The Tiger Times Newsletter
Pleasantdale Middle School
January 26, 2020
The End of an Era at Pleasantdale Middle School
We were fortunate enough to have hired Mrs. Reschke's replacement, Mrs. Stacey Tantillo, at the end of the summer so they have been working side-by-side during much of this first half of the year. I thank Dr. Palzet and the School Board for their support in hiring her this early.
I think you're going to find Mrs. Tantillo kind, helpful, hard-working, and a wonderful problem-solving partner for both you, the kids, and the staff. Next time you stop in, please introduce yourself to Stacey and officially welcome her to her role as our secretary. You can contact her at stantillo@d107.org or by calling the main office of our school.
Australia Fundraiser-$1334.98 collected
Wow! I am so proud of our amazing students!
Our 5th graders started and completed a 2-week fundraiser for supporting the animals devastated by the wildfires in Australia in which they collected $1334.98!!! They did many donation gatherings at lunch, basketball games, and before school. Many staff members supported their efforts. The picture below is the poster that students who contributed signed and it will be mailed to the Wildlife Warriors Zoo fund in Australia. Great job, students! #proudprincipal
Parents, Please Complete the 5Essentials Survey
Beginning January 2020 students in grades 4-8, teachers, and parents will have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of our schools. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be conducted January through February. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/login/ and complete the information to begin.
7th and 8th Graders-All-American Boy and Girl Recognition Contest
This contest is offered for 7th and 8th-grade students who reside in the 3rd Congressional District and who are involved in their community while excelling in the classroom. We had a finalist last year and it was very exciting for this student!
The application is due January 31 and you can learn more through the following link: All-American Boy and Girl Recognition Contest Information
PTO Cultural Night-February 7th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Cultural Night is coming up on February 7th at the Middle School from 6:30-8:00p.
We are currently looking for Pleasantdale families to represent their country of origin at this event. This is a fun and exciting way to showcase your country and give others the opportunity to learn all about your interesting and unique culture.
We would be really grateful for your participation and support in making this event a great one again! The kids love learning about all of the different cultures of their fellow students, so we hope to see your country represented!
If interested in participating or if you have any questions, please contact our Co-Chairpersons Anne Urban (annewalshurband@gmail.com), Bobbie Sengupta (bobbienkelly@gmail.com), or Supreeta Kapoor (SupreetaK@gmail.com).
You can also use the below link to sign up for your country.
Parent Education Corner
Turn off the Scoreboard
Here's something a little different for our parent education this week. It's a blog from a teacher who, like many teachers, sees grades and competition in education as an impediment to true learning by her students and makes a comparison to practice for basketball.
"Learning should be like practice. Our students’ focus should be on growing their skill sets and mastering new things, whether it be a jump shot or an effective thesis statement. They should be working to improve their understanding and willing to try (and fail) at something new. They should be getting feedback that is designed to help them grow."
As education and learning continue to evolve, we need to keep thinking about some of the "old" or "traditional" practices and really consider whether or not they support or are a detriment to student learning, growth, and development.
The whole very short blog post is here: https://curriculumcoffee.com/2020/01/23/turn-off-the-scoreboard/
Upcoming Parent Presentations
Parent Presentations at LTHS
January 30: 7:15-9:15 p.m. "Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience" LT North Campus, Reber Center, 100 S. Brainard Ave. Free-RSVP here.
February 25: 7:30 p.m. "Drugs, Alcohol, and the Teen Brain" Presented by Tammy Tunac (MA, LPC, CADC Behavioral Health Clinician), LT South Campus
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
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-New One-Lids!
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 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:
January 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, January 27
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., 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
Newbery Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m.
Open Library 3:30-4:25 p.m. in the library
Tuesday, January 28
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
7th Grade Orchestra Workshop Field Trip, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., LTHS
5th Grade Orchestra, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Open Library 3:30-4:25, Library
Tech Intern Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Spirit Squad, 3:30-4:25 p.m, Room 25
7th Grade Orchestra Festival at LT, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 29
ACT practice, 7:30 a.m., Room 15
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, January 30
ACT practice, 7:30 a.m., Room 15
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
Friday, January 31
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, 6:00-9:00 p.m., North Gym, Enter Door 2
A Look Ahead...
Monday, February 3
Open Art, 7:30 a.m., 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
8th Grade Field Trip to Holocaust Museum
5th Grade Band, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Rubik’s Cube Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Open Library 3:30-4:25 p.m. in the library
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., location TBD
Tuesday, February 4
ACT practice, 7:30 a.m., Room 15
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
ACT Practice Session, 7:30 a.m., Room 15
5th Grade Orchestra, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Open Library 3:30-4:25, Library
Tech Intern Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., South Gym
Girls’ Volleyball Home vs. Gurrie, 4:15 p.m., North Gym
Wednesday, February 5
ACT practice, 7:30 a.m., Room 15
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
ACT Practice Session, 7:30 a.m., Room 15
PTO Meeting, Board Room, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 6
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 Away @ Park Red, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, February 7
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)
PTO Cultural Night, 6:30-8:00 p.m., South Gym
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