As you may have already anticipated, this year’s Spring Production will be filmed and made available to families and friends on our Youtube Channel, rather than held in-person. Mrs. Salo, our script writer, shared this update with students today during Spring Production rehearsal and we wanted to be sure to let you know directly as well. 

In early October of last year, we were so optimistic when we met to discuss trying to hold the Spring Production in-person. Mrs. McCombs, Mrs. Salo, Mrs. Pinto-Martin, and I measured the Sanctuary and the Gym, but found that neither space was adequate to accommodate the number of attendees we anticipated, even with a reduced audience (two performances). We then investigated several other venues, but the logistics of arranging rehearsals, transporting students, etc. in addition to the actual performances proved to be a huge obstacle. Then, when the Omicron variant hit and now, as the level of cases remains unpredictable, we feel like we really have no other choice. 

We know that this is not the news you were probably hoping for, but we are working hard to still make this year’s production a special experience for everyone involved. One way we plan to do that is to hire a professional videographer to film the performance who will work closely with our 4th & 5th grade students throughout the videography process, giving them a unique learning experience. 

Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate this and get more of the details finalized. If you have any questions or concerns at this time, please email me at christy.wauzzinski@pucs.org. 

Sincerely,

Christy Wauzzinski
Education Director

The post Spring Producation Moving to Youtube appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.

Intro to Martial Arts is a beginner’s class taught by Sensei Huber, a 5th degree black belt master instructor with 30 years of martial arts experience. This class will introduce the art of Tae Kwon Do to students, teaching them theory and principles in addition to the physical aspects of the art.

When: March 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, and 15th, 3:15-4:15pm

Please click HERE to register. Athletic permission form required – please send this form to school with your child or download and email to office@pucs.org.

One last note – we need a parent volunteer for these classes. Please contact office@pucs.org if you’re interested in helping out!

The post Intro to Martial Arts at PUCS appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.

When new Executive Director Jonathan Ray thought about the vision for Pittsburgh Urban Christian School, his focus was on serving the Wilkinsburg community well. Out of this vision came PUCS’ most recent expansion: a second preschool classroom made possible through the PA Department of Education’s Pre-K Counts program. 

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts provides quality preschool to eligible three, four, and five year olds at no cost to families. This program is for families who earn up to 300% of the federal income poverty level and special consideration is given to students who may also be English language learners or have special needs.

The first day of school for our inaugural Pre-K Counts class was on November 30th and according to Lead Teacher Tashea Rawlings and Assistant Teacher Alexus Jackson, it has been great so far. “We have a really good group of kids,” says Tashea, “We had some criers for about a week, but they are all really trying and have gotten the concept of the routine down pretty well.”

Both Alexus and Tashea agree that their favorite part of the day is Circle Time and the kids seem to really enjoy it, too. Circle Time consists of singing morning songs, reviewing the month, day, and year, and discussing the letter of the week. Tashea and Alexus also ask students a “question of the week” that connects to their lessons. To go along with the Christmas lessons, the question has been “How can you spread joy, peace, and love?” 

Our curriculum here at PUCS is meant to build on itself each year, moving from smaller, more concrete ideas to larger and more abstract, mirroring student development. The Pre-K Counts curriculum has been designed to follow the same units as our other Pre-K class, including incorporating Christian themes and ideas, and will prepare students just as well for their uniquely PUCS education that will follow in grade school. 

So far, Tashea and Alexus feel like they’ve been able to foster good relationships with the parents of these new students and that communication has been really open. “We’ve gotten a lot of feedback that they [the parents] are so thankful and that their kids love it here,” says Tashea, “which means a lot to us.”

All of us here at PUCS are so proud of the work teachers and staff have put in to get our Pre-K Counts class started and are so encouraged by the response of the parents and of our Wilkinsburg community. As PUCS continues to grow and change, we pray that we will be able to continue to respond as community needs arise. 

