From the Desk of Phoebe Lewis

Middle school is a crucial time for developing consistent attendance habits. Patterns of absenteeism can begin to emerge during these years, and once established, they can be difficult to break. When students start missing school regularly, it becomes easier to fall into a cycle of absences, which impacts their academic progress and social involvement.

We encourage families to monitor their student’s attendance closely and address any emerging patterns early. By setting expectations for consistent attendance, students can develop strong habits that will benefit them throughout their educational journey.

PRMS Community,

You are invited to The 9th Annual Dinner Theatre Fundraising Production of Treasure Island, on November 6th, 7th & 8th at 6:30pm! Tickets are on sale now!

Click the link or use the QR code to purchase tickets or flowers to support our wonderful cast, crew, chef/server/artist, and student directors!

Visit our theatre website for more information on ways to help our theatre program.

There are many ways to do so!

1. Please click on the link to become a PTO member, gain access to the directory

2. Join Father’s Club

3. Donate to the Power Up Program, learn about upcoming events, and participate in fundraisers like Restaurant Spirit Nights.

SUPPORT OUR BULLDOGS: https://www.pleasantridgepto.com/

Dinner Night! November 13!

The attendance line is 913-239-5701. You may report a full day or partial day absence on this line. You can also report full day absences via ParenVue

Students must check in with the office before exiting the building. Parents will need to call the office to speak to an office staff member and NOT leave a message on our attendance line, 913-239-5700, when picking up their students. Parents should call 5 minutes prior to pick up to ensure your student arrives at the office for prompt pickup. You do not need to get out of your car. We will send your child out to you once we have confirmed your vehicle.

It is essential that students arrive on time to school so they can be present for all instruction. The following policy will be implemented for students who arrive tardy to 1st hour:

· Teachers begin their classes at 7:51am and every late arrival creates an interruption that takes away from the learning environment - and students often miss key instructional elements when they arrive late.

· We will closely track tardies.

· Each quarter, students can be tardy to 1st hour three times before they must serve time in the morning.

· The tally for tardies resets each quarter. Quarter ends December 20th.

At the end of each quarter, courses in Canvas will conclude and will no longer be visible on the Canvas app. However, a concluded course remains visible through the Canvas website by selecting ALL COURSES and then PAST ENROLLMENTS.

Important dates for families:

Please note: The dates are subject to change based upon calendar updates or technology needs.

How do I view my child’s report card?

• Log in on ParentVue.
• Select the student’s name
• In the left navigation bar, choose Report Card

Each new quarter, classroom teachers will publish the next quarter’s Canvas course. As courses are published, students and families will again be able to see current courses on the Canvas app and Canvas website. For Canvas parent resources, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/canvas.

The Family Resources Canvas Course is now available for Blue Valley families. This course is designed to help families navigate Canvas, whether beginning or looking for a reminder. Additionally, the course includes Canvas guides for Observers (the role assigned to parents).

Enroll in this course: https://bvusd.instructure.com/enroll/73CN87

If you have a question or concerns, we want to help! Many times by starting at the building level, you will work with the person who is closest to the situation and will usually have the most information. If you feel further discussion is warranted, the following chart can be used as a guide for whom to call when questions arise on the most common topics.

We are looking for 5 parent volunteers to assist in organizing students and to keep things running smoothly for hearing and vision screens on Wednesday, October 23rd. The time would be 7:45am-9am. If this is something you are interested in helping with please contact me at KNOstmeyer@bluevalleyk12.org. Thankyou!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4CA8AD2AA31-51786894-help

Please hold these dates:

We will hold fall conferences in October. There are different ways that conferences occur. There are drop in conferences that are in person, there are zoom conferences and there are scheduled conferences set by the teachers.

Here are the dates:

Monday October 21st

• 5:30-9:00 - Zoom (zoom links coming soon)

Wednesday October 23rd

• 3:30 - 6:15pm - In person drop ins commons/gym

Thursday October 24th

• 8:00-9:30 - in person drop ins

Scheduled Conferences: Set by the teacher

Do you have any photographs of students from Pleasant Ridge school events (sports, clubs, band, orchestra, vocal music, etc.)? If you have some that you would like to share for use in the PRMS 2024-25 school, please sent them to mslalonde@bluevalleyk12.org. All photos must be png or jpg format. Thank you!

Do you have photos of students at Pleasant Ridge school events? If you do and would like to share them for consideration to be used in the PRMS 2024-25, send them to mslalonde@bluevalleyk12.org. The photos must be png or jpeg/jpg format. Thank you!

We are so excited to have begun rehearsals for our fall play Treasure Island!

If you missed the parent meeting, we discussed several things that are important to know.

• The Detailed Rehearsal Schedule: This is where you can find what days and times your child is called to rehearsal.
• The final updated one will be sent out this weekend from Ms. Shute.
• If you aren’t getting emails from Ms. Shute, then please email her so you can be added to the list.
• This is our sign-up genius link for parent volunteers! Please sign-up today! It says costumes in the link, but it is for all committees! We need chairs for each committee too!
• https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0948A9A82BAA8-44741695-costumes#/
• You will receive Director’s notes in Ms. Shute’s email with more details as well!
• This is our Theatre Website link where you can find all things Theatre! J
• https://sites.google.com/bluevalleyk12.org/prmstheatre/home

Thank you so much! Kay Beth Shute & Directing Staff

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), Division of Aviation is currently accepting artwork for the 2025 NASAO National Aviation Art Contest. The Kansas Department of Transportation will honor the 1st through 3rd place winners of each age category. Please contact KDOT Aviation for more information by email/phone: airportquestions@ks.gov; Rachel.adkins1@ks.gov or 785-296-2553. See brochure PDF below.

