Brooker Creek Elementary
Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year
Welcome Back Bobcats!
First-Fifth Grade parents will need their parent portal username and password to sign in to Focus to see their child's teacher assignment on FRIDAY, AUGUST 4TH. Any teacher assignments you may have seen this past week is subject to change until August 4th. If you need your password reset or have trouble with your login information please email Mervat Khalil at khalilme@pcsb.org. Returning students should also be able to use their R2.D2 login information and see teacher assignments on 8/4. PreK and Kindergarten teachers will be sending families an email before or on 8/7. Teacher assignments are final unless we need to make adjustments per class size mandates. A great deal of work is done to build class lists using a variety of factors while also ensuring classes are balanced.
We will be communicating information about opening processes and procedures as the school year approaches in the next couple of weeks. Please make sure to keep an eye out for our "News from BCE" email.
Meet Our New Assistant Principal
Hello! I am very excited for the opportunity to join the Brooker Creek staff as the Assistant Principal.
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you and tell you a bit about my background. I grew up in cow country in upstate New York. I left for college (Roger Williams College in Bristol, Rhode Island) and never looked back! I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Guidance. The first 25+ years of my Career life I worked in Colleges and Universities across the country in Student Affairs, specifically Club/Organization Advising, Orientation, Greek Life, Homecoming, and New Student Programs. My last job in Higher Education was at USF where I was the Director of the Center for Student Involvement. During those years I married my husband Howard and had two children, Hannah (19, Sophomore at Flagler College) and Drew (15, Sophomore at East Lake High School). When they were 10 and 7, I decided I needed to change career paths to be a more “present” mom. I took one year off from working, went to SPC, and received a Certificate in Teaching. I taught Kindergarten at Eisenhower Elementary School for 4 years before moving to Forest Lakes Elementary School. I taught Kindergarten my first 4 years and my final two years were in 3rd grade. I have completed my Educational Leadership course work through the American College of Education. This past academic year I worked as an Instructional Staff Developer working with the RAP (Read Across Pinellas) program. This was a reading recovery program across the district for kindergarten and 1st grade students.
I look forward to meeting you and your student(s) at the numerous welcome backs, Meet the Teacher, and Open House events that are planned as well as various opportunities throughout the school year. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have and questions or concerns that I can assist you with.
Go Bobcats!
Kristie Gerber
Required Back to School Forms
Pinellas County Schools has compiled Back-to-School forms in one convenient place- online.
Use your parent ID and password to log into Focus and complete your Back-to-School Forms packet.
You will be prompted to fill out the forms when you log into Focus.
Forms are also available at www.pcsb.org/backtoschoolforms.
Please note: Parents must be linked to their students to use the new Focus forms.
A helpful TIP sheet is attached below and this document may assist you in completing these forms.
If you have questions about the forms or your login information, please contact our school.
If you need technical support, contact the PCS Help Desk at 727-588-6060.
Teacher Meet and Greet- Tuesday, August 8
Please be aware of the grade levels and visitation times:
PreK-3, VPK, Kindergarten and Third Grade: 9:00am-9:45am
First Grade and Fourth Grade: 10:15am-11:00am
Second Grade and Fifth Grade: 11:30am-12:15pm
PTA Membership and Spiritwear, Volunteer Information, YMCA information, Cafeteria Accounts, PSA Sports, and Bus Information will be available in the cafeteria throughout the event.
Students riding the bus or a daycare van will need to visit the cafeteria and obtain a bus tag for his/her backpack. This tag will help staff make sure that students are placed on the correct bus for dismissal.
Recommended School Supplies
https://www.pcsb.org/Domain/1748
Families are encouraged to bring in supplies during our Meet and Greet on 8/8. This will help make the first day of school go smoothly.
Teachers will share any additional "wish list" items in their newsletters or during Open House night.
First Day Of School
- Parents will be able to walk their child to the classroom on the first day of school ONLY. Parking will be an issue so please use extreme caution and follow the directions of school staff.
- Beginning Friday, August 11, parents will not be permitted to walk students to class. We will have plenty of staff available during the first week of school to help our Bobcats find their classrooms. Additionally, we will have green tape on the ground leading from our drop off areas, both the bus circle and car line, to the kindergarten pod. This tape will remain for a few days. Kindergarten students will be able to follow the tape to their pod.
- As only PreK3 and VPK students may be walked to the blue gate located in the front of the school, the parking spaces directly in front of the school should be reserved for these young students beginning Friday, August 11. All other students should ride the bus, walk, or use the car drop off line. Students that are considered walkers should not be driven to the school and then let out in the parking lot. Thank you for using the appropriate locations for student arrival.
- PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CHILD KNOWS HOW HE/SHE WILL BE GETTING HOME FROM SCHOOL EACH DAY AND SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH HIS/HER TEACHER!!!
Kindergarten and New Student Play Dates (Hosted by the PTA)
Kindergarten families - 8/2 at 4:00 pm at John Chestnut Park
New families - 8/3 at 4:00 pm at John Chestnut Park
Transportation Update
- Route number
- Stop location
- Pick-up and drop off times
Additionally, you can check your child's transportation information in Focus at focus.pcsb.org.
If you do not receive a postcard by Friday, August 4th, or if you have any other transportation questions, please contact the district transportation office at 727-587-2020.
Food Service Update
For the 2023-24 school year, school breakfast will remain free for Pinellas County Schools students. However, Brooker Creek Elementary will return to regularly priced lunch. Lunch will be $2.25/day. We will be sending more information in the next update on how to set up a cafeteria account for your child.
Students in all Pinellas County Schools are still able to apply for free and reduced lunch meal benefits online. Meal applications provide funding for technology, discounted testing and college application fees, free clothing for students and more. The online application will open on August 2nd to apply for free meal benefits at www.myschoolapps.com. Completing the online application is secure, convenient and worry-free. Results are available within two working days. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Once approved, the benefits are good for the entire year.
PTA News
School Beautification
BCE continues to overhaul and enhance campus flower and plant beds! As you may have heard, the butterfly garden was beloved by all and we hope to expand those experiences.
PTA would like to get parents involved by donating the plants linked below. Plants can be dropped off anytime Monday through Friday at the front of the school. Please use the link below to let us know that help is on the way. Thank you!
School Advisory Committee (SAC)
Brooker Creek Elementary School SAC is a team of parents, students, teachers, administrators, support staff, business and community partnerships. As a member of a SAC, you will be instrumental in assisting with the evaluation of the school improvement plan, annual SAC budget and continuous schoolwide improvements. If you are interested, please complete the interest form attached below and return it by email to diviliop@pcsb.org or in paper form to the front office. Please note that there is a deadline of 8/14 for this interest form to be received. We are looking for about ten volunteers for this committee.