“PUCS wants to be a part of the Wilkinsburg community, not just as a resident, but as a provider of service and something that people will see as a benefit to the community,” says Jonathan. “It’s one thing to be here, it’s another thing to serve here.”

We have one spot open still in our Pre-K counts class! For more information and to register, please contact Jonathan Ray at jonathan.ray@pucs.org. 

The post Pre-K Counts Welcomes 14 New Students! appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.

PUCS POST

December 20-January 2      NO SCHOOL – Christmas Break

January 3                                School Resumes

January 21                              NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr.

Show your team spirit by joining us for a fundraiser to support PUCS ROBOTICS.

Come in to the Chipotle at 5986 Centre Ave. in East Liberty on Tuesday, December 11th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.  Please note the location has changed.  Bring in the flyer that was sent home via backpacks, show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to PUCS ROBOTICS.

https://socialportal.chipotle.com/fundraiser/social/partner/portal/Xh7t4WJaILnpml4IwgwLkk6NicyNVsfLk8T8v2TJCmk87jhXWz0dD0ZocCFZXLCWhQgHkFWysjLytv91b5EMu059Wkjr3oPT21kon1JdCetYr1gC8H678geY6Tzdbkub/1201812111620

The Kindergarten is having a pajama drive!   As part of our giving unit coming up in December, the Kindergarten is collecting NEW pajamas to help children in need.  Please send in new pajamas by Thursday, December 13th.  See the attached flyer for more information, and contact Mrs. Adler at erlinamae.adler@pucs.org if you have any questions.  Our goal is to collect 50 sets of pajamas!  I hope you will join us in doing so.

Thanks,
Mrs. Adler and the entire Kindergarten class

2019-20 Kindergarten Applications

As we continue to receive applications for the 2019-20 school year, it would be helpful to know if you are planning on enrolling a sibling!  NOW is the time to apply online!     https://pb-pa.client.renweb.com/oa/index.cfm?memberid=1929

We will be scheduling assessments for all Kindergarten applicants in January.

Please mark your calendar for PUCS Pre-K day on January 25^th.

COMMUNITY CORNER notes from our CIS Coordinator Georgette Ayres

Do you need volunteer hours?  My agency, Communities In Schools Pittsburgh Allegheny County (CISPAC), has partnered with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to help new pediatric residents learn about the social and community factors that impact children’s health and well-being. The objective is to provide trainees with experiences they do not get inside hospital walls.   To do this, the residents will be going into the community to visit programs and talk with providers and the people they serve.  I am looking for a few parents who would be interested in meeting as a group with the resident to share their thoughts, experiences, and struggles with raising kids. The next resident is scheduled to be with me on Wednesday, December 19^th.  The meeting would be 30 to 45 minutes long and scheduled between 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM.  If interested in participating please send me an email georgette.ayres@pucs.org by December 12^th.

Is anyone planning to see Mary Poppins Returns over the holidays?  (I hear Lin-Manuel Miranda is in it for all of you Hamilton fans.)  Is anyone interested in seeing it on January 2nd (early in the day) with other students and families from PUCS?  In the past I have arranged for groups to attend showings of movies at Phoenix Theaters in North Versailles. If we can get 25 or more people we can get discounted tickets, a snack pack (optional), and possibly a theater to ourselves. Historically the tickets have been $4 and the snack pack which includes a 16oz drink, small popcorn, and a gummy candy is $5.  Please complete the 2 question Surveymonkey by December 11^th.  If there is enough interest I will contact the theater to make arrangements.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/852Q6C5

http://www.phoenixtheatres.com/location/6249/North-Versailles-Stadium-18-Showtimes

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5028340/

AmazonSmile is a program that donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases on Amazon to a charity of your choice.  All you need to do is start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. The donation will be made at no extra cost to you and you can choose from nearly one million public charitable organizations.  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/25-1405301

The post PUCS Post: December 10, 2018 appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.

As the weather has chilled and the leaves clog our storm drains, a spectacular science experiment is being conducted right over our heads: liquids are turning to solids!  And if it stays cold enough, for long enough, with enough liquid in the air, then piles and piles of those solids will accumulate all around us.  Tires will spin, plows will scrape, and folks at The Weather Channel will squeal with delight.

