The Tiger Times Newsletter
Pleasantdale Middle School
September 29, 2019
Another exciting week in middle school...
After the Pep Assembly Friday (check it out on the District 107 Facebook page), the kids were hyped up and supportive of their fellow classmates as we recognized the fall athletic teams, competed in a scooter race, heard part of Mrs. Steinmetz's story and why collecting pop tabs and giving back to the Ronald McDonald House is so important to her, and then had a friendly competition between the 8th grade girls basketball team and some staff members. Wow! It's so great to be at a school that values the development of well-rounded boys and girls.
This week, we have the 5th graders heading to Outdoor Ed Monday through Wednesday.
On Thursday, we are supporting cancer research and cancer awareness through the student council sponsored "Wear a Cap for Cancer" donation (donate at least $1 at the door and wear a hat all day at school) and our Pink Out basketball game against McClure after school. Donations and #CrackCancerChallenge raffle tickets will be sold at the game. We are hoping every student and staff member will wear Pink on Thursday!
Finally, on Friday, we will host the #CrackCancerChallenge after school in which winners of the raffle will get to "CrackCancer" by cracking an egg over the staff member of their choice in a fun way to support finding an end to cancer. This will occur from 3:30-4:30 in the Cafeteria. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the main office of the school for $1 a piece.
Outdoor Ed for 5th Grade leaves Monday (tomorrow)!
Packing lists and other information can be found at the Outdoor Ed Website here.
Pop Tab Collection Competition Begins Monday!
We have challenged the grade levels to a friendly competition and will collect pop tabs from Monday until May. The grade level with the most will earn a reward for the entire grade level! Encourage those closest to you (family, friends, neighbors, everyone) to support this endeavor by collecting tabs in their homes. Together, we can make a difference!
Athletic Chairs Donated by the PTO
Why Social-Emotional Learning Isn't Valued Like It Should Be
Why is Social-Emotional Learning not valued like other learning that occurs in schools? Even though these are the top 10 skills that Forbes Magazine says employers want:
1. Complex problem solving
2. Critical thinking
3. Creativity
4. People management
5. Coordinating with others
6. Emotional intelligence
7. Judgment and decision-making
8. Service orientation
9. Negotiation
10. Cognitive flexibility
Take a look at the list again. Many of these skills are what people call "soft skills" or relational skills. Often, when people think about what is taught in school, they think about facts, figures, dates, and knowledge. However, so many of the jobs in our country and the world today are connected to working with others who are different from yourself. So, the question is still, why aren't these social-emotional knowledge, understandings, and skills valued as highly in schools? I have some ideas to share below.
1. SEL was never talked about when we went to school.
2. SEL is very difficult to measure, unlike test scores or even grades (more on that in another writing)
3. Some people believe these skills and ideas shouldn't be taught in schools and should be taught by parents at home.
At Pleasantdale Middle School, we believe in educating the whole child. This means that the growth and development of the students entrusted in our care is so much more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. We are teaching the kids about life and how to handle the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, triumphs and defeats that happen to each and every single one of us. Kids need to be resilient and they need to know that they are so much more than their grades or their awards or their friends.
Each student who walks through the doors of Pleasantdale has the opportunity to make the world a better place--and to do this, they need to know about themselves and how to best interact with others in order to positively change the world.
Parent Education Corner
Upcoming Parent Presentations
October 10-Middle School 101-Presented by Principal Griffin Sonntag at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., location TBD.
Come learn about the ins and outs of middle school and what to expect during your child's time here. This will be a great way to get to know Mr. Sonntag better and learn more about how to best support your child while at Pleasantdale Middle School.
Presentations offered by the Coalition for a Drug-Free Lyons Township
"Not My Kid" Parent Roundtables at the LTHS sender middle schools focused on the following:
*Transitions
*Parents being susceptible to peer pressure when it comes to following community norms about drinking or drug use.
*Gain insights into topics relevant tpo parenting teens, how to deal with teen stress, your teen's exposure to alcohol and marijuana /vaping
*Building resilience
*Parent Communication Strategies
10/23 Pleasantdale Middle School, Cafeteria, 7 p.m.
10/24 Gurrie Middle School, 7 p.m.
Parent Presentations at LTHS
November 6: 7: 30 p.m. "Marijuana is legal, now what?" Presented by Matthew Quinn, LT South Campus
Presentations offered through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- Tandra Rutledge from Riveredge Hospital- "Question, Persuade, Refer training for suicide prevention"
- October 3rd, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Community Wellness Center
- NAMI Basics, a 6-week course for parents with children under 20 with a mental health diagnosis.
- Oak Park, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Mondays beginning October 7th
- Dr. Laurie Sackett-Maniacci (wife of Michael Maniacci)- "Taking in Wellness: Mind & Body"
- October 17th, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Community Wellness Center
To sign up for any of the free presentations above, please click here.
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-We are planning to have a Pop Tabs competition by grade level this year, 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:
October 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, September 30-5th Grade Departs to Outdoor Ed
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
Open Library 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Schmager’s room (Room 13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Cross-Country Meet Home-Boys Only, Walker Park, 4:15
Book club (Mock Newbery) with Mrs. Steinmetz, Room 5
Tuesday, October 1-5th Grade At Outdoor Ed
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
STEM Club, 3:30-4:25, STEM LAB
Open Library 3:30-4:25, Mrs. Schmager’s room (Room 13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the South Gym
Wednesday, October 2-5th Grade Returns From Outdoor Ed @ 2:30 p.m.
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, October 3-Pleasantdale Cancer Awareness Day - Caps for Cancer - donate at least $1.00 in the morning to wear a hat during the day. All proceeds will be donated to #CrackCancerChallenge.
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 in Mrs. Schmager’s room (Room 13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the South Gym
Girls’ Basketball Game Home vs. McClure Red, 4:15 - PINK OUT GAME-Color the gym pink as we continue our Cancer Awareness Day
Cross-Country Meet Home vs. Gurrie, Willow, Highlands, Walker Park, 4:15
Friday, October 4-#CrackCancerChallenge After School
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)
#CrackCancerChallenge, Cafeteria, 3:30-4:30
A Look Ahead...
Monday, October 7-7th/8th Grade Author Visit
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
Open Library 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Schmager’s room (Room 13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the cafeteria
Book club (Mock Newbery) with Mrs. Steinmetz, Room 5
Tuesday, October 8
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
STEM Club, 3:30-4:25, STEM LAB
Open Library 3:30-4:25, Mrs. Schmager’s room (Room 13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the South Gym
Girls’ Basketball Game Away @ Gurrie, 4:15
Wednesday, October 9
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, October 10
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
Parent Presentation-Middle School 101-Presented by Principal Griffin Sonntag, 9:30 a.m.
5th Grade Band, 3:30-4:25 p.m., Band/Orchestra Room
Open Library 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Schmager’s room (Room 13) until the library is reopened
Sports and Games Club, 3:30-4:25, meet in the South Gym
Girls’ Basketball Game Away @ Highlands, 4:15
Cross-Country Meet Home vs. Gurrie, Willow, and Park @Walker Park, 4:15
Parent Presentation-Middle School 101-Presented by Principal Griffin Sonntag, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 11
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