PGS Pride Press November 2026

Greetings Families,

Over the past year, both PGE and PGM have continued to focus on providing high-quality, engaging instruction while strengthening our collaboration as a professional team. Our commitment remains to continually refine how we work together so that we can maximize student learning and ensure meaningful, lasting growth for every student. State results from last year have begun to come in and we simply cannot wait for the embargo to lift so that we can share them with you. Great things are happening at PGS and the numbers match this narrative!

We are now in year 3 (PGE) and 2 (PGM) with our new mission statement “Learning for All. No Exceptions.” During our October Early Release Day, we returned to this important work, revisiting the foundation we established and reflecting on how we continue to bring our mission to life.

This mission guides our instructional practices, informs our decisions, and shapes the culture we build together. It serves as a constant reminder that every student is our collective responsibility and that all learners deserve the opportunity to grow and thrive.

On the October early release day we revisited our core values and collective commitments, which define how we work together to make our mission a reality. As we move forward, our focus remains on putting these commitments into action each day.

Below, you will find our collective commitments, which continue to guide our work across both PGE and PGM.

One Team. One Purpose. One Family.

Alisha Erickson

Please help us by reminding your student about the state law prohibiting cell phone use during the school day (even at recess). This means that cell phones may not be out or in use at any time, including during class, transitions, or restroom breaks. Students’ phones must remain powered off or on silent and stored in their backpacks throughout the school day.

We also ask for your partnership in this effort by avoiding texting or calling your child during school hours and by reminding them not to use their phone to contact you. If you need to get a message to your student, please call the school office we are always happy to help.

Thank you for supporting a focused, distraction-free learning environment for all students!

November 2nd -12th MAC will start our Thanksgiving Food drive for needy families. We will be collecting non-perishable food in boxes in the front offices of the Elementary and Middle School.

On Nov.6th we will put out the sign up sheet for the Nov.20th Half Day.

Nov. 22-25 Thanksgiving Break MAC will be @ JES.

Nov. 26th and 27th MAC is closed.

If you know that your child will be tardy or absent, please send a Parent Square Message to your child's attendance secretary before 8:30 A.M. to let her know why your child will be out.

PGE: Kristen Brown, or email her at brownkri@fssd.org

PGM: Rhonda Clarkson or clarksonrho@fssd.org

This will eliminate the need for sending in written notes when your child returns from an absence. If you receive a doctor’s note you are encouraged to always send those to school when your child returns or you may attach those to your Parent Square Message or emails.

Hi PGS families! A few fall health reminders from the clinic:

Seasonal Illness & When to Stay Home

• Keep students home for a fever of 100.0°F or higher, vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours, or a persistent cough they can’t manage at school.

• Handwashing, good sleep, hydration, and breakfast all help keep students healthy and ready to learn!

Medications at School

• All prescription and OTC medications must be in original, unopened packaging with a completed medication form on file.

• Students may only carry medications such as inhalers or EpiPens with an approved self-carry plan.

Health Plans & Updates

• Please message us about new diagnoses, updated action plans, or other changes in your child’s health so we can keep their school record current.

Vision Screenings

• If your child received a vision referral, please schedule a follow-up exam and send us the results.

Clinic Reminders

• The best way to reach us is through ParentSquare or by calling the school office and asking for the clinic.

Thank you for helping us keep PG healthy and learning-ready!

Warmly,

Nurse B (PGES) & Nurse Jo (PGMS)

PGE families,

Our character word for November is kindness. In our Guidance classes, we will look at how we

can be kind to ourselves and others. We will also discuss how we can solve problems at school,

home and with friends in a kind way even when we are frustrated. Students will be encouraged

to spread kindness by doing acts of kindness every day like saying something nice to a

classmate or helping a teacher or friend.

Also, our Volunteer Behavioral Health therapist, Roos Visser, will be away from our school for

a little while. Many of our students know and love Ms. Roos, and we want everyone to know

that she is doing well. We don’t yet know exactly when she will return, but we are hopeful it

will be soon. Please reassure your child that Ms. Roos is okay and looks forward to seeing them

again. If your child meets with Ms. Roos regularly, we will have support in place for them until

she returns. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

Mr. Welch

WelchKei@fssd.org

Hello PGM Families!

We are well into the school year now and November is a wonderful time to focus on fostering gratitude. Practicing gratitude can help “train your brain” into thinking more positively and noticing the beauty in the world. This can be done by having your student write down things they are grateful for each day or it could be done in the car on the way home/at the dinner table! Hearing adults model this practice is a great way for kids to catch on quickly.

