OCTOBER 2021 PROPEL SCHOOLS UPDATE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND GOOD NEWS FROM DR. TINA CHEKAN
Propel Schools Families,
As we move through October, our school buildings are buzzing with activity and learning! It's hard to believe that Family/Educator Conferences are next month!
Our weather may be warm now, but we will surely see some colder weather coming our way soon! In the event of inclement weather, families will be alerted to any changes in the school schedule via Connect 5 phone calls and email. School Principal teams will also assure that school closings and delays will appear on local news channels and websites. Please remember that Propel's website and social media channels will not be updated with school closing and delay information. This is also a great time to remind your scholars to bring their technology devices home each day, in case we move to a temporary remote learning protocol due to any unforeseen circumstances.
As you may know, applications for our scholar enrollment lottery for the 2022-2023 school year are now open! Current 8th-grade scholars should meet with their school counselors and apply to their desired Propel high school via SchoolMint. Current 5th-grade scholars who will be moving from Propel Montour Elementary School to Propel Montour Middle School should also complete the online application.
Please visit SchoolMint here: https://propel.schoolmint.net/welcome
Thank you, as always, for choosing Propel Schools as your partner in education!
Dr. Tina Chekan
CEO/Superintendent
PROPEL LAUNCHES A NEW SCHOLAR ATTENDANCE COMMUNICATION PROGRAM!
Propel Schools' Attendance Specialists have been hard at work, supporting scholars and families who may face obstacles to regular scholar attendance. They have also been actively recognizing scholars who have GREAT school attendance habits!
Regular scholar attendance -- every day and on time - is vital to learning and growth. Propel is excited to provide all of our families with a new platform that takes a data-driven and supportive approach to keep scholar attendance on track!
From text message 'nudges' and mailed notifications to a 24/7 "support bot" that connects to attendance resources, we are excited about this program that officially launched on October 4, 2021!
Please note that excused, unexcused, and out-of-school suspension absences will be included in the texts and mailed letters from EveryDay Labs. Note that the most up-to-date attendance information for your scholars can be found in Skyward.
COVID-19 FAQ FOR FAMILIES
PROPEL ATHLETICS UPDATE
If you have previously registered your scholar, you can simply access your account again and update scholar participation to "Winter 21-22." If it is the first time you have registered your scholar, please click HERE.
Athletic physicals must be submitted on the PIAA CIPPE forms, no other physical forms are accepted for athletic participation. This form is available on the website linked above.
If your scholar participated in Propel fall volleyball, update the registration for winter and complete the parental recertification form found HERE.
Propel Schools will offer free school-issued sports physicals prior to the start of the season. More details will be forthcoming.
PROPEL SCHOLAR OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM ANNOUNCES FALL INITIATIVES & REMINDERS!
Hazelwood Family Night: Oct 21, 2021 -- Propel Hazelwood scholars & families will gather for an evening of exciting scientific experiments, including a hackathon competition for the whole family!
Northside Family Night: Oct 28, 2021: Propel Northside scholars and families will enjoy an evening of exciting scientific experiments, including exploration of the world using virtual reality equipment in our VILs Lab!
Braddock Hills Middle School Open House: November 18, 2021: A mid-semester celebration of learning along is on the agenda as well as an opportunity to compete against players on the BHHS eSports team in Smash Bros Ultimate!
"Propel Ping" eSport teams at BHHS and ASHS will be streaming their games on Wednesdays live via Twitch. Take some time to watch our scholars as they compete for scholarships and other prizes!
REMINDER FOR FAMILIES: Adagio Health's comprehensive sexuality education curriculum program will be starting soon for all scholars in grades 6-12.
The middle school curriculum includes topics such as:
Communication Skills
Social Skills
Healthy Relationships
Sexual Health
Sexuality Protection Methods
Abstinence from Sex as Healthiest Choice
To OPT-OUT a middle school scholar from this program, please click HERE.
The high school curriculum includes:
Communication SkillsSocial Skills
Drugs and the Human Body
Healthy Relationships
Sexual Health
Sexuality Protection Methods
Abstinence from Sex as Healthiest Choice
Curriculum from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and The National Institute of Health will be delivered during this instruction as well.
To OPT-OUT a high school scholar from this program, please click HERE.
If you have questions or would like more information, please reach out to E. Reis.
COVID-19 VACCINE NEWS
In a recent Propel staff survey, we had a response rate of 83% of staff. Of the 83% of staff who responded, 84.8% of these staff are fully vaccinated, with another 1.4% awaiting their second dose. This is great news for our school communities and is just one part of a layered mitigation strategy for keeping our schools as healthy and safe places for scholars to learn and grow.
REMINDER - UNIFORM DRESS CODE
You can reference the K-8 Dress Code and the High School Dress Code HERE.
REMINDER! PROPEL SCHOOLS WELLNESS POLICY AND CLASSROOM PARTY FOODS
This is an excerpt from our Wellness Policy that addresses classroom celebrations. Please note that all snacks/foods shared by families to celebrate special scholar days must align with this list. Please note that all shared foods must be prepackaged. No homemade foods are to be shared, as food allergies can be common and, in some cases, lead to severe reactions.
SCHOLAR EDUCATIONAL TRIP REQUEST FORM FOR 2021-2022
PROPEL NORTHSIDE WELLNESS CENTER WELCOMES ALL PROPEL FAMILIES!
PLAN TO START 2022 WITH HEALTHY COOKING!
SCHOOL UNIFORM PIECES AT GREAT PRICES!
As a result, Propel has teamed with "Family School Uniforms" to provide families with another option for purchasing school uniforms. As previously stated, families can purchase uniform pieces from the store that best suits their needs and budget -- this is simply an option for those who may wish to use it.
Please click HERE to visit the Propel Schools Family School Uniforms webpage.
** Please note that Propel Schools cannot answer questions about uniforms, orders, billing, or returns. Questions about uniform purchases and all associated concerns must be brought directly to the vendor.