Principal Williams' PPE Weekly
3-5-10
Dear Percy Priest Families,
Thank you to everyone who helped make Math Night a huge success! What a great family event. The PPE tigers visited several continents. Math truly did take us places around the world!
We are the recipients of a grant from Metro Parks and Recreation which has provided and installed new playground equipment at PPE! We are looking forward to using it soon and are extremely grateful to Metro Parks for this gift.
I would like to ask all families (parents, grandparents and babysitters) to review the morning arrival procedures for PPE. It is never permissible to pass any cars in the circle during arrival for the safety of all students. Stay single file and leave single file. If you must exit your car in the mornings, please park in one of the two parking lots. Our day begins at 8:00 a.m., and if the front doors are closed, an adult must enter the school and sign the student in the office. I appreciate your support and cooperation regarding this
matter.
Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
2-26-10
Dear Percy Priest Families,
You may have heard by now the plan for making up the two snow days not built in the 2009-10 school calendar. These two days must be made up to meet state requirements. The information below explains how and when the upcoming school days will be extended. On Tuesday, February 23, the Metro Nashville Board of Education voted to extend the school day at all MNPS schools by 30 minutes for a 28-day window this spring. This extra learning time will help the district make up two school days missed as a result of snow. To give families, teachers and schools time to plan for the schedule change; the 30-minute extended day will take effect Monday, March 8 and will run through Wednesday, April 28. TCAP testing week, April 19-23, schools will return to normal schedules to keep students from getting overly tired. This change affects students at all MNPS operated schools – zoned, enhanced option and magnet.
Dates of schedule change:
March 8 - April 16, 2010 30-Minute Extended Schedule
April 19 - April 23, 2010 TCAP Testing - Normal Schedules
April 26 - April 28, 2010 30-Minute Extended Schedule
April 29 - End of the Year Schools Return to Normal Schedules
30-Minute Extended Schedule:
Elementary Schools 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Enhanced Option Schools 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
Middle Schools 8:55 am - 4:25 pm
High Schools 7:05 am - 2:35 pm
Magnet Schools 8:00 am - 3:30 pm (This is subject to change. Check www.mnps.org)
Hope to see you at Math Night tonight and on Sunday at our clean-up day.
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
2-19-10
Dear Percy Priest Families,
It was another short week for our PPE Tigers. I am hopeful that we have seen the last snow day of 2010, but that may be wishful thinking on my part! I am sure you will agree that your children need to get back into a routine. MNPS administration would like to makeup the last two snow days prior to TCAP testing in April. I will relay the information to you as soon as I am informed of the decision.
I would like to encourage you to attend the PTO meeting on Tuesday evening, February 23 at 6:30pm. Parents of fourth grade students are especially encouraged to attend: I will
present information regarding Open Enrollment and No Child Left Behind Choice Schools. This is of high importance if your child will be attending JT Moore in the fall. Dr. K.K. Wynn,
Consulting Teacher, will also be presenting.
Saturday, May 1, 2010 is Percy Priest night at the Vanderbilt vs. Georgia baseball game. The game is set for 6:00pm and scheduled to be televised. Our PPE tigers will have the
opportunity to watch two former tigers play for the Commodores! Flyers and order forms will be sent home before Spring Break.
Be sure to welcome Olivia Elliott to PPE as our counselor and Mrs. Twitchel's maternity leave interim substitute.
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
2-12-10
Dear Percy Priest Families,
This week has been a very eventful one at Percy Priest. On Monday, we went “live” with our point of sale in the Tiger Café. Although the process was slow and tested our patience, the PPE tigers accepted the challenge of memorizing their five digit PIN. Apparently the snow
day helped those who had not learned theirs. What a difference a day made! By Wednesday, the amount of time to get through the lines had decreased significantly. Please remember, the Tiger Café will no longer be able to offer lunch charges to students. They must have cash in hand or prepaid lunches in order to proceed through the line. Please check with your child’s teacher to ensure he/she has “emergency lunch money.” The PPE office will be able to offer a small amount of lunch money to those who forget; however, the money must be repaid in order for us to continue to provide this service.
On Wednesday, we honored Mrs. JoAnn Ferguson with a retirement celebration recognizing her 20 years of service to Percy Priest. A big thank you to everyone who made a monetary donation toward her gift. She was very appreciative of the money tree, songs sung by the students and the poem written especially for her.
I am looking forward to a week of school without the interruption of snow. President’s Day is Monday, February 15, and students do not attend school. Hope to see you at Davis-Kidd on Sunday.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Melinda Williams
2-5-10
Dear Percy Priest Families,
I hope you and your family enjoyed the extended weekend and had fun in the snow! It's good to be back and settle into our routine. Read-a-Thon is going strong, and many students have shared their favorite books with me. They seem motivated and excited. Our goal is for all PPE tigers to read for the love of reading. Many of you will see your child's reading level increase and comprehension improve during this time.
