Polar Bear Post

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Good Afternoon PLV Families -

Thank you so much for the incredible turn out last Thursday at our Back to School BBQ! It was great to see everyone. I know the teachers are excited too!!

School starts this week!! Monday, Aug 25th is Kindergarten ONLY! All students report to school on Tuesday, Aug 26th.

Reminder that no parents will be permitted to enter the building at arrival. We will have lots of support staff available to help guide the students to their assigned homerooms. So make sure you get those 1st day of School pictures prior to them getting on the bus , in the car or walking to school.

Its a good idea to start having your child (and yourself) get back in the morning school routine. Have them start going to bed early this week and have them get up when they need to wake up for school. Practicing this week will help prepare them for the first week of school. Pleasantville staff and myself will also be practicing since we officially are back to school.

As teachers gain access to their class lists this week, they will be sending out Class DoJo invitations via email for you to join their classrooms. Our goal is to have families connected by Open House.

***Transportation Information was emailed and texted to families on Saturday, Aug 23rd. If you did not receive this information, complete this form: CSD Question Form Students that were just entered this past week were requested transportation, if eligible.

Dismissal will take longer this week. We want to make sure that all students get on the correct bus and get home safely. No buses will leave PLV, until all students who are assigned to the bus are on it. If you do not have a bus assigned to your child as of Monday, Aug 25th, you will have to drive them to/from school and go through car line until a bus is assigned, if eligible.

You also may have received your access information for the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Once you do, you MUST go into the Parent Portal and add any Emergency Contacts for your child into the system, as these did not transfer over from the previous information system. This should be completed by Sept 11th - Open House. Also, please check to make sure the correct email and phone numbers are listed. You can update these as well in the new Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If your physical address is incorrect, you will have to contact the new Central Registration Office to update. We can no longer do this at the school level.

If you are having issues, we will have help available at the Back to School BBQ and Open House.

Please refrain from calling PLV Main Office and Ms. Spadea, PLV's Secretary to find out your child's homeroom. As information is coming in, we are enrolling new students every day and changing homeroom assignments daily.

Monday, August 25th - Kindergarten Only 1st Day

• Bus students will be picked up at their bus stops. Please be at stop at least 10 minutes prior to bus arrival time. Be patient, as the bus drivers will be getting to know each new Kindergartener and care-giver.
• Car Riders stay in car line and in cars until staff start exiting cars.
• Walkers stand in line behind the KN/1 orange cone until staff open the doors at 8:45.
• School Hours 8:45 - 3:35
• Kindergarten families, please make sure you have your child's first/last name and Teacher somewhere on their person or in/on their bookbag, no nicknames, please.

• Here is the PLV Kindergarten camp Registration Form, if you have not yet responded. Please complete the registration by this Wednesday, Aug 20th, so we know how many grownups will be attending the KN Interactive Camp with their child.

Tuesday, August 26th - ALL Students KN - 5th

• Same times as listed above
• 8:45 - 3:35

The PLV Polar Bear Post will be sent on Fridays once the school year starts. I will send it through School Messenger via email and text message, as well as post on Class DoJo. There is A LOT of information in this post with embedded links to PLV Family Handbook, First Day Info, Nutrition Services, etc.

Kind Regards & Stay Well,

Ms. Renee M. Griffith - Principal

At Pleasantville Elementary School, we are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and joyful community where every student feels valued, included, and empowered to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Our mission is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and character they need to succeed in school and in life, helping them become curious thinkers, resilient problem-solvers, and compassionate friends who are prepared for the challenges ahead.

Through strong academic instruction in reading, math, and writing, science and social studies as well as intentional teaching of empathy, respect, and responsibility, we nurture the whole child. We build a learning environment that feels like home, sounds kind and respectful, and looks joyful and engaging, where students and staff support one another and celebrate diversity.

Together with our families and community, we foster a school culture where every student is encouraged to take risks, ask for help, and persevere through challenges. At Pleasantville, we believe learning should be meaningful, kindness should lead the way, and every child should leave knowing they are capable of living happy, safe, and productive lives—ready to make a positive difference in the world.

