Prairie Dog Press
Perry Creek Elementary and Clark Early Childhood Center
We miss you!
Our school year has definitely taken an unexpected twist out of necessity to keep everyone safe and healthy. I hope you are doing well, practicing social distancing, washing your hands regularly, limiting the spread of germs, and helping those around you to do the same. While I hope for things to return to normal as soon as it is safe to do so, I think we can all take away many positive things from this situation facing our world.
- We should be practicing better health and hygiene every day, not just during this time.
- We should be prioritizing time we spend with family and making the most of our time together.
- It is important to stay connected with others and when life is busy and we don't have time to connect face-to-face, there are many other avenues of communication.
- Schools and families need each other and should continue to work hard to support the learning of students.
- We are preparing our students for a world that is unknown and different from the world we grew up in. We need to be open to new possibilities for learning and experiences.
- No matter what happens, we are all in this life together and we are dependent on one-another.
- Kindness, empathy, and love are all important values to model, practice and share with our children.
I hope that you and your family stay healthy and safe. I am thinking about you and miss you very much.
TK & Kindergarten Registration - happening NOW
We are so excited to welcome your child to Perry Creek Elementary next fall!
During this time of year, we are typically in the midst of the Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten registration process. It’s always been a pleasure to welcome students and families during a personalized registration experience. Unfortunately, in light of the COVID-19 concerns and the need for social distancing, this year, we must manage the registration process a little differently.
The safety and well-being of students are among our highest priorities. Therefore, we are limiting the in-person logistics for registration and are instead asking you to complete registration online.
Online Registration and Required Forms
1. Complete Online Registration: Registration for Perry Creek Elementary must be completed online by May 20. You can access the registration form at:
https://www.siouxcityschools.org/tk-and-kindergarten-online-registration/
- Student’s Birth Certificate
- Custodial Records (if applicable)
2. Complete and Return Paper Forms: Once you have completed the online registration, you will be sent additional forms to complete. The three required forms are the Health History Form, the Home Language Survey, and the Student Race and Ethnicity Reporting Form. There are three ways to return forms:
· Mail forms back to Perry Creek Elementary at 3601 Country Club Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51104
· Drop forms off at Perry Creek Elementary at 3601 Country Club Blvd.
· Email forms to the school registrar. Scan or take a photo of the forms. Then, send the attachments mcdermb@live.siouxcityschools.com
Assistance with Registration
1. If you need assistance with online registration, please refer to the Registration Instructions on the website. (https://www.siouxcityschools.org/tk-and-kindergarten-online-registration/)
2. If you have additional questions, please call the registrar at Perry Creek: 712-279-6836.
3. If you do not have access to a computer and need assistance completing registration, please call the registrar at Perry Creek: 712-279-6836.
4. If you need help completing the registration in another language, please call
712-279-6739.
5. If you need another copy of the three paper forms to complete and return, links to the forms are available on the website. (https://www.siouxcityschools.org/tk-and-kindergarten-online-registration/)
Registration Follow Up
Once the online registration is complete, a parent/guardian will receive a call from the school nurse to confirm immunization records. In addition, the school registrar will also call to verify that all information has been received and to answer any questions.
Sneak a Peek Event in August
While we are unable to host an in-person registration event this spring, we still recognize the importance of welcoming our new families and helping our students acclimate to a new school. So, we’re asking all families to join us in August for a special “Sneak a Peek” in-person experience developed specifically for our transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students. At “Sneak a Peek,” students and families will get to visit the classroom, meet the teacher, and prepare for the start of the new school year. Please watch for more details about this event to come in a future letter.
This is the start of a very exciting journey for your child and family. We appreciate your support in completing the online registration process, and we look forward to meeting you in August. If you have any questions, please call Barb McDermott at Perry Creek Elementary.
Focus on IB Learner Profile - Knowledgeable
We have focused on the IB learner profile attributes of caring, inquirer, risk-taker, principled, balanced, communicators, and thinkers. This month, we are focusing on being KNOWLEDGEABLE.
Students who are KNOWLEDGEABLE explore concepts, ideas, and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
How can parents develop students who are knowledgeable at home?
- Encourage your child to read books at home that correspond with the topics being covered in school.
- Ask your child about what they are learning in school and engage them in conversations about it:
- “Why do you think that is an important thing to know about?”
- “Can you think of anything happening in the world today that might be similar to that aspect of history?”
- Foster any area that your child expresses an interest in with books and activities, but also be sure to encourage them to explore other areas.
- Encourage your child to become familiar with current events and to read the newspaper and watch the news when appropriate.