Please note that Pajama Day has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 10.
Congratulations to Mrs. Twitchel and her husband. They are the proud parents of baby Major Twitchel born on Monday!
Go Colts! Go Saints!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
1-29-10
Dear Percy Priest Families,
Please stop by and introduce yourself to welcome the newest member of the PPE family, Mrs. Dorothy Doss, who joins the Tiger Café staff following the retirement of Mrs. JoAnn.
Point-of-sale in the café begins next week, so please read the Friday Folders from the MNPS Food Service regarding this new p help as each student learns his or her 5-digit PIN. Thanks in advance for your patience and assistance.
Our PPE tigers have generously worked to help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Over $2000 was raised last week through donations and a bake sale for Healing Hands International to purchase water filters, carried to Haiti by PPE parent and HHI volunteer Lynn Griffith.
Profits from the used book sale will also be donated to Haiti relief efforts. Please see this week’s flyer to see how you can help our PPE Girl Scouts with their service project by donating specific items for Haiti relief.
Read-a-thon began today!
Tuesday, February 2 is pajama day and
Friday, February 5 is book character day. Read, read, read!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
1-22-10
Dear Percy Priest Families,
The annual used book sale will be held at PPE next week followed by the exciting Read-a thon! Q: What’s
the best way to create a lifelong reader that's also free, fun, and will bring you and your child closer? A:
READING TOGETHER. Find a time each day when you and your youngster can get cozy and
enjoy a good book.
Here are three tips to help you choose stories:
1. Ask librarians, friends, teachers for recommendations. If your child doesn’t already have a library card from the Nashville Public Library, sign him/her up!
2. Find books that expand your child’s interests (animals, outer space, weather), deal with an event (a new baby, a visit to the dentist) and build character (friendship,
truthfulness, honesty, patience).
3. Pick stories for both information and enjoyment. Try real and make-believe stories, poems and children’s magazines.
As you may know, my son is a college freshman. While having lunch together on Monday, he asked me to go with him to Davis-Kidd to get a book for his English class. He said that it could be any book of his choosing, and he wanted to read Dear John. Of course, I was a bit surprised but I did not share that with him. I purchased the book, and off we went. On Tuesday, he called to let me know how much he is enjoying it and informed me that he stayed up until 2:00am reading! Although he should have been in bed at that time, it did make me smile knowing he chose the book and is actually enjoying it! Keep it up, son!
Have a great weekend!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
1-1-10
Dear Percy Priest Families,
Happy New Year and Welcome Back!
I hope you and your family had a wonderful winter break. I enjoyed seeing all of the boys and girls on Tuesday morning. They seemed so happy to see their teachers and friends! We are all looking forward to another successful semester.
Thank you for the gift cards, gifts, ornaments, cards, and all of the delicious homemade goodies sent my way during the holiday season. I truly appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness. On behalf of the PPE support staff, I want to thank everyone for their generous monetary donations. You helped make their Christmas much merrier and brighter!
The second H1N1 clinic has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 27, 2010. The first clinic held in December was very organized and successful. The boys and girls who received the mist or shot last month were very brave and cooperative. I was extremely proud of them.
Stay warm!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
12-11-09
Dear Percy Priest Families,
Can you believe we have almost completed one-half of this school year? In less than a week, the winter holiday break begins for all students. Holiday celebrations will be held in each classroom on Thursday, December 17 with dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
H1N1 vaccine clinic will be held on Wednesday, December 16. If your child will receive the vaccine, please make sure he/she is aware of the vaccination process so there will not be any “surprises.” Thank you in advance for your help.
Just a gentle reminder… all students must enter the front doors upon arrival every morning. Parents and students should not enter the Kindergarten wing doors or the Tiger Club doors unless they are attending Tiger Club. Also, students must not be dropped off in any parking lot unless they are being escorted into the school by an adult. This is for the safety and security of all our PPE tigers. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Please take a few minutes to read this newsletter. There are many important dates, events, and reminders listed in this edition.
Enjoy your weekend. Go Titans!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
12-4-09
Dear Percy Priest Families,
It was truly a week for thanks and giving at Percy Priest due to a very generous monetary donation by Bob and Wendi Mahoney, parents of Genevieve, which purchased fourteen Elmo document cameras and a LCD projector for PPE. Within 72 hours of this donation, PPE’s PTO Policy and Planning Committee voted to purchase additional projectors and Elmos for the remaining classrooms using money from the Tiger Fund. Thanks to the Mahoneys and all parents who have given of their resources, our PPE tigers will benefit greatly from technology that is not provided for in the MNPS
budget. Thank you so much!
