Yesterday The Foundation At PCK gifted the school with a very generous donation from their fundraising efforts. It will go a long way towards our new playground! All of us at PCK are deeply grateful for every parent who has donated and supported the various fundraisers, and for the Foundation members who work so tirelessly to run fun and engaging programs that benefit the school. Thank you is a very small phrase to convey our HUGE feelings of gratitude.

Enjoy an after school smoothie today, May 12 when PCK has a Sprit Night at the Berry Blendz Mainstreet location (near Safeway) from 3:00 - 6:00pm. Be sure to mention PCK when you order so the school gets a portion of the proceeds. Get more details here.

The flyer about the skate party that went home in Thursday Folders last week had a misprint. The party on May 19 is from 5:00 - 7:00pm, not 6:00 - 8:00pm as was incorrectly printed. If you show up at 6:00pm, you will miss half the fun! Get the details here.

This is a private party just for PCK families. Admission is $7 at the door, plus $3 for skate rental. Skate City is located at 15100 E. Girard Ave., Aurora. Don't miss this end-of-year celebration!

If you received an invitation for your student to attend Summer Reading (grades K - 2) or Summer Skills Sharpener (grades 3 - 7), you must register by tomorrow, May 13. If there are still spots available on Monday, anyone who would like their child to receive academic support over the summer is welcome to register. It is important to keep students engaged in reading and math over the summer to avoid the dreaded "summer brain drain." Instead, we like students to enjoy a summer brain gain! Get more information and registration details using the links above.

Congratulations and thank you to our top three volunteers for the third trimester of the year:

Jennifer Smith - 71.22 hours

Heather Shimensky - 52.44 hours

Chelsea Spika - 37.48 hours.

These three have thank you gifts coming home with their students.

Our last Spirit Night at Code Ninjas was such a success that we are doing it again! Students in grades 2 - 8 are invited to come play Minecraft and Roblox while enjoying pizza and time with their PCK friends on Saturday, May 21 from 5:00 - 7:00pm. Get the details and register here.

Field Day is Thursday, May 26th at Salisbury Park (1920 N Motsenbocker Rd, Parker, 80134) from 9:00am - 1:15pm for students in grades 1 -7. Parents should drop their children at Salisbury Park between 9:00 and 9:10, and be prepared to check their children out with their classroom teachers no later than 1:30pm. Students will NOT need to report to PCK this day. 

Our students play hard at Field Day, and look forward to a snack break. If you can donate snacks, please sign up here. Snacks may be dropped off at PCK before Field Day.

The overall theme of Field Day is Beach & Summer Fun, and students will receive information about class themes soon. They will be participating in 19 fun-filled stations. There will be snacks at field day, but there will not be a lunch period. Students will be ready to eat lunch after you pick them up.

Please make sure your student wears appropriate footwear for running (no sandals or flip-flops) and has sunscreen already applied. Please also bring a filled water bottle labeled with your student's first and last name. If your student brings a hat or jacket, please make sure it is also labeled with his/her first and last name.

Don't miss your chance to order School Tool Boxes for your students for next year. Orders are accepted until June 5. Our teachers hand-select the school supplies they want in each grade-specific box, so you know you are getting exactly what your student needs. Boxes are delivered to the school in time for the Open House in August, so you avoid the hassle of school supply shopping and bringing everything to the classroom. Plus, our PTA receives a donation based on the number of boxes ordered, and that money goes right into efforts that benefit our school. The more boxes we order, the higher the percentage of the proceeds we get back. It is a win-win for everyone! Go to schooltoolbox.com to place your order today.

The Foundation would like to thank all the families at PCK for your generosity this school year. Between the Spring Gala and Auction, the Fund Run, the Annual Giving Campaign, and community programs, we have raised a significant portion of what we need for the new playground. With continued efforts next year, we plan to start construction in the summer of 2023. Without all of you, we would not be able to do what we do.

The Foundation members work hard and have fun raising money for the school. It is such a rewarding volunteer opportunity. A big part of what we raise money for is teacher grants. It allows teachers to ask for things that are not otherwise covered in the school's budget. This year we have funded the following:

-New sports uniforms

-Smart TVs with Apple AirPlay for TTIs

-New middle school and elementary school books

-Character award t-shirts

-Ipads for student services

-New PE equipment

-Robotics Wonder workshop/learn to code curriculum pack and Ipads

-Many other teacher grants.

