The pictures below reflect the joy of having your children and you back on campus! Your arrival back is the result of weeks of dedication by our teachers and staff to prepare. It also highlights your commitment and confidence in PCA to educate, train, and inspire your children safely and well in these challenging times. One teacher told me that your children (her students) exclaimed, "We are SO happy to be back in school!" These were words she has never heard from students at this point in her long, distinguished teaching career. Last evening, as I spoke with a few Upper School students; they reflected that they, too, were so thankful to be back on campus, and that nearly six months off campus was a very, very long time. So, to you parents, grandparents, host families, and guardians, it is so good to see you back! The PCA team is committed to making this a positive growth year for each and all of your children.

Enrollment continues to climb. This is great news for the school, as we operate most effectively when enrollment is over 500 and closer to 600. We are doing this while also ensuring class sizes remain safe based on space (15-16 is the norm). Please continue to invite families to explore our school; our aim is to welcome them with you, especially in high school. Remember, a healthy student body size means more opportunities for your children: sports, fine arts, and leadership.

PCA needs more teachers. PCA's healthy growth is limited, though, by not yet having the teachers we need. We have brought on highly-qualified new team members in many grades, but we still need more. Specifically, we need teachers for 1st and 8th grade (for third homerooms in each), and a part-time science teacher (to enable the third 6th and 7th Grade classes to fill up to 15). In my military mind, I think it is "Time to bring in the cavalry!" Please pray and spread the word. You know the excellence we are seeking.

PCA seeks more resource/special educators. The school also sees requirements for two more resource/special education teachers for the Lower School and one for the Upper School. Our current team is superb, but they are at limit of how many of your children we can support. We have great families still coming to us who are wonderful fits for our school but need support for their children. Without being able to provide that support, we are limited in accomplishing PCA's mission. Therefore, we are facing capacity on being able to accept more students who need support. Please pray for and spread the word for such educators so that we could support even more families and children well.

Let us continue to welcome new students and families. As enrollment climbs to over 500 students, please pray for and reach out to our 112+ new students and their transition into the school, and their parents as well. Our hope is they would feel connected and welcome. Thank you, returning families, for reaching out to our new families and supporting them.

Let us continue to pray for our teachers and provide them extra support. Like you, I am so thankful our teachers are HERE and committed to educating your children. They are brave and courageous in multiple ways. Please also continue to pray for their energy and the building of classroom culture that enables your children and all their classmates to thrive.

In closing, the feedback channel is always open: mruney@pcaschool.org. Please let us know how we can help you and your family thrive at PCA. Thank you for being a part of our community and making it stronger, more alive, and inclusive in these days. Know I am praying for you! What a privilege it is to serve with you. Have a restful and joyful Labor Day.

Together in His service,

Head of School

PCA is blessed to have over 100 new students this year, most of whom are at the Lower School. To our returning families: If you have any PCA uniforms which your own child has outgrown, please consider donating those items to our Swap Shop to help our new families with their uniform shopping. To our new families: Our Swap Shop has dress code clothing for sale for $3 per item (new families will receive the first 5 items for FREE). If you donate items, you may take one item for every item you donate. Our Swap Shop has a new location at the bottom of the main lobby stairwell; a big "Thank you!" to our volunteers who helped make this happen during the summer! MORE INFO.