PTO Newsletter 8/2
Artist Sofia Rothe, 4th Grade
Welcome back to school PPE Tigers!!!
It’s a new year and it is going to be a great one. Our theme this year, which you will see in so many places from the top of this newsletter to our upcoming INVEST campaign to the field trip shirts, is “Building Memories, Building Futures”. Let’s make some awesome memories this year in our building that has seen so many years of education, learning, and fun. But let’s also build a great foundation for our new school and a bright future ahead! A huge congrats to our artist Sofia Rothe whose design was chosen as the inspiration for the yearly theme.
So LET’S GET STARTED! It all kicks off with our Sneak-a-Peek and Popsicle Party on Monday morning. Then we are thrilled that school starts on Tuesday and are excited to see the school buzzing with happy kids! Keep reading for all the details you need about transportation, including carpool procedures and bus rider information. See you soon!
A huge THANK YOU to Osborne State Farm, Avenue South Orthodontics, and Curated Homes for sponsoring our Back to School activities. Sponsorships help us underwrite the costs associated with things like kindergarten totes, new family yard signs, the popsicle party and the fall event, and we are so grateful for the support of our local community!
Important Dates
Note: Dates are subject to change. The BEST way to stay updated is with our PTO Google Calendar – view and subscribe here!
- August 5: Sneak-a-Peek and Popsicle Party
- Families are invited to come meet their teacher and bring school supplies to the classrooms (pre-ordered school supplies will be delivered automatically)
- New Families Sneak-a-Peek @ 8:15 am
- All School Sneak-a-Peek and Popsicle Party @ 9:00 am
- August 6: First Day of School (Half Day for Kindergarteners only)
- August 7: Half Day for Kindergarteners only (full day grades 1-5)
- August 8: Full Day all grades
- August 15: Open House & Invest Kickoff
- Grades K-2 @ 5 PM
- Grades 3-5 @ 6 PM
- September 2: No School (Labor Day)
- September 5: Picture Day Part 1 (Individual Photos)
- September 9: Tiger Cup Golf Tournament at Old Natchez
- September 17: PTO General Meeting (all welcome!)
- September 19: Percy’s Vintage Closet
Back to School
Monday, August 5: School Sneak-a-Peek and Popsicle Party
8:15 am – New Families (parents and children) are encouraged to come snap a picture with our school mascot, Percy, and then head on to your child’s classroom to meet your teacher. Then, meet in the front circle to enjoy popsicles while socializing with other PPE families. The PTO will be there with kindergarten orange totes and the Roar Store (our Spirit Wear store) will be open.
- Kindergarten families: want your new Orange Tote Monogrammed? Please read this document for instructions on getting your bag monogrammed.
9:00 am – ALL returning families are invited to stop by the school to meet teachers and visit classrooms. Then, meet in the front circle to enjoy popsicles while picking up some new PPE gear from the Roar Store.
Car Rider Numbers Note: Car rider tags will be distributed to new families at the All School Sneak-a-Peek and Popsicle Party, as well as on the first day of school. Returning families will continue to use the same number. Please work with your child to learn his or her Car Rider Number before school starts, or even consider writing it on their tote bag/tag.
Tuesday, August 6: First Day of School
Kindergarten Note: 11:30 dismissal on August 6 and August 7 for Kindergarteners. Kindergarteners will need to bring a snack on the first two days of school but will dismiss before lunch.
Boo Hoo Party: Bring a cup of coffee with you and stay a while after drop-off to mingle with other parents at our Boo Hoo Party in the front circle, from 8:00-8:30! The Roar Store will be open, too!
School Supplies: If you have purchased items through First Day School Supplies, they have been delivered to each classroom, so you’re all set! If you did not purchase items through First Day School Supplies, school supplies lists by grade can be found here. Parents are encouraged to bring all school supplies to their child’s classroom during the All School Sneak-a-Peek and Popsicle Party, or otherwise on the first day of school.
Transportation
On the first day, many PPE parents choose to walk their children to the school’s front entrance. Parking is encouraged on Priest Road and Willshire Drive, and it gets crowded! Note that buses and the car line will run, so walking students to the front entrance is purely optional. During the first week of in-person school, all methods of transportation tend to be slower than normal – please plan accordingly.
