The Bobcat Times

Dear Brooker Creek Families,

What a wonderful first two weeks back with our students! It has been exciting to see our campus filled once again with the smiling faces and energy of our Bobcats. I have been especially busy greeting students and working hard to learn the names of all of our new Bobcats who have joined the Brooker Creek family this year.

I also want to thank our parents and families for your tremendous support during the opening of school. Your cooperation with our school rules, arrival and dismissal procedures, and other expectations has helped us begin the year safely, smoothly, and successfully. We truly appreciate the partnership we have with our families and the important role you play in supporting our school.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you on campus next week for both our Open House and Family Lunch. This year, we have adjusted the Open House format from last year to better accommodate parking availability, provide teachers with uninterrupted time to share important classroom information, and allow families with multiple children at Brooker Creek the opportunity to visit each child’s classroom. We hope these changes will make the evening a more enjoyable and informative experience for everyone.

As we continue through the school year, please be sure to save the dates for our upcoming school and PTA family events. We have many opportunities planned throughout the year for our students, families, and staff to come together and celebrate the wonderful Brooker Creek community.

Thank you once again for your continued support and for helping us make the start of the 2026–2027 school year such a positive one. We are excited about all that lies ahead as we work together to ensure that Every Bobcat Counts!

Warm regards,

Seymour Brown
Principal
Brooker Creek Elementary School

This week, our students, staff, and visitors participated in our first Fire Drill and Active Assailant Drill of the 2026–2027 school year.

These safety drills are an important part of keeping our Bobcat community prepared. They provide students and staff with opportunities to practice safety procedures, understand expectations, and learn what to do in the event of a true emergency on our campus. While these drills may feel different from our typical school routines, practicing these procedures helps us respond calmly, confidently, and safely when it matters most.

If you have any questions regarding our safety drills or the procedures we follow during these training opportunities, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our administration team.

Where Every Bobcat Counts!

Monday August 24, 2026

• Volunteer Orientation 9-9:30am
• 3:00 pm PSA - Flag Football

• 3:00 pm PSA =- Basketball

Wednesday August 26, 2026

• 3:00 pm PSA - Soccer
• 3:00 pm Artsy Fartsy
• Open House Schedule
• 5:00 pm to 5:30 Prek - and VPK Class Presentations
• 5:30 BCE PTA General Meeting - Cafeteria
• 5:45 pm to 6:15 pm - Kindergarten -2nd Grade Class Presentations
• 6:30pm to 7:00 pm - 3rd - 5th Grade Class Presentations

Thursday August 27, 2026

• Family Lunches

Friday August 28, 2026

• Bobcat Spirit Day - Show off your Bobcat Gear

We are excited to invite you to this month’s Family Lunch on Thursday, August 27, 2026. This year we are hosting Family Lunches every other month.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, please review and follow these guidelines when visiting campus for lunch:

1. Arrival Time- All parents will need to present a photo ID to be signed in as a visitor to campus. Please make sure to arrive early as this event is well attended.

2. Seating Location – Parents are not permitted to eat in the cafeteria. We have seating in the east courtyard area to accommodate Family lunches.

3. Supervision – Students must remain seated with their parent for the entire lunch period. This is a time to enjoy your meal together, not to run or play. Please monitor your student closely. Students may only participate if a member of their family is present during the lunch.

4. Returning to Class – We ask that you do not sign your student out after lunch as we do not want them to miss valuable instructional time. If early sign-outs become an issue, we may need to reconsider how Family Lunch is offered in the future.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep these lunches safe, orderly, and enjoyable for all families. We look forward to seeing you!

Open House is specifically designed as an opportunity for parents and guardians to hear important information directly from their child’s teacher. While we encourage parents to attend without children when possible, we understand that childcare may not be available for every family. Please do not let childcare needs prevent you from attending—children are welcome to accompany their parents if necessary.

• 5:00–5:30 p.m. – VPK and Pre-K Teacher Presentations
  Cafeteria
• 5:30–5:45 p.m. – PTA General Welcome & Meeting
  Cafeteria
• 5:45–6:15 p.m. – Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade Classroom Presentations
• 6:30–7:00 p.m. – 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, and 5th Grade Classroom Presentations

We also encourage all families to stop by the cafeteria during the evening to learn more about the many opportunities available to support and become involved at Brooker Creek, including:

• PTA Membership & Spirit Wear Information
• Volunteer Registration/Reactivation & Level 2 Screening
• PTA Business Vendors & Community Partnership Opportunities
• Available After-School Programs
• 
  

We look forward to seeing our Bobcat families and sharing important information that will help make the 2026–2027 school year a successful one for every student.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to seeing you on August 26, 2026!

