The Tiger Times Newsletter
Pleasantdale Middle School
September 8, 2019
Middle School Curriculum Night/Meet the Teacher Night, Thursday, September 12
This Thursday, September 12 is Meet the Teacher/Curriculum Night. To make this evening run smoothly, parents should know their child's first-period teacher name and room number. Once you go to 1st period, you will receive your child's schedule for the rest of the evening.
6:00-6:25-Principal Presentation in Cafeteria
6:30-8:17-Meet the Teachers/Hear about the Curriculum
8:25-8:50-Principal Presentation (Encore presentation for those unable to attend at 6:00 p.m.)
School-aged childcare will be available in the small gym.
We look forward to seeing all of you at this very important evening event.
The PTO Welcome Back Event Was a Blast!
Thank you to all of the volunteers and organizers who made the PTO Welcome Back Event a fun time for everyone who came out. From the food trucks to the inflatables to the climbing wall, there was something for everyone.
And then the tide turned and I got to soak some students!
Before School Check-in Process
1. Enter the main doors (door 2) and come into the school building.
2. Sign-in on the computers to the right with their name and where they are going
3. Walk to the location of the activity. If a locker stop is needed, it should be quick so that everyone is always supervised.
If we follow this process, morning activities will be a great success! If we are not involved in a supervised morning activity, we wait with our grade level (5/6th grades out front and 7/8th grades in the courtyard near the buses). Thank you!
MAP Testing and Schedule
Safety Day Information and Assembly
Calendar Dates for the Year
If you are like me, you want to know the dates for the year as far in advance as possible. As long as you understand that something may change due to unforeseen circumstances, I’d like to provide you access to the dates we’ve planned for the year (many of which are in the paper calendar you received in the mail). To access the middle school calendar dates, please click here.
SPIRIT WEAR IS HERE!!!
We are working with a local family to keep the prices down and provide many options (t-shirts, sweatshirts, pj pants, etc.) for you and your children. We plan to open the spirit wear store 3-4 times throughout the year so if you miss out this time, there will be other opportunities.
Steps to order:
1. Go online at customstitchnprint.com/pleasantdale and select your items by putting them in your cart.
2. Pay online using a credit or debit card--please note there is a $5 handling charge per order so consider ordering all of the items you're going to order at one time.
3. Items will be shipped to the school and given to your child approximately 10 days after the order window closes--so in this case, we should look for the spirit wear to arrive in early October.
These are perfect for our students to show off their school spirit on Fridays here at the middle school!
Collections at the Middle School
We collect the following at the middle school:
1. Pop Tabs-We are planning to have a Pop Tabs competition by grade level this year, so please continue to collect Pop Tabs for us throughout the year. We donate them to Ronald McDonald House to support families of children with cancer.
2. Box Tops for Education-These are all given to the PTO to support our schools!
Throughout the year, there are other collections and drives that occur. Keep an eye out for how you can support the causes that are important to the students and staff here!
Parent Education Corner
This week, I found a very short article providing parents some Curriculum Night/Meet the Teacher Night advice...from a teacher! Please read the article here and we look forward to seeing you this Thursday evening!
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 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
5th Grade Band, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra 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, 7:30 a.m., Band/Orchestra Room
7th, 8th Grade Girls' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
5th Grade Orchestra, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
STEM Club, 3:30-4:25, STEM LAB
Open library 3:30-4:25, Mrs. Schmager’s room (13) until the library is reopened
Fall sports pictures after school
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
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Band, 7:30 am., Band/Orchestra Room
Student Council Meeting**, 7:30 a.m., Room 25
**Thursday meetings are meant for the students that cannot come on Wednesdays
5th Grade Band, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
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
5th-8th Grade Girls' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
Jazz Grade Band, 7:30 a.m., Band/Orchestra 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.
A look ahead...
Monday, September 16
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
5th Grade Band, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Open Library 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Schmager’s room (Room 13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Boys’ softball game away at Washington, 4:15 p.m.
Girls’ basketball home vs. Heritage, 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, September 17
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
5th Grade Orchestra, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
STEM Club, 3:30-4:25, STEM LAB
Open Library 3:30-4:25, Mrs. Schmager’s room (Room 13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Boys’ softball game away at Highlands, 4:15 p.m.
Girls’ basketball home vs Highlands, 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday, September 18
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 19
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
Boys' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Band, 7:30 a.m., Band/Orchestra Room
5th Grade Band, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Open Library 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Schmager’s room (Room 13) until the library is reopened
Student Council Meeting**, 7:30 a.m., Room 25
**Thursday meetings are meant for the students that cannot come on Wednesdays
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Cross-country meet home, 4:15, Walker park
Boys’ softball game home vs Park, 4:15 p.m.
Girls’ basketball home vs Willow, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, September 20
Jazz Band, 7:30 a.m., Band/Orchestra Room
5th-8th Grade Girls' Choir, 7:30 a.m., Music Room
Yoga, 7:35 a.m., small gym (mats are provided)
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