Bus Riders
If you live more than 1¼ mile from school, you should receive information from the MNPS Transportation Department that details your child’s bus route number and pick-up and drop-off times and locations. This information can also be accessed here.
There is also the Remind App that helps parents keep up with their bus. To join, send a text message to 81010. The content of the message should be as follows:
- For Route 1 Pink Bus please text @ppebus1
- For Route 2 Orange Bus please text @ppebus2
- For Route 3 Blue Bus please text @ppebus3
- For Route 4 Purple Bus please text @ppebus4
- For Route 5 Yellow Bus please text @ppebus5
Walkers
Students are eligible to be walkers if they live in the school zone and are close enough to school that bus transportation is not provided. Walkers are dismissed through the front door. The preferred method of dismissal for all non bus-riders is the car rider loop.
Arrival – Students who walk to school will enter the school through the front doors and front entrance.
Dismissal – **Due to continued construction of our new building, we will no longer have a separate walker dismissal from the rear exit. Walker dismissal will be from the front of the school.** If you walk to pick up your student, you should have a car rider number and report your number to Ms. Cathy or school staff in the front loop. The preferred dismissal method for non-bus riders is the car rider line. If you are a walker family, but drive to pick up your student, please use the car rider line for dismissal.
Car Riders
Car Rider Numbers will be distributed to new families at the All School Sneak-a-Peek and Popsicle Party, as well as on the first day of school. Returning families will continue to use the same number. Please work with your child to learn his or her Car Rider Number before school starts, or even consider writing it on their tote bag/tag.
Teachers and staff as well as 4th Grade Ambassadors will be available to help kindergartners, and PTO volunteers are assigned to help parents navigate the traffic circle. Please be patient and follow the safety rules – NO cell phone use during arrival and dismissal per Tennessee State Law and the safety of our children.
Car Rider Protocol – Drop Off
Drop off begins at 7:35am, and students must exit out of the passenger side of their cars. Students can use this extra time to enjoy breakfast in the Café or head directly to their classrooms. Breakfast is free to all students. The front doors close at 8:00am. After 8:00 am, parents will be required to walk children in, and sign them in at the front desk.
In order to prepare your child to exit your car, please have them ready with tote in hand, and goodbyes finished, once you cross the first Tiger Paw. Remember – parents, grandparents and other caretakers, please do NOT exit your car during drop off.
Car Rider Protocol – Pick-Up
Dismissal begins promptly at 3:00pm. Parents, grandparents, and other caretakers are encouraged to begin lining up before 3:00pm along Otter Creek and Priest Road.
** Have your car rider number ready to go and visible. This number is used to call your child out front.
Round One Dismissal – The first group of cars lined up in the semi-circle will resemble the graphic included in this document, including buses in the third row.
Rounds Two, Three, and Four Dismissal – The first round of cars and the buses leave the semi-circle, and Mrs. Cathy or another school representative will wave your car in when it’s your turn. Cars will be lined up in three rows between the Tiger Paws. Once you are in your spot, please put your car in park and wait for students to be dismissed to your car. You will be able to exit your car at this point to let your child know where you are in line. Teachers will dismiss children to cars by turning a STOP sign to GO or SLOW.
Upcoming School Events
August 15: Open House
Save the date for this year’s Open House, on Thursday, August 15! Hear important information from your child’s classroom teacher, school leadership, and the PTO regarding what’s ahead for the school year.
5:00 – Kindergarten through 2nd grade parents will meet in their classrooms
6:00 – 3rd through 5th grade parents will meet in their classrooms
September 9: Tiger Cup Golf Tournament – REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Percy Priest PTO’s Tiger Cup Golf Tournament is Monday, September 9th at Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin and registration is now open. Enjoy 18 holes of golf with PPE friends, family and/or neighbors. Register individually or with your foursome by Clicking Here to Register Registration for this year’s event will close on Sunday, August 25th.
We need you!!! We need you not only to participate, but also to sponsor this fabulous event which directly supports our children, their teachers, and the school. Funds raised from this event will support enrichment, extracurriculars and teacher supplies throughout the school year. Learn more about how you can support PPE by clicking on Sponsorship Opportunities here Not only does this give back to our wonderful school, but also is a great way to advertise your business. We would like all sponsors committed by Friday, August 30th to ensure all printing is complete by the date of the event. Please sign up today!
