Parley's Park Press

September is such a wonderful month to build on the connections that make our school community so special. As we settle into the rhythm of the school year, I am so grateful for our amazing students, families, and staff and for the warmth, energy, and support each of you brings to Parley’s Park! To help you get to know the wonderful adults who spend their days with your children, I’ve included photos of our staff members and grade-level teams throughout this newsletter. I’ve even shared a few short bios so you can get to know the new faces joining our Parley's Park family!

Want a closer look at what your child’s day looks like? You can now find 2026/27 Back to School presentations and videos from our classroom teachers, specialists, and student wellness team right on our PPES Teacher Page! webpage.

During our Meet and Greet in August, a parent asked how we celebrate our students at Parley’s Park. I am thrilled to share that we have officially launched the Falcon Flight Recognition program! Staff across campus will be recognizing students who demonstrate our core values—being safe, kind, and helpful—by sending home a special Falcon Flight card.

September is also an important fundraising month for our school community! PCEF’s Build a Foundation fundraiser is happening now through September 13, followed by our PPES PTA fundraiser, which will culminate with our student Fun Run on October 1. Your support of PCEF and our PTA directly enriches the experiences and opportunities we are able to provide for our students. Every donation, volunteer hour, and act of support makes a difference, and we are so grateful for the many ways our families show up for Parley’s Park!

With two three-day weekends during September, every school day matters! Please help us make the most of our instructional time by having students arrive at school on time each morning and, whenever possible, scheduling appointments after our school day ends at 3:05. Thank you for partnering with us to make every minute with our students count!

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Here’s to a September filled with kindness, connection, and growth!

Kim Howe, Principal

Parley's Park Elementary School

Park City School District

Hi Parley’s Park families! My name is Cyd Williams, and I’m so excited to join the Parley’s Park team as your school social worker! While I’m new to PPES, I’ve been a school social worker for over 20 years and have been part of the Park City School District family for quite a while.

I grew up in Salt Lake City, attended the U of U, and earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver. I’m a passionate believer in supporting the whole child—creating a safe, nurturing environment where every single student feels like they belong. Because my own daughter has grown up attending Park City schools, this community holds a very special place in my heart!

Outside of school, you’ll usually find me enjoying the outdoors with my husband and daughter—whether we’re hiking, biking, skiing, or paddle boarding around Park City. I’m thrilled to be at Parley’s Park and can’t wait to partner with our wonderful students, staff, and families this year!

Hi Parley’s Park families! I’ve been teaching preschool in Utah and Colorado for over 25 years, and there is truly nothing better than the daily laughter my students bring me. This is my 6th year with PCSD, and after spending last year at another school, I am absolutely thrilled to be back home at Parley’s Park!

I live in Kamas with my husband and our two sons (ages 19 and 21), and we love taking full advantage of the mountains and lakes right in our backyard. When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll usually find me outdoors—whether that’s camping, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, XC skiing, snowshoeing, or sailing up at Bear Lake! I also love traveling and exploring new places with my family. I’m so excited for a wonderful year ahead with our littlest Falcons!

Hello Parley’s Park families! My name is Jennifer Peterson, and I am so excited to be joining the PPES team as an Instructional Assistant! I’ve been working as an IA for 10 years (most recently at Morgan Elementary), and in 2024, I officially earned my Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching License.

The students I’ve met so far at Parley’s Park are kind, hilarious, and so bright—they’ve already brought so much joy to my day! I am looking forward to getting to know our wonderful Parley’s Park community

Hello Parley’s Park families! I was born and raised in Payson, Utah, and I bring 6 years of experience across various classroom settings. My favorite part of working in education is helping students conquer challenges—both big and small!

Outside of school, my daughter Jazmin and I are always up for an adventure! We love making trips to Disneyland, Lagoon, and Cornbelly’s, or just spending the day exploring together. In my free time, you can usually find me with a Diet Coke in hand, enjoying swimming, painting, crocheting, or hanging out with family. I am so excited to join the Parley’s Park team and can’t wait for a great school year!

Hello Parley’s Park families! My name is Katy Bertola, and I am thrilled to join the PPES team this year! I genuinely love teaching preschool and bring over 20 years of experience working with young learners and children with autism.

Outside of school, I have two grown children and love spending time outdoors—whether I'm out for a walk with our dog, going for a bike ride, or hitting the trails for a hike. I am so excited to be a part of the Parley’s Park family and can’t wait for a wonderful school year ahead!

Hi Parley’s Park families! My name is Amy Brindley, and I am so excited to join the PPES team as a Pre-K 4 Assistant! This is my second year in the district and my very first year at Parley’s Park. I’m a BYU grad with a degree in Psychology Teaching and a minor in Dance Education (I also spent time teaching at Skyline High School). Working with our Pre-K students is absolute joy—their curiosity, honesty, and daily fun always leave me with the best stories to share around the dinner table!

Outside of the classroom, I am definitely a summer girl at heart! You’ll usually find me boating at Lake Powell, hiking, paddleboarding, or going on outdoor adventures with my family—including my husband of 29 years, our three wonderful kids, and our son-in-law. I feel so lucky to be a part of these early, magical school years with your littlest Falcons!

