chapters

• Akron/Akron Community School West
• New Bern/Sunshine
• Packer's Bend/Monroe Intermediate
• Beatrice/J.F. Shields
• Flomaton/Flomaton HS
• Florala and Lockhart/ Florala HS,  Florala City MS, W.S. Harlan Elementary
• Loachapoka/Loachapoka HS and MS
• Camp Hill/Edward Bell HS
• Oakman/Oakman HS
• Section/Section HS
• Sand Rock/Sand Rock HS
• Gaylesville/Gaylesville
• Spring Garden/Spring Garden HS

note to participants

March 10, 2009

To: PACERS Members

From: Jean Mosley

Andrew Goetz
Jack Shelton

Re: Community Chapters Meeting, February 28

We are writing to say thanks to the groups represented at the meeting. Your interest and ideas are very important for the future of PACERS. We especially want to thank the Sand Rock, Florala, Camp Hill, and Flomaton chapters for their presentations.

The meeting was the first ever of chapters, and we are grateful that—despite the very bad weather—all but three chapters were represented. From our perspective the exchange of ideas and information was very productive. It was clear from the discussions and presentations that there are common issues that affect all communities and schools and that help set the agenda for PACERS. The issues include the need for constant collaborative efforts to maintain and build upon the strengths of small schools, to promote community ownership and support of schools, and to strive for educational practices, programs, and policies that are academically engaging and relevant for our students. Also it is essential that local chapters contribute to and be advocates for PACERS programs in their schools.

Small rural schools and communities need a voice that can be heard by decision makers, media representatives, and others who influence perceptions of and policies regarding rural education. PACERS has been striving to do just that, however, the meeting on Saturday represented a big step forward because it brought together our community chapters that can become the basis for a more effective effort to assist schools and communities. We look forward to working with you and to the leadership and initiative that you can bring to PACERS.

We look forward to the conference on April 28th. Conference details on web-site (www.pacersinc.org) on March 11. While we know that the week-day setting will make it difficult for some PACERS members to attend, we hope that all chapters will have members present.