ECU Community School back in session for fifth year

ECU Staff Senate member Hector Molina, left, looks over donated school supplies with ECU Community School social worker Kristian Backman, Integrated Care Director Randoria Atkinson and Principal Tracy Cole. (Photos by Rhett Butler)

The ECU Community School started its fifth year of operation on Aug. 23 with in-person instruction for all 114 enrolled scholars.

“The first couple of weeks have been very positive at the Community School,” said Tracy Cole, principal of the school. “The scholars are so excited to be back on campus.”

After the first day of class, Cole met with her staff to discuss what went well and any changes that needed to occur.

“There were several comments that students were attentive during class, and they seemed to be excited about being back. Students were eager to learn,” Cole said.

Many of the safety protocols from the previous academic year stayed in place including wearing face coverings and handwashing breaks. Physical distancing measures shifted according to North Carolina’s recommendations from 6 feet to 3 feet.

A new strategy that the Community School started this year was a partnership with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to provide on-site COVID-19 testing.

“If a scholar or a faculty/staff member starts displaying symptoms, and if we have the parent’s permission, a COVID-19 test can be administered on site,” Cole said.

Eunetta Spells, the school’s administrative support associate, administers the test, bags it and contacts MAKO, the Raleigh-based company the school has partnered with to process tests.

“This keeps families from having to run around Pitt County to find a place to test, and we have their results right away and can share them right away,” Cole said. “Many of our families have taken advantage of that.”

The ECU Community School thrives on partnerships throughout the university and community. One of these partnerships is with the ECU Staff Senate. Recently, the Staff Senate had its third annual school supply drive for the Community School and South Greenville Elementary.

ECU Staff Senate members unload boxes of school supplies from their vehicles to donate to the ECU Community School and South Greenville Elementary.

Boxes were set up in 16 locations across main campus and the health sciences campus. Staff members had a month to collect supplies before the scheduled drop-off on Sept. 3.

Almost 1,600 school supplies were collected, including 265 packs or sticks of glue, 76 boxes of crayons, 122 spiral bound notebooks and 78 packs of paper.

“It was really exciting to be able to help,” said Kristin Wooten, Staff Senate secretary. “I’ve done some other volunteer activities with South Greenville, so I know how much this area needs these supplies. It’s really rewarding to be able to do this for them.”

The Staff Senate is looking for additional ways to connect with the Community School and give back.

“It was awesome going to the school and seeing the actual kids in the classrooms and the faculty and staff that you’re affecting,” said Patrick Mitchell, Staff Senate treasurer.

The ECU Community School is seeking renewal for another five-year term from the UNC Board of Governors. To learn more about the Community School visit education.ecu.edu/ecucs.