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Chamberlain Lends A Hand

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 27, 2007

Updated: 10/25/2007 06:34 pm

FOREST HILLS - Chamberlain had the volunteers, the energy and the experience with festivals.
Sulphur Springs Elementary had the need.

The two schools will come together today for a carnival the high school hopes will spark more parent involvement at Sulphur Springs. The elementary school is trying to get its Parent-Teacher Association off the ground after years of struggling, and Chamberlain pitched in to help host its first fall festival.

Students from high school service clubs crafted games for the elementary pupils and will run the booths. Chamberlain's football team will hold a sports clinic, and the boys' and girls' step-dance teams will perform. The homecoming king and queen will visit.

Food will be available at a minimal cost, said Mary Stewart, Sulphur Springs' PTA president. The groups wanted to keep expenses for families down and put the focus on getting parents involved in the elementary school - not raising money for the PTA, she said.

'I'm a parent-involvement stickler,' Stewart said. 'We want the parents to come out with the children and have a nice time together.'

The event goes from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sulphur Springs Elementary, 8412 N. 13th St. It follows the Saturday classes the school offers for children.

Stewart has volunteered at her granddaughter's school for five years and can't remember the elementary having a carnival. The PTA had wanted to have one last year but spent most of the school year finding enough members to be considered in good standing with the state organization and updating its mission statement and bylaws.

She met Chamberlain Parent-Teacher-Student Association members at the end of the school year, and they helped to get the event scheduled and brainstormed ways to make it work.

'Our hearts just went out to them,' said Heidi Ake, Chamberlain's PTSA president. 'We're from carnival central between Carrollwood and Lake Magdalene. These kids don't get everything the other schools get.'

More than 90 percent of Sulphur Springs Elementary families are considered low income, according to the school district. The PTA has a hard time getting members. Some parents shied away because of work schedules or a lack of education, which made them self conscious about coming to the school, Stewart said. She also said some parents have had a bad experience volunteering at school.

Stewart was impressed that Chamberlain would pitch in for another school. The carnival also has attracted attention from businesses and community agencies, which are donating prizes for games and participation and setting up informational booths.

The Chamberlain PTSA bought $200 worth of movie passes and other goodies for baskets that will be distributed in a drawing open to anyone who signs up to join the Sulphur Springs PTA.

Many of the Sulphur Springs children will attend Chamberlain for high school. Ake said she hopes it shows them the fun experiences they can have in high school and encourages them to set goals to make it there.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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