How will everyone know if school’s delayed or cancelled?  Because of busing, we follow Pittsburgh Public Schools’ delay schedule.  If PPS has a two-hour delay, we have a two-hour delay.  Usually, but not always, we follow them for closing as well.  However, other districts do not always align their plans with PPS; more detailed instructions are attached.  We publish our own delay and closing notices on KDKA, WPXI, and WTAE web and TV services.

This year we’re launching a text-notification service to complement these other platforms.  A test of this system will be run tomorrow, Tuesday, November 27th, at noon.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Dave Moore

The post Important Snow Delay Information! appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.

PUCS POST

November 21-23                     NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break

December 20-January 2      NO SCHOOL – Christmas Break

January 3                                School Resumes

WE HAVE SEVERAL DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR MATCHES for our year end fundraising campaign from a foundation, a former family, and staff members – to amplify the impact of gifts made to PUCS!

Support PUCS by spreading the word about our school and donating.

1. Mail a check to PUCS (no transaction fees).
2. Give online on PUCS’ website at https://pucs.org/give/ (PayPal transaction fees apply 2% + $0.30).
3. Give online on Tuesday 11/27 during Give Big Pittsburgh 2018 (2% + $0.30 transaction fees). There are some Give Big Pittsburgh prizes that you could help us win and bring in even more for our school:

Show your team spirit by joining us for a fundraiser to support PUCS ROBOTICS.

Come in to the Chipotle at 5986 Centre Ave. in East Liberty on Tuesday, December 11th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.  Please note the location has changed.  Bring in the flyer that was sent home via backpacks, show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to PUCS ROBOTICS.

https://socialportal.chipotle.com/fundraiser/social/partner/portal/Xh7t4WJaILnpml4IwgwLkk6NicyNVsfLk8T8v2TJCmk87jhXWz0dD0ZocCFZXLCWhQgHkFWysjLytv91b5EMu059Wkjr3oPT21kon1JdCetYr1gC8H678geY6Tzdbkub/1201812111620

The Kindergarten is having a pajama drive!   As part of our giving unit coming up in December, the Kindergarten is collecting NEW pairs of pajamas to help children in need.  Please send in new pairs of pajamas by Thursday, December 13th.  See the attached flyer for more information, and contact Mrs. Adler at erlinamae.adler@pucs.org if you have any questions.   Our goal is to collect 50 pairs of pajamas!    I hope you will join us in doing so.

Thanks,
Mrs. Adler and the entire Kindergarten class

Development Needs You!!!

Development Volunteer Opportunities!  Do you need volunteer hours?

Come for a few hours or come all day! December 3, 10AM-3PM

~ Lunch Provided ~ No cooking necessary ~ Assembling very special donor thank you gifts!

Bring Christmas Cookies to Share!

Email susan.lecornu@pucs.org

AmazonSmile is a program that donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases on Amazon to a charity of your choice.  All you need to do is start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. The donation will be made at no extra cost to you and you can choose from nearly one million public charitable organizations.

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/25-1405301

The post PUCS Post: November 26, 2018 appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.

November 14                Admissions Open House – 9-10:00am and 7-8:00pm

November 15                Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:30-8:00pm

November 16                NO SCHOOL – Parent/Teacher Conferences from 9:00am-noon

November 21-23          NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break

Give Big Pittsburgh countdown:  2 weeks until November 27!

We are thrilled to announce that PUCS is participating in Give Big Pittsburgh!  “November 27, 2018 is the day to show your gratitude and give extra support to your favorite cause.  Save the date and come together to celebrate charitable giving!”  Black Friday…. Cyber Monday…. and Giving Tuesday!  We need your help by:

• Sharing the opportunity to join you in supporting our unique education experience here at Pittsburgh Urban Christian School if you are on social media of any form, or simply emailing the link to our fundraising page https://www.givebigpittsburgh.com/organizations/pittsburgh-urban-christian-school
• Setting up your own fundraising page off of PUCS’ Give Big Pittsburgh fundraising page. Email Chrissie Koerber at admissions@pucs.org for assistance.

