PANTHER NEWS
MAY 2021
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Purdy Panthers,
Welcome back from spring break! I hope you had a chance to enjoy time with your family and the beautiful weather.
In addition to Dr. Jarvis’ email last week regarding the Derek Chauvin verdict, I also wanted to share the OSPI message linked here with all of you. I appreciate the content of our State’s Superintendent message greatly and view it as both a message of hope and a call to action.
At Purdy, we continue to look for opportunities to learn, grow, and do better. Our goal is to create an inclusive culture that is equitable and welcomes diversity and inclusion for all students and families regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, religion, or ability. We need to do better in this area and, as a leader, I am committed to increasing my personal efforts. I look forward to your partnership and welcome any and all feedback or suggestions you have for us. Please help by letting me know when you see injustice, unfairness, or inequitable practices. I am also requesting that you show us grace in our efforts and support our staff as we work together to do better. We care deeply for all of our students and want all of them to succeed and know that their voices and opinions are heard, valued, and acted upon. A culturally responsive community and school is authentic, child centered, and connected to each child's real life. Thank you for joining me on this important journey of valuing and supporting all students & families!
Kind regards,
Ms. Kristi Brooks
Purdy Principal
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Purdy In-Person Class Placements for 2021-2022
The Purdy Staff will soon begin developing class lists for the upcoming school year. The task of placing all of our students is an enormous job, and we take it very seriously. We must consider many factors including student learning styles, academic ability, gender, disciplinary and social needs, learning styles, individual needs of the student, special programs, and parental input. Our goal is to place each child in a class in which he or she can be most successful while maintaining a balance within the class.
Parents may participate in the process by requesting a Parent Input form from the office and talking with their child’s current teacher. Parent Input forms are due by May 21, 2021.
Please understand staff assignments often change over the summer due to enrollment. In addition, when considering redistricting of some Purdy students to Swift Water, staffing and staff assignments for the next school year have not been determined yet. Therefore, please do not name a specific teacher, as we will not be able to honor requests for a specific teacher. Teacher and class placements will be confirmed in August when staffing has been confirmed. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
For consideration, Parent Input forms must be received by May 21, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact the office at 530-4600.
We appreciate your commitment to your child’s education and your continued support for our school community.
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REMINDERS FROM THE OFFICE
Please double check your attestation forms to be sure they are signed by an adult, all the boxes are marked, and with your student when they arrive. This helps move the students on to their classroom quickly and eliminates holding them at the office while trying to make contact with a parent.
If your child is going to be absent please notify the office so we accurately update your child's attendance that day, thank you.
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Important Upcoming Dates
5/20 Connect to Kindergarten for incoming Kindergarten students, 6:00 pm
5/26 Drive-through bookfair, 3:00-6:00 pm
5/31 Memorial Day - No School
6/23 Last day of school - 12:15 dismissal
6/24-6/25 Emergency Make-Up Days - If needed
8/16-8/20 Jump Start for K-1
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Highly Capable Update at Purdy
PACE Program Relocation to Purdy: Recent reboundarying work led to the evaluation of site locations for many of our special programs including PACE. A variety of considerations including multiple years of data around families accessing the range of Highly Capable service options, geographic locations, building capacity with projected growth, and other Student Services program locations were taken into consideration. As presented at the Board meeting on March 25, the PACE program currently located at Minter will be relocated to Purdy Elementary starting the 21-22 school-year.
Highly Capable Services Referral and Testing information: If you missed referring your student for Highly Capable testing this year, there will be an opportunity for summer testing for students who have not been referred in the last 9 months. With the consideration of a number of factors including less time in person for all grades, remote learning, and lack of screeners, we are amending our usual policy to include testing this summer with current students that are referred beyond the winter window instead of just new to the area families. We anticipate there will be a few options for summer testing to accommodate social distancing. Families may fill out the form now and expect to be contacted for summer testing which would have results before the 2021-22 school year begins.
Direct link to form: 2021 Summer Highly Capable Testing and Services Contact Form.
