October Family Newsletter

October 12, 2021

Principal Corner

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I hope this message finds you well. Recently, there has been an uprise in social media challenges on Tik Tok that are proving to be harmful. Some challenges are asking students to see what they can steal from teachers or the school, and/or see what they can get by vandalizing the school. While other challenges are asking students to perform acts that can have serious and multiple consequences. These types of unhealthy challenges go against what we represent at Pan American as a school that CARES and goes against our code of conduct and values.

Please understand, PAACS will call these “challenges” what it is, whether it is theft and vandalism or outright assault. PAACS will not count this as a joke or that a student “was just playing around”. Students will face disciplinary consequences to the fullest extent possible. Therefore, any student found to be involved in these situations could face a suspension, possibly expulsion and criminal charges based on the amount of property damage to the school or the value of what has been stolen.

Parents, we implore you to have a heart-to-heart talk with your child(ren) about the seriousness of these types of behaviors. Pan American Academy will not tolerate this type of behavior. Explain to them that this is wrong. Today’s society is trying to teach our children that taking things that are not theirs is okay, and that tearing up something that does not belong to you is appropriate behavior or that violating someone’s personal space is okay. This is not the case, regardless of what you see or hear from social media. Please, please have these conversations with your child(ren).

With the current pandemic, teaching is harder on teachers than ever before and the school is working hard despite external circumstances to provide the best education it can to its students. Please help us support a healthy school environment, the type of environment, your child, our teachers and staff deserves.

Sincerely,
Yolanda Cooper, Principal

Families United for Charter Schools

Join the 143K Rising community of parents, faculty and charter supporters who are committed to saving public charter schools in Pennsylvania. With a few simple clicks, you can make your voice heard and join a movement that can’t be ignored. To join the movement click here! Save charter schools in Pennsylvania!

PAACS is Here to Help!

If you live in a shelter, motel or even doubled up with other people due to loss of housing for economic hardship, you may qualify for assistance via the McKinney-Vento Act. If you believe you may be eligible, contact Ms. Lorna Concepcion, School Social Worker at lconcepcion@panamcs.org.

Transportation

Schoolpass

We cannot stress the importance of completing the daily screener every day prior to your child entering the school. This screener is one of the main tools we use to ensure that we keep our school safe and open everyday. If you answer YES to any of the questions, please keep your child home. You may email COVID19@panamcs.org for any questions or concerns related to your child’s absence due to COVID19 mitigation.

Staff Vaccine Policy

The updated Staff Vaccination Policy was approved by our board at a special meeting October 4, 2021. Our board discussed all options and decided to follow a plan similar to the one that the School District of Philadelphia is following.

In summary:

Office Updates

Office Manager: Jeanette Rivera

Important Links