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Pleasant Valley School

Dream. Achieve. Inspire.

Family Weekly Newsletter 12/12

Posted Date: 12/12/25 (05:27 PM)


Pleasant Valley Elementary School logo featuring a blue paw print and the word 'Panthers'.

Pleasant Valley Elementary School

A winter scene with a penguin rolling a snowball, Pleasant Valley Weekly.
A young girl smiles brightly while seated in a fire truck, wearing a seatbelt.
Hello PV Families,
We had a wonderful week filled with lots of learning and fun! We wrapped up our Dress-Up Week today with PJ Day in support of our CCMC fundraising efforts for kids with cancer. Thank you for helping us raise money for such an important cause.

Keep those PJs on and join us tonight at 6:00 PM in the PV gym for Movie Night!
Please remember that this is NOT a drop-off event—parents must remain with their children for the entire event. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Come cozy and comfortable for a fun evening together!

We also have another exciting celebration to share—the Sztachera family, our Ride to School in a Fire Truck raffle winners, enjoyed their special reward last Friday! The joy and excitement on their faces were priceless. A huge thank-you to Lindsay Ruszczyk (PTO), Deputy Chief Scott Fine and Fire Chief Kevin Cooney from the South Windsor Fire Department for making this memorable experience possible.

Our Preschool students had a blast welcoming their families into the classroom on Thursday to build Gingerbread Houses. Their creativity was on full display—see the beautiful photos below!

Holiday Fair – Friday, December 19th
Our annual Holiday Fair gives K–5 students the opportunity to purchase affordable gifts for their families. A shopping list will be sent home to help students plan. The event is cash only, and each class will shop during assigned times. A PTO table will also be available for students who need support, using “Panther Payment” to select gifts for loved ones.
We are still looking for volunteers—please visit the PTOBoard sign-up if you’d like to help!
Snow is here!

REMINDER: Afterschool sign up was sent out earlier this week. The forms close on Monday Dec 15th at 5pm.

A friendly reminder to ensure students come to school dressed properly for outdoor recess. Only students with snow gear will be allowed to play in the snow for safety reasons.
Also, I have attached our District Lice Policy for your information.

Girls on the Run
Our GOTR team ran their final race last weekend at the West Hartford HMF Blue Back Mitten Run. The students, coaches, and families had an amazing time, and our runners completed their season in style! We are so proud of their perseverance and resilience.
Conferences & Upcoming Events
  • If your Parent–Teacher Conference was impacted by Wednesday’s full-day schedule, please reach out to your child’s teacher to reschedule.
  • Please stop by the Lost and Found table during conferences.

Graciously,
Esther & Jenna
Every student, every day. Excellence and belonging.
 
A dark blue background with white text that reads 'Photos', decorated with snowflakes.

Our preschoolers and their families created some amazing gingerbread houses together.

Adults and children pose with decorated gingerbread houses in a school hallway.
A woman and a young child sit at a table with a gingerbread house.

The Sztachera family enjoyed a fire truck ride to school as a prize from Bingo Night.

The Sztachera family enjoyed a fire truck ride to school as a winners of prize from Bingo Night.

GOTR Mitten Run

Groups of girls and women pose for photos, wearing matching orange shirts and race bibs.
A young runner in an orange shirt with yellow sleeves races forward, focused.
Children in festive attire participate in a holiday-themed race, with Santa figures present.
 

Hallway Artwork

A garland of paper light bulbs hangs in a window, with the words 'Lights of Kindness' visible.
 

Happy Hannukah from Room 225!

Colorful artwork of menorahs displayed on a classroom wall.
 

Countdown to Winter Break Pictures

A collage of students and teachers in festive attire, likely celebrating a holiday.
Two pairs of young girls pose together in a classroom setting.
Groups of children in pajamas pose for photos in a school cafeteria.

Staff show off thier crazy socks before staff meeting

Five women stand together, some holding drinks, wearing festive holiday socks.
 

Mrs. Clauson's Class is getting in the holiday spirit by wearing their pjs & dancing to the Gingerbread Cookie Dance

Children in pajamas stretch in a classroom, arms outstretched.
 

POP/IPOP Gingerbread House Decorating

Children and adults are engaged in a holiday-themed activity, possibly decorating gingerbread houses.
 

Best Ride to School this Year!