Explanation of Highly Capable program service models:
PACE: The self-contained PACE (Peninsula Accelerated Classroom Enrichment) program serves students identified highly capable in both verbal and quantitative areas in a multiage classroom for grades 2/3 and 4/5 in an all-day format with a combination of enrichment and accelerated offerings. Students are working sometimes at grade level and other times above grade level. There is a focus on the unique academic, social, and emotional needs of the highly capable students.
AIR/AIM: Students demonstrating highly capable aptitudes in one area will be served in neighborhood schools in subject-specific programs, Accelerated in Math (AIM) or Accelerated in Reading (AIR). These programs consist of clusters of students with teachers who have been involved in Highly Capable training. The instruction varies based on the student's ability and on the subject matter but the teacher implements strategies and materials for highly capable populations when appropriate. The clustering option is also available for PACE qualified students who choose not to participate in PACE.
For more information about the Highly Capable Program: https://www.psd401.net/learning/highly-capable
Joy Giovanini
K-12 Highly Capable Program Coordinator
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Learning and Information for the 21-22 School Year
- Full-Time School, 9:00-3:30 for all grades, K-5
- Five Days a Week, late start Wednesday, 10:00-3:30
- In-Person Learning
- Virtual Options- Global Virtual Academy
What are your plans for the 2021-2012 school year? Will your child be returning to Purdy? Please help us plan ahead and support you by filling out our Returning to Purdy survey linked here by May 14th, if you haven't done so already.
Peninsula School District has a plan for remote learning for the 21-22 school year. If you are interested in having your child participate in a remote learning platform, you can find out more information about the district's plan for the 21-22 school year by attending one of the informational Zoom meetings listed below.
Learn more about the Global Virtual Academy by attending a district-wide informational Zoom meeting, which will be held each evening May 10-13. Zoom links and registration information will be sent next week.
Monday, May 10th, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 11th, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 12, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May 12, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 13, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
ADDITIONAL DETAIL FOR KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
In order to enroll your child for Kindergarten, they must be 5 years old by August 31. Enrollment must be completed online
.
The Peninsula School District is planning to offer in-person and virtual options for full-day Kindergarten, 5 days a week at all elementary schools in the fall.
Registering your child early offers the best opportunity to receive communication about summertime school events and to receive Kindergarten specific information.
Please keep in mind, our elementary offices are closed during the summer.
Please contact the school prior to stopping by to ensure someone will be available to assist you during summer hours.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ENROLLMENT
- Birth Certificate - Copies accepted.
- Proof of Address - Utility bill (power or water). No lease agreements will be accepted.
- Medically Verified Immunization Record - See corresponding school year on website for requirements.
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Hello Purdy Families,
Although school currently looks a little different than in the past, we are still planning to move forward with our Connect to Kindergarten event in order to connect with our new kindergarten families via Zoom. We are excited to share that the Peninsula School district will have all-day Kindergarten, 5 days a week, for the 2021-2022 school year.
Connect to Kindergarten is an opportunity for you to learn more about Purdy and our kindergarten program. At the Spring Zoom Connect event on Thursday, May 20, 6:00 pm, parents will have the opportunity to listen to a presentation about our kindergarten program, meet the kindergarten teachers and school staff, and participate in a Q & A with our teachers. Please take this opportunity to ask questions about the day in the life of a kindergartener at Purdy. The more you learn about our school, the more confident you and your child will feel on the first day of kindergarten.
Ms. Kristi Brooks
Purdy Principal
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Jumpstart for K & 1
When: August 16th-20th, 9:00 am to 11:45 am
What: Jumpstart allows your child to have a solid start to school! They will meet new friends, get to know the new school building, and build their confidence and independence!
Who:
- Incoming Kindergarteners and 1st graders who have not had an in-person school experience or formal preschool.
- Families who are new to our school First-time Kindergarten families
- Any child who might need help transitioning to school.
