Dear Parents,

When I joined the staff of Pinnacle Peak as the Principal, one of the things that Dr. Lee had in place for the 20-14-15 school year was the implementation of a system entitled “Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports”, PBIS.  Basically, PBIS is school-wide system of teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors across all areas of our campus.  More detailed information about PBIS will be coming your way throughout the year.  If you are interested in learning more about PBIS, you can go to www.pbis.org. Our first year in the implementation of PBIS is a planning year.  We have a leadership team consisting of teachers, parents, our school psychologist and me.  One of the first items to complete is to gather information and perceptions regarding student behavior at Pinnacle Peak Elementary.  Our teachers, staff, and students will complete surveys here on campus.  I am requesting that you take about ten minutes to complete the attached “Climate Survey”.  Your input is so valuable as we continue down this journey of PBIS, ensuring that all students are in safe and engaging classrooms.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Parent2014-2015

Respectfully,

Lora Herbein, Principal

I'd like to take a moment to thank the PTO for a Fabulous Fall Festival. 
 It was so amazing, from the great food, to the fun activities, to the incredible Circus Performers.  I truly was in awe as I watched so many parents spend hours and hours and hours to make a wonderful night for our kids.  A special thank you to Julie Ransom for taking the lead on the event.  She spent countless days working tirelessly. A huge thanks to the Fall Festival Committee.  They started working on this back in August.  The creativity and ingenuity was off the charts!  Also, thank you for allowing me to "clown" around over the last couple of weeks!  It was a lot of fun!

Our Fall Festival is almost here!  It's this Friday, October 17th, 5:00 - 8:00 pm.  I hope you can join us!

The Fall Festival Pre-Order Forms are due to the PPES Office by Wednesday, October 15th, with online orders closing at 8:00 pm.   Pre-orders help the Fall Festival Committee plan for attendance, enough meals and all the fun for the night! Please pre-order if you will be attending!  Also, be sure to order a Raffle Ticket Package for a chance to win great raffle prizes plus your students will also visit the PPES Carnival Funhouse on the stage the day of Fall Festival and receive a special treat!

Visit the PTO website for forms and more information - http://ppespto.org/Fall_Festival_XQYM.html

Looking forward to seeing everyone Friday night for our biggest family event of the year!!!

I’ve just about finished my first week flying solo at Pinnacle Peak and it has been a wonderful week.  Your children are so kind, polite and well behaved.  They have been so welcoming with hugs, hellos, and knuckle bumps!  Thanks to all of you that have stopped by to say hello.  Your warm reception says so much about the Pinnacle Peak Community.  

I’d like to thank the PTO for their generous support for Teacher Professional Development.  Research consistently shows that the greatest factor in your child’s education within the school  is the classroom teacher.  PTO’s investment in professional development impacts every child in every classroom.  I know this will be a great year of learning for our teachers as each teacher selects and works on their own personal professional development plan with the help and guidance from the Arizona K-12 Center.  

Have a great Labor Day Holiday and we will see you on Tuesday!

Mrs. Herbein's Introduction

I am so honored to be joining the Pinnacle Peak staff as the new principal.  Pinnacle Peak has a wonderful reputation in the valley and I am so impressed with the sense of community within the school.  I am coming to you from Cactus View Elementary School where I have been the Principal for the last eight years.  Prior to that, I lived in Tucson and was an Assistant Principal at Cooper Creek Elementary School in the Amphitheater School District for three years and a classroom teacher at Tanque Verde Elementary School for 15 years. I earned my Bachelor’s of Arts and my first Master’s in Reading from the University of Arizona and my second Master’s in Education Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

My husband and I moved to the Valley eight years ago from Tucson where we lived for many years.  I’m originally from Chicago, but moved to Tucson when I started High School.  We have two grown daughters and four beautiful grandchildren.  They all live in the Phoenix area, so we spend a lot of time with them.  

Dr. Lee and I joined the Paradise Valley School District, as principals, the same year.  Over the past eight years I’ve worked closely with Dr. Lee and our vision and philosophy of education are very much aligned.  The work that he has done at Pinnacle Peak is amazing and I know I am stepping into a wonderful school.  The district administration has asked that spend the next two weeks splitting my time between schools, helping the new principal transition into her position.  I will start full time at PPES on Monday, August 25, 2014.  I was excited to meet so many of you on Monday. I look forward to meeting all of you and getting to know you throughout the year.  

Mrs. Herbein's First Test Blog

Welcome to Mrs. Herbein's Blog.  I'm excited to be the new Principal at Pinnacle Peak Elementary.  I look forward to getting to know all of you in the coming weeks.  Remember, I also have a Twitter feed!