Lottery Complete -- another milestone passed

Many thanks to all who have contributed to getting Palouse Prairie to this milestone.

On Saturday morning we completed our lottery. There were 81 student applicants. Given the enrollment capacity set out in the charter, 73 were able to be offered enrollment.


The results are

Kindergarten - 18 offered enrollment with 7 on waiting list
First - 18 offered enrollment with 5 empty seats
Second - 8 offered enrollment with 3 empty seats
Third - 12 offered enrollment with 0 empty seats
Fourth - 12 offered enrollment with 1 on waiting list
Fifth - 5 offered enrollment with 6 empty seats

The map above shows the distribution of students within Moscow. A next challenge is to figure out safe routes and means to get these children to school.

Palouse Prarie Awarded $100K Albertsons Grant

Press Release Aug 21

Palouse Prairie School has received a grant of $100,000 from the J.A. and
Kathryn Albertson Foundation as part of the Foundation’s program to support
educational choice.

“We are very thankful. This is an important gift, it allows us to get the
project moving in advance of receiving state funds,” said Nils Peterson,
chair of the Palouse Prairie Board.

This fall, an Expeditionary Learning (elschools.org) school designer will
facilitate a three-hour “Day in the life of an EL class” for parents. This
will be a hands-on simulation of key EL activities and an in-depth way for
families to learn more about the EL model. Also this fall there will be a
trip to visit Summit School, an EL school in Spokane Valley.

Charter Award Potluck and Celebration, Aug 2

Help us Celebrate!
Saturday August 2, 2008
5:00pm to 7:00pm.

PCEI Campus, 1040 Rodeo Dr
Moscow, ID

Come celebrate finally getting the Palouse Prairie charter approved and the completion of our summer camp adventure on sustainable agriculture. Kids have been planting and monitoring fast plants from seed-to-seed and working in the Community Garden and learning some dancing (busy two weeks)

Please invite a guest who might want to learn more about Palouse Prairie School

Children's program
A short program capping the 2-week summer experience will happen about 5:15.

Potluck about 6PM

• Grilled salmon (thanks to a Palouse Prairie donor).
• There are several vegetarian salads on the way, you are invited to bring more delicious items to share.
• Ice water will be provided.
• Plates, cups and silverware will come from the "Plate Project," so hopefully we will be light on waste.

Questions, email Nils Peterson

Thank you to supporters

Originally written as a letter to the Editor of the Daily News in response to the article on PP getting its charter:

Thank you for the story covering the awarding of a Charter to open Palouse Prairie School. I want to express my appreciation for the enduring and diverse support of friends of our Expeditionary Learning School. From the original Board who kindled the spark, to all those who have come forward with guidance, funding, facilities, and encouragement, I appreciate everyone's contributions.

I would also like to invite the community to participate in the process of developing the school to serve the area. Expeditionary Learning is an inclusive curriculum that combines collaboration and hands-on projects with high academic achievement and community involvement. Anyone interested in learning more or getting involved can get on an email list by contacting Nils Peterson. There is still time to enroll children in our summer expedition on sustainable agriculture by visiting the website. More information for prospective families will be coming out during the fall and winter, with applications being accepted in Spring 09 for school opening in August 2009.