On Friday I took advantage of the beautiful weather and went on a long walk. Right before I left my house the CDC had just released the news that the mask mandate could begin to be lifted. As I was walking I was lost in my thoughts (as I often am when I walk) about this unprecedented year and all of the challenges and successes we encountered. So many memories came flooding back in with emotions that vacillated between sadness and hope. I then happened to look up at the sky and I saw a beautiful rainbow. Of course this isn’t the first time I have seen a rainbow but for some reason it stopped me in my tracks. I was confused because we typically see rainbows after it rains and it hadn’t rained in days. I felt a smile on my face as I was filled with hope. Hope that we better ourselves from lessons learned during this time. Hope that we begin to gather together with our loved ones and enjoy life’s activities that we so desperately miss. Hope that we can see some resemblance of life as we once knew it. And a never ending hope that in the fall we welcome 300 students through our middle school doors.

It would be remiss of me if I didn’t acknowledge that there were struggles we had to work our way through. Despite these struggles, I have seen many successes and resiliency first hand. Teachers dedicated endless hours learning how to teach remotely while still building a supportive and safe community. Students navigated new learning platforms, learned how to collaborate with one another through a screen and even when exhaustion and discouragement crept in they never gave up. Parents, you have given us encouragement, understanding and grace when it was needed and for that we are so thankful. These past 15 months have been a testament to just how resilient we truly are.

As we transition into summer we also have two groups of students who are facing major transitions: our 5th graders are transitioning into middle school as our 8th graders transition from PCS to their new high school.

Saying goodbye to the class of 2021 will be bittersweet for many of us. While their final year at PCS didn’t look like what they had hoped for, they still created memories that will last a lifetime. I am confident that each graduate will go onto do incredible things during their high school careers and beyond. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to watch your children grow into the incredible individuals they are. Thank you for giving me the privilege of spending the past three years (or for some, many more) with your precious children...they will be greatly missed.

As we say goodbye to the 2020-21 school year, I would like to thank you for all of your support. Have a wonderful summer...one that is full of hope and endless possibilities. And please remember, whether you are ending your time as a PCS parent or just joining our middle school each one of you is forever part of our family.

Kindly,

Kim

314.645.9600 (607)~kwright@premiercharterschool.org

Announcements

YOU ARE INVITED TO A BOGO BOOK FAIR!

The PCS Library is celebrating the end of the year and kicking off a summer of reading with an outdoor book fair that our students can visit in person! Our profits are passed along to you as a free book with every purchase! No cash, please! Visit our book fair homepage today to set up an ewallet account. It's easy and will help to keep our fair safe for all!

Outside the Library (Building C)-look for the signs!

In-person students:

May 17th-21st
During school
Payment method: ewallet

Virtual students:

May 18th and 19th
5-7 pm
Payment method: ewallet, credit card, or check.

Would you like to donate a book to a student in need? Click here to contribute to the library ewallet. All funds will go toward free books for students who are unable to purchase their own.

Questions? contact Vera Ramsey vramsey@premiercharterschool.org

314-645-9600 x320