PTES October 2026 Newsletter

Posted Date: 09/30/26 (07:25 PM)

🐾 A Message from the Principal

🍂 Welcome back, Bobcat Families! I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and fun-filled Fall Break. As we begin Quarter 2, we are excited to welcome our students back and continue the great learning and growth happening at Peralta Trail Elementary!

The start of a new quarter is a wonderful opportunity for a fresh start. Our students are learning new skills, building friendships, discovering new interests, and growing as scholars and citizens. Every day matters, and every day is an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow!

🐾 Every Day Counts!

As we begin Quarter 2, I want to encourage our families to make school attendance a priority. Being at school every day, when students are healthy and able, helps them stay connected to their learning, their teachers, and their classmates. Even missing a few days can make it harder for students to keep up with new concepts and classroom routines.

Our Bobcats are capable of amazing things, and showing up is the first step toward success! Thank you for partnering with us to help your child make attendance a positive habit.

🎃 So Much to Look Forward To!

Quarter 2 is also filled with opportunities for our Bobcat community to learn, celebrate, and come together! We have some exciting events ahead, including our PTO Halloween Fall Festival on October 30th, our Winter Festival, and our Bobcat Student Showcase celebrating the incredible learning and creativity of our students during the first semester.

These events are special because they bring our students, families, and staff together and help make Peralta Trail such a wonderful place to be.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I am so proud of our Bobcats and all they have accomplished during the first quarter. Let's make Quarter 2 another great chapter in our magical moments journey!

Remember, Bobcats: Be present. Be positive. Be ready to learn. Be Peralta Strong!

With Bobcat Pride,

Mrs. Smith

Principal, Peralta Trail Elementary

AJUSD Student Code of Conduct

Attendance Matters!

Every school day gives students another opportunity to learn, connect and grow. Last month our average attendance percentage was 94%...our goal is 95% or higher! Let's shine Bobcats and make this happen!

Shout-Out!

Has a Peralta Trail staff member made a difference for your child or family? We’d love to hear about it! Take a moment to recognize a teacher, staff member, or campus team member who goes above and beyond to make Peralta Trail a special place. Your kind words mean so much and are a wonderful way to celebrate the amazing people who put Kids First every day!

Staff Shout-Out Link

PTES "25 Years of Magical Moments"

October Theme: How We Do School Together!

“Be Brave & Just Keep Swimming!"

🌊 Be Brave: Being brave doesn't mean we aren't afraid. It means we keep moving forward, even when something feels challenging or unfamiliar.

🐠 This October, our Bobcats are diving into a new monthly theme inspired by Finding Nemo! Throughout the month, we will focus on what it means to be brave, keep going when things get difficult, and be there for one another.

🐠 Just Keep Swimming: Sometimes learning something new, solving a problem, making a mistake, or facing a tough day can feel like a big ocean. When that happens, we can take a breath, try again, ask for help, and just keep swimming!

💙 Be There for One Another: Every Bobcat is part of our school family. We can make a difference by encouraging others, including those around us, helping when someone is struggling, and celebrating each other's successes. We are stronger when we swim together!

Bobcat Spotlight

October 2026

October 2nd: National School Custodian Day!

October 6th: School resumes for students

October 20th: PTO Meeting (Library @ 4pm)

October 23rd: Campos School Picture Retakes

October 23-30th: Red Ribbon Week

October 30th: Bobcat Student of the Month Assembly

October 30th: PTO Halloween Fall Festival 5-7pm

AJUSD 2026-27 Academic Calendar

Myths, Empires & Ink

Pop Band

Remember to Fill Out Your Meal Application

FOOD SERVICES

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.

Apply Here: Free & Reduced Meal Application

School Menus

Families can view breakfast and lunch menus at any time through Nutrislice.

View School Menus: AJUSD Menus

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

victoria.shilander@goaj.org

Bobcat STEAM Corner

🐠 October Family STEAM Challenge: Just Keep Floating!

Connect to our Finding Nemo theme with a fun family engineering challenge!

Your Mission: Can you design and build a boat that floats and carries as many “fish” as possible?

You’ll Need:

Aluminum foil
A bowl or container of water
Small objects to use as “fish” (coins, LEGO pieces, buttons, etc.)
Paper and pencil for designing

The Challenge:

Imagine: What shape will help your boat float?
Plan: Draw your boat design before building.
Create: Build your boat using only aluminum foil.
Test: Place it in water and slowly add your “fish.”
Improve: If your boat sinks, redesign it and just keep swimming!
Share: How many “fish” did your final boat carry?

💡 Think Like a Scientist: Why did some boat shapes float better than others? What changes made your boat stronger?

🌊 Bobcat Bonus: Take a picture of your family’s boat challenge and share it with your teacher!

AJUSD Cell Phone Policy

Reminder...

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:

https://www.ajusd.org/94220_2

Drop-Off and Pick Up Procedures

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

Arrival and Dismissal Map

Introducing...My Ride (Transportation Dept)