Pickerington Elementary
September 10, 2021
Pickerington Elementary
Upcoming important dates:
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is September 15 - October 15.
Pickerington Elementary: @PickeringtonES
Pickerington Elementary PTO: @PickElemPTO
Email: dave_zwiebel@plsd.us
Website: https://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/pickerington-elementary/
Location: 775 Long Road, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1400
Facebook: facebook.com/pickeringtones
Twitter: @pickeringtones
GOLDEN STRIPE CEREMONY
Congratulations to our winners!
Romeo Hobbs
Romeo always shows enthusiasm for all classroom activities. He follows directions quickly and is a great problem solver when things don't go according to plan.
Noah Taylor
Noah is a role model student who displays all of the characteristics of GRRR. If Noah is unsure of something or nervous, he doesn’t give up. Noah is always respectful. Noah takes care of his belongings and Noah is always ready to learn.
Briston Barnes
Briston always strives to do his best in the classroom and is a role model. Briston sets goals for himself and his proud when he achieves them. Briston is always respectful. Briston takes care of his belongings and Briston is always ready to learn.
Ava James
Ava always comes to school excited and ready to learn! Ava is respectful, she is a wonderful example of a First grader!!!
Mikayla Danso
Mikayla is model student who follows directions quickly. She is always friendly and polite.
Madison Benson
Madison is an extraordinary first grader! She is attentive, courteous, and hard working. She must also be a mind reader because she knows how to make everyone happy! We're so lucky to have Madison in our class (& our school). :)
Tenley Goit
Tenley is always ready to learn, is respectful, responsible, and helps others when she sees they need help.
Emaan Travers
Emaan is always a bright light! She is always smiling and willing to help others in the classroom. She participates well and does what is asked of her.
Elliott Wing
Elliott is very responsible. He makes every effort to do his best work and complete his assignments with pride. Elliott keeps his desk area clean and is ready to transition on time.
Precious Kazadi
Precious is a responsible student and always ready to learn. She is a great help to me and her classmates as well!
Caleb Cores
Caleb is an outstanding student and good friend to everyone. He always follows directions and puts forth great effort in his school work everyday!
Caitlyn Winters
Caitlyn's effort towards class work and her participation always goes above and beyond. She puts first things first and is ready to start the school day after announcements by being prepared and following our morning routine.
Jazmine Prado
Jazzy is always ready with a positive attitude and a smile on her face. Even if something is hard, she shows true grit and tries again.
Reagan Thoburn
Reagan is a role model for her peers. She is always kind to others and tires her best at all times.
Calvin Brokaw
Calvin comes ready to learn and ready to have a great day every single day. When Calvin enters the building, he has a positive attitude, always looking to help and always eager to learn!
Reshma Odari
Reshma.....WOW! This kiddo is ALWAYS on task, ALWAYS using her time wisely. Computer charged.....YUP, ALWAYS! Book ready, YUP. Notebook ready, YUP. Being ready to learn and caring about her success is evident at all times.
Olivia Salters
Olivia always looks to better herself each and every day, is always prepared to learn, and gives 100% on any task given. Her positive attitude is very encouraging to other students.
Nate Villa
Nate is always on task and ready to learn. He uses great manners with adults and classmates. Nate is always willing to help and often is helping without even being asked. Nate also likes to challenge himself and asks questions to further his learning.
Sophia Marchan
Sophia comes to school Ready to learn and models Grit by doing her best on her assignments. She shows Respect by raisng her hand before she shares an answer in the classroom. She is a leader our class looks up to!
Stay Tuned for more pictures and videos of the Ceremony
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
Attendance
Please call the school office if your child is going to be absent or late. State law requires a daily check of students who are absent. A 24-hour answering machine is available to receive absence or tardy calls. Please use this machine for all calls after 4:30 p.m. and before 8:30 a.m. The phone number is 614-548-1400, option 1. Thank you for your cooperation.
Early Dismissal
Please remember to send in a note if you need to pick up your child early. When you arrive to pick up your student, ring the buzzer, scan the QR code on the window and fill out the form. The office staff will call your student down and come out to check ID.
Stripes, GRRR, Bucks??? What is all this?
Pickerington Elementary is excited to announce a new Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) initiative that has started this school year. Our goal is to encourage students to show Grit, and be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready while here at school. When our students demonstrate GRRR characteristics, they will have the opportunity to earn:
A Golden Stripe; once a month, one student per class will be nominated by their teacher.
A Pennant Stripe; once a week, three to five students per class will be nominated by their teacher.
