Pacific Intermediate

🥳 Principal's Post: A Celebration of Community and the Coming Holiday Season!

Dear Pacific Intermediate Families,

I am absolutely thrilled to kick off this newsletter by expressing my deepest gratitude for your phenomenal participation in our recent PI Coin War! Your dedication to our students and community was truly awe-inspiring. We blew past our goal and raised a staggering more than $3500! That incredible achievement will make a significant impact in supporting families right here in our community. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Because of your overwhelming support, we are making our year-end celebration bigger and better! We have expanded our celebratory Dodgeball tournament to a whopping 16 homerooms! Get ready for a morning of competitive fun on Friday, December 19th. To keep the energy going, the afternoon will transition right into our super fun Club Day!

Mark your calendars! Our talented musicians will be taking the stage for the Sixth Grade Band Concert on Sunday, December 14th, at 2:30 pm at Pacific High School. We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the beautiful music.

🎁 Getting Ready for Winter Break!

Winter break is just around the corner, and we are counting down to a well-deserved rest! To make sure the break is filled with wonder and adventure, we strongly encourage every student to stop by our library to check out a great book (or two!) to enjoy. Reading is the perfect, cozy way to spend those cold winter afternoons.

Please be aware of our holiday schedule: Winter Break begins at the conclusion of school on Friday, December 19th (a full day of attendance by students), and school resumes on Monday, January 5th, 2026!

📱 Important Reminders for a Smooth Return

We wish you and your family a magnificent Christmas and holiday season! We know many students may receive exciting new gadgets, toys, and electronics. We are asking parents to help us reinforce a key rule: please discourage students from bringing these new electronics to school. This is especially critical regarding cell phones. We must remind you that the Missouri State Law strictly bans the usage of cell phones by students during the school day—we appreciate your help in keeping the focus on learning!

Finally, while we hope for clear skies, please remember that the district will notify you through official channels if we ever need to cancel school due to weather. Should AMI (Alternative Methods of Instruction) be necessary, resources are ready and available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRnhn7bXkMpG_29M7vBX7VLyOGlYux0EQ3uxE8ijyVfFcZlhNPWR0ZcTx-GoL-MAIEkZ06vfO2KbfEK/pub

Have a fantastic and restful break! We can’t wait to welcome our students back happy and refreshed in the new year.

Sincerely,

Matt Agee

Pacific Intermediate Principal

Dear Parent or Guardian,

We are working to improve the character initiative at Pacific Intermediate, and we would appreciate it if you would complete our parent survey. The information you provide is important to us and will be used in planning for our school.

The survey should only take 10 minutes of your time. Please complete the survey today, if possible, but no later than December 8, 2025. Your response to the survey is anonymous, confidential, and voluntary. Responding to the survey constitutes your consent for us to use the information for district and school planning.

To access the survey, please go to https://characterplus.surveymonkey.com/r/parentPIS25 The password to access the survey is pi742.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

PI Administration Team

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~ Science & History

Mrs. Menley~Language Arts & Reading

Mrs. Burt

Students have been working hard learning about early American civilizations. So far, they have studied the Maya and Aztec. They have been learning prefixes: il-, ir-, and inter-. Students have reviewed subjects and predicates, as well as, action and linking verbs. They have also been writing informational paragraphs. So far the first two have been about the Maya and Aztec civilizations. After Thanksgiving Break, students will finish Unit 2 by learning about the Inca. Unit 2 will be completed before Winter Break.

Dear Pacific Intermediate Families,

The school year has been going well. It has been great getting to know our students and building relationships. Please be assured that we are here to support both you and your child throughout the school year. Clear communication between home and school is one of the most important ways we can work together to ensure a smooth and successful year. If questions or concerns arise, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.

The Importance of Homework

What We’re Learning in Math This Month

• Polygons: Identifying polygons based on the number of sides.

• Triangles: Identifying and classifying triangles based on angles and side lengths.

• Quadrilaterals: Identifying and classifying quadrilaterals based on their attributes.
  
  

We are so grateful for your partnership and support. Together, we can make this a year full of growth, confidence, and success for every child.

Science: Finishing up Web of Life Unit and moving on to Watery Planet Unit

History: Finishing Civil War and Reconstruction Unit and moving on to Striving to Be United Unit

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

Ms. Stumborg

Ms. Shearin

English:

Students just completed their narrative writing projects, where they recounted a memorable story from their own lives. Before winter break, we will work on grammar and writing mini-units that focus on areas needing improvement. Upon returning from the break, our focus will shift to argumentative writing.

Math:

Math students are working with fractions, decimals, and percentages. Students in advanced classes will focus on calculating the volume and surface area of both 2D and 3D figures. It's important to ensure that your child completes their homework every night, as this practice contributes significantly to their success in the classroom.

Reading:

We will begin our first novel of the year, Freak the Mighty! This unit will extend throughout the month. Additionally, students have been assigned a Trimester 2 book report. They are required to read a fiction book and complete a slideshow presentation by the end of the 2nd Trimester.

Science:

We are exploring space. Our goal is to finish this unit when we come back from break. Our next unit will be Water and the Atmosphere. Students need to remember to bring a pencil each day, as many are coming to class without basic supplies. Please also encourage your child to complete assignments on time, since late work is becoming more common. Finally, a few minutes of studying each night will help them stay prepared for upcoming tests and quizzes.

Social Studies:

Social Studies will conclude 2025 by exploring the history of ancient India. This civilization contributed significantly to the world with the emergence of Hinduism and the philosophical principles of Buddhism, both of which have had enduring impacts, ranging from contemporary yoga practices to the foundations of modern psychology.

Hello Families!

Trimester 1 ended on November 6th, and parents/legal guardians were notified that report cards were in their parent portal to view. Our time together is flying by. We hope you were pleased with your child's performance. If not, Trimester 2 is a brand new opportunity to build on what they are doing right and improve where needed for success. Reaching out to teachers for suggestions and areas of improvement can help them focus on needs to achieve higher grades. Working as a team will help us and you!

5th and 6th-grade students will both be participating in voluntary character education programs facilitated by Compass Health Network during December. 6th-grade students will be participating in “Changes and Choices,” which is a five-day program. The 5th grade will be participating in “Violence Prevention,” which is a two-day program. The program will take the place of one of their normal daily classes. If you do not want your child to participate in the Compass Health Network programs, parents can opt their child out of the program by returning the non-permission slip, which will be coming home soon.

During the holiday season, while spending time with family reflecting on 2025 and hopes for the next year, we hope your family can re-emphasize your family values and goals. If we emphasize the importance of education and setting goals, your children will notice! When children set short-term goals such as good grades, making and keeping friendships, as well as engaging in activities that make them proud, they will be more inclined to continue reaching their goals. When they set long-term goals, such as graduating from high school or pursuing a future career, they will learn to overcome obstacles. Having these types of discussions regularly about values, dreams, and hopes emphasizes goal-setting and prioritizing their future success.

Families, we hope you enjoy your break and are able to spend quality time together while celebrating the past year and looking to the future!

Happy Holidays from us to you.

Best,

Ms. Diamond 5th Grade Counselor

Ms. Speicher 6th Grade Counselor

Pacific Intermediate

195 N Indian Pride Dr.

Pacific, MO 63069

www.mvr3.k12.mo.us

Phone: 636-271-1425

Fax: 636-271-1465