WE Are PAWsitivley Positive!

• WE Make Positive Choices
• WE Have a Positive Attitude
• WE Use Positive Work Habits
• WE Build Positive Relationships
• WE Are Positively Kind

Monday, August 25th - KINDERGARTEN ONLY

• First day of school for KINDERGARTEN ONLY!! 8:45 Arrival
• All Kindergarteners will enter the building and report directly to the cafeteria, where their teacher will greet them. Staff members will be posted throughout the lobby and hallways to guide students to their correct location.
• Parents and guardians will not be permitted to enter the building.
• KN Parents will be invited back from 1:00 - 3:00 for Parent Kindergarten Camp. Use the link above to register.

Tuesday, August 26th - ALL Students KN - 5th Grade Attend

• 8:45 Student Arrival
• 3:35 Student Dismissal

Thursday, September 11th

• Fall School Picture Day
• Open House 5:30 - 7:00 PM

We are often asked for school supply lists for the upcoming school year. In Colonial, we make it one of our goals to provide our students with the basic educational necessities to be successful in education, making all supply lists sent home to families optional. Regardless, thanks to the generosity of our families, partners and members of our community, people want to help Colonial kids in any way they can. If you wish to provide your student with extra school supplies this school year, here are the teacher created lists for the upcoming school year.

Friday, August 29th - Labor Day Weekend

Monday, September 1st -Labor Day Weekend

Tuesday, September 19th - Staff Professional Development

Friday, October 10th - Staff Professional Development

Monday, November 3rd - Professional Development

Tuesday, November 11th - Veteran's Day

Monday, November 24th & Tuesday, November 25th - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, November 26th - Friday, November 29th - Thanksgiving

Click image for the PLV Family Handbook SY25-26

Important information about the following:

• How to stay connected to PLV
• School Hours
• Mission Statement
• Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
• School Safety
• Nutrition Information
• Nurse's Office Requirements
• Attendance
• Transportation
• and more...

Bus and homeroom assignments will be emailed/mailed directly to your address. Homeroom assignments will be sent on August 19th and Bus information on August 19th. This information will not be finalized before that week, so please do not call or email the Main Office. In addition, you will be able to receive this information at the Back to School BBQ on Thursday, August 21st.

8:45 Doors Open (Arrival)

Students will be considered late after 9:00 AM and will need to be signed in at the Main Office with Ms. Spadea, our Secretary. Parents will use a QR Code to sign students in late. Please bring your phone with you inside.

Students may not be dropped off early to PLV, unless they are signed up for YMCA Before Care, which is around the back of PLV at the cafe entrance. There is no supervision of students on the front or side sidewalks.

3:35 Student Dismissal

We will start the dismissal process inside the building at 3:35.

There are NO EARLY Dismissals after 3:00 PM. Any changes in a students dismissal must be made no later than 2:00 PM.

Only Buses are allowed to drive and park in the front of the building. There is NO SUPERVISION before 8:45.

Cars may start to enter the Car Rider Lot at 8:00 AM. Students MUST stay in their cars until the staff members comes out and start the unloading process at 8:45 AM. We will unload the first 16-20 cars. When all students are safely on the sidewalk, a staff member will move one row at a time. Then we will move the next set of cars forward and when both rows are completely stopped we will repeat the unloading process.

Walkers must walk on the sidewalks and cross at the crosswalks only. If parents walk with their child/ren they should remain outside with them until arrival starts at 8:45. There is no supervision until we open the doors at 8:45. There will be crossing guards posted at the exit on Doncaster Dr. and at the intersection of 273 and Pleasant Place. Families will not be permitted to park in the parking lot or in front of the building. This interferes with the buses arrival and cars leaving.

Only Buses are allowed to drive and park in the front of the building.

Cars may start to enter the Car Rider Lot at 3:00 PM. Students use the lot for PM recess. Cars must wait at the orange cones until all students are inside.

