R.F. Pettigrew Panther Tracks
January 2025
PAWS
o Be Positive
o Be Accountable
o Be Wise
o Be Safe
From the Principal's Desk
Mr. Kevin Dick
Happy New Year!! From Pettigrew Elementary!!! We are back at it, and right into the new year!!! What an amazing holiday season we celebrated together, hoping yours was everything you had hoped it would be, and we are excited to get back into the swing of our schedule, this winter season.
As we step into 2025, I hope this message finds you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. The start of a new year is a wonderful time to reflect on our accomplishments, set goals for the future, and renew our commitment to growth, learning, and community.
Looking back at the first half of the school year, I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made together. Our students have demonstrated curiosity, creativity, and resilience in their learning. Our staff has worked tirelessly to create engaging, supportive, and inclusive environments, and our families have provided unwavering support that strengthens the foundation of our school community.
As we move forward, I encourage everyone to continue fostering the values that make our school a special place: PAWS --- Positive, Accountable, Wise and Safe. Positive -- let’s strive to be positive as we seek to support one another. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or at home, let’s continue to show empathy and lend a helping hand when someone needs it. Accountable, we hope this embodies all the efforts we share to communicate our expectations and seek to implement them, consistently. Remember that success is not just about achieving goals but also about the effort and perseverance it takes to get there. Wise – let’s all work to stay curious: Encourage questions, explore new ideas, and take on challenges with enthusiasm as we all continue to learn, together. Safe – we hold these efforts at keeping our community the safest place students can be. Help us out with all the messages you share with your children at home, and remember, always to think about that if you see something that is unsafe, please say something to those in authority.
Families, your involvement plays a critical role in your child’s success. Thank you for partnering with us in fostering a love of learning and a strong sense of community. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events and continuing to work together to support your child’s journey.
To our staff, I extend my deepest gratitude for your hard work, passion, and dedication. Each day, you inspire and empower our students to reach their full potential. Let us continue to collaborate, innovate, and create meaningful learning experiences for every child.
To our students, you are the heart of our school. Remember that every day is a new opportunity to learn, grow, and make a positive impact. Believe in yourselves, be kind to one another, and always try your best.
Let’s make this year one to remember by working together to achieve great things. Here’s to a joyful, productive, and successful year ahead for all of us!
Fine Arts Feature
Art
We will be starting third quarter lessons in the art rooms, which are all about Space/Depth and Texture.
Kindergarteners will learn about landscapes and horizon lines. They will also identify textures and use tactile textures (textures you can feel) in their art.
1st Graders will learn about foreground/background and separate them in their artwork. They will also explore tactile textures (textures you can feel) in their art.
2nd Graders will differentiate positive and negative spaces and apply a variety of texture-making techniques in their art.
3rd Graders will be separating the foreground, middleground, and background in their artwork. They will also apply a variety of texture-making techniques in their artwork.
4th Graders will be creating depth of space in their art and utilizing texture through a variety of mediums.
5th Graders will be applying perspective techniques and utilizing texture through a variety of mediums.
At the end of the quarter, all grade levels will also have a lesson inspired by art history or cultural connections that builds upon the 3rd quarter skills.
We’re looking forward to seeing all of the creative masterpieces our artists will make this quarter!
-Mrs. Meyer and Ms. Selberg
Music
We will be busy during the third quarter!
Kindergarteners will learn so & mi pitches, AB form, one & two sounds on a beat, and reading rhythm patterns using short and long sounds.
1st Graders will listen to music by composer, Sergei Prokofiev and his work, Peter and the Wolf. They will match the instruments to the characters in the story. They will read melody patterns using pitches so, mi, la & do.
2nd Graders will sing, play, identify quarter, eighth, quarter rest, and half notes. They will also sing & identify melodies la, so, mi, and do. Students will learn about concert etiquette and expectations for their spring performance in April. They will learn how to perform and will rehearse music for the required choral performance. Students will also learn verse & refrain.
3rd Graders will learn about music and instruments from Japan, sing rounds, learn the instruments of the symphony, read rhythms in ¾ time, and will study composer, Johann Strauss, for the upcoming Young People's Concert in March.
4th Graders will be playing their recorders using proper technique. They will review notes B, A, and G that they learned last year in third grade and will learn new notes F, E, D, low C, and high C. Students will learn the C major scale and will learn how to track music in their recorder songs.
5th Graders will learn the form theme and variations and will study musical styles. Students will also learn additional chords on the ukulele.
Have a safe and blessed winter!
-Mrs. Wahl & Mr. Ferri
Physical Education Feature
Wow, did the second quarter fly by. In Physical Education we continued to work on my skills and new activities. This quarter was filled with a lot of thanksgiving activities and Christmas games. The students worked on a lot of jumping roping and basic skills that we continue to build on from the beginning of the year. Asking your student what their favorite activity was.
Quarter 2
Hockey Activities
Hockey passing with a partner
Hockey Shooting at Pin
Hockey Pin Guard
Hockey Puck Round Up
Hockey Shooting @ Pin
Pillo Polo
Scooter Hockey
Thanksgiving Activities
Turkey Toss
Stuff the turkey
Turkey Tails
Pacer Test
Ran our Quarterly Pacer test many students improved and got to sign the improvement board
Holiday Games/Activities
Cookie Exchange
Snowball Throw
Scarf Juggle
Sleigh Ride
Christmas Tree Build
Snowman Tag
This or that winter
Grinch Tag
Reindeer Relay
Other activities during the quarter
Scooter Soccer
Fire Brigade
4 team pin guard
Kings Corner
Hula Hoops
Yarn ball Throw and Catch
Rock Wall/Power Climber
Scarf Juggling
December Students of the Month-We Are Connected
K01 Kenna Skinner
K02 Maddox Peterson
K03 Emersyn Jensen
K04 Hadley Fenceroy
K05 Emily DeSmet
101 Madison Pulse
102 Elsie Moeller
103 Julia Smith
104 Emerson Weyer
105 Savi Folkens
201 Miles Starovoytov
202 Lincoln Majeres
203 Vivian Kemmis
204 Lillian Hulscher
205 Khaya Hill
301 Zander Kamara
302 Bernice Runyambo
303 Matthew Garcia Ortega
304 Sophia Jhou
305 Sutton Marsh
401 Harper Tilk
402 Olive Nichols
403 Norah Ballard
404 Journey Wagner
501 Bennett Husman
502 Brynn Dreke
503 Kiana Mihaylova
504 Layla McKeown
505 JhaiLani Marshall
506 Hannah Kraft
Pettigrew Activity Schedule
PTO Fundraisers and Events
School District and Community Wide Events and Information
Children in Kindergarten to Fifth grade are encouraged to complete BINGOs! Each age group has their own BINGO card, and each BINGO square contains a different reading idea or challenge. This gives you a chance to enjoy favorites and explore new things on your way to earning prizes!
Login to track your BINGOs online or visit our reading program website for BINGO cards, reading lists, and prize information.
R.F. Pettigrew PTO
Email: rfp.president@yahoo.com
Location: 7900 West 53rd Street, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-362-3560
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1HUjZX8FsW/