Middle School Newsletter 

 

January 18, 2021

MS. WRIGHT'S WRITING…

Dearest PCS Families,

Today I came across the following post:

Barely the day started and it's already six in the evening. 

Barely arrived on Monday and it's already Friday. 

And the month is already over.

And the year is almost over.

And  30, 40 or 50 years of our lives have passed.

And we realize that we lost our parents and friends.

And we realize it's too late to go back.

So, let's try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time.

Let's keep looking for activities that we like.

Let's put some color in our grey.

Let's smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.

And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy this time we have left. 

Let's try to eliminate the afters.

I'm doing it after.

I'll think about it after.

We leave everything for later like ′′ after ′′ is ours.

Because what we don't understand is that:

Afterwards, the coffee gets cold.

Afterwards, priorities change.

Afterwards, the charm is broken.

Afterwards, health passes.

Afterwards, the kids grow up.

Afterwards, parents get old.

Afterwards, promises are forgotten.

Afterwards, the day becomes the night.

And then it's often too late.

So, let's leave nothing for later.

Because we can lose the best moments, the best experiences, the best friends, the best family.

The day is today.

The moment is now.

Hours after reading it I was still thinking about the author’s message. I know we all had great hopes that once the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2020, we could say goodbye to all the struggles we experienced during the year.  Unfortunately, we are still navigating our way through uncharted waters. 

Life’s journey is one that is unpredictable. A journey that is unique. One that is full of peaks and valleys. Everyday we get to make a decision on how we are going to respond to our journey. I know that I have experienced days filled with pure joy as well as those that have brought me to my knees. 

I have always believed that life’s little moments are what are truly important. I have found that when I am honestly living each day to the fullest I can fully appreciate these beautiful moments. My moments may be insignificant to others. However, they fill my heart with gratitude, as these experiences and the people I love are what my moments are created from. What if we all just took a minute at the end of our day to acknowledge and appreciate our little moments? Would we be pleasantly surprised at all the riches in our lives? 

Some say I am hopelessly optimistic but I believe celebrating the little things in life will help us gain perspective when life throws us a curveball. This may not  always be easy but a worthwhile challenge. Will you please join in making 2021 a year where we celebrate the little moments and live a life filled with gratitude. 

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. 

Kindly,

Kim

314.645.9600 (607)~kwright@premiercharterschool.org   

Message from the Library…

Black Rep virtual performances for the PCS Community coming 1/26 and 2/2!

Our Elementary classes and families will be able to view a recording of "The Incredible Jungle Journey of Fenda Maria," performed by the Black Rep, on Tuesday. January 26th. A link will be shared that day and can be accessed for 24 hours. Everyone in the PCS community is invited and encouraged to enjoy this event!

There will be a live Q&A zoom with cast members on Thursday January 28th at 2:30. Everyone is invited to this event as well!
Look for an email from your child's classroom teacher with the links on Tuesday and Thursday!
Our Middle School classes and families will be able to see the virtual presentation of "Freedom Songs" by the Black Rep on Tuesday February 2nd. A link will be shared that day and can be accessed for 24 hours.
There will be a live Q&A zoom with cast members on Thursday February 4th at 2:30. Everyone in the PCS Middle School Community is invited and encouraged to enjoy these events.

Look for an email from your child's homeroom teacher with the links on Tuesday and Thursday.

Messages from our Nurses…

Happy New Year PCS Family!

2021 is upon us and we will be welcoming some new student cohorts this week! With that being said, Nurse Savannah andI would like everyone an opportunity for you to drop off any medications your scholar may need to take while in our care. We are in our office M-F from 8am-2:50pm and can come out to your car to get the medication from you. Please have medication(s) in the original prescription bottle, with the student's name and dosage instructions visible. If we are assisting a student or staff member when you come, our awesome front desk staff can collect the medication from you as well! Finally, we would like to say thank you for working so hard to keep our campus Covid numbers down as much as possible. For every parent or guardian that came up at a moment’s notice to pick up their student, allowing temperature checks and mask to be a new priority for this school year, for really being on top of keeping sick kids home, we thank you! It really is a teamwork approach during this pandemic! For the second half of the school year, we ask the same in our partnership with you! Please let us know if you have a sick kid at home, continue to watch your scholars closely for symptoms of sickness before they come on campus, and continue to encourage your scholar to try their best!

