PJHS Parent Weekly

Hello PJHS Families,

We have many activities/events coming up for the Jr. High within the next few weeks, so please read all the information including important dates.

NWEA MAP reports were sent home with each PJHS student on Friday. Please ask your child for their report to see their progress from Fall to Winter.

Every year, we are required to participate in the 5Essentials Survey. To generate the family involvement portion of the report, we must have 20% of our parents complete the survey. Right now, we have 1% response for the parent portion. The survey closes on Friday 3/28. Please take about 10 minutes to complete the survey below. Thank you in advance for your time and feedback!!

To take the survey please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Make sure to choose Peotone Jr High School.

PJHS will be having a book fair with opportunities for students to shop during library times. This will take place during library times on Tuesday, February 23rd and Friday, February 27th. Also, the book fair will be open to families on that Tuesday, February 23rd after school until 5:30 p.m.

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!

Also, students in "Choose to Include" has been working on a variety of activities for Respect Week. Respect Week at the Junior High will be from March 2nd-March 6th. More Information to Come!

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.

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.

1. Car Wash Vouchers Are Here!
The online car wash store is open! Vouchers are $10 each and cover a Graph-X4 wash (which is a $30 value) at Tidal Wave Auto Spa in Bourbonnais. You can pay online or drop off cash/check at school after ordering via the store. Vouchers will be sent home with your student and are valid until November 2026—perfect for birthdays, gifts, or just to keep your car sparkling clean!

https://peotonepto-carwash.cheddarup.com

2. Pizza Pizza! Pick-up Date

Little Caesar's pick up is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th - more specifics to follow soon.

3. Help Make It Happen

Join us for an upcoming virtual planning session as we begin organizing some of our biggest and best events of the year—Teacher Appreciation Week, Family Fun Night, and yes… even the 2026 Pancake Breakfast!

We’re looking for fresh ideas, planning help, and coordination support—however you’re able to help, we can use it. With two more upcoming virtual sessions (dates below), it’s easy to jump in. Help us make our events the best ones yet!

• Teacher Appreciation Week → "A+ Appreciation Kick-off" - Monday, February 23rd @ 7pm (google link will be posted online and on our linktree)

• Family Fun Night → "Fun & Games Huddle Up" - Monday, March 2nd @ 7pm (google link will be posted online and on our linktree)

• Pancake Breakfast → "Flippin’ Good Ideas Session" - we'll talk about this at the next PTO meeting on March 9th and then have another virtual planning session in early April (date tbd)
  
  

4. 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!

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

2/23-Book Fair open for students during library times

2/23-Book Fair open to students and families afterschool until 5:30 p.m.

2/27-Book Fair open for students during library times

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

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

3/2 to 3/6-PJHS Respect Week

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