Pittsfield Elementary School

So far the parents of 142 PES students have taken the School-Community Index Surveys.  We thank all parents who have taken the survey, and we urge any parent who has yet to do so, to give the school a call, and we’ll send you a link or a paper copy of the survey.  We want the feedback from as many parents as possible.  Our raffle winners, drawn on Monday, are Heidi Asdot ($100 Visa gift card) and Denise Grant ($50 Visa gift card)

Bike Rodeo, May 11

PES families are invited to a Bike Rodeo at PES next Friday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m. This event is targeted at elementary students in grades k-5.  Guidance Counselor Mike Curtin is the lead organizer.  This event is funded by the Safe Routes to School grant and is a collaboration between our school, the Pittsfield Police Department, and the Central NH Regional Planning Commission. 

Children attending the event need to bring a bike, a helmet, and a parent.  They will go through various stations to learn about bike safety.  A raffle will be held for two new bicycles donated by the Pittsfield Police Department.  New bike helmets and other items will also be raffled.

If you or someone you know is planning to enroll a kindergartener at PES next year, please call the school ASAP at 435-8432

More and more PES children are getting cell phones, but there is no opportunity or need for children to use them at school.  Please be aware that PES students may not use cell phones during the school day.

We discourage children from bringing phones to school. We understand, however, that some parents want children to have phones for safety reasons. If the parent feels that a child should bring a phone to school, the cell phone must remain in the student’s bag and be turned off during school hours.

Teachers may confiscate cell phones from students who abuse this privilege. For students who repeatedly disregard our policy, we may confiscate the phone and ask the parent to come to school to pick it up.

If a parent needs to reach a student at any time during the day, he/she should call the main office.

We have had several incidents of parents driving into the front loop during school hours and parking in the fire lane in front of the school.  This presents a safety hazard.  Students use the front area for recess or learning activities during school hours.  In the event of an emergency, fire and police vehicles expect easy access to the front of the building.

Please remember that access to Bow Street past the large red signs at the front of the loop is prohibited during school hours.

Alert Now Updates Request

The Pittsfield Schools now have an automated calling system, Alert Now, up and running. On the snow cancellation day on Thursday, January 12, Superintendent John Freeman issued a call to all primary numbers on the family list. If you did not receive the call and you would to in the future, please call the PES office and request to add your number. Each family may have up to two primary numbers.

Lost and Found is Brimming

The PES lost and found, located in the bins under the stairs near the gym and downstairs bathrooms, is full of fall and winter clothes. If you want to check the lost and found bins, please stop by the office, sign in, and we will let you explore.

What’s Cooking at Your House?

The PES PTO needs your culinary expertise— or your basic family recipes—for their custom cookbook. Please be sure to have your child’s favorite family recipe featured in this special cookbook, which will be available for purchase this spring. Visit Family Recipes Wanted. 

Students in grades 1-3 who wish to play in the snow during recess must have on boots, snow pants, and winter coats. Otherwise students will be kept on the blacktop.

***Please make sure children have shoes—not slippers—to wear in school when they take their boots off.***

What is your favorite family recipe? The PES PTO is putting together a cookbook of favorite recipes from students and their families. You will be receiving a form from the PTO today to fill out. Please return your recipe by Thursday, January 12th.

Please note that the district’s holiday vacation begins next Friday, December 23 and that children return to school on Tuesday, January 3. The district calendar sent home with our packet on opening day incorrectly indicated that Monday, January 2 was a school day. January 2nd this year is a Federal holiday.

The Pittsfield Elementary School PTO sponsored two lunches for parents in grades 4 & 5, with a total of 26 parents participating. Parents are invited to eat lunch with their child in grades 1, 2, & 3. See dates and times above. Grade 6 lunch schedule to be determined. Students should be bringing information home today.

We hope to see all parents at parent-teacher conferences on November 14. Please contact your child’s teacher or the main office at 435-8432 if you don’t yet have a time scheduled to meet with your child’s or children’s teachers.

Student Goal Setting

Following the fall Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing in reading and math, students are working with their teachers to set personal academic goals. At parent-teacher conferences on the 14th, teachers will share students’ goals along with individual results on the MAP assessments.

“The mission of the Pittsfield Parent Connection is to improve the education of our children through collaborative actions by organizing conversation and communication between home and school.”

We would like to invite any and all parents who are interested in learning about this group, to come to the next meeting which will be held in the media center room at PMHS on Monday, October 17th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. For more information or questions to be answered please feel free to contact Katie  or Stephanie . All parents are welcome!