Trip Payment: Please pay for the United Skates field trip online at this link: https://wcpss.schoolcashonline.com/ The cost is $21.
In our continuing efforts to support the well-being of all our students, we will be administering a universal screener of social, emotional & behavioral health. WCPSS is using the Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System-2 (BIMAS-2) research-based screening tool. We believe this will help all of our students thrive academically by identifying students who may benefit from additional social and emotional support and interventions, much like some students benefit from additional academic support and interventions. For more information about the BIMAS-2 Screener, please view the BIMAS-2 Parent Letter.If you do not want your child screened, please complete this Opt Out Form by August 29, 2025.
Fifth Grade Fundraiser: Go Play Save fundraiser
Fifth grade students are selling Go Play Save coupon books to raise funds for their field trip to Washington DC.
PTA is also opening up book sales to grade k-4 students. The proceeds from the k-4 sales will go to a scholarship fund for 5th grade students who otherwise may not be able to participate in the trip.
Families can scan the QR code on the flyer that went home in last week’s Tuesday folders (also attached to this email) and set up an account for their student. A link will be generated and can be shared by text, email, and social media. Mobile and physical books can purchased from the link, or families can collect cash.
PTA is managing books and cash- the only involvement teachers have is informing PTA if students have cash purchases.
Online paper book orders will be delivered to student's classroom within a few days of purchase. Mobile orders are delivered to purchasers instantly.
If students collect cash, please send an email to Katie Makhija enrichmentvp@puepta.com or Rebecca Olsen president@puepta.com
Students have taken their first math test and are working on making corrections in a different color on top of their original test. They will come home next week in Tuesday Folders (the week of the 25th). It's important for them to take the time to analyze their errors in order to grow, which is why there is a delay in them coming home.
Our room can be cold, so feel free to send your student in with a hoodie or sweater. They can leave it in their cubby for the week.
Mclass Scores: We have completed our Mclass reading tests that give us more information about how students are doing on the subskills of reading. The scores will be coming home in Tuesday folders. If you have any questions about how to interpret those scores, please send me an email!
On top of the paper, I have written their lexile level that Mclass calculated based on their scores. Lexile levels are not perfect measures but can be helpful when determining if a book is too hard or easy for your student. You can google a book title and lexile level (example: Percy Jackson lexile level) and typically it will pop up. Then you can compare that level to your student's to see if it's an appropriate match. The level doesn't have to always match perfectly but it will give a ballpark idea of if the book is a good challenge.
Specials Calendar : This is especially important for knowing which days are PE!
Homework: My philosophy with homework is that it is extra practice and helps students learn to build responsibility and routine with work outside of school. That being said, homework should never make a student cry or feel negatively about themself. If this is happening, please let me know so we can brainstorm and better tailor what their work is to their needs.
Each Monday, I will give students their homework folder. Each Friday morning, they will turn in their homework.
Reading: Students should read at least 20 minutes every day. This can be reading independently or reading aloud with another person. If it's a tricky book, try reading one page to them and having them try the next page. After they read, they can check off that day on their paper. We want to build the love of reading, so if your student dreads this part of the homework, please let me know so we can find a way to make it fun for them!
Reading comprehension sheet: There are many facets to reading comprehension. One is being able to read a passage and figure out what word is missing/which word makes sense in a sentence. That's the purpose of this practice page. Students will practice this skill with me on Monday so they understand how to approach the homework. It is okay if you need to help them with this part of the homework as it is a new skill and the text might be challenging.
Writing: Students need to choose a prompt from their sheet and write at least 10 sentences. They will have lined paper in their homework folders to write on.
Math: The math sheet will typically be a review to make sure students are keeping up with skills they've previously learned, even if we aren't currently working on them.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns!
Family Support Resources: Our school social worker, Emily Pulley, is available to support students and families with a variety of needs. If you’re in need of assistance or have concerns you'd like to share, please complete the Google form linked here: PUE Cares. She can help connect families with helpful resources and services. Feel free to reach out to her directly at epulley@wcpss.net or 919-800-9553. PUE cares and is here to support you!
Potential Proctors: As of last year, the state let us know they would be requiring teachers to either have proctors or have their class tested by another teacher who does not teach the same grade/subject when taking a state assessment, such as the EOG. We know based on research, that kids test best when in the classroom with the teacher they are familiar with. In order to make this happen, we need parent volunteers to be proctors. As a proctor, you would need to have volunteer clearance from the county and a simple training when the time comes to test. It's important to note that you won't be able to proctor our class (as your student would be in the room), but doing this will help all kids test with their teachers. If you're interested, please fill out this form.
PUE Backpack Buddies Program (Food Assistance)
Pleasant Union has a food assistance program called Backpack Buddies. Students in this program will receive a bag of non-perishable food every Friday while they are tracked in. If you would like your child to receive food, please complete this form: PUE Backpack Buddies Program
If you have any questions about this program, please contact Mrs. Bratt, School Counselor at cbratt@wcpss.net or 919-870-4230 ext. 20417
Please fill out this family expertise survey
Please fill out this survey about your student
Remind code: The school will use this app to notify families of bus changes as we are informed by transportation.
Pleasant Union Elementary
2025-2026 Bus Riders
Code to join group: @e7kbka
Message from Mr. Stern:
Parents,
I am looking forward to another great year in physical education with the students. We will continue to do numerous activities throughout the year that include locomotor and non-locomotor movements, skill development, fitness assessments, lifetime sports, and many more activities. To help ensure that students are able to FULLY participate in ALL parts of Physical Education, I ask for your help to ensure that students come to school dressed correctly for physical education following the dress code guidelines attached. These guidelines are established to ensure students are SAFE as well as in appropriate attire to do all activities and movements during class. To help you know the correct day for your students physical education class, you will also find on the document links to your track specific specials calendar. Please note that students who are not dressed correctly may be limited in their ability to participate in class. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me (bsstern@wcpss.net).