On Thursday, Burlington Elementary School will be hosting its monthly community event, where families and friends come together to read, learn and connect. This month’s theme is “glampout,” and families are encouraged to bring their tents and read with their students.
“They’re coming into the building and seeing their child’s school,” said Principal Andrew Gatewood. “They’re seeing what they do and they’re actually getting to participate in the learning process together.”
Monday, during a monthly parent-teacher association meeting, Gatewood was informed that membership was getting low. He decided that he too would bring his tent to Thursday’s “glampout,” but with a little less “glam.”
“I said OK kids, you have a homework assignment tonight,” Gatewood said. “You need to convince your parents to join PTA.”
The PTA is currently at 121 members. If they can get to 325 members, Gatewood said he will camp out on the roof.
Since making this announcement, Burlington Elementary Schools PTA membership has increased by 200%.
“What I’m really trying to do,” Gatewood said, “I want parents to feel welcome. I want parents to understand, we want to partner with them on their child’s education. We can’t do it without their partnership.”
Families have until 8 p.m. Thursday to join. Each parent can join the PTA for six dollars.
Gatewood said students have already begun warning him of the boogie man on the roof. They’ll find out tonight if Gatewood will be sleeping next to him.
Burlington parents interested in joining the PTA can click here.
