The Tiger Times Newsletter
Pleasantdale Middle School
September 1, 2019
The First Full Week Is In The Books!!!
You may or may not know that there are three (3) goals in the area of SEL (social and emotional learning) laid out by the State of Illinois. The goals are:
Goal 1: Develop self-awareness and self-management skills to achieve school and life success.
Goal 2: Use social-awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships.
Goal 3: Demonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts.
Now under each of these goal areas, there are sub-standards to help one reach the overall goal. At Pleasantdale Middle School this year, we are focused on the following learning targets in the area of SEL:
1A: Identify and manage one's emotions and behavior
3B: Apply decision-making skills to deal responsibly with daily academic and social situations
More information will be forthcoming but please help us support the growth and development in each of your children in these specific areas this school year.
How Do Clubs/Activities Work At The Middle School?
The most important thing is for families to look ahead at activities offered that week and make a plan about when a student is coming home right after school and when he/she is staying for a club or activity. Clubs and Activities run from 3:32 (ten minutes after school lets out) until 4:25. This will allow any student who wants to ride the late bus home to do so. The offerings for the upcoming week and next week are found later in this newsletter.
How Does The Late Bus Work And What Time Will My Child Be Home?
So how does it work? When students get on the bus, they provide the driver their addresses and the driver creates a route to go to all of the stops of the students on the bus. The amount of time it takes for your child to get home depends upon how many students are on the bus and where the stops are located. Typically though, I'd say the route takes about 15 minutes longer than your child's usual bus route to get home.
Our late bus drivers are veteran drivers for us and do an excellent job being efficient and getting your child home safely as soon as they can after his/her activity.
SPIRITWEAR IS COMING!!!
Courtyard CleanUp Crew Does Great Work!
Thank you to everyone who came out and to the Courtyard Revival Club for the inspiration...but we're not finished yet! Stay tuned for some final pictures in the future. #servicelearning
Middle School Curriculum Night/Meet the Teacher Night, Thursday, September 12
Parent Volunteers Needed For The PTO Welcome Back Event This Friday, 5-8 p.m. At The Middle School
Every amazing event put on by the PTO for the families of District 107 needs volunteers! Please consider giving back before or after you enjoy the fun with your family!
See the need and consider signing up here.
Parent Education Corner
This week, I'd like to highlight a podcast I was invited to be a guest on and encourage you to listen to it. I was humbled and honored to be invited to share about myself, my journey in education, some tips for parents, and my reasons for serving in the role of Principal here at Pleasantdale Middle School. It's 36 minutes long and I hope you enjoy it. As always, I welcome your feedback on this or anything concerning Pleasantdale Middle School.
The Common Good Podcast, July 26, 2019
Upcoming Parent Presentations
Evidence-Based Practices for Autism Spectrum Disorders - A Session for Parents/Guardians
Presented by Dr. Celine Saulnier
Tuesday, September 17, 2019 / 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Location: LADSE Central Office, 1301 W. Cossitt Avenue, LaGrange, IL
Dr. Saulnier will provide a broad overview of what practices are evidence-based, as well as those that aren't, followed by a 30-minute discussion session for parents and guardians. Click here to register.
Presentations offered through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- Barb Barrett- "The Teen Brain"
- September 26th, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Community Wellness Center (4731 Willow Springs Rd)
- Tandra Rutledge from Riveredge Hospital- "Question, Persuade, Refer training for suicide prevention"
- October 3rd, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Community Wellness Center
- NAMI Basics, a 6-week course for parents with children under 20 with a mental health diagnosis.
- Oak Park, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Mondays beginning October 7th
- Dr. Laurie Sackett-Maniacci (wife of Michael Maniacci)- "Taking in Wellness: Mind & Body"
- October 17th, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Community Wellness Center
To sign up for any of the free presentations above, please click here.
Nazareth Academy Parent Offerings
Click here to see Nazareth Academy's Parent Speaker Series this year!
Tiger Tipline
While it is always best to talk directly to a staff member, we understand that sometimes this can be uncomfortable or difficult for students or parents. At Pleasantdale Middle School, we offer the Tiger Tipline as an anonymous tool for reporting unsafe, uncomfortable, or unkind behaviors and situations. We explicitly teach the students that if they ever see something or hear something that makes them feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or is unkind, either online or in person, they should tell a “trusted adult” which could be parents, school personnel, or other adults in their lives. The Tiger Tipline can be accessed here and we will post the link in Schoology and create a shortcut to the link on the student devices for easy access.