GRRR Bucks; throughout the day, all students will be able to earn and then later spend at the Stripes Store.
Once a month students will have the opportunity to spend GRRR bucks at our Stripes Store. The store will include prizes such as fidgets, pop-its, squishy balls, erasers, slap bracelets, board games, and coupons (think Rule 3 prizes!). Students have also requested food items such as Takis, Cheetos, little bags of cookies, fruit snacks, and candy to be available at our store. If there are items that you would prefer your student not “purchase,” please email your respective homeroom teacher.
If you would like to donate to the Stripes Store, feel free to have your student bring items to the office or click here for Pickerington Elementary’s Amazon Wishlist.
PLSD NEEDS YOU!
PLSD has a critical need for substitute paraprofessionals, health care assistants, duty aides, custodians, and food service employees! Do you love working with kids? Do you need a job that will work around your schedule? If so, please apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/pickerington/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute+Positions&fbclid=IwAR0WbQ0l5J_O4KbMRDbQsHphmBptPL5rS5W1pC_yQp8u_QpXTSgLZClEUgE
PARENT/COMMUNITY CURRICULUM LIAISON COUNCIL
We are in the process of developing a parent/community Curriculum Liaison Council. We need your help. We are looking for a parent from our building who has an interest and would be willing to serve. The responsibilities of the position are as follows:
As a council member your role includes the following:
Provide representative input on key issues and/or topics impacting the quality of education provided to Pickerington students.
Serve as a key communicator in conveying information from the Council.
Provide input in developing parent and community engagement opportunities regarding the issues/topics identified by the Council.
Be familiar with the district website, key contacts, and other sources of information regarding curriculum, programs, funding, and buildings.
Attend 90 minute quarterly meetings.
The first meeting will be October 19, 2021 at the District Office from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. If you are interested, please contact the school at 614-548-1400.
GRRR Expectations
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
Related Arts Schedule
This year the elementary buildings are operating on an A-E schedule. The biggest thing that this impacts is the related arts schedule. In previous years, you may have been prepared on a certain day each week for your child to wear their gym shoes for PE. However, this year, they need to be prepared on a certain letter to wear the appropriate shoes. For example, a student will no longer be scheduled to have PE on Tuesday. They will be scheduled to have gym on C day. Here is the the A-E calendar for this school year. Please ask your student or their teacher which day they have gym, so that you can plan shoes accordingly.
MS. STEWART'S COUNSELOR CORNER
H.O.P.E Food Bags
Violet Baptist Church offers a Weekend Food Program. This program was created to help those families in need of meals for their children over the weekend. This is offered to our students for FREE. Each student in the house is eligible. Students will take their bags home on either Monday or Thursday, depending on which hybrid day they are here. If your student is VLA and would like to participate, you will pick up the bag(s) from the school on Thursday or Friday. Please reach out to Kendra Stewart, School Counselor by phone at 614-548-1431 or email at kendra_stewart@plsd.us in order to sign up.
Reese- Therapy Dog
Pickerington Elementary will have the opportunity to provide some therapeutic work to our students and staff this year through the use of a therapy dog. The dog that will be coming into our building has been certified by a therapy dog licensing agency and has completed extensive training to provide support and service to individuals in a variety of settings, including schools. Please click the link for more information.
BBBS Bowl for Kids' Sake
Big Brothers Big Sisters has set up a Pickerington Bowl for Kids’ Sake event for September 18th and 19th. They are looking for teacher/school teams to fill the lanes. BBBS has a traveling trophy for the school that brings the most teams and one for the person that raises the most money. The Team Packet is attached. All money raised will support the school-based program in Pickerington. There is also a website for teams to sign up and raise money. They can even raise money on their social media if they are not going to bowl as well as a place for virtual bowlers to just raise funds. If you have any questions, please contact Jolyn Pugh.
NEWS FROM THE NURSE
CHANGE OF CLOTHING
There may be times when your student has to come to the clinic and receive a change of clothing. If your child comes home in a different outfit, please wash it and return it to school the next day. We are low on extra clothing and would like to make sure we can accommodate students when needed.
STAY HOME WHEN FEELING ILL AND/OR EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS
We are seeing an increasing number of students coming to school with symptoms such as a cough, headache, sore throat, cold symptoms, ear ache, fever, stomach issues, etc. It is VITAL that you keep your child home if he/she is feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms of an illness to help us prevent the spread of ALL illnesses in our classrooms. We need everyone's help to keep our students healthy.
