Dear Prince of Peace Families,

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As we prepare to begin another school year, we want to highlight two areas that will receive additional attention throughout the year: our school uniform policy and arriving at school on time each morning.

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Neither of these expectations is new. Rather, our goal this year is to be more consistent in how we uphold the expectations already outlined in our Parent-Student Handbook. We recognize that there have been times when these policies have not been enforced as consistently as they should have been, and we want to begin the year with clear expectations for everyone.

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School Uniforms

Our uniform policy remains unchanged for the upcoming school year. The purpose of our uniform goes beyond simply what students wear. It helps create a sense of community, promotes pride in our school, and contributes to the orderly and professional learning environment we want at Prince of Peace.

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This year, our faculty will place a greater emphasis on consistent uniform enforcement across classrooms and grade levels. We ask families to review the uniform guidelines and help students arrive each day dressed according to the policy.

Above all, our first step when uniform issues arise will be consistent communication with families. Our hope is that when an issue is brought to your attention, it can simply be corrected at home and does not need to progress any further. We do not want uniform concerns to become a distraction for students or result in the loss of privileges.

However, when the same uniform issues continue after communication with a family, additional steps may be necessary. Repeated violations may result in the loss of Panther Friday dress-down privileges. If a student repeatedly arrives without an appropriate uniform item, the school may also purchase the necessary item for the student and charge the cost to the family's FACTS account. Our goal is to avoid reaching either of these steps through clear expectations, communication, and partnership with families.

Panther Fridays will also receive greater consistency this year. Students may wear appropriate Prince of Peace/Panther apparel or clothing permitted under the Panther Friday guidelines in the handbook. We want these days to remain a fun opportunity to show Panther pride while still maintaining appropriate school attire.

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Inside & Outside Shoes

We will also continue the inside and outside shoe system that we introduced last spring when we moved into our new building.

Students' inside shoes should meet our regular school uniform requirements and will be the shoes worn throughout the building during the school day.

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We recognize that outside shoes serve a very different purpose. Students are running, playing, and getting them dirty during recess and other outdoor activities. Because of this, outside shoes will have greater flexibility and do not need to meet the same uniform requirements as inside shoes. Families are welcome to send older athletic shoes or other appropriate shoes that students can comfortably and safely wear outside.

Continuing this system will help us protect our new building and classroom flooring while also allowing students to have practical footwear for outdoor play.

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Being Ready at 8:30

We are also asking families to make on-time arrival a priority this school year.

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Our school day begins at 8:30 AM, and students should be in their classrooms and ready to begin the day when the bell rings. The east school doors open at 8:10 AM, giving students time to enter the building, unpack, organize their materials, and prepare for the day. Our handbook specifically asks parents to have their children at school and ready for the day by 8:30 AM.

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Beginning the day together matters. When students arrive after 8:30, they miss opening routines and instruction while also creating an interruption for their teacher and classmates.

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We understand that an occasional late arrival happens. Traffic, appointments, weather, and unexpected family circumstances are part of life. Our concern is not an isolated tardy, but rather developing habits of regular and punctual attendance.

This year, we will be tracking tardies more consistently and communicating with families when repeated tardiness becomes a concern. According to our handbook, arrival between 8:30 and 9:30 AM is recorded as a tardy. As with our uniform policy, communication and partnership with families will be our first priority.

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Working Together

Ultimately, these expectations are about something bigger than uniforms, shoes, or a few minutes in the morning. They are opportunities to teach our students responsibility, preparation, respect for others, and good habits that will serve them well beyond their time at Prince of Peace.

Our handbook reminds us that great things happen when home, church, and school cooperate and partner under God's guidance. We are grateful for your partnership as we work together to provide our students with a Christ-centered, orderly, and positive environment in which they can learn and grow.

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Thank you for helping us start the year strong and for your continued support of Prince of Peace Lutheran School.

God's blessings on the school year ahead!

 

In Christ,

 

Mr. Michael E. Paulsen, Principal

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