Pierce Downer PTA

NEW INFORMATION

Calming Bins – Please click here for the video that Principal Collins compiled to showcase the Calming Bins that have recently been added to each classroom (a number of PD students are in the video).  These Calming Bins have been such an amazing addition for students to utilize during times of anxiety or frustration, and are a wonderful relaxation tool.  Thank you to the generous donors that purchased the Calming Bins for our school, especially Gary Jacklin of Remax Action in Lisle.

Battle of the Bands Kids Show –  Our family friendly show is scheduled for FRIDAY, March 20th at 6:00pm at Evolution Music, 923 Curtiss St. (right across the street from the DG Post-Office). Bring the family! Invite your neighbors! This show is open to the public and free of charge. We want to fill the house! In addition to the great music, we will have finger lights for all of the kids, face painting, and food/drinks. The kids will be voting for their favorite band.  The winning band will be announced at the end of the evening.

Look forward to seeing you there!! The bands scheduled to perform at this event are as follows:

6:00pm- ALEXA STOP: Brian Duellman, Bomie Leonard, Eric Meyer, Brian Moore, Justin Odenbach
6:20pm- FUN LUNCH: Allen Dougherty, Amy Hancock, Katie Hardy, Jeff Kuchta, Jen Meggos, Mikael Nelander, Mike Reed
6:40pm- NO MOORE: Theresa Arnold, Tom Civitanova, Brian Gaetto, Bill Miller, Jeremy Miller, Robin Rutkowski
7:00pm- BLACKTOP REBELLION: Sean Doherty, John Doyle, Sarah Scholz
7:20pm- MISSYFITS: Matt Garman, Missy Hansen, Tim Heverin, Dan Karrow, Chris Miller, Lou Reina
7:40pm- UNCOMMON CORE: Janie Cross, Marty Gallwas, Luke Henrikson, Allison Heverin, Tim Heverin, Pete Hopkins, Liz Werthman

REMINDERS

SLC’s March Event – Inpatient Kid Care Event

Please join us THIS FRIDAY, March 13th from 3:05-4:30 pm at the PD Gym to support patients and nurses at Edward Hospital. We will be making fleece blankets, birthday cards and birthday door signs for patients receiving treatment. Your entire family is welcome to come! Please bring a $5 donation per child to the event if you haven’t sent in your donation already. Please sign-up TODAY by clicking here. ***Attention SLC Ambassadors (5^th and 6^th grade Volunteers) – you must attend the volunteer training on Friday during lunch/recess in Room 200 to review your responsibilities and make sample crafts for the event. Please email Jennie Amidei with any question at jenamidei@gmail.com.

Magical and Educational Evening Assembly at PD – Come one, come all to see Scott Green, magician and educator, here at Pierce Downer on Tuesday, March 24th at 6:00pm! Scott uses magic to teach and will delight your whole family!  Click here to find out more about Scott Green and plan on attending this amazing free event!

SLC Empathy – This month, the SLC’s Moment of Empathy is focused on cancer awareness.  In 2019, roughly 1.8 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the United States.  The American Cancer Society is a large non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.  While most people know them for their support of research, the American Cancer Society tries to attack cancer from all angles. They advocate for healthy lifestyles to help you prevent cancer.  They research cancer and its causes to find more answers and better treatments. They fight for lifesaving policy changes, both locally and nationwide.  And they provide everything from emotional support to wigs or a place to stay during cancer treatment.  Please take a moment to share this video on cancer awareness with your family.

STEAM – Currently enrolling for Chess Scholars and there is still time to sign up! Chess Scholars is offering classes on Mondays from March 16th – May 18th from 2pm-3pm. (No class on 3/30). No experience necessary; the class is open to all students (K-6). Children will be taught the game and have guided practice time. See flyer for more information.  To sign up online, please visit here. You will need to enter the course code PDE3.16.20 to register.

Open PTA Executive Board Positions for 2020/2021 – Last chance! If you have a desire to serve on our PTA Executive Board, please let us know!  The following positions are opening up: Co-President (this will be filled by a current member on our Executive Board), VP of Social, Secretary and Co-Treasurer. We are also always looking for new Chairpersons for many other positions on our PTA. The sign up for chairpersons will be sent out at the end of the year.  Please contact piercedownerpta@gmail.com by Friday, March 13th if you are interested in serving on the executive board.

Save the Dates –

3/13 – Fun Lunch – Zazzo’s (Cancelled)

3/19 – Variety Show Rehearsal (3:15-5:15) at Tivoli

3/20 – Battle of the Bands Kids Show

3/21 – Variety Show (10:00 am) at Tivoli

3/24 – Magic in the Classroom (Scott Green)

3/30 – 4/3 – No School (Spring Break)

4/18 – Battle of the Bands at Ballydoyle

For more information on school or PTA activities please visit the school web site or PTA web site. For even more information on community events and activities please check out the District’s e-fliers page.

