PCK Weekly Newsletter

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

Dress Down Day

High School Information Night (5:00 p.m.)

Fall Festival (4:00 p.m.)

Foundation Meeting (8:30 a.m.)

Parent Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal)

Parent Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal)

Fall Break

Dear PCK Families,

I’ve had a wonderful experience getting to know and interact with many of you throughout my first month in this new role. Through my conversations with students, families, and staff, I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about what matters most to our community as we work together to support our students.

One of the strongest themes I’ve heard is a shared belief that our students are inherently capable of more, and that the pursuit of something greater is a team effort. We believe in guiding students to do better, challenging them through high expectations, and providing the unwavering support and guidance they need to reach remarkable heights.

While excellence for every student is the ultimate goal, we also recognize that excellence does not happen by chance. It is built through effort, intentionality, and a shared commitment to student growth. The success our students experience is the result of many pieces working together, from multifaceted instruction provided by our highly qualified educators to the encouragement, partnership, and support of our families. When we work together, our students have the opportunity to continue to soar.

I’ve also heard clearly that, while academics are of the utmost importance, character and citizenship are equally important parts of your child's education. Education is not only about what you know; it is also about who you become. Respect, responsibility, integrity, and kindness are woven into the daily experience of our students. We are preparing them not only for their next educational steps, but to become thoughtful, engaged, and contributing members of their communities.

The principles of excellence, effort, intentionality, high expectations, guidance, character, and citizenship are at the heart of who we are as a school.

As a school of choice, I am especially proud that you continue to choose PCK for your students and that these principles are important to you. Choosing PCK means choosing to be part of a community that shares a commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and the development of the whole student.

I encourage each of us, students, families, and staff, to continually reflect on these values and consider how we can bring them to life in our daily actions. When we are united in our vision and our approach to guiding student growth, we create the kind of school community where every student is challenged, supported, and empowered to become their very best.

Warm regards,

Heather Newbrough, School Director

Last week, our 6th grade students spent time in the mountains for our annual Science Camp trip.

Throughout the trip, students participate in a variety of hands-on science activities, exploring the outdoors, and developing practical life and problem-solving skills that extend well beyond the classroom. They explore topics including fire ecology, hydrology, biology, erosion, and more, all while learning through meaningful, real-world experiences.

Science Camp also provides students with a special opportunity to connect with their classmates and teachers in a structured environment outside of the classroom. These shared experiences help strengthen relationships, build confidence, and create a strong sense of community.

Each year, we are proud to provide our students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, learn through experience, and create lasting memories that will stay with them long after their time at PCK.

It’s finally here! Tomorrow is our Fund Run, and we can’t wait to see our students enjoy a fun-filled day of movement, activities, and school spirit, all while supporting our school and helping provide meaningful enhancements for all of our students and families!

Before you arrive tomorrow, please take a moment to review the important reminders below. These details will help ensure that you and your family are prepared and can enjoy a fun, smooth, and stress-free experience at school.

Please remember that all visitors must have a visitor badge visibly displayed at all times while on school grounds. Visitors who arrive without a badge will be asked to return to the front office to receive one. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

If you have RSVP’d for the Fund Run and have previously visited PCK, we will have a visitor badge ready for you at the back gate, accessible from Centerpark Loop.

If you are bringing a guest who has never visited PCK before, they will need to accompany you to the front office and present a valid driver’s license to receive a visitor badge. This is required even if you have already included them on your RSVP.

Students are welcome to bring festive accessories that match this year’s luau theme. Please make sure all accessories are school appropriate. Students will receive their Fund Run t-shirt on the day of the event, which they can wear and pair with any fun accessories they bring from home.

Because we will have a foam machine during the run, please plan to send your student to school with a change of clothes. We want to make sure everyone stays comfortable and dry so they can enjoy the rest of their school day without having to learn in wet clothes.

The run time for each grade level can be found below:

8th and JK - 8:35-9:00 a.m.

7th - 9:10-9:35 a.m.

6th - 9:40-10:15 a.m.

5th - 10:20-10:55 a.m.

Kindergarten - 11:00-11:30 a.m.

1st - 12:00-12:35 p.m.

4th - 12:40-1:15 p.m.

2nd - 1:15-1:45 p.m.

3rd - 2:00-2:30 p.m.

If you’re interested in helping make this event possible, we still have a handful of open volunteer positions available! There are volunteer opportunities open for both the day of the run, and Boost Week class party volunteers as well.

Our kindergarteners had the privilege of spending time with their grandparents at school earlier this week for Kindergarten Grandparents Day!

Students proudly showed their grandparents around the school through a fun scavenger hunt, shared a glimpse into their daily routines, and enjoyed reading together on the playground.

Days like this remind our students that the people who care about their education extend far beyond the classroom and even beyond their own households. They are surrounded by a community of loved ones who support, encourage, and cheer them on throughout their educational journey.

