The Tiger Times Newsletter
Pleasantdale Middle School
May 31, 2020
5.31.20 Final Thoughts for the 2019-2020 School Year from the Principal, Mr. Sonntag
Dear Middle School Community,
I just want to start by saying thank you...For everything, big and small, known and unknown, for how you've supported your child, our school, and others in our community. Thank you.
I've learned a tremendous amount this school year and I know your child and the members of our staff have as well. So much of this learning was "learning by doing" since none of us have lived through a pandemic before--but we also had some fun along the way while learning these new skills. Some of that fun are highlighted below:
2020 Virtual Spring Pep assembly
Dear Theodosia--Sung by the Middle School Virtual Choir
2020 Graduation-The One Where They Did The Drive-In Ceremony
The greatest thing I learned was how resilient the P-Dale Community is. I've said from the beginning that we're going to get through this together. And we are. I want to really challenge you now more than ever to not allow things to go "back to normal."
Let's really take to heart the idea of hoping, dreaming, and exploring how to take our lives "Back to Better" starting today. There are areas of your lives that you know what you should be doing, but just aren't doing that. Do those better starting today.
There are relationships that need mending. Make them better starting today.
There are skills that you've wanted to learn for a long time. Make better use of your time today and learn them.
Live life to the fullest. No regrets. Together, things can go "Back to Better" very soon.
I am so very proud to be a member of the Pleasantdale School Community and know we are setting each and every student who walks through our doors (or logs into our Zooms) up for success in their futures.
We are still working on the final details of picking up yearbooks, awards, report cards, and any other student items so please be on the lookout for a few more emails from me in the coming weeks.
Thank you for being #P-DaleStrong yesterday, today, tomorrow, and every day. We look forward to seeing the students back as soon as we are able to have them here at school.
Respectfully,
Griffin L. Sonntag
Proud Principal of Pleasantdale Middle School
2020-2021 Choir Sign Up Is Here
Sign up today and that's one less thing to worry about when the new school year starts.
While we're not entirely sure what the new school year will look like, we are planning for a great year of connections, friendships and impact through the power of choral music!
Some highlights include: Winter & Spring concerts, LT Jr. High Field Trip, SIx Flags Festival Field Trip, ILMEA District Choir Auditions
2020-2021 Pleasantdale Middle School Choir Sign-Up
Have a great summer and see you soon!! If you have any questions, please email Mr. Tatina at ttatina@d107.org.
2020-2021 Band Sign Up Is Here!
Sign up today and that's one less thing to worry about when the new school year starts. If you are currently in band, please fill out the form below. If you are not in band but are interested in joining, please fill out the form below. All students are welcome!
While we're not entirely sure what the new school year will look like, we are planning for a great year of connections, friendships and impact through the power of BAND!
Some highlights include: Winter & Spring Concerts, LT Jr. High Field Trips, SIx Flags Festival Field Trip, ILMEA District Auditions, Solo & Ensemble Festival.
2020-2021 Band Sign Up Click Here
Any questions, please email Mr. Bell at fbell@d107.org.
2020-2021 Orchestra Exciting News!!!
Summer Camps/Ideas Link
Future 6th and 7th Grade Students and Parents--Online World Language Opportunity
The following are messages that have been sent to the future 6th and 7th Grade Students' Parents. We will be having a student Zoom this Wednesday for students to learn more (see just below for information).
New!!! Student Zoom to learn more this Wednesday, June 3, at Noon.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76192457304?pwd=WDI5MzlKeTZiYVBMaVd5YVVEMVd3dz09
Meeting ID: 761 9245 7304
Password: World Lang
If interested in signing your child up or learning more, please fill out this Online Language Survey for Parents by this Friday, June 5.
Previous Messages sent to Parent Emails:
Dear Future 6th and 7th Grade Parents,
It was great to see some of you at our Online World Language Parent Meetings today! We know that some of you weren’t able to make it but may still have an interest in signing up or learning more. Here’s the information you need.
Here is the presentation from today:
Online World Language (French or German) Parent Meetings-May 28
After reviewing the presentation, please complete the short google form survey by Friday, June 5th. On the survey, we ask if your child is interested in French or German, interested but would like more information (we call you to discuss this further), or not interested.
If you have any questions, please contact me at gsonntag@d107.org.
Respectfully,
Griffin L. Sonntag
Proud Principal of Pleasantdale Middle School
Greetings, Parents,
One of our Strategic Blueprint action steps requires us to provide students with increased voice and choice within their academic program. To that end, I am excited to tell you about a new opportunity for our students. Next year we will offer additional World Language courses for our sixth and seventh graders. In addition to our traditional Spanish course, we will offer German and French.
These courses will be taught using an online program called Middlebury Interactive Languages. Students enrolled in either the course will be taught by a certified French or German language teacher in a virtual format and be supervised by a certified world language teacher in the room with our students. The program is self-paced and is best suited to students who are able to organize themselves and follow through on commitments. Students will use their school-issued iPad to access class material. This course would be taken in lieu of your child’s Spanish class.
We recognize that this is a very new way to deliver content to students and we expect parents and students will have questions. We have created THIS FAQ that will answer most questions. If, after reviewing the FAQ, you have additional questions, please contact middle school principal, Griffin Sonntag (gsonntag@d107.org).
We have scheduled a morning and an evening virtual information session for parents and students to learn more about this program on Thursday, May 28th at 9:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. Please see below for meeting links. We look forward to seeing you on May 28th and sharing more about this exciting opportunity.
