News from School
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Curtis Fuller
Apr 11, 2012, 9:14:37 PM4/11/12
to fami...@pinellasprep.org, fami...@pinellasprimary.org
Good Evening PPA and PPA, Jr. Families,
I hope this email finds you well, it is once again time for a list of news and announcements from school.
Mr. Fuller’s Resignation
It is with mixed emotion that I write this to the families of our great schools, but I have submitted my resignation from my position as Superintendent of Pinellas Preparatory Academy, Inc. I have been offered a position with a not-for-profit company that works with charter schools to assist them with growing and improving their schools. I have had an exciting seven years with PPA, and will miss the students most of all. As I look back at where this organization has come from and how far we have come, I have to say that I am extremely proud of the school and the staff who have always stepped up and succeed at every obstacle they have faced. I am confident that my departure will be no different. The parents, year after year have told us in the parent surveys that the best thing about our school is our staff, and they will continue to provide an exceptional education to your students.
Last night the Board met to discuss the plans for transitions, and I have been meeting regularly with Mr. Ramsdell and Mrs. Walker to discuss how to ensure that my leaving will not cause any disruption in the high quality education your children are receiving. The Board is looking at a variety of ways to accomplish the things that I have traditionally completed here at the school. I’m excited to say that the Board has also agreed to hire me on as a consultant to continue to assist Mr. Walker and Mrs. Ramsdell during the first few months of the transition so that things will continue to run smoothly.
We are looking at the overall needs of the school, and how we can best impact positive student growth. For example, we may not fill the Superintendent’s position, instead adding other roles which may have a better impact on student growth, and allow the Principals to focus more on continuous improvement. After a few weeks with having the Superintendent role vacant, the Board will meet again to evaluate how the first few weeks have gone, what areas seem to need the most assistance, and how to fill in those needs in the most effective way. I think this is an excellent plan for taking a good look at the organization as a whole, and how best to improve. It is why I am confident that PPA is in good hands and will continue to be the premier charter school in Pinellas County.
I will miss all of you (well, maybe not those people who refuse to follow car circle rules), but definitely most of you! Most of all, I will miss working directly with your students, who are always able to bring a smile to my face. My last full-day at PPA will be April 20. I will still see you around, this time from inside car circle, as my daughter will still be a student here. Thank you for seven fantastic years at PPA!
FCAT’s Next Week
I know it is a four letter word... and I know we would rather not do it... and I know it is just a measure of a kid’s abilities on one day... but... FCATs are next week. Third through eighth graders will take the test starting on Monday. Thank you, in advance, for encouraging your student to put forth their best effort. You too can assist by please making sure your students are well rested and that they eat a nutritious breakfast the mornings they are testing. This will help them to stay focused and hopefully do a little better. It is hard to fill in bubbles with a growling stomach. Also, if your child is late for school, they can not enter the tests late, so please be to school on time during testing. If your child is absent, they will need to do make up testing, so please make every effort to have your students here during the testing window. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to contact your Principal.
Summer Camp
Next week Thursday (April 19) is the deadline for discounted rates on summer camp. If you are signing up for the whole summer you can save $100 by submitting your registration on or before the 19th. Please get your registrations into the office. It will be a great opportunity for your kids to have fun and educational opportunities available to them all summer long. You can visit http://camp.pinellasprep.org/ to learn more about the exciting things we have planned.
Field Day Changes
We are still planning to have our Field Day on April 27. However, as we have been working on the plans and details, there are just too many details that we have not been able to work out to ensure the safety of all 728 students for the day at the park. We’ve had many people sign up to help, but we still don’t think we can work out those details. So we have decided instead to move field day to here at our school. We will be blocking off our parking lot (like we have done in the past for the walk-a-thon), using both fields and the area behind our school to offer the same types of games and activities as we were planning on having at the park. Those of you who have volunteered, we still need your help, and I will be putting together the schedule before the end of the week. Thank you for your patience. If you haven’t volunteered yet, but are interested in helping to run a game/activity for field day, willing to help with cooking, or just being available, please email ASAP so I can add your name to the list.
Car Circle
Last week one of our parents was hit by another parent who was pulling out of McDonald’s after dropping a student off, and then the parent didn’t even stop... it was a hit and run. Once again, I am PLEADING with those of you who continue to disregard the safety rules, PLEASE drop your students off in the car circle to ensure they are safe, and all the parents and students of the school can get to and from school in a safe and orderly manner!