On another note, as the holidays approach please keep in mind that we have many programs that can help with food insecurity and other needs. Please reach out to Mrs. Otto by phone or email to learn about these resources.

Wishing everyone a warm and joyful November filled with gratitude and growth!

Best regards,

Caitlin Otto

ottocai@fssd.org

Hello, PGS Families, and Happy November!

As we move into November, we want to celebrate the positive behaviors and continued growth we are seeing throughout PGES! Our teachers and staff remain committed to supporting every student academically while also recognizing and rewarding positive behaviors.

Our ROAR expectations (Respectful, Organized, Always Safe and Kind, and Responsible) continue to guide students in making positive choices throughout the school day. We are working to ensure these expectations are clearly taught, reinforced, and celebrated across all areas of our school.

Students are earning ROAR tickets and working hard to do their best! We are excited to launch our monthly PBIS Store soon, where students can spend their hard earned tickets on some well deserved prizes. This is a great opportunity to recognize students for demonstrating our ROAR expectations and making positive choices.

Throughout November, students will continue to practice these expectations and be recognized for the positive choices that help make PGS a welcoming and supportive place to learn.

Thank you for partnering with us to help every student succeed. If you would like to learn more about PBIS, ROAR, or ways to support positive behavior, please reach out to Dr. Orman, Assistant Principal, at ormanjoh@fssd.org or 615-790-4720.

It is Fall Fest week! Our goal is $13,500 which will allow us to purchase art horse benches, lobby furniture, and a mural. If you haven't purchased your teacher experiences yet or sent in your Fall Fest donations you have until October 28. Use this link to donate.

Best Buddies will have a friendship matching event on Friday, October 30th during school.

We will have our first member meeting on Friday, November 6th at 7:00 in Mrs. Nash’s classroom. We will be discussing our annual Thanksgiving feast and planning events for the school year.

Our annual Best Buddies Thanksgiving feast will be on Wednesday, November 18th from 11:30-12:45 in the connector gallery.

Learn how to be a more informed parent in today's digital world.

Use the QR codes below.

Topic for November: Explaining Current News to Our Kids

Parent Square is such a great way for you to communicate with your child's teacher, communicate with our attendance secretary, and receive school information and updates. If you haven't downloaded the app we've included instructions below or feel free to reach out to the office staff and they will be happy to help you. It's a great resource tool!

If you want to make room on your bookshelves for all those new titles you plan to pick up at the Fall Scholastic Book Fair, now is the time! Beginning the week of November 16th, you will find labeled donation bins in both the Elementary and Middle School lobbies that will accept the following:

- Picture Books

- Chapter Books

- Novels & Graphic Novels

- Non-fiction

- Puzzles (with all pieces, please!)

As always, we will have sections for kids, teens and parents to shop at our sale in the spring. All funds raised benefit both the Elementary and Middle School libraries.

The Poplar Grove Yearbook Is On Sale — $35 through November 30

This year moved fast. First-day nerves in the Kindergarten hallway. Field day. The concert. The eighth graders who suddenly look like they're ready to leave us. It's all in there.

The Poplar Grove yearbook is a full-color record of the whole school — every grade, Pre-K through 8, plus clubs, teams, performances, and the everyday classroom moments that are easy to forget and impossible to get back.

$35 now. $40 starting December 1.
https://yearbookordercenter.com?school=26290

A few things worth knowing:

• We print to order. Once ordering closes, there are no extras. Every spring we hear from families hoping we set one aside, and every spring we have to say no.
• Ordering before December 1 is the cheapest this book will ever be — and if you have more than one student here, it adds up.

For our PreK-8 families, this is one of ten books that will eventually sit on a shelf together. For our eighth grade families — this is the last one. Don't let it be the gap.

Poplar Grove Families—Fall Family Favorites are here! 🍂

For a limited time, save $5 on ALL Poplar Grove tees and grab some new gear for the Fall. Perfect for game days, school, weekends, and showing your Poplar Grove Pride. SHOP HERE: https://1stplace.sale/86058

Life Time Foundation is helping Poplar Grove Elementary physical Education students move toward a healthier future with the All Kids Bike Program.

Kindergarten students will be learning to ride through the All Kids Bike program, discovering the joy of movement while building healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

All Kids Bike, the national 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to give every child in America the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike in school, is revealing the All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program at Poplar Grove Elementary thanks to a generous donation from the Life Time Foundation.

