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Pleasant Valley School

Dream. Achieve. Inspire.

Family Newsletter 5/1

Posted Date: 05/01/26 (03:59 PM)


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

Pleasant Valley Elementary School

A close-up of a bright yellow sunflower against a clear blue sky, with text 'Pleasant Valley Weekly' and 'May 1, 2026'.
 
Dear PV Families,

It was another wonderful week of learning and excitement here at PV!

Staff Appreciation Week/Month

Next week marks the start of Staff Appreciation Week, but we are honoring our tradition of dedicating the entire month of May to celebrating our wonderful staff. We want to recognize everyone who contributes to our students' success, including our teachers, nurses, custodians, paraeducators, and administrative assistants. Our PTO has exciting plans underway, and we encourage all families to show their appreciation by contributing—whether through a donation, volunteering for set-up or clean-up, or by sending personalized thank-you notes.

Celebrating Diversity and Awareness

In celebration of Autism Awareness Month, Ms. Alicia Watt-Simpson, an author, read to our Kindergarten through Grade 2 students. Mrs. Trudeau and I read to our Grade 3–5 students, celebrating and affirming diversity in learning styles, including dyslexia, Down Syndrome, ADHD, and Autism.

Poetry Month Wrap-Up

Our Poetry Month officially ended on Thursday with the final submission of poems. We also celebrated "Poem in your Pocket Day," where students shared their poems with one another. A big thank you to Mr. Francis for creatively prompting students every year.

Successful Spring Book Fair

A special thanks to Katrina, Meredith, and all our parent volunteers for organizing another successful Spring Book Fair. We also appreciate the support from Ms. Heather OConnor, our Library Media Specialist. We are wrapping up the week and the Spring Book Fair with our family night and Ice Cream Social tonight at PV.

Girls on the Run Practice 5K

The Girls on the Run practice at Nevers Park was an exciting event for our girls. A special thanks to our dedicated coaches, parents, and staff who attended. We would like to recognize the support of: our nurse Kellie Ward, Katie Kardos, Liz Manguinao, Mr. Worth, Megan Drake, Karen Stoker, and our retiree who keeps giving back, Mrs. Didden.

Important: SBAC State Testing (Grades 3–5)

Monday marks the start of our SBAC state testing for Grades 3–5. Our students and teachers have been working hard all year, and this is a great opportunity for students to shine and demonstrate all their learning and growth.

Please help ensure our students are well-prepared by getting a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast. We also strongly encourage students to be present and punctual on testing days.

Excellence and Belonging
Every Student, Every day!

Esther & Jenna
Chick Webcam
Five bright yellow cartoon chicks walk in a line from left to right.
A close-up of delicate white wildflowers and green grass, with the word 'Photos' overlaid.

Safety Students of the Month

A collage of images shows students in a school cafeteria, some sitting at tables and others receiving awards.
Children and adults in a school cafeteria, some receiving papers.
Students and adults interact in a school cafeteria setting with round tables and blue stools.
Children and adults are seated at tables in a school cafeteria, with some children walking.
 

Spring Book Fair

Children browse and select books in a brightly lit library or bookstore.
Two young girls smile, holding books in a library setting with displays.
A young girl proudly displays a colorful drawing of a bear holding a drink.
Children browse books at a colorful book fair, with shelves stocked with various titles.
Children gather around a teacher in a library, listening to a story.

And a Big THANK YOU to our Amazing Volunteers!

Three women stand behind a table with payment terminals in a library setting.
 

Girls on the Run 5k at Nevers Park

A group of girls in green t-shirts participate in a 'Girls Run' event, with some running on a path and others posing together.
Two young girls in green t-shirts participate in a race, one waving to the camera.
A group of girls in colorful shirts participate in a running event, some smiling and holding cups.
 

Scoop Night at Ben & Jerry's

Two women in 'Girls on the Run' t-shirts stand in front of a Ben & Jerry's ice cream display.
 

Grades K-2 Autism Awareness Author Read

A teacher reads a book to a group of young students sitting on the floor in a classroom.
 

POP/IPOP In House Field Trip with Riverside Reptiles

Two young children sit on a carpeted floor, looking at a bearded dragon held by an adult.
Two young boys look with curiosity at a large snake being held by an adult.
Children sit on the floor, gently touching and observing bearded dragons and tegus.
 

PV Family Hike

A group of children pose for a photo on a park bench during a PV Family Hike in April 2026.
A large group of people, including children and adults, pose for a photo during a PV Family Hike in April 2026.
A soft-focus background of green grass and small white flowers with the word 'Events' overlaid.
  • Monday. 5/4: SBAC Testing Gr 3-5
  • Tuesday, 5/5: SBAC Testing Gr 3-5
  • Wednesday, 5/6: Walk, Bike, & Roll to School, SBAC Testing Gr 3-5, Early Release - 1:15 dismissal, Mad Science Club
  • Thursday, 5/7: SBAC Testing Gr 3-5, STEM After School Clubs Session 3, Newspaper Club (Group 1), PTO Meeting - 7:00-8:00 pm
  • Friday, 5/8: SBAC Testing Gr 3-5
  • Saturday, 5/9: GOTR Final 5k 10am
 

Student Art Show - April 9th-May 27th

Poster for the 48th Annual Student Art Exhibit by South Windsor Public Schools Art Department, featuring a pink tulip.
 

Walk, Bike, & Roll to School - May 6th

Banner for National Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day with text and icons.
 

Girls on the Run Final 5k

Final 5k - May 9th

Event poster for Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut Spring 5k celebrating courage and confidence.
A soft focus background of green grass and small white flowers with the word 'Announcements' in white script.

Upcoming 3rd Grade Instrumental Music Information

South Windsor Public Schools Instrumental Music Program flyer for fourth graders.
 

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.

The text 'PTO Happenings' is overlaid on a soft-focus background of green grass and small white flowers.

Calling All Heroes! Staff Appreciation Week is May 4-8

The PV PTO Staff Appreciation Committee has been working hard behind the scenes to plan a SUPER Staff Appreciation Week (May 4-8) for PV Staff. Please consider being a hero for our everyday heroes by signing up to donate food/drink items. We are also offering a convenient option to Venmo money, and the committee will do all the shopping.


We will also communicate additional ways that students and families can show their appreciation in the coming week so you can prepare!
Questions on any of these events can be sent to PTO@PVPTO.org.
 
Text overlay reads 'Activities & Sports' on a background of green grass and small white flowers.
Text overlay 'Important Links' on a background of green grass and small white flowers.
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
 
Arrival & Dismissal
A soft focus image of green grass and small white flowers with the word 'Reminders' in elegant script.
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.