The Tiger Times Newsletter
Pleasantdale Middle School
March 8, 2020
Trimester 2 Report Cards Available Now-Important Information
March Is Order Your Yearbook Month! Order Online Today!
New this year, we did not offer yearbook purchasing during student registration. Therefore, no one has had the opportunity to order a yearbook as of yet.
Also, new this year, we'd like everyone who is able to order their yearbook online. There is no additional fee for using a credit card online. Middle School yearbooks are once again $20. Ordering closes March 31at midnight.
Directions on how to order online:
1. Log into Skyward.
2. Click on the "fee management" tab on the left-hand side (about half-way down).
3. Click on "Make a payment"
4. Click on "Shop" in the upper right portion of the screen
5. Select "Middle School Yearbook"
6. Click on Middle School Yearbook 2019-2020
7. Answer the questions and click "add to cart"
8. Go to your cart and continue to payment
Full directions (with pictures) of how to order a yearbook online
If you do not have the ability to pay online, you may bring a check to the main office.
Aladdin Jr. Was AMAZING!!!
Also, I would be remiss if I didn't thank the 8th graders in the show and behind the scenes who not only made this an amazing show, but were true leaders showing their classmates how to work hard, be kind to each other, and create a culture of accomplishment and fun! Way to go, 8th Graders! We're going to miss you!
Some other acknowledgments and thanks to the following people:
Mr. Bart for the lighting design and consultations--the new lights and screen are fantastic!
Mrs. Triggs-Stage manager
Ms. Interrante-ensuring all students who wanted to be in the musical were able to do so
Mrs. Khurana for opening up your closet and sharing it for our costumes
Mrs. Gainer, Mrs. Waddell, and Mrs. Awad for all of your help with costumes
Mrs. Payne for selling concessions for the 8th grade committee
Final Days of the Book Fair! Thanks for your support!
Monday, March 9th - Open 8:00-4:30 p.m.
Book fair during the day for students, classes to visit, parents to shop
Tuesday, March 10th - Open 8:00-4:30
Book fair during the day for students, classes to visit, parents to shop
Scholastic Bowl Team Members Still Needed
The Scholastic Bowl Team is looking for students to join in on the fun! This team is for any 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade student who seems to have random knowledge about all sorts of things in the world and enjoys competition. We will compete against other schools in the categories of geography, mathematics, sports, science, art, grammar, social studies and much, much more. We will meet on Monday, March 9 from 3:30 - 4:25 in Mr. Madsen’s room. If you would like more information please talk to Ms. Newberry or Mr. Madsen. Can’t wait to see you there!
Spring Sports Are Coming
Tryouts in one week...
Girls' Softball Tryouts: 7th and 8th Grade - 3/19 3:30-5:00
Boys' Volleyball Tryouts: 7th Grade - 3/17 3:30-5:00, 8th Grade - 3/19 3:30-5:00
Soccer Meeting: 3/19 After School
Remember, all students need a sports physical within 1 calendar year in order to tryout. If your child will be trying out and you're not sure if they have a sports physical on file, please contact Nurse Rende and she can help you (drende@d107.org).
March Madness 3 on 3 Tournament, Saturday, April 4 in the morning
The Annual Pleasantdale 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will take place on Saturday, April 4 from 8:00 a.m. - noon. This year’s event called Hoopin’ For Hope will help raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Game divisions will be 5th/6th grade girls, 7th/8th grade girls, 5th/6th grade boys, and 7th/8th grade boys. Teams can be co-ed and will compete in the boys’ division. Prizes will be awarded for the winning team in each division and for the best-dressed team. Entry forms are located in the main office and are due Monday.March 30. **Parent referees are also needed!!**
Morning Choir Resumes This Week
Parent/Student Handbook Committee Meeting Changed to this Monday, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
We are planning to have our annual Parent/Student Handbook committee meeting this coming Monday, March 9 at 12:30 p.m. at the administration center. If you are interested in participating, please email Mr. Sonntag (gsonntag@d107.org).
If you have any suggestions as to changes in the current handbook, please email them to me as soon as possible. Thank you in advance! Here is a link to the current handbook:
Quote of the Week-I love that this is on the inside of a classroom door!
LT Spirit Wear Sale Final Day
Summer Academy Registration is Open
Although there may be snow on the ground, Pleasantdale District 107 is gearing up for our Summer Academy 2020! We are excited to offer students currently in grades PreK - 7 the opportunity to take summer enrichment classes to further their learning while having fun!
Summer Academy classes will be held at Pleasantdale Middle School on Monday - Friday from June 8 - July 2 (no class July 3 in observance of Independence Day) with classes offered from 8:50 AM - 12:00 PM.
*Continuing this year! Pleasant Dale Park District has coordinated with the school district to provide an opportunity for families to send their children to Park District Summer Camp for a reduced rate. This opportunity is available only for families with children attending all 3 sessions of Summer Academy classes.*
To sign up, please see the 2020 Summer Academy Program Guide here.