WE HAVE 3 FUNDRAISING MATCHES – from a Foundation, a former family, and a staff member – to amplify the impact of gifts made to PUCS.  Check it out on our Give Big Pittsburgh page!

The Kindergarten is having a pajama drive!   As part of our giving unit coming up in December, the Kindergarten is collecting NEW pairs of pajamas to help children in need.  Please send in new pairs of pajamas by Thursday, December 13th.  See the attached flyer for more information, and contact Mrs. Adler at erlinamae.adler@pucs.org if you have any questions.   Our goal is to collect 50 pairs of pajamas!    I hope you will join us in doing so.

Thanks,
Mrs. Adler and the entire Kindergarten class

Development Needs You!!!

Development Volunteer Opportunities!  Do you need volunteer hours?

Come for a few hours or come all day! December 3, 10AM-3PM

~ Lunch Provided ~ No cooking necessary ~ Assembling very special donor thank you gifts!

Bring Christmas Cookies to Share!

Email susan.lecornu@pucs.org

Parents are our #1 recruiters! 

We are so grateful for you all sharing the story of our school. 

Please pass along these open house dates!

November 14 from 9-10:00am and 7-8:00pm

January 17 from 7-8:00pm

COMMUNITY CORNER notes from our CIS Coordinator Georgette Ayres

https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/reflections-of-our-complexions-an-evening-with-sharon-g-flake/

The post PUCS Post: November 12, 2018 appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.

PUCS POST

School is in session TOMORROW – Tuesday, November 6^th

November 5                  Parent Association Meeting at 6:00

November 14                Admissions Open House – 9-10:00am and 7-8:00pm

November 15                Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:30-8:00pm

November 16                NO SCHOOL – Parent/Teacher Conferences from 9:00am-noon

November 21-23            NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thursday, November 15^th from 3:30-8:00pm

Friday, November 16^th from 9:00am-noon

The family/home connection is so important!  We ask that everyone schedule a conference.

This is an opportunity for you to have a focused conversation just about your child with his/her teacher.

Below is the link for Pick-A-Time to schedule your child(ren) parent/teacher conferences.

https://pickatime.com/schedule.jsp?page=schoolFinder

• Middle School parents will be meeting with their MS student’s advisory teacher only for 20 minutes.

• Elementary parents will be meeting for 20 minutes with their child’s teacher.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018 – 1:00 pm

PUCS PARENTS:  Please join PUCS as we attend a concert at Hosanna House on

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

ALL Weekly Pizza orders are due on Wednesday for Friday lunch:

$2.50 slice of cheese pizza

$  .50 juice box

The post PUCS Post: November 5, 2018 appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.

9-Post-October 29, 2018

Please mark your calendar!  There will be school on Tuesday, November 6^th

November 5                  Parent Association Meeting – 6:00

November 14                Admissions Open House – 9-10:00am and 7-8:00pm

November 15                Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:30-8:00pm

November 16                NO SCHOOL – Parent/Teacher Conferences from 9:00am-noon

November 21-23          NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break

Parent Association Meeting Information

The first Parent Association meeting of the school year is scheduled for Monday November 5, 2018 (6pm)

Jennifer McCaslin, Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, NCC, LPC, is coming to speak about anxiety in children. There are many ways that children suffer from anxiety and Jennifer will name some common identifiers as well as present ways to help children cope with their anxiety.  “Having Generalized Anxiety Disorder can make it hard for kids to focus in school. Because with GAD, there is almost always a worry on a kid’s mind. GAD makes it hard for kids to relax and have fun, eat well, or fall asleep at night. They may miss many days of school because worry makes them feel sick, afraid, or tired.”  Kids Health.org

Please plan to join us for a discussion on this very important topic and an opportunity to ask questions. Also, there will be a few PUCS announcements. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP for childcare to office@pucs.org.