The All Kids Bike program provides Mr. Neal and Mrs. Casey with everything they need to teach kindergarteners to ride a bicycle during physical education classes. The program includes teacher training and certification, a comprehensive 8-lesson learn-to-ride curriculum, a fleet of Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, pedal conversion kits, student helmets, a teacher instruction bike, and rolling storage racks. This is everything needed to teach kids how to progress from balancing to pedaling.

Poplar Grove is extremely grateful to All Kids Bike, Life Time, Lisa Chatman (FSD Coordinated School Health), and Dr. Erickson for the opportunity!

Let's get ready for our 12th Annual FSD Battle of the Books 2027! 5th-8th grade students have the opportunity to represent PGMS at the District Battle of the Books. Interested students should read as many of the 8 Battle titles as they can by February. Six students per grade level will make up our Battle of the Books teams! Those teams will compete against teams from FIS or FMS in the Battle of the Books, which is a field trip to the Williamson County Public Library on Wednesday, March 31st. Encourage your student to start reading the Battle Books now if they want a chance to compete!

WINTER SPORTS:

Winter Sports are in full swing. Be sure to check out the Athletic Calendar for game times. Coaches communicate practices with individual teams.

BASKETBALL:

As we cheer on our Poplar Grove Lions this basketball season, we ask all students and families to help us create a positive, respectful, and spirited environment!

• Cheer with pride! Support our Lions and celebrate what we are doing. Keep the focus on encouraging our players NOT criticizing opposing players or officials.

• Stay in the gym. Students are expected to remain in the gym during games, unless purchasing concessions. Those wandering around the school will be asked to leave.

• Clean up after yourself. Help us keep our school clean by throwing away trash and leaving the gym and surrounding areas better than you found them.

Let’s show our Lion pride, represent our school well, and make this a great season for everyone.

BASEBALL:

FMS is excited to announce that Seth Keffas will be their head varsity baseball coach. Coach Keffas was the assistant coach last year, and he is excited to lead the program this year and beyond. Tryouts are set for November 2nd & 6th, with callback being held on Nov. 9th. Players will need an updated physical on Final Forms, cleats, a glove, and water. Scan the QR code or click HERE to register. If you have specific questions, please reach out to Coach Keffas.

SOCCER KICK AROUNDS:

We will be holding open kick arounds for those wanting to get touches on the ball, have some fun on the soccer field, and impress coaches with your soccer skills, work rate, and leadership qualities.

To be eligible to participate in kick arounds, it is mandatory that you have a current physical on file as well as Final Forms completed which can be found HERE.

Bring cleats, shin guards and water…

Kick arounds start in NOVEMBER from 2:45-4:15 on the following days:

WEEK 1: Monday, 11/16 through Thursday, 11/19

WEEK 2: Monday, 11/30 through Thursday, 12/03

Contact Coach Mike, Coach Pfeuffer, or Coach Strelecki if you have any questions.

ALL SPORTS: You must have a physical on file to participate in any tryout. See Coach Kelly for more information or email Kristen Brown at brownkri@fssd.org

Parents must also complete all forms in Final Forms before your athlete can practice.

TICKETS:

• Students 12th grade and younger are free at all home games.
• Adult tickets are $5 each.
• Tickets for home games can be paid in cash at the door or purchased ahead of time via Go Fan. Use the QR code below or visit GOFAN.CO and search Poplar Grove Middle School.

On Friday, October 30th, our 8th graders will have the exciting opportunity to explore a variety of careers and the educational paths that lead to these careers at the 2nd Annual FSD Career Fair.

This event is important for our students as they prepare to enter high school and begin thinking more intentionally about their futures. Through conversations with professionals, students will learn how their high school course selections can help them reach their goals and stand out as future applicants.

If you happen to drive by the PAC on this day and notice emergency vehicles, please don’t be alarmed they are not responding to an emergency. Local first responders will also be on site to help students explore careers in public safety and emergency services.

We’re looking forward to an inspiring and informative day for our 8th graders!

Our first home basketball game is this Thursday, November 5 vs. Hillsboro Middle School. JV plays at 4:00, Varsity Girls at 5:00, and Varsity Boys at 6:00. We want to kick off the season with a big crowd and a fun night full of spirit. We'll be giving away PGS Foam Fingers to students who attend while supplies last. Concessions will be open providing snacks, drinks, candy, and hot dogs! Concessions will accept cash or card. Students enter the game for free while adult tickets are $5 and can be paid in cash at the door or purchased ahead of time on Go Fan. Use the QR code below or visit GOFAN.CO and search Poplar Grove Middle School.

