I hope everyone enjoyed the Labor Day weekend. For many, it represents the last hurrah for Summer. As a father and a Principal, it represents a time where we get back to added stability and routine for our kids. It excites me to be in this stage of the year while our staff, students, and families get to know each other and begin learning new things. It was a really positive full week of school last week, and I think we are going to continue that momentum forward!

Arrival and dismissal

The beginning of the school year is always a hectic time of year for the parking lot. As a staff, we are all trying to find our groove to ensure that we run things smoothly. We have for the past several years been able to get folks in and out in 15 minutes for arrival and dismissal. It does take a few days and we are almost there. That being said, we will start enforcing the 8:15 tardies starting this week. If the lot is backed up, we will make exceptions but otherwise we expect our kids to be in the building by 8:15. Other notes...

Please do not drop your kids off unattended before 8:00 in the morning. Our doors open at that time.
Please do not block or park in handicap spots. We need these spots to be clear for those who have tagged cars.
Also please do not double park and leave your vehicle to pick up your child. You must remain in your car if you are double parked so that you can move up to a spot if needed. People who leave their cars block traffic and this backs up our lot unnecessarily. We appreciate all of your help!
If you have a child in elementary or middle school only, please drop them off at our buildings. If you have a student in EC then you can drop off all of your students there.
It would be helpful to use your turn signal when entering the lot.
We urge everyone to use crosswalks.
As always, staff is there to help!

Pathways

We have 4 different Pathways (Specials) classes that we are providing this year. Below are descriptions of the courses so that parents are in the know as to what students are learning this year.

Art with Mrs. Nilsen (dnilsen@premiercharterschool.org)

The Art Pathway will get a special opportunity to bring art outside the classroom and into the PCS community! Students will learn about several kinds of community-based and public art: murals, mobiles, installations, yarn-bombing, quilting, and more. As a class, we will work on a collaborative quilt, design murals, learn new print-making techniques, and use recyclable materials to create a sculptural installation. I know everyone will have some fantastic creative ideas to bring to the table.

Coding with Mr. Petersen (gpetersen@premiercharterschool.org)

In the coding pathway this year we will continue to learn how to write and assemble computer code for programming. Much of our time will also be spent in designing, building, and refining both student interest projects as well as functional solutions for needs around the school. We will learn 3D design and print student creations out of resin on 3D printers. We will research real world inventors and engineers and follow the engineering process to make better products and make ourselves better problem solvers.

Language and Culture with Ms. Crawford (kcrawford@premiercharterschool.org)

This year is going to be full of amazing things and I can’t wait to learn with you. While in my class you will learn all about different aspects of cultures from around the world. We will take time to research different foods from around the world and recreate them in class. We will learn about different volcanoes and make replicas of your favorites. You will have time to do your own research on what you are interested in about different cultures and create a showcase of what you discovered. I can’t wait to get this year started!

Music with Mr. Padgett (jpadgett@premiercharterschool.org)

In the music pathway this year we will be learning how to perform and compose music in different styles with different instruments! We will be learning how to play ukulele, Orff instruments (xylophone, glockenspiel), boomwhackers, and bucket drumming. With each of these instrument groups, students will create their own songs as well as improvising over some jazz chords with the Orff instruments. We will also be researching different famous musicians from St. Louis and students will get an insight into St. Louis’ rich musical history.

DRA

As mentioned in last week's newsletter, the Developmental Reading Assessment window opens this week. Our staff will be administering this to students so that we can use the data to guide our instruction this year.

Library News

Did your child take the summer reading challenge? Remind them to turn in their form (with their name and teacher's name written on it!) to Mrs. Ramsey in the library by Friday September 9th!

Stem

Check out the attached fliers for an awesome opportunity for your child to attend STEM camp at St. Louis University through the iSCORE institute! Scholarship opportunities are available to help cover the cost. Simply click on the QR code on the flier for more information and registration.

These STEM learning experiences are developed and implemented by Dr. Christa Jackson and her iSCORE institute. Dr. Jackson, a professor at SLU, and PCS have developed a partnership over the past year, and we are excited to have our students included in this opportunity at SLU. Click here to learn more about iSCORE.

Fundraiser

PCS will be partnering with TJ's Pizza this fall for a fundraiser. Fundraising forms should have gone home with students by today. All order forms are due back with payments to PCS by September 19th. Please see the attachment for more details.

TJ Pizza Form

2022-2023 Meal Application video

Please click on the link to view a video from Mrs. Morgan Brandt regarding this year's meal applications:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CUVS-v0LbMD-DSbJ-aDOK3vqOt52M4Mi/view?ts=63169466

If you fill the form out by Friday, September 16th, you will be eligible for the gift card lottery!! Completing the form takes less than 7 minutes and we have made it super easy to complete the form through your Infinite Campus parent portal.

If you need help filling out the form, check out our YouTube tutorial and Step by Step guide that we’ve created for you all: How to complete FRAM Meal Application

September upcoming dates

August 29-September 16: Fall iReady diagnostic assessment window

September 6-September 22: DRA Window

September 13: PCG Night at Rock N Jump

September 15: Board Meeting

September 23: PD Day - NO SCHOOL for students

Thanks and have a great week!

--
Tyson Strickler

Elementary School Principal