Principal Williams' PPE Weekly

9-3-10
As you probably know, we have a large number of car riders at PPE. Last Friday morning we counted approximately 200 cars between 7:40 and 8:00 a.m. It is absolutely necessary for everyone to be alert and attentive during morning arrival. If you are uncertain about any of the policies and procedures, please review them on our website.
I want to emphasize that never, under any circumstances, should cars pass other cars in the drop-off lane for the safety of all our precious PPE tigers. Please remind your children to have all bags, backpacks and lunchboxes ready when departing from your vehicle. I appreciate your help and cooperation.

Save the Date! September 15 is Go Casual for the Kids Day. Students will be allowed to wear jeans and a standard attire shirt that day in exchange for a voluntary small donation in support of the Children's Miracle Network at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
Enjoy your three day weekend! Go Vandy! Go Vols! It’s football time in Tennessee!

Your Partner in Education,
Mrs. Melinda Williams

8-27-10

Dear Percy Priest Families,
Our annual INVEST campaign officially kicked off today. INVEST supports PPE in many ways including funding the salaries of three workroom assistants, a part-time technology coach and a science lab facilitator.

Funds are also used to provide quality professional development for our faculty, the recent installation of a new sound system in the gym, and updated technology in all of our classrooms. Thank you for your support of Percy Priest, and I hope to see you tonight at the family picnic!

Your Partner in Education,
Mrs. Melinda Williams

8-20-10

Dear Percy Priest Families,
Thank you so much for a smooth beginning to another great year.

I realize it takes some time getting back into a routine, but I want to emphasize the importance of arriving to school on time. Many of the daily announcements and instructions are given in the morning, therefore, it is our goal to have all students in their class by 8:00am. By working together, we can accomplish this goal.

Your Partner in Education,
Mrs. Melinda Williams

8-13-10

Dear Percy Priest Families,
Welcome to the opening of what promises to be a wonderful school year! Together, teachers, students, and parents/guardians make a strong Percy Priest ES family. We appreciate your support as your child enters the classroom, learns and grows through the year. Let's all commit to have a good school year, setting everyone - students, as well as teachers - up for success.
Your Partner in Education,
Mrs. Melinda Williams

8-6-10

Dear Percy Priest Families,
It is indeed a pleasure to welcome all our returning students and our new students to the 2010/11 school year! The teachers and staff are excited and look forward to sharing many academic experiences with our students. Many of the teachers are already working hard in their classroom to get prepared for their new PPE Tigers.

As we partner with our parents, we will work together for a successful and exciting school year. Please remember that this is your school and we welcome your involvement.

Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams

5-21-10

Dear Percy Priest Families,

I want to begin by thanking each and every one of you for another successful school year. You supported us this year in the classrooms, in related arts and with our fundraising efforts, by attending field trips and PTO meetings, by volunteering in the Tiger Café, and by purchasing supplies and materials for our terrific Tigers. On behalf of the faculty and staff, thank you for your support!

I would like to share the upcoming faculty and grade level changes for the 2010-11 school year. The kindergarten job-share team of Kelly Austin and Bitsi Condra will be going full-time, Ms. Stephanie Robinson will relocate from kindergarten to third grade and Ms. Laura Faison will “loop” with her kindergarten class to first grade. Dr. Rebecca Bourlakas will “loop” with her current first graders to second grade and Mr. Brad Tanner will join the first grade team.

The PPE “day at the park” has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, May 22 at Vanderbilt University’s Hawkins Field. Game time is 2:00pm. and is to be televised. The Commodores will battle the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. If you have not exchanged your tickets, please email me, and I will meet you at the game with your tickets. Please bring the May 1 game tickets with you. Walk ups are welcome to join us.  We will be in Section O. Hope to see you at the game.

In closing, please look around your home and in your cars for PPE library books and textbooks. We are missing several books and would rather locate them than require you to replace them. Thanks in advance for your help. Have a wonderful weekend and a fabulous summer!

Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams

4-23-10

Dear Percy Priest Families,
It is that time of year when we must begin planning for next school year. Please take a few minutes to complete the pre-registration form in today’s Friday folder and return it to PPE on Monday. This information will be used to determine the number of teachers and classrooms needed for the 2010-11 school year. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

If you missed Priest-a-Fiesta, you missed a fun-filled Friday evening. On behalf of

the faculty and staff at PPE, I want to thank everyone who helped make the evening a
huge success! A lot of money was raised to help support and fund the many educational
programs and activities at Percy Priest. If you were not able to attend and would like to
provide monetary assistance toward the purchase of a teacher’s wish, please stop by PPE
and check out the “Wishing Cactus” in the front lobby.

Good luck to all of our PPE Country Music Marathon Tigers who will be running this
evening in the CMM kids’ race! Have a wonderful weekend.
Your Partner in Education,
Melinda Williams

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