PROPEL SCHOOLS DECEMBER UPDATE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM DR. TINA CHEKAN
Propel Schools Families,
At Propel Schools, we believe that in a strong and supportive school community, every child can learn, grow and thrive! We are proud to be a public school of choice and a high-quality option in education.
When you chose to join the Propel Schools community, you chose to be an active partner in your scholar’s education. Our Family Conference Days are special opportunities for families and educators to collaborate in support of scholar learning and growth. When families and educators join forces, it builds community and a powerful learning environment! This is why 100% participation in both Fall and Spring Family Conferences is an expectation of the Propel Schools Community.
We thank our families who have already completed their conferences. We look forward to meeting with families who have upcoming conferences scheduled. Please reach out to your scholar's educator if you still need to schedule a conference date and time.
The Propel Schools Team wishes you and your family a safe and enjoyable Winter Break and a great start to 2024!
Dr. Tina Chekan
CEO/Superintendent
STAYING SAFE ONLINE - COMMONSENSE MEDIA
We understand that being online is a part of our everyday lives. As adults, we are aware of the pitfalls or dangers that can accompany our time spent on the internet. At Propel, we do all we can to ensure that our scholars have the information, tools and skills they need to be safe online.
To support digital safety, all Propel Schools will provide 3-4 lessons on digital citizenship to our scholars. These lessons are designed to keep our scholars safe and healthy while using technology and engaging with the digital global community.
Important topics such as cyberbullying, the importance of device-free time and your scholar's digital footprint are covered. Our team uses lessons and materials from Commonsense Media. The Commonsense Media website also offers family tips about cell phone safety, social media, apps and much more.
WINTER WEATHER INFORMATION
As winter is upon us, we share the following general information about weather-related changes to school schedules:
There are ONLY TWO official sources of school closing and/or delay information:
1. Connect 5 robocall/automated email communication.
- The email will display as “noreply@finalsiteconnect.com
- The telephone number displayed by the robocall will be your Propel School’s telephone number or the Administrative Office’s telephone number
2. Local news stations' live broadcasts or website
Please note:
A Propel School will not have two-hour delays unless all sending districts for that school also call a delay.
A Propel School may cancel school if the transporting district where the Propel School is located closes their schools due to weather conditions. There are some situations, however, in which a transporting district closes its schools, but will still send buses for our scholars.
Scholars who take a school bus should follow the transporting district’s transportation schedule.
If a Propel School is closed due to inclement weather, the Afterschool Program will also close for that day.
For the 2023-2024 school year, Propel Schools is not participating in Flexible Instruction Days (FIDs.) Scholars will not take devices or FID folders home and will not log into Google Classroom for assignments to complete. If school is closed due to inclement weather, scholars will not work remotely.
Please refrain from calling the school building to ask if there is a closing or delay. Our phone lines may be busy with calls to or from transportation companies.
REMINDER! EMERGENCY CONTACT FORMS ARE DUE - ONE FORM REQUIRED FOR EACH SCHOLAR!
If you have not already done so, please be sure to complete an Emergency Contact Form for each of your scholars. The information submitted on this form will allow Propel Schools to reach the individual of your choosing if we are unable to reach you in an urgent situation.
It is the expectation that a new form is completed each year for every scholar, even if there are no changes from last year's submission. The link to the Emergency Contact Form can be found HERE.
To learn more about using ScriptApp to complete Propel Schools forms online, please click HERE.
REMINDER! 2023-2024 PROPEL SCHOOLS HANDBOOKS FOR FAMILY SIGNATURE ARE PAST DUE!
The Scholar and Family Handbook for 2023-2024 has a new look, clear style and outlines expectations for all scholars in grades K-12.
If you have not already done so, please click, review and sign the appropriate handbook for your scholar, one per scholar. We thank you in advance for reviewing the handbook with your scholar and then digitally signing the acknowledgment page. Please note that a signed affirmation page is required for each of your scholars attending a Propel School.