Also, just a reminder that you should not send medications to school with your child. Students are not permitted to carry over the counter or prescription medications in their book bag. If your child needs medication during the school day please complete the corresponding form and bring the medication to the school. Thank you for your cooperation.
Prescription Administration Form.docx
COVID-19 HOME TEST KITS
Please see the following guidance for at home Covid-19 test kits:
BinaxNow Antigen Card or Ag Card (these tests are given out by schools, libraries, churches, other places too)
Require an app to be downloaded and to be done in conjunction with a telehealth visit.
When done properly with the telehealth visit, this can be accepted as a positive test at school. Or if negative, when tested between days 5 and 7, can be accepted to end quarantine on day 8.
These results should come up in the app, and a screenshot can be sent to the School Nurse.
If the test is not completed with telehealth (we see this is if someone doesn’t download the app, just tests themselves) we cannot accept these results (positive or negative) as they were not proctored in the manner in which they were intended/approved.
Self Tests (BinaxNow Self Test, Ellume or some other brands)
Available over the counter at places like CVS or Walgreens where there is no app to be downloaded or telehealth visit component
Cannot be accepted as a negative for someone who is trying to end their quarantine after day 7. The packing inserts indicate that they are not designed for that type of situation where a proof of negative is required
If they were to test positive using one of these tests, please contact your Health Care Provider.
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
Businesses, both large and small are struggling to find enough personnel, not to get back to normal, but just to keep the doors open. We are seeing this throughout our community, state, and nation.
Pupil Transportation has been a job that historically been filled to some degree, by those who want to keep busy, want something meaningful, and like the work schedule of a bus driver. With that comes the challenge of the CDL requirements.
Due to not being able to train and test school bus drivers for more than one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recruiting was not possible. When recruiting could begin there was uncertainty about when work would once again be available without interruption, as well as enhanced unemployment benefits that curbed interest.
To date, Pickerington Schools has more routes than there are drivers. This requires routes to be combined every day in order to provide busing for everyone who is eligible and needs it. This brings with it many challenges and consequences. The building and transportation staff are working hard to mitigate as much of the disruption as they can, while knowing much of it is unavoidable.
Our PLSD parents have been very understanding as many of them are in the same situation in their personal workplace. Getting back to what could be considered normal is a process, of which we are just beginning. I want to thank our PLSD families, staff, and Petermann Bus staff for all you are doing to make the best of the situation we find ourselves in. Because of you we have hope for the days to come.
Greg Kelley
CDPT
Pickerington Schools
Parent's Guide to Student Success
Parent Guides for Student Success
- An overview of some of the key things your child will learn in English/Literacy and Math in Kindergarten through High School
- Ideas for activities to help your child learn at home
- Topics of discussion for talking to your child’s teacher about his or her academic progress
PTO News
OUR FIRST PTO MEETING
September 15th at 7 pm we will have our very first PTO Meeting to kick off the year! It will be held virtually, please if you would like to join the meeting email Darcie Adams at darcieadams13@gmail.com to receive the link to the meeting.
SAVE THE DATES! 📅
*Dates & Times are subject to change*
September
9/6 - Restaurant Night - MOD Pizza 11a-8p
9/15 - PTO Meeting 7p - Virtual Meeting
October
10/11-10/28 - Michael's Fine Seafood and Meats Fundraiser Sale
10/13 - Restaurant Night - Chipotle 4p-8p
10/14 - Girls Fun Night 5p-8p
10/20 - PTO Meeting 7p
November
11/12 - Restaurant Night - Boston Market 5p-8p
11/16 - Michael's Fine Seafood and Meats Pickup Time TBD
11/17 - PTO Meeting 7p
December
12/16 - Family Fun Night - Get Air
January
1/19 - PTO Meeting 7p
February
2/10 - Boys Fun Night 5p-8p
2/16 - PTO Meeting 7p
March
3/3-3/20 - Foertmeyer Flower Sale
3/16 - PTO Meeting 7p
April
4/20 - PTO Meeting 7p
TBD - Penny Wars
May
TBD - Foertmeyer Flower Pickup
5/19 - 4th Grade Pizza Party
5/20 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Pickerington Elementary Staff "Shout Out"
Has a Pickerington Elementary staff member gone above the call of duty to ensure your child has had an amazing day, week, month or even a year? 😁 Please take a moment to let us know by completing the form below. Pickerington Elementary is very fortunate to have an outstanding staff that loves working with your children. We all need a little “pat on the back” from time to time. We will make certain that this commendation is delivered to the appropriate staff member and that they are properly recognized.