A Message from Dr Gausman
SCCSD COVID-19 Update: Continuous Voluntary Learning & Closure Extension
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We continue to be committed to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Our goal is to keep everyone as safe as possible through this pandemic by supporting students at home. On April 2, the Iowa Governor announced that schools should remain closed through April 30 and should, at the same time, continue to focus on helping students learn. With the recognition of this announcement, the Sioux City Community School District is transitioning to voluntary continuous learning. As long as the Iowa Governor’s office gives Iowa school districts the latitude to continue learning from home, the Sioux City Community School District will remain committed to providing voluntary continuous learning.
At this time, all Sioux City Community School District facilities are scheduled to remain closed through April 30. This change is the result of my promise to continue to monitor the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Iowa Department of Health, the Iowa Department of Education, and the Governor’s office.
School Calendar
Because the Sioux City Community School District will engage students in voluntary continuous learning, students and staff will not make up school days for the time facilities are closed due to COVID-19. The last day of school, whether in person or through voluntary continuous learning, will be Tuesday, June 2.
Voluntary Continuous Learning
Voluntary continuous learning is a format that allows us to extend student learning beyond the brick and mortar of the District buildings. Starting next week, teachers will contact students to provide specific, age-appropriate lessons. Lessons will be made available for all students in the District. The high school and middle school students will be given lessons through Canvas. Elementary schools will send a message to all families with specific instructions on how to access lessons. Please watch for an update from your school next week with more details and instructions. You can also continue to access the extensive list of learning resources available online.
Required Completion of College Courses
High school students that are enrolled in college courses this semester must continue to fulfill course requirements during our school closures. All students enrolled in a college course must log into Canvas for details on continued course requirements. If students have questions or challenges connecting, please contact the school principal using Let’s Talk.
Wi-Fi Access
As students engage in voluntary continuous learning and continue college course work, we understand the importance of internet access. Currently, the District is organizing a list of locations where students will be able to access Wi-Fi. This list will be shared next week. High school students that need immediate access to Wi-Fi to complete college courses can contact the school principal for assistance.
Free Meals for Children Ages 1-18
The Sioux City Community School District continues to participate in the Emergency COVID-19 Food Service Program to feed the youth in our community throughout the duration of our District’s closure. At this time, the meal program will continue through April 30. (Please note, meals will not be served on Friday, April 10, in observance of the holiday.) We have added three more serving sites. Free meals are now available at 27 locations Monday – Friday for children ages 1-18. View the updated list of meal sites and serving times.
Iowa Assessments
The Iowa state-wide assessments are required annually and are usually administered in April. Because the school districts across the state are closed in response to COVID-19, Iowa has waived this year’s requirement for schools to administer the assessments. Therefore, if and when students return to school in May, we will focus on critical grade-level lessons to prepare students for next year’s grade transitions.
Community Resources
The Sioux City Community School District is committed to serving our students and families to the extent possible during this unprecedented time. In addition to the services available through the District, many community partners offer additional services, including housing assistance and health care assistance. View a valuable directory of community resources.
Thank you for being our partner in this challenging time. Together, we are doing what is right to protect the safety and well-being of this community. Our work today to practice social distancing and allow families to keep kids home is part of the recommended national efforts to mitigate further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, so we can gather together as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paul Gausman
Superintendent of Schools
Sioux City Community School District
Actualización de SCCSD COVID-19: Aprendizaje voluntario continuo y extensión de cierre
Estimados padres / tutores,
Seguimos comprometidos con la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes y personal. Nuestro objetivo es mantener a todos lo más seguros posible a través de esta pandemia apoyando a los estudiantes en casa. El 2 de abril, el Gobernador de Iowa anunció que las escuelas deberían permanecer cerradas hasta el 30 de abril y, al mismo tiempo, continuar enfocándose en ayudar a los estudiantes a aprender. Con el reconocimiento de este anuncio, el Distrito Escolar Comunitario de Sioux City está haciendo la transición al aprendizaje continuo voluntario. Mientras la oficina del Gobernador de Iowa les dé a los distritos escolares de Iowa la libertad de seguir aprendiendo desde casa, el Distrito Escolar Comunitario de Sioux City seguirá comprometido a proporcionar un aprendizaje continuo voluntario.
En este momento, todas las instalaciones del Distrito Escolar Comunitario de Sioux City permanecerán cerradas hasta el 30 de abril. Este cambio es el resultado de mi promesa de continuar monitoreando la pandemia de COVID-19 en rápida evolución y seguir la guía de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC), el Departamento de Salud de Iowa, el Departamento de Educación de Iowa y la oficina del Gobernador.
