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Purdy Elementary School

Home of the Panthers

APRIL Newsletter 2026

Posted Date: 04/02/26 (03:15 PM)
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                                                      Principal's Message

Hey Everyone,

Spring is finally here, and with it comes longer days, blooming flowers, and a little more sunshine. This season always brings a sense of renewal, and I want to thank our students, staff, and families for the hard work and support you continue to show each day at Purdy Elementary.

As we head into Spring Break, April 13–17 , I hope your family finds time to rest, recharge, and enjoy a break from the usual routine. We still have so much to look forward to this school year, and I am grateful to be part of such a caring school community.

Enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the break, and  Go Panthers!

Ty Robuck & Mary Caselely

Principal & Deputy Principal

GO PANTHERS!


 



Jonathan Andrus - Counselor Corner


andrusj@psd401.net     253-530-4630


One of my goals as a school counselor is to build a foundational relationship with all students at school so that whenever a difficult day comes along for any Purdy Panther, my connection with them is already established. I try to meet this goal in a variety of ways:


  • Students will always see me during arrival and dismissal.

  • I get out to at least one recess or lunch every day in order to be a familiar face during unstructured times of the school day and problem solve situations on the fly. 

  • I like to eat lunch with small groups of students in my office. I am terrible at taking a lunch break, so if I do, it is usually with small groups of students listening to silly songs, playing with fidgets, and answering icebreaker questions. I rotate through as many students as I can this way, especially focusing on students new to our school.

  • I give students the option to sign up and talk to me if something is weighing on their mind or if they are stuck with a social/emotional problem they just can’t seem to solve on their own.

  • I teach multiple classroom lessons throughout the school year from our Second Step Social/Emotional curriculum, specifically topics covering bullying protection and child safety.

 

 

Spring Attendance — Every School Day Counts!


Dear PSD Families, 


As we welcome the spring season and look toward the final months of our school year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the importance of consistent school attendance and how it supports your child’s educational journey. 


While we recognize your role as your child's primary advocate, we also want to partner with you to ensure they receive the full benefits of their education. Missing just two days per month can impact learning progress, especially during these final months when teachers are solidifying key concepts.


If your child is facing attendance challenges, please reach out to your school's counselor or principal. We're here to collaborate on solutions that respect your family's needs while supporting your child's educational journey.


Why Attendance Matters This Spring


  • Spring learning builds crucial skills needed for the next year’s success. 

  • Consistent attendance helps maintain social connections and supports mental well-being. 

  • End-of-year projects and activities provide unique learning experiences that can’t be replicated outside the classroom. 

  • Research shows that attendance patterns established now tend to continue into future school years and can affect a student’s future success.





 


 

Celebrate Our Military Children This April

Dear Peninsula School District Families,

April is the Month of the Military Child, a time when we honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of military-connected children in our school community. To celebrate these amazing students, we're creating a special social media showcase throughout the month!

We Want to Feature YOUR Military Child!
If you are a military family (active duty, reserve, guard, or veteran), we invite you to share photos of your children to be featured on our district social media channels. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the unique challenges and accomplishments of our military kids.
How to Participate:
  • Complete our simple submission form at the bottom of this post
  • Submit 1-3 photos of your child/children
Submission Deadline: Friday, April 10

Additional Information
  • All photos will be reviewed before posting
  • You can include a brief note about your child's unique strengths or military connection
  • Photos may be featured on our Facebook, Instagram, and district website
  • By submitting, you grant permission for these limited uses
We look forward to "Purpling Up" this April to show our appreciation for military children! Thank you for your service to our country and for being part of our school community.

                                         


 
                                                                                                                   





 

                    Purdy Elementary Spring Concert is NEXT WEEK.... Tuesday, April 7th 5:15 - 7:30 





Earth Day is near!  
Mrs. Marousek would like to do some arts and crafts using recycling from around the house! 
If you have any 2 liter bottles (preferable with the lid), or small, empty, clean, plastic containers (from sour cream or cottage cheese) please send them with your child. They can take them to her classroom when they arrive at school. 
Thank you in advance for your consideration! 

 


2026-2027 STUDENT TRANSFERS
(next school year ending June 2027)

Non-Resident Transfers In to PSD

You live outside the Peninsula School District boundary and want to attend a school within the district.

  • Application window is April 1 – April 30 
  1. Submit your request to Peninsula School District (PSD) through this form here and;
  2. Submit your request to the WA Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) on their CHOICE Portal.
  • Notifications will go out to families by June 1st
  • If needed, there will be a second review for requests on August 15, 2026.
  • Any new request received after August 14, 2026 will not be considered until after the first ten school days, beginning September 17, 2026. 

