Otter News
January 16, 2020
Dream. Learn. Achieve.
REMINDER - No School on Monday, January 20th
Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy - Please VOTE BY FEBRUARY 11, 2020
The Peninsula School District will ask voters to approve a three-year Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy, to replace an expiring levy that was approved by voters in 2016. The replacement levy accounts for 18% of the District’s annual budget.
State and federal dollars do not fully fund day-to-day operations, so the District must rely on local residents to make up the difference. The levy funds many critical areas, such as teachers, nurses, para-educators, counselors, custodians, music, athletics, extra-curricular activities, safety and security, special education, highly capable, and preventative routine maintenance projects. Athletics and extra-curricular activities are fully funded by levy dollars.
The current levy will expire in 2020, so this will not be a new tax. The replacement levy must be passed by voters to continue the programs listed above. The levy is for a fixed dollar amount and the District cannot collect more money if property values increase. The estimated levy tax rate is $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Please remember to vote by February 11, 2020.
More information is available at www.psd401.net/levy.
Kids Heart Challenge
Pioneer Elementary School’s STEAM Open House
All elementary families are invited to see what’s being planned for Peninsula School District’s new magnet STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) school, Pioneer Elementary. A STEAM Open House is planned for Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Henderson Bay High School located at 8402 Skansie Avenue in Gig Harbor.
At this event, families will experience learning activities around a STEAM unit; take away information and resources to understand more about Pioneer Elementary, including the school’s vision and design principles. Students and parents can also talk with Principal Stephanie Strader and meet the initial Core Team of educators who are invested in the design of our new school.
YMCA Mid-Winter Camp
When: February 18th through 21st (Closed Feb 17th, President’s Day)
Location: Purdy Elementary School
Time: 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Cost: $50 per day / $176 for all 4 days
Registration available by school offices and due by January 31st, 2020; Mail - YMCA Childcare Business Office, 3330 Kitsap Way Suite A, Bremerton, WA 98312; Fax (360)627.9047; Scan and/or email - kitsapchildcare@ymcapkc.org. Payment is due by February 12th.
Questions? Please call (360)813-1813. Camps are also offered at all YMCA facility branches. Please visit www.ymcapkc.org.
PTA Information
Inclement Weather
Please remind your student to wear a coat, gloves and/or hat to school. We send all students outside for recess and our weather can be cold and wet. If you're in need of a coat for your child please contact our school counselor, Mimi Mathews, at 253-503-1130. Thank you!
Pants Are Needed
Winter Weather Information For Bus Riders
In preparation for winter weather, please review information about emergency bus routes:
- What are emergency bus routes?
- How will I know when emergency bus routes are used?
- How do I know if my child’s regular bus stop is affected by emergency bus routes?
-Emergency route maps by school are posted on school homepages.
-Emergency Bus Route and Safe Zone flyers are distributed via Thursday folders (elementary
level) and available in every school office.
-Ask your child’s bus driver about their emergency route and recommended safe drop off/pick up zone for your family.
- What time does my child need to be at the safe drop off/pick up zone?
- I’d like to receive a text via phone and/or email when emergency routes are used.
The only way you will get a personal notification, if we use emergency bus routes, is through the phone number/email you’ve added to your PowerSchool account. Make sure your contact details are updated for each student in your family. You can watch this video to learn how to access your PowerSchool account.
Still have questions? Call the Transportation Office at 253.530.3900 or email obrienforss@psd401.net.
Don’t miss out! Update your contacts to receive weather updates! Not sure how? PSD has a guide for you! https://www.psd401.net/about-us/news/news-detail-page/~board/psd-news/post/update-emergency-contacts.
ATTENDANCE
PLANNED ABSENCE REQUEST
We want to stress the importance of sending your child to school every day. As you schedule your future breaks, please keep this in mind: Cost to your child's education if they miss too much school; homework/journaling does not make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom. We understand that breaks do not always happen during scheduled school time off. With this in mind, please notify your child's teacher as soon as possible that your child will be out of school on the following day(s). Use the below Planned Absence Form for a pre-arranged absence.
Thank you!
Upcoming Events
JANUARY
- Monday, January 20th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School
- Friday, January 24th - Staff In Service, No School
FEBRUARY
- Monday, February 17th through Friday, February 21st - Mid Winter Break, No School