ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

1. Is there a PTA?
Yes, Cook has an active PTA membership. Parents are encouraged to be involved members of this organization. The goal of the N.B. Cook PTA is to promote the welfare of all children. The PTA is a very active and award winning organization and has accomplished this goal through parental participation, fund raising and community involvement. Some of our projects have included a Book Fair to raise funds to purchase library books, a school arts festival for the students, school beautification workdays, fund-raising to purchase needed items for the school, teacher appreciation luncheons, student awards, the "Reflections" program, a Manna Food Bank drive, hosting various speakers for parent education, and numerous other activities.

2. What about a School Advisory Council?
N.B. Cook School Advisory Council was established in August, 1992, and is made up of parents, teachers, school staff, and community representatives. The committee meets frequently here at the school to keep abreast of school progress.

3. Is there a volunteer program?
Volunteers have been an important part of our school for many years. N.B. Cook has received Florida's prestigious 5 Star Award for parent and community involvement since the awards inception. Our volunteers serve in many areas such as chaperoning for field trips, tutoring, reading, and supporting special projects. Parents are welcome and encouraged to become active volunteers at Cook. We presently have a number of volunteers from the community and Partners in Education, Rocking Readers, Youth Motivators, and a host of parents and friends.

4. Does Cook have any Partners In Education?
Our first partnership started in December of 1986 when the accounting firm of Saltmarsh, Cleaveland, and Gund adopted our school. Since then we have added other partners including the The First United Methodist Church, WUWF Radio Station, CiCi's Pizza, Apple Market, Rosewood Manor, West Pensacola Optimist Club, Plant & Flower Boutque, Florida Resturant Association/Jackson's Resturant, LE Shontz Surveyor and Maper, Pensacola Association of Realtors, and McIlwain Memorial Presbyterian Chruch.

5. Is there an after school child-care programs available?
Yes, N.B. Cook began an on-site program in the Fall of 1991. The after school program is contracted by the district. It runs every school day from 2:10 till 5:50 in the school cafeteria. There are also a number of child-care centers that pickup here at the school. Information may be obtained from the school office.

ABOUT OUR MAGNET PROGRAM

1. How will students be selected for the program?
If more applicants apply than spaces available, a random selection system will be used to insure fairness to all applicants.

2. What will happen if my child isn't randomly selected to participate in the program?
All applicants not randomly selected will be placed in a pool and will be notified for admission on a space-available basis.

3. My kindergarten student has a 5th grade brother. Can that child attend Cook and participate in the arts programs?
Brothers and sisters of students currently attending are eligible to attend N.B. Cook also.

4. My child will be a 5th grade student next year. He does not have a sibling in the magnet program. Can he apply?
Yes, any student living in Escambia County, from kindergarten through fifth grade, may apply to attend Cook.

4. My child now attends a good school with good teachers and has lots of friends there. I'm concerned about uprooting her.
Generally children cope very well to change and will adapt to a new school and make new friends very quickly.

5. Is there transportation being provided for students?
Please contact the school for current information.

6. Will my child still receive as much instruction in "the basics"?
Academic instruction will always be our top priority and primary focus. Through careful evaluation of daily schedules in the classroom and the most optimum use of time, we are dedicated to maintaining quality instruction in academics. The teachers are presently using strategies to integrate the skills and objectives of the various academic areas and the arts.

7. If my family has to move to another school, will my child be behind in the academics because he participated in this arts program?
The arts program is designed to enhance academic instruction, not hinder it. A student will not be "behind" in his academics because of his participation in the arts program.

8. How much time will be devoted to arts instruction?
All students attend an arts classes daily for 40 minutes.
We are dedicated to creative scheduling and quality use of time to guard and protect our academic instructional time.

9. What role will computers and other technologies play in the instructional program offered to my child?
The faculty and administration at Cook are dedicated to learning how to most effectively and efficiently integrate the use of technology throughout our curriculum. There is a technology plan that assures continued growth in the areas of equipment acquisition and training. Each classroom has at least six computers and there is a computer lab as well as many computers in the media center. We also have a Yamaha Keyboard Lab in the music room.

10. My child is a PATS student. Will he still receive services?
Because Cook is an Escambia County Public School, PATS students will continue to receive the same services as they would in other public elementary schools in the district. Students will also continue to receive transportation to the PATS center or Primary PATS School.

11. What will be the ratio of students to teachers in the Magnet Program?
Our district is in the process of implementing the Florida legislated classroom reduction law. Our class sizes are being lowered each year. Our district has implemented the Florida legislated classroom reduction law. Our class sizes follow those guidelines: Kindergarten through third grades have about 18 students. Fourth and fifth grades have about 23 students.

12. What will be the racial ratio in the Magnet Program?
We strive to maintain the same racial and economic ratio as the school district as a whole. That ratio is 65% majority and 35% minority.