If your scholar attends a Propel High School (grades 9-12) please click HERE, select the Propel high school that your scholar attends, review the information and then sign the affirmation page of the 2023-2024 K-12 Scholar and Family Handbook.
If your scholar is in Grades K-8, please click HERE, select the name of the K-8 or Middle School that your scholar attends, review the information and then sign the affirmation page of the 2023-2024 K-12 Scholar and Family Handbook. Handbook.
After signing the affirmation and submitting the form, an electronic copy of the handbook will be sent to the email address you submitted to when starting your signature submission so that you will have your own handbook copy. PDFs of the handbooks are also available on our website under the 'Policies and Forms' tab.
It is the expectation that every scholar will have a signed affirmation on file for the 2023-2024 school year. We thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this important matter!
ACTION REQUESTED: ADDITIONAL SCHOLAR FORMS FOR FAMILY COMPLETION
The PHOTO/VIDEO OPT-OUT FORM should only be completed if you DO NOT WANT/PERMIT your scholar to be photographed, videotaped or electronically recorded by our team. More information can be found on the form.
If your scholar will miss days of school due to an educational family trip, please submit the EDUCATIONAL TRIP REQUEST FORM one week in advance of the trip, for each scholar who will travel. This form provides families with important information about scholar attendance requirements as well as timeframes for making up missed school work. Please note that school leaders will review each request individually and reach out to families regarding approval of the dates of scholar absence.
Questions? Please reach out to your school's leadership team.
PROPEL SCHOOLS NEW & UPDATED POLICIES
ENROLLMENT LOTTERY APPLICATIONS FOR THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR CLOSE SOON!
Our Enrollment Team is already preparing for the 2024-2025 school year.
Current scholars do not have to reapply for next year except for the following groups of scholars.
- Scholars in grade 8 who wish to attend one of the Propel High Schools
- Grade 5 scholars at Propel Montour Elementary School who wish to attend Propel Montour Middle School
Propel Schools families value the quality of the education and wide variety of opportunities that we provide our scholars. We want to be sure that families with scholars in grade 5 at Propel Montour Elementary and grade 8 at any Propel school have the best opportunity to transition to their desired Propel School next year. Families of these scholars can reach out to the Enrollment Team for additional information.
The enrollment lottery application period ends on December 31, 2023, and is completed via SchoolMint. The names of all scholars who apply during that period will be entered into the January 2024 lottery drawing. Applications received after December 31, 2023 are automatically are placed on the waitlist.
UPCOMING SCHOLAR CLASSROOM CELEBRATION? PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION!
The Propel Schools Wellness Policy recognizes that scholar wellness, nutrition and activity can play a role in academic growth.
Shared classroom snacks to celebrate scholar special occasions are permitted at the discretion of the Principal and with prior approval from the classroom teacher.
Propel provides a list of healthy food/snacks/beverages that will be accepted for classroom celebrations. Please note the following:
- All treats sent/brought to school for celebrations MUST be pre-packaged so that the
- No homemade foods are permitted.
At THIS LINK and on the list below, you will find a list of prepackaged/fresh food items that may be brought/sent to school to celebrate a special occasion. ONLY food items from this list may be sent/brought to school for celebrations. If foods other than those outlined on the list below are sent to school, they will not be distributed and the family will be called to pick them up.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER!
December 25, 2023 - Winter Break Begins - All buildings closed
January 2, 2024 - No school for scholars - Staff Professional Development Day
January 3, 2024 - Scholars return to school
January 8, 2024 - Afterschool Program reopens
January 15, 2024 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Of Service Holiday - All buildings closed
January 31, 2024 - No Afterschool Program - Staff flex learning hours
February 16, 2024 - No school for scholars - Staff Professional Development Day
February 19, 2024 - Presidents' Day Holiday - All buildings closed
February 28, 2024 - No Afterschool Program - Staff flex learning hours