THEJulyPIRATE

News, 2016
FA I R H O P E E L E M E N T A R Y

Julie Pierce, Principal

Ann Agerton, Assistant Principal

Wanda Logan, Assistant Principal

Busy Summer Accomplishments!

I am Julie Pierce, the new principal of Fairhope Elementary School. Thank you for
the many phone calls and emails of welcome and good wishes! I am very excited to
be working in my community continuing the work and expanding the levels of
educational excellence. I love education! I am a teacher at heart and love to watch
children Cind their genius, discover the thrill of learning, and experience the joy of
leading their own learning.
I have been in education for 27 years with the last 8 years serving the Gulf Shores
community as the principal of Gulf Shores Elementary School. Before that I served
as an assistant principal at J. Larry Newton School for 3 years, reading coach at
Summerdale School for 3 years, and a classroom teacher in Alabama and Florida for
13 years.
I grew up in Oneonta, Alabama. I graduated from the University of Alabama in
business and began my career as an accountant. Later, I returned to UAB to earn a
Masters degree in Elementary Education and a certiCicate in Educational
Leadership from the University of South Alabama.
I have lived in Fairhope since 2001 and am married to David Pierce. We are a
blended family with 5 children. I have two children, and David has three. My son,
Travis Warlick, is a software engineer, and my daughter, Margaret Warlick, is
working on a business degree from St. Petersburg College. John is a welder, and
Stephen and Katie are students at the University of Alabama majoring in
engineering and social work. Our empty nest leaves only the cat, Malibu.
During the past month, I have been busy meeting with people gathering
information. Ive listened for everything from BIG DREAMS to small concerns. Ive
met with the teachers, classiCied staff, parents, PTC, FEEF, our mayor, and our
school board representative. Now, Im beginning to move forward, and plans are
coming together! Here is an update on the progress.
The website, www.fairhopeelementary.com, has been updated for calendar
information, an online payment option, and classroom supply lists. Pay Fees Online
is an option on the left side of the website screen that you may Cind convenient. You
can purchase a t-shirt and/or donate to the school. If you choose to prepay, you can
also pay for Fruzers
(K-3) and/or skate
days (grades 1-3,
only.) We have
worked at reducing
the costs and hope
you Cind it helpful.
These items can also
be purchased at Meet
the Teacher. See the
article, Meet the
Teacher Checklist, for
more information.
continued on next page

ates
D
t
n
a
Import

August 11 - Homeroom Assignment

Letters Mailed to Families Who

Have Completed Online
Registration

August 15 - PreK Parent Orientation

5:00 p.m. PreK Building

August 15 - Kindergarten Parent

Orientation 5:30 p.m. Cafeteria

August 17 - Kindergarten Meet the

Teacher 9:00-11:00 a.m.

August 17 - 1st Grade Meet the

Teacher 1:00-3:00 p.m.

August 18 - 2nd and 3rd Grades Meet

the Teacher 1:00-4:00 p.m.

August 22 - First Day of School!

August 26 - Fruzer Day $1.00,

optional

August 30 - Get the Facts Night,

1st-3rd Grades, 5:30 p.m.

Cafeteria Followed By
Classroom Visits

September 5 - Labor Day Holiday

November 11 - Veterans Day Holiday

November 21-25 - Thanksgiving

Holidays

December 19 - January 3 Christmas Holidays

January 16 - Martin Luther King

Holiday

February 27-28 - Mardi Gras

Holidays

March 27-31 - Spring Break

April 14 - Good Friday Holiday

May 25 - Last Day of School

Online Registration & Teacher Assignments

All returning students at Fairhope Elementary School need to
register online this summer. Families who have completed
online registration will receive the name of their teacher
in the mail after August 12th.
In order to register your child online, you will need a code
called a SNAP code. This code with instructions was mailed to
physical addresses a few days after school was out in early
June. Please call 251-928-8400 if you need assistance in any
way!
Families who are not able to complete the online registration
may do so in the school ofCice. Classroom assignments will
then be available after August 15th. Please call the school at
251-928-8400 if you have any questions.

Meet the Teacher Checklist

Meet the teacher
Bring school supplies
Pay opening school expenses $25, optional
$10 Cield trip t-shirt
$15 instructional/enrichment donation
Prepay for Fruzer and skate days, optional
$1 Fruzer/month $10
$20 skate day - 4 times per year, 1st-3rd grades only
Secure transportation
Join PTC
Join Walking School Bus
Visit with the nurses
Pay for lunch or apply for free/reduced lunch
Bring documentation of custody changes, if applicable

Summer Accomplishments continued from front page

The last month we have been busy with buildings and grounds projects. Custodians have been busy moving teachers to new
classrooms since three new third grade classrooms have been added to reduce the pupil/teacher ratio. After a synergistic meeting
with the PTC, we decided to install a metal awning near the gym. This will keep our 2nd and 3rd grade students dry in the carline!
We are able to take on this pricey project due to the past fundraising efforts of the the parents and a generous $12,000 donation
from the PTC. The stone sidewalk, a victim of erosion, is being repaired. Carpets and rugs are cleaned, and classroom Cloors are
waxed. The City of Fairhope is providing the labor to repair the fence near the Armory. Finally, I am in contact with a company to
try to get the shade sails repaired for the playground. We have been very busy with these building projects.
As a veteran principal and a Fairhope resident, I understand and believe that through shared leadership we can work together to
maintain and advance the legacy of excellence associated with Fairhope Elementary School. This process takes times, and I
appreciate your continued support as we move forward. Together - students, parents, teachers, staff, administration, and
community leaders - we will work to make the best decisions possible on behalf of our children's education. I look forward to
meeting you and your precious children and beginning our journey together!

Meet the New Sta!

Please join me in welcoming our new faculty and sta members!
Mike Hutchinson - Buildings and Grounds Manager - From California, Mike has been a resident of Fairhope since 2007. Mike has
served as a head of school maintenance in Kentucky and loves landscaping and cars.
LaTasha Jackson - Cafeteria - Also originally from California, LaTasha worked for many years at Thomas Hospital and Fairhope High
School in food service.
Dolores Clements - Nurse - An LPN from Birmingham with many years of nursing experience, Dolores served the children at Foley
Elementary School last year.
1st Grade - April Cork - A resident of Fairhope since 2013, April has 12 years of experience in education including Fairhope Intermediate
and Gulf Shores Elementary.
3rd Grade - Jaymie Gregg - A Baldwin County graduate and resident of Fairhope, Jaymie has 17 years of experience. She is transferring
from Swift where she has taught since 2006.
3rd Grade - Elizabeth Orfanello - Originally from New Orleans, Elizabeth moved to Pensacola working in the medical field. After
earning a masters degree in education, she has been teaching since 2008. She is transferring from Elberta Elementary.
Gifted - Jill Bumpers - With 8 years of experience and a resident of Fairhope, Jill transfers to us from Spanish Fort Elementary.
ARI Reading Coach - Caroline Hollowell - Originally from Demopolis, she has been resident of Fairhope since 2001. Caroline has 11
years of experience in the classroom and 10 years as an ARI Reading Coach.