Calendario escolar
Debido a que el Distrito Escolar Comunitario de Sioux City involucrará a los estudiantes en el aprendizaje continuo voluntario, los estudiantes y el personal no recuperarán los días escolares por el tiempo que las instalaciones están cerradas debido a COVID-19. El último día de clases, ya sea en persona o mediante aprendizaje continuo voluntario, será el martes 2 de junio.
Aprendizaje continuo voluntario
El aprendizaje continuo voluntario es un formato que nos permite extender el aprendizaje de los estudiantes más allá del ladrillo y el mortero de los edificios del Distrito. A partir de la próxima semana, los maestros se comunicarán con los estudiantes para brindarles lecciones específicas y apropiadas para su edad. Las lecciones estarán disponibles para todos los estudiantes en el Distrito. Los estudiantes de secundaria y secundaria recibirán lecciones a través de Canvas. Las escuelas primarias enviarán un mensaje a todas las familias con instrucciones específicas sobre cómo acceder a las lecciones. Esté atento a una actualización de su escuela la próxima semana con más detalles e instrucciones. También puede continuar accediendo a la extensa lista de recursos de aprendizaje disponibles en línea.
Finalización requerida de cursos universitarios
Los estudiantes de secundaria que estén inscritos en cursos universitarios este semestre deben continuar cumpliendo con los requisitos del curso durante el cierre de nuestras escuelas. Todos los estudiantes inscritos en un curso universitario deben iniciar sesión en Canvas para obtener detalles sobre los requisitos continuos del curso. Si los estudiantes tienen preguntas o desafíos para conectarse, comuníquese con el director de la escuela usando Let’s Talk.
Acceso a wifi
A medida que los estudiantes participan en el aprendizaje voluntario continuo y continúan el trabajo de los cursos universitarios, entendemos la importancia del acceso a Internet. Actualmente, el Distrito está organizando una lista de ubicaciones donde los estudiantes podrán acceder a Wi-Fi. Esta lista se compartirá la próxima semana. Los estudiantes de secundaria que necesitan acceso inmediato a Wi-Fi para completar los cursos universitarios pueden contactar al director de la escuela para obtener ayuda.
Comidas gratis para niños de 1 a 18 años
El Distrito Escolar Comunitario de Sioux City continúa participando en el Programa de Servicio de Alimentos de Emergencia COVID-19 para alimentar a los jóvenes en nuestra comunidad durante todo el cierre de nuestro Distrito. En este momento, el programa de comidas continuará hasta el 30 de abril. (Tenga en cuenta que las comidas no se servirán el viernes 10 de abril, en celebración de las vacaciones). Hemos agregado tres sitios más para servir. Las comidas gratuitas ahora están disponibles en 27 lugares de lunes a viernes para niños de 1 a 18 años. Vea la lista actualizada de sitios de comidas y horarios de servicio.
Evaluaciones de Iowa
Las evaluaciones estatales de Iowa se requieren anualmente y generalmente se administran en abril. Debido a que los distritos escolares de todo el estado están cerrados en respuesta a COVID-19, Iowa ha renunciado al requisito de este año para que las escuelas administren las evaluaciones. Por lo tanto, si los estudiantes regresan a la escuela en mayo, nos enfocaremos en lecciones críticas de nivel de grado para preparar a los estudiantes para las transiciones de grado del próximo año.
Recursos de la comunidad
El Distrito Escolar Comunitario de Sioux City está comprometido a servir a nuestros estudiantes y familias en la medida de lo posible durante este tiempo sin precedentes. Además de los servicios disponibles a través del Distrito, muchos socios comunitarios ofrecen servicios adicionales, que incluyen asistencia para la vivienda y asistencia médica. Ver un valioso directorio de recursos de la comunidad.
Gracias por ser nuestro socio en este momento desafiante. Juntos, estamos haciendo lo correcto para proteger la seguridad y el bienestar de esta comunidad. Nuestro trabajo hoy para practicar el distanciamiento social y permitir que las familias mantengan a los niños en casa es parte de los esfuerzos nacionales recomendados para mitigar una mayor propagación de la pandemia de COVID-19, para que podamos reunirnos lo antes posible.
Sinceramente,
Dr. Paul Gausman
Superintendent of Schools
Sioux City Community School District
SCCSD Free Meal Program
SCCSD Free Meal Program for Children Ages 1-18: Open Sites in Response to COVID-19 School Closure
The Sioux City Community School District is participating in the Emergency COVID 19 Food Service Program to feed the youth in our community while schools are closed due to the pandemic. Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, meals are available Monday–Friday at over 20 locations.
Meals are free for all children ages 1-18 years. Participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Each child present, ages 1-18, will receive a breakfast sack and a lunch sack to be taken off-site for consumption. All meals that are served hot must be eaten within one hour or placed under refrigeration and stored safely immediately.