Respectfully,
Griffin Sonntag
World Language Informational Meeting (9:30 AM)
Time: May 28, 2020 09:30 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75515527290?pwd=UERSeDgzbnZtc0lxYjlBcHVyN1E3Zz09
Meeting ID: 755 1552 7290
Password: 5yiz7F
World Language Informational Meeting (7:00 PM)
Time: May 28, 2020 07:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78686424135?pwd=ZG1qM0trcnAzOFpMK1JxYnNtSnZrQT09
Meeting ID: 786 8642 4135
Password: 1WCT7g
Please pick up materials by this Friday!
Thank you to everyone who came and picked up your child's belongings and dropped off books and other items for us! It was a great success as we had more than 90% of our families stop by the school during those two days last week.
If you still haven't been able to, please come by and enter door 2 (the main vestibule entrance) find your child's items, and take them to your car. We will leave these doors open from 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
School Supply Kits Are Here--Order by July 15th
2020-21 School Supply Kits are now available for order. Skip the check out lines and have your kit(s) sent right to your home!
To order click HERE and enter school code PD107. The PTO appreciates your support! If you have any questions, please direct them to PleasantdalePTO@gmail.com.
Shane's has updated the "Order by" date to July 15th and has provided important information which is included below.
Home Delivery - Due to the challenges with social distancing and state guidelines, Shane's will have less staff this year, affecting their school kit production. In order to ensure that they have the time to produce all of the school kits ordered and have them ready in time for school they will be CLOSING their home delivery ordering site on JULY 15th, 2020.
Hard To Get Items - For items such as tissue, wipes, hand cleaner, and other related items, Shane's will fulfill what they can. If they can obtain the items by Sept. 1st, 2020 they will ship them in bulk to our school, and the PTO will coordinate pick up/delivery with families. If not they will issue a refund to the PTO for the amount owed and then the PTO will issue individual refunds.
Returns -They will not be accepting any returns this year. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
Former P-Dale Student Needs Our Votes!
Hello to our Pleasantdale family – Madison Davis (now just finishing Sophomore year at St. Ignatius) has an initiative called “Pawz For Art” where she makes digital drawings of shelter animals available for adoption across the country. She has entered two of her “Pawz for Art” digital drawings in the annual Congressional Art Awards contest. They have adjudicated awards as well as a “People’s Choice” award conducted through Facebook. You can support Maddie by going to the link below and voting (by hitting “Like”) for both of Madison’s two digital cat drawings “Sasha” and “Pirate”. Voting is open thru June 4th – so please spread the word, as anyone can vote.
VOTE HERE: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10158468564680600&type=3&__tn__=-UC-R
Other works of Maddie can be found on her website: www.pawzforart.com and on Instagram at @pawzforart
Rising 9th Graders Opportunity to Connect through the Leadershop
Some Humor For You...
Shannon S.
Jai D.
Bella N.
Middle Students Doing Good Things For Others...
Ashley D.: Ashley has raised $300 so far. She donated $110 in a good gift card to the Pleasantview Fire Department and then another $100 in a food gift card to MacNeal Hospital. We just had an anonymous donor donate $75 which we are donating to the healthcare workers at a hospital where one of our Pleasantdale parent works. Email tinkerbell1763@comcast.net to support her and her causes.
Bella N.: Over the past 2 months, Bella and her sister have been helping make cloth masks and donating them to doctors, hospitals, a VA facility, their pediatrician's office, nursing homes, and to essential workers. They have made and donated over 700 so far! Way to go, Bella and Grace!
Shannon S.: "According to Saint Baldrick’s, every two minutes someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with cancer. We may not be able to cure it, but we can help as much as possible. It would be a great help — I’ve already raised a lot of money so far, but if you could send this out it would help me reach my goal. My page link: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/for1the1kids1
Jai D.: "I have started a non-profit fundraiser for The Greater Chicago Food Depository, and a contribution of $25.00 will result in a gift box of a dozen cookies being either, Chocolate Chip, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (Gluten Free). So far I have raised about $1,000 dollars in donations and was hoping I could share my message through the school. More information is on my page you can find it through this link: gf.me/u/xy56jx or you can go to this link: https://www.covid-tv.com/ to find me and other ambassadors." Jai
If you are in need of support, please reach out to us...
If you have needs (food, groceries, connection, anything), please do not hesitate to reach out to me at gsonntag@d107.org or 630-280-4704 and we will confidentially connect you to the support you're requesting.
Thank you to those of you who have contacted me and offered to help those in our community.
If you forgot to do the attendance form for your child on Wednesday for the last two days of school (5-7th grade parents only)..
Final Morning Announcements of 2019-2020
Here are the final morning announcements of this school year! Thanks to all students and staff who contributed! Thanks especially to Mrs. Driscoll and Mrs. Newberry for spearheading this through the student council and to Mrs. Bubulka and Mrs. Steinmetz for your technical expertise and time!
Thank you for the Yoga Each Week, Mrs. Driscoll
Principal's Environmental Action Team (PEAT) Brainstorming Complete
All are welcome!
District Communications All In One Place
To make it as easy as possible for you, the communications from our Superintendent Dr. Palzet are all in one place. They can be found on our district webpage here.
Continued Appreciation for P-Dale Middle School Staff
Summer Academy Jumpstart
Collections at the Middle School-Keep Collecting, Please
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.
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...
Summer Break! Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 3, 12 p.m. noon, Future 6th and 7th Grade Student Zoom to Learn More about the new Online World Languages of French and German
Next Week...
Summer Break! Enjoy!
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