Chief Weekly
Week of May 4th - 8th, 2026
Week @ a Glance:
3rd & 4th Grade MAP Testing Week!
Kdg, 1st, and 2nd End of Year iReady Testing Week!
Monday: D Day.
Tuesday: A Day. Girls on the Run Practice 5k @ Zitzman.
Wednesday: B Day.
Thursday: C Day.
Friday: D Day. ZE PTO Little Ireland Dine to Donate Day (6am-4pm).
Saturday: GOTR 5k Race Day! STL City Zitzman PTO School Night 4pm!
Celebrating Success @ Zitzman
Attendance
We are excited to recognize the following classes for earning all of their CHIEFS Attendance Letters and receiving a class reward:
- Ms. Thurston's 2nd Grade Class
- Ms. Dillard's Kindergarten Class
Chief Cheers
This week, we are excited to recognize students who earned Chief Cheers for demonstrating Zitzman’s and Meramec Valley's Core Values. Congratulations to:
Citizenship: Bholttyn O, Coleson S.
We are so proud of these students for modeling positive behaviors and helping make our school a welcoming and supportive place!
A Note on Testing & Growth from Dr. Sladek
This week we start MAP Testing with 3rd & 4th Graders and End of Year iReady testing for Kdg, 1st & 2nd Grade
This time of year brings a lot with it—MAP testing, end-of-year assessments, and conversations around growth and scores. It can feel like everything starts to center around numbers, percentages, and data points. And while those things do give us helpful information, they don’t tell the full story of your child.
Because over the course of this year, your child has grown in ways no test can fully measure.
They’ve built friendships that didn’t exist in August.
They’ve learned how to navigate challenges, solve problems, and keep going when things felt hard.
They’ve gained confidence—sometimes in big, noticeable ways, and sometimes in quiet, behind-the-scenes moments. They’ve figured out more about who they are, how they learn, and where they belong. Yes—their academic growth matters, and we will absolutely celebrate it.
But so does their growth as a human being… and that growth is just as important.
As we head into testing, it’s important to remember that every child experiences it differently.
Some students will meet or exceed their goals—and we will celebrate those moments in big ways.
Some students may not show the growth they were hoping for.
Some may have an off day, feel nervous, or struggle to show what they truly know in a testing setting.
And all of that… is real.
A test score captures a moment in time. It does not capture your child’s kindness, their effort, their resilience, their sense of humor, their creativity, or the way they show up for others each day. It cannot measure the growth we’ve seen in their confidence, their relationships, or their willingness to try.
As we move through these next couple of weeks, the most important things remain simple and steady: good sleep, healthy meals and routines, encouragement, and support.
More than anything, we want every child to know they are safe, supported, and deeply cared for—at school and at home—no matter what.
Because at the end of the day, they are so much more than a score.
And we are incredibly proud of who they are becoming.
A good reminder for ALL our little testers...
Bejeweled & Beloved Staff Appreciation Week at Zitzman!
During Bejeweled & Beloved Staff Appreciation Week (May 4–8), we are celebrating our incredible staff with special treats each day! If your family would like to join in the fun, we’ve included simple optional ideas below to help show appreciation in your own way. Notes, small gestures, and kind words go a long way in making our staff feel valued!
Monday – First Sparkle Charm
Send a kind note, drawing, or email to your child’s teacher.
Tuesday – Grill & Chill Charm
Have your child share a favorite school memory or say “thank you” in person.
Wednesday – Sweet Sparkle Snack Charm
Send in a favorite snack or drink for your teacher.
Thursday – Dessert Delight Charm
Write a “sweet note” about why your teacher is special.
Friday – Sip, Shine & Surprise Charm
Consider a small gift card, flower, or token of appreciation.
Yearbook Sales - Now open!
Breakfast Menu
Lunch Menu
SACC Enrollment Options!
...for School Year & During Summer Discovery [6/1-6/30, 2026]
...for July! [7/6 - 8/7, 2026]
Kindergarten registration is now open
for the 2026-27 school year!
We are excited to welcome the Class of 2039! Children who turn five on or before August 1, 2026, are eligible to enroll. Registering early helps families receive timely information about screenings, school events, orientations, and important next steps.
How to get started:
- Families new to MVR-III should contact the office of their assigned school Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm. School staff will share guidance and a registration link to begin the enrollment process.
- Families with students already attending MVR-III will complete kindergarten registration through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
- Families whose children are not enrolled in MVR-III prekindergarten will need to schedule a kindergarten screening. To sign up for a kindergarten screening time, complete the online screening form: https://bit.ly/MVR3KDG
Learn more about kindergarten registration on our website: https://www.mvr3.k12.mo.us/article/2674251
Coffee with Carrie Dates
Family and community engagement is a top priority for the MVR-III School District. To support this goal, Superintendent Dr. Carrie Schwierjohn is hosting monthly Coffee with Carrie sessions.
These informal gatherings offer a dedicated space for parents and community members to ask questions, share new ideas, and stay informed about district news. We invite you to join us for free coffee and conversation at Little Ireland Coffee, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., on the following dates:
May 12, 2026
We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your perspectives!
Community Opportunities:
Summer Library Program
Pacific Swim & Dive Team
Girls Basketball Camp
PJFL Cheer Program
Pacific High School 2026 Summer Sports Camps
Pacific High School is committed to the development of student athletes. It is the intention of our staff to provide quality instruction to all camp participants. All camps will be held on the Pacific High School campus.
