PCK Weekly Newsletter

PTO Meeting (4:30 p.m.)

Back to School Night - 1st, 2nd, MS (4:30-6:00 p.m.)

Board of Directors Meeting (6:30 p.m.)

Back to School Night 3rd-6th (4:30-6:00 p.m.)

Dress Down Day

Foundation Meeting (8:30 a.m.)

Teacher Inservice Day (No School)

Labor Day (No School)

SAC Meeting (8:15 a.m.)

Dear PCK Families,

I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you all for the warm welcome and kind wishes throughout my first week as School Director. Your thoughtful words have reaffirmed for me what makes our school community so unique and special. I am grateful to be part of such a close-knit community and look forward to continuing to work alongside all of you as we move forward together during this exciting time for our school.

As a school of choice, I deeply appreciate that each of our families choose to make PCK their home, and choose to share in our belief in and commitment to the unlimited potential of every student.

In keeping with this shared commitment, our Back to School Nights provide a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and strengthen our understanding of what makes PCK a special place. These evenings give families the chance to connect with our administrators and educators, learn more about what to expect throughout the school year, and better understand the ways we can work together to ensure every student is supported and on the right path toward success.

I will be attending all of our Back to School Nights and look forward to hearing from all of you during this important event. Whether you have questions, ideas, or simply want to say hello, I would love the opportunity to hear from you and learn more about your experience as part of the PCK community.

I look forward to seeing you all soon and to an incredible year ahead,

Heather Newbrough, School Director

Once again, we have compiled a list of costs associated with each grade level that families may encounter throughout the 2026-27 school year. While many of these expenses are completely optional, we hope this overview provides families with a better understanding of what to expect as the year progresses.

Our goal is to share this information in advance so families have the opportunity to plan ahead and decide which events and activities they would like to participate in or contribute toward. Any amount families are able to contribute to these optional events is greatly appreciated by the school and our volunteer organizations.

Your support plays an important role in helping make these experiences possible, creating meaningful and memorable opportunities for our students throughout the school year.

Thank you for your continued generosity!

As we settle into these first few weeks of school, we hope you’ll find time to visit our building and get involved in student life through the many volunteer opportunities available to PCK families.

Having families involved in our school community plays a pivotal role in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. When our students see their families showing up, supporting their education, and being part of our school, it sends a powerful message about how much we care about our community and their success.

Below, you’ll find links to our current volunteer opportunities, including the specific dates and times for each commitment.

• Safety Dad - 8:45-11:45 a.m.
• Safety Dad - 11:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Lunch Volunteer - 10:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Kindergarten Art Volunteer (Mraz) - 12:40-1:10 p.m.
• Kindergarten Library Volunteer (Holton) - 2:20-3:00 p.m.
• 1st Grade Tech Volunteer (Giese) - 10:20-11:05 a.m.

• Safety Dad - 8:45-11:45 a.m.
• Safety Dad - 11:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Lunch Volunteer - 10:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Kindergarten Art Volunteer (Holton) - 12:40-1:10 p.m.
• Kindergarten Tech Volunteer (Gallup) - 12:40-1:15 p.m.
• Kindergarten Library Volunteer (Gallup) - 2:20-3:00 p.m.
• 1st Grade Art Volunteer (Barrett) - 10:20-11:05 a.m.

• Safety Dad - 8:45-11:45 a.m.
• Safety Dad - 11:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Lunch Volunteer - 10:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Kindergarten Art Volunteer (Gallup) - 12:40-1:10 p.m.
• 1st Grade Tech Volunteer (Barrett) - 10:20-11:05 a.m.
• 1st Grade Tech Volunteer (McCarthy) - 10:20-11:05 a.m.
• 1st Grade Art Volunteer (Dodge) - 10:20-11:05 a.m.
• 1st Grade Library Volunteer (Giese) - 2:15-2:50 p.m.

• Safety Dad - 8:45-11:45 a.m.
• Safety Dad - 11:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Lunch Volunteer - 10:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Kindergarten Library Volunteer (Mraz) - 12:30-1:10 p.m.
• Kindergarten Tech Volunteer (Holton) - 12:40-1:10 p.m.
• 1st Grade Art Volunteer (McCarthy) - 10:20-11:05 a.m.

• Safety Dad - 8:45-11:45 a.m.
• Safety Dad - 11:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Lunch Volunteer - 10:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Kindergarten Tech Volunteer (Mraz) - 12:40-1:10 p.m.
• 1st Grade Library Volunteer (Barrett) - 2:15-2:50 p.m.
• 1st Grade Library Volunteer (McCarthy) - 1:15-1:50 p.m.
• 1st Grade Art Volunteer (Giese) - 10:20-11:05 a.m.

**Please note that these volunteer opportunities are first-come, first-served.

A full list of available volunteer opportunities can be found through our Volunteering page on the PCK website.

This week our 3rd grade students practiced frottage during their art classes.

The practice of frottage refers to placing a sheet of paper over an object or textured surface, then rub and color over the paper with a pencil, crayon, charcoal, so the shape or texture underneath appears on the paper.

This helps students to explore cause and effect, connecting art with scientific representation, pattern recognition, and other important skills associated with understanding natural structures through a simple, yet effective medium.

Our annual High School Information Night is back for the 2026-27 school year, taking place on Wednesday, September 30 from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

Families will have the chance to connect with representatives from various schools and learn about the unique programs, extracurricular activities, and educational opportunities each one offers.

Please note this event is offered exclusively to our 7th and 8th grade families. This is done to provide these students with the opportunity to conduct an in-depth and hands-on evaluation of their options for their student, in preparation for their transition to the next step in their educational journey.

