Pacific Intermediate Newsletter

Dear Intermediate Families,

It is hard to believe we are already heading into February! While the weather outside is chilly, the energy inside our school remains warm and vibrant as students work hard to finish the second trimester strong. Thank you for being such an active part of our school community; your support makes Pacific Intermediate a wonderful place for our students to grow.

Keeping Our Students Warm & Active

• Fresh Air & Recess: We know how important it is for students to burn off energy! We will continue to head outside for recess as long as the wind chill is above 20 degrees. Please help your child stay cozy by sending them to school with a warm coat, hat, and gloves each day when it is cold.

• Helping One Another: If your child is in need of winter gear, please reach out to our front office. We have a small supply of items available and are always happy to help ensure every student is comfortable and ready to play.

• Lost and Found Rescue: Our Lost and Found areas in the 5th-grade wing and cafeteria are currently overflowing! Please encourage your child to check for any missing treasures. Any items remaining on February 20th will be donated to local families in need.

Important Safety & Academic Reminders

• Valentine’s Day Note: While we love celebrating kindness, we kindly ask that families refrain from sending Valentine’s Day deliveries (like balloons or flowers) to the school. This helps us keep our hallways and buses clear and ensures all students stay safe on the bus ride home. We appreciate your help in keeping our focus on learning and friendship!

• Celebrating Success: We are already getting excited for our 3rd Trimester Incentive Dance in May! This is a special time to celebrate students who show great character (no major discipline referrals) and keep their grades up (no "F"s).

• Planning for the Future: As a reminder, maintaining passing grades is key to finishing the year strong. Students with more than three "F"s across the year may need to join us for Summer School, and more than five "F"s may lead to grade retention. Let’s work together to ensure every student succeeds!

Mark Your Calendars

• Monday, Feb. 16: No School (Presidents' Day) – Enjoy the long weekend with your family!

• Friday, Feb. 20: Half-Day & End of Trimester.

• Monday, Feb. 23: No School (Staff Professional Development).

Thank you for your continued partnership. Let’s make this a fantastic February!

Warmly,

Matt Agee

Principal, Pacific Intermediate

Mr. Crabtree~Math

Mr. Gilcrease~Language Arts & Reading

Mr. Wengler~History & Science

Mrs. Alcorn~Math

Mrs. Strauss~History & Science

Mrs. Tandy~Language Arts & Reading

Ms. Higgins~Math

Mrs. Jackson~ History & Science

Mrs. Menley~Language Arts & Reading

Mrs. Burt

Poetry has been taking center stage in language arts as students dive into an exciting poetry unit. They have been exploring different types of poems while learning about the poets who bring words to life. Along the way, students have been discovering how rhyme, rhythm, figurative language, and free verse shape poems in powerful ways. Writing has been a big focus, and students have crafted several original poems of their own. Be sure to ask your student which poem has been their favorite so far and what made it stand out.

Science: We will soon be starting our unit on Earth and space patterns called Spaceship Earth.

History: Students will be learning about discrimination during the Gilded Age, the Spanish-American War, and poverty and progressivism.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This is a reminder that the 5th Grade Choir Concert will take place on Monday, April 13th at 6:30 p.m. The concert will be held at Pacific Intermediate. This involves all students in 5th grade.

Additional details regarding the concert will be shared in the coming weeks and months.

We look forward to seeing you there and appreciate your continued support of our students.

Sincerely,

Chris Johnson

5th Grade Music Department Chair

Mr. Effan~Social Studies

Ms. Griffin~Science

Mr. McMahon~English

Mrs. Voss~Math

Mrs. Boling~Social Studies

Ms. Stumborg~English

Mrs. Todahl~Science

Mrs. Weil~ Math

Mr. McMahon

Mrs. Meyers

Mrs. Stumborg

Ms. Shearin

Please ensure your child's outerwear, such as hoodies, jackets, and coats, are washed regularly. Keep an eye on your emails to stay updated on classroom activities. It's also a great time to make sure your child has enough pencils for school.

6th Grade English: Mr. McMahon & Ms. Stumborg

English students are currently working on an argumentative writing unit about whether or not children should be allowed to have social media. They will be looking for evidence in articles to back up their claims. We are also continuing to do vocabulary units every 2 weeks, so be sure to ask your child when the vocabulary quizzes are.

6th Grade Math: Mrs. Voss & Mrs. Weil

Math students are working on solving One-Step Equations. Students in advanced classes will focus on Mean, Median and Mode. It's important to ensure that your child completes their homework every night, as this practice contributes significantly to their success in the classroom.

6th Grade Reading: Mr. McMahon, Mrs. Meyers, & Ms. Stumborg

In reading we are currently in our argumentative unit. The students are reading a variety of nonfiction articles. They will then be learning how to form an intelligent argument by citing textual evidence. The students need to complete a fictional chapter book and fill out the assigned slideshow in their classroom. Trimester 2 book reports are due by the middle of February.

6th Grade Science: Mrs. Todahl & Ms. Griffin

Science students are wrapping up the Oceans and Climate unit, where students used hands-on modeling labs to explore ocean currents, air pressure, layers of the atmosphere, and how these systems connect to Earth’s climate. We are about to begin our new topic: Weather. Students will learn how these same systems influence daily weather patterns. Please check the planner page at the front of your student’s science binder to stay informed about what we’re learning, their current grade, and any missing assignments. Students are expected to update this planner every Monday to help keep everything on track!

6th Grade Social Studies: Mrs. Boling & Mr. Effan

Social Studies just concluded the unit over ancient China. Looking ahead, students will explore the civilization of Greece. We will explore Greek culture, geography, and democracy and government structure.

Hello families! We hope you had a wonderful winter break and enjoyed time together with your loved ones. Welcome to the second half of the school year. We are excited to continue learning and braving the cold alongside your students!

The Counseling Office is excited to welcome our new counseling intern, Hannah Gooch! Hannah is currently pursuing her master’s degree in School Counseling and will be learning alongside Ms. Diamond and Ms. Speicher. She will be with us through May, and we are thrilled to have her as part of our team.

Last month, our sixth graders spent time exploring and selecting elective classes for next school year. This has been an exciting opportunity for students to look ahead and start thinking about what’s to come. If your sixth-grade student has not yet selected their electives, don’t worry. We will be sure they are taken care of in the coming weeks. Sixth-grade students will also have the opportunity to visit Riverbend in the spring to help them feel more comfortable as they prepare for this upcoming transition.

This month, our fifth-grade students will begin learning more about the transition to sixth grade as they start preparing for the next step in their academic journey. 6th graders will have the opportunity to participate in a counseling lesson with Ms. Gooch.

We hope you have a great month and enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day with your family. Please don’t hesitate to call or email us if we can be of any assistance.

All the best,

Jeanne M. Diamond, 5th Grade Counselor

Ally Speicher, 6th Grade Counselor

The Bridge Foundation is excited to announce an upcoming community event. Every dollar raised goes directly toward the Annual Back to School Bash, Classroom Grants, and Student Scholarships. Help us invest in our students' success!

It’s time to lace up those sneakers! Registration is officially open for our annual 5K. This isn't just a race—it’s a chance to show your school pride.

Help Your School Win the Trophy! We are awarding a traveling trophy to the school with the highest participation. Whether you run or walk, make sure to select your child’s school during registration to help them take home the bragging rights this year!

• When: Saturday, March 7th at 8am

• Student Perk: Discounted registration is available for all MVR-III students.

• Register here for the race.

Pacific Intermediate

195 N Indian Pride Dr.

Pacific, MO 63069

www.mvr3.k12.mo.us

Phone: 636-271-1425

Fax: 636-271-1465