PPE in the NEWS!

Read the latest press releases and link to articles in the local media.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Percy Priest Launches Library Capital Campaign

Nashville, TN – Tuesday, January 11, 2011 – The Percy Priest Elementary School PTO has launched a capital campaign to expand and improve the school’s library facilities. The City of Forest Hills has helped to kick off this campaign with a generous donation of $300,000.

Built in 1957, Percy Priest Elementary was designed to accommodate 200 students, yet the school has more than doubled in size to over 500 students. Still at its original size of 1,735 square feet, the school library is less than half the size recommended by MNPS standards. Additional space is needed for new books, updated technology equipment, student research material, and instructional space. Parents and teachers have identified library improvements as part of the current PTO strategic plan.

Plans for the new Percy Priest Library and Media Center have been approved by MNPS and zoning has been approved by the City of Forest Hills. The proposed new library will include 2,878 square feet of new space and 1,705 square feet of renovated space for a total of 4,583 square feet. Features will include a dedicated technology classroom, instructional space, event areas, and space for additional books.

Funding from Metro Nashville Public Schools is unavailable for this project. MNPS-funded capital improvements for Percy Priest have been deferred until 2016-17, and further delay is possible. Yet improvements to the school library are long overdue. The Percy Priest PTO, working with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education (NAPE) has launched this capital campaign to generate private funding for the project. The fundraising goal of the campaign, “Building a 21st Century Classic,” is $865,000.

Members of the Percy Priest PTO made a formal request for a lead donation of $300,000 from the City of Forest Hills at the November 18 meeting of the Forest Hills Board of Commissioners. Following careful deliberation on behalf of the City, the Board of Commissioners voted to approve the gift at their meeting on January 6. In considering the request, Mayor Bill Coke said, “supporting Percy Priest Elementary is one of the most important ways the City of Forest Hills can use its resources.”

“We are pleased to support this highly regarded public school that serves our city's residents and their children, " says Commissioner Tim Douglas. According to campaign co-chair Henry Trost, this donation illustrates the value of outstanding public schools. “We are thrilled that the Board of Commissioners of the City of Forest Hills has recognized the importance of our school improvement project,” says Trost, “and has agreed to support our public/private initiative to benefit the elementary students at Percy Priest Elementary.”

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This donation is a dream come true for Percy Priest. “The library is the heart of our school,” explains campaign co-chair Jill Gonas. “For several years our students and parents have dreamed of more space for new books, a technology center, and a common meeting space. There is much work left to do to reach our goal, but this generous gift is one big step towards our dream becoming a reality.”

As the capital campaign gets underway, the PTO is reaching out to Percy Priest families, teachers and alumni, other local municipalities, area businesses, and community benefactors to create a public and private partnership. Major gifts from within Percy Priest have already been solicited, and plans are underway for a community campaign kickoff.

Construction of the new Percy Priest Library and Media Center will begin when 100% of the fundraising goal has been pledged, with a minimum of 50% collected. The goal is to begin construction in May 2011.

For more information about the library expansion project, contact campaign co-chairs Henry Trost (615-504-0293; hatrost@comcast.net) or Jill Gonas (615-424-6907; jgonas@bellsouth.net) or visit the PTO website at http://www.percypriest.org/our-library.

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Percy Priest Elementary is a Metropolitan Nashville Public School serving grades K-4. Percy Priest is located at 1700 Otter Creek Road, Nashville, TN 37215.

PR Contact:

Angie Howard
PTO Publicity Chairman
Percy Priest Elementary
Home phone: 615-385-8183
Email: angiephoward@att.net

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Percy Priest Welcomes New Faculty and Record Number of Students

Nashville, TN – Tuesday, August 31, 2010 – Percy Priest Elementary started off the school year with a record number of students, several new faculty and staff members, and a continued commitment to curricular excellence.

For students at Percy Priest, the first day of school was full of new beginnings, from new teachers and classmates to a new climbing wall in the gymnasium. Over 500 students are currently enrolled at Percy Priest, the highest enrollment in over 15 years, according to Principal Melinda Williams.

This year, Mrs. Williams will be assisted by Mrs. Antonia Spearman, Percy Priest’s first Assistant Principal. A graduate of Tennessee State University and Trevecca Nazarene University, Mrs. Spearman has over 30 years of experience as an educator. She comes to Percy Priest from JE Moss Elementary, where she served as Assistant Principal. “My mission as assistant principal” says Spearman, “is to assist the principal, and ensure the academic excellence of every student.”

Percy Priest also welcomes three new teachers this year: Reading Specialist Jeanne Lobb, Consulting Teacher Jennifer Coats, and Art Instructor Denise Benton. Mrs. Donna High, a former third grade teacher at Percy Priest, will return this year as Technology Coach, a new part-time position funded by the Percy Priest PTO. Mrs. High will provide professional development and on-site technical support for teachers as they implement technology in their classrooms.

Additional faculty changes at Percy Priest include the creation of a second “looping” team, Mr. Brad Tanner and Dr. Rebecca Bourlakas. Students in Percy Priest’s looping classrooms have the same teacher and classmates for both first and second grade. “We are so excited to add a second looping opportunity for students,” says Principal Williams. “Research shows that this multiyear experience offers many social and academic benefits for students.”

Teachers at all grade levels will continue to use the Singapore Math curriculum, now in its second year of implementation at Percy Priest. Developed in Singapore, this curriculum uses problem solving and model drawing to provide an in-depth understanding of mathematical concepts. Many teachers at Percy Priest also use Quantum Learning techniques in the classroom. Based on brain research, this comprehensive learning program uses visual, auditory, and kinesthetic strategies to aid in retention. Mr. Lance High, a fourth grade teacher at Percy Priest, is certified Quantum Learning facilitator.

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Percy Priest is a Metropolitan Nashville Public School serving grades K-4. Percy Priest is located at 1700 Otter Creek Road, Nashville, TN 37215. To learn more about Percy Priest Elementary, visit the school website at www.percypirest.org or call the school office at 615-298-8416.

Contact:

Angie Howard
PTO Publicity Chairman
Percy Priest Elementary
Home phone: 615-385-8183
Email: angiephoward@att.net