R.F. Pettigrew Panther Tracks

Panthers’ Fun Run, Conferences, PAWS Success and Introducing the GROWL Award!

Mr. Tim Wagner,

Pettigrew Elementary Principal

We have so much to celebrate this month—and we couldn’t do it without your support! Thank you to all of our parents and guardians who cheered, volunteered, and encouraged our students during the Fun Run. Your enthusiasm made the event truly special and helped create an atmosphere of celebrating our students. It was a great day!

Fun Run Highlights

We met our goal - thank you for your support!
We will hold our Inflatable Space Race in October. The teacher whose class in each grade level that raised the most money will compete in the race!
We had set a goal of 5,000 PAWS tickets to celebrate positive behavior, but our Panthers blew past that benchmark, bringing in an incredible 20,000 tickets! What an outstanding show of effort and community spirit. As a reward for their hard work, students earned a special treat - snow cones after the Fun Run!

Introducing the GROWL Award

I am excited to formally introduce the GROWL Award, a recognition program intended to celebrate staff members who exemplify great relationships, warmth, and leadership.

What GROWL Stands For:
Great
Relationships
Of
Warmth &
Leadership

The focus is on those staff members who go above and beyond to foster strong connections with families, who listen kindly, and who consistently make students and parents feel supported and valued. Whether it’s a teacher who always takes extra time for conversation, a staff member who offers help during a tough moment, or someone who ensures your child feels seen and heard—those are the “GROWL moments” we want to celebrate.

How It Works:

Throughout the school year, parents and guardians can nominate any staff member in the building who has made a positive impact in your experience.
Nominated staff will receive a certificate signed by our principal (Mr. Wagner) and a special Panther Pin to wear on their lanyard as a visible token of the honor.
The GROWL nomination form will remain open year-round—feel free to nominate more than one staff member and at any time.

We believe that strong, warm relationships between families and staff are the foundation of a thriving school community. The GROWL Award is a small gesture with big meaning—recognizing those everyday moments that build trust, respect, and belonging. You can nominate any staff member using this link: GROWL Award

Looking Ahead: Parent–Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for October 14th and October 16th. There is no school on Monday, October 13th in observance of Native American Day and No School on Tuesday, October 14th for District Inservice and Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Each classroom teacher sent a Sign Up Genius link so that you can reserve a time slot that fits your schedule on either October 14th or 16th. These conferences are a valuable opportunity to talk about your child’s progress, share feedback, and set goals together. Your engagement is one of the most powerful ways to support your student’s success. If you need to reschedule your conference time or did not receive the link, please reach out to the classroom teacher.

Lunchroom Visitors

Thank you for allowing our students to settle in, learn routines and procedures, and get off to a great start. We are looking forward to welcoming parents/guardians to join their student(s) for lunch starting on October 15th. No restaurant food will be allowed to be brought in by our visitors. Visitors may purchase a school lunch at the posted adult prices. Parents should notify the school (usually the classroom teacher) by 8:00am on the morning that they plan to eat, so enough food can be sent from the central kitchen. We do not allow for pre-school age siblings to join at lunchtime. Families that want to enjoy restaurant food or larger family groups during a child’s lunchtime are allowed to check the child out during the lunch and recess period of the day.

Mentors Wanted!

Have you ever thought about Mentoring? Mentors make a huge impact on a child's life. And your part is minimal. At RF Pettigrew Elementary we are looking for caring adults to mentor students. Mentors meet once a week at school, have lunch with a child and play a game. It's fun, simple and means the world to a child. The SF School District partners with the LSS mentorship program and the first step to get started is to apply: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3661503/Mentor-Application. When we have processed your application, you will be invited to a training. All LSS mentors are prepared for their role and ready to make a difference! Please contact LSS Mentoring Services at 605-444-7803, visit [Mentoring.LssSD.org]Mentoring.LssSD.org or email LSS at Mentoring@LssSD.org if you have questions or need additional information.

Join the PTO Facebook group here!

sign up here to support teacher meals

Sign up here to volunteer for the Book Fair

Get ready for a night of spooktackular fun Friday, October 24th from 6-7:30pm

in the Pettigrew parking lot. 🎃

***Families and businesses are needed to host trunks. Please use the signup below.***

-All participating vehicles will receive four passes to Skate City (expire 12/31/25) and two coupons to Texas Roadhouse for a free catus blooms or fried pickle appetizer (expire 11/30/25).

-All cars must be in the parking lot by 5:30pm and set up by 5:45pm.

-No pets or toy weapons.

-Plan for 600-800 trick or treaters.

Candy donations are also needed, please look for the candy monster in the Pettigrew front lobby!

Trunk Sign up here!

FREE Child Screenings

The Sioux Falls School District offers free developmental screenings for children from birth to age five who reside within the district’ boundaries. We will check your child’s development in the areas of motor skills, concepts, and language. We also complete a free vision and hearing check. Screenings are done throughout the year from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. We can also get your child registered for Head Start if you meet eligibility requirements. For information or to schedule a free appointment, call the Early Childhood screening office at 605-367-8488. The Early Childhood Screening office is located at 2205 N. Career Avenue.