August 2026

24 - Volunteer Orientation 9:00-9:30am

26 - BCE Open House / PTA General Meeting

27 - Family Lunch
27 - Mobile Level II Fingerprinting at Brooker Creek (10am-1:30pm)

September 2026

4 - All Pro Dads Meeting 7:45am
4- Fall School Pictures

7 - No School Labor Day

11- Grandparents Breakfast

15 - BCE Family Fun Night

Dear Bobcat Families,

As we begin our first assessment cycle of the 2026–2027 school year, we want to make sure our families have important information regarding the PM1 Assessment Cycle.

The PM1 Assessment Window at Brooker Creek Elementary School will be September 1–25, 2026.

Please refer to the VPK, K–2, or 3–5 assessment letters below for important information specific to your child’s grade level. These letters provide an overview of the assessments students will complete during the PM1 assessment cycle.

Your student’s teacher will provide you with the specific date(s) of your child’s assessment(s), along with any additional information you may need.

Assessment data is an important part of our instructional process. It allows us to celebrate student growth, identify areas of need, and make informed decisions to ensure that every Bobcat receives the support and instruction needed to be successful.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are helping every Bobcat grow, learn, and reach their full potential!

Where Every Bobcat Counts! 🐾Should you have any questions regarding the PM1 Assessment Cycle, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Gerber.

Go Bobcats!

Brooker Creek Elementary is proud to be a Healthy School Award recipient. Our school follows Pinellas County Schools’ guidelines that promote healthy food and snack choices on campus.

Please help us continue supporting the health and wellness of our students by ensuring that any snacks or food donated for classroom use are store-bought, individually packaged when appropriate, and meet district nutritional guidelines.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a healthy school environment for Every Bobcat!

BCE Family Newsletter - Stakeholder Survey: Your Input Needed!

Dear Brooker Creek Families,

I am reaching out to you as partners in shaping the future of our school library. The Brooker Creek Library Media Center is gathering input from families to help guide our book selection process for the 2026-2027 school year. We want to hear from you about the kinds of books, resources, and materials you think would best serve your child’s interests and learning needs.

Please take a moment to complete the short survey to share your thoughts and suggestions. Your input will directly impact the resources we provide for all students.

Survey Link: Library Media Annual Stakeholder Survey – Fill out form

Survey Deadline: September 15th

We appreciate your time and feedback in helping us create a library space that supports every student’s success!

Thank you for your support,

An absence, a tardy or early sign out will be excused if caused by one of the following reasons: A. The student is ill or injured. B. There is a major illness in the student’s immediate family (this means parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, or others living in the home). C. There is a death in the immediate family. D. The student attends religious instruction or there is a religious holiday in the student’s own faith. E. The student is required by summons, subpoena or court order to appear in court. A copy of the subpoena or court order must be given to the principal. F. Special event. Examples of special events include important public functions, conferences, state/national competitions, as well as exceptional cases of family need. The student must get permission from the principal at least five days prior to the absence. G. The student has a scheduled medical or dental appointment. It is recommended, when possible, to schedule appointments outside of school hours, so students do not miss instruction. H. Students having, or suspected of having, a communicable disease or infestation which can be transmitted are to be excluded from school and are not allowed to return to school until they no longer present a health hazard (F.S. 1003.22). Examples of communicable diseases and infestations include, but are not limited to, fleas, head lice, ringworm, impetigo and scabies. Students are allowed a maximum of three (3) excused days for each infestation of head lice unless extended by principal. Students on field trips and students who attend alternative to suspension programs are not considered absent

SchoolCash Online is Pinellas County Schools new official online payment system for which makes it easier to securely pay for a variety of school-related expenses, including:

• Adopt-A-Class

• Adopt-A-School

• Birthday Marquee

• Field trips

• School donations

• Club fees, events, and much more

The district encourages families to sign up today. Registration is free. Register today and enjoy a faster, easier way to manage your student's school payments: https://pcsb.schoolcashonline.com/Registration/Profile

Brooker Creek Elementary is working to enhance our social media presence and highlight the wonderful events happening each week at our school. We invite all families to like and follow our Facebook page to stay informed about school news, celebrations, and important announcements!

District Vision: 100% Student Success

District Mission: Educate and prepare each student for college, career and life

Brooker Creek's Mission Statement: Brooker Creek Elementary, a community that encourages growth by valuing each other's differences, respecting everyone and creating life-long learners.

Brooker Creek Elementary

3130 Forelock Rd.,

Tarpon Springs, FL 34688-7286

https://www.facebook.com/BrookerCreekElementary/followers

Phone: 727-943-4600

Principal - Dr. Seymour Brown

Assistant Principal- Mrs. Kristie Gerber

Secretary / Bookkeeper - Mrs. Susan Flemming

Data Management Technician - Mrs. Eileen Quinones

School Counselor - Mrs. Toniann Prillhart

Media / Technology Specialist - Mrs. Danielle Gabbert

Front Office Clerk - Mrs. Phyllis Divilio

Family & Community Liaison - Mrs. Rachel Kloepfer

School Nurse - Mrs. Diana Glatczak