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DID YOU MISS PICTURE DAY? SHUTTERFLY + LIFETOUCH OPTION AVAILABLE
Instructions on how it works are in the image and link below.
You will first need to create a Shutterfly.com account. All Lifetouch packages come with a digital download starting from their basic $14.99 package. When in the Shutterfly app scroll down towards the bottom to find the Lifetouch Snaps @Home promotion.
Once you receive your digital download and would like to have it submitted for the yearbook you'll need to save it and then share it directly with an advisor. Sharing with an adviser is done through the shutterfly app.
Share Directly with Adviser:
High-resolution pictures can be shared via email or your own picture sharing solution.
Upload pictures via Manage Pictures > Upload Pictures on your yearbook website.
Please reach out to Lifetouch if you have any questions: 866.955.8342
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Dear Parents and Families:
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/purdypanthers
Keeping your family safe is our priority. That’s why we’re taking extra precautions to host a safe, socially distanced Drive-Through Fair. Shop the Fair in four easy steps:
- Let your kids choose a Best of the Book Fair Value Pack.
- Set up your eWallet, a convenient digital payment account, in order to shop contactless and cash-free. Now multiple people can contribute to the same eWallet. Credit cards will also be accepted.
- On May 26th from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, we’ll have a Scholastic Book Fairs truck, costumed character, and fantastic (and affordable!) book packs available at a drive-through lane in our school parking lot.
- Drive up, grab your book packs, pay — and enjoy the books!
Once the Drive-Through Fair is over, continue to support our school through the online Book Fair! Your same eWallet can be used to shop over 6,000 items. And all orders ship direct to your home (with free shipping on book-only orders over $25*)!
Feel free to email our librarian with any questions and we look forward to seeing you and your family at the Fair!
Librarian: Erin Dooley
Email: dooleye@psd401.net
Purdy Elementary School
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PTA NEWS
We All Scream For...FROYO!
May PTA Meeting
May PTA Meeting
Topic: May PTA Meeting
Time: May 19, 2021 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/95106787969?pwd=N3pod2ZTYlFnN2JuQ20wQkhBVUd4QT09
Meeting ID: 951 0678 7969
Passcode: 135002
STILL TIME TO SUBMIT A PHOTO TO THE PTA FOR THE YEARBOOK
thank you!
Thank you to our PTA, Purdy Panthers, for supporting our recent fundraisers. With your support with our Boone Supply, Menchie's, and Fondi's fundraisers, we raised over $3,300. We appreciate all you do to support our school and students.
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Bus Passes
The following guideline will be in place for the remainder of the 2020 - 2021 school year:
- Bus passes can only be issued for the purpose of childcare needs
This course of action is needed to keep our school buses as healthy as possible during this period of COVID and to retain the integrity of our seating charts for the purpose of possible contact tracing.
Pam Roland
Peninsula School District
Transportation Director
14015 62nd Ave NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Office: 253-530-3901
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Bus Driver Hires
Peninsula School District is Hiring Bus Drivers!
Do you love kids? Are you a good driver? Why not become a school bus driver? Come join our team and become a champion for students! No experience is necessary, we provide paid training. Our summer training class starts July 12, 2021. For more information, please call our Transportation Department at 253-530-3900 or visit our website at psd401.net.
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NEWS FROM THE HEALTH ROOM
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COVID-19 SCHOOL-BASED TESTING
Our school will be able to continue COVID-19 School-Based Rapid Antigen Testing for select students. Originally, we communicated that testing would only take place through April 5. However, we are now able to extend the testing through June 14, 2021.
Due to a limited supply of these tests, we are only able to test students who meet certain criteria. Although this testing is limited in scale, we believe it will give us another layer of safety as we can quickly isolate positive COVID-19 cases and quarantine close contacts to prevent disease spread at our school. If your child has already been participating in testing, or has been identified as a candidate to test, you will receive a letter from our principal.
Below are direct links to the consent forms. Please note, these forms give consent for testing between April 5-June 14.
