September, 2009

RE: WALKERS AND PARENT PICKUP POLICY

Dear Families,

In an effort to continue our building safety policy, we are sending this letter as a reminder for returning families and new information for new families. As always, should you have any questions, please call me or Noelle at 612-668-1122. Parents parking on the south side of Orlin — when walking your child/ren to and from school, please demonstrate positive role modeling as you cross the street by crossing at the section identified as a walk area. Students — will stay with their teacher throughout the dismissal process and meet their parents either by the “Big Rock” outside, or be brought back into the building by the teacher to meet parents at Door #2 in the stairwell.

At the end of the day, children will be dropped off in this order:

1. Jakki’s after school childcare kids
2. After-school tutoring program “Pratt Achievers”
3. Bus riders
4. Walking bus
5. Walkers/parent pickup

Parents will wait for their children either by the “Big Rock” outside, or at Door #2 in the stairwell.*

Students who are part of the Walking Bus are met by a parent volunteer and Talia to proceed to the Luxton Park Glendale area. Students will exit Door #8 with their teacher and connect with the Walking Bus in front of Door #1 near the steps leading to Orlin Street.

Notes: *Parents may still pick up their children outside by the “Big Rock” or they are welcome to wait inside at the designated spot (Door #2 stairwell if they wish when the temperature is below zero, or if there is heavy rain). Again, children will be brought inside to the office if parents are not at either of the designated areas, unless parents have informed the school in writing that the child has permission to walk home unaccompanied. We have morning drop off and pickup of students on Orlin each day. As an additional safety precaution we are asking parent transports to park on the south side of Orlin Street or in the parking lot on the west side of the building.

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August 17, 2009

Dear Families,

RE: WELCOME! SCHOOL YEAR 2009–2010

We are pleased to have you as partners in education this year. As the year progresses and as you become more familiar with the policies and procedures at Pratt, we encourage you to call the school and speak with office staff to address any questions you may have or direct you to the appropriate staff. If you have questions related to class events, please leave a message for the classroom teacher. If you need information about the overall school program, curriculum, or activities, please contact me directly.

One of our goals is to see that families — like our students — receive timely and up-to-date communication. To accomplish this goal, you will be receiving a parent newsletter — The Pratt Press — sent home in backpacks along with other information throughout the year providing you with information about Pratt Community School activities and events.

The teachers and support staff are very excited about the opening of another school year. Our engineers Ed DeBruzzi and Tom Logan have done a fabulous job making sure the building is sparkling clean and ready for the arrival of the students on the first day of school Tuesday, September 1st. The week before school opens, our staff will be involved in professional development activities and classroom preparation. However, on Thursday, August 27th from 5–7 pm, we invite families to attend our Open House, meet and greet the teachers, other families and for a tour the building.

NOTE: We must have your kindergartner’s immunization record before s/he can start school. School for kindergarten students will begin on Thursday, September 3rd at 9:40 am.

We have included in this mailing a list of supplies needed for each grade level. Supplies will be available at school for any students unable to purchase them. Thanks to the generous support of our business partner, UCARE Minnesota, we are able to provide some of the supplies students need to begin the school year. A very special thanks to UCARE for sharing their time and resources with Pratt families.

TRANSPORTATION: Watch for a bus card that will be sent to your home from the Transportation Dept. (#668-2300) the week before school opens. On the card will be information regarding bus stop locations and times your child/ren will be picked-up and dropped off. Our start time remains 9:40 am with dismissal at 3:55 pm.

FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL: During the first week of school you will be receiving a packet of important documents and letters which you will need to read, fill out, and return to school. You will also receive an updated Student/Parent Handbook, a staff list , as well as helpful information about Pratt Community School.

NEW TEACHERS: We are happy to welcome and introduce to you new staff members. They are all well qualified in their discipline, and I am sure they will further enhance our exceptionally fine staff at Pratt. Ron Anderson — physical education has many years of teaching geography, health and as a coach. Terrylee Tervola — third grade, an experienced elementary teacher, curriculum specialist, reading and assessment. Tao Zhan — ELL — has experience at both the elementary and secondary level. Eric Ziegler — Social Worker, brings to Pratt experience from both elementary and secondary level as well as many years of community work with families.

RETURNING TEACHERS include Christine Solberg and Colleen Theis, kindergarten, Jane Greene and Lori Thompson — first grade, Ruth Craft — second grade, Amber Willoughby — 4/5, Marie Straka, special education, Cynthia Berger — Art, Coreen Blau — Media, and Katy Hays — Artist in Residence/Music.

We hope you have had a wonderful summer and we look forward to a school year filled with learning, challenge and fun. We are so fortunate to be able to teach your children and we hope to have many opportunities to work with you, their parents/guardians, during the school year.

Sincerely,

Anne Wade, AP/Site Administrator Pratt Community School