Pecatonica #321 Curriculum Corner

During the months of March and April, students at PES and PCMS will participate in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR).

The IAR is the state assessment and accountability measure for Illinois students enrolled in a public school district. IAR assesses the New Illinois Learning Standards Incorporating the Common Core and will be administered in English language arts and mathematics to all students in grades 3-8.​

During testing (and always!), students are encouraged to get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast in order to be ready for the day. It's also important for families to offer positive reinforcement and have conversations with their students about the imporatance of testing and school in general.

We wish you all luck!

Pecatonica 1st graders will present their concert “Music’s Always in Bloom”on Wednesday, March 16th at 6:30 p.m. at Pecatonica High School. They have been eagerly preparing for their program with lots of songs, dances, and instruments. Some of their favorites include: "Let’s Make Some Music Today", "Hip Hop Bunny", "Pajama Party", "Marching Orders", "Down at the Beach", and "Born to Make Music."

The first graders hope you will join them for this free, fun night of singing and dancing. The snow date is set for Thursday, March 17th. Pecatonica Elementary students are under the direction of Ms. Tammy Durand.

On February 18, students at PCMS competed in the annual Spelling Bee. This year, 26 students participated in grades 5-8. The entire school was able to watch a live-stream in classrooms, and all contestants did a fantastic job! Thank you to all of the participants and judges for a great experience!

Champion: Owen Bradbury, 6th grade

Runner-Up: Olivia VanNatta, 8th grade

3rd Place: Josh Hagemeier, 8th grade

4th Place: Emilee Kaysen, 6th grade

Judges:

Julie Johnson, Lisa Jurkovic, Traci Lutzow

Pronouncer:

Noah Hansen

Special thanks to:

Karen Kramer and Caroline Martin

Our school winner, Owen Bradbury, will be attend the regional competition at Harlem High School on March 16.

February 19-26 marked the celebration of National FFA week. In order to share FFA week with the school and community, FFA officers planned several events throughout the week to spread the message.

Members kicked off the celebration on February 19 with a community pancake breakfast fundraiser and followed with several dress-up and activity days, including a breakfast for teachers and staff at PHS. They also shared their reading skills with students at PES as many members volunteered to read to the younger students.

The following were the events planned in celebration of National FFA Week:

Monday:

• No School

Tuesday:

• NO SCHOOL DUE TO WEATHER

Wednesday:

• Teacher & Staff Appreciation Breakfast

• Dress Up Day: Official Dress or Flannel

Thursday:

• Camo Day

Friday:

• FFA Apparel/ Blue & Gold Day

• Ag Olympic Games

It is with great pride to announce the following have won the February Student of the Month Award:

Senior – Bradyn Windnagle

Junior – Declan Handy

Sophomore - Tyler Weber

Freshman – Joshua Frank

This is an award which recognizes the following outstanding qualities: leadership, a positive attitude toward learning, a desire for improvement, enthusiasm about school, being helpful to others, and involvement in extracurricular activities. Students were nominated for Student of the Month by one or more of the staff at Pecatonica High School. Students were honored through announcements and received a certificate at the beginning of the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, February 22.

Pecatonica High School competed in the Academic Challenge in Engineering and Science (ACES) on Friday, February 18 at Rock Valley College.

Here are the highlights:

Biology

1st place-Ryan Barrack

3rd place-Ashley Burrow

Chemistry

1st place-Jacob Newkirk

2nd place-Miguel Gonzalez

Computer Science

2nd place-Zach Linder

Engineering Graphics

1st place-Jackson Newell

3rd place-Miguel Gonzalez

Math

1st place-Ryan Barrack

Physics

1st place-Gavin Fox

English

2nd place-Wyatt Tworek

3rd place-Sam Frank

The entire team advances to the sectional (which will take place online) on Thursday, March 10th at 1pm. The team is led by Mrs. Carrie Daly. Great Job and Good Luck to everyone!

March 11 -- 1:45 PM Dismissal

March 14-18 -- IAR Testing @ PCMS

March 21-25 -- IAR Testing @ PES

March 25 -- 1:45 PM Dismissal

March 28 - April 1 -- No School: Spring Break

April 4 -- All Students return from Spring Break

April 4-8 -- IAR Testing @PES

April 6-8 -- Illinois Science Assessment @ PCMS (grades 5 and 8)

April 13 -- PSAT/SAT Day @ PHS

April 14 -- SIP Day: 11:15 Dismissal

April 15 -- No School

April 19 -- Illinois Science Assessment @ PHS (grade 11)

April 25-29 -- Spring MAP Testing @PES