Mamas and Mimosas
Ladies ~ Not a golfer but want to learn more? Back again this year is Mamas and Mimosas, a group lesson at 10 am with several ONCC golf pros who will share tips on basic golf terminology, putting, driving and more. Enjoy a drink (or two), some fabulous bites and a spectacular view while you learn about this great game. Max capacity for this is 20 people so please register today by Clicking Here!
Volunteer Opportunities
Can’t commit to the entire day? That’s ok – consider volunteering at the event or helping with prep by contacting jennifercjones2@
~Jennifer Jones and Ashley Tummins, Co-Chairs
General Announcements
Dad Bod Run Club
All PPE Dads are cordially invited to join this prestigious club!
1. You are invited to join one of our normal runs (details below)
2. You are invited to a Happy Hour at the Agnew’s house: Friday August 23rd at 5:00pm at 1200 Vintage Place.
3. You are invited to our 2nd annual ice bath on Saturday August 24th immediately after our normal run.
Details for our normal runs:
When: (Almost) Every Saturday +/-6:45am (We know it’s early, but your kids will be up at 5:07am anyway)
Who: All ability levels are welcome! In the past, we’ve been accompanied by strollers, pets, and brothers-in-law, too. Sometimes, somebody brings coffee for post-run recovery.
Routes: We run in one or two groups along the following routes:
- +/- 3 miles to Radnor and back to PPE
- +/- 5 miles through Radnor and back to PPE
Some folks run fast, some run slow. All are welcome!
Questions? Lewis Agnew at Lewis.Agnew@gmail.com or 615-712-4318
Download GroupMe App & join: PPE Dad Bod Run Club
School Fundraisers
Roar Store – grab your spirit wear for back to school
The Roar Store is a wonderful way to show Percy Priest Spirit and fundraise for our PTO. Students can wear Percy Priest Spirit wear shirts any day to school in place of collared shirts. They can wear the spirit shorts/skorts on Fridays. This gear, along with PPE accessories, can be purchased through the Roar Store. The Roar Store shop will be open in person on the following back to school days:
- August 5: All School Sneak-a-Peek and Popsicle Party
- August 6: First Day of School
- August 15: Open House
- September 6: Fall Movie Night (at PPE)
Psst – want to help out with the Roar Store this year? Our amazing spirit store is completely parent run and operated and they need your help. Email pperoarstore@gmail.com to volunteer.
Pre-loved PPE Attire Needed!
It is that time of year- time to clean out your Tiger’s closet before school starts! We will be accepting gently used clothing items or accessories that have PPE’s logo for our inaugural “Percy’s Vintage Closet” sale this fall! More details to come, but anything you’d like to pass on to another Tiger, please drop off on the school’s front porch. Any tops, bottoms, accessories with PPE logos on them that are gently worn, are all accepted! Look for the marked plastic bins that say “Pre-loved PPE attire” and we’ll take it from there. Thank you!
Get Involved!
2024-2025 School Year Volunteers Needed
Can you help out this year? There are so many ways to volunteer, both big and small and WE NEED YOU. It is incredibly rewarding to get involved in the PTO so start here by indicating how you want to help volunteer.
Check out the latest updates of our new school coming along!
Small Fundraisers Spotlight
For a list of all of our ongoing small fundraisers, please visit our Small Fundraisers webpage.
Kroger will donate 4% of the total dollars spent in their stores to PPE. To participate, click on this link, create or login to your account and select Percy Priest Elementary PTO as your Community Rewards Organization.
How to Stay Connected
Email Lists
New families – Be sure to sign up for our school newsletter, which includes grade-level information each week. Register today.
Add PPE happenings to your calendar automatically!
You can subscribe to our PTO calendar and have all of our events show up on your calendar, so you never lose track of important dates! Following the links below will prompt you to subscribe to the calendar via your preferred calendar app. Any time the PTO updates an event through the website, it will update on the calendar of all subscribers (how often your calendar pulls updated info will be based on your individual personal settings – every 5 minutes, 1 hour, 1 week, etc).
For Calendar Apps (apple calendar etc), click here.
For Google Calendar, click here.