Serving Sites and Schedule:
- Bryant Elementary School at 3040 Jones St. serving 10:45-11:45.
- Irving Dual Language Elementary School at 901 Floyd Blvd. serving 11:30-12:30.
- East Middle School at 5401 Lorraine Ave. serving 10:45-12:30.
- Loess Hills Elementary School at 1717 Cassleman St. serving 10:45-11:45.
- West High School at 2001 Cassleman St. serving 11:30-12:30.
- West Middle School at 3301 W. 19th serving 10:45-11:45.
- Riverside Elementary School at 2303 Riverside Blvd. serving 11:30-12:30.
- Liberty Elementary School at 1623 Rebecca St. serving 10:45-11:45.
- Hunt @ A+ Arts Elementary School at 1114 W. 27th serving 11:30-12:30.
- Leeds Elementary School at 3919 Jefferson St. serving 10:30 -11:25.
- North Middle School at 2101 Outer Drive N. serving 11:30-12:10.
- North High School at 4200 Cheyenne Blvd. serving 12:15-1:00.
- Unity Elementary School at 1901 Unity Ave. serving 10:30-11:20.
- Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School at 4101 Stone Ave. serving 11:30-12:10.
- Morningside STEM Elementary School at 3601 Bushnell Ave. serving 12:15-1:00.
- Regency of Sioux City Mobile Homes at 4101 E. Gordon Dr. serving 10:30-11:20.
- Regency (Gibson) Apts. at 2201 Gibson St. serving 11:30-12:30.
- Old Mc Kinley School at 200 Paxton St. serving 10:30-11:20.
- Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School new building site at 615 20th serving 11:30-12:30.
- Evergreen Village at 5309 Hwy75 N. serving 10:30-11:30.
- Lake Forest Mobile Home Community at 3700 28th serving 11:30-12:30.
- Hillside Park Apts. at 2800 W 4th St. serving 10:30-11:20.
- Lyons Park at W 1st and John St. serving 11:30-12:30.
- Crittenton’s Stella Sanford Child Development Center at 1724 Geneva St serving 10:45-11:45.
- Boys & Girls Home at 2101 Court St. serving 12:35-1:15.
- Cecelia Park at the corner of Morningside Ave. and Indiana St. serving 12:35-1:15.
- Morningside Country Estates at 1331 S. Maple St. serving 12:35-1:15.
Newsletter Translation
The Prairie Dog Press is now available in 100+ languages! If you prefer to read the newsletter in a language other than English, please scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to select your preferred language. Simply select the "Translate' button on the lower right, select your language from the drop-down menu, and click "Close." The entire newsletter will then be translated into the language you have selected.
Box Tops for Education
Every valid Box Tops clip is worth 10¢ for Perry Creek & Clark. Make sure each one has a clearly visible product acronym and expiration date.
Box Tops - New Scanning Feature
Eventually the Box Tops program will become digital-only. Participating brands are starting to change their packaging from a traditional Box Tops clip to the new Box Top label.
If you see this label, use the new Box Tops app to scan your receipt. Box Tops are still worth 10¢ each for Perry Creek & Clark. The app will find participating products purchased at any store and instantly add cash to our school's earnings online.
Hy-Vee Receipts - Cash For Students Program
Eligible receipts for groceries, prescriptions, floral, photoshop, and catering are accepted.
(No fuel, gas, postal, money order, Western Union, lottery, Quest, Mid American, bottle refunds or gift card receipts will be accepted.)
Let's Talk
An engaged community makes our District stronger. That is why we have made it easy for you to connect with us whenever it is convenient for you. We encourage you to take advantage of Let’s Talk!, our 24/7 online submission site. Reach out with your ideas, questions, concerns, and praise. To make a submission, please visit http://www.siouxcityschools.org/lets-talk/.
Communication and Preparedness
Student and staff safety is of paramount importance in the Sioux City Community School District. For this reason, the District exercises a host of crisis prevention and planning tactics. Should an emergency occur, the school notifies you through our Blackboard phone system. In an emergency, the system calls every phone number associated with your child in order to reach you. The message will give you details about the emergency and provide directions on when/where to pick up your child if the normal school day is altered. Learn more about school safety.
Focus 2022 Strategic Plan
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.
The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices.
Inquiries or grievances, including Section 504 grievances and grievances under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.
Perry Creek Elementary and Clark Early Childhood Center
Perry Creek: 3601 Country Club Blvd. (712) 279-6836
Clark: 4315 Hamilton Blvd. (712) 239-7030
Principal: Amy Denney
Website: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/perry-creek/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrairieDogsSCCSD/
Twitter: @PerryCreekES