The Weekly Update #4

This past week our competitive sports started their season. It is great to see the opportunity that our students have in middle school to compete, learn some great life skills, and to make connections with other students and staff members. If your child is on any of our Fall sport teams (cross country, boys soccer, or girls basketball) and have questions please reach out to any of the coaches.

If your child wishes to stay to watch one of the games hosted at Plum Grove, they will go from their 9th period class directly to the gym. If a student leaves the school they may only return to the game with an adult, and the adult must stay with them at the game. Students that are spectators will leave with the activity bus unless they have a ride home and can confirm this with the staff supervisor. All students must be picked up at the end of the game,.

If a student wishes to attend an away game as a spectator, they must have an adult with them at the game. Students may not be dropped off at away games, the adult will need to be able to stay the duration of the game with the student.

Math Club will meet on Mondays in room 123. The first meeting will be after school on Monday, September 23rd. Registration link is in the Charger Google Classroom and is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. This club is for students who wish to participate in Math competitions. You may email Mrs. Milford if you have any questions.

September 26th is a half-day for all District 15 schools. Middle Schools will be dismissed at 10:30. Students will not eat lunch at school on half-days.

PG Soccer Spiritwear Store is now open! It closes Wednesday, September 25 at noon. Late orders cannot be accepted after that so we can get them back quickly in time for the season!

Soccer Spiritwear

Cross Country season has started and we are so excited to see so many 6th, 7th, and 8th graders running! Please note this important information related to practices and meets. Students will stay after for practice and meets each day Monday-Thursday. On practice days, students can take the activity bus home at 3:55pm or be picked up by a parent/guardian. On meet days students need a ride home since our meets do not end until 5:15-5:30pm. Students can be picked up directly from the meet location or be picked up once the bus returns to PGMS between 5:15-5:30. Please see the attached schedules for planning.

Practice and Meet Calendar

PGMS CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE 24-25

Do you love to sing? Do you want to make new friends? Is your favorite sport ending soon? Well good news, you can join choir! There will be an open rehearsal after school on October 7th from 2:15-3:45 PM in room #103, and anyone interested should come! Email (smithn@ccsd15.net) or stop by Ms. Smith's room (#128) with any questions!

Art Club will be starting on October 1st. Mrs. Shapera is the club sponsor and will host the club in her classroom after school hours. Students can take the activity bus home at 3:55.

KPOP club at PGMS offers interested 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students an opportunity to wind down from academics and share their love and appreciation of Korean pop (Kpop) music and culture. Students will listen to Kpop songs, watch and critique performances, play games, and discuss their favorite artists. This club will start on September 30th. Any questions please reach out to Ms. Kanda.

Spirit Squad is starting soon! There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 24th after school. Come by to learn more about the club. Email Ms. Tinaglia with any questions.

Anime club explores animations and engaging storylines from the industry while spending time with friends and crafting projects. We will view both movies and shows from a variety of genres to ensure that everyone has something that pulls their interest in addition to practicing their creative skills. This club will begin on October 1st. The permission slip is posted in the Charger Classroom and students must have the permission slip to attend. Please see the club sponsor Ms. Hill if you have any questions.

The Plastilina Clay Modeling Club will meet on Wednesdays from September 25 until May 28/2025 in L26. Students that are interested should email Mr. Lopez at lopezn@ccsd15.net. Students will meet to learn basic skills on how to shape and model different Plastilina clay figures. Starting from very basic animal and body shapes, to more complex constructions such as Latino character for September, Frankenstein monster for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas decor.

homework Center is after school on Tuesdays. This is for students who want a quiet place to complete homework. Students work independently with limited assistance available. This is not a club but a place for students to work after school before going home for the day. Students can be picked up or take the after school bus at 3:45.

The Palatine and Rolling Meadows Chambers of Commerce is thrilled to be bringing the Young

Entrepreneurs Academy. YEA! teaches students in grades 6-9 how to start and run their own REAL

businesses. A bit of background…

YEA! was developed at the University of Rochester in 2004 with the support of a grant from the Kauffman Foundation. The Palatine and Rolling Meadows Chambers is excited to be introducing YEA! to the Community!

YEA! guides middle and high school students through the process of starting and running a legitimate business or social movement over the course of a full academic year. YEA! has graduated over 4,000 students since 2004, who have started over 3,000 businesses and social movements! Kids start as students, and graduate as CEOs!

Through their interactions with business professionals during the year, YEA! students gain some of the most important knowledge and experience they need to succeed. Local professionals volunteer their time and expertise as guest speakers, mentors, investors, graphic designers, field trip hosts, business plan reviewers, and much more. The time YEA! students spend with adults who encourage their futures is invaluable, and participants often report getting even more out of their participation than they put in to it!

For more information, call 847-398-3730 or email info@palatinechamber.com

Students may apply at: https://www.palatinechamber.com/yea/

Each school year, District 15 implements a child sexual abuse and grooming behavior prevention program that helps prepare students and staff to identify and respond to warning signs of suspected child sexual abuse, how to identify grooming behaviors that may be related to possible sexual abuse, and how to report child sexual abuse. The prevention program is developmentally appropriate, is implemented by teachers and school mental health professionals in each classroom, and is consistent with the Erin’s law requirement in Illinois. Information about this prevention program can be found within this letter.

As we prepare to welcome students to the new school year, I want to emphasize the importance of creating a focused learning environment for all students. To ensure that our classrooms are conducive to learning, the expectation is that cell phones must be kept powered-off or silenced and out-of-sight during the regular school day. Please review the student-parent handbook for additional details. By following these guidelines, we can create a positive and productive classroom community where students can fully engage in their education.

District 211 will be mailing out information to parents by October 1st to provide information for parents and students. They are in their final planning stages and will have more information coming out to families. The district has a website that will have all the necessary information you will need. Your 8th grade students will take a freshman placement test on Saturday, October 26th. This will take place at the high school. If you have questions about the testing or any other information about the transition please directly contact the high school. Mrs. Brand, our associate principal, that will work directly with our 8th grade families this year.

Calling all artists! The National PTA Reflections program has started. This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection"

Reflect, Create Art, and Be Recognized
Students are encouraged to submit original works of art in one or more of the following categories:
- Dance Choreography
- Film Production
- Literature
- Music Composition
- Photography
- Visual Arts

Deadline for entries will be Friday, November 8th. If you think your student would be interested, please email plumgrovereflections@gmail.com for more details.

Make this year's PGMS memories last a lifetime with our personalized yearbooks! Each book includes TWO customizable pages for your unique touch. Don't miss out on this special opportunity to capture your school experience. Order before October 31 and enjoy a 10% discount! Full details on ordering are here!

Did you know? Students with perfect attendance are more likely to excel in their studies.
Tip: Reply to the district’s monthly attendance text. Reply with a “Y” to receive detailed information about your student’s attendance. Help us meet our goal of 9 or fewer absences for success!

Below are some key dates for families for the upcoming 2025-205 school year.

• September 23rd- Boys Soccer PG 1 vs. PG2; Cross Country WC @ PG; Girls Basketball PG2 @ CGMS; Girls Basketball PG1 @ WCMS
  
• September 23rd- Community Walk-Through 4:30-6:00. This event for is for our community to see our new spaces
• September 24th- Boys Soccer CSMS vs. PG2; Girls Basketball WRMS @ PG1; Girls Basketball PG2 @ TJMS
• September 25th- Boys Soccer PG 1 Vs. WCMS
• September 26th-Half Day Of Student Attendance

You can also access the official district calendar for all important dates on the district's website