Pleasant Valley Family Newsletter

Hello PV Families,

This week, we take a moment to honor the incredible legacy of President Jimmy Carter. A man of unwavering integrity and compassion, President Carter has dedicated his life to service, long after his presidency. His tireless efforts with Habitat for Humanity and his advocacy for peace and human rights have inspired countless individuals worldwide.

Did you know President Carter served in Connecticut? During his time as a U.S. Navy officer, he was stationed in Groton, CT, where he trained on submarines. This connection to our state is a special reminder of his remarkable journey and lifelong commitment to serving others.

As a lifelong champion of education, equality, and global health, he reminds us of the power of kindness and perseverance in creating a better world. Let us honor his example by fostering these values in our school community. Thank you, President Carter, for your extraordinary life of service and leadership. I'll end with one of my favorite quote of the President....

“The measure of a society is found in how they treat their weakest and most helpless citizens.”-President Jimmy Carter.

Other Updates:

This month, we are focusing on our PRIDE core value RESPONSIBILITY—responsibility for our actions, work/learning, and behavior. Our Student Council and Peer Mediators attended the annual leadership conference! Check out their pictures and learn about their experience below.

We have a variety of exciting activities and events coming up for our students. Be sure to explore the entire newsletter for all the details. Here’s a quick overview of what’s ahead:

• STEM Afterschool Program: Starts Thursday, January 16th, and runs every Thursday through March 6th from 4:15–5:15 PM.
• Annual Math Night: Hosted by our Instructional Coach, Deb Alter, and her math team.
• Grade 5 Concert
• Cultural Night/International Mother Language Night: February 20th.
• Stock Market Game: Our 5th graders are gearing up for this annual learning opportunity!

Other opportunities for students include:

• I/POP Role Model Applications: Apply as soon as possible!
• 2025 SW Patriotic Commission Memorial Day Essay Contest: Details below.
• SW Youth and Family Services Movie Night: Join us for Screenagers!

Now that we’re in the clear from the extreme cold, I hope you have a chance to get outside and enjoy the weekend!

Sincerely,

Esther and Jenna

Fifth Grade Student Council members and the Peer Mediators attended a leadership conference on Monday, January 6th hosted by The Connecticut Association of Schools at Asnuntuck Community College. The students participated in breakout sessions that taught them skills about being a leader. They learned to be better communicators by listening, asking questions, collaborating, and making decisions. The students hope to bring what they learned to not just their classrooms but the whole Pleasant Valley community. They did a great job and we are so proud of them. A special thanks to Mrs. Langlois and Ms. Jackson, their advisors.

Full Day of School!

MOEMS Math Olympiads Club, 8:00 a.m

No School

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.

Below is an information sheet for the 5th Grade Stock Market Game. Click on the Word document or PDF file for information and dates.

Preschool Outreach Program is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year. This can be found on our district website and the link for the application is here POP Role Model 25-26 application.

Click on the Picture to Register for the next Session of Girls on the Run!

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.

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.

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