Preschool Team

Kindergarten Team

First Grade Team

Student Wellness Team

Fifth Grade Team

Fourth Grade Team

Specialists

Instructional Assistants

Special Education Team

First Responders Team

Custodial Team

Third Grade Team

• Please donate today! https://pcef4kids.org/ways-to-give/give-360-to-build-the-foundation.html

• Principal Howe has a message for Parley's Park Elementary School about how the Park City Education Foundation supports our students this year! Watch: https://youtu.be/EO8i7ZFpLzE

• English Flyer | Spanish Flyer

• 26/27 School Community Council Elections:

  We currently have openings for up to two parent members to join our School Community Council, each serving a two-year term. If your student will be attending Parley's Park Elementary School for the next two years and you are passionate about collaborating to support our school, we would love to have your perspective and voice at the table! Please click the nomination link below to submit your name or learn more about getting involved. https://forms.gle/gztEywNAPj3aENfz7

• PowerSchool Access Codes for Digital Report Cards - T1 8/29/26 - 11/13/26: As a reminder, our school has gone digital with report cards! You can now view all of your child’s grades through our PowerSchool Portal: https://ppes.pcschools.us/ On Monday, September 14th, Mrs. Gertz will email your personal access codes and passwords so you can create your parent/student account. Please keep an eye on your inbox (and check your spam/junk folder just in case!). Additionally, Mrs. Gertz will provide printed copies of your login information to teachers to distribute during our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences.

• Trimester 1 Details:

• Trimester 1: August 9, 2026 – November 13, 2026
• Grades Available in PowerSchool: November 23, 2026
  
• Parent-Teacher Conferences: September 28 - October 9, 2026

• Visitor Self Check-In Kiosk & Front Desk Policy:

• Please bring a valid driver's license to scan at our two new self-check-in kiosks near the main office entrance.
• To help our staff assist you promptly, please finish or pause personal phone calls before approaching the desk.

• Checking Students Out:

  • Valid photo ID is required for pickup.

  • To minimize disruptions, no early check-outs are allowed within 15 minutes of dismissal (No check-outs after 2:50 PM Mon–Thu, or after 12:15 PM on Fri).

• Reporting Absences & Tardiness: Notify both your homeroom teacher and Courtney Pedry (cpedry@pcschools.us).

• Office Phone Usage: The office phone is strictly for school business and emergencies. Please arrange all playdates and transportation changes before the school day begins.

• Food Delivery Policy: DoorDash, Uber Eats, and other delivery services are not permitted on campus. Students must bring lunch from home or purchase a school lunch via the Nutrislice Website or app.

• Digital Report Cards: Physical report cards will no longer be sent home. Watch for setup instructions for the PowerSchool Portal via email in late September.

• September 2026 Lunch Menu

We love celebrating our Falcons! This year, we’re keeping up our fun tradition of honoring student birthdays by grade level during lunch.

Here is what your child can look forward to on their special celebration day:

• Sweet Treat: Every birthday student gets a special ice cream treat after finishing their lunch!

• Grade-Level Sing A Long: All of their grade-level peers will join together to sing Happy Birthday!

Check the Schedule & Mark Your Calendars! Take a moment to write down your child’s celebration date from the picture above. Please help us make sure your child is at school on their special day so we can give them the celebration they deserve!

• PTA Involvement: Get connected with our wonderful PTA! Reach out anytime at parleyspta@gmail.com.

Dear Parents,

Help us shower our teachers with some extra love! The PTA is collecting Keurig K-Cups and other tasty snacks to restock the teachers' lounge.

• https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4DA4AC2AA46-40583943-stock#/

You can drop off any donations at the front desk. Thank you for your kindness and support!

Warmly,

PPES PTA - parleyspta@gmail.com

Looking for a quick, fun way to keep up with everything happening at Parley’s Park? Follow @parleyselementaryparents on Instagram! It’s your go-to spot for real-time event updates, helpful reminders, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and fun community highlights.

Tap the link to follow us today so you don't miss a beat!

https://www.instagram.com/parleyselementaryparents?igsi=MXFxc2pydmxoZGNucg%3D%3D

https://pcef4kids.org/ways-to-give/donate.html

My name is Georgi Panos and I am head of fundraising for Park City High School's Student Council! Starting on September 1st we are having our annual Soles4Souls fundraiser and would love your help!

Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization that transforms shoes and clothes and provides relief for communities by creating jobs and working towards breaking the cycle of poverty. The donations are then distributed across the U.S. and 139 countries worldwide with direct partner networks in Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, and more.

Every couple of weeks we will stop by and pick up the donations. Students, teachers, parents, etc. can donate old shoes and clothing items to help support this cause. If you have any further questions about this event please email me at gspanos28@pcstudents.us or visit the Soles4Souls website.

