Welcome Back to PES Families

We have been very busy all summer and especially over the past few weeks as we prepare for your return. There are many exciting changes and so much to look forward to in the year ahead:

• New locations for most classrooms:
• 1st grade and 2nd grade swapped classrooms
• 3rd and 4th are at the very end of the back hallway
• 6th, 7th & 8th grades are "in the middle with their very own entrance by the gym.
• We have updated all of our competencies and identified new success criteria. You will hear more at the curriculum nights and notice both on our report cards later this fall.
• Several staff have already started working on project-based lessons designed to increase engagement by offering more opportunities for voice & choice and applying their learning in meaningful ways (agency)
• And speaking of staff - we are welcoming three new teachers and Cindy Huett in the office. (See more below)

The start of school year brings both hope and apprehension. I was reminded this summer of the adage, "it is what you make it." I attended a wedding with friends. We were looking forward to dancing the night away but alas, the music wasn't really conducive to the dance stylings of the 50 plus set. As we boarded the quaint trolley reserved to shuttle guests from the venue to our Inn, "Staying Alive" was playing and nobody else was there yet. We took full advantage and got in the best dancing of the night, and maybe the most memorable dancing (so far) of my life. The driver's reaction when he returned to the trolley was priceless!

My hope for all of us this year is to remember that - while every moment may not be perfect, or every lesson be your 'jive', there WILL be many opportunities for deep learning, meaningful connection, and significant growth. Sometimes they will just be there for the taking, sometimes you will have to listen for the music, and sometimes you may just have to make your own opportunities. We are looking forward to being right there with you along the way.

See you on Wednesday morning!

Best,

Audra

The August and September lunch menus are attached below. Kindergarten and new families: You will receive your Linq Connect registration number this week.

To set up your account and add funds click here: https://linqconnect.com/main

The Plainfield School website has many important information including:

The Annual School Calendar

Upcoming events (including athletics)

Bus Routes

...and more!

The buttons below the photo slideshow on the front page are particularly helpful.

KINDERGARTEN SOCIAL - MONDAY, AUGUST 24 - 5 pm

COW PADDY BINGO at Plainfield Spirit Day - Saturday, August 29th

Mr. Jones, our new music, band and chorus teacher is excited to meet you all. In the meantime, he wants to be sure you mark your calendars for a fun opportunity at Lebanon Middle School on September 1st. Ellis music will be at LMS to demo a variety of instruments. If you are just joining band or thinking of changing things up, you won't want to miss this!

They will start promptly at 5 pm with an intro to the instruments and how the selection process works.

The PTA meets every other month to organize or you can volunteer at events.

All registration forms (in Alma) must be signed and completed by the start of school. If you have questions, please be sure to reach out. The 26-27 health form is located in the family letter and needs to be completed and returned to us before the start of school. We also have paper copies in the foyer if you need one. The family letter is also attached where you can easily locate links.

Pickup Patrol has sent all families a welcome letter. Returning families only need to adjust default plans if they have changed (please pay close attention to bus numbers). New families, please follow the steps to create your account and enter your child's default plan. From there, you will only need to make changes when your child has a different after-school plan than their default. PLEASE HAVE ALL DEFAULT PLANS ENTERED ON OR BEFORE MONDAY, AUGUST 24TH, SO STAFF HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW THEM.

Lastly, we will have NO STUDY HALL the first week of school (8/26, 8/27, 8/28). We will update the study hall calendar as soon as we have it finalized.

Email: office@plainfieldschool.org for daily questions and concerns. We look forward to supporting you this year!

Amanda & Cindy