Stronger together,

Nurse Savannah & Nurse Wilson


HEALTH CONDITIONS: We would like to make a list of children who have certain allergies and medical conditions such as ADHD, food allergies, seizure disorders, diabetes etcetera so that your child may be better cared for by both teachers and staff. We would like to give this list to your teachers, principals, counselors, aids, and so on.  If you would NOT like your child's information shared, please email the nurse who will be responsible for your child. 


COVID 19 Policy:
Please refer to the family handbook for COVID 19 procedures that we will be practicing for the 20-21 school year. Our school will be following the recommendations and guidelines of the CDC and our local health department closely.  We will do our best to update you on any policy changes per the CDC as soon as possible. 
-If your student has ANY of the listed symptoms in the family handbook, the guardian or someone from your pickup list must come and pick the student up within an hour of being notified. Further instructions may be given, depending on what is going on with your student, if that child is not picked up during that window.


As always, if you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to contact us via email at:


mailto:vwilson@premiercharterschool.org (grades 2nd-8th)
mailto:sedwards@premiercharterschool.org (grades Prek-1st)

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures for Spring Semester 2021…

Resource Room Attendance Information

The following is information for all students and families who will be attending in-person during second semester.  If your child is a full-time virtual student, this information does not apply.

Student Drop Off

Students may be dropped off at school between 8:00-8:20. Students dropped off after 8:20 will be considered tardy.  Class meetings, whether fully virtual or at the resource center, are scheduled to begin at 8:30 daily. There will be markings in front of all buildings to help students maintain a safe social distance if they need to wait to enter if they arrive before 8:00. However, it is critical that students are not regularly dropped off before 8:00 in order to ensure that drop off is supervised, which will help ensure safe social distancing. If a student is routinely dropped off outside the designated drop off window, PCS may require that he or she transition to full-time virtual instruction.  

Before sending your child(ren) to school in the morning, please screen him or her for illness using the PikmyKid app.  Instructions regarding how to access and use this app were sent out along with these procedures.  Staff members will be outside every morning from 8-8:20 to welcome students. A staff member will ask if you completed your health screen and take your child’s temperature. Children with a temperature or symptoms of illness will be immediately sent home.  If your child is sent home due to illness, please use the guidance in the 2020-2021 Parent and Family Handbook to determine when to send your child back to school. 

All students with the exception of those who walk to school must be dropped off inside the parking lot. Students should not be dropped off anywhere off campus, including along Sublette Avenue. Students who attend the Early Childhood (EC) building should be dropped off using the circle drive in front of the EC building. Elementary and Middle School students should be dropped off through the drop off line that runs in front of the Elementary and Middle School buildings. PLEASE DO NOT DROP OLDER SIBLINGS IN FRONT OF THE EC BUILDING. If you need to drop off students at the EC and Elementary and/or Middle School buildings, please drop your EC student and then re-enter the drop off line in order to drop at the Elementary or Middle School. This will ensure that students maintain a safe social distance and that we are able to screen all students prior to a parent leaving. The EC gate to the courtyard will NOT be open in the morning.

When they are dropped off on the first day, all PK, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students will be issued a name tag that will identify their name and their teacher so that staff members can easily direct them to where they need to go once they enter the EC building. 

All K-8th grade students will enter their building through the front door every morning. If you are the parent of a PK student who attends school in the EC building, you may park in the parking lot and escort your child to the building. Please bring your child to the back door of the EC building (there will be signage to direct you). A staff member will meet you at the back door and escort your child to class. Parents will not be allowed to enter the building.

Students who want breakfast will be able to get a grab and go breakfast when they enter the building and will take it to their classroom to eat.

In person attendance is going to be very different this year because while PK-1st grade students who are attending the resource center will be doing so Monday through Friday, 2nd through 8th grade students will be attending 2 days per week according to a fixed schedule. Students who attend on the wrong day will remain in the office until someone can pick them up. They will not be admitted to a classroom because of the need to limit the number of individuals students and staff interact with each day and to ensure that students and staff are only interacting with the same, small group of people each day.

In order to ensure the health of all of our in person learners and staff members, parents will not be permitted to enter any building during drop off. If you are dropping a student off after the drop off window and there is no longer a staff member on duty, please come to the correct building and use the intercom to contact a staff member. Please wait outside while your child is screened for temperature and health and then admitted to class with a pass.

While we generally try to have an open-door policy, we ask that this year, if you need to visit school for any reason, you please make an appointment before doing so.