A family poses with a fire truck, smiling for the camera.
A blue background with snowflakes and the word 'Events' in white.
  • Friday, 12/12: PTO Movie Night 6:00 to 8:00 PM
  • Monday, 12/15: Hanukkah Day (Dress in White & Blue)
  • Tuesday, 12/16: Winter Hat or Scarf Day
  • Wednesday, 12/17: Kwanzaa Day (Wear red, green & black), Early Release, No Mad Science Class
  • Thursday, 12/18: Comfy Sweater Day, No After School Science Clubs, Newspaper Club (Group 2)
  • Friday, 12/19: Christmas Day (wear your Christmas Best, Christmas PJs, or red & green), Holiday Fair
 

Countdown to Winter Break

A colorful calendar titled 'Countdown To Winter Break - December 2025'.
 
A blue background with snowflakes and the word ANNOUNCEMENTS in white.

3rd Grade Recorder Form Information

An announcement for 3rd grade recorder forms, featuring a child playing a recorder.

26-27 Peer Role Model Application

South Windsor Public Schools is now accepting applications for community peer role models in the preschool outreach program (POP) for the 2026-2027 school year. If you are interested in this opportunity for your child, please complete the Preschool Outreach Program(POP) Community Role Model Application. Peer role model screenings will begin in January 2026. You can learn more about POP by accessing our school district's website.
A blue background with snowflakes and the text 'PTO Happenings'.

Movie Night

PV Movie Nights are back! This Friday, December 12th, join us as a family in the PV Gym to watch a new holiday classic: Klaus. 

Wear your coziest pajamas and bring along comfy seating (camp chair or blanket), stuffed animals, and snacks from home as we gather together. Concessions are available for .50-$1. Cash only. 

  • Movie Title: Klaus!
  • Date: Friday Dec 12th, 2025
  • Doors Open: 6:00 PM
  • Movie Begins: 6:30 PM

We can’t wait to enjoy a warm, fun-filled community night with all of you. Please note: Students must be accompanied by an adult as this is not a drop-off event.

Movie Nights are brought to PV by the generous donations during the PV Walkathon. Thank you for your continued support of PV!
Animated movie poster for Klaus, featuring characters and the text 'Welcome to the Jingle'.

Holiday Fair - December 19th

Get excited Pleasant Valley Families! Our Holiday Fair is quickly approaching. Students will have an opportunity to shop for their loved ones during the school day on Friday, December 19th. This is a cash only event and students have a Holiday Fair shopping list to help them organize their shopping plan. We are still looking for a few more volunteers- head to the PTO's website on PTBoard to join in the Holiday fun!

Attention 5th grade parents!

5th grade parents are reminded to send in 1 baby photo (ideally age 9months-3 years) of their child to be included on the Guess Who page of the yearbook. Please send to PV5thgradecommittee@gmail.com

Although 5th graders receive their yearbook at the end of the school year, the yearbook committee must assemble a majority of the yearbook between December 11-January 31 so the sooner you share, the better. Thank you in advance!
Questions on any of these events can be sent to PTO@PVPTO.org.
 
A blue background with snowflakes and the text 'Activities & Sports'.
A blue background with snowflakes and the text 'Important Links'.
PV Procedures
Attendance Monitor Instructions
FAQ
Cell Phone/Watch Guidelines
PV School Website
SWPS Schedule
PTO Website
PTO Shout Outs
Newspaper Club Webzine
District Lice Protocol
 
A blue background with snowflakes and the text 'POP/IPOP' in white.
Arrival & Dismissal
A blue background with snowflakes and the word 'Reminders' in white.
Image promoting school attendance with colorful hands raised.

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 day. It is very important that the office be aware of your child's absence. Attendance Monitor instructions can be found under Helpful Links, below.

If you would like to pick your child up early, please email both Mrs. Brown & Mrs. Strom or call the office at 860-610-0291.
A cartoon green car with blue windows is driving.

End of Day Pick Up/Car Rider Tags

If you would like to pick your child up at dismissal time, please email Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Strom or call the office at 860-610-0291 NO LATER THAN 2:00 PM

Please Indicate:
Student Name
Teacher Name
Tag Number
A green backpack filled with school supplies, including pencils, a notebook, and an apple.

Dropping off Items for Your Student

If you need to drop off items for your child during the school day, you will be asked to leave them in the vestibule outside the main office. Please be sure to write your child's name and teacher's name on the items and notify your teach via parentsquare or email that they have been dropped off.

From the Health Office

Infographic advising parents on when to keep children home from school.