WEBSITE: PGA.PSDschools.org

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1 GLOBAL EDUCATION LOCAL COMMUNITY e-newsletter August 2013 WEBSITE: PGA.PSDschools.org LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW US ON TWITTER IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 1) Important Dates 2) Keeping Our Students Safe new security buzzer, parking lot 3) Global Education Monthly Theme: Organization 4) Enrollment Update 5) Advisory Contacts 6) Celebrations ACT Scores 7) Celebrations Student Growth Scores (TCAP) 8) PSD Students Ride Transfort for Free 9) The Principal s Office IMPORTANT DATES September 2 SCHOOL CLOSED (Labor Day) September 3 September 3 September 16 Sept 23 Oct 8 October 8 PTO Back-to-School Meeting Last day to drop / add classes SCHOOL CLOSED K-8 (Teacher Workday) October Count required attendance in all online classes. Students must login and submit assignments. Picture Day Please check with your teacher and/or the school website calendar for grade or class specific announcements and calendar changes! Left: Kindergarteners and first graders enjoy Classroom Community time with Mrs. Lloyd during enrichment. PGA s elementary and middle school grew this year and welcomed lots of new friends!

2 KEEPING OUR STUDENTS SAFE 1) New Security System in Place This summer, the Poudre School District installed buzzer systems into several school buildings. School doors will be unlocked during regular drop off / pick up times. Doors will be locked during all other hours. Parents and visitors will need to ring the bell by the main entrance to be buzzed in by the front office. Please continue to sign in and pick up a visitor badge. 2) Parking Lot With so many more students joining PGA, please be sure to follow all parking lot guidelines for the safety of our kids. Feel free to use the parking lot loop to drop off or pick up your student in grades Drive the loop until you see your student Pull up as far as you can in the drop off / pick up lane A staff member will walk your child to your car Only cross at designated crosswalk areas with a staff member Please do not park in the drop off / pick up spaces 3) GRADES K-2: Students in grades K-2 will still need to be picked up at their classroom by a parent or older sibling. GLOBAL CITIZEN MONTHLY THEME: ORGANIZATION Our monthly themes guide our entire school in nurturing responsible global citizens. We encourage families to discuss these themes at home. Our global citizen monthly theme for August is ORGANIZATION. Everything in its place, and a place for everything We begin each school year by focusing on the essential skill of organization. This is especially important for PGA Pioneers in all grade levels because every day may look a little different from the last. Some students work from home and on campus, while other students may be juggling outside jobs and school. Our students and Learning Coaches have shared with us that time management and organization are some of the toughest skills to learn when starting hybrid school. Give yourself some time to get adjusted, and make sure you are sticking to your daily schedule. Also, make sure you communicate with your homeroom and advisory teacher, as they have some wonderful tips to help get your home-based classroom organized. You can also talk with other students and Learning Coaches to share ideas for managing your time as you travel from home to our PGA campus. By focusing on organizational skills now, you will minimize stress in the future! Do not hesitate to call if we can support you on campus or at home. Welcome to School Year ! Heather Hiebsch Principal

3 ENROLLMENT CLOSING SOON FOR We would also like to thank you for sharing the good news about PGA with your friends, family, and community! While we appreciate the wonderful things a small school can provide, a small growth in enrollment would be welcome because it would allow us to provide additional programs for academic and social enrichment for all students. Our best advertisement is YOU! Please help spread the word about the fabulous things you, your kids and teachers do here at PGA. ADVISORY CONTACTS Always feel free to ask questions and discuss your student s progress in his/her online and campus classes. K-1 grade: Ms. Jessy Lloyd JLloyd@psdschools.org 2-3 grade: Ms. Jennifer Becker JBecker@psdschools.org 4-5 grade: Ms. Erin Gilmore EGilmore@psdschools.org 6-8 grade: Mr. Tony Todd atodd@psdschools.org 9 th grade: Ms. Kate Stevens catheris@psdschools.org 10 th grade: Mr. Ryan James RJames@psdschools.org 11 th grade: Ms. Hannah McGrath HMcgrath@psdschools.org 12 th grade: Ms. Dinah Unruh DinahU@psdschools.org Computer Lab Hours Mon Thurs, 12:00 3:00 pm CELEBRATIONS (1) PGA Scores on ACT Exceed State Average Each year, 11th graders from across Colorado participate in the ACT test for college readiness. In 2013, the state average composite score was 20.4, while PGA earned an average composite of 21.7: PGA State English Math Reading Science Composite

