastating
After breakfast, Principal Moss introduced the teachers and other new staff. Board Chair Suzanne McRee thanked the volunteers and donors and acknowledged the local officials who came to celebrate the occasion. Mayor Melvin was there along with School Board representative Lynn Melvin and County Commissioner Diane Andrews. Andrews commented that “This school was such a pillar to the community. When it closed, it was devastating, and the people worked hard to bring it back. I was told by so many people I’ve met that the reason they moved here was to send their children to this school.”
Then it was time to tour the rooms and view the rewards of everyone’s efforts and determination. This reward tour was to see all the pieces that were contributed by so many come to fruition. But the greatest reward will be to see the smiles and hear the giggles when the students enter the wonderland created for them.
The small scale of the school itself offers comfort, but a step inside the entrance provides a sense of “welcome.” The halls leading to the classrooms are lined with encouraging messages on wall posters. Each classroom was individually decorated by the teacher with adorable designs and themes, using funds donated by community members.
The library is an octagonal-shaped interior room with high ceilings. In the center of the room is a floor-to-ceiling tree replica designed by Michelle Green from Belle Oaks Barn. It was constructed by creative carpenter, Tracy McRee, husband of Board Chair Suzanne McRee. The tree’s bark was textured using expandable foam, then painted by volunteers. Circling the tree’s base is a bench with cubbyholes filled with books. Around the edge of the room are tucked enticing little reading corners, some with a chair and lamp, some with rug and pillows for a relaxed reading moment.
Legacy school
The bus driver is now in place, and the route taken to collect the students is being determined by need as the students register. It will take a circular route to gather them all. As a charter school, students do not have to live in the district and can even come from outside of Bradford County, but transportation is limited.
This school is a “legacy school,” with many generations starting their education here. Again and again, someone will comment, “I went to school here, and my daddy went to school here.” Or, “I went here, and my grandma and mama taught here.” There is a sense of continuity over time that this community was unwilling to lose when the original school was shut down. Some of the young teachers coming in have their own children carrying on the legacy.
The teachers, support staff and volunteers are exuberant about the opening on August 10. All that’s left now is for the eager learners to take their seats and begin the start of another wonderful school year.