If you would like to continue supporting PCK throughout the summer, you can participate in one of our school's community programs. These are ways to help raise money while doing your normal shopping. 

-Amazon Smiles: Choose PCK as your charity

-King Soopers community program: Go to Kingsoopers.com, search for "The Foundation at PCK" or enter RV124 and click enroll. 

-American Furniture Warehouse: Mention PCK at check out. 

-Box Tops

-Buy Spirit Wear: A portion of the proceeds goes back to the school. 

The Foundation is recruiting new members for the next school year. If you are interested in joining our team of parents to help the school, please email the Foundation.

With the rising cost of off-site storage units, PCK can no longer support the monthly fee for the unit used by our music department. This unit houses set pieces that are repurposed and used year after year, so liquidating them would be an unfortunate loss and lead to additional costs. 

If you have a barn, storage unit, or space where we can store items long term, please notify Mrs. Myers.

If you still need to finish your 20-hour volunteer commitment for this year, we have several fun and helpful ways for you to pitch in. We need volunteers to put together summer reading packets, prepare next year's carpool signs, and various other projects that come up as we finish out the year and prepare for a new one. Please email Corey Yanzito if you'd like to help. Thank you!

We are sad to say goodbye to some beloved staff members at the end of the year. Several are retiring or relocating, and others are moving on to new positions. Please join us in wishing the best to Ladonna Barker (art); Kayla Busser (6th grade); Shannon Carter (kindergarten aide); Heidi Cook (kindergarten); Dawn Coyle (staff support specialist); Dianne Daniels (communications specialist/character coach); David Goode (MS social studies); Abbey Gottinger (TTI); Sasha Henderson (technology); Cody Huebner (PE); Gaudy Jiminez (kindergarten Spanish); Linette Miller (1st grade); Sara Mundt (student support specialist); and Becca Pieseski (1st grade). 

Watch for your summer newsletter with details on our team for the 2022-23 school year. Several staff members are excited to change roles within the school, and we will welcome some new members to our community.

We still have some open positions to fill. Please visit the Careers page on our website and click on the Frontline link if you or someone you know might be interested in the following positions:

• communications/operations project manager

• part-time art teacher (elementary and middle school)

• part-time kindergarten aide

• preschool teacher, assistant teacher, or administrative assistant

• junior kindergarten teacher

• primary teacher or TTI

• substitute teacher.

You can apply online, but if you have questions, please contact Heather Newbrough for more information.

This month we are focusing on the character trait of creativity - thinking about a situation, a task, or an idea in a new way. When using creativity, I will...

• Use my talents for good.

• See things from more than one perspective.

• Use principles to make decisions and solve problems.

• Learn all I can.

• Look for new ways to do things.

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized at last week's assembly for demonstrating exceptional character above and beyond expectations:

Cal S. - Diligence, perseverance
Cora G. -  The 3 Rs
Dawson N. - The 3 Rs, honesty, compassion
Eileen C. - Respect, responsibility, flexibility, generosity, compassion
Eily H. - Patience
Elin M. - Determination
Emelia H. - Respect, responsibility, self-control, loyalty
Harrison M. - The 3 Rs
Ihith J. - The 3 Rs, flexibility, obedience
Jackson A. - Respect, responsibility, self-control
Lia S. - Compassion, diligence, perseverance
Liam D. - Generosity
Logan S. - Ready to participate, flexibility, patience
Mackenzie M. - Generosity, compassion, intuitive
Michael P. - Honesty
Oliver G. - Perseverance
Rylann P. - Respect, responsibility, courage
Sawyer M. - Responsibility, self-control, honesty
Trey H. - Self-control, positive mental attitude
Wendy M. - Respect, ready to participate
Xavier L. - Initiative

Way to go, character leaders! We are PCKproud of you!

Our number of positive COVID cases for the past week is three. Thanks for your help by keeping students home while waiting for test results or when they have any symptoms.