From the Principal’s Desk
Mr. Kevin Dick
Our first day of school is Thursday, August 24th beginning at 8:10 and concluding at 2:55. Students will be allowed on the playground at 7:50 am, and that is also when the playground doors open for students to go directly to their classroom. These doors are supervised, so no adults can enter through the playground doors. Look for the teacher’s name on the door to tell you which door the student will enter.
Please note: we will follow this daily procedure on the first day of school, as well as throughout the year. Students may arrive as early as 7:50 AM. Students who arrive before 7:50 (7:40 for those eating breakfast) must wait at the front bike racks until the 7:50 bell (or the 7:40 door opens for breakfast). Breakfast will be available on the first day of school in the MPR, as well as all year long, between 7:40-8:10 AM for children who wish to eat breakfast at school. Costs are posted on the school website – Child Nutrition site.
Bus Information: All students will need a bus pass to ride the bus, to or from school. These passes will be attached to the students’ backpacks on the first day of school. Please be sure to let your homeroom teacher know if your student will ride a bus, if you live in a bus area. Please keep these bus passes attached to your student’s backpack. Replacement cost for the bus pass is $5.00 each. Please ensure that your bus-riding child has their backpack and bus pass every day.
PLEASE BE AWARE -- BUS ROUTES and BUS STOPS have changed. Please check out the bus stop information on the doors at Open House, or at this site. More information about the new program, STOP FINDER, is available on the school district website.
Morning Drop Off Procedures: Please see our video about our current procedures at this link:
Some highlights are:
● Parents may drop off their children by driving through the drop off loop between the school’s main entrance and the parking lot. Please do not park in the loop! It is only for dropping off and picking up students in the RIGHT LANE (never use the left lane for students to exit or enter a vehicle).
● Parking is only allowed in the parking lot. If you are using the parking lot, please park in a stall and accompany your child to the school or playground.
● Drivers should remember that state law requires all cars to stop for any pedestrian in a crosswalk.
● Only buses or day care vans are allowed in the bus drop off area on the west side of the school.
After School Pick Up Procedures:
● Parents/Guardians who wish to pick up their child after school may stop in the right lane of the loop for picking up their child following dismissal but must remain in their vehicle.
● All students who walk home or meet a ride will need to exit their designated playground door.
● Those who ride a bus or a day care van will exit through the playground doors and then proceed to the west end of the school to meet the bus or day care van. If your child rides a bus but has a change in after school plans on any day, PLEASE call the school office no later than 2:00 PM of that day. If your child rides a day care van, inform the day care of any changes in your plans. Also, notify your classroom teacher of any after school changes from the normal routine.
● Only buses or day care vans are allowed in the bus drop off area on the west side of the school. The northbound curb area of Klein Streetis also designated by the city as bus and day care waiting area, please respect these expectations.
● If you choose to meet your child after school as they exit the building, you are expected to park in the lot or street and meet on the playground. The left lane of the drive-through loop always needs to be kept open. It is NOT for waiting in your car for students NOR for parking and going on the playground or in the building.
● For security reasons, if you wish to speak with a teacher, or plan to pick up your child at the classroom door, you will need to come through the office and sign-in and out.
Security Measures at Pettigrew:
● All doors, except the front doors which lead to the office, are always locked.
● ALL parents/guardians and visitors must enter the school through the office, provide a driver’s license or other form of government-issued ID that can be scanned by our check-in system, and wear a visitor’s badge available in the office when inside the school building. The badge lets others know you have signed in.
● The office door has a buzzer system to request entry. The request button is in the entry, to the left of the office door. This office door will always remain locked. All visitors will need to ring the bell, look at the monitor, identify themselves and the purpose of their visit, and be buzzed into the office.
If you have questions about the upcoming school year, feel free to call our office at 362-3560. We look forward to a GREAT school year!
Cultivating Our Future Together
By Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent
Summer is coming to a close and another fall is upon us. While students, staff, and parents settle in for the new school year, cooler temperatures and earlier sunsets remind us harvest is also right around the corner.
Each year, we select a theme to keep us grounded in our work. This year we are focusing on the word “Cultivate.” In so many ways, “cultivating” describes what happens in our classrooms every day. Like a seed ready for planting, students enter our classrooms with so much potential to grow. Staff nurture curiosity and introduce various tools to help students succeed on their educational journey.
One new tool students and families will become accustomed to using this fall is our Learning Management System called Canvas. The online platform helps students and staff organize homework and class expectations. Another technology tool you may be hearing about in the news is Chat GPT and artificial intelligence (AI). Ready or not, these online resources are here to stay. We believe it is better for students to learn how these innovative tools can be used to proactively sharpen their critical thinking skills and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
While tools are important, sometimes the greatest harvest is reaped just by cultivating consistency. This year more than ever, we are focusing on the need for students to attend school regularly. It is essential to recognize that good attendance is a shared responsibility. As parents and caregivers, you play a vital role in fostering a culture of regular attendance. Just like watering and fertilizing plants regularly, students also need this consistency. By prioritizing and emphasizing the value of attending school every day, you set the foundation for your child's commitment to their education.
Additionally, we are excited to open our Community Learning Centers (CLC) in elementary schools to encourage stronger connections and community engagement. With support from local organizations, businesses, and community members our after-school programs will offer tutoring, mentoring, and various enrichment activities. Parents and caregivers will have many opportunities to come alongside us in this endeavor. Your partnership is important to its success.
By attending school events, volunteering, voting for educational initiatives, or providing resources, we can cultivate a thriving educational community where our students can flourish and reach their full potential. We stand ready to support you and nurture your child every step of the way.
R.F. Pettigrew PTO
Email: rfp.president@yahoo.com
Website: rfpettigrew.org/pto
Location: 7900 West 53rd Street, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 6053623564
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RFPettigrewPTO/?ref=share
