Elementary School Newsletter

 

October 12, 2018

Dearest PCS families,

Happy Fall! I guess Fall decided to come in with a bang! With cooler temperatures here, it is always a good time to remind families about appropriate dress for those cooler temps. Students will go out to recess all days where there is not rain or very low temperatures. So please send your children to school in jackets/coats/gloves/hats when appropriate. Kiddos get pretty chilly in just hoodies for a jacket. The only students that will be allowed to stay in are those with doctor’s notes regarding not going out in cooler temps. We just do not have enough supervision for some to stay in and others to go out. We also know the importance of movement in a child’s day so having opportunities to go out and burn off some energy is important at all times of the year. Please also mark all items with your child’s name, as well as remind them to keep track of their items. Many items look similar so a name can be very helpful when locating an item or not having someone else claim because it looks just like theirs. Classroom teachers help with this but keeping up with 2o some coats, 20 some hats and 40 some gloves is a daunting task!! We do have multiple lost and found areas for items so please check those as well.

Have a great weekend!

Dana Leesman, Elementary Principal 

p: 314.645.9600 x608             e: dleesman@premiercharterschool.org

Meet our new 5th-8th Grades Music Teacher, Alyssa Rea…

Hi! I am so excited to be teaching music to the amazing students at Premier Charter School. This year, I hope to build a safe and encouraging musical community that  encourages the students' voice and choice. I hope to see students learning various instrumentation and vocal techniques, create projects that showcase the type of music they enjoy, while along the way learning musical theory that corresponds to their grade level. We will also be working on an after-school choir opportunity. Building relationship with students and parents is very important to me, so I hope to hear from you in the future! 

Autism Speaks…

The St. Louis-Walk Now for Autism Speaks event will take place this Saturday, October 13, 2018 in Forest Park.  Please see the attached flyer on more information on how to join our PCS team for the walk on October 13.

Quarter 1 Conferences…

The end of the first quarter is upon us and it is time to host conferences.  Conferences will be held on the following days: Wednesday, October 24th: 4:00-7:30 pm and Thursday, October 25th: 12:30-7:30 pm. Teachers will be sending home your specific conference time very soon. It is important and necessary that you bring your child to the conference.  They have an important role to play. We look forward to discussing the progress of your child!

Food Service Survey…

At PCS, our goal is to provide our students with a fulfilling experience throughout every day that they are in attendance.  Part of our students' daily routine is eating usually at least one meal while at school.  We'd like to get your feedback on how you and your student feel about the food offered by Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE), our provider for school served breakfast and lunch.  Please consider taking this short survey to give us your point of view:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J5WBFJD

 

Parent University Coming Soon…

Please join us for our first Parent University Night of the 2018-2019 School year! The first topic will be about Digital Citizenship and, as parents, how we monitor and help our kids navigate this new world of technology. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP to mgray@premiercharterschool.org with how many will be attending in your family.  See attached flyer for more information. 

 

A Note Regarding Class Parties in the Elementary School…

With the end of October approaching, there will be some questions regarding school and classroom parties. I wanted to take a minute to address to make sure everyone is on the same page. Over the last few years the team has continued to have discussions about the variety of parties we have at PCS and always thinking about ways to make them the most inclusive and successful. As a public school we have been careful not to make these parties only centered around religious based holidays, as well as keeping a reasonable balance as to how many parties we are trying to accomplish in one year.  A couple of years ago the elementary team decided to go with a winter party and a spring party and we will carry the same structure over to this year.

We understand that parties are a fun part of a student's schooling experience, and it is not our intent to take any fun away from our students. In fact we pride ourselves in creating many opportunities to experience the joy of each season throughout many months of activities and not simply one afternoon. Throughout the year there are many fun activities going on to celebrate the seasons and this Fall is no different. Hosting the peace rally, family days, the fall festival, trunk or treat, field trips to pumpkin patches and great outdoor venues are all opportunities our kids had or will have just to name a few. 

Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have or clarifications you may need. Thanks!

Mini Cheer Camp…

The middle school cheerleaders are excited to be hosting the sixth annual Elementary Mini Cheerleading Camp! This camp is a unique experience for students in grades K-5 to collaborate with our middle school cheerleading squad, while learning the fundamentals of cheerleading and a fun cheer routine. It will be held at PCS on November 10th, 2018. A form will be coming home with your child if they are interested.

 

Free/Reduced Meal Status 2018-2019…

As a reminder, Free/Reduced lunch statuses from the previous school year have expired!  If you have not filled out an application for this current school year, or are interested in turning one in for the first time, make sure that you do so and turn it into any of the offices ASAP!   We ask that all families have one on file as our Free/Reduced Meal numbers have positive funding implications.  If you have any questions feel free to contact Ben Huebner at bhuebner@premiercharterschool.org.

