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PITTSBURG —
Pittsburg Community Middle School parents got a chance to get a look at their children’s’ classroom environment and bone up on what local service organizations have to offer them Monday night during the school’s second annual Big Event.
“It’s similar to an open house and it gives parents an opportunity to meet their kids’ teachers, go to a book fair and meet community agencies,” PCMS counselor Teresa Spangler said. “It’s a fun time and we get everyone together. It’s kind of a one-stop shop.
In the past, PCMS hosted an event only for incoming sixth grade students, Principal Lonnie Moser said. But last year’s event, which opened the school up to all grades, was so popular — it drew more than 600 students and parents — that the staff decided to host the event every year. This year’s turnout might have been even bigger, he said.
“The line to get inside was so long I had to tell them to quit signing them up,” Moser said.
Throughout the evening the students and their families toured the school, meeting with teachers in their classrooms and learning about numerous programs offered at the school, including MTSS, Student Incentives and Talent Search. They also learned about various community services such as Kansas Children’s League, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and the Pittsburg Police Department, among others.
Seventh grade math teacher Shauna Rooks said getting to know her students’ parents and getting them involved early is crucial to their children’s performance in class.
“A good working relationship makes the difference in how successful a student will be like night and day,” Rooks said. “It really helps if the parents are involved. It makes all the difference in the world.”
Shelli Walrod, who is the Healthy Family Supervisor for the Kansas Children’s Service League in Pittsburg, said the organization just received a Safe and Supportive Schools grant to fund a 24-hour anti-bullying hotline last week. The Big Event, she said, has been instrumental in letting her get the word out to parents.
“I couldn’t tell you how many parents were, like, ‘Oh, my gosh, thank you,’” Walrod said. “There are a lot of parents and students dealing with those issues.
Pittsburg resident Lori Blakemore was there to learn about the school her daughter, Megan, who is entering sixth grade, will be attending for the next three years.
“I like meeting the teachers and telling them that if they need anything to just call me,” Blakemore said.
Megan said she’s having a good time in school so far.
“I’m still getting used to the stairs,” she said.
Pittsburg Community Middle School parents got a chance to get a look at their children’s’ classroom environment and bone up on what local service organizations have to offer them Monday night during the school’s second annual Big Event.
“It’s similar to an open house and it gives parents an opportunity to meet their kids’ teachers, go to a book fair and meet community agencies,” PCMS counselor Teresa Spangler said. “It’s a fun time and we get everyone together. It’s kind of a one-stop shop.
In the past, PCMS hosted an event only for incoming sixth grade students, Principal Lonnie Moser said. But last year’s event, which opened the school up to all grades, was so popular — it drew more than 600 students and parents — that the staff decided to host the event every year. This year’s turnout might have been even bigger, he said.
“The line to get inside was so long I had to tell them to quit signing them up,” Moser said.
Throughout the evening the students and their families toured the school, meeting with teachers in their classrooms and learning about numerous programs offered at the school, including MTSS, Student Incentives and Talent Search. They also learned about various community services such as Kansas Children’s League, the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and the Pittsburg Police Department, among others.
Seventh grade math teacher Shauna Rooks said getting to know her students’ parents and getting them involved early is crucial to their children’s performance in class.
“A good working relationship makes the difference in how successful a student will be like night and day,” Rooks said. “It really helps if the parents are involved. It makes all the difference in the world.”
Shelli Walrod, who is the Healthy Family Supervisor for the Kansas Children’s Service League in Pittsburg, said the organization just received a Safe and Supportive Schools grant to fund a 24-hour anti-bullying hotline last week. The Big Event, she said, has been instrumental in letting her get the word out to parents.
“I couldn’t tell you how many parents were, like, ‘Oh, my gosh, thank you,’” Walrod said. “There are a lot of parents and students dealing with those issues.
Pittsburg resident Lori Blakemore was there to learn about the school her daughter, Megan, who is entering sixth grade, will be attending for the next three years.
“I like meeting the teachers and telling them that if they need anything to just call me,” Blakemore said.
Megan said she’s having a good time in school so far.
“I’m still getting used to the stairs,” she said.