  • We are a proud Purple Star district.  This means that we are a military-friendly school district and have specifically trained our staff to understand, help transition, and support our military students.

    Click this link here to learn more.


Within District Transfers

You live within the school district boundaries and want to attend a school other than your neighborhood school.

  • Application window is April 1 – April 30
  • Submit your request to Peninsula School District (PSD) through this form here.
  • Notifications will go out to families by June 1st
  • If needed, there will be a second review for requests on August 15, 2026.
  • Any new request received after August 14, 2026 will not be considered until after the first ten school days, beginning September 17, 2026. 

WATCH Dogs: Parents on the Fast Track to Support!

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers (dad, mom, guardian, grandparent, auntie, uncle) to join us throughout the day here at Purdy Elementary! Your support can make a big difference, whether it’s helping in classrooms, supporting school events, or assisting with other activities. Flexible shifts are available, so you can contribute at times that work best for you. 

Join us in making a positive impact on our students and school community. If you’re interested in volunteering please see the link below.
                                                                                                                April Sign-Up Link below:
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                      WatchDOG's April Sign Up Link                                                                                                  



 
Greetings 5th grade families,

Swift Water is hosting a parent series for parents who will have incoming 6th graders at HRMS this fall.  The purpose of this event is to build community before students leave elementary school and to ensure that parents have the tools to prepare themselves and their students for the next steps in their PSD career. Please note that this series for  parents only (no child care will be available). 


                                                            



                                                                                                 
 

                               

 
 
 
Many of the current PTA members have students in 5th grade and will be moving on after this year. The reality is that without the support of more volunteers, many of the events and programs that make our school such a wonderful and special place could fade away. We are actively looking for parents of younger students to get involved in the PTA. Here’s how to get started:
We hope to see you there! Contact PTA President Ron Cochran at Ronald.ThomasCochran@pm.me or 425-443-1467 with any questions.
 
PTA Meeting -  April 21st at 7:00pm in the library.  
If attending via Zoom is more convenient please email Ron Cochran our PTA President at Ronald.ThomasCochran@pm.me   to request the link.
PTA Website
Check out our new website purdypta.com for information about membership, events and more!

PTA Popcorn Friday Volunteer Sign Up Link: 
Volunteer sign up link
 

 
2026 Camp  Invention
This fun, hands-on STEM summer adventure is designed to ignite creativity and boost confidence in curious kids!
Grades: Rising K-6th
Location: Purdy Elementary
Dates & Times: July 20-24 I  9:00 Am to 3:30 PM










                                         Peninsula School District  -  PSD401
                                    Family Resources  -   Families
                                    Parent Square & Parent Portal Login   -  PowerSchool / Parent Portal  
                                    Volunteer Application  -  Volunteer Application Link
                                    Free & Reduced Meal Application  -  Fee/Reduced meal application 
                                    PURDY OFFICE Email  (Attendance/Transportation changes)   -   PES-office@psd401.net
                                    Purdy's monthly lunch menu link - Purdy lunch menu
  • 4/6-9  2nd Grade Swim @ YMCA
  • 4/7  Spring Holiday Concert, 1st @5:15, 2 & 2/3 PACE @ 6:00 and 3rd @ 6:45
  • 4/9  Hands On Art training at Swift Water @ 7:00-9:00
  • 4/13-17  Spring Break





 
                                                                                                     
                                                                      


 

                                                                    Right At School - Before & After school care 

                                   
Subsidy Related Questions:
https://rightatschool.com/financial-assistance-washington/   

 
Keeping Emergency Contacts & Mailing Addresses up to date

 
Contact Info Graphic

ARE YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACTS & MAILING ADDRESSES UP TO DATE?

Please take a moment to do your Year Round/Emergency Contact Update for your child(ren) to ensure that we have the necessary information in the event of an emergency and for mailing purposes. Click below for instructions on how to access the update.
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

 
PURDY CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ty Robuck, Principal | Robuckt@psd401.net
Mary Caseley, Deputy Principal | caseleym@psd401.net
Jonathan Andrus, Counselor | andrusj@psd401.net
Sheila Laflamme, Office Manager | laflammes@psd401.net
Main Phone Number | 253-530-4600
Attendance Phone Number | 253-530-4606
Fax Number | 253-530-4620
 
The Peninsula School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District’s Title IX and Compliance Officer, Section 504 and ADA Coordinator, John Yellowlees, at (253) 530-1081,  email yellowleesj@psd401.net. Mailing address: 14015 62nd Ave. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332





[Thursday, Mar 12 at 3:48 PM]
TIME CORRECTION: 3/28 Purdy PTA Auction 5:00 pm