Dear Families,
As we come to the close of this first half of the school year, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support, partnership, and trust. Your children bring joy, laughter, and purpose to our days, and it is truly a privilege to be part of their learning journey.
The Christmas season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and togetherness. We hope the days ahead are filled with peace, warmth, and special moments shared with loved ones. Whether your break is busy or quiet, we wish you time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the magic of the season.
As we look ahead to the New Year, we are filled with excitement and optimism. The second half of the school year brings new opportunities for growth, learning, and celebration, and we cannot wait to continue this journey alongside your children. There is so much to look forward to, and we are grateful to share it with such a wonderful school community.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a joyful start to 2026. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for a great second half of the year.
Enjoy this Fun Filled Weekly Video Recap... https://animoto.com/custom-player/lnX8LAi1Nq7Wb2HjbYnizw
With warmest wishes,
Megan Dralle
Principal
Dear Families,
As we head into the weekend, we want to remind everyone that very cold weather is expected. Please be sure your child comes to school dressed warmly—coats, hats, and gloves will help keep everyone safe and comfortable during arrival, dismissal, and recess. We will most likely be inside on Monday with the projected temperatures, but should be okay for the remainder of the week
We are also excited to share our Weekly Recap Video, highlighting all the wonderful learning and activities from this week. We hope you enjoy watching it together at home! (https://animoto.com/custom-player/yAKpAPzRKbNMfOwd44lxgA)
Below are our upcoming calendar items as we move into a festive and busy stretch of the school year:
Upcoming Events
December 17, 2025 – PTO Santa’s Workshop (8:00–11:00 AM)
December 18, 2025 – Polar Express / Hot Cocoa / PJ Day
December 19, 2025 – Room Parties 10:05-11:05/ 1 PM Dismissal
2nd Quarter Ends- Report cards will be sent home Tuesday, January 6th .
December 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026 – Winter Break
January 5, 2025 - No students (Institute Day)
School resumes January 6, 2025
Thank you for your continued support. Stay warm, and enjoy the recap video!
Miss Dralle
Weekly Recap Video...
https://animoto.com/custom-player/MCGKS6fIZ7cmiWLqG73zHA
December Outlook
Dec 9, 2025 K-4 Winter Concert @ Serena Vintage Gym 6:15 pm
Dec 10, 2025 Santa Paws/RUBY SHIRTS
Dec 12, 2025 1:00 Dismissal
Dec 17, 2025 PTO Santa’s Workshop (8am - 11am)
Dec 18, 2025 Polar Express/PJ Day
Dec 19, 2025 2nd Quarter Ends (Report Cards will go home after break)
Dec 20, 2025- Jan 5, 2025- Winter Break (School Resumes January 6th)
Weekly Recap Video and Balloons over Broadway Parade fun!
https://animoto.com/custom-player/SaVV8UudmD80vfCRJOHMBA
Join in the spirit of giving!
Donate blood at the Serena High School Blood Drive on December 12 in the SHS Gym.
See the flyer for more information.
Thank you to all who attended our Veteran's Day Celebrations at Serena HS and a special thank you to all current and former Veteran's for your service.
Please enjoy this weeks recap!
https://animoto.com/custom-player/qzmZb9Gb6U5Qn21uZDHQ9Q
Here are some important upcoming dates through the 1st of the year... Ruby store is reopened for a short period, but will close this Thursday, November 20th @ 11:59 PM. If you missed the first order here is the link... sheridanruby.itemorder.com
Nov 14, 2025 PTO Spiritwear Store is open till the 30th
Nov 20, 2025 Ruby Store Officially Closes LINK CLICK HERE
Nov 20, 2025 Board Meeting 7 pm @ Serena HS
Nov 21, 2025 PTO Santa pictures/Vendor Fair (4PM - 7PM)
Nov 24, 2025 Plaid Day/4th Grade Feast
Nov 25, 2025 Live Stream.. Balloons over Broadway Parade
Nov 25, 2025 1:00 Dismissal
Nov 25, 2025 Thanksgiving/Fall/Thankful Shirts
Nov 26, 2025- Nov 20, 2025- Thanksgiving Break
December Dates:
Dec 2, 2025 PTO Meeting 3pm
Dec 2, 2025 Grinch Day/Popcorn (Wear Grinch attire or Green
Dec 9, 2025 K-4 Winter Concert @ Serena Vintage Gym 6:15 PM
Dec 10, 2025 Santa Paws Day (Let's Wear our RUBY SHIRTS!!!/Candy Canes
Dec 12, 2025 1:00 Dismissal
Dec 17, 2025 PTO Santa’s Workshop (8am - 11am)
Dec 18, 2025 Polar Express/Hot Cocoa/PJs Day
Dec 19, 2025 2nd Quarter Ends (Report Cards will go home after break)
Dec 20, 2025- Jan 4, 2025- Winter Break
Community Helping Community
Resources for those in need or those needing to give back.
https://animoto.com/custom-player/7lSOh6jhCdG6tbjst599WA
We hope everyone had fun, it was so great to see so many families today during our parade... If you missed it enjoy this recap video from this week's fun festivities!!!
https://animoto.com/custom-player/UBAcp9smGhsdkemYf2Mj6Q
Just a reminder that tonight is FAMILY READING NIGHT!!! We hope to see familiar faces tonight at Sheridan Grade School from 6-7 PM for a spook-tacularly fun event! Fun event for families!
Attached is also Halloween Party and Parade Information along with parade routes. Please remember NORMAL ATTIRE to school, students will change after lunch prior to our parade, we have plenty of staff members to help anyone get ready! See flyer for additional information and the route!
Coin Wars for United Way ends on Friday, October 31st! Please be sure to consider donations as this is the program that supports our ability to have Ruby our Therapy Dog on the premises. This organization has helped provide therapy dogs to multiple local school districts including, but not limited to Ruby (Sheridan), Serena (Kernel), Birdie (Harding). Surrounding schools like Wallace, Marseilles, Rutland, Ottawa Elementary, Ottawa Police Department, and other areas also have gotten therapy dogs through Eastern LaSalle United Way also.
Veteran's Day info/pictures are due tomorrow, Tuesday, October 28
Family Reading Night is Wednesday Evening along with PTO Monster Pizza Day at lunch.
Halloween Parade will be @ 1pm/Room Parties will follow at 1:30, remember that you will need to be signed up as a chaperone with the homeroom teacher to receive your name tag upon entry for the room parties. With the numbers we will need to limit the amount of room party chaperones.
As the colder weather approaches, we want to remind families of the importance of sending students to school dressed appropriately for the season. Please be sure your child has a warm coat, hat, and gloves as temperatures begin to drop.
Students will go outside for recess regardless of clothing or temperature, unless it is raining. It’s important they are dressed warmly to stay comfortable and safe during outdoor time.
We understand that not all families may have access to cold-weather gear, and we also know that kids often choose to wear what they want, even if it's not the warmest option. Please just be aware that students will go outside in whatever they come to school wearing. If your child needs a warm coat and you are unable to provide one, let us know—we have a limited number available already here, but we will do our best to connect with community resources to help provide on if needed.
A few important reminders:
Thursday, October 23rd- Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for tomorrow from 3:30 to 7:00 PM. The Board Meeting will be held at 7:00 PM at Harding Grade School.
Friday, October 24th- No School, but there is PTO Trunk or Treat and Movie in the Park (Hocus Pocus) on Friday evening at Dusk!
Monday, October 27- Friday, October 31 is Red Ribbon Week (See the Attached Flyer for Dress up Days)
Wednesday, October 29- PTO Monster Pizza Day @ lunch and SHERIDAN'S FAMILY READING NIGHT from 6-7 PM
Friday, October 31- Halloween Parade is at 1pm. The route is the same. We will travel from the front of the building west down Si Johnson to Bushnell, we will then take a left onto Bushnell, a left onto church street, and into the back of the building. Parties will be 1:30-2:30 after the parade, please note that you need to be signed up with the classroom teacher in order to enter for classroom parties after the parade.
Attached is also a message from Harding Grade School about PM Preschool Openings starting in January! Please see the flyer for contact information
Miss Dralle
We have had a great, but busy week this week, please take a look at all the wonderful pictures in our video this week.
https://animoto.com/custom-player/INxzBPV0uHgvmGgj5r226w
Coming up the next few weeks are busy ones.
Tuesday, October 21st and Thursday, October 23rd- Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:30-7)
Tuesday, October 21st- PTO BUNDT CAKE pickups from 2:50 PM - 6:30 PM
Thursday, October 23rd- Board Meeting 7 PM @ Harding Grade School
Friday, October 24th- No School, but it is PTO trunk or treat @ 5 PM - 6:30 PM followed by Movie in the Park, "Hocus Pocus" @ DUSK
Wednesday, October 29th- Family Reading Night @ Sheridan Grade School 6 PM-7 PM
Thursday, October 30th- Ruby Shirt Shop closes @ 11:59 PM
Friday, October 31st- Halloween Parade 1 PM, Room Parties 1:30-2:30.
https://video214.com/play/9J17c46pJ8jANSNheSatQg/s/dark
Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday.
We are also happy to announce that the Ruby Shirt Fundraiser has kicked off, please take a look at the available options. We are very excited to offer these to raise money for additional fun activities for the kids. Special thank you to "Personalitees" in Ottawa for bringing our vision to life!
https://sheridanruby.itemorder.com/shop/home/