Save the Date! Tuesday, March 31, 6-8 p.m. Candy Bar Bingo Sponsored by the Courtyard Revival Club
Rubik's Cube Club Continues!
March Sports and Games Club
March
Mondays - games in Library
Tuesdays March 3, 10, 17 - basketball - south gym
Thursday, March 12 - basketball - south Gym
No club on March 5, 19, 31 and April 2
Parent Education Corner
This week's parent education dovetails nicely off of last week's blog about resiliency. For so many people growing up, we have a belief that we are just going to show up and everything is going to be given to us. If we go to school, we'll get into the college of our choice. Once in that college, we'll be offered the job of our dreams at the company we've wanted to work for our whole lives. Once in that job, we'll quickly climb our way to the top. Along the way, we'll meet the person of our dreams and buy a big house, have a dog, have perfect kids, and live a perfect life growing old together while being happy and healthy throughout.
As much as I wish this for every single one of our students, the reality is life just isn't going to happen this way. These ideas are a fairy tale. Life has more ups and downs--for some many more. There will be failures and setbacks and the question is how will they respond? How do we respond? How do we help our children respond and grow?
The article linked below describes how life is more of a squiggly line with an upward trend than a nice and neat, 45 degree angled straight line. I highly encourage you to check out the article or at least read the excerpt I copied below.
Here's an excerpt: "I’ve spent more than 15 years traveling the country talking to large audiences about the intersection of child development, psychology, and education. At the start of my presentation, I pull up two PowerPoint slides: One is simply a straight line on a 45-degree angle. The other is a squiggly line with multiple ups and downs that trends in an upward direction. With the image on-screen, I ask the audience to raise their hands in response to one of these two questions: “How many of you who consider yourself successful have followed the straight path? How many have followed the squiggly path?” I have asked more than 100,000 people these questions. Whatever the composition of my audience—techies from Silicon Valley, cops and teachers from middle-class neighborhoods, the highest levels of management from some of America’s biggest companies—the proportion of “straight arrows” and “curious wanderers” is always the same. Straight arrows make up, at most, 10 percent of the people who consider themselves successful. The remaining 90 percent are folks who have taken risks, failed, changed course, recovered, often failed again, but ultimately found their stride."
To read the entire article, click on this link: The path to success is usually a squiggly line
Upcoming Parent Presentations
Parent Presentations
March 10 (Gurrie) or March 12 (Pleasantdale Middle), 7:00-8:30 p.m.
#RealTalk Parent Cafe with your teen or preteen sponsored by the Coalition for a Drug-Free LT! (see the flyer below) Please consider coming to this facilitated conversation for you and your child prior to high school! It's going to be a great event. RSVP to Cindy at ckfrymark@me.com. See the flyer below.
Nazareth Academy Parent Offerings
Click here to see Nazareth Academy's Parent Speaker Series this year!
From the 181 Foundation in Hinsdale-Open to all parents
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.
Collections at the Middle School
We collect the following at the middle school:
1. Pop Tabs-The Pop Tab competition by grade has begun 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!
3. Lids-Our Elements of Nature Club (EONC) 5th graders are collecting clean lids to drink and food containers to create art to put around the school. There is a collection place in the front hallway outside the office.
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!
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
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:
March 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.
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, March 9
Open Art, 7:30 am., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
6-8th 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 3:30-4:25 p.m. in the Library
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Rubik’s Cube Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Aladdin Cast Party, 3:30-4:25 p.m., APR
Scholastic Bowl practice, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Mr. Madsen’s room - 6th - 8th GRADERS WELCOME
Tuesday, March 10
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
6-8th 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
Open Library 3:30-4:25, Library
Spirit Squad, 3:30-4:25, Office
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., South Gym
Girls’ Volleyball home vs. Highlands, 4:15 p.m., North Gym
Wednesday, March 11
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
6-8th 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, March 12
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
5th Grade Band, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Open Library 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Gaming Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., South Gym
Girls’ Volleyball home vs. Willow, 4:15 p.m.
Parent/Teen Talks, LT Coalition-all parents and students welcome, 7 p.m., Cafeteria
Friday, March 13
Jazz Band, 7:30 a.m., Band/Orchestra Room
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)
Fortnightly, 7-9 p.m., North Gym
Saturday, March 14
Girls' Volleyball Conference Tournament, Home, All-day
A Look Ahead...
Monday, March 16
Open Art, 7:30 am., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
6-8th 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 3:30-4:25 p.m. in the Library
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Rubik’s Cube Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Tuesday, March 17
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
6-8th 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
Open Library 3:30-4:25, Library
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., South Gym
Wednesday, March 18
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Washburn’s room (Room 3)
6-8th 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, March 19
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
5th Grade Band, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Open Library 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Gaming Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Family Science Night at the Elementary School, 6-7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 20
Jazz Band, 7:30 a.m., Band/Orchestra Room
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)
Spring Break--No School March 21-March 29--School Resumes Monday, March 30.
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. Stacey Tantillo, Secretary, stantillo@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