November 9 - 13, 2026

All FSD schools are again competing this year in a week-long challenge to help support The NOOK (Needs Of Our Kids), a non-profit that serves urgent needs of families through referral by local schools.

Please use the baggies sent home with students to send in your NICKELS (all spare change and cash/checks are also appreciated) all week to help The NOOK raise money to provide new essentials (coats, shoes, socks, underwear, shirts, pants, basic hygiene items and feminine hygiene) for local students in need. The NOOK partners with schools in our community to eliminate barriers to education for kids in crisis so students can focus as much energy as possible on achieving in the classroom.

November 9-13 is School Psychologist Week. We are so thankful to have Molly Klein at PGS to help support our students and our teachers. If she has made a difference for your family this is a great week to reach out and say thank you!

Get excited! The Father-Daughter Dance Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, November 11 at 9:30 AM to plan our annual dance for this upcoming January. We will meet in room 101. If interested in serving on our committee or volunteering, please RSVP to Courtney Garrett at 615.804.5671 or courtneyclydesdale@gmail.com

Our 4th graders and the PGM Band will be honoring our Veterans by marching in the Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday, November 11th at 11:00. Go support them and our Veterans In Downtown Franklin.

Poplar Grove’s Fall Book Fair is heading our way! The Fair will be held in the PGES Lobby from November 16–20. All purchases support both the Elementary and Middle School media centers.

Parents, Students, Teachers, and Staff are all invited to come in and shop anytime during the Fair's hours:

Monday, November 16: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday – Thursday, November 17-19: 7:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Thursday Evening, November 19: 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Friday, November 20: 7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

To volunteer at the Book Fair, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49A9A92BA7FDC61-59689450-pgsfall

Keep it simple, and set up a Scholastic eWallet account for your child to use at the Book Fair! Before making your student's eWallet account, please make sure that you are connected to either Poplar Grove Elementary School or Poplar Grove Middle School, based on which school your student attends!

Tuesday, Nov. 17

Tickets will be available the day of the event and lunch times for each grade can be found below.

Adult $6.50

Child $4.35

Turkey with gravy

Cornbread dressing

Chicken Smackers

Mashed Potatoes

Green beans

Roll

Assorted fruit

Desserts

Make plans to attend our Kindergarteners’ Thanksgiving Program November 19 in the PAC beginning at 6:00 PM. Join us for STEAM-A-PALOOZA afterwards.

Families and friends... get ready for STEAM-A-PALOOZA... November 19, 2026, 6:00-7:00pm

• It's a fun hands-on event where students, families and teachers can explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics through quick, engaging challenges.

• There will be helpers at stations for both elementary and middle school students to engage with each other and interact with STEAM activities.

• Food trucks have been invited to come at 5:00pm prior to the event... both dinner and dessert trucks.

• There will be games, robots, building supplies, cards... and lots more to do. Students will have a lanyard and will be encouraged to visit as many stations as they can to participate in different kinds of STEAM activities. All ages will be able to participate.

Poplar Grove is ready to ROCK STEAM-A-PALOOZA! You will not want to miss this EPIC event!

During STEAM night on November 19 you can explore the world of 3D printing and shop for 3D-printed fidgets, toys, and other fun creations while watching 3D designs come to life by our PGM STEM students. You can purchase personalized ornaments and other special items featuring your name or a custom design.

There is much to see, learn, create, and purchase! Our middle school STEM students are ready to share, teach, and sell! All proceeds from this fundraiser will help pay their competitions fee.

• Parents are welcome to join us for Pride Time on Friday, November 20 at 7:35. We'll see you in the Green Gym!

The Franklin Band will host Musical Trick or Treat on October 27th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at Franklin High School. We will have candy, costumes, and live music. We are inviting everyone!

The Centennial Band Friends and Family show is Monday, November 2nd, at 6:00. They would love to share their talents with our PGS community.

Franklin Church of Christ is holding their annual coat event just in time for cooler weather. Stop by if your child needs one on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 2:00-3:30, share the word if you don't!

