Bobcat Families,
Can you believe we are already approaching the end of our first quarter? The school year is moving quickly, and I want to take a moment to share just how proud I am of our Peralta Trail Bobcats!
Our teachers have been doing an incredible job creating meaningful learning experiences for our students. I have been especially impressed by the way teachers are integrating Science and Social Studies into their ELA instruction, giving students opportunities to read, write, discuss, and think deeply about topics that connect to the world around them. This kind of learning helps students see that subjects do not exist in isolation—what we learn in one area can strengthen and deepen our understanding in another.
We also successfully launched our 3rd–5th grade Innovation Studios, and it has been exciting to see our students exploring new interests, developing skills, collaborating with others, and taking greater ownership of their learning. From the very beginning, our Bobcats have embraced these opportunities with curiosity and enthusiasm!
As we head toward the end of the quarter, fall break is right around the corner! Please remember that Friday, September 18th is a FULL school day. Following that day, students will begin fall break, which continues through Monday, October 5th. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday, October 6th refreshed and ready for another great quarter of learning.
Thank you, Bobcat families, for your continued support of our students, teachers, and school. There is so much to celebrate at Peralta Trail, and I am excited about all that is ahead!
Keep growing, keep learning, and keep being Peralta Strong!
With Bobcat pride,
Mrs. P. Smith
Principal
Peralta Trail Elementary
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September is Attendance Awareness Month, and AJUSD is celebrating with SHOW UP, AJ! Every school day gives students another opportunity to learn, connect and grow. Throughout September, AJUSD will recognize the school with the highest attendance each week. Strong attendance starts on day one. Last Week our attendance percentage was 93%...our goal is 95% or higher! Let's shine Bobcats and make this happen! |
September Theme: Moana — Perseverance
“Keep Going. Keep Growing. Find Your Way!”
Like Moana, we can face challenges, believe in ourselves, and keep moving forward.
Monthly Message:
Perseverance means we don’t give up when something is hard. We try again, ask for help, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward—even when the waves get rough!
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Innovation Studios: Learning Beyond the Classroom
This year, our 3rd–5th grade Bobcats have embarked on an exciting new learning experience through Innovation Studios! These hands-on studios give students opportunities to explore their interests, discover new passions, collaborate with others, and develop real-world skills through creative and engaging experiences. From STEM and robotics to the arts, entrepreneurship, wellness, nature, culinary, and media, our students are learning by doing, creating, and innovating. We are excited to share what Innovation Studios looks like through the eyes of some of our very own Bobcats! 🐾
Brooklyn: "I like my studios because they are fun and active. There are some amazing people in there. I think the teachers are amazing too, they are polite, helpful, and kind. I love my studios!"
Heavenli: "Product Development is very fun and we get to invent a product that we can make and it is cool!"
Harlow: "Lights, Camera, Action is my favorite studio because it is very fun. Everyone there is supportive and I love the scripts!"
Camilla: "I go to Music Production and it is where we make music. I think it is very fun and it is a good fit for me because I like music. I also have Media Makers Studio and it is fun. My group is doing a podcast. We have to finish our podcast but we are finishing up our logo...but we will get to it."
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September 4th-11th: Scholastic Book Fair
September 7th: Labor Day (No School)
September 10th-11th: Parent/Teacher Conferences (Early release @ 1:35pm)
September 11th: 9/11 Rememberance
September 14th-18th: Constitution Week
September 20th-October 5th: FALL BREAK
October 5th: Teacher PD & Work Day
October 6th: School resumes for students
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This year students continue to earn Bobcat GROWL tickets for demonstrating great choices with respect and responsibility, being role models and leaders at PTES! However, the change is that students can save up their tickets to redeem for amazing prizes in our Bobcat GROWL Store! This gives every student who earns tickets the opportunity to redeem them on our Bobcat Spirit Day (the last Friday of each month) for prizes ranging from 1 ticket all the way up to 100!
Thank you to Project Help and the Smith family for their donation of prizes to get our store launched!
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When students arrive to school, if they choose to eat breakfast at school, they will go to the cafeteria to be served their breakfast. If your child is parent drop-off in the morning, please make sure they arrive prior to 8:25; gates open at 8:15.
Free & Reduced Meal Applications
One of the most important things families can do before the school year starts is complete a Free & Reduced Meal Application. Even if families are unsure whether they qualify, we encourage them to apply.
These applications do much more than determine meal benefits—they help our district and PTES secure critical funding that supports students, schools, educational programs, technology, and other valuable resources. Every completed application makes a difference.
School Menus
Families can view breakfast and lunch menus at any time through Nutrislice.
Please help us spread the word to parents and guardians about the importance of completing the meal application as soon as possible. Increasing participation helps ensure our district receives the resources needed to support student success.
Thank you for your partnership and support. I look forward to working with all of you throughout the school year!
Vikki Shilander
Director of Dining Services
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Ahoy, Bobcat Families! 🚤
Channel your inner Moana and take on this month’s Family STEAM Challenge! Your mission is to design and build a boat that can float and carry as much weight as possible.
Your Challenge:
Using materials you already have at home—such as aluminum foil, craft sticks, straws, cardboard, plastic containers, or recycled materials—design and build a boat.
Then test it! Place your boat in a tub, sink, or container of water and slowly add small objects such as pennies, LEGO pieces, or coins. How much can your boat hold before it sinks?
Think Like an Engineer!
- 🧠 Think: What shape will help your boat float?
- ✏️ Design: Draw your idea before you build.
- 🔨 Build: Create your boat using available materials.
- 🌊 Test: How much weight can it hold?
- 🔄 Improve: What could you change to make it even better?
Bonus Challenge: Can you redesign your boat and make it hold even more?
Remember, engineers don't always get it right the first time. They test, learn, redesign, and try again!
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Recently we have been having some students trying to sneak their cell phones out during the school day. Last year, AJUSD adopted a cell phone policy for our campuses. Thank you for your support and reminding your child of our Cell Phone Policy. So far this year we have only had a few issues and students are more focused during the school day. If a student has a cell phone, once on campus they are to turn it off and secure it in their backpack as it is not permitted to be out during school hours. Please see the policy below:
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Safety is a priority and we want to make sure that the procedures are followed for a smooth arrival and dismissal. Any transportation changes MUST go through the main office (480-677-7540) no later than 1:00 pm.
Please remember the following:
- Gates open at 8:15am, there is no supervision prior to this time; students should not arrive early
- Pull all the way up in the car loop for drop-off and pick-up
- Blocking the car loop is not permitted, please park if you need to go into the office
- Parent drop-off students, walkers, and bike riders will enter school at the front gate upon arrival
- Please make sure that your child is exiting the car on the passenger side of the vehicle
- Have your student pick-up sign clearly in your front passenger side window at dismissal
- Parent pick-up students will exit school through the cafeteria back doors as staff call their names
- Car loop students will be dismissed first for the safety of all, then parent walk-up will be dismissed
- We encourage all of our families to use the car loop for a more efficient and safe dismissal for all
- PTES staff will supervise and assist with drop-off (arrival) and pick-up (dismissal)
- Please be patient and on time
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