Mr. Fuller’s Resignation
It is with mixed emotion that I write this to the families of our great schools, but I have submitted my resignation from my position as Superintendent of Pinellas Preparatory Academy, Inc. I have been offered a position with a not-for-profit company that works with charter schools to assist them with growing and improving their schools. I have had an exciting seven years with PPA, and will miss the students most of all. As I look back at where this organization has come from and how far we have come, I have to say that I am extremely proud of the school and the staff who have always stepped up and succeed at every obstacle they have faced. I am confident that my departure will be no different. The parents, year after year have told us in the parent surveys that the best thing about our school is our staff, and they will continue to provide an exceptional education to your students.
Last night the Board met to discuss the plans for transitions, and I have been meeting regularly with Mr. Ramsdell and Mrs. Walker to discuss how to ensure that my leaving will not cause any disruption in the high quality education your children are receiving. The Board is looking at a variety of ways to accomplish the things that I have traditionally completed here at the school. I’m excited to say that the Board has also agreed to hire me on as a consultant to continue to assist Mr. Walker and Mrs. Ramsdell during the first few months of the transition so that things will continue to run smoothly.
We are looking at the overall needs of the school, and how we can best impact positive student growth. For example, we may not fill the Superintendent’s position, instead adding other roles which may have a better impact on student growth, and allow the Principals to focus more on continuous improvement. After a few weeks with having the Superintendent role vacant, the Board will meet again to evaluate how the first few weeks have gone, what areas seem to need the most assistance, and how to fill in those needs in the most effective way. I think this is an excellent plan for taking a good look at the organization as a whole, and how best to improve. It is why I am confident that PPA is in good hands and will continue to be the premier charter school in Pinellas County.
I will miss all of you (well, maybe not those people who refuse to follow car circle rules), but definitely most of you! Most of all, I will miss working directly with your students, who are always able to bring a smile to my face. My last full-day at PPA will be April 20. I will still see you around, this time from inside car circle, as my daughter will still be a student here. Thank you for seven fantastic years at PPA!
FCAT’s Next Week
I know it is a four letter word... and I know we would rather not do it... and I know it is just a measure of a kid’s abilities on one day... but... FCATs are next week. Third through eighth graders will take the test starting on Monday. Thank you, in advance, for encouraging your student to put forth their best effort. You too can assist by please making sure your students are well rested and that they eat a nutritious breakfast the mornings they are testing. This will help them to stay focused and hopefully do a little better. It is hard to fill in bubbles with a growling stomach. Also, if your child is late for school, they can not enter the tests late, so please be to school on time during testing. If your child is absent, they will need to do make up testing, so please make every effort to have your students here during the testing window. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to contact your Principal.
Summer Camp
Next week Thursday (April 19) is the deadline for discounted rates on summer camp. If you are signing up for the whole summer you can save $100 by submitting your registration on or before the 19th. Please get your registrations into the office. It will be a great opportunity for your kids to have fun and educational opportunities available to them all summer long. You can visit http://camp.pinellasprep.org/ to learn more about the exciting things we have planned.
Field Day Changes
We are still planning to have our Field Day on April 27. However, as we have been working on the plans and details, there are just too many details that we have not been able to work out to ensure the safety of all 728 students for the day at the park. We’ve had many people sign up to help, but we still don’t think we can work out those details. So we have decided instead to move field day to here at our school. We will be blocking off our parking lot (like we have done in the past for the walk-a-thon), using both fields and the area behind our school to offer the same types of games and activities as we were planning on having at the park. Those of you who have volunteered, we still need your help, and I will be putting together the schedule before the end of the week. Thank you for your patience. If you haven’t volunteered yet, but are interested in helping to run a game/activity for field day, willing to help with cooking, or just being available, please email ASAP so I can add your name to the list.
Car Circle
Last week one of our parents was hit by another parent who was pulling out of McDonald’s after dropping a student off, and then the parent didn’t even stop... it was a hit and run. Once again, I am PLEADING with those of you who continue to disregard the safety rules, PLEASE drop your students off in the car circle to ensure they are safe, and all the parents and students of the school can get to and from school in a safe and orderly manner!
Curtis Fuller
Superintendent
Pinellas Primary Academy
For students in Kindergarten - 4th Grades
Pinellas Preparatory Academy
For students in 4th - 8th Grades
Phone: (727) 536-3600
Fax: (727) 536-3661
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