Student Pick Up

Walkers

At 3:00 all students who walk home will be dismissed. This will allow those students to clear out of the school building before we dismiss pick up students in order to limit traffic in high traffic areas.  Students are only considered walkers if they are walking home from school.  The walker permission form was sent out along with these drop off and pick up procedures.  If you designate your child(ren) as a walker, you are affirming that:

  • Your child(ren) are walking home from school

  • You have discussed maintaining a safe social distance with your child(ren) while walking home from school

  • You have discussed the proper protocol for using a face covering if social distancing is not possible while walking home from school

    2nd through 8th Grade Students

Pick Up for 2nd through 8th Grade students begins at 3:10 (12:00 on all ½ days).  All 2nd through 8th grade students will remain in their classrooms until they are called for pick up.  We have two different student pick up points.  If your children only attend school in the middle school building, do not enter the school lot.  All middle school students are picked up from the sidewalk along Sublette Ave.  We will have staff members stationed on the sidewalk along Sublette.  Once we get the name of the child(ren) you are picking up, we will ask you to pull up as far as possible to meet your child(ren).  We will be loading students on Sublette between the upper crosswalk and the exit to our campus.

If you have children in the elementary school building, pull into the school lot.  We will identify the child(ren) you are picking up as soon as you pull into the elementary school pick up line.  We will then ask you to pull up as far as possible.  We will be loading students at and above the upper crosswalk.

 When picking up a student, please pull into the appropriate pickup line and please remain in your car.  A staff member will come to your car and ask for the names of the child(ren) being picked up. Those children will then be released from their classroom(s) and come to your car. The 2nd-8th Gradel pick up process will run from 3:10-3:25 (12:00-12:15 on all ½ days).  Any students still in the classroom after 3:25 (12:15 on all ½ days) will contact a parent/guardian to determine an approximate pick up time. Students who are persistently late being picked up may be required to change attendance to full-time virtual instruction.


Dress Code

Students attending the resource center do not need to adhere to a specific uniform, but we do have the following guidelines in place. 

  • Dress so as to not disrupt the learning environment

  • No inappropriate messages/pictures/logos. Any suggestive clothing is not acceptable for school.

  • Shoes – On days when the student has physical education class, the student must wear gym shoes that do not leave marks on the gym floor. If they choose to change shoes prior to and after PE class, they must do so within the time allotted before or after class. No Heelys or Wheelies are allowed at the school. Students should wear their own, matching shoes at all times.

  • Tights that have “see-through” mesh sides are not allowed.

  • Jewelry – No excessive or distracting jewelry or accessories will be allowed.

  • Gum – Students may not chew gum at any time while at PCS.

HATS ARE NOT TO BE WORN IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING AT ANY TIME.  THIS INCLUDES BEFORE SCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL, AND EVENING ACTIVITIES. 

The PCS Administration has final authority in determining if a student’s clothing is within the guidelines of the PCS Dress Code.

Re-Enrollment for 2021-22 school year…

PCS families,
The re-enrollment process for next school year will begin in January. If you have a currently enrolled student, please DO NOT Re-apply in Schoolmint for next year. Schoolmint is only used for students that are applying new to our school. Your family will be getting instructions on how to re-enroll for next year, when we return from winter break.

PCS Food Service Plan…

As we get ready to begin the second semester, we are pleased to announce that we will be able to continue providing free meals to school aged children through the USDA meal program. All students, whether they are in-person or virtual, will be able to benefit from this program, which is scheduled to run through the end of the school year.

For our virtual students, we will continue serving the 5 day meal boxes on Tuesdays between 12-3 at door B14. Please notice the time change, that we hope will make it more convenient for our families who may be picking up in-person students.

(Please leave everything under "Happy Holidays" on the website as it.)

For the marquee:

FREE MEALS ON TUESDAYS

5 DAY MEAL BOXES

BETWEEN 12PM-3PM AT DOOR B14

kdoyle@premiercharterschool.org

314-645-9600 ext. 606

Covid Update…

We want to update you on the COVID-19 statistics as it relates to staff and families. To date, we have had 2 positive case amongst the student population, and 14 positive cases amongst staff. All of the positive cases were quickly addressed through quarantine, contact tracing and mitigation. 

Students will continue to have their temperatures checked at drop-off, and we encourage families to complete the symptom check via the PikMyKid app. Staff will also continue to perform temperature checks each morning as well as symptom checks through Infinite Campus.

