The Bobcat Times

Dear Brooker Creek Families,

This week, our staff said goodbye to two wonderful educators, Mrs. Brillant and Mrs. McParland. We are grateful for the care, dedication, and support they have provided to our students and school community, and we wish them both the very best as they begin their new endeavors at the same time that we welcome Mrs. Mahr and welcome back Mrs. Katsourinis.

This month is National Bulley Prevention Month and Mrs. Gerber and I will be visiting classrooms to revisit our school rules of using kind words and keeping hands and feet to oneself and how they prevent conflict among peers. I would appreciate if you would review these 2 very important expectations with your child to ensure that we are making good choices at school.

As we continue through the school year, we encourage all parents to remain actively engaged in their child’s education by regularly monitoring grades, attendance, and conduct via the parent FOCUS portal. When families and schools work together, we create the strongest possible foundation for every child to be successful.

I hope everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the cooler temperatures this weekend with family and friends and as always, thank you for your continued support and for helping us ensure that Every Bobcat Counts!

Seymour Brown

Principal
Brooker Creek Elementary School

Congratulations to October's Prestigious Paws Character Award recipients who are recognized by classroom teacher or specialist for students who have demonstrated the district’s commitment to character word of the month. This award is designed to recognize positive character traits and behavior in our students. September recipients are listed below who have exemplified Citizenship. Congratulations to these bobcats and their families!

Malaya B. Mrs. St. Onge & Ms. Skold

Gianna M. Mrs. Weiskner & Mrs. Farah

Jovani G. Mrs. Vargas & Mrs.Cruz

John S. Mrs. Read

Ava L. Mrs. Rebman

Laurel C. Mrs. Smekal

Olivia H. Ms. Manovill

Preston S. Ms. McSunas

Alex S. Mrs. TenBieg

Charlotte S. Mrs. McParland

Thy LE Mrs. Price

Hannah A. Mrs. Schwabe

Nico S. Mrs. Xipoleas

MacKenzie S. Ms. Brillant

Caleb M. Ms. Doran

Paxton M. Mrs. Hite

Aily T. Ms. McMullen

Sebastian D. Ms. Browne

Korban K. Mrs. Ficca

Gabriella G. Mrs. Schuler

Duncan G. Mrs. Hickman

Kaylee S. Ms. Smith

Heather S. Mrs. Miller

Barrett B. Mr. Rademacher

Sully S.-K Mrs. Livingston

Max R. Mr. Ross

Lucas K. PE Department

Uliana S. Ms. Iannello

Lennon M. Mrs. Lascano

October’s Commitment to Character word is Tolerance.

Tolerance means respecting and accepting others, even when their ideas, beliefs, backgrounds, abilities, or experiences may be different from our own. It also means showing patience, kindness, and understanding toward others.

Throughout the month of October, students and teachers will examine both the meaning and importance of tolerance and discuss ways we can demonstrate it each day at school, at home, and in our community.

This month, our school staff will focus on promoting a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment by educating students, staff, and families about strategies to prevent bullying.

This week, we will begin by helping students understand the difference between bullying and other types of conflict or unkind behavior. Students will learn how to recognize bullying, respond appropriately, seek help from a trusted adult, and support others who may be experiencing bullying.

By working together, we can help ensure that every student feels safe, respected, valued, and ready to learn.

What is Bullying?

Unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance, and it is REPEATED over time.

What is NOT Bullying?

Not all conflict, rough behavior, or hurt feelings meet the legal or clinical definition of bullying. The following are typically considered peer conflict or normal social friction rather than bullying:

• Mutual Conflict: Disagreements, arguments, or fights between peers with equal power or social standing where both sides express views or participate.
• Single Instances of Rudeness or Mean Behavior: A single unkind remark, a momentary loss of temper, or a single rejection, while hurtful, is isolated rather than repetitive and persistent.
• Not Getting Your Way:

Monday October 5, 2026

• Dr. Brown, You're PAW-some!! - We're a Fan of Dr. Brown - Wear Sports Attire

• 2nd Grade More Health Presentation- Hygiene
  
• Mrs. Schuler Field Trip to Brooker Creek Preserve

• 3:00 pm PSA - Basketball

Wednesday October 7, 2026

• Dr. Brown, You're PAW-some!! - Racing Together - Twin Day
• Mrs. Browne Field Trip to Brooker Creek Preserve
• 7:50 am PMAC Meeting
• 3:00 pm 4th Grade STEM Explorer Club
• 3:00 Girls with Pearls
• 3:00 pm SPARKS Art Club
• 3:00 pm PSA - Soccer
• 3:00 pm Artsy Fartsy

Thursday October 8, 2026

• Dr. Brown, You're PAW-some!! - Dr. Brown You Knock Our Socks Off - Crazy Sock Day
• 5th Grade More Health Presentation - Heart
• Mrs. Ficca Field Trip to Brooker Creek Preserve

Friday October 9, 2026

• End of Quarter 1 Grading Period

• Dr. Brown, You're PAW-some!! - Dr. Brown Spirit Day! - Wear Your Favorite Bobcat Attire

• Bobcat Spirit Day - Wear Bobcat Colors
• School Bookfair Begins

October

9 - Book Fair Begins

12- No school for Students

16 - Fall Festival

19 - School Fundraiser Begins

22 - Report Cards Distributed

27 - Family Lunch (DATE CHANGE)**

30 - APEX Paws on the Pavement Fun Run

November

5 - Math Family Fun Night (DATE CHANGE)**

6 - All Pro - Dads

9 - School Advisory Council Meeting

10 - Veterans Day Program

11 - No School for Students

13- Mid Term Progress Reports

18 - Great American Teach In (GATI)

19 - Turkey Trot

23 - Thanksgiving Break

11 - PTA Wonderland Holiday shoppe

11- PTA Holiday Movie Night

15 - Winter Chorus Concert

16 - Family Lunch

19 - Winter Holidays Begin

5 - Students Return

8 - All Pro Dads Meeting

14 - Report Cards Distributed

18- MLK Holiday

22 - Technology Fun Night

Please note the October Family Lunch and the Family Math Night have had a date change.

Brooker Creek Elementary's PTA invites all students' parents and families out to the Fall Festival, October 16 at Brooker Creek. Admission for BCE Students is free. Pre-sale tickets are $12.

Brooker Creek Elementary and the BCE PTA are excited to partner together for our upcoming Paws on the Pavement fundraiser! The fundraiser will run from October 20–30, 2026, with our fun-filled Paws on the Pavement event taking place on Friday, October 30. All proceeds raised will be split evenly between the school and PTA to support student recognition programs, classroom enhancements, and campus beautification projects. We appreciate the continued support of our Bobcat families and look forward to making this year’s fundraiser a great success!

We invite our Brooker Creek families and community members to participate as guest speakers in the 2026 Great American Teach-In on Wednesday, November 18, 2026!

This is a wonderful opportunity to share your career, talents, experiences, or special interests with our students and inspire our future leaders. Please see the flyer below for more information on how you can participate. We look forward to welcoming you into our classrooms!

October 2, 2026

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Re: Candace Iannello

Out-of-Field: ESOL Endorsement

Our outstanding teachers are dedicated to our students and to our vision of 100% student success. They are all certified by the state of Florida. In addition, they attend workshops and training courses designed to support them and offer strategies to help our students achieve.

Teacher selection and scheduling can be a challenging process. Occasionally it becomes necessary to assign a course to a teacher for which he/she is not currently certified. These decisions are made with consideration to teacher competence and with a continual commitment to the highest student achievement.

Any teacher assigned out of field is chosen carefully, given additional district support, and is expected to work toward appropriate certification in a timely manner.

Sincerely,

Seymour Brown

Book Fair Sign Up Genius:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845AAA629A2F58-65680412-bcefall

Fall Festival Sign Up Genius:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FA5A62EA4FC1-66042666-brooker#/

Volunteer Registration Link:

www.pcsb.org/volunteerregistration

Volunteer Focus Account:

https://focus.pcsb.org/volunteer

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!

A special thank you to the Brooker Creek Elementary PTA Platinum Sponsors for the 2026–2027 school year! Their generous support helps our PTA continue to provide valuable resources and opportunities that benefit the academic programs, student recognition efforts, teachers, and students here at Brooker Creek.

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