I am so excited to start school and welcome students back! In education, I think it is such a gift that each year we get to start anew. In doing this, it allows us to reflect on what worked and where we can improve so that we can continue to ensure that our students achieve their greatest potential!
This newsletter contains a mix of new and previous information. I have created two sections to help you to more easily navigate the newsletter. The "new information" section contains information that you have not received before and the section entitled "previous information" was information that was shared in my Back to School newsletter from last week.
Thank you to the families who were able to attend our View and Chew event! There is a link to the presentation below. I look forward to seeing many of you at Meet and Greet tomorrow from 9:00-10:00!! You can enter through Door 1, 3, 4, and 13.
Best,
Alli Landstrom
Peterson Parent Pathways
Each year, I have a theme for staff that helps to unite us in our focus, sometimes this works with students and other times the theme is more for the adults. This year the theme for staff is Why not? It is based on the book, Why Not? A Story about Discovering Our Bright Possibilities. In thinking about this theme, I have reflected upon some of the practices that we have done and looked at how we can improve them. One of these is Curriculum Night. Curriculum Night is a time when parents are invited to come to school, go to the classroom, and ask the classroom teacher questions about their narrated curriculum slides. This is important for parents to learn about, however, it is only one piece of what parents should be informed about.
Our School Improvement Plan (SIP) helps us to improve our effectiveness in academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning. It's a roadmap that guides us to identify areas of strengths and areas of improvement, set goals, and implement strategies to achieve the school's and district's vision and mission. This year we are going to do Curriculum Night a little differently. Peterson Parent Pathways on Wednesday, September 4th will be taking the place of it. The evening will begin at 5:30 pm and will end at 7:30 pm . We will all meet in the gym where there will be introductions of staff as well as the SIP. Then families will rotate three times and listen to presentations about each of our three SIP goals. The fourth rotation will be back in the classroom teacher's room with an opportunity to ask questions about the curriculum and specifics related to the grade and teacher. Teachers will still narrate curriculum slides and those will be sent home in advance of our Peterson Parent Pathways evening.
I recognize that this structure can present our parents with multiple children with some difficulty. I have two suggestions. One is that parents could go to the teacher of the oldest child and the other is to attend the session with a teacher that is new to your family. Rest assured this isn't the only time, you will interact with your child's teacher. My staff recognizes the importance of communicating and partnering with families and knows that this is ongoing, not reserved for only one evening. Thank you for supporting this new event and embracing our theme of "Why Not?"!
Birthday Lunches!
I am happy to share that we will be continuing to have our birthday lunches! Peterson parents/guardians are invited to come in and eat lunch with their child(ren) one time a year on their birthday, half birthday, or a day of their choosing. Parents/guardians will sit with their child at a table in our MPR. Students will be able to ask 3-5 friends to join them.
You are welcome to bring a special lunch for you and your child; however, we ask that parents do NOT bring lunches for other children. This presents a problem for the school staff in that we do not know that other parents have approved the lunch or food. Please do not bring balloons and gifts. Please note that this special lunch is for the birthday boy/girl and their parents/guardians only. Younger siblings are unable to attend this special lunch. Parents are welcome to stay for recess if they’d like. If you can’t attend and would like to bring a special lunch for your child, you may bring it and put it in the “I Forgot” bins.
Parents/Guardians will need to come into the office, present their license or passport, and receive a badge before going to the lunchroom. Due to safety procedures, parents/guardians will not be allowed into the building if they do not have a license/passport. We can only accommodate two adults due to space constraints. Thank you for following the guidelines above and we look forward to seeing you on your child's special day! Please sign up below.
Arrival/Dismissal Form
As in past years, we are asking all families to fill out an Arrival/Dismissal form before the first day of school. This form will help us to better know how your child is arriving and leaving school each day. We are asking families to fill out a form for each child. We ask that if your child's dismissal plans change on a consistent basis to please fill out the again, so that we can have the most up to date information. Below is the link to the form.
