I would like to share more about Project Based Learning (PBL) and how it supports student empowerment. PBL is a practice that takes a learning-by-doing approach. In a PBL classroom, you often find students solving problems, participating in simulations, conducting case studies and designing research projects based on different areas of inquiry. Students are encouraged to investigate real world issues and develop practical solutions. Strong PBL practice implements a cross curricular approach, where teachers collaborate to support differentiated skill building and sustained inquiry, further developing individual student voice and choice.

Project-based learning focuses on “more authentic experiences in the real world beyond school walls,” says John Larmer, editor in chief of the Buck Institute for Education’s PBLWorks. He notes that the “project” in project-based learning isn’t just a robot or computer program that students show off at the science fair; rather, projects are comparable to “units of the curriculum that teach both content and skills.”

Students continually ask teachers, “When am I ever going to use this stuff in real life?” And they have a point: we often teach content without explicitly explaining the relevance it has in their life. Project based learning doesn’t just add relevance to the standard model; it builds the learning within a relevant context from the very start, so students are naturally more engaged. Many PBL-based schools move to a cross curricular model so that students can spend time engaging in applied, investigative learning. This model cultivates the curiosity of students. Research shows that curious, engaged, and intrinsically-motivated students become deep learners who master complex content, and develop a sense of its relevance to their life and the world around them.

If you have a few free minutes this week I encourage you to ask your child about what they are currently doing in their classes. I am confident you will be very impressed with the engaging lessons teachers are preparing for your child.

If you would like to learn more about PBL here are two great resources:

I welcome any questions or feedback you may have regarding PBL in your child’s classroom.

I hope each of you have a wonderful week and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns or questions.

Amablemente,

Kim

314.645.9600 (607)~kwright@premiercharterschool.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 5-9-No School Fall Break
October 12- Tornado Drill
October 18- End of 1st Quarter
October 20- Picture Day
October 24-26 Book Fair
October 25-26 Conferences (Times TBD)
October 26- Early Dismissal
October 27-No School

Drop Off Reminder:

Now that we are a few weeks into the school year, we wanted to reiterate that our morning drop off process does not begin until 8:00 am. Our morning duty staff are not outside to supervise drop off until 8:00 am. In the interest of student safety, please do not leave your child(ren) unsupervised before morning duty begins.

We recently revised our late pick up policy because of an increase in students being picked up after our dismissal ends at 3:35. We also have a significant number of unsupervised children in the morning and would like to avoid an additional revision of our drop off/pick up policy. We appreciate your support in this matter as we work to keep all of our students safe.

Noticias de la biblioteca:

Fall Book Fair October 23-26th!

Location: Library Building C

Times: Monday and Tuesday 3:30-4:30

Wednesday 3:30-6:30

Thursday 12-5

Can't make it after school? Your child may visit the fair during the school day. Open an ewallet account or send cash in an envelope that has book fair, your child's name and the amount written on it!

Visit our Book Fair homepage at bit.ly/pcsfair to open an ewallet account, shop the online fair, view the digital flyer, and more!

We need volunteers! Sign up here to work the register, straighten shelves, reshelve books, help students and families locate books, set up, and break down. Thank you for your support!

Questions? contact Vera Ramsey at vramsey@premiercharterschool.org

Book Donations

I always appreciate families remembering the PCS Library when you have books to donate! However, due to limited space and time I can't always accept your donations. If you have gently used books you would like to donate to our school library, please email me (vramsey@premiercharterschool.org) and send a picture of a sample of what you have to donate. I will be in touch to let you know if we can take your books and to schedule a time to drop them off! Thank you in advance for your generosity and your understanding!

Athletics Update:

Middle School Parents,

We would love for you and your students to come and support the PCS Middle School Boys Soccer Team this season. In order to make this a great season we have some expectations, we would like the students to follow while attending the games on campus. The PCS staff have talked with all middle school students during their community time about these expectations. We would greatly appreciate it if you could also review our expectations with your middle school student if they plan on attending a soccer game or any PCS sporting event.

Expectations of the Students

The PCS staff are allowed to ask a student to leave the premises if they are out of line with any of the following expectations.

When school is over, all students should leave the campus (at dismissal) and ONLY return when it is time for the scheduled game. Students should not be roaming around campus.

When returning, students should enter the soccer field at the Early Childhood Building gate

When the game is over students should leave campus through the Early Childhood Building gate. They are not allowed to hang around or roam the campus. Students must be picked up in a timely manner.
Students attending the game should be sitting in the student section (on the big hillside behind the goal) unless they are sitting with their parents in the family/visitor section.
Students should be respectful to each other and the visitors from the visiting team.
Students should not be using foul or threatening language.
Students should not be antagonizing the visiting team or their spectators.
Students should not be throwing anything at any of the players.
Students should pick up any trash they bring to the game.
Students should remain dressed and fully clothed while on school grounds.
If the students play music it should be appropriate