The Tiger Café extends an invitation to the Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, December 9. Please let your child’s teacher know via email if you plan on attending the luncheon. The cost for visitors will be $4.00 per person.
The date has been set for our H1N1 vaccine clinic at PPE: Wednesday, December 16. If you have given permission for your child to be vaccinated, please prepare them for this event at home.
Have a great weekend and Go Titans!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
11-20-09
Dear Percy Priest Families,
Thank you so much for helping PPE tigers “tackle” hunger in Nashville. The boys and girls were given a challenge to fill the Second Harvest Food Bank boxes by today. They “teamed up” and filled the boxes with much needed food to be distributed to our community during the holiday season.
Because they met the challenge, Tuesday is “jeans and jersey” day. Students may wear blue jeans and their favorite jersey. Way to go, Tigers!
Neighbors living at Willshire and Priest Drive have requested that our parents not park on their grass/lawns while visiting PPE. Your cooperation is much appreciated.
Thank you to Ginger Sands for donating our new Tiger Café wall clock.
There will be no school next Wednesday, Thursday or Friday due to the Thanksgiving holidays. Students will return on Monday, November 30, the day of the school-wide field trip. Please make sure your child wears his/her PPE field trip shirt on that day. Have a wonderful weekend.
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
11-13-09
Dear Percy Priest Families,
Many of you have inquired about the status of the H1N1 vaccination clinic to be held at Percy Priest. MNPS began vaccinating students this week in a few elementary schools. We will be given a 24 hour notice prior to our scheduled clinic. I will inform you of our clinic via the telephone “call-out” system as soon as I receive confirmation.
There are several precautions you can teach your children to reduce their chance of contracting H1N1 flu. Instruct them to cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and to throw the tissue in the trash after use. If a tissue isn’t accessible, children should be taught to cough or sneeze into the bend of their elbows rather than into bare hands. Please encourage frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially after a cough or sneeze. Children should also avoid touching their eyes, noses, or mouths—germs spread that way.
I hope to see you tonight at the Family Fun Night Disco. Have a great weekend!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
11-6-09
Dear Percy Priest Families,
I would like to thank Heidi Esposito, Terri McConnell and the Open House Committee for organizing this year’s Prospective Parent Open House. It was a huge success as evident by the number of parents in attendance. The faculty, staff and I want to express our gratitude to the Hospitality Committee and Room Parents for providing dinner on Tuesday evening. Your acts of kindness were truly appreciated.
I want to encourage you to read the newsletter and view the school calendar on the website. There are several activities and events taking place at Percy Priest.
I hope to see you at the Disco next Friday night! And please join me in congratulating our outstanding teachers and students on earning straight As on the Tennessee Department of Education Report Card for Academic Achievement. Way to go! Enjoy your weekend!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
10-30-09
Dear Percy Priest Families,
I hope you and your family had a fabulous fall break. The boys and girls returned to school with a lot of energy and appear ready for another successful nine weeks. Thanks to everyone who attended the Parent-Teacher conferences on Tuesday. If you were not able to attend on Tuesday and would like to schedule a conference, please contact your child’s teacher. They will be glad to meet with you to discuss your child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.
Percy Priest was chosen to host the General Consul of Japan Mr. Hiroshi Sato as Principal for a Day held on Wednesday. Mr. Sato has lived in Nashville for the past year and works out of the Consulate-General of Japan’s office in Nashville. His program coordinator, Emily Winckler, shared with PPE’s fourth grade students about the life of children in Japan. Following the presentations, Ms. Winckler and Mr. Sato participated in an origami lesson with the students. Before leaving, Mr. Sato toured PPE and visited many classrooms.
I hope you have noticed the tiger paws that were recently painted on our driveway. Thanks to parent Stan Lowery and his volunteers for their time and energy in providing us with these new visuals. There is an exit set closest to the Kindergarten wing and an entrance set opposite side. Always "be between the paws" when loading and unloading. Thank you for following these guidelines.
Have a wonderful weekend and may your favorite team find a victory!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
10-15-09
Dear Percy Priest Families,
A big thank you is extended to everyone who participated in Denim Day and Pennies for Patients. Denim Day raised over $300 for the American Cancer Society. Pennies for Patients ended today and the final total has not been calculated as of this writing.