Meet and Greet
We will have a Meet and Greet on Monday, August 19th from 9:00-10:00am. Students and parents will have a chance to meet the teacher and bring supplies. If you ordered school supply kits from the PTA, the kits will be in your child’s classroom. Below is a document that lists the classroom teachers and their room numbers. We will have maps for you on Monday.
First Day All Students
The first day of school is Thursday, August 22nd. All Peterson students will meet teachers on the blacktop behind our school. Teachers will be holding signs to identify themselves. Staff will be present beginning at 8:45 a.m. Students will enter the building at 9:00 with their teachers and classmates. Bus riders will be led to the black top to meet their teachers.
In the event of rain, students will meet their teachers in the gymnasium. Doors will open at 8:45. Students will leave the gym at 9:00 with their teachers and classmates. Parents will say farewell outside the gym.
School Hours
As in years past, our school district will continue to follow a late start time for every student on Wednesdays. This time is critical to our school and district professional development. The school day will begin at 9:15 a.m. instead of 9:05 a.m. This late start delays both school drop off and morning bus schedules.
Morning Schedule for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday:
8:50 a.m. Doors open
9:05 a.m. School Starts
Morning Schedule for Wednesday:
9:00 a.m. Doors open
9:15 a.m. School Starts
The late start schedule does NOT change dismissal time. Students are dismissed at 3:35 everyday.
PTA Memberships 2024-2025
Don't forget to join the PTA for the 2024-2025 school year! We encourage every Peterson family and staff to join the PTA! Joining the PTA is a donation to support school wide events and activities, support our teachers, promote school spirit, and so much more. The PTA is entirely funded through memberships and other forms of donations. All families that join the PTA will receive access to the Peterson school directory. There is no volunteer commitment and no time obligation required when joining. However we of course are always looking for volunteers, so if you are looking to get involved we would love to have you. The prices have remained the same as last year and we still have three tiers for memberships: Faculty, Standard, and Golden Paw.
Golden Paw Membership: $130.00
The 2024-2025 Golden Paw Family Membership gives one family member voting privileges at all PTA meetings and all family members access to most events*. This membership also gives you access to the School Directory. Admission to PTA events is included with this membership for your entire family for the 2024-2025 school year. *This does not include any fundraiser events.
The 2024-2025 Standard Membership gives one family member voting privileges at all PTA meetings and all family members access to events. This membership also gives you access to the School Directory. Admission to PTA events is not included with this membership; however, you are invited to participate for an additional fee per event, per child.
Connect with us on Facebook - search Peterson Elementary PTA or click here
Connect with us on Instagram - search Petersonpanthers (all one word) or click here
If you have questions or want to find out more about getting involved, reach out to us at petersonpantherspta@gmail.com.
Bus Route Information
To access, log in to ParentVUE. Select "Student Info." Scroll all the way down to find "Transportation Information."
MyStop Bus App
- Allows parents/guardians and students to view the bus stop time, location, and projected arrival time. This feature is available during scheduled route times only.
- Updates approximately every 5 seconds and adjusts the scheduled arrival time as the bus is traveling along its route.
- Will show if the bus has already passed the assigned stop. To learn how to access and use the MyStop Mobile App, view the My Stop User Guide.
Upcoming Events
- August 19th - Teacher Meet and Greet (9:00-10:00am)
- August 22nd - First Day of Classes for Kindergarten - 12th
- August 27th - PTA Member Welcome Night - 6:30-7:30pm
- September 4th - Peterson Parent Pathways 5:30-7:30 pm
- September 13th - Family Movie Night - 6:30-9:30pm
- September 21st - Fall Festival 12-4pm
Danielle-Joy Peterson Elementary School
Email: allison_landstrom@ipsd.org
Website: http://peterson.ipsd.org/
Location: 4008 Chinaberry Lane, Naperville, IL, USA
Phone: (630)428-5678
Twitter: @allilandstrom