Car riders will be dismissed from the right side of the building. Cars must stay to the right and make two parallel lines (see attached photo). Parents are to remain inside the car. Each car will be given a PLV Car Tag with a specific number that is linked to your child/ren. Please have this clearly displayed on your rearview mirror with the number facing out. New families will given a PLV Car tag the first week of school or during the Back to School BBQ.

Staff will call Car Riders, in groups of 16-20 (first 8-10 cars in each row), once all students are safely inside the vehicle, a staff member will dismiss the first 16 cars one row at a time. Once all cars are stopped, we will repeat the loading process. Cars must exit through the PLV parking lot and follow the predicatable flow of traffic and exit out of Doncaster Dr.

Walkers must stay on the sidewalk and cross at the crosswalks. Crossing guards are will be stationed on Doncaster Dr. and at the light on 273 that turns into Pleasant Place. Families will not be permitted to park in our parking lot or out front of the building . This interferes with the buses arrival and cars leaving. Walkers should go directly home.

Pleasantville uses the School Messenger application via email/text as our way to communicate with families. If you have changed your phone numbers/email or home addresses, please contact our secretary, Jaimie Spadea, with your newest contact information. Jaimie.Spadea@colonial.k12.de.us or 302-323-2935.

This information is very important because we use this application to let you know about any school closures, upcoming events or emergency situations. You can also download the app for your iPhone or Android.

PLV Staff uses Class DoJo to share agendas for the week, pictures, events and classroom stories of the exciting things that are happening in your child's class. Once connected, they will be able to send you direct private messages and you will be able to do the same. Admin and support staff (Nurse, SEC, Counselor, etc) will also be linked to their homeroom pages. Once the teachers create their new class page (the week of August 19th) they will send you an invite to join their class and the school. Teachers will then approve all connections.

• NO outside food from home/restaurants is permitted.
• NO outside food coming from home to be used for classroom parties, celebrations, events and/or rewards for student behavior due to monitoring food allergies, reducing food safety concerns and consumption of excess calories during the school day to meet Smart Snack guidelines.

• Parents can send in a snack for their child only, but cannot send in snacks for the entire class. Students get free breakfast and lunch daily and Fresh Fruit & Vegetable 4 days a week.
• School Cafe is a simple way for parents to make school snack payments. Students are offered second meals and a la carte snacks at a small cost. Click the "Pre Payments" tab to set a student account.
• For more information click on the Colonial Nutrition image.

A school-based health center (SBHC) is a medical office located inside your child's school. Nurse practitioners and behavioral health therapists offer well-child visits, sick visits, vaccinations, and mental health care to students. Your child can get free, high-quality care, that's safe and convenient.

How much does a visit cost?

If your child doesn't have insurance, their care is free. If your child has insurance, the school-based health center will file a claim directly. (Note: No co-pay, co-insurance or deductible will be charged to you).

Who runs the SBHC?

Your child's school-based health center is a partnership between their school district, Nemours Children’s Health and the Delaware Division of Public Health. These three organizations work together to run the center.

Enrollment:

• Online Enrollment: https://sbhc.nemours.org/
• Every student will be sent home a Nemourse Wellness Center Packet the first week of school.

Please join our PTA for the 2025 - 2026 School Year!

Joining PLV's PTA is a great way to support students and staff. They plan fun activities, fundraisers, provide support for field trips and so much more!!

PLV PTA meet once a month on a Monday night from 5:45 - 6:45 PM in PLV's library.

Applications will be available at the Back to School BBQ, Kindergarten Camp and Open House.

Week of July 28th 2025

Week of August 11th 2025

Week of Aug 18th, 2025

Location: 16 Pleasant Place, New Castle, DE 19720

Phone: 302-323-2935 or 302-323-2941

Fax: 302-323-2943

Email: Renee.Griffith@colonial.k12.de.us

PLV Website: https://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/pleasantville/

PLV Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pleasantvilleelementary

Colonial School District Website: https://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/