Inspiration

This past week, I had the opportunity to visit Keith Fritz's Studio with Mrs. Poehlein's art students.  Many of you know that Keith is a Perry Central Alumni and a very well-known furniture maker.  He has made pieces for the Clinton's, Obama's and many other people of this caliber.    When we were there, Keith told our students the story of how he got started, standing in front of his elaborate secretary he made in high school.  He spoke highly about Perry Central, sharing how his school gave him the opportunity to make the single piece of furniture he used to grab famous designer's attention.  This secretary eventually led him to a very lucrative business as he has show rooms all over the United States.  He shared with the students that his parents couldn't even believe that he could open his own business as his very humble beginnings on a small farm in Bristow made it impossible to imagine.  Even though Keith is dyslexic and was not the best in traditional school, he learned that success was found when he pulled from his own strengths.  He encouraged students to never give up
as he showed them some amazing pieces that will be shipped all over the United States.

Keith's inspirational story reminded me of the opportunity we have has a school to impact student's lives.  Not only are we here to ensure a strong educational foundation, but we are here to support our students in their own passions.  We get to be an institution that can see students for their individual strengths and allows for learning to look different for each student as they find their own talents and passions; changing student's life forever. 

As we prepare for the Class of 2019 to graduate from Perry Central Community Schools, it makes me look forward to the impact each member will have in our world.  Thank you to all of our teachers, teaching assistants, cooks, custodians, bus drivers, etc. who have worked hard to touch a student's life.  You are changing the world, one student at a time!

Important Information: 

Senior Walk-Through:  Part of our annual tradition with seniors is to let them walk down the halls of Perry Central to remember their last 12 years.  We will begin the activity at 9:30 a.m.  When we make the announcement for the walk-through to begin, please allow your students to step-out in the hall and wish our seniors well.  Clapping and Cheering are encouraged!  Below is the path we will take:

Start at HS Commons - down high school hall into elementary - go upstairs in 2 story - down back steps through lower elementary - then back up to elementary commons past 5th and 6th grades - back up through high school hall - senior hall is last then out the front doors.  

Just outside the front doors of the school on their way out, seniors will be making a dedication to the Isaac Kemp family. They have painted a beautiful bench in Isaac's memory.

Locker Clean Out: I want to apologize for not getting Locker-Clean Outs finished last week. Below is a schedule that I think will work and not interrupt testing. Please let me know if you have any questions!

10th and 11th Grade: 11:15 (When students are finished, they should report to WIN)

9th, 8th and 7th Grade: 12:15 (When students finish, they should report to 5th period)

     If you are not pulling students during WIN - please step out in the hall and help during this time.

Computer Pick-Up:  We will be emailing a plan to pick up computers.  Students will be able to keep their computers up until their last final is over.  Please keep watch for this important information in your email. 

Final Grades:  If at all possible, we would really like for all teachers to leave Wednesday with their grades finalized.  We will be running report cards on Friday morning.  If for some reason you cannot complete your grades, please let Jody know.  Timely grades are important as colleges are waiting on senior transcripts.  Thank you for your help!  Just remember:  or standards-based books, please make sure your reporting topics are correct and also make sure students do not have incomplete.

Graduation:  All of you are invited to join us for graduation on Sunday, May 26th at 2:00 p.m. in the high school gym.  We will have special seating on the floor by the stage (we will have it marked with a sign).  It is always great to see our teachers here to support our students as celebrate their 12 years of education at Perry Central!

Last Teacher Day:  Wednesday will be our last teacher day.  We will start the day at 8:00 with a retirement breakfast in the elementary cafeteria.  Around 9:30 a.m., we will have another state mandatory training about human trafficking.  (We will send an email with the details of this training.)  Before you leave on Wednesday, please complete the following: 

   * Update your SLO in the SFS system

   * If you are an Ivy Tech instructor, please enter your final grades in the on-line system

   * Check to make sure all textbooks are returned

   * Make sure all posters, etc. are off of your walls for the summer crew to clean properly

   * Finalize all grade books for students.  If you have a special circumstance that will not allow you to complete your grades, please let Jody know ASAP

Important Dates: 

Monday, May 20 - Graduation Practice 9:30 - 11:30 a.m./ Final Exams for periods 1,3,5,7/ Locker Clean-Out (see schedule above)  Varsi

ty Baseball @ Home vs. Heritage Hills 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 21 - Senior Class Trip/ Final Exams for periods 2,4,5,6/ Softball Sectional 5:30 p.m. @ Forest Park

Wednesday, May 22 - Teacher Last Day/ Retirement Party 8:00 a.m. Elementary Cafeteria/ 9:30 a.m. - Human Trafficking Training/ 

Thursday, May 23 - Varsity Baseball Sectional @ South Spencer/ Varsity Golf @ South Central 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 26th - Class of 2019 Graduation   2:00 p.m.    High School Gym