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PECS celebrates first day of school, ‘A’ status

by Beverly Bidney -
PECS teachers and staff surprise the students with golden confetti to celebrate the school’s ‘A’ rating by the state on the first day of school, Aug. 12. (Beverly Bidney)

BRIGHTON — Toward the end of the first day of school Aug. 12, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School students, staff and teachers gathered in the gym to celebrate the school earning an “A” status, again.

PECS is no stranger to the high ranking; it has been an “A” school eight times since it opened in 2008 as an elementary school. In 2011 the middle school was added. From then through 2021, the school was graded as separate elementary and middle schools.

Since 2022, PECS has two “A” grades in a row as a combined K-8 school. The state’s grades are based on achievement in English Language Arts (ELA), grade 3 ELA, mathematics, science and social studies. The grades are determined annually by the Florida Department of Education.

PECS teachers and staff dance together in a surprise flash dance mob during the school’s first assembly of the new year. (Beverly Bidney)

Principal Tracy Downing paid homage to the school’s founding mothers – Lorene Gopher, Louise Gopher and Jennie Shore – who had a vision for a school that would celebrate the rich Seminole heritage, culture and language.

In her remarks, she congratulated the students for their hard work that helped earn the school its “A” grade.

Students in the gym’s bleachers try to catch confetti as they celebrate the school’s ‘A’ rating. (Beverly Bidney)

“You will be ready for high school because of your education here,” Downing said. “Whatever you choose to do after that, you will be ready because you did the hard work.”

The celebration in the gym featured special guests including Brighton Councilman Larry Howard, Glades County superintendent of schools Dr. Beth Barfield, county school board member Jean Prowant, representatives from the charter school company affiliated with PECS as well as family and friends.

After the speeches, teachers and staff turned the center of the gym into a dance floor and flash mob dance party. Clearly, they practiced their moves to Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” and weren’t distracted by the cheers from the students in the bleachers. After the dance, which included a large unicorn and shark, the adults in the room picked up gold confetti cannons and let loose on the students.

The room went wild with delight as the students tried to catch the gold confetti pieces.

“This was all worth it. We have the best teachers,” Councilman Howard said. “At the end of the day, they deliver.”

Special guests, including Brighton Councilman Larry Howard, parade around the gym after the flash dance routine is complete. (Beverly Bidney)
From left to right, Glades School Board member Jean Prowant, Superintendent of Schools Beth Barfield and Culture instructor Dixie Houston participate in the celebration. (Beverly Bidney)
Beverly Bidney
Beverly Bidney has been a reporter and photographer for The Seminole Tribune since 2012. During her career, she has worked at various newspapers around the country including the Muskogee Phoenix in Oklahoma, Miami Herald, Associated Press, USA Today and other publications nationwide. A NAJA award winning journalist, she has covered just about everything over the years and is an advocate for a strong press. Contact her at beverlybidney@semtribe.com.
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