New Pet Policy & Spring Safety: What PCA Families Need to Know

Join Mike and Steve Howe, PCAs Director of Operations, for a timely spring safety update as campus activity ramps up. This episode covers key policy changes, on-the-ground concerns, and ways families can partner with the school to keep students safe during the busiest season of the year.

We explain the updated animals-on-campus policy: unauthorized pets (including dogs) are no longer allowed at PCA events. The episode details how the change will be communicated (signage at fields and entryways), how staff will handle incidents (gentle reminders from school employees), and what parents should do if they spot a pet on campus (notify a school official rather than confronting the owner). Exceptions for service animals and a process for education-focused exceptions are described, with a typical response timeline of about a week.

Traffic and parking safety is a major focus: increased spring foot and vehicle traffic from track and baseball activities means a renewed emphasis on obeying speed limits, coming to complete stops, and watching for students. Steve outlines short-term measures already in place (flashing lights and reminder signage) and plans to reinstall speed bumps after spring break to slow traffic in the loop and parking areas.

The conversation also covers trails and outdoor use of campus: reminders to stay on school property, respect neighboring property lines, and pick up after yourselves. Steve highlights common outdoor hazards families might encounter on the trails, such as bees and other stinging insects, skunks, and porcupines, and encourages caution in more remote areas that are not actively treated.

Learn about Eagle Watch, PCAs volunteer safety team: their role as an extra set of eyes, duties (monitoring campus access, checking doors, following security protocols), training and background screening, and flexible scheduling. Steve invites community members to join (they currently need two to three more volunteers) and explains how to sign up: call the school receptionist to be routed to Steve, find his email on the website, or contact Volunteer Coordinator Summer Heath.

Closing the episode, Mike and Steve thank the PCA community for their partnership, encourage everyone to "see something, say something," and remind listeners that these measures are about care and stewardship of students. Expect practical updates, clear next steps, and ways to get involved to help keep PCA safe this spring.