Family Newsletter 2/20

Posted Date: 02/20/26 (04:35 PM)

Pleasant Valley Elementary School

Pleasant Valley Weekly publication banner with Chinese New Year decorations.

A woman in a light blue jumpsuit reads a children's book to an unseen audience, seated in a teal chair in a library.

Hello PV Families,

We had such a wonderful week here at Pleasant Valley!

Our K–2 students had the special privilege of spending time with author Ms. Candid Taylor in an intimate setting in our library. Students were fully engaged as they listened, asked questions, and connected with her as a real-life author. We are truly honored to have hosted her and grateful for the opportunity to provide our students with such a meaningful experience. Enjoy the videos and photos video.

This visit also serves as a great segue into welcoming our districtwide author and illustrator, Junita Martinez, whose first stop will be at PV on March 2nd. We are excited to continue fostering a love of reading and writing in our students through these special experiences.

A few important reminders:

Please consider signing up to support our first-ever Cultural and Global Games Day — we are looking forward to a joyful celebration of our diverse community.
Our 5th Grade Chorus Concert will be held on Thursday, March 5th at 7:00 PM.
Family Movie Night is scheduled for March 26th at 6:00 PM.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Graciously,

Esther & Jenna

Excellence & Belonging

Every student, Everyday

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Author Candid Taylor Came to Visit our K-2 Classes

Children sit on the floor in a library, listening to a presentation by Candid Taylor Brandon.

A group of children and adults are gathered in a library, with some children interacting with an adult seated in a teal rocking chair.

A librarian reads to children in a library, with some students standing and others sitting on the floor.

Lunch Bunch

Students and a teacher share a meal at a large table in a classroom, with educational posters on the walls.

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Wednesday, 2/25: Full Day
Thursday, 2/26: After School Clubs Session 2, Newspaper Club (Group 2)

Authors' Visit

PV Welcomes Juana Martinez-Neal for the K–5 Districtwide PTO-Sponsored Author Visit — March 2

A woman smiles warmly in front of a bookshelf filled with books and colorful decorations.

A document displays the name pronunciation, biography, and awards of an author and illustrator.

PV Grade 5 Concert

A reminder that our 5th grade concert is coming up on Thursday, March 5th at 7pm in the PV gym. This concert features all 5th graders singing in chorus, with additional performances by 5th grade band and orchestra. All PV students and families are invited to support our 5th graders in this wonderful annual event! 5th grade families should check the attached flyer and ParentSquare for additional performer updates. Reach out to Ms. Thompson (chorus), Mrs. Cohen (band), or Mrs. Roman (orchestra) with any questions.

Global Play and Cultural Day

Flyer seeking parent volunteers for cultural and global play stations at Pleasant Valley School.

Classroom Rotation Volunteer

Home Project Sign Up

Global Games Sign Up

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Kindergarten Registration

Colorful hands raised with drawings of sun, hearts, and clouds, announcing Kindergarten 2026 registration.

Click on the following links for more information on registration.

Kindergarten Information Summary

Classroom Visits 2026-2027

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.

Senator Murphy’s 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest deadline has been extended to Wednesday, February 25th

Every year, Senator Murphy invites students in grades K-12 across Connecticut to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by writing essays that reflect on Dr. King's dream, their own aspirations, and what Dr. King means to them.

All contest information, including how to submit an essay can be found on the Senator’s website here: https://www.murphy.senate.gov/services/mlk-essay-contest.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out via email at MLK_Essay@murphy.senate.gov or by phone at 860-549-8468. Our office and Senator Murphy look forward to your students' participation in this year’s contest!

We look forward to seeing your students’ submissions!

A blue background with snowflakes and the text 'PTO Happenings'.

Yard Goats Game

Tickets are on sale for Pleasant Valley’s Yard Goat Night on Saturday, May 16th. This is a 6:10pm game (gates open at 4:30) with fireworks after the game! Tickets are $18 each.

Join 149 of your closest PV friends for an awesome night at the ball park. Use this Zeffy link to secure your tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pv-night-at-the-hartford-yard-goats

When checking out on Zeffy, feel free to set the "extra donation" field to $0. Tickets will be on sale until 4/24 or until we sell out of our allotment. Important: When ordering tickets, please use the email and phone number that you’d like your electronic tickets sent to. PV PTO will be distributing e-tickets a few days before the game using that info.

Questions? Email Lindsay Ruszczyk at PTO@PVPTO.ORG

Flyer for Pleasant Valley Elementary School PTO Family Night at the Yard Goats baseball game on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Questions on any of these events can be sent to PTO@PVPTO.org.

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Peace at Home Parenting Newsletter

Updated Screenagers

Mad Science

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PV Procedures

Attendance Monitor Instructions

FAQ

Cell Phone/Watch Guidelines

Newspaper Club Webzine

District Lice Protocol

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Arrival & Dismissal

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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.