NEW INFORMATION

Magical and Educational Evening Assembly at PD – Come one, come all to see Scott Green, magician and educator, here at Pierce Downer on Tuesday, March 24th at 6:00pm! Scott uses magic to teach and will delight your whole family!  Click here to find out more about Scott Green and plan on attending this amazing free event!

Reflections – On Tuesday, February 25th, PTA Reflections held and award ceremony at Glenn Westlake Middle School in Lombard to honor all student entries that advanced to the DuPage East Regional level. In addition, they announced the student entries that further advanced to the State level competition.  Pierce Downer had 6 students continue to the Regional competition, with 5 students advancing to state!  What stunning achievements! Below is the list students who advanced to Regionals (along with their respective categories). Click here for picture (from left to right-Beatrix Hawkins, Ingrid Dombrowski, Briley Steffes, Avery Miller & Greyson Miller)

• • Film Production: 3rd-5th grade – Avery Miller
  • Dance:  3rd-5th grade – Avery Miller
• • Music Composition:-3rd-5th grade – Beatrix Hawkins & Briley Steffes
• • Visual Arts:  K-2nd- grade – Greyson Miller, 3^rd-5^th grade – Avery Miller, 6th grade – Ingrid Dombrowski
  • Photography: 3rd-5th grade – Meili Fleener & Avery Miller

SLC Empathy This month, the SLC’s Moment of Empathy is focused on cancer awareness.  In 2019, roughly 1.8 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the United States.  The American Cancer Society is a large non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.  While most people know them for their support of research, the American Cancer Society tries to attack cancer from all angles. They advocate for healthy lifestyles to help you prevent cancer.  They research cancer and its causes to find more answers and better treatments. They fight for lifesaving policy changes, both locally and nationwide.  And they provide everything from emotional support to wigs or a place to stay during cancer treatment.  Please take a moment to share this video on cancer awareness with your family.

SLC’s March Event – Inpatient Kid Care Event – On Friday, March 13th from 3:05-4:45 pm, The Service Learning Committee is excited to partner with the Child Life Specialists at Edwards hospital in Elmhurst. We wanted to support children who are patients at Edwards hospital who are receiving medical care (i.e., cancer treatment, etc.) as well as the nurses who lovingly care for them. We will be making fleece blankets and birthday signs for patients. For the nurses, we will assemble and decorate handmade birthday cards to include in “birthday kits” we will provide to the nurses so they have supplies on hand to celebrate their patients’ birthdays. We also get to hear from a Pierce Downer mom who is a nurse. She will explain why this event is SO important. As always, parent supervision is required. This is NOT a drop-off event. Your entire family is welcome to come even if the kiddos do not attend PD. We are asking for a $5 donation per child participating to cover the cost of the materials. LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS TOMORROW – March 4^th. Please click here to register.

***If you have a 5^th or 6^th grader interested in being an SLC Ambassador (student leader) and would like to volunteer at this event, please register him/her by clicking the same link. We are in need of helpers at the craft tables and check-in table.

REMINDERS

STEAM – Currently enrolling for Chess Scholars and there is still time to sign up! Chess Scholars is offering classes on Mondays from March 16th – May 18th from 2pm-3pm. (No class on 3/30). No experience necessary; the class is open to all students (K-6). Children will be taught the game and have guided practice time. See attached flyer for more information.  To sign up online, please visit here. You will need to enter the course code PDE3.16.20 to register.  

Open PTA Executive Board Positions for 2020/2021 – If you have a desire to serve on our PTA Executive Board, please let us know!  The following positions are opening up:  Co-President (this will be filled by a current member on our Executive Board), VP of Social, Secretary and Co-Treasurer. We are also always looking for new Chairpersons for many other positions on our PTA. The sign up for chairpersons will be sent out at the end of the year.  Please contact piercedownerpta@gmail.com by Friday, March 13th if you are interested in serving on the executive board.

Thank you – The SLC would like to thank the 8 hard-working families who set up PADS at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and First United Methodist Church last week. Because of you giving of your time, 90+ families slept in warm beds last week! If you would like to see this service opportunity return, please email Jennie Amidei at jenamidei@gmail.com.

Thank you – The Sweetheart dance was a huge success! Thank you all that were able to join the fun!  Also a big thank you to Bethany Keown, Dee O’Driscoll, Sara Purgatorio, Jennifer Klemz, Lisa Ordway, Beth Adamo and Leah Thulin! You all made the dance so special for the girls!

Save the Dates –

3/3 – Variety Show Rehearsal (3:00-5:00) at PD

3/6 – Fun Lunch – Great American Bagel

3/13 – Fun Lunch – Zazzo’s

3/19 – Variety Show Rehearsal (3:15-5:15) at Tivoli

3/20 – Battle of the Bands Kids Show

3/21 – Variety Show (10:00 am) at Tivoli

3/24 – Magic in the Classroom (Scott Green)

4/18 – Battle of the Bands at Ballydoyle

For more information on school or PTA activities please visit the school web site or PTA web site. For even more information on community events and activities please check out the District’s e-fliers page.