English Flyer

Spanish Flyer

Build the Foundation

The Park City Education Foundation's annual campaign, Build the Foundation, is underway! This campaign helps fund educator-powered initiatives driven by inspiring Park City teachers, backing over 100 programs across our district each year. Contributions made by September 18 qualify for campaign rewards, including up to $5,000 in The UPS Store Park City Grants for schools meeting participation or fundraising goals. Students can also win grade-level parties or prizes for getting involved. Give here or see the attached flyer to learn how we are working together to support our schools.

Great news! Parley’s Park Elementary School is once again partnering with Park City Municipal to provide free helmets to our students! Helmets are available in Youth and Adult Medium sizes.

Please complete this order form by September 18th to request a free helmet. If you have multiple students, please fill out an individual form for each student. Gear will be delivered the week of September 28th.

Please reach out to anna.maki@parkcity.gov with any questions.

I’m excited to announce that Yoga & Mindfulness with Randi Jo will be offering after-school enrichment classes for students at Park City elementary schools during the 2026–2027 school year.

This year, the Compass Catalog, typically offered through the Park City School District, will not be available. As a result, Yoga & Mindfulness with Randi Jo will be one of the few after-school enrichment opportunities available to students in our community.

Our classes are open to Pre-K through 5th grade and provide a fun, supportive environment where kids can:

• Move and stretch their bodies
• Learn simple breathing techniques
• Develop mindfulness and self-regulation skills
• Build confidence and body awareness
• Play, connect, and have fun
• Unwind and reset after a busy school day

Classes are designed to be age-appropriate, engaging, and welcoming to all students—whether they are brand new to yoga or already love practicing.

Class Schedule (Starting September 14)

Time: 3:15–4:15 PM

Monday: PPES
Tuesday: MPES
Wednesday: TSES
Thursday: JRES

Registration and additional information are available at Yogawithrandijo.com or by calling (310) 403-4645.

Warmly,

Randi Jo
Yoga & Mindfulness with Randi Jo
Yogawithrandijo.com
(310) 403-4645

• Math Parent Activities: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gpv1f6Qh4_8vmSnv2sseTsMWFOYOSEQ3?usp=sharing
• Reading Parent Activities: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1g0HPqF7SN2bdk-CJ3BKLJkd3opuX9Mnr?usp=sharing

We're bringing back two of our favorite academic contests for students in grades 3–5! WordMasters Challenge is a challenging vocabulary and analogy showdown, and the Noetic Learning Math Contest, a fun and engaging math competition! These are fantastic opportunities for kids who love a good brain-stretching challenge. Interested in signing your 3rd–5th grader up? Just email me at kmccombs@pcschools.us We'd love to have them join in the fun.

To help ensure a smooth, safe, and welcoming start to the school day for all students, here is a quick reminder regarding our morning arrival routines:

• 8:10 AM — Exterior Carpool Doors Close: Our carpool exterior doors close promptly at 8:10 AM. This allows our staff members on duty to return to their own classrooms so they can be at their doors to greet arriving students, who begin entering classrooms at 8:11 AM.

• 8:10 AM – 8:15 AM Arrival: If your child arrives on campus after the exterior carpool doors close at 8:10 AM but before 8:15 AM, please drop them off at the main front entrance. They will enter through the front office and head straight to class—they will not be marked tardy as long as they arrive at the office before 8:15 AM.

• 8:15 AM — Tardy Bell: All students should be inside their classrooms and settled by 8:15 AM. Students entering the front office after 8:15 AM will be marked tardy.

Thank you for your partnership in helping our mornings run efficiently, safely, and warmly for every student!

• Calendar 2026-2027

• School Schedule:

  • Mon – Thu: 7:50 AM Doors Open | 8:10 AM First Bell | 8:15 AM Tardy Bell | 3:05 PM Dismissal

  • Friday: 7:50 AM Doors Open | 8:10 AM First Bell | 8:15 AM Tardy Bell | 12:30 PM Dismissal

• Key Links:

  • PPES School Website & Welcome Letters

  • PPES Parent/Student Handbook (Please read with your student and return ONLY the signed last page to their teacher)

  • Lunch Menus & Nutrislice

• Key Contacts & Programs:

  • Arrival & Dismissal Plans: Please notify your homeroom teacher of your child's daily travel plans.

  • Transportation & Bus Policy: Call 435-645-5660 for questions. Note: Students may only ride assigned routes to/from their home address; open enrollment students are ineligible for bus transportation.

  • Camp Falcon After-School Program: Michelle Coy (mcoy@pcschools.us) or Merrylin Pham (mpham@pcschools.us).

  • Preschool Questions: Missy Tschabrun (mtschabrun@pcschools.us) or Heather McCrory (hmccrory@pcschools.us).

  • Health Plans & Nursing: Nurse Ben Macon (bmacon@pcschools.us).

  • General Front Office: 435-645-5620 | Jobana Gertz (jgertz@pcschools.us).

Email: khowe@pcschools.us
Website: https://ppes.pcschools.us/
Location: 4600 Silver Springs Drive, Park City, UT, USA
Phone: (435) 645-5620
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parkcityschools/
Twitter: @parkcityschools