DECATUR — North side Elementary School in Decatur held its first ever Morning Coffee March 16 to help connect the school with business leaders and community members.

A small group of com munity members and school staff met in the school library to discuss some of the school’s current programs and future initiatives over coffee and pastries.

Principal Leslie Sharp said Morning Coffee was designed to help create a partnership between the school and community so they could work together to promote the school and promote Decatur. She said shewould also like to help community members learn more about what the school has to offer and the resources it can share with the community.

“I want people to know the good thingsthe school does,” she said.

The school is currently raising funds for a second playground, developing a student forum so fifth and sixth graders can have a voice, planning a Hispanic parents’ community outreach program, working to recruit PTO members, and continuing the landscaping project, Sharp reported.

The group also discussed developing afterschool interest clubs, a school newspaper and the dream of building a school gymnasium. Sharp said she plans to hold Morning Coffee on a monthly basis. A date for the next meeting has not yet been set.

School News, Pages 10 on 03/23/2011