Thank you for all of the work you have done to help make our in-person learning environment as safe as possible for our students, families and staff.

Substitutes Teachers…

We are currently seeking energetic, passionate substitute teachers to join the PCS staff! 

Benefits include a flexible schedule, positive work environment, and $100 per day.

If you are interested in joining the PCS team, please email your resume to jobs@premiercharterschool.org.

Applicants must have either 60 college credit hours or a
current Missouri Substitute Teacher certificate.

Important Technology Update…

As we head into a period of all virtual instruction, we wanted to make sure that you have the most direct way to contact PCS for technical assistance with your school issued iPads, Chromebooks and Hotspots. The preferred method would be to email: techsupport@premiercharterschool.org

If you are unable to email, you may also call: (314) 881-2590.

Please provide the type of device, your student's name and grade and a detailed explanation of the technical issues you're having, so we may address your concerns as quickly as possible.

All tech support requests will be answered in the order they are received, and we try to get back to you within 24 hours (except on weekends).

Resource Center

https://sites.google.com/premiercharterschool.org/premierresourcecenter/home

At Home Learning

https://sites.google.com/premiercharterschool.org/premiervlc/home

GL UPDATES:

Please make sure to check your email as each grade level will be emailing a weekly newsletter on Mondays at 5:00pm.

6th Grade:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QFo7mOtRP_f_dnpt3DvzEeCLAPoqmnFjZyou0dtrEJ8/edit?usp=sharing

7th Grade:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wbc9vzvAAfuc077eW7l0BvSYI_oRGqE6/view?usp=sharing

8th Grade:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DEjkr8vyrYDOw_v7u96LH8ra2v45gIeM0vtKavfVDj0/edit?usp=sharing

Pathways Update…

To better support our students, Pathways teachers will begin offering office hours on Fridays from 2:30- 3. During this time, students can get help on assignments, ask questions, and work with their teacher to ensure that they meet their full academic potential. Meeting links will be posted on students’ Google Classrooms for their Pathway. If you have any questions, reach out to your student’s Pathway teacher.

Message from our Counselors…

Dear Parents and Families,
Recently middle school counselors spoke with each homebase about the importance of their mental health and how to cope with stress and anxiety. The A.R.C. Angels Foundation presented as guest speakers during the lesson. A.R.C. Angels is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate students on the importance of mental health and prevent suicide.

Your student learned about the stigma surrounding mental illness, and how to recognize the warning signs that they or someone they know might need help. Listening is the best way to show support, but if you suspect that someone is in immediate danger it is best to get professional help immediately. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text "HOME" to the crisis text line at 741741. In emergencies you can also call 911 if necessary. To continue to promote positive mental health, we encourage you to have conversations with your children about what they can do to cope with stress and anxiety. There is always help and hope for those who suffer from depression, and making mental health a priority can prevent suicide in teens and adults alike. For tips on how to talk to your student about these important topics, check out https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html and https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/parents-guide-to-teen-depression.htm for more information. If your family is unable to secure therapy due to financial reasons, A.R.C. Angels can also help pay for services. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Deason or Ms. Niehoff.

The counseling department just published the December 2020 edition of their newsletter "Counselor Connection" and I wanted to pass along the links to you.

Counseling Website Link: https://sites.google.com/premiercharterschool.org/pcs-school-counseling/counseling-newsletter?authuser=0

PDF Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CMC3QFM-BPiqsI8YCXsZ_c6wZRWcrd3L/view

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Deason or Ms. Niehoff.

McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Act guarantees homeless children and unaccompanied youth an equal education. According to the McKinney-Vento Act, homeless children are individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. An unaccompanied youth is a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian. Families and individuals who fall into these categories can contact Martha Gray or Morgan Fuemmeler for assistance. 

Martha Gray

mgray@premiercharterschool.org

314-881-2553

Morgan Fuemmeler

mfuemmeler @premier charterschool.org

314-645-9600 x420

MS Mentor Program…

It has always been our highest goal at PCS to make sure that every student and family we serve feels connected and has several trusted staff members who they feel they can turn to for support.  We know that caring and empowering relationships are vital in supporting a student's success both academically as well as their social and emotional development. A strong and collaborative home/school relationship is equally vital.  

As we move into this unusual year, we have recognized that ensuring these special relationships are being fostered is even more important than ever--this is the goal of the mentoring program.  