- Cost: All camps are $35.00 per attendant, per camp.
All camp registrations will be online at www.pacificsportscamps.com (No paper registrations).
The deadline to be assured a Camp T-Shirt is May 15th.
- Camp Staff: The head coaches and their assistants from each particular sport conduct the camps. Additionally, for the younger camps, high school student athletes will assist the staff.
- School Physicals: Physicals are not required for summer camps.
However, athletes are required to have a current physical in order to participate in middle school and high school athletics during the 2026-2027 school year. The Athletic Registration for the 26-27 school year (grades 7-12) will open on July 1, 2026. Registration information will be sent out closer to that date.
Please call 636-271-1411 with any questions.
All Things PTO
WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS COMING TUESDAY [May 5th!]
Help Us “Give Back Time” to Our Teachers!
On Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, we’re on a mission to show our amazing teachers just how much we appreciate them—and we need your help!
We’re looking for volunteers with an active MVR3 background check to step in and cover recess and lunch duty throughout the day. By lending a hand, you’re giving our teachers something incredibly valuable: a little extra time to recharge, catch up, and feel appreciated during their busy day.
Specific times that need support:
Kindergarten Recess: 9:35-10:05am
Kindergarten Lunch: 10:40-11:20am
First Grade Recess: (FULL)
First Grade Lunch: 11:20-11:50am
Second Grade Recess: (FULL)
Second Grade Lunch: 11:50-12:20pm
Third Grade Lunch: 12:20-12:50pm
Third Grade Recess: 12:50-1:20pm
Fourth Grade Recess: 11:10-11:40am
Fourth Grade Lunch: 12:50-1:20pm
*If there is a break in between your times that you sign up for you are welcome to go to the car and sit in silence to regain your balance and peace for the day lol OR you can help us serve the BBQ lunch to teachers OR I am sure we can find you another area or space to help cover!*
Next Meeting
ZE PTO Soccer Night = Family Fun + Giving Back!
Join us for a fun night out at a St. Louis City soccer game on May 9 at 4:00 PM at Energizer Park! This is a family-themed event and such a fun way to be together outside of school.
Even better—$5 from every ticket purchased through our link comes right back to Zitzman PTO, helping support our students, staff, and school experiences throughout the year.
Grab your tickets here: https://pa.exchange/marketplace/985d8d98-18b0-11f1-b8f7-f5c32e5b85bf/storefront/985d8f78-18b0-11f1-8c48-915a484b23ed
Let’s fill the stands with Zitzman families and make it a night to remember!
Contact Us
Email: zitzmanelempto@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/zitzmanelempto
Donations: https://givebutter.com/zitzman-elementary-pto
25-26 PTO Activities
- May 8th - Dine to Donate @ Little Ireland
Zitzman Spirit Wear!
Zitzman Store
Preview our Spirit Wear store! Get yourself some Zitzman or MVR3 gear to show your spirit on purple Fridays or wear our logo around town proudly! Lots of good items and you are able to pick colors and logos to customize to your liking!
MVR3 Spirit Wear!
District Store
This store has a WIDE variety of options and mostly PHS and Athletics based but there are some options where you can choose the Zitzman logo or just the district logo!
Guiding Us This School Year:
Our Why & How
Looking Ahead - Save the Date:
- Monday, May 4th - Friday, May 8th - 3rd & 4th Grade MAP Testing Week!
- Monday, May 4th - Friday, May 8th - Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week!
- Friday, May 8th - Zitzman PTO Dine to Donate Day @ Little Ireland (6am-4pm)
- Saturday, May 9th - Girls on the Run 5K Race Day!
- Saturday, May 9th - STL City ZE PTO School Night!
- Thursday, May 14th - 3rd Grade Field Trip Day!
- Friday, May 15th - ZE Field Day!
- Sunday, May 17th - PHS Graduation Day!
- Wednesday, May 20th - ZE Kindergarten Graduation 12:30pm
- Wednesday, May 20th - ZE PTO Meeting 4:00pm
- Wednesday, May 20th - MVR3 Board Meeting 6:00pm
- Thursday, May 21st - Trimester Award Assemblies (BY GRADE)
- Thursday, May 21st - 4th Grade Final Walk Out/Send Off 12:50pm.
- Thursday, May 21st - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL; EARLY RELEASE @ 1:10PM
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Summer School 2026-2027
- June 1-30 Summer School
- June 19 No School/Juneteenth Holiday
2026/2027 School Year
- August 19 Open House
- August 24 First Day of School
From me to you...
Dear Zitzman Families,
I just want to take a quick moment to say thank you—truly—to our Zitzman PTO and all of our families who continue to show up, support, and give so much of themselves to our school.
This year has been something special. Not just because of what’s been accomplished, but because of how it’s been done—together. From Dine to Donates that build local connections, to nights filled with laughter and memories like Santa visits, Trivia Night, and Bingo… you’ve created moments our kids will carry with them.
And then there are the things that will last for years to come—the fence cups (which look AMAZING… Chiefs letter coming soon!), solving real problems (and our playground equipment more longevity rather than getting kicked to the train tracks!) with the netting, and now… a gym sound system being installed on May 11th. That one deserves a WOW all on its own.
This doesn’t happen without you. It doesn’t happen without parents and families who care deeply, give their time, and believe in what we’re building here.
So tonight, this week, this season—just know how grateful we are.
This is what community looks like. And it matters more than anything.
Leading and learning,
Dr. Sladek
