Pleasant Valley Family Newsletter

Dear PV Families,

Another Wonderful Week at PV!

We’ve wrapped up our second week of state testing and are heading into the weekend with full hearts and deep gratitude.

A huge thank you to all our families for making our staff feel truly appreciated this week. From the daily treats generously supported by you and coordinated by our amazing PTO executive board and volunteers, to the beautiful flowers, gift cards, handmade cards, and kind gestures—it all meant the world to us. Your thoughtfulness reminds us why PV is such a special place.

We also want to give a big shoutout to Katrina, Meredith, and the entire Book Fair Committee for successfully pulling off PV’s first-ever four-day book fair! Thanks to your support, we raised over $15,000—an incredible accomplishment that will go directly back to our students.

Keeping with the great news... As I shared with you last week, Vidita Vatsa—an incredible and innovative thinker from our Class of 2032—was selected to represent our district and school at the Connecticut Invention Convention. Today, we’re thrilled to celebrate her outstanding achievements!

Vidita was awarded the Linde Innovation Award, a prestigious honor that recognizes creative and impactful problem-solving. In addition, she was named a Top Innovator, earning the opportunity to participate virtually in the U.S. National Innovator Challenge!

Vidita’s innovation, dedication, and presentation truly stood out. Her success is a testament to the exceptional talent and perseverance of our students here at PV. Congratulations, Vidita! We are so proud of you!

Tomorrow—Saturday, May 10—our 5th grade Girls on the Run team will participate in their 5K run! We encourage all PV families and members of our school community to come out and cheer them on. Let’s show our girls the strength of our PV spirit and celebrate their hard work and determination!

Scroll down for more highlights from the week, including Mrs. Parent’s class engaged in Purposeful Play, snapshots from the 2nd grade field trip, Eli's visit to one of our 5th grade classes and school dress like your favorite staff member pics.

Attention 5th Grade Families

On Monday, May 20th, Officer Peter Korchari will be visiting PV to present on Internet Safety for all 5th grade students. The presentation will take place from 10:00–10:55 AM and will cover important topics to help students stay safe and make smart choices online.

Following the presentation, 5th grade teachers will share key takeaways with families to help reinforce the messages at home.

Calling All 4th Grade Parents – Help Us Start a New PV Tradition!

We’re excited to invite our 4th grade parents and guardians to help launch a new PV tradition—supporting the end-of-year celebrations for our graduating 5th graders!

The idea is simple but meaningful: as a 4th grade parent, you’ll work alongside the Grade 5 planning committee throughout the year to help make these milestone events special. By volunteering your time and talents, you’ll allow 5th grade families to fully enjoy these moments with their children—without having to manage all the behind-the-scenes work themselves.

Ways you can help include:

• Assisting with set-up and decorations for the 5th grade promotion ceremony

• Helping plan or run games during end-of-year celebrations

• Volunteering at the 5th grade trip (set-up, snacks, logistics, etc.)

• Donating items like water, fruits, veggies, or supplies

If you’re interested in being part of the very first 4th grade parent cohort to "pay it forward," please reach out to Stephanie, a member of the 5th grade team at stephaniegrisevich@gmail.com

Let’s come together to build a supportive PV tradition—one that ensures all families get to celebrate these big moments with joy, not stress. And when your child reaches 5th grade, you’ll receive the same kindness in return.

Thank you for helping us create something meaningful for our community!

Upcoming Events

• Staff Appreciation continues through the end of the month

• Kindergarten Visits & Orientation – Wednesday, May 21st & Wednesday, May 28th | 1:45–4:00 PM

• Field Day – Friday, May 23rd

• Preschool Outreach Program (POP) Graduation – Thursday, May 29th

  • Morning Session: 9:30–1:00

  • Afternoon Session: 1:30–3:00

• 5th Grade Senior Trip to VMP – Thursday, June 5th

• 5th Grade Luncheon – Wednesday, June 11th

• 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony – Thursday, June 12th

• Last Day of School – Friday, June 13th (Full Day)

Gratefully,

Esther & Jenna

Students in Mrs. Parent's Class engage in purposeful play to build a habitat for beavers, rabbits, and giraffes.

For Staff Appreciation Week, some of our students dressed up like the staff at PV.

Baby Chicks are hatching at PV! Click below to watch a LIVE VIDEO of our eggs as they hatch in Mrs. DiCioccio's 1st grade class!

Mrs. DiCioccio picked up the eggs at Newberry Farm in East Haddam on April 23rd and placed them in the incubator that afternoon. The anticipated hatch day is May 14th!!

Baby Chicks

1:15 p.m Early Release

1:30 p.m. Art Ventures & Mad Science After School Programs

4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Math & Science After School Clubs

6:30 p.m. - PV Instrumental Showcase Concert

Kindly take a moment to review our upcoming events and important links below. Your participation and volunteer efforts with the PTO are highly encouraged as they play a vital role in ensuring a smooth transition into the school year and in fostering a strong community connection. The links provided include essential information about arrival and dismissal procedures, FAQs, PTO details, and a link to our school website.

We are encouraging each grade level to wear a specific color for field day. Please see below for your student's color, 5th grade can wear their senior shirts.

Please use the link below for information regarding the South Windsor Public School's Instrumental Music Program.

The button below will bring you to previous newsletters. After this week, this button will be below in the "Links" section for your convenience.

If your child is going to be absent, please log in to your Parent Portal and fill out the Attendance Monitor prior to the start of the school day. It is very important that the office be aware of your child's absence. Attendance Monitor Instructions can be found under Important Links, above.

If you would like to pick your child up early, please email both Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Strom or call the office at 860-610-0291.

Throughout the school year, there are many volunteer opportunities for parents/guardians (for example - chaperoning a field trip, helping at a PTO event, etc.) If you would like to volunteer, you must complete a Volunteer Registration form-

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1qAMRufE73HU1o6kY-a4M__z9n9tM9DJLUM_VlzbUi-c/viewform?ts=66cdd567&edit_requested=true