Black Mountain Schools PTO launches pilot clubs program

Primary and elementary students explore and engage new interests after school

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
March 20, 2024

Black Mountain Elementary students compete in a game of chess, March 18, in one of three pilot clubs programs offered through the Black Mountain Schools PTO. The initiative, which the nonprofit hopes to expand next school year, is designed to introduce local children to a broad array of extracurricular interests. Photo by Fred McCormick

The hallways of Black Mountain Primary School were empty after 3 p.m., March 18, but local second-, third- and fourth-graders were carefully contemplating their next moves over kings, queens, bishops and pawns. Although most of the 20 students were unfamiliar with the game of chess just a few weeks ago, all engaged thoughtfully, while sitting across from their opponents.

The weekly afterschool gathering represents a setting that could become commonplace, as the Black Mountain Parent Teacher Organization launches its pilot Clubs Program, designed to introduce local children to a broad array of extracurricular interests.

The initiative, which marks the return of a structured clubs program for students of Black Mountain Primary and Elementary Schools, launched in February with reading, science and chess clubs. The offerings expand upon current afterschool programs, including Primary Players, Chorus and the the Serve Our School Club.

Each group is led by a faculty sponsor, according to PTO co-vice president Frank Cappelli.

“There have been more clubs in the past, and a few are offered currently,” he said. “But, what we’re doing is trying to re-start a clubs program at both schools, while organizing a sustainable structure that will allow us to compensate the faculty members who lead them through the Buncombe County Schools system.”

Establishing a robust system of PTO-sponsored afterschool programs is a priority for the nonprofit organization.

“These programs are important for public schools, because spending more time at school is beneficial to childhood development,” Cappelli said. “We know keeping students engaged in a classroom setting after school leads to positive results, and these clubs are an opportunity to do that.”

Students expressed strong interest in the pilot program, according to Chess Club faculty sponsor Marcia Tucci, an Academically or Intellectually Gifted teacher at Black Mountain Primary and Elementary.

“The clubs are capped at 20 students, and we have a substantial wait list for this one,” said the educator, who is in her 17th year at the primary school. “The children who are excited to come here every week and learn about chess, which has been fun to see.”

Tucci introduced the group to the basics of the game through a series of exercises.

“The first week we played a game called the Farmer and Piggies, which was one king versus all the pawns,” she said. “The goal was to advance all the pawns across the board. The next week we played with the knights against the kings and that really helped them learn the movements of each piece.”

Five weeks into the eight-week program, students are eager to learn advanced maneuvers like castling.

“We learn some strategies, here and there, about how to move pieces in ways that allow them to think ahead to what the next move may be,” Tucci said. “We also work on understanding the value of the individual pieces, so, for example, why you wouldn’t want to sacrifice a piece like a bishop to take someone else’s pawn.”

While students enjoy the club’s social environment, they hone valuable problem solving skills, she continued.

The Black Mountain Schools Chess Club meets in Marcia Tucci’s classroom for their weekly gathering, where primary and elementary students are introduced to basic strategies of the game. Photo by Fred McCormick

“I want kids to try new things, because that’s how young people find interests they can become passionate about,” Tucci said. “I know a lot of the kids have gone home and played chess with their families over these past few weeks, so it’s great to see them take their excitement from the classroom out into the community.”

The success of the pilot program has generated momentum for the clubs program, as the PTO endeavors to expand afterschool offerings in the 2024-25 school year. The nonprofit will host a benefit concert a Pisgah Brewing in June, while opening sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and community organizations.

“Our vision is to create a club system for primary and elementary aged students that’s similar to the structure offered through Owen Middle School,” Cappelli said. “Establishing the pilot program was the first step, but growing and expanding clubs will rely on the support of parents and community members. For example, if you’re a parent who is interested in seeing a community garden at your child’s school, then you could run a gardening club.”

The long-term goal for the Black Mountain Schools Clubs Program, according to Cappelli, is to offer 10 to 12 afterschool clubs focused on subjects related to athletics, humanities and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).

“These clubs are really an investment into the children of this community,” Cappelli said. “Building a sustainable program that allows them to develop and grow in the future feels like a fairly simple way to support the next generation of this town.”

For more information about the Black Mountain Schools Club Program, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, email the Black Mountain Schools PTO at communications@@blackmountainpto.org.