January Monthly News
BROOKER CREEK ELEMENTARY
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
I hope everyone had a safe and restful break. We are eager to begin the spring semester! After a long wait, the playground is finally complete. It turned out better than we expected. Students should be able to use it beginning this week once the final approvals are received.
December events bring much excitement to our campus. We had a movie night, a Giving Tree, A Wonderland Shoppe, and many activities throughout the classrooms. These types of activities would not be possible without the support of our families. Thank you very much for creating a wonderful school community.
Please take a moment to read through this Newsletter as important updates are provided. There are a few events planned for January described below. Also, as the weather remains cool, more jackets are being left behind. Labeling a student's jacket will allow us a change to return to the jacket (and other items) to the correct owner.
Thank you!
Brooker Creek artist brings home another huge honor
"Our Home is Enough", by Hadley Dorsett, was submitted to the 2023 K-12 Student Art Assessment & Virtual Exhibition program last March for Youth Art Month. Hadley's work was selected for the 2024 FAEA Youth Art Month Flag Design!
Hadley graduated BCE last year and is currently attending East Lake Middle School. Her sister Harper is a Bobcat in Mrs. Price's 2nd grade class. Both ladies are amazing artists.
Hadley's 2024 Youth Art Month (YAM) Flag will represent the state of Florida at the Youth Art Month Museum at the National Art Education Association Convention in Minneapolis on April 4-6, 2024. It will be printed and displayed among other state YAM flags.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Mrs. Miller is so very pleased to nominate Daniel Gettings as our Brooker Creek Elementary January East Lake Sunrise Rotary Club Student of the Month. Daniel exemplifies all the characteristics we encourage our students to strive for here at BCE…. being respectful, exuding optimism, determination, responsibility, and staying safe within our school environment. Daniel is an extremely polite, respectful, and responsible young man. He carries out his duties as a Safety Patrol with diligence and a smile and displays that same positive attitude within the classroom as well. He is always cooperative conscientiously and meticulously completing his assignments earning Principal’s List (All A's) each quarter. Daniel is an avid reader who recently qualified for the Boys Read Battle of the Books team to represent our school in the upcoming county competition. He participates in Running Club and the IC3 G5 Spark national certification computer class. Daniel strives to learn new things. Outside of school, he practices Jujitsu, and takes tennis lessons. In summary, Daniel is so very worthy of this nomination. Being the positive role model that he is and a leader at our school makes him truly a Bobcat who ROARS!
DECEMBER PRESTIGIOUS PAWS FOR CHARITY
Paisleigh Blue **** Ms. Taylor
Lillian Hackl **** Ms. K & Ms. Gina
Milani Blue **** Ms.Renee & Ms.Vargas
Aaron Lopez Gomez **** Ms. Loftus
Jane D'Imperio **** Mrs. Copri
Claire Ruffino **** Mrs. Crim
Dylan Jallo **** Ms. Toye
Skylar Hodges **** Mrs. Mieras
Elizabeth Conway **** Mrs. Schwabe
Ophelia Ohman **** Mrs. Smekal
Skai Gardner **** Mrs. TenBieg
Aubree Leasure **** Ms. McSunas
Aidan Jallo **** Mrs. Price
Brandon Magill **** Mrs. Read
Gavin Ruiz **** Mrs. Skryd
Sofie Kapur **** Mrs. Bailey
Stella Spencer **** Mrs. Fox
Cleo Ohman **** Mrs. McMullen
Soley Perenich **** Mr. Rademacher
Emmalyn Bork **** Mrs. Vinyard
Aydin Bacaz **** Ms. Browne
Deklan Mathews **** Mrs. Ficca
Anthony Canizio **** Mrs. Hite
Madilyn Andrews **** Mrs. Schuler
Aiden Howard **** Mrs. Hickman
Madelyn Falkenbach **** Mrs. Katsourinis
Nora Kate Filipovitz **** Mrs. Miller
Brynn Ruiz **** Ms. Smith
Ezekiel Archuleta **** Mrs. Livingston
Ethan Reyes **** Mr. Ross
George Boktr **** PE Department
Anna White **** Ms. Iannello
Caitlin Wong **** Ms. Putnam
Maya Markut **** Mrs. Ortega
Asha Boudi **** Mrs. Harlan
PTA UPDATES
Hello Bobcat Families!
