PCK Weekly Newsletter

This year, PCK has placed a renewed focus on student safety. One of the new additions which has blossomed from this focus is the addition of a full-time School Resource Officer with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Lauren Sandifer.

Prior to Deputy Sandifer's arrival, PCK was supported part-time through the Sheriff's Office with a rotating SRO. Now, the school will have a full-time SRO residing at PCK. Deputy Sandifer brings over 17 years of law enforcement experience to PCK, eight of which as an SRO.

Deputy Sandifer cares deeply about the safety of the school and strives to build positive relationships with students, staff, and families. Deputy Sandifer also serves as an advisor with the Douglas County Explorer Program, and is certified as a Field Training Officer. In this role she trains other officers who will become future SROs.

In her free time Deputy Sandifer is an avid fly fisher, enjoys camping and mountain biking, and roots for Michigan State Spartan athletics (Go Green!).

Returning this year, our Champions After School Care program will continue to provide dependable care for students. Pricing for the 2024-2025 school year is now available online.

If you are interested in the program and have never enrolled a student before, or if you would just like a refresher of what the service provides, feel free to take a virtual tour of some of the events included in the program.

Returning this year, PCK is continuing to partner with the Douglas County School District's Nutritional Services Department to bring free hot lunches to all students. There are no expenses incurred for students who receive lunches through this program, excluding any added sides or beverages selected by a student.

Whether or not a student brings a lunch from home, they always have the added option of receiving a lunch from the lunchroom through this partnership. DCSD's Nutritional Services team will continue providing high quality food while meeting the nutritional needs of each and every student.

DCSD has published the official lunch menus for PCK up until November. Those menus can be accessed down below, along with the website for Nutrition Services.

PCK is continuing its search for fantastic staff that will aid in providing fundamental support to its educational mission. Currently there are several positions open. A full list of them can be viewed on the PCK website.

Position Highlights

K-8 Substitutes

PCK strives to provide education to students through its premier educators. This means that the school requires strong substitutes to continue this educational endeavor in their absence. These substitutes cover a wide range of grade levels and integrated learning subjects (art, technology, music, or Spanish). PCK substitutes enjoy competitive pay, and the opportunity to support amazing students and staff.

Cross Country Coach

This year PCK is searching for a new Cross Country Coach. If you are interested email the school's Athletic Director Jeff Myers at jmyers@ckcs.net for more details.

Parents, as we begin to settle into our routines for the school year, it is incredibly important to remember that others are doing the same. Studies show that it takes around a month for an individual to get fully settled into a new routine or habit, which applies to all of our families as they get reacquainted with carpool. Because of this, drivers should remain cautious and travel at slower speeds when entering and exiting PCK property.

If schedule changes occur during the school year that impede your ability to participate in carpool, PCK partners with WaytoGo to help families find suitable transportation options for pick-up and drop-off. You can find more about the services WaytoGo offers below.

Chess Wizards has released their schedule for the first trimester. Classes begin on September 16, and will conclude on December 9. Each class runs from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. every Monday, with the exclusion of October 14.

These classes are only open to students who are enrolled from K-5. Children who are beginners to chess will be taught the basics so they can begin playing right away. If a child is experienced with the game, they will be taught new ways to show their creativity on the chess board.

More information can be found below on sign-ups, cost, and scheduling.

Homework Club is set to return this year, starting next month on September 3. The club is available for students in grades 3-6, giving them an opportunity to work with a teacher through their homework with a helping hand.

Parents hoping to register their student in advance for the club can do so via MySchool Bucks.

Follow us on social media to stay up to date on PCK happenings that are not highlighted in the newsletter. This includes additional updates on upcoming events and performances, as well as photos highlighting the stories of our outstanding PCK students and staff.

To celebrate completing the first week of the 2024-2025 school year, as well as the 30th anniversary of PCK, the PTO is hosting a celebratory Outdoor Movie on the athletic field.

After a tightly contested race came to a close on Tuesday night, Migration was selected by public vote over four other films. The event opens at 7 p.m. and the showing will to begin at 8 p.m. Families are encouraged to purchase tickets online prior to the event. Blankets for seating on the outdoor field are also encouraged. Folding chairs will not be permitted during the showing.

You're Invited to Join the SAC

The PCK School Accountability Committee (SAC) is looking for passionate parents with fresh perspectives to enrich our ongoing endeavor to uphold PCK's status as a premier educational institution.

If you are interested in joining the SAC, please contact Blaise Singer at bsinger@ckcs.net