Parent Teacher Conferences!

Thursday, November 15^th from 3:30-8:00pm

Friday, November 16^th from 9:00am-noon

The family/home connection is so important!  We ask that everyone schedule a conference.

This is an opportunity for you to have a focused conversation just about your child with his/her teacher.

Below is the link for Pick-A-Time to schedule your child(ren) parent/teacher conferences.

https://pickatime.com/schedule.jsp?page=schoolFinder

• Middle School parents will be meeting with their MS student’s advisory teacher only for 20 minutes.

6^th grade with Mrs. Moore

7^th grade with Mrs. Douglas

8^th grade with Mr. Wilson

• Elementary parents will be meeting for 20 minutes with their child’s teacher.

Our Red Ribbon poster contest winners are…

Grand Prize: Arathena M.

K -2^nd: Brynn W.

3^rd – 5^th: Leila G.

6^th – 8^th:  Jack V.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated!

Mad Science

Mad Science of Pittsburgh After School Program Presents: 

The “Animals, Energy, & Robots”

GRADES: K-6

NOVEMBER 1ST- DECEMBER 13TH (6 WEEKS) 3:15-4:15

COST: $72 PER STUDENT

Mad Science Flyer

Parents are our #1 recruiters!  

We are so grateful for you all sharing the story of our school.  Be intentional in your conversations as you talk to friends and folks in your neighbors/churches.  We have been purposeful to showcase our chapel on November 14:  Bring a friend!  

Our remaining open house dates!

                        November 14 from 9-10:00am and 7-8:00pm

                        January 17 from 7-8:00pm

Pizza Order Info!

ALL Weekly Pizza orders are due on Wednesday for Friday lunch:

$2.50 slice of cheese pizza

$  .50 juice box

The post PUCS Post: October 29, 2018 appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.

At the beginning of the third Act, Kirk, McCoy, and a team of scientists are trapped in an underground cave system on a dead moon, while Khan (the bad guy) flies off with a doomsday machine.  TheEnterprise is damaged and can neither chase Khan nor retrieve the away team.  It is a most hopeless moment.

“Is there anything to eat?”  Kirk asks as he sits down.  “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m starved.”

McCoy is indignant: “How can you think of food at a time like this?”

Last night and this morning I reminded our teachers that we trust them to do what they considered was “developmentally appropriate” for their classes.  Middle School history classes were, ironically, already discussing the Holocaust and antisemitism through the ages.  They talked about the pervasive influence of evil, always, in the words of Genesis, “crouching at our door.”  4^th and 5^th graders were discussing this topic as well and could place the events in Squirrel Hill in a larger narrative framework.  Younger students were free to discuss their responses with their teachers and were encouraged to pray for the victims and the community at large.

And meanwhile, another chick hatched in the 1^st Grade incubator, bringing us to eight distracting babies!  A student came in from recess to get a band-aid on his knee.  The 4th/5th-grade chip peddlers came by my office at the usual time.  We judged a few posters about the golden rule.  An inflatable cow was seen heading upstairs.  Kids talked, or didn’t, to whom they needed when they needed.

The same things happened at the same times they always do because that’s what everyone is used to… and “what we’re used to” is our best tool for helping kids mature through events like this.  Keeping the routine – while simultaneously telling kids that we’re also sad, angry, or scared – reminds kids that we can lament while not despairing, we can grieve without being crushed.  We live in a bent world; darkness thrashes against the light, but it will not prevail.  We might have to adjust our step, or even take a different route from time to time, but we will keep marching.

It might seem a sacrilege to “think about food at a time like this,” but that’s what our kids need right now.  Please, turn off the news coverage; put down the phone; read the Bible together; go to bed on time (for once).  Cook, play, run, wrestle, dance, pray.  Ask your kids how they’re doing; tell them how you’re doing, and pass the potatoes.

Dave Moore

our chick:

The post At A Time Like This appeared first on Pittsburgh Urban Christian School.