The PTA has been busy bringing December Cheer throughout the school and community! After hosting lunches, movie nights, Wonderland Gift Shoppe, Game Lands, Giving Tree, and other fun activities for teachers and staff, we are ready to put our feet up and relax this holiday season. Before we do that, there is one last thing we must do, and that’s make sure we thank you! This year (all of 2023, not just the Fall semester) has been our best one yet. From Bobcat Bash’s to new playgrounds, we are happy to support our students, staff and families, but we recognize we couldn’t do any of it without you, the parents, grandparents, families and friends of the PTA. So, thank you! We hope you enjoy this break, and we can’t wait to see you in 2024!
A few PTA reminders:
· All Pro Dads meet January 12th, at 7:30am in the cafeteria.
· Run club for grades 3-5 will resume January 16th.
· Run club for grades K-2 will begin January 19th.
· Reading Under the Stars will take place January 26th. Look for more information when we return to school.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to me via email at presidentbcepta@gmail.com.
Jen Reyes
ART NEWS
2024…..We are off to a great 2nd semester in the BCE Art World. Sending out a big CONGRATULATIONS to 5 of our 5th grade artists for earning top awards at the annual KIDS TAG ART Show. Awards presentation will take place on Thursday, January 25 at 6pm, Largo High School.
1. Elora Johnson
2. Amanda Garcia
3. Matas Meskys
4. Natalia Peralta Cans
5. Anna White
Check out their artwork below. Their winning tags will also be on display at The Pinellas County Tax Collectors Office for the next year.
Please also take a moment also to visit the Tag Office Facebook page and vote for MY TEACHER DESIGN. We missed winning extra funds for our school last year by only 5 votes so please get the word out, share and VOTE for my teacher tag. Not sure which entry number it is just yet so vote for the one of the VW Bus. Voting runs January 8-19th
Next time you are on campus check out our gorgeous Lifecycle of the Butterfly mural that was completed last month by two talented artists, Cosby and Sarah Hayes and a handful of our 5th graders. It’s a such a bright and happy addition to our campus. Thank you to Pinellas County voters for continuing to pass the Arts Referendum. Without these funds many visual and performing arts initiatives would never happen.
Cleaning out your toy boxes in the New Year???? We are looking for toy figurines of animals, dinosaurs etc to be used in a “Recycled Spirit Animals” art project during second semester. They can pretty much be made of any material as we will giving them new life with a fresh coat of plaster and paint.
Lastly, thank you for all the generous and thoughtful gifts over the holidays. Hopefully all the official thank you cards made it home. Your kindness is so greatly appreciated.
Ever have an art question feel free to email me:
~Mrs. Livingston
BCE ART
December Library Media and Technology News Florida Power Library
Welcome back and we hope everyone had a wonderful & restful Winter Break.
Celebrate Literacy Week: January 22 thru 26th: National Literacy Week is an annual event during which students, teachers, administrators, parents, and volunteers celebrate the tremendous success of Florida's students over the past decade. This year’s theme is Believe in your “Shelf!".
Brooker Creek will be also hosting many different exciting and fun activities to celebrate Literacy. Please see our school website and keep a “look out” for newsletters with updated information and activities.
Library News: Please remember that library book checkout is for two weeks, and books can be renewed by simply checking them in and then out again.
· Grades PreK-1 book.
· Kindergarten -2nd grade- 2 books.
· 3rd grade- 5th grade- 3 books
If you would like to view our inventory of books, please go to https://destiny.pcsb.org/ and click on Brooker Creek Elementary. You can use this site to help your child select books that are just right for them.
Great Resources to Check Out: Remember that public libraries are a great resource for both enjoyment and information, too. Please visit their websites at either http://www.eastlakelibrary.org/ for East Lake or http://www.tarponspringslibrary.org/ for Tarpon Springs.
