Dear PPA Families,

Thank you for the feedback on Summer Camp and I am hoping to offer an
alternative, which will be discussed later in this email. A few wondered
why we hadn’t known approximately how many were going to attend before even
planning the camp. You may recall that Mr. Fuller sent a survey to families
to see if there was enough interest; a significant number replied.
Unfortunately, only a few actually enrolled. Many of you indicated in your
feedback that it is very late to cancel and you had intended to register,
but the camp was cancelled before you could.

What we have encountered, not only in Summer Camp but other things as well,
is that families will either sign up for things and not show up (child care
on off school days, PTEG events that entail them purchasing food, etc.), or
show up without reservations (i.e. Grandparents Breakfast - leaving no food
for those that made reservations). Historically, field trips have been
another difficulty when parents don't sign permission slips by the due
date. In today's economic climate, it is extremely important that we know
how many people to plan on.

We understand that things come up and happen within families and you may be
forced to change your plans; it happens to all of us. However, when we hire
staff, purchase food, or count on volunteers to help supervise, it is
simply not good practice or fiscally responsible for us to be without the
money we need to do an activity, or to pay for something that is either
given or thrown away (i.e. Olive Garden dinners).

We are cognizant of the difficulty created for parents when we offer
something and then cancel. That is why I spent several hours on the phone
finding alternative day camps for summer and put links to them at the end
of the cancellation announcement. However, many of you indicated in your
feedback that you would at least like to have child care, similar to what
we've had during Spring Break and Professional Development days. We are
considering this and will have an answer to you by Monday, May 7. Please
complete the child care survey at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KR3L62M<http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KR3L62M>but
PLEASE do not indicate you would use the service if you would not!
Please realize that the school cannot have this service if it costs the
school money! We need a minimum of 12 children each day to break even.
Also, please read the rest of this email to understand how the child care
service would work:

          • Childcare services would be open only to incoming K-5 students.
          • There would be NO discounts available for free or reduced lunch.
          • Children must bring their own lunch, but snacks will be
provided. If a child forgets their lunch, you will be charged $2.25 for us
furnishing their lunch; we will not allow a child
                               to go without lunch.
          • Children will be supervised by a minimum of 2 childcare workers.
          • Child care workers will be employees of PPA, Inc. but may not
be our usual child care staff (one of them would like the summer off and we
will be open 11-1/2 hrs. each day).
                              The additional workers may consist of
teachers or educational assistants.
          • Tutoring will be available, but is NOT included in the price of
child care. Tutoring arrangements will be between the parent and teacher,
but PPA will furnish a quiet place for
                              the tutoring. (Contact information for tutors
will be made available.)
          • The hours would be 6:30 am - 6:00 pm. Any child picked up after
6 pm will be subject to $1 per minute late fee, which is due and payable
within 24 hrs.
          • Fees MUST be paid by Friday prior to the upcoming week. No
credit will be extended unless prior arrangements are made with the
Administration.
          • All current before and after care balances MUST be paid in full
in order to be accepted into the summer child care program.

Please remember that this is NOT a notification that we will have the
summer child care, but that I will be sending a survey to help decide if
there is enough interest. Again, PLEASE do not say you will attend just to
“help out a friend” by boosting the affirmative responses so we will
provide the service. Remember, the school cannot afford to lose money. The
final announcement will be made Monday and should we decide to move forward
with the summer child care, I promise we will not cancel it.

Again, the link to the survey is
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KR3L62M<http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KR3L62M>

Thank you for your patience and cooperation,

Mrs. Walker

--
Nancy Walker
Principal
Pinellas Primary Academy

For students in Kindergarten - 3rd Grades
http://www.pinellasprimary.org/

Phone: (727) 536-3600

Fax: (727) 536-3661