We are so grateful to all of the grandparents who joined us and made this day so special!

If you have a PCK student with a sibling who does not currently attend PCK, we kindly ask you to complete our K-8 Sibling Status form.

This form is intended for families with children currently enrolled at PCK who also have siblings on our waitlist. By completing it, you’ll help ensure that siblings of current students are given priority and moved to the top of our ever-growing waitlist.

We kindly ask eligible families to re-submit their sibling information using this form so we can keep our records accurate and make the process as smooth as possible. It’s quick and easy and takes just a couple of minutes to complete.

This form will be open from now until Tuesday, September 29 at 4:00 p.m.

As a friendly reminder, students are not permitted to bring beverages from outside of the school into the classroom. This includes coffee, caffeinated beverages, soda, and other drinks purchased or brought from outside the school. The only beverage students may bring into the classroom is water.

This policy helps us ensure that we consistently meet our nutritional standards while students are in our building. It also helps us maintain a clean and safe learning environment for everyone.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain our health and nutritional standards throughout the school day.

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to PCK from October 5-9!

We’re looking for volunteers to help with a variety of tasks while the fair is open. From assisting at the register to helping our youngest readers navigate their shopping and find books they’ll love.

Every bit of help makes a difference! Your support will help the fair run smoothly and ensure our students have the guidance they need to discover books that match their interests and foster their love of reading.

It’s time to go camping! Our Athletics department is offering camps for our K-5th students with our boys soccer, girls volleyball, spirit, and co-ed cross country teams!

These camps are led by our current PCK student athletes, giving students the opportunity to experience firsthand what it’s like to be part of the team. Campers participate in fun drills and games designed to help them develop the skills needed to succeed in each sport.

September 22 - 3:15-4:35 p.m.

Registration Closes: September 21 - 4:00 p.m.

Students will get to play the sport right alongside our middle school girls volleyball team! They’ll play games, work on their skills, and run through drills that have helped our players to develop their skills in the past. All skill levels are welcome!

September 22 - 3:15-4:35 p.m.

Registration Closes: September 21 - 4:00 p.m.

Students will have the chance to practice right alongside our middle school boys soccer team, play games, and develop their skills with our coaches. This camp will be curated towards your students skillset. Activities will be available for beginners, and for higher level students.

September 22-24 - 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Registration Closes: September 21 - 4:00 p.m.

Students will practice, memorize, and then perform a full cheer routine. This camp will take three days in total, where the first two will have students practicing their routine. Finally, on the third day, students will be able to show off their skills and perform at our home volleyball game on Wednesday, September 24.

October 5 - 3:15-4:35 p.m.

Registration Closes: October 4 - 4:00 p.m.

These campers will have the chance to learn the basics of cross country through games, and obstacle courses. Campers will get to work with our middle school cross country team, and learn to love running through races and competitions! No prior experience with running is necessary.

Clubs are back at PCK for the 2026-27 school year! Be on the lookout in the near future for more club registrations available for our fall session.

At this time, we only have one club open for registration, which is our Homework Club.

Meeting Dates: Monday-Thursdays, 3:20-4:15 p.m. (excluding half-days, and days when school is not in session)

Meeting Location: Room 115

Grades: 3-6

Homework Club is officially open for this school year!

At this club students will have the opportunity to work on their homework while a teacher is there to guide them through their work. Registration for Homework Club can be completed below, and will be open throughout the remainder of the school year.

The Fund Run is tomorrow!

The big day is finally here! Tomorrow is the PCK Fund Run and the final opportunity for students to earn prizes. Come cheer on your child and help us make it a fun, memorable day!

Dress for the Luau! Feel free to dress yourself and your child in your best tropical/luau gear. Students will receive a Fund Run t-shirt to wear during the event and a lei when they are finished.

Please remember:

• Pack dry clothes for after the run
• Bring a water bottle
• Wear good running shoes

Parent Entry: If you have already RSVP’d, enter through the West Gate. All other visitors must check in through the school office.

BOOST PARTIES will be taking place next week, there is one more party up for grabs closing TONIGHT at 8:00 p.m.

Let’s finish strong and make Fund Run a day to remember!

The School Accountability Committee is made up of a diverse group of parents, staff, and community members who come together to support the advisory needs of PCK.

Our first meeting of the school year began with a presentation from DCSD representative Kelly Denzler, who shared information about the $54 million Mill Levy Override that will appear on the November ballot. Kelly kindly educated our committee on how, if passed, the measure could benefit Douglas County students and teachers, including those at charter schools like PCK.

Please join us for our second SAC meeting of the school year on Wednesday, October 21, at 8:15 a.m. We will host Academic Directors Breanna Warburton and Stephanie Harper, who will discuss ways families can best support their students academically and help set them up for a successful school year.

We hope to see you there!