We have something new and exciting to share! Your child may come home reporting that he or she learned something new from the Speech and Language Specialist, Mrs. Henry; Consulting Teacher, Dr. Wynn; Reading Specialist, Dr. Henley; or Exceptional Specialist, Ms. Levine. These staff members may be visiting the classrooms at various times to either co-teach lessons with our lead general education teachers or perhaps to assist in reinforcing a new skill with a small group of students. We want you to know about this new and exciting initiative.
Fall Break is here! School will not be in session beginning tomorrow, October 16 through October 25. Students will return on Monday, October 26. Parent-Teacher conferences will be held on Tuesday evening, October 27 from 3:15 until 6:30 p.m. Have a fabulous fall break!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
October 9, 2009
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Rebecca Bourlakas, the newest member of our PPE faculty. Dr. Bourlakas replaces Mrs. Ficken (first grade) who resigned earlier this month. Dr. Bourlakas is the proud mother of two PPE tigers. We are thrilled to have you, Dr. B.
Walk to School Day, 2009 was a huge success! Thanks to Mrs. Dysart and Mrs. Nash for organizing our walk and to the volunteers who helped our tigers arrive to school safely.
Thanks to the PTO Cultural Arts Committee for bringing the Nashville Public Library Puppet Truck's “Anansi the Spider” to PPE on Wednesday!
PPE individual picture day will be held on Tuesday, October 13. Students are not required to wear SSA on this day; however, they are expected to dress neatly and appropriately. Please refer to the PPE student handbook for details.
Parent-teacher conferences will be held after school on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 from 3:15 until 6:30 p.m. This is a change from the original scheduled conference day, and unfortunately, time will not permit us to schedule a conference for each child. Your child’s teacher will contact you if a conference is warranted at this time.
Please take time to read all information regarding the H1N1 vaccine and vaccination program coming to PPE. It is very important for all information to be accurate, all questions to be answered in order and for the consent form to be completed and returned as soon as possible.
Fall break is right around the corner, and there will be no school from October 16-25. Enjoy your weekend! Code Blue………Go Titans!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
Dear Percy Priest Families,
Time flies when you are having fun! It is hard to believe October is here, and fall break is right around the corner. Start the month off with successful habits. Research shows a link between parent involvement and student success. So plan to pitch in with school activities--right at home. This will require some self-discipline, but it will also set a great example for your child.
Try to:
•Put priorities on the calendar.
•Stay nearby while your child completes homework.
•Create routines.
•Talk with your child about school.
•Keep in touch with the teacher.
•Be consistent.
Percy Priest Tigers will participate in Denim Day next Friday, October 9. Students are encouraged to
donate a dollar in exchange for wearing denim to school. All money collected will be donated to the
American Cancer Society. And please join us in the annual Walk to School Day on Wednesday.
Students must walk with an adult or have written permission in order to participate.
Hope to see you walking.
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
Hello Percy Priest Families! This week’s column is devoted to all of our wonderful Percy Priest parents. I want to send a big thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s “Invest” campaign a huge success! We have exceeded our goal once again with your help and support. The Invest Committee, led by Allan Horner and Jill Gonas, is to be commended for the outstanding job they did in leading this campaign during a time when our economy is somewhat unstable. Way to go!
The Tiger Club staff and parents also deserve many thanks for assisting with the relocation of Tiger Club to the portable. Although relocating is never an easy task, the PPE family worked together to make the move a positive one. The Tiger Club members now call their new home the “Tiger Clubhouse.”
In closing, I want to thank the families of the new first grade class for being a true example of community. Led by Leslie Hudson, the old Tiger Club room has been transformed into a beautiful first grade classroom. Equipped with more power tools than Bob the Builder, a team of mothers worked tirelessly for two days preparing the room for a class of first graders. This was PPE’s version of an “Extreme Classroom Makeover.” Thanks to Leslie Hudson, Katie Nelson, Julie Adkison, Ginger Sheppard, Hailey Hirst, and Colleen Neel, the boys and girls were able to begin class in their new room on Wednesday. We all thank you!
Percy Priest Elementary School is a great place to be!
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams
Principal
Hello Parents/Guardians,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Percy Priest Elementary School. The faculty and staff join me in saying we are happy to have you as part of the Percy Priest family. We hope this will be a successful and satisfying year for you.
We are proud of the exceptional educational environment offered at PPE. We have met the benchmarks set forth by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation since its inception. Our students have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) each year and 93% of all third and fourth graders are proficient or advanced in reading/language arts and 90% scored proficient or advanced in mathematics.
Percy Priest ES parents are our partners in the important job of educating the children of our community. We welcome your participation and support this school year and solicit your membership in our PTO. Working together, we will be able to reach our collective and individual goals and celebrate the achievements and successes of our students.
Your Partner in Education,
Mrs. Melinda Williams
Principal