Starting this year, each student in the middle school will have a dedicated PCS Middle School staff member as a mentor who will remain with them until they graduate PCS.  Your child’s mentor will meet with them regularly to support them as they work on goals connected to our Middle School Touchstone: Be Kind, Do My Best, Have Fun. 

Your child’s mentor will also be an additional support available for the family of the student they are working with.  The challenges that we are facing during these times are heavy and real. We want you to know that in addition to our teachers, counselors, support staff and administration, your child’s mentor will be another layer of support and connection for you and your child.   

During the first week of school, your child’s mentor will be connecting with your child and reaching out to you as well.  We look forward to working together to help this year, even with all of the challenges, be a joyful, empowering and successful experience for you and your child! 

BOARD MEETINGS TENTATIVE CALENDAR 2020-2021

Due to the COVID-19 virus, the format for regular meetings of the Board has been revised. In the interest of health and safety for all and until further notice, all meetings will be held via an online format. To get the zoom meeting links please email events@premiercharterschool.org for login details. Meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified.

Once in-person meetings resume, regular board meetings will be held at Premier Charter School’s Administration Building, located at 5279 Fyler Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139.

Regular Board Meetings will be held on:

April 5, 2021

May 3, 2021

June 17, 2021

In addition to regular meetings, Board Meet and Greets scheduled for:

February 11, 2021 at 7:30 am (Coffee with Parents)

2020-21 School Calendar…

You will also find an updated school calendar attached.  This calendar is based on current guidance from the Missouri Department of Education.  If guidance changes, the calendar will be updated accordingly.  If updates are required, we believe they will only potentially impact our last day of school.

News from the Library

Coming soon!

Forms, Forms and More Forms…

Earlier today we sent out an email with many forms attached. We would greatly appreciate it if you would PLEASE take a moment and read through all of the forms and fill out any of the optional ones that apply to your child and ALL of the required ones.

Cell Phone Policy…

As I mentioned in past writing teens spend a significant amount of time on their phones. We are finding while they have their phones on silent during the day they are still often distracted by the continual notifications. We are asking all students to power their phones off during the school day. If you need to get ahold of your child please call the office and we ensure you they will get your message and/or give you a call back. We are also requesting that all phones are out of sight if child is keeping it on their person. If your child doesn’t have pockets or their pockets are too small for their phone then it must be locked in their locker during the day.

As a reminder if your child has his/her phone out during the day or if it goes off it will be taken until the end of the day and they will also receive a lunch detention. It would be greatly appreciated if you would review our cell phone policy with your child.

We are confident that if we can reduce the distraction from cell phones we will see an increase in engagement and focus in the classroom. I appreciate your support and as always please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Parent Resources…

The Missouri Department of Mental Health is running a Crisis Text Line Campaign encouraging youth and young adults to text if they are experiencing stress, a crisis or just need someone to talk to.


As part of this campaign, a SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT is available. The toolkit houses information that teachers, parents, caregivers and others can easily copy and paste and share the messaging to the youth virtually. There are videos, radio messages and graphics that can easily be shared on websites, social media pages like Instagram and Facebook, and as well as on virtual classes and in emails to students, etc... 

Virtual Support

Stl Library

https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=4C96DDC1&ss=&r=

YMCA

https://gwrymca.org/yep

Power Academy

https://powerplexstl.com/power-academy

Counseling Support

Crisis Counseling Program

Places for People

Offers free, confidential support to those affected by COVID-19.

  • Emotional support, coping and resiliency education

  • Referrals to community services

  • Disaster preparedness and response education

*Services are delivered via phone

 Call 314-615-9105 Ext. 155

Leave a message and a counselor will get back to you within 24 hours

Important Upcoming Dates…

2.12.2021-No School

2.15.2021-No School

3.12.2021-No School

3.15.2021-3.19.2021-Spring Break

4.12.2021-5.14.2021-MAP Testing Window

Included Attachments

  • Helping Children Cope with Covid Changes

  • Parent Handbook

  • Parent Support Group Flyer

  • Covid Stress Support Group

  • 2020-21 Calendar

  • E-Resources How To Page

  • 7th Grade HS Night

  • Forms

    • Daily Student Health Screening Form

    • Photo Permission Opt Out

    • Distance Learning Student Information, Photo, and Video Release Opt Out Form

    • Walker Permission Form 

    • School Health Form

    • Free and Reduced Meal Application

    • Missouri Health Net Form