8/8/2009 9:30:00 PM School's in session at PUSD Monday
Paula Rhoden/ The Daily Courier Prescott Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Kapp leads new teachers on a bus tour of the district. Kapp told the new teachers a short history of each of the schools in the district. Students start school Monday.
Drivers should keep their eyes out for students getting off buses and walking in crosswalks. Traffic on Ruth Street will increase dramatically as teachers and students return to school.
Classes at PHS begin at 8:05 a.m. and teachers dismiss students at 3:09 p.m. On Wednesday, teachers dismiss high school students at 1:10 p.m.
All PUSD schools dismiss their students early on Wednesdays to allow teachers to participate in professional development. Wednesday dismissal for elementary schools is 2:15 p.m. and middle schools will dismiss students at 1:05 p.m.
PHS Principal Totsy McCraley said summer construction projects would provide new areas of improved student and parent services.
"Students will be greeted by new exterior paint, bookstore, stone bleachers, and restrooms, just to name a few," McCraley said.
McCraley said the district's PEAK program (Providing Educational Avenues and Knowledge) is moving to the Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy Campus. She said students would have more space and more computers.
PEAK is a credit assistance program for achieving a PHS diploma. Enrollment requires an application, academic advisement meeting with the student's advisors, an interview with PEAK staff members and acceptance.
McCraley said PEAK is using a new online software program, A+, which allows students to take coursework either online or at the PEAK location.
"There will be a $5 fee assessed per year for students to attend PEAK," McCraley said.
The high school principal said PHS is a "paperless" school. She said information about rules and regulations is available online.
"We stress our dress code requirements, no cell phones or electronic device use inside the building, be on time to class to avoid attendance issues, and we expect respect-whether it is between teacher to student, student to student, or staff/student to parent," McCraley said.
For students at Granite Mountain and Prescott Mile High middle schools classes start at 8:05 a.m., and teachers will dismiss them at 3:10 p.m.
At Prescott Mile High Middle School, Principal Joe Howard said the "Parent Patrol is a cool developing program. We have a committee of parents that started last year. Their objective is to educate drivers picking up and dropping off kids, as well as to study ways to make things safer and smoother."
Howard said Peer Mediation is a program where students work with counselors and administrators to help their fellow students work through potential problems with their peers.
As an addition to the Homework Assistance Program, Howard said school officials would incorporate the Expeditionary Learning concept of crews. Crew, he said, builds teamwork between students and staff, as well as creating an atmosphere where students take ownership in solving issues at their school.
Howard said PMHMS has an active Parent Teacher Association.
"One goal this year is to work on our student union project which will be a fun area for students to meet and play games, etc.," Howard said.
At Granite Mountain Middle School, Principal Stephanie Hillig said, "We will have a prize drawing for all students in attendance the first day of school."
School officials have also scheduled a "Welcome Back" assembly during the first week of school.
GMMS parents can participate in a variety of ways. The school has an active site-based council and Parent Teacher Student Organization. Parents can also volunteer as lunch monitors, to teach Character Counts to sixth grade students, chaperone dances or volunteer in classrooms.
Elementary students start their school day at 8:30 a.m. and teachers will dismiss them at 2:45 p.m.
To ease confusion and congestion the first day of school, the elementary schools conducted a kindergarten open house Thursday, Aug. 6 and a Meet Your Teacher opportunity Friday afternoon, Aug. 7.
Principal Jeff Lane said Miller Valley Elementary School has a diverse student population, which creates a unique learning environment. The school is home to a School Yard Habitat, sponsored by the Highland Center for Natural History.
At Lincoln Elementary, Principal Bucky Bates said the school would celebrate its 100th birthday on Friday, Sept. 25. Daylong events include a traditional May Pole Dance, historical displays and an open house for alumnae.
"We'd like to encourage all former Lincoln Lions to drop by and visit their old classrooms and perhaps even chat with former teachers," Bates said.
Bates said the Lincoln PTA is looking for volunteers to work on a variety of projects, such as Movie Night on the Lawn, Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction, and the ongoing Character Counts classroom lessons.
At Abia Judd Elementary, Principal Larry Peterson said the school is welcoming a number of new teachers and staff members.
Peterson said, "Parent involvement is an important reason that Abia Judd Elementary continues to be an excelling school..." He said the PTA is always looking for help with projects throughout the school year.
Peterson said the school is installing additional document cameras throughout the school. "As a result, no students will miss the opportunity to see demonstrations and documents being used in instruction. It will be visible on the screen in living color," Peterson said.
At Washington Traditional School, Principal Harold Tenney said he is welcoming one new teacher.
"We are excited about our 'Excelling' label and look forward to another great school year," Tenney said.
Additional information about the Prescott Unified School District and all the individual schools is available at www.prescott.k12.az.us.
Prescott Schools invite parents to attend Back to School events The schools within the Prescott Unified School District will host a series of Back to School, Open House and Meet Your Teacher nights.
School officials are inviting parents to visit their students' schools during the following events:
• Prescott High School Meet the Teacher Night: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18. PEAK teachers will also be available to answer questions.
• Prescott Mile High Middle School Back to School Night: 6 to 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 31. Parents can follow their students' schedules for 7-minute periods.
• Granite Mountain Middle School Open House: 6 to 8:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept 3.
• Abia Judd Grade Night (an opportunity for parents to meet with the students' teachers: Tuesday, Aug. 18-2nd grade, 6 p.m.; BEST, 6 p.m. and 1st grade, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19-5th grade, 6 p.m.; 3rd grade, 6:30 p.m. and 4th grade, 7 p.m.
• Washington Traditional School Back to School Night: 6:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Posted: Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Article comment by:
get out of the car
Avoid traffic congestion - have students walk or bike to school!!!
Posted: Monday, August 10, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
The traffic jam to BMHS stopped up Glassford for a mile today! Traffic at PHS is nothing.
Posted: Monday, August 10, 2009
Article comment by:
also tired of hearing it
Better than that the road to Prescott also leads out. If you don't like the good 'ol boys club.....LEAVE!
Posted: Monday, August 10, 2009
Article comment by:
tired of listening to it
You know there are two other school districts around here. If you don't like the service don't let the hit it ya on the way out. Just do us all a favor and stop whining.
Posted: Sunday, August 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Getting to PHS will be interesting with the lack of progress on the Demerse reconstruction.
Posted: Sunday, August 09, 2009
Article comment by:
FED UP PARENT
ya a new yr where special needs kids get treated like crap get the cops called on them and this good ol boy town says ( WE DID THE BEST WE CAN)
