The Tiger Times Newsletter
Pleasantdale Middle School
January 5, 2020
New Year (and Decade), New Opportunities
It is a time for reflection about all the accomplishments of the previous year and is also a time for planning for all of the possibilities of the upcoming, unknown days and weeks and months that lie ahead. There are endless opportunities out there. What I specifically am reflecting upon over this winter break has been which of these opportunities do I plan to focus on and pour my time and energy towards?
I think before I choose my areas of focus, I must reflect upon my WHY. According to one of my favorite authors, Simon Sinek, the WHY is the purpose, cause, or belief that drives every one of us.
My WHY is a fundamental belief that I was put on this earth to make a positive impact on the people I come in contact with through leading within schools that provide all students the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop into the best young men or women that they can be.
What's your WHY? What is the purpose, cause, or belief that drives you? I'd welcome you thinking about this and sending me your response to gsonntag@d107.org.
No School for Students Tomorrow
Girls' Volleyball Tryout Information
All students who participate in interscholastic athletics must have a sports physical on file prior to tryouts. Let me repeat that again because of how important it is. All students who participate in interscholastic athletics must have a sports physical on file prior to tryouts. Doctor’s offices, urgent cares, pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, Target and others typically offer a sports physical. Sports physicals completed on our form are good for 13 months.
The sports physical form can be found here.
8th Grade Girls' Volleyball Tryouts: Thursday, January 8, 3:30-5 p.m.
7th Grade Girls' Volleyball Tryouts: Friday, January 9, 3:30-5 p.m.
Attention 5-8th Grade Girls: Introduce a Girl to STEM Day at Lyons Township High School, Saturday, February 8, 2020, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
More information can be found here: Introduce a Girl to STEM Day Flyer (February 8, 2020)
As always, scholarships are available by contacting Mr. Sonntag.
No Sports and Games Club in January
Flu Season Reminders
Please also remember when you are calling or emailing your child in sick to provide us with a brief description of the symptoms he/she is experiencing.
Parent Education Corner
There has been much written about practicing gratitude but now science has actually seen the positive effects through scans of the brain. In these times of social media, Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), constant judging and comparison to others, it is vitally important to stay grounded and remind yourself just how fortunate you are. Following these three simple steps can actually rewire your brain to help you be happier.
- Keep a daily journal of things you are grateful for—list at least three. The best times for writing in your journal are in the morning as your day begins or at night before sleep.
- Make it a point to tell people in your life what you appreciate about them on a daily basis.
- When you look in the mirror, give yourself a moment to think about a quality you like about yourself or something that you have recently accomplished.
Through the power of gratitude, you can wire your brain to be optimistic and compassionate, making you feel good. The more you look, the more you can find to be grateful for. This positivity can extend to those around you, creating a virtuous cycle.
Read the complete short article here and start your gratitude journal today. :-)
https://dailyhealthpost.com/gratitude-rewires-brain-happier/
Upcoming Parent Presentations
Parent Presentations at LTHS
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
Nazareth Academy Parent Offerings
Click here to see Nazareth Academy's Parent Speaker Series this year!
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!
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 6-No School for Students-Institute Day for Staff
Tuesday, January 7
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
Tech Intern Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Wednesday, January 8
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
No after-school activities for students
Thursday, January 9
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 3:30-4:30 p.m., Library
Gaming Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
8th Grade Girls’ Volleyball Tryouts, 3:30-5 p.m., North Gym (sports physical must be on file--see above)
Friday, January 10
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)
7th Grade Girls’ Volleyball Tryouts, 3:30-5 p.m., North Gym (sports physical must be on file--see above)
Fortnightly, 6-9 p.m., North Gym, Enter Door 2
A Look Ahead...
Monday, January 13
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
Boys’ Basketball Game Home vs. Gurrie, 4:15
Tuesday, January 14
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
Tech Intern Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Spirit Squad, 3:30-4:25 p.m, Room 25
Boys’ Basketball Game Home vs. Willow, 4:15
Wednesday, January 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
No after-school activities for students
Thursday, January 16
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
LT Student Orientation Meeting, 9:00 a.m., Cafeteria
5th Grade Band, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Open Library 3:30-4:30 p.m., Library
Gaming Club, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Library
Boys’ Basketball Game Home vs. Highlands, 4:15
LT 8th Grade Parent Night at Pdale, 7:00 p.m., Cafeteria
Friday, January 17-Winter Pep Assembly
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)
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