The Franklin Band is once again partnering with Beaman Toyota for its 2026 car raffle, giving one lucky winner the chance to drive away in a brand-new Toyota while supporting the members of Franklin High School’s band program. Tickets are on sale now! Only 1,000 raffle tickets will be sold, giving participants excellent odds of winning. Tickets are $100 each, and proceeds directly benefit The Franklin Band by helping provide instruments, equipment, travel opportunities, music, instructional resources, and other essential program needs that enrich the student experience. The winning ticket will be drawn on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Participants do not need to be present to win, allowing for a broader range of people to participate across Middle Tennessee and beyond. The winner will have the opportunity to choose a new Toyota model of their choice up to $50,000, or they may apply the prize value of $50,000 toward the purchase of another new Toyota vehicle through Beaman Toyota. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to purchase raffle tickets.

Tickets can be purchased now through Wednesday, November 11 at www.givebutter.com/CarRaffle or by texting TFBRAFFLE to 53-555.

Franklin High School presents Puffs (Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic)

For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs... who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.

November 12, 13, & 14 at 7:00 with an additional 2:00 performance on the 14th.

After an overwhelmingly positive response from the community last year, The Franklin Band is bringing back its Fall Fruit Sale giving families and community members another opportunity to enjoy fresh fruit while supporting Franklin High School’s band students and two local nonprofit organizations. The sale features fresh fruit from Florida Indian River Groves, with options available for personal orders, holiday gifts, and donations.

Through the sale, customers can purchase fresh fruit for their families, ship boxes nationwide as holiday gifts, or donate fruit directly to GraceWorks and The Nashville Food Project. The Franklin Band hopes to collect enough donated orders to provide 2,000 pounds of fruit to each organization, helping bring fresh produce to individuals and families in the community during the holiday season.

2026 Fall Fruit Sale Details

Order Deadline: November 20, 2026

Fruit Pick-Up: December 8, 2026

Location: Franklin High School

Order Online: ifundraise.com/FranklinBand

Customers who choose to donate fruit can designate their purchase for either GraceWorks or The Nashville Food Project. The Franklin Band is encouraging the community to help reach its goal of 4,000 total pounds of donated fruit — 2,000 pounds for each organization.

Centennial’s Holiday Craft Show features over 200 Artisan vendors from Tennessee and surrounding states. Shoppers come from far and wide to shop the unique items. The show also features incredible gingerbread creations from our architect students. Visitors will see our students contributing to the event by assisting with things like directing parking, selling food and playing reindeer games with kids while parents shop. This year’s show is the largest yet with even more booths. All proceeds from this event are used to enhance the educational

experience for the students and staff of Centennial High School.

When: November 21 and 22, 2025

Hours: Saturday, November 21:

VIP Shopping 8am – 9am (with VIP Ticket Purchase)

Public Shopping: 9am – 4pm

Sunday, November 22:

Public Shopping: 11am – 4pm

Where: Centennial High School. 5050 Mallory Lane; Franklin, TN 37067

Price: VIP Tickets $20

General Admission $7 for One Day Ticket and $10 for Two Day Ticket

Tickets can be purchased online HERE or at the door

Socials: Website: www.CentennialHolidayShow.com

Instagram: @CentennialHolidayCraftShow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centennialholidayshow

Mark your calendar! Franklin High School’s beloved Mistletoe Market is back on Saturday, December 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Franklin High School, 810 Hillsboro Road. Admission is free and open to the public.

This festive shopping event will feature over 100 vendors offering a wide variety of unique and handcrafted items—including gifts, home décor, apparel, jewelry, gourmet foods, accessories, woodworking, sweets, and more. Whether you’re shopping for the holidays, a birthday, graduation, or just because, you’re sure to find something special.

And don’t miss a magical visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.! Bring your wish list and get ready for a perfect holiday photo opportunity.

Stay updated on vendor highlights and event details by following our Facebook event page @franklinmistletoemarket.

The FHS Mistletoe Market is hosted by the Franklin High School Class of 2027, with proceeds benefiting their Project Graduation

6 - Leo Diaz

10 - Mac McElroy

10 - Vicki Witcher

15 - Shannon Ward

17 - Emily Kalisz

19 - Keisha Covington

20 - Michelle Furlong

20 - Jake Habegger

20 - Juaquin Rodriguez

21 - Angela Kennedy

21 - Lorie Morgan

24 - Barb Tjornehoj

27 - Karla Bolanos

28 - Raul Alvarez Rivero

28 - Yurima Viera Farrat

29 - Colleen Vangelist