If you're in need of updated uniform items now that we're back to school, Tommy Hilfiger is giving PCK families 15% off on orders of $50 or more from now until Monday, August 24. In order to receive this discount, use code AUG26P15EM at checkout.

This promo code can be stacked along with our $50 uniform gift for all PCK families. The gift certificates are valid from now until Wednesday, September 30.

In order to receive your certificate, please email Mr. Borgardt for your family's unique code. No additional codes will be provided if your family has already received theirs at this time.

To redeem your certificate, simply click the button below and enter your unique code in the E-Gift Number field at checkout. Each PCK family will receive one gift certificate with a code specifically assigned to your family.

The Late Testing Lab will be open this following week, starting on Monday, August 24.

The lab is open Monday through Friday from 3:05-3:45 p.m. for all students who were absent the day a test was administered in their absence. In the event your student needs to attend the Late Testing Lab, students and parents must coordinate with their classroom teacher for what day a student will attend the Late Testing Lab.

When a student is finished with their test, they will head out to the South Loop for pick-up. Pick-up from the Late Testing Lab takes place promptly at 3:45 p.m. near the main entrance.

We’re once again using DirectorySpot for our school directory. It includes student names, grades, homeroom teachers, class lists, and parent contact info. Access is secure and limited to PCK parents and staff. Users log in with their authorized email and set their own password. For details on app security, click the button below.

Families who opted out during Express Check-In have already been excluded. If you’d like to opt out at any time, just fill our Directory Spot Opt-out form. Updates can be made throughout the year.

The app works on both iPhone and Android, and allows you to call, text, or email other parents.

Families who would like to now opt-out of being included in this year's directory, must do so by Friday, August 28 at 4:00 p.m.

As we head into the first weeks of the new school year, we have a few exciting opportunities available. As always, we look to our community to help us connect with candidates who share our values and are committed to supporting our students and staff each and every day.

We are currently seeking candidates for four positions:

• Preschool Assistant Teacher
• Human Resources Generalist
• Student Success Coach
• Substitute Teacher

See our careers page for a full list of open positions. If you or someone you know may be a great fit for either position, we encourage you to apply. We would love to connect with candidates who are passionate about being part of our school community.

As a friendly reminder, all PCK families must complete our 2026-27 Handbook Acknowledgement form. We’ve updated our K-8 Student Handbook for this school year with several changes, and want to make sure all families are aware of these changes before we get further into the school year.

A brief summary of these changes can be found below:

• New procedures have been added for students who walk home independently, as well as students who walk home with a guardian.
• Clarifying language has been added regarding PCK’s alignment with DCSD’s JICJA-R policy for student communication devices (CDs). Communication devices must be stored and silenced for the entirety of the school day. CDs must be stored and silenced in students’ backpacks.
• Food or other deliveries for students cannot be accepted by the main office. This includes DoorDash and Uber Eats.
• The handbook also includes updated descriptions and information related to Tier Two Intervention, PCK’s AI Philosophy, parent-teacher conferences, and other areas.

Please complete our Handbook Acknowledgment by this coming Monday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m.

We look forward to helping get our year off on the right foot with our Back to School Nights on Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27. Please refer to the schedule below to find your child’s grade level presentation.

Each grade level will have two sessions for their Back to School Night. One will be from their classroom teacher, and the other will be from our administration team.

Wednesday, August 26

• 4:30 p.m. - 1st and 2nd - Class Presentations (Your student’s classroom)
• 5:00 p.m. - 1st, 2nd, and Middle School - Administration Presentation (Events Center)
• 5:30 p.m. - Middle School - Grade Level Presentations (MS Commons)

Thursday, August 27

• 4:30 p.m. - 3rd and 4th - Class Presentations (3rd Events Center, 4th your student’s classroom)
• 5:00 p.m. - 3rd-6th - Administration Presentations (Events Center)
• 5:30 p.m. - 5th and 6th - Class Presentations (5th Events Center, 6th in MS Commons)

The PCK Spirit Rock is now taking reservations for the 2026-27 school year! The rock is a great way to capture special messages celebrating students, families, or graduating classes.

The Spirit Rock helps fund our 8th Grade Graduation in May, with all proceeds directly benefiting the students and celebrations during their final year at PCK.

Reservations can be made throughout the entirety of the school year through the SignUpGenius below.

Tomorrow, Friday, August 21 at 3:00 p.m. announcements will be made for students who will be invited to our Boys Soccer, Girls Volleyball, and Cross Country teams.

These notifications will be made to all parents via emails that are listed on file. If your student is invited to join a team, registrations and physicals must be submitted by the following Friday, August 28. Additional instructions will be included in these messages for physical submissions.

We still have tryouts taking place next week for our Spirit Team. Those dates and times can be found below. Students are expected to attend all three days of tryouts to be considered for the team.

Spirit Team

Monday, August 24 - 3:30-5:00 p.m. (MS Commons)

Tuesday, August 25 - 3:30-5:00 p.m. (MS Commons)

Wednesday, August 26 - 3:30-5:00 p.m. (Events Center)

Bring your favorite snacks and join us for a fun-filled picnic-style evening with our PCK family! Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and cozy pillows as we gather on the field for a relaxing movie night under the stars.

This is the perfect opportunity to connect with friends, make new memories, and celebrate the start of what is sure to be another incredible year together. We can't wait to spend this special evening with you and your family!

Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 9 at 8:15 a.m.

We warmly invite the PCK community to join us for an opportunity to engage with our team and learn more about the vital role we play within our school.

The SAC serves an essential function by providing accountability in an advisory capacity. Our purpose is to inform, encourage, and create opportunities for parents or guardians to engage meaningfully with the school's performance, budget and improvement plans.