July 2018
Dear PSE Community,
On behalf of the Park Springs Elementary Staff, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the 2018-19 school year. We look forward to working closely with you as we provide a challenging educational program for our students. Collaboration with your child’s school is key to ensure a successful school career. I encourage your active support and participation as we seek to provide a positive learning environment for all of our students. Our new theme for the school year is Peace, Love and PSE.One of our goals this year is to focus on the social-emotional well-being of our students. Our school theme aligns perfectly with this goal.
For the 2017-18 school year, Park Springs earned the school grade of “B”. Although we decreased from an “A” during the 2016-17 school year, we are proud of the gains that we made. We maintained our English-Language Arts (ELA) Proficiency and increased our ELA Learning Gains. In Science, we increased our proficiency by 6 percentage points. In Math, we decreased our proficiency and learning gains. Our staff has been busy all summer analyzing specific student data and creating plans to improve across all areas, but particularly in the area of math. This will be part of the Park Springs School Improvement Plan beginning in August.
Our annual Meet and Greet will be held on Tuesday, August 14th at 8:30am for grades Pre-K to 5th grade. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and students to visit their classroom and meet their new teacher before school begins. Teachers will contact families with class placements by the afternoon of Friday, August 10th. Please be advised that due to compliance issues related to the Class Size Reduction Amendment, class placements are subject to change throughout the school year. Additionally, changes to placements may also be needed as student assessments and teacher observations are completed.
We have a wonderful, active Parent-Teacher-Organization (PTO) at Park Springs Elementary! Through their efforts, our students have benefited tremendously. For the 2017-18 school year, the PTO purchased the MyOn Reading Program, First in Math for Grades K-2, student laptops. They continue to provide countless volunteer hours and donations each year. You are invited to become part of this wonderful organization. Immediately following the Meet and Greet, our PTO will hold a meeting beginning at 10:00am in the PSE Cafeteria. Please join us to find out how you can become involved as well as meet the PTO Board. The PTO is currently actively involved in fundraising for additional safety fortification measures.
On Friday, August 17th we will hold a Kindergarten and New Parent Orientation beginning at 8:30am in the Cafeteria. Come meet our PTO, School Resource Officer, School Advisory Forum Chair and learn more about Park Springs Elementary.
Park Springs participates in a school-wide mandatory unified dress program. Uniforms can be purchased through In-Unison or you can purchase plain colored polo shirts at places such as Target and Walmart. Parents who wish to opt out of the uniform policy must complete and submit an application within the first 10 days of school.
Open House will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about your child’s classroom/routines, grade level expectations and the grade level curriculum. Please mark your calendars for the following dates:
Monday, August 27th: Grades Pre-K, K, 1 and 3 6:00-7:00pm
Thursday, August 30th: Grades 2, 4 and 5 6:00-7:00pm
If you would like to receive text messages from me, please sign up using the App-Remind 101. Text the message @psefam18 to 81010. In addition, please follow me on Twitter @PSEPrincipalP and our school @PSEPanther.
Enjoy the rest of your summer vacation. We look forward to seeing you soon! J
Proudly Your Principal,
Mrs. Policastro
Park Springs PTO 
