|
By Halley Griffin Daily News staff writer
July 10, 2009
Summer Clayton is ready to start from the beginning.
Clayton began her tenure as director of the new Palouse Prairie School of Expeditionary Learning on July 1.
"I think one of the things that I'm really, really excited about is being able to start from scratch," Clayton said. "As a small school and as a small community, we can move forward in the way that aligns with our vision. It's shared leadership at its best, and I think that's the way school should be."
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
By Halley Griffin, Daily News staff writer
July 3, 2009
Moscow's newest school is a hub of activity these days.
The Palouse Prairie School of Expeditionary Learning will become Moscow's second active charter school this fall, and one of the six sanctioned by the state of Idaho to open each year.
Parent and trustee committees are hard at work planning school lunches, student nutrition programs and playgrounds.
Architects, contractors and volunteers have been moving, cleaning, painting, pouring concrete, erecting walls and making plans for several months now, and hope to have their building ready for students by mid-August.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
On June 16 we signed the contract with Brown's Construction, and on June 18 they were cutting the concrete floor to access the plumbing. Nils is trying Twitter and Snap2Twitter to get pictures online. You can follow the #PPSEL hashtag here. Want something more conventional -- here is the Flickr portfolio for the construction. A few snafus with plumbing under the floor seem to be turning up-- the sewer pipe is not big enough. |
 On June 11 the Board took a series of decisions related to the remodel contract and financing the remodel. By the time you read this the contractor may be in the building. (Draft minutes here http://docs.google.com/View?id=ah7p3phkb2sr_11prprtcdz)
To accomplish our goal, we needed to arrange financing for part of the costs (even for the bare bones project). Now the Board will turn its attention to how to manage that financing to ensure that our school remains fiscally sustainable. Here is a preliminary outline of actions that likely will be taken. You can help with some elements:
- Increased enrollment in this year (2009-10)
- Donations and fund raising from families and others. Donations might be in the form of things that offset spending rather than cash.
- Practice fiscally cautious operations to conserve resources.
- Refunds from Avista for energy improvements we are making to the building.
- Application for Real Estate Tax exempt status for 2010 which will save taxes built into the current budget.
- Successful operations and PR during the first school year to increase recruitment for the following school year.
|
|
The committee has solicited proposals and in preparing a recommendation for the Board.
Palouse Prairie School After-School Programs objectives are to:
- Incorporate learning expeditions in the local environment
- Build scientific and environmental awareness
- Provide learning opportunities for students from low income and/or differing educational backgrounds
- Teach language and cultural understanding through a Spanish immersion program
- Provide a safe, nurturing and dynamic environment for children requiring participation in an after-school program
- Encourage active learning activities that provide physical fitness in addition to concept development
- Cultivate a community of self-motivated learners
- Create a culture of environmental respect and community service
|
|
PPS has a draft contract from Moscow School District for use of their bus and are budgeting for those costs. The routes will involve most children going to the Moscow Jr High and then transferring to the Palouse Prairie bus. Because of this hub and spoke model, some families may feel the bus ride is too long and wish for walking alternatives.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 4 of 6 |