4 (2) PGA Growth Scores Beat State Averages The CO Department of Education considers both a student s achievement and growth when calculating school ratings. The Poudre School District specifically focuses on growth, as this is the best indicator of a school s effectiveness, regardless of a student s start point. The following are top indicators for school performance (PGA results in blue): 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency = 100% = highest in Poudre School District, exceeds state and district averages Elementary School (student growth) = outperformed many traditional elementary schools, exceeds district and state expectations - ALL grades, ALL subjects Middle School (student growth) = outperformed many traditional middle schools, exceeds district and state expectations - reading and writing High School (student growth) = among highest in Poudre School District!! Exceeds state and district average. In fact, PGA s high school reading and writing were second only to charter Liberty Commons. Special Education (student growth) = exceeds district and state expectations for all students making MORE than a year s growth in a year s time! The PSD Global Academy credits the partnership, dedication, and innovative spirit of students, parents, and staff. As a hybrid school, PGA students and Learning Coaches partner with PGA teachers to create customized learning goals, course schedules, and daily routines to maximize both student interest and student potential. Through a blend of online and on-campus courses, students were able to accelerate or remediate as necessary to exceed the state averages in student growth. Congratulations STUDENTS, PARENTS, LEARNING COACHES, AND STAFF!!! Left: PGA Staff celebrates the latest news about our wonderful students!!! Right: Students in Ms. Becker s 2-3 enrichment meet their class pets Caramel and Oreo

5 GET INVOLVED Because of the design of our unique school, we have an opportunity to create true partnerships between students, staff, parents and Learning Coaches. Our parent volunteers make so many things possible, and we appreciate each of you! Interested in joining the fun? There are so many wonderful ways to get involved at PGA this year! For students: Sign up for enrichment classes, field trips, clubs, socials, service projects and volunteer opportunities for special events throughout the year! For Parents: Consider participating in your child s school in one (or more!) of the following ways: volunteer in classrooms or events participate in PGA s School Accountability Committee (SAC) join PTO (first meeting is Sept 3) chaperone a field trip or social help fundraise contact our Parent Volunteer Coordinator Amby Sandez School Accountability Committee (SAC) Update: Learning Coaches off to a strong start Orientation Aug 20 to kick off the year! The School Accountability Committee (SAC) acts as an advisory group to the principal regarding PGA s school improvement planning for the Colorado Department of Education. Members include parents, community, and staff members. SAC Applications available by ing Heather Hiebsch at HeatherH@psdschools.org o We are seeking Parent Volunteers in elementary, middle, and high school grade levels to fill vacancies for this year s committee. Topics: We will be reporting on the School Improvement Plan process when the information is released by the state later this month. SAC Thank you! As a School Accountability Committee, some of the priority improvement targets for focused on intervention programs, student achievement, and student expectations / responsibilities upon enrollment. A new application system, credit-earned policy, attendance requirements, and more opportunities for intervention and acceleration were some of the SAC suggestions incorporated for WEATHER QUESTIONS? PGA TEACHERS SAY: We follow the district guidelines for school closure and delay. And we will go outside if the temperature is above 20 and below 100. Please dress appropriately!

6 PGA STUDENTS RIDE TRANSFORT FOR FREE Bus stop now available right in front of PGA campus! Many PSD students enjoy that they can ride the City of Fort Collins s bus system, Transfort, for free. For several years, Transfort has been able to offer youth mobility throughout Fort Collins at no cost in thanks to a grant from the Bohemian Foundation. Because the free youth fare is so valuable, Transfort is implementing a new policy to verify age and prevent abuse of a benefit designed to enhance the quality of life for youth in our community. Transfort s new youth fare policy will be rolled out at the beginning of October Youth will be required to present a valid form of ID in order to ride the bus, and the great news for PSD students is that the PSD Student ID card will meet that requirement! Highlights: Youth ride the City s bus system, Transfort, for free. o Transfort defines a youth rider as: anyone age 17 or younger as well as students actively enrolled in a secondary school program. Transfort will begin reminding youth of the new policy in late August 2012 and after October 1, no youth can ride without approved ID or an accompanying adult (for those under age 12). PSD students can use their PSD-issued Student IDs as approved ID to ride for free. More information (including other acceptable forms of ID) is available at fcgov.com/transfort or by calling THE PRINCIPAL S OFFICE Questions? Comments? Just saying, HI! I would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact me anytime at: Phone: (970) HeatherH@psdschools.org What was your favorite part about the first week of school? Students and Learning Coaches can Mrs. Hiebsch to be entered into a School Communication prize drawing! You may even see your response on the school website!