 

Makerspace Supply Drive...

Thank you to everyone who has donated items to our new makerspace!  We will update our donation wish list each week and post it here!  Please see the updated list below for items we are still looking to add to our makerspace! 

*What is a makerspace? A makerspace is a place for students to imagine, explore, tinker, invent, design, and create.  3rd-5th graders will come to the makerspace once a week. During this special, they will learn how to use the new space and materials through a variety of design and building challenges.

 

Needing to contact a staff member at PCS??…

Reminder that if you need to contact a teacher and you don’t remember or have easy access to their email address, you can fill out the contact us on the home page of the website and it will be forwarded to the correct person. Staff bio pages will also be coming to the website by the end of the month.

After School Clubs...

The Let Me Run club is off and “running”. Please check out their first newsletter (attached at bottom). So much fun for these boys!

Comic Book Club coming soon for grades 3-5! Be on the lookout for sign up forms coming soon. Club is limited to 15-20 students.

 

BAC Reminders…

Students are only allowed 5 drop-ins for Before care and 5 drop-ins for Aftercare per year. The Before care drop-in fee is $5 and Aftercare drop-in fee is $15 per student. There will be a $25 Aftercare drop-in fee per child on half days; our next half day is October 25th. Also, families that plan on using the drop-in program need to call ahead or email Mr. Lydon at jlydon@premiercharterschool.org

PCG News & Happenings...

  • Mark your calendars!! October 20 is our annual Fall Festival. This event is a family fun event for a fall afternoon. That evening please join us for Trunk or Treat and our First Annual Chili Cook Off!!  All events are held at PCS. Please see the attached flyers for more information. If you are able to volunteer for an hour or two we would really appreciate the help. Please email Terry Brogan (tbrogan@lashlybaer.com) to sign up.

    • PCG is also looking for volunteers to help make this Fall Festival the best yet! If you can donate some of your time that day, it would be much appreciated. Click on link to go to the Sign Up Genius page to see what times are still needing help. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4eaaab28a6f94-2018

  • If you would like to be on the PCG parent email group, send your email address to Terry Brogan (tbrogan@lashlybaer.com).  You will receive updates on upcoming events, etc.  Please take a moment to like the PCG parent Facebook page if you are on FB.

  • If you have Box Tops at home, be sure to collect and sent them in for additional fundraising opportunities for the school.  There is a collection box located in the Elementary Building.

Fun in the StL...

Saturday, October 13  10:30 - noon Hansel & Gretel Family Musical at Andrew's Academy 888 N. Mason Activities start at 10:30 a.m.  Musical starts at 11 a.m.  https://saintlouis.kidsoutandabout.com/content/hansel-and-gretel-family-musical-0

Sunday, October 14  9:30- 4:30 St. Louis Science Center Sci-Fest: The Great Outdoors . As the leaves change, meet local professionals who work outdoors.Check out the Solar Racing Team from SIU, meet the Gateway Grizzlies, learn to filet a fish, meet a popcorn farmer, and navigate the globe with scientists from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, pet the goats, grade an eggLearn how you could work in the great outdoors yourself! https://www.slsc.org/event/scifest-the-great-outdoors-2018/ 

Sunday, October 14  2-4 p.m. Free Family Days at Laumeier Sculpture Park in Sunset Hills . Work alongside Visiting Artist, Andrea Coates in various art activities as you think about color in a new way.  Visit David Hutson's new neon installation, When I Rise, as you explore how colors work differently throughout the park.http://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/free-family-days/

 

Upcoming Important Dates...

  • 10.13.18: Autism Speaks Walk

  • 10.18.18: End of Quarter 1

  • 10.18.18: Parent & Board Meet & Greet @ 6:30-8:00 pm

  • 10.20.18: Fall Festival, Trunk or Treat & Chili Cook-Off

  • 10.24.18: Quarter 1 Conferences (evening)

  • 10.24.18: PCG Family Night - White Castle on S. Kingshighway @ 4:00-7:00 pm

  • 10.25.18: Quarter 1 Conferences - Noon Dismissal

  • 10.26.18: No School

  • 11.2.18: No School - Staff PD

  • 11.8.18: PCS Board Meeting @ 4:30 pm

  • 11.9.18: Veterans' Day Assembly

  • 11.15.18: Literacy Ball & Book Fair @ 5:30-7:00 pm

Be sure to check us out on social media... Twitter, Facebook, Instagram!  All teachers & classrooms have accounts where you can check out pictures and happenings.