School Spirit Fridays!
Lunch information
As you may have read in Dr. Palzet's email this week, the lunch menus have been upgraded significantly to show both nutritional information and allergens for the food served by Just a Dash, our third-party partner to provide hot lunch to our school. Here's the link to the menu for the rest of August (and then you can just click over to see September).
September Lunch Menu, Nutritional Information, and Allergens
To put money on your child's account, please log into Skyward and add money. For more complete directions or apply for free or reduced lunches, please visit here.
School Supply Lists
Follow Us on Twitter @Pdaleprincipal for updates and pictures of the happenings around the middle school!
Follow pdalemsactivities on Instagram for reminders about school spirit days and events throughout the year!
This Week...
Monday, September 2-Labor Day-No School
Tuesday, September 3
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
Open library 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Schmager’s room (13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Wednesday, September 4
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
Student Council Meeting, 7:30 a.m., Room 25, EVERYONE WELCOME (grades 5-8)
Thursday, September 5
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
Student Council Meeting**, 7:30 a.m., Room 25
**Thursday meetings are meant for the students that cannot come on Wednesdays
Open library 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Schmager’s room (13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Friday, September 6-PTO Back to School Event, 5-8 p.m.
School Spirit Friday (every Friday)! Wear anything Pleasantdale or navy, Carolina, or white.
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
Yoga, 7:35 a.m., small gym (mats are provided)
PTO Back to School Event, 5-8 p.m., Pleasantdale Middle School
A look ahead...
***Orchestra, Band, and Choirs will begin the week of September 9. Clubs and activities will be listed in this section in the future as well.
Monday, September 9
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Orchestra, 7:30 a.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Boys' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
Open Library 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Schmager’s room until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Boys’ Softball game away at Gurrie, 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, September 10-MAP Testing-All Grades-Fall sports pictures after school
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Band,
7th, 8th Grade Girls' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
Fall sports pictures after school
STEM Club, 3:30-4:25, STEM LAB
Open Library 3:30-4:25, Mrs. Schmager’s room (13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Boys’ Softball game home vs. Highlands
Wednesday, September 11-MAP Testing-All Grades
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Orchestra, 7:30 a.m., Band/Orchestra Room
5th, 6th Grade Girls' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
Student Council Meeting, 7:30 a.m., Room 25
Thursday, September 12-Safety Day during school day-Safety Drills will be completed throughout the school day
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
Boys' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
Student Council Meeting**, 7:30 a.m., Room 25
**Thursday meetings are meant for the students that cannot come on Wednesdays
Open Library 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Schmager’s room (13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Cross-Country meet home against Washington/Highlands/Willow, Walker Park
Curriculum Night 6-8:30 p.m.-Parents should come to the cafeteria at 6:00 p.m. knowing their child’s 1st period teacher and location.
Friday, September 13
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
5th, 6th Grade Girls' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
7th, 8th Grade Girls' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
Yoga, 7:35 a.m., small gym (mats are provided)
Girls’ Basketball home vs. Gurrie, 4:15 p.m. (7th grade plays first)
LTHS Junior High Marching Band Night, Grades 7 & 8, 5-9 p.m.
Questions? We're here to help!
Athletics: 708-246-7382
Mr. Mark Dreher, Athletic Director, mdreher@d107.org
Attendance notification: 708-246-3210, extension 5 or email middleattendance@d107.org before 8:20 a.m., please.
Health Office: 708-246-7619
Mrs. Denise Rende, Nurse, drende@d107.org
Main Office: 708-246-3210, extension 0
Mrs. Charlotte Reschke, Secretary, creschke@d107.org
Ms. Maria Cuevas, Clerical Aide, mcuevas@d107.org
Mrs. Brianne Malatt, Assistant Principal, bmalatt@d107.org, 708-246-7373
Mr. Griffin Sonntag, Principal, gsonntag@d107.org, 708-246-7609
Social Worker: 708-246-7505
Ms. Carrie Castaldo, Social Worker, ccastaldo@d107.org