Pekin CSD - Packwood, Iowa

Reminder that the Homecoming shirt webstore - https://stores.teamelitesports.com/pekin_hoco/shop/home - closes on Sunday (9/14). Orders will not be accepted after the webstore closes so make sure to get yours ordered before Sunday!

Pekin Homecoming shirts are now available! Use the following link -https://www.teamelitesports.com/pekin.html - to order yours today. The webstore will close on Sunday, September 14th and shirts will be delivered to the school on Tuesday, September 23rd.

Pekin High School Community Service Day! We need your help!

A house divided for the Iowa/Iowa State Game this weekend!

Please see the attached flyer from our Pekin PTO.

7th - 11th Grade will be MAP testing next Tuesday - Thursday September 2nd - 4th. MAP testing is an important test to show where students are missing essential skills. All students 7 -11th grade will take the tests. The testing schedule will be as follows: Tuesday Reading, Wednesday Math, and Thursday Science. Students will test from 8:10 - 10:10 followed by their regular classes. Seniors are REQUIRED to attend from 8:15 - 10:15 on Tuesday Sept. 2nd. Christy and Vicky have important graduation and senior information along with other graduation requirements that will be covered. Seniors will report to the HS Commons. Additional information about MAP testing is shared in the attached image.

Enhancing Safety & Efficiency with Verkada
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we’re excited to introduce the new Verkada Visitor & Student Sign-In System at our school.
📌 Visitor Check-In & ID Requirement
All visitors will now be required to present and scan a valid driver’s license or photo ID when signing in. This ensures:
Instant screening against U.S. sex offender registries, criminal record databases, and custom deny lists


Immediate alerts to school personnel of a confirmed match


Student pick-up restricted to authorized guardians only


Privacy maintained through strict security controls


📌 Making the Front Desk More Efficient
This new system also streamlines the arrival process by:
Allowing visitor self check-ins without tying up the receptionist


Automatically notifying staff when a guest has arrived


Offering contactless check-ins with QR codes


Providing on-demand door access for authorized visitors


📌 Student & Volunteer Management
Students who are tardy can log their arrival time and automatically print a badge


Volunteers can be screened, approved, and easily checked in when on site


Please remember: If you are going past the office door, you must sign in with your photo ID.
Thank you for helping us create a safer, more secure, and more efficient school environment!

We are excited to welcome back our students and families to our Open House on Thursday, 8/21, from 5:00-6:30 PM. We cannot wait to see you! Go Panthers!

Registration will be August 5 from 10am to 6pm in the High School Commons for those that are new to our district and those that may need help with on-line registration. On-line registration will be open on Tuesday, August 5th at 8 am. Please do NOT register on-line before this time as you will have to re-enter everything you have done prior to this date and time. If you registered online before 2pm today you will need to go back in