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Weekly Principal Newsletter

Peru Catholic School

It’s been busy since returning from spring break. I hit the ground

running and haven’t stopped. We have finalized our calendar, tuition

and fee rates, and the budget for next year. In this newsletter I intend

to give some of this information while also introducing you to pieces

of the new curriculum additions. We will finalize our proposed math

curriculum change for 2019-20. All changes are subject to finances,

enrollment, and teacher training.

In the home stretch here please remember to find a moment to stop

and recognize Jane Weberski and Pat Wieczorek for their years of

service. We will miss them but also know that they’ve earned this

retirement.

Peace and Blessings,

Amy

aperona@perucatholic.org (815) 224-1914

Upcoming Events

May 15

Recognition Ceremony

May 17

8th Grade Graduation 7pm

May 21

PreK 3 & 4 Last Day

May 21

PreK 3 End of Year Party

May 22

PreK 4 Celebration in the

Park (11-1)

May 23

Kindergarten Completion

Ceremony 10am

May 24

Last Day – All School Mass

Dismissal 11:30am – following

mass

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Finalized Calendar for 2019-20

Online Registration (Subject to change)

July 25th (9am-1pm) If you could not complete

online registration please plan to register on this

day.

August 1

New Teacher Institute (Peoria, IL)

August 3

Golf Outing – (Fundraising Event)

August 13

Mandatory Diocesan Institute Day (Peoria) (8:30-

2pm)

August 19

Teacher Institute (8am-3pm)

Ice Cream Social/Meet the Teachers/School

Supply Drop Off (Activity)

(5:30pm-7pm)

August 20

First Day of School

K-8 (Noon Dismissal)

August 21

K-8 (Full Day)

PreK Begins Noon Dismissal

No Hot Lunch or Bus Service

August 22-23

PreK Noon Dismissal

August 26

PreK First Full Day

September 2

NO SCHOOL LABOR DAY

September 3

Bus Service Begins

Hot Lunch Program Begins

What are your plans

for the summer?

Count Down to SUMMER

VACATION

18 DAYS

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September 6

Celebrate Grandparents Day – Mass

September 27

INSTITUTE DAY – No School

October 11

First Quarter Ends (Subject to Change)

½ Day Teacher Professional Development

October 14

No School Columbus Day

October 18

Report Cards (Subject to Change)

October 19

GOLDEN GALA – Celebrating 50 Years of

Catholic Education (Fundraising Event)

October 31

Trunk or Treat (Activity)

November 11

Veterans Program (Activity)

November 26

Noon Dismissal Parent Teacher Conferences

November 27

No School Parent Teacher Conferences

November 28-29

No School – Thanksgiving Break

December 12

PreK4-2 Christmas Program

December 20

Noon Dismissal –Teacher Professional

Development (MAP)

December 23-January 3, 2020

Christmas Break

January 6

No School – Teacher Institute

January 7

School Resume

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THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EARLY BED TIME

https://www.lostmisfits.com/early-bedtimes-

for-kids-means-better-mental-health-for-

moms/?fbclid=IwAR0YJh_lXIc0BKKjaUFm-

y44e_IpqEG-PltkHaF38zrNkN7aLgQN7HE_P5E

2019-20 CURRICULUM UPDATES – FIRST

UP MATH

Why a new math curriculum?

First, I want to thank the parents who joined us to

discuss math curriculum options for 2019-20. We

know your time is valuable.

Leading the Math Team at PCS next year:

❖ Ms. Amber Heider (Jr. Math + Science)

❖ Ms. Erica McPheeters (Grade 2)

Why switch? During the 2017-18 school the

Diocese of Peoria underwent a complete update of

the math standards. Ms. Heider represented PCS

helping to rewrite the math standards which now

align to the Illinois Learning Standards and the

Common Core. This in addition to frustration

from our faculty and parents led to the change.

Last night we finalized our decision. Please take

time to look over the following links.

All professional development and institute days

next year will focus on Math + MAP (new

assessment tool), which will be implemented in

2020-21.

All questions should be directed to Amy Perona

or a member our math committee.

EUREKA MATH PRESENTATION

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/

1D8qzghRPqrQgrZQt4TJI0UP6i586UZQqdsU

yNkcfa_s/edit?usp=sharing

CREATE A FREE LOGIN (Link Below)

https://greatminds.org/math

IXL and EUREKA MATH

Are you familiar with IXL? Have your logged

with your child(ren) at home? Did you know IXL

is aligned to Eureka math? Did you know your

child(ren) can keep working all the SUMMER?

EXTRA PRACTICE #yippee

https://www.ixl.com/inspiration/summer

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Peru Catholic School Junior

High Course Electives

2019-20

Your foundation is important. Let us help you

build one.

It is our goal at Peru Catholic School that all students be

challenged to their potential, expand their interests and

develop the skills needed to successfully navigate high

school. Next year we are expanding on our course

offerings in junior high to include electives that promote

the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that

will enrich the personal growth of early adolescents. The purpose of this document is to provide a guideline to

be better understand the protocol, prerequisites,

scheduling and expectation of students and faculty

advisors for each course elective. These courses will

now be a part of the educational programs at Peru

Catholic School with minor modifications made each

year to support class sizes. General Guidelines for Participants

1. REQUIRED: A signed (student and parent)

copy of the handbook agreement form must be

turned into the office before the student will be

allowed to participate.

2. REQUIRED: Yearly school fee

Expectations

1. All students are expected to conduct themselves

in a manner which reflects positively on

themselves and the school. Students must be

dependable, honest, and trustworthy.

2. Bullying, intimidation or harassment (defined by

student handbook) are not acceptable in any

form and will not be tolerated at school or

school-related events. This includes

cyberbullying and negative comments directed

toward an individual, team or coach; made via

text or email, or on Instagram, Facebook or

other social media by student, OR a

parent/guardian on their behalf.

3. Students or their parent/guardian will be

responsible for arranging rides to and from

meetings and events.

4. Cell phones usage will not be permitted during

meetings or events, unless otherwise directed by

the faculty/administration. The faculty member

or administrator will notify participants when it

is appropriate to use cell phones (emergency

situations or transportation information). When

allowed students are expected to use them in an

appropriate and responsible manner.

5. All equipment used during the course electives

should be used for its’ intended purpose, and in

a way is safe and respectful to themselves, other

students, and the facility. Participants will be

held responsible for any damages that may occur

when this policy is violated.

Protocol for selecting Junior High Elective Courses

1. In order of preference select one (1) course

elective for each period (8th and 9th) per

quarter.

2. You can only select one study hall.

3. Must Pass (P) semester technology elective

course with a P in order to move on to next

technology elective (technology courses are

designed to be sequential).

4. All junior high course electives are Pass/Fail

except for Spanish.

5. All students will have the opportunity to take an

elective.

6. Faculty recommendation, GPA, assessment

results, and individual student behavior record

will be used to determine placement in junior

high course electives.

7. The same eligibility policy holds for course

electives as it does for our regularly scheduled

courses.

FILL OUT YOUR DESIRED ELECTIVE

SCHEDULE and RETURN BY 5/15/19 – Click

link to access the form.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u

IGzGMgHVr7E6k1fJUc92glGY2_svkG6F-

49mDhvucw/edit?usp=sharing

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Schedules 2019-20 (subject to minor changes)

8th and 9th Period are designated for Electives.

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Schedules 2019-20 (subject to minor changes)

PreK 3

PreK 4

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – RSVP by May 24, 2019

Recess & Lunch Duty 2019-20

Library Renovation

Special Events Volunteer Request Form (Mandatory)

Art Framing

FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE

“Francis of Assisi”

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DURING THE FINAL WEEK OF SCHOOL GRAB YOUR FAVORITE

PCS ITEM FOR 2019-20 at a GREAT PRICE

❖ All PCS t-shirt (except for Sofia Rae designs) $5

❖ All PCS winter hats $5

❖ ALL PCS CREST Polos $8

❖ ALL PCS CREST Quarter Zips $10

❖ PCS Vests $10

Please welcome …..

Kelly Richards

I’m excited to welcome Kelly Richards (3rd grade teacher) to our PCS family. Kelly has a big heart, passion for

teaching, and I know she will make an excellent addition to our faculty.

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My name is Kelly Richards and I’ve taught for a total of 11 years. I graduated

from Elmhurst College in 2000 with a degree in Business Administration and

Elementary Education with a minor in Math. My first teaching job was at St.

Mary’s in Plainfield, Illinois where I taught 3rd grade for 4 years. From 2009-

2016 I taught 5th and 1st grade at St. Louis School in Princeton. I’ve been

married to my husband, Bob, for 19 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters,

Madison 15 and Morgan 12 where we reside in Princeton. In my spare time I

enjoy spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking, watching the

Bears and watching my girls play volleyball, track, softball and cheer.

BABY ROSCO is HERE!!!! We are thrilled to announce

the arrival of Rosco Prey, born 5.6.2019 (8lbs. 11oz) –

mom (Ms. Camron) and baby are doing GREAT. Next up: Baby Pierce. Our

PCS family is growing!