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WEEKEND MEAL KITS
Weekend meal kits are available for pickup on Fridays, at a Meals Site. If Friday falls on a non student day as indicated on the Peninsula School District 2020-2021 school year calendar, kits will be available the last school day of the week.
Click here or on the graphic below for printable meal kit cooking instructions.
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PICK UP AND DROP OFF REMINDERS
Here are some things all Panthers can do to stay safe and keep others safe:
Please stay home if you can answer “Yes” to any of the symptoms on the enclosed attestation form.
Please remember to:
Wear a clean mask to school every day.
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Keep space (6 feet) between you and others.
Please keep an extra set of clothing and mask (in a plastic bag) in your child’s backpack for emergencies.
Bring your Chromebook and school supplies to be used in the classroom.
Bring a water bottle to keep on your desk, all drinking fountains have been turned off.
When you get to school there will be a lot of staff to help you get to your classroom.
Bus Riders:
Students should have their mask on prior to loading their bus and keep it on for the entire ride.
Buses will unload one at a time when they reach the school.
Staff will be present at the back of the school to greet Panthers and show them to the entry point closest to their room.
All Panthers will have their temperature taken by a staff member.
Additional staff will be in the hallways escorting students to their classrooms. If a student arrives without an attestation form families will be contacted prior to the student going to class, if an adult can not be reached the student will wait in the office until contact can be made.
Teachers will be waiting for students outside of their classroom doors.
(Families please remember only students are allowed out of cars and into the building due to health and safety protocols. We will have many staff members in the school helping students get to class. Please be patient as it will take a significant amount of time to unload and assess each child prior to going to class.)
Student unloading will begin at 8:50 am.
Students should be dropped off only in the coned drop-off zone.
Please remain in your vehicle until a staff member arrives at your vehicle to dismiss your child.
Please pull forward to the farthest location on the curb toward the front doors.
Panthers should have their face covering on before leaving their vehicle and have their check-in (attestation) form in hand.
If students don’t have an attestation form, one will be provided by a staff member. Parents must fill out the form prior to their child exiting the vehicle.
Students must exit on the curbside for safety.
Panthers will walk to the front door and place their form in the box. A staff member will take each Panther’s temperature prior to going to class.
Additional staff members will help students to their classrooms.
Teachers will be waiting outside of the classroom for students.
Anyone picking up a student from school must have a car tag or may be asked for an alternate ID. Tags will be passed out on the first day second-graders arrive.
Parents must remain in their vehicles at all times and pull to the most forward spot by the mailbox.
A staff member will look for your tag displayed on your rearview mirror in order to call your child for dismissal.
Staff will escort students to the designated area, then dismiss students to their vehicle.
Students will enter vehicles from the curbside only, for their safety.
For more information about our “In-Person Learning” please check out our Coming To School video on the Purdy Elementary Webpage (pes.psd401.net).
We are looking forward to seeing students and providing a safe environment for them to continue to grow!
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COVID-19 DATA DASHBOARD
Tracking Cases within Peninsula School District
The health and safety of all students and staff remains a top priority of the Peninsula School District.
In the event of a positive COVID-19 case at a PSD school or office location, we work directly with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) as they conduct contact tracing. Based on the guidance provided by TPCHD and the school COVID-19 case response tool kit, notifications are sent to impacted staff, students, and families. If an individual is found to have close contacts while contagious, those who were in close contact will be required to quarantine. Each case and situation requires unique action as determined by the TPCHD.
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
The purpose of the COVID-19 Data Dashboard is to provide transparency regarding the number of COVID-19 cases within the Peninsula School District while respecting student and staff medical privacy rights. The Peninsula School District COVID-19 Data Dashboard only displays information related to confirmed cases of Peninsula School District individuals.
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Tech/Chrome Book Help
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ARE YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACTS & MAILING ADDRESSES UP TO DATE?
Please take a moment to do your Year Round/Emergency Contact Update for your child(ren) to ensure that we have the necessary information in the event of an emergency and for mailing purposes. See below for instructions on how to access the update.