Fairmont Elementary students tell board their Early Act club helped 50 families; Rotary asks districtwide expansion

Fairmont Elementary students spoke to the Bristol Tennessee City Schools board about their newly formed Early Act Club and the student‑led projects it has completed in its first semester.

Trey Harrington, principal of Fairmont Elementary, introduced the group and said teachers and Rotary Club support helped launch the club. Fourth‑grader Emma Townen told the board, “Early Act is a service club for elementary students. Basically, it's a group of kids who like helping people and getting things done.”

Students detailed a December food drive designed to provide easy‑to‑prepare, kid‑friendly items for families over the holiday break. Club members described producing a short commercial, collecting donations both at school and from social media, forming an assembly line after school to pack bags, and delivering enough supplies to serve about 50 families. “It felt really good knowing we helped students in our own school,” one student said.

Tom King, president of the Bristol Noon Rotary Club, which helped fund the club’s startup costs, told the board he would like to see Early Act expanded across the district. “Our Rotary club is ready to support an Early Act at every school,” King said, asking the board to consider adopting the pilot in other elementary buildings.

Board members praised the students’ leadership and the club’s focus on service. The board did not vote on a districtwide expansion but said it would take King’s request under advisement.

The presentation also included expressions of appreciation: students presented a small token to the board for School Board Appreciation Month, and the director of schools later thanked staff and sponsors for facilitating student engagement at the meeting.

Next steps: The board recorded the request and indicated staff would consider the pilot’s results before advancing any districtwide action.