October 28, 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This Friday is our Halloween Party/Parade at PGE.  I just want to make sure that we are clear on costumes and how the parade will work.

• Students should come to school dressed in their costumes, if desired.  No face paint, face coverings over their eyes, or “look alike” weapons please.  This is so students can walk through the building safely without anything blocking their vision.  School clothes should be underneath the costume so that changing out of the Halloween costume is easily done. Being this is also Red Ribbon Week, our theme for the day is Team Up Against Drugs, so we ask that students wear spirit wear under their costumes, or bring them to change into after the parade. 
• Students will participate in a morning parade around the school, beginning at 8:20 a.m.  Hopefully, parents/grandparents will be able to stop by to enjoy this!  Parents may also wish to bring younger siblings to watch the parade!  We ask that younger siblings not participate in the parade or classroom parties. 
• All classes will participate in a small Halloween party from 8:45-9:45 a.m.  If you do not wish your child to participate in the Halloween celebration, please send a note to the school office, and we will provide an alternate activity for them to participate in. 
• On this day, we would like to limit the amount of candy coming into the school.  Please do not send in any food items with your child unless you have signed up to bring an item. 
• After the parties are completed, we will resume a normal school schedule and parents are asked to take costumes home at this time. 
• Students will then participate in a PBIS assembly, beginning at 10:00 a.m.   All students will participate and have a chance to earn prizes for earning Eagle Eye tickets during 1^st quarter. 

Please call the school office if you have any questions.

Thank You!

Mrs. Walsh

Administrator Meet and Greet

October 3, 2015

On October 9, 2015, North Boone School District will host a “Meet & Greet” to introduce our new Administrative team.  Please join us outside the Upper Elementary from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to meet our new Administrators and enjoy ice cream and cupcakes.  It is also Senior Night at the High School, so please stop by the game and cheer on the Vikings!

Safety Drills

September 30, 2015


As part of our continuing efforts to improve safety here at Poplar Grove Elementary, we conducted a "Hard Lockdown" drill this morning. The safety and welfare of our students and staff are our highest priority at Poplar Grove Elementary.   We practice safety drills throughout the year to help our students know what to do in the event of an emergency.  The school district is working closely with local authorities to correctly implement these procedures. The goals of the training drills are to improve our ability to protect students, save lives, and reduce injuries.

Thank you for your continued support of Poplar Grove Elementary.

Butter Braid Fundraiser

Don't forget our PBIS Eagle Eye Butter Braid Fundraiser continues until Wednesday, September 9th.  Prizes will be awarded for the highest seller in each grade, in the school, and the class with the highest percentage of sales will earn a pizza party.  All students that sell at least 6 items will earn a drawstring backpack.  I have had several students come in to get extra orders forms! Our Eagle's Nest store opened up last Friday and all proceeds from the fundraiser go to student incentives and prizes to allow us to continue to fill our store with fun items the students can earn for positive behaviors.

Week of Firsts!

Wow!  We had a great first week of school at PGE!  We had so many firsts...first bus ride, first classroom, first "hot" lunch, and first teachers!  There were so many smiling faces each and every day, it made my heart melt to see them truly enjoying their first week of school!  We met many parents and family members at our Meet the Teacher Night last Thursday.  If you have not done so already please fill out our Back to School Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9FWZVBW. The survey results will help us plan events in the future!

Our Butter Braid Fundraiser officially begins today!  All order forms are due Wednesday, September 9th!  Prizes will be awarded to the top seller in each grade, in the school, and to the class with the highest percentage of sales.  All proceeds go to our PBIS Eagle Eye Program.  Throughout the year, as incentives we provide prizes and rewards for the students for displaying positive behaviors throughout the school.  We will be needing volunteers to staff our Eagle's Nest Store every other Friday this school year!  Please contact the office if you would like to volunteer to help during lunches if you did not sign up during Open House!  All students that sell at least 6 items earn a drawstring backpack.

Welcome back and we look forward to many more firsts this year at PGE!  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 815-765-3113 or via email at hwalsh@nbcusd.org.  My door is always open!

Also, please remember to visit the Poplar Grove Elementary School Facebook page.  Also, please follow me on Twitter at @PGE_Walsh.

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Mrs. Walsh

Welcome Letter from the Principal

Dear Poplar Grove Elementary School Families,

I want to take the time to officially welcome you to the 2015-2016 school year.  My name is Heather Walsh, the new Principal at Poplar Grove Elementary.  I am looking forward to an exciting year of learning and growing with our students and working with our professional staff and you, our parents and community members.

My main goal is to ensure that every student is provided the highest quality of education possible in a safe and supportive environment.  Working together as a team with our staff and students, I am committed to helping each student achieve their very best.  Every student is valued and worthy of our best effort.

I hope each of you have been enjoying these past few weeks of summer, and now are looking forward to a great school year.  The year will be busy, exciting, and hopefully very rewarding for each student.  We want you to join us in making this the very best experience for your children.  Being informed will help. We have many important dates that are fast approaching.  Those dates are:


8/10: Kindergarten students and parents are invited to attend our Kindergarten Meet the Teacher Night /Open House on Monday, August 10th beginning at 4:00 PM.  Any students in Grades 1-4 may drop off their supplies at our Stop and Drop Event during this time as well.

8/10-8/12 and 8/14: During the week of August 10th, please feel free to stop by PGE from 1-3 PM to drop off your student's supplies before the first day of school.  Teachers will not be available to meet during this time.  We will be taking supplies in the Multi-Purpose Room.

8/10 and 8/11: Late Registration at the High School from 10-2 PM.

8/17: First Day of School

8/20: Students in grades 1-4, you are invited to attend Meet the Teacher/Open House on Thursday, August 20th beginning at 4:30 PM until 6 PM.  


The first day of school is Monday, August 17, 2015, starting at 8:00 AM.  Students should plan to arrive at school between 7:50 and 7:55 AM.  We will have a brief assembly starting 8:00 AM.  If weather permits, we will meet on the playground.  Have the students find their teacher.  We will have signs posted and staff members available to assist any families.  We are so looking forward to seeing all of the new faces!

Throughout the year our school website, periodic calendars, newletters, and school website will contain valuable information regarding the great things happening at Poplar Grove Elementary.   You can also find us at:

* Facebook - Poplar Grove Elementary School
* Twitter - https://twitter.com/PGE_WALSH  or @PGE_Walsh

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 815-765-3113 or via email at hwalsh@nbcusd.org


Thank you and kind regards,

Heather Walsh, Principal
Poplar Grove Elementary

Students Honored at Leadership Breakfast

I am pleased to announce that Jenna Seeber and Ben Castillo were selected as this year's PGE Leadership Award Recipients.  They and their parents were honored at a Student Leadership Breakfast, hosted by the Illinois Principal's Association, on April 22nd.  The students were acknowledged at the breakfast and received a certificate and a book. Congratulations Jenna and Ben!