Danielle Gabbert, Library Media Technology Specialist
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn,
the more places you’ll go.
— Dr. Seuss
PE NEWS
Happy New Year Bobcats! We hope everyone had a great break with friends and family! We finished up 2023 with a couple units, including basketball, tetherball and 4-square. We also had our Run to the North Pole competition. During one of the weeks, students spent the first 20 minutes of class trying to run as many laps as possible… we also gave the students the option of walking and talking with their friends during their laps if they wanted to. We are really proud of all the students for making this an enjoyable event. Also, congratulations to all those students who hit their goals and made it to The Reindeer Club! We look forward to an awesome 2024… thank you Bobcats for your continued support for our PE program!
VOLUNTEER VIEWS
Happy New Year!
My name is Rachel Kloepfer and I am your new Family and Community Liaison at BCE! I am so proud to be a Bobcat and look forward to meeting all of you!
We had so many successful activities and celebrations in the month of December. That could not have happened without the help from our wonderful volunteers! Please do not forget to log your hours on the volunteer portal so that you and the school get credit for all your hard work. I have attached a quick guide link on how to log your hours. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything.
https://focus.pcsb.org/uploaded-assets-volunteer/file/Volunteer%20Quick%20Guide(1).pdf
CAFETERIA NEWS
Parents:
Did you know that all students at Brooker Creek Elementary and Schools in Pinellas County receive Free Breakfast every morning? Brooker Creek’s breakfast runs from 8:15 am to 8:40am daily.
We offer a wide variety of items from Hot to Cold.
Sample of Cold Items:
· A variety of Whole Grain Cereals,
· Nutri Grain bars,
· Whole Grain Blue Berry Muffins,
· Whole Grain Cocoa Cherry bars
· Whole Wheat Cinnamon toast
Sample of Hot Items, all breads are made with Whole Grains:
· Sausage Biscuit
· Bacon Egg and Cheese Pizza
· Mini Pancakes
· Egg and Cheese Croissant
· Chicken Biscuit
We also offer 100% Orange juice and low-fat Milk as well as a wide variety of fruits.
Lunch reminders:
Lunch cost $2.25 a day, there are several ways you can add funds to your child’s lunch account:
· Send in Cash, place in an envelope and write your child’s name and their teachers name on the outside and send it in to their teacher.
· Send in a Check, you may write out a check (payable to Brooker Creek Café), if you have multiple students then one check will do, just indicate on the memo line that you want it divided up and we will do the rest.
· My School Bucks get the app on Google play or the App Store, to set up your student you will need their 10-digit student id number. Once your child is set up you may add any amount to the account as you like. The app will also let you set up alerts so that you know when funds are getting low.
Please note a change in ice cream pricing- ice cream starts at $.75 and goes up to $1.00, students may prepay for ice cream any day of the week or bring their money in on Friday.
Winter Reminder, please label your students jackets and sweaters with the student's name and their teacher’s name. This allows us to get the clothes back to you. It is also helpful if you label your students lunch box and water bottle.
If you have any questions, please call the Cafeteria at 727-943-4027.
Thank you
Shane James
Manager, Brooker Creek El Café
Report Student Absence
Elementary School Wellness Guidelines
While we know that students and families enjoy providing treats to students, particularly on birthdays, there are strict rules and guidelines provided for the elementary student consumption of food items. We try to use our best discretion for these situations. The link provided below will take you to the district website outlining the guidelines, but we have included a graphic below. Items such as candy, cupcakes, and donuts do not meet the guidelines and we ask that you please do not provide them as the office staff will remind individuals of the guidelines and the food items will be returned to the adult delivering them. The link and graphic provided list options that are acceptable, and we ask that you make allowable selections when needed. Thank you for understanding.
Say Something
Birthday Marquee
Brooker Creek Elementary
Email: Hodgesjo@pcsb.org
Website: https://www.pcsb.org/brooker-es
Location: 3130 Forelock Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, USA
Phone: 727-943-4600