Parent Coordinator Emerald Fletcher helps the family of Emely Carrasco with new registration documents in the Truman Family Welcome Center. (Photos: Dave Roush)
BRONX, NY – After many years without a Parent Coordinator, Truman High School welcomed one of it’s own for the 2023-2024 school year, as Co-Op City resident Emerald Fletcher took on the important role starting in September.
“We are thrilled to welcome back Emerald to the Truman Family,” says Principal Keri Alfano. “Besides being a phenomenal asset to the school while she was a student here, bringing Emerald on board is also a reflection of our commitment to being the high school of choice for our Co-Op City neighbors.”
Fletcher fields phone calls from parents in her new role.
Fletcher, who graduated in 2018, as well as three of her siblings all attended Truman High School. Her mother, Isabel Fletcher was also very involved in the school’s Parent Teacher Association.
“There is no other family out there who better represents both Truman and Co-Op City than the Fletchers,” according to Media teacher David Roush. “Whether you think about her sister Pearl leading our rockstar girls wrestling team, Emerald helping literally rebuild and reboot our television studio, or their mother Isabel constantly here in the building being a support for all of us – we could not have a better fit for parent coordinator.”
“I was a little apprehensive at first,” Fletcher says. “Because I only knew the parent coordinator through the lens of my mother. She was very heavily involved in the PTA here and I remember I went to a meeting with her once, and it was intense.”
The job of the parent coordinator is to assist in outreach for activities and to access the needs of parents. They also provide support and assistance to the parent-teacher association.
Fletcher reflected on her mother’s reaction to being named for the job.
Fletcher, pictured during her time as a student in the Media Program.
“She (my mother) was so happy. I have a short commute. I don’t have to go to Manhattan anymore. She knows how important Truman High School was to me when I was here. This was my second home,” Fletcher says. “I was here after hours, working with teachers, working with other students and just making connections. So I feel this role fit me, and she (mom) felt the same way.”
Fletcher went on to talk about some of the goals she’d like to accomplish in her new role. She hopes to engage parents in more activities with the teachers at the school, as well as increase involvement in the PTA. She also hopes to bring more Truman students and staff to events around Co-Op City. She says she has already enjoyed interacting with parents as she assisted with enrolling new students.
“I love the vibes that (the job) brings. There was actually a parent I was speaking to. She seemed pretty closed off at first, and after I finished doing all of the paperwork, she said ‘I really enjoy your vibe, and you made this paperwork not as dreadful.’ I think being from Co-Op, I know the culture of the community, and I know the ins-and-outs.” Fletcher says.
Parents wishing to reach out to Ms. Fletcher via email can do so at efletcher8@schools.nyc.gov.