Pacer Pulse Newsletter
Pacer Pulse Newsletter
Embedded Files
Dear Pacer Families,
November is a wonderful time to pause and give thanks for the people who make our school community special. As I reflect on my first months as principal at SCES, I am thankful for the Staff who makes this school a place where students can learn, grow, and feel that they belong. I am also grateful for the trust YOU place in us to teach, guide, and direct your child, as well as your willingness to have conversations in both times of challenge and celebration. There is much for which to be thankful.
October gave our Pacers opportunities to grow both academically and personally! Our 3rd- 6th graders worked hard during ILEARN Checkpoint testing, giving teachers valuable information about what students have learned and where additional support may be needed. These checkpoints are more than just assessments; they help us reflect on our instructional practices, celebrate progress, and make informed decisions about the next steps in learning. I am proud of our students for their effort and perseverance, and I appreciate our teachers’ continued commitment to using data to guide instruction and meet students where they are. We also celebrated Red Ribbon Week, reminding students of the importance of making healthy, safe, and responsible choices. These conversations help our Pacers build the knowledge and confidence they need to make positive decisions now and in the future. Whether we are strengthening academic skills or building character, our goal remains the same: helping every student grow and shine in their own way!
Please join us for our Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Veterans Day is an important opportunity for our elementary students to learn about service, sacrifice, and gratitude. We want our Pacers to recognize that honoring veterans is about more than a program or a day on the calendar; it is about taking time to thank those who have given so much for others. I encourage our families to talk with their children about Veterans Day and help them understand the importance of saying “thank you” to the men and women who have served. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring our school community together to recognize these heroes and show them the appreciation they deserve. We look forward to seeing you on November 12th!
As we move into November, I encourage our students and families to look for opportunities to express gratitude, recognize the people who make a difference, and find joy in the little things. Thank you for being an important part of our Pacer community and for partnering with us as we help every student shine!
With gratitude and Pacer Pride,
Mrs. Dixon
🍁Mark Your Calendars: October Events!🍂
November 6th: School Smiles
November 10th: Picture Re-takes
November 12th: Veterans Day Celebration
Breakfast @ 8:00 AM in the Library
Program @ 9:00 AM in the GYM
November 13th: Synchronous eLearning/Staff PD
November 23rd - 27th: Thanksgiving Break 🦃
December 16th: Winter Concert ❄️ @ Belterra @ 6:00 PM
Mrs. Cole's Counselor Corner
Mrs. Cole's Counselor Corner
Having a school pledge helps to build a shared sense of pride, belonging, and responsibility among our students and staff. It provides a consistent opportunity to reinforce positive character, respectful choices, and personal accountability. More importantly, the pledge is a daily reminder that being a Pacer means more than attending SCES; it means being part of a team where everyone matters and everyone has a role in creating a positive learning environment. When we consistently connect the words of the pledge to our everyday actions, we help students understand what it means to live out #PacerPride both inside and outside the classroom.
Safety with Deputy Whitham
Safety with Deputy Whitham
While most may not know it, we have buses that start to arrive at the school prior to 7am. There are buses that drop off in the rear of the school, east side of the school, and even some transfers in the front parking lot. All this happens as families also start to arrive to drop off children at the front entrance. Please remain aware that children are moving in multiple directions.
Buses also arrive throughout the day for various pick-ups and drop-offs such as pre-school, field trips, sports bus, and the normal end of day pick-up. When buses stop to load or unload students they should have the stop arm activated. If the stop arm is activated do not attempt to go around the bus. Doing so could result in a citation/ticket under Indiana Code 9-21-12-1 which states:
A person who drives a vehicle that:
(1) meets or overtakes from any direction a school bus stopped on a roadway or a private road and is not stopped before reaching the school bus when the arm signal device is in the device's extended position; or
(2) proceeds before the arm signal device is no longer extended; commits a Class A infraction.
Additionally, as we get into the months of less daylight hours, we need to pay attention to those Students and Families that are crossing the road during student drop-off in the morning.
Kind Regards,
Aaron D. Whitham
School Resource Officer
Device-Light Learning
Device-Light Learning
At Switzerland County Elementary School, we are committed to creating a focused learning environment where every student can thrive. This year, SCES is adopting a device-light approach to minimize distractions, reduce unnecessary screen time, and boost student engagement and collaboration.
To support this effort, student cell phones must be powered off and stored away upon arriving and through dismissal of school. Additionally, Chromebooks issued at Open House will stay at home, with school-provided devices used in class only when technology directly enhances learning.
By balancing intentional technology use with screen-free collaboration, we ensure students stay fully engaged while still building essential digital skills. We appreciate our families' partnership in supporting these expectations!
Meet the Staff at SCE
Meet the Staff at SCE
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