PJHS Parent Weekly

Hello PJHS Families,

The past week at PJHS students participated in the Spelling Bee and we wanted to give a shout-out to all who participated. Congratulations to our final contestants!

The week also ended with our "Rock, Paper, Scissors" dance, in which students had a fun-filled evening. Thank you to student council, all the staff volunteers, as well as the PTO volunteers who dedicated their time to ensuring students had a memorable event.

Ms. Heron has been working with PIC and PJHS students on the upcoming performance, of "Matilda Jr.". The performance for families is scheduled for Saturday, February 28th at 7pm and Sunday , March 1st at 2pm in the Peotone High School Auditorium. Additionally, students in the play will get an opportunity to perform for PES and PIC students/staff on February 27th during the day. We look forward to these performances and letting the PJHS stars shine on stage!

PJHS is excited to announce that we now have an option in PowerSchool for parents to have access to an attendance dashboard, so they can view their child's absences (including notifications). The information included in this letter below will give you a process on how to use this feature.

Between February 3rd and March 13th, students and teachers across Illinois will have the opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent/guardian, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. (Please see more information and link to participate below).

Again, just another reminder that In the event that we would need an E-Learning day this season, you will see below the attached information of the PJHS E-Learning plan. It includes all the expectations and procedures your student will need to know to complete their E-learning day. Attached to the E-Learning plan is also a schedule that will be followed for that day. Please reach out if you have any questions.

We look forward to another great week ahead,

Thank you!

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

• Effective Leaders

• Collaborative Teachers

• Involved Families

• Supportive Environments

• Ambitious Instruction
  
  

Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.

All teachers and fourth through 12th grade students will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May and will also be included in the State School Report Card.

Additionally, Peotone CUSD 207U has chosen to provide the optional supplement parent survey. For each school building that has at least 20 percent of the parents/guardians complete the survey, a parent report will also be generated. The parent data will not be included on the State Report Card.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted from February 3 – March 13, 2026. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same period. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Survey Support at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

Please see the attachment regarding E-Learning expectations and procedures for PJHS, along with the E-Learning Schedule.

We are pleased to inform you that the Miles for Smiles Program will be back sometime in March (exact date to be determined) to PJHS! Please look at the attached documents regarding information about the program and how to sign up. Any student that signs up will receive free dental service, but permission slips have to be completed.

Dental Exam Reminder:

"Reminder! All 2nd, 6th, and 9th grade students are required to turn in a completed dental examination form. School dental examinations must be completed within the 18 months prior to May 15, 2026. Any dental exam completed between 11/15/2024-05/15/2026 would be acceptable. Dental examination forms may be found on the school website. Please have these forms turned in as early as possible. Thank you!"

Please look over the student handbook for all policies and procedures for Peotone Junior High.

Please refer to the Chromebook policy for PJHS students. Please also try and remind your child to charge his/her Chromebook everyday to limit infractions of the policy.

Click below for the PTO linktree, which will be updated throughout the year with the latest information, fundraisers, and event details!

Stay Connected with Us

Stay connected to us to keep up-to-date on our upcoming fundraisers and other event details! https://linktr.ee/peotonepto and be sure to follow us on social media! For every 50 new followers on facebook or instagram we will be raffling off a spiritwear item!

2/16-Presidents' Day (NO SCHOOL)

2/18-Board of Education Meeting @PHS @ 6pm

2/28-Matilda Jr. Performance @ PHS @ 7pm

3/1-Matilda Jr. Performance @ PHS @ 2pm

3/6-School Improvement Early Release @ 12:00 noon (lunch will NOT be served)

3/9-PTO Meeting @ PES @ 6pm

3/13-Common Plan Dismissal @ 1:40pm (lunch WILL be served)

3/13-Disrict Wide GO BIG BLUE DAY

3/16-4th Quarter Begins

3/16-Board of Education Meeting @ PHS @ 6pm

3/23-3/27- Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)

Assistant Principal: Natalie Harden

Main Office: 708-258-3246

Location: 1 Blue Devil Dr., Peotone, IL 60468