

Pleasant Valley Family Newsletter
October 31, 2024

Focus on Respect
Dear PV Families,
This week was filled with many exciting events (see picture below), and we’re thrilled to share that even more are on the horizon, including some student-led initiatives!
Please take a moment to read the newsletter in its entirety to stay updated on all the amazing things happening at PV.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Esther & Jenna
5th Grade Science Projects
Flood Designs from Ms. Dehaas's 3rd Grade Class
5th Grade Field Trip to Old State House & the Capitol
Wednesday, November 27th
Comfy Clothes Spirit Day for the Linus Project (see below)
Early Release - 1:15 p.m. dismissal
Friday, November 29th
No School
From the Safety Officer
PV Portal Page
The PV Portal page below has been updated to include sign ups for fall conferences.
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.
Countdown to Winter Break
This is a time for students and staff to dress up and enjoy the holiday season.
Invention Convention
Dear 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Families,
I am thrilled to invite South Windsor students in grades 3, 4, and 5 to participate in this year’s Invention Convention! Our first informational and work session will take place on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM at Timothy Edwards Middle School.
The Connecticut Invention Convention is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an interest in STEM careers by encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. During the program, students will have the opportunity to design and create their own invention to solve a problem of their choosing. Through this experience, they’ll learn about invention design, brainstorming techniques, and reflecting on challenges in their lives and the world around them.
The Invention Convention is a unique science fair that South Windsor students have participated in for many years, and we are excited to continue this tradition. While most of the project will be completed independently at home, there will be two additional work sessions where students can get feedback and support on their process. Students will present their inventions at our in-person South Windsor Public Schools Invention Convention tentatively set for March 1, 2025 at Timothy Edwards Middle School.
If your child is interested in participating in the 2024-2025 South Windsor Invention Convention, please take the following steps:
- Submit the "Intent to Invent" permission slip by Friday, December 9, 2024.
- Attend the introductory meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM at Timothy Edwards Middle School. A family member must attend with their student. During this meeting, inventors will receive an overview of the invention process, the Invention Log, and suggested deadlines to help guide their work.
For additional details about the Connecticut Invention Convention, visit ctinventionconvention.org.
We look forward to seeing your young inventors at the Invention Convention!
Sincerely,
Karyn Kruzick
5th Grade Teacher
Orchard Hill School
South Windsor Invention Convention Coordinator
From the PTO
Holiday Fair - December 13th
The Pleasant Valley Holiday Fair is quickly approaching! We are looking for volunteers to help to make this amazing Pleasant Valley tradition possible. The Holiday Fair will run on Friday, December 13th from 9:00-3:00. We are looking for gift wrappers and those who are willing to help run the PTO table to help students shop for gifts for their loved ones. Thank you for being willing to help make the Holiday Fair magical! Click on the link to sign up to volunteer.
Bike Week Volunteers
Do you love to ride bikes? Are you willing to help 4th graders learn to ride? We would love to have your help. Dates for Bike week are April 23, 22, 24, & 25. If you are interested, please complete the Volunteer Registration form above and email Kristin Carmon to let us know you are interested.
Attendance
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, below.
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.
Volunteer Registration
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-