Please mail artwork to:

Kansas Department of Transportation

Division of Aviation

700 SW Harrison St., 9th Floor
Topeka, KS 66603

Students and Teachers let ART take Flight!

• Submit artwork to KDOT to be entered in the Kansas State Aviation Art Contest by January 3, 2025
• Ages 6 – 17 are eligible to participate.
• 2025 Theme “Women With Wings”
• 1st – 3rd Place Winners - Each Age group will receive a Prize.
• Top art competes at the national level.
• Ask us for more information or contact AirportQuestions@ks.gov / Rachel.adkins1@ks.gov

For official rules please visit:

International Aviation Art Contest - National Association of State Aviation Officials (nasao.org)

GRADE LEVEL T-SHIRTS

The PRMS PTO has reopened the order forms for grade-level shirts! If you are new to PRMS this year and didn’t get a chance to order last spring, if you need to order shirts in different sizes, or if you just want a few extras on hand, now's your chance!

We are once again working with our friends at "The Spot" over at Blue Valley West - so please use the following link to place your order: https://www.bvwthespot.com/shop/pleasant-ridge-middle-school/12. The online order form will be available until October 18, so don’t miss out!

Once the shirts are ready, they will be delivered to PRMS and distributed to students, hopefully by the first week of November.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at bvprmspto@gmail.com

FATHERS CLUB

Have you ever used a hotdog catapult? Want to give it a try? How about showing off your legendary barbecue skills? Does challenging your child and all their friends to a game of kickball sound like a blast? Well, the PTO at Pleasant Ridge Middle School is exploring the idea of creating a Father’s Club, and we want to know if you’re interested!

The Father’s Club is a fun and easy way for dads - or any parent serving in a fatherly role - to get involved in their child's school without the hassle of regular meetings. Instead, we’ll be doing things like handing out donuts before school, offering hot chocolate on chilly mornings, launching hotdogs, and creating many other unforgettable moments with the students. It's all about showing up, having fun, and engaging with our kids in creative and meaningful ways. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, let us know! We’d love to get more parents involved and make PRMS even better for our students.

Interested? Click Here to let us know (make sure you're logged into your PRMS PTO User Account): https://www.pleasantridgepto.com/packet/21838

Don't have an account yet? Click here to join the PRMS PTO!

PTO NEWS

A big HELLO from your PTO!

We want to welcome your support through membership!

Did you know that your membership funds go directly to: 6th and 7th Grade Socials, 8th Grade Farewell, Activity Night, Staff Appreciation, BVEF Community Sponsorship Table, staff/student events -AND- gives you access to an online student directory?

We also want to say THANK YOU to the families who support PRMS PTO FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR! You are greatly appreciated!

SUPPORT OUR PTO: Click here: https://www.pleasantridgepto.com/

POWER UP THE RIDGE

In lieu of traditional fundraising, we ask that you donate directly to PRMS PTO so that 100% of the money raised goes directly back to PRMS to enhance your student’s education and experience through our staff gift funding request program.

Here is a list of some of the many programs, materials and resource needs that have been funded thru this program: Uniforms, Library books, Cheer Pom Poms, Costumes for Theatre, Pre-Engineering Materials, Replacement Novels, Kitchen Equipment, ETC.

SUPPORT OUR BULLDOGS! Click here: http://www.pleasantridgepto.com

PRMS PTO SEPTEMBER 2024 EVENTS

Come out and be a part of the FUNdraiser! FREDDY'S PRMS PTO SPIRIT NIGHT:

Monday, September 30th - Fundraiser at Freddy’s 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. (at the 159th location)

Wednesday, October 16th - Fundraiser at Chipotle’s from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (at the 151st location)

Thursday, October 17th - PTO BOARD MEETING at 8:45 a.m.

Monday, October 28th - Fundraiser at Nautical Bowls from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. (at both 135th and 159th locations)

Some October/November Celebrations & Observances:

• Native American Heritage Month - celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, histories, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples.
• National Veterans and Military Family Appreciation Month - honors the military family by recognizing their sacrifices and commitments.
• All Saints Day - November 1 - celebrated by some of the Christian faith, this solemn, holy day honors the saints of the church.
• Day of the Dead - November 1 - celebrated by some with Mexican heritage, a joyful time to remember and honor deceased loved ones.
• Diwali - November 1 - the festival of lights celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and the human ability to overcome observed by some Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others. Some will decorate their homes with lights and rangoli art, exchange gifts, dress in colorful clothing, feast with family, and/or go to temple.

www.pleasantridgepto.com

Facebook for PTO:

Pleasant Ridge Middle School PTO

Facebook for PRMS

facebook.com/prmsbulldogs

Twitter for PRMS

@PleasantRidgeMS

PRMS Website:

https://district.bluevalleyk12.org/schools/Middle/PRM/Pages/home.aspx

As a team, we will create a respectful, student-centered, and learning focused environment.

Vision:

Relentless pursuit of each student's success

Email: plewis@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: https://district.bluevalleyk12.org/schools/Middle/PRM/Pages/home.aspx
Location: 9000 West 165th Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-239-5700
Facebook: facebook.com/prmsbulldogs
Twitter: @PleasantRidgeMS