On Friday, students shared stories about a time they were an upstander or a time that someone was an upstander to them. They also shared stories about their trusted adult and why they chose that specific person. This week has been all about supporting each other in the PBL School District. We hope students will continue to be upstanders for their peers and that if they HEAR Something or SEE Something that they SAY Something to their trusted adult.
Here are our Upstanders!
On Friday, students shared stories about a time they were an upstander or a time that someone was an upstander to them. They also shared stories about their trusted adult and why they chose that specific person. This week has been all about supporting each other in the PBL School District. We hope students will continue to be upstanders for their peers and that if they HEAR Something or SEE Something that they SAY Something to their trusted adult.
Here are our students with their trusted adult.
Our 8th grade students Ellie Dirks and Payton Luebchow surprised Mrs. Harrison with a birthday cake on Monday the 4th. (The blue frosting says, "Sorry for talking so much.") Make sure to wish her a happy late birthday if you see her!
School Social Work Week occurs during the first full week of March annually to honor and acknowledge school social workers nationwide for their contributions in supporting students to excel academically. Let's shine a special light on the Social Workers in our schools who are dedicated professionals making a significant difference in our students' lives every day.
Congratulations to the 8th grade girls volleyball team and Coach Kelli Vaughn who beat Bismarck-Henning in the IESA 3A Regional Championship on Thursday evening! The Panthers will play on Monday, March 11th at Prairie Central Junior High School in Forrest at 6:30 PM against Manteno. Come out and support the Panthers!
Also a congratulations to Ellie Dirks for receiving the IESA Sportsmanship Award!
The final session of the day was a group of "aspiring authors." These students were selected based on a student survey that was given prior to the author visit. They participated in a creative writing activity with the author. There were many laughs, great ideas shared and creative stories that came from this session. Thank you to the PBL Education Foundation for sponsoring Margaret Peterson Haddix. This opportunity for students to be exposed to a New York Times Best Selling Author is one they will not forget! These presentations likely inspired students who had an interest in writing to become an author some day and for that we are grateful to the Education Foundation!
During lunch on March 6th, students were able to get their books signed, ask the author questions, and take pictures with the author. Mrs. Bruens gave a book to students who participated in the Escape Room in the library leading up to the author visit. There were other students chosen at random that received a copy of her book as well.
During lunch time on March 6th, Margaret Peterson Haddix joined the students in the commons. Leading up to the author visit, students had the option to preorder one of her books that could be signed by the author during this time. Students were able to ask the author questions, and take pictures with the author.
Today students talked about what it means to be an upstander. An upstander is a person who speaks or acts in support of an individual or cause, particularly someone who intervenes on behalf of a person being bullied. Today students wrote thoughtful cards to someone who has been an upstander in their lives.
On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, New York Times best selling author Margaret Peterson Haddix came to PBL Junior High School to present to each grade level. She presented to each grade level throughout the school day and talked about the writing process, her inspiration for her books, and what it takes to become an author. The students were able to ask thoughtful questions and learn more about her books.
On Wednesday the 6th we hosted Margaret Peterson Haddix at our Junior High. This was a thrilling day for all of us. She is an author that has written over 40 books! With her first book being published in 1995. Here are some highlights of her at our school.
Last Saturday Anna Reber, Aiden Lavender, Kameron Kief, Dougie Keever, traveled to Danville High school to participate in the Illinois Music Educators Association Honor Band Performance they rehearsed with students from area schools all morning and performed an afternoon concert.
Here are pictures from students signing the Say Something Banners. By signing the banners students are pledging to say something!
Today students and teachers are talking about what it means to be a trusted adult. A trusted adult is a teacher, administrator, school support staff, coach, parent, family member, among others who a child feels comfortable going to when they hear something that doesn't feel right to them. In advisory classes, students will be filling out a card to their trusted adult, thanking them for being someone they feel they can trust to SAY SOMETHING.
Good luck to our 8th Grade Volleyball Team tonight on Tuesday, March 5th as they play in the 8th Grade 3A IESA Regional Semifinal against GCMS Middle School at John Greer Grade School located at 609 W. Main St. in Hoopeston, IL.
Today the JH Band Small Ensembles performed for the residents at Accolade Nursing Homes on Fulton and Pells. These students performed solos and ensembles that they prepared and performed for judges back in early February. We look forward to performing for the community more soon.
At PBL Schools students are taking the pledge to Say Something! When they pledge to Say Something they are promising to... 1. Look for the warning signs, signals, and threats. 2. Act immediately and take it seriously. 3. Say something to a trusted adult. When students do these things it will help create a safer, healthier school.
Congratulations to our PBL Junior High School Students of the Week for the week of February 26 - March 1. Great job, Panthers!
During March 4th - March 8th the PBL schools will be participating in Say Something Week alongside thousands of other schools across the country. Students and staff will participate in a week of activities that will raise awareness about how to create a safer, healthier school, and build a culture where students and staff lookout for each other. We will be focusing on how to build a community of upstanders, and how to acknowledge the trusted adults in our school. Stay tuned for more activities at each school throughout the week!
PBL Junior High Track & Field practice for all athletes will begin on Tuesday, March 5th in the Junior High Gym at 3:20pm - 4:45pm. If a student would like to still sign up there is still time to join. Please click on the following link for more information and the track & field calendar for the season: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j-ScW5Rb-41wdiWXhuQntKFMkx93OjLS-5S0cufWuMw/edit?usp=sharing