We had so much fun meeting next year's Kindergarten students tonight! Welcome to the Team! Our staff took a moment at the photo booth to take a picture with our Pettigrew Elementary Kindergarten Rookie Cards!










Attitude of Gratitude – Students of the Month
The Attitude of Gratitude mindset reminds us that when we intentionally focus on the positives in life, we build a strong foundation for joy, resilience, and success. It encourages us to appreciate what we have rather than focusing on what we may lack.
The key pillars of this mindset include treasuring yourself, being grateful, thanking others, and elevating your perspective.
These students were nominated by their teachers for demonstrating this mindset in their daily actions. They show appreciation for others, maintain positive attitudes, and help make Pettigrew a supportive and encouraging place to learn.
Congratulations to our Attitude of Gratitude Students of the Month! We are proud of the example you set for our school community.
Next months mindset focus will be on Live To Give. Talk to your students about what Live To Give means to them and how they can apply that mindset daily at home and at school.
The Attitude of Gratitude mindset reminds us that when we intentionally focus on the positives in life, we build a strong foundation for joy, resilience, and success. It encourages us to appreciate what we have rather than focusing on what we may lack.
The key pillars of this mindset include treasuring yourself, being grateful, thanking others, and elevating your perspective.
These students were nominated by their teachers for demonstrating this mindset in their daily actions. They show appreciation for others, maintain positive attitudes, and help make Pettigrew a supportive and encouraging place to learn.
Congratulations to our Attitude of Gratitude Students of the Month! We are proud of the example you set for our school community.
Next months mindset focus will be on Live To Give. Talk to your students about what Live To Give means to them and how they can apply that mindset daily at home and at school.



Introducing Pettigrew’s Incredible 4th Grade Team!
Our amazing 4th grade teachers are dedicated to helping students grow into well-educated, responsible members of our school community. Through encouragement, high expectations, and plenty of learning adventures, they guide students to build strong academic skills, confidence, and character every day. We are grateful for the passion and dedication they bring to Pettigrew!
Our amazing 4th grade teachers are dedicated to helping students grow into well-educated, responsible members of our school community. Through encouragement, high expectations, and plenty of learning adventures, they guide students to build strong academic skills, confidence, and character every day. We are grateful for the passion and dedication they bring to Pettigrew!





Calling all future kindergarteners, our Kindergarten Kick Off Open House is coming soon. Please plan to join us Thursday, March 12th for our kindergarten introduction event.
Kindergarten Kick Off sessions run by last name:
A-E 4-4:30
F-K 4:30-5:00
L-R 5-5:30
S-Z 5:30-6:00
Kindergarten Kick Off sessions run by last name:
A-E 4-4:30
F-K 4:30-5:00
L-R 5-5:30
S-Z 5:30-6:00

Don't forget to move your clocks AHEAD one hour on Sunday March 8th, for Daylight Savings Time.

Meet the Pettigrew Music Team
Our wonderfully talented music teachers bring rhythm, creativity, and joy into their classrooms. They help our elementary students discover the beauty of music while building confidence, expression, and a love for learning. From singing and instruments to movement and performance, they make music meaningful and fun for every student at Pettigrew!
Our wonderfully talented music teachers bring rhythm, creativity, and joy into their classrooms. They help our elementary students discover the beauty of music while building confidence, expression, and a love for learning. From singing and instruments to movement and performance, they make music meaningful and fun for every student at Pettigrew!




We are thrilled to announce that selected Pettigrew students will participate in an art exhibit at the Washington Pavilion throughout the month of March!
“Off the Fridge,” will feature 60 incredible student artworks These special pieces will be on display March 1st–30th in the Pavilion’s second-floor lobby, which is a free area open to the public. We encourage families and friends to stop by and celebrate the creativity of our talented students!
An Artists’ Reception will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 10:30–11:30am. This will be a wonderful opportunity to recognize our young artists and see their work showcased in a gallery setting.
“Off the Fridge,” will feature 60 incredible student artworks These special pieces will be on display March 1st–30th in the Pavilion’s second-floor lobby, which is a free area open to the public. We encourage families and friends to stop by and celebrate the creativity of our talented students!
An Artists’ Reception will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 10:30–11:30am. This will be a wonderful opportunity to recognize our young artists and see their work showcased in a gallery setting.

In K02, reading practice turned into a full-blown word adventure!
Students used their UFLI sentences to play a lively game of Headbands. Partner One read the sentence displayed on their teammate’s head, then coached them as they carefully wrote it down, rereading along the way to make sure every sound and word was just right. It was teamwork in action, with phonics leading the way!
Meanwhile, other students were busy with UFLI Roll and Read, where decoding skills powered an animal race across the board. Each correctly read word moved their racer forward, turning every blend and digraph into a tiny victory lap.
Learning + laughter + literacy = a classroom full of confident readers in the making. 💜
Students used their UFLI sentences to play a lively game of Headbands. Partner One read the sentence displayed on their teammate’s head, then coached them as they carefully wrote it down, rereading along the way to make sure every sound and word was just right. It was teamwork in action, with phonics leading the way!
Meanwhile, other students were busy with UFLI Roll and Read, where decoding skills powered an animal race across the board. Each correctly read word moved their racer forward, turning every blend and digraph into a tiny victory lap.
Learning + laughter + literacy = a classroom full of confident readers in the making. 💜




Our school library staff is the ultimate league of literacy leaders at Pettigrew !
They are instrumental in helping students flourish in their reading skills, turning pages into portals and stories into stepping stones for growth. Whether they are matching a reader with just the right book or sparking curiosity with a new series, they make reading feel less like an assignment and more like an adventure waiting to unfold.
Because of their dedication, our library is not just a room full of books. It is a launchpad for imagination, confidence, and a lifelong love of reading.
They are instrumental in helping students flourish in their reading skills, turning pages into portals and stories into stepping stones for growth. Whether they are matching a reader with just the right book or sparking curiosity with a new series, they make reading feel less like an assignment and more like an adventure waiting to unfold.
Because of their dedication, our library is not just a room full of books. It is a launchpad for imagination, confidence, and a lifelong love of reading.



No School on Monday, March 2nd. due to Parent Teacher Conferences. If you have not scheduled your conference yet please reach out to your child's teacher soon!

At Pettigrew, our K-5 Educational Support Professionals are the steady hands and kind hearts that help each day run smoothly. From guiding students through lessons and routines to offering encouragement when it’s needed most, our ESPs make a meaningful difference in countless ways. They help students navigate each day with confidence and success, while also supporting teachers with the many moving pieces that keep classrooms thriving.
We are so grateful for their dedication, flexibility, and the genuine care they show our students and staff. Pettigrew is stronger because of our incredible K-5 ESP team!
We are so grateful for their dedication, flexibility, and the genuine care they show our students and staff. Pettigrew is stronger because of our incredible K-5 ESP team!








There will be no school Monday and Tuesday, February 16th to 17th for Presidents Day Break !
Enjoy the extra long weekend and soak up that beautiful forecasted weather.
Sunshine plus fresh air equals the perfect recipe for a trail adventure. The walking paths are about to become the place to be, so lace up those sneakers and claim your slice of winter sunshine !
See you back at school on Wednesday, refreshed and ready to roar! 🐾
Enjoy the extra long weekend and soak up that beautiful forecasted weather.
Sunshine plus fresh air equals the perfect recipe for a trail adventure. The walking paths are about to become the place to be, so lace up those sneakers and claim your slice of winter sunshine !
See you back at school on Wednesday, refreshed and ready to roar! 🐾

Don't miss your chance to attend this years Family Pizza Bingo Night! Pre-order forms are due this coming FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH.

The "100% Accountable" Mindset reminds us that we are responsible for our own happiness and success. Being 100% accountable means choosing growth over excuses, learning from the past without being held back by it, and understanding that our future is shaped by the choices we make each day.
These students were nominated by their teachers for truly living out this mindset, and we couldn’t be more proud of their hard work, determination, and confidence. Way to go Panthers!
**Next Month’s Mindset: "Attitude of Gratitude"
Take a moment to talk with your child about what gratitude means to them and how they can practice being thankful and gracious toward others, at school and beyond.
These students were nominated by their teachers for truly living out this mindset, and we couldn’t be more proud of their hard work, determination, and confidence. Way to go Panthers!
**Next Month’s Mindset: "Attitude of Gratitude"
Take a moment to talk with your child about what gratitude means to them and how they can practice being thankful and gracious toward others, at school and beyond.



Jersey Day at Pettigrew Elementary is tomorrow, Friday, February 6th! Students and staff can wear their favorite jersey or sports shirt!

Pettigrew PTO is excited to host its annual FAMILY PIZZA BINGO NIGHT Friday, February 20th from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the school gym.
Pre-order forms were sent home with students on Friday and can be returned to your child's teacher anytime on or before Friday, February 13th.
Volunteers and donations are needed! More information can be found on the attached flyer.
As an added bonus, all volunteers and immediate family members only, will receive first choice of seating before the doors open.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4BA9A628A5FA7-61928626-copy
Pre-order forms were sent home with students on Friday and can be returned to your child's teacher anytime on or before Friday, February 13th.
Volunteers and donations are needed! More information can be found on the attached flyer.
As an added bonus, all volunteers and immediate family members only, will receive first choice of seating before the doors open.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4BA9A628A5FA7-61928626-copy

Classroom 502 celebrated National Puzzle Day by competing in groups to see who could finish their cereal puzzle first.









Classroom 105 has been learning about light and dark in Science this week. Students explored how light creates shadows by using flashlights! It was a hands-on way to investigate how shadows change when light moves, and the students had so much fun experimenting and discovering together.







First grade has been diving into Ancient Rome in social studies! 🏛️
Classroom 103 learned how aqueducts worked and then they built their own using paper and a ping-pong ball.
It was so fun watching students experiment with slopes and see how gravity will help move water, just like the Romans did. Hands-on learning + history = a great day!
Here is a short clip of students putting their creation to the test.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HQrRk3d3GEJP7Up14XT78vLb6pCVdT0K/view?usp=sharing

🎒✨ Kindergarten Registration Is Open! ✨🎒
The portal for registering incoming kindergarten students for the 2026–2027 school year is now open!
📝 Step 1: All incoming kindergarten students must have an online registration completed.
🏫 Step 2: Attend our Kindergarten Open House on March 12th from 4-6 at he elementary school within your address boundary
Have questions? Our Pettigrew office team is happy to help:
📞 605-362-3560
🔗 Register here:
https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/kindergarten-registration
We can’t wait to welcome our newest learners to the Pettigrew family. Big backpacks, bright smiles, and brand-new adventures await! 🌈📚
The portal for registering incoming kindergarten students for the 2026–2027 school year is now open!
📝 Step 1: All incoming kindergarten students must have an online registration completed.
🏫 Step 2: Attend our Kindergarten Open House on March 12th from 4-6 at he elementary school within your address boundary
Have questions? Our Pettigrew office team is happy to help:
📞 605-362-3560
🔗 Register here:
https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/kindergarten-registration
We can’t wait to welcome our newest learners to the Pettigrew family. Big backpacks, bright smiles, and brand-new adventures await! 🌈📚
