Santa’s Workshop Was a Huge Success!
Thank you to our amazing PTO, volunteers, families, and staff for making Santa’s Workshop such a wonderful experience for our students! The smiles, excitement, and holiday spirit filled the building as students enjoyed shopping for special gifts for their loved ones.
This event would not be possible without the time, generosity, and hard work of our PTO and volunteers. We are so grateful for the support that helps create meaningful memories for our students.
Thank you for helping spread kindness and holiday cheer throughout our school!







We’re excited to remind you that Santa’s Workshop will be held tomorrow at school! This is a fun and festive opportunity for students to shop for small gifts for family members and loved ones.
A few important notes:
Students may bring money if they wish to purchase items.
Gift prices are kept low so every child has the chance to participate.
Please send money in a labeled envelope or bag to help keep it organized.
Volunteers will be available to help students shop and stay within their budget.
Students will need their 8 labeled gift tags.
This event is always a student favorite and a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season. Thank you for your support in making it a special experience!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Our 5th grade students recently completed their essays titled “What the Flag Means to Me,” a project proudly sponsored by the Richland American Legion. Each year, the Legion awards monetary prizes to the top three essays—$100 for first place, $75 for second, and $50 for third.
We’re excited to announce Pekin’s top winners:
🏅 1st Place: Ivy Mitchell
🥈 2nd Place: Braylee Pilcher
🥉 3rd Place: Thea Holthus
In addition to their thoughtful essays, our students went above and beyond by collecting donations for our troops overseas. They did an incredible job and were honored to present these items to the Richland American Legion.
We are so proud of their hard work!


Please see the attached note for details on Santa's Workshop at Pekin Elementary on Friday, December 12th, 2025. Also, we are still looking for volunteers help with Santa's Workshop! If you're available, please consider signing up for a time slot by going to this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EA9AA2FA1F8C52-60171621-2025#/

There will be no school on FRIDAY, December 5th due to staff professional development.
Thank you for your understanding.

All activities at Pekin (games, meets) are cancelled tonight. HS boys wrestling at Ottumwa has been cancelled as well. There will be no practices after school.
In the event of a school cancellation, you will be notified through our All Call system that the no-school day will become a Virtual Learning Day. Please click the link below for more information - Pekin Virtual Learning Plan

JV - Two quarters only - 6pm | Varsity game will start at 7pm
Pekin Community Members,
We would like to inform you that the upcoming meeting of the Pekin Board of Directors has been rescheduled to November 20, 2025 at 6pm in the Pekin School media center due to the canvassing of votes from our recent election.
Following the conclusion of the recent election, our county auditor is required to complete the official canvass of votes. “Canvass” means the process by which the election returns are formally reviewed, verified, and declared official.
In order to comply with state law and ensure full transparency and correctness of the election results, the board meeting cannot proceed as originally scheduled and must be aligned with the canvass timing.
Please contact me, Dave Harper, Superintendent, at dave.harper@pekincsd.org or 319-695-3039, if you have any questions.
Thank you for your continued support of our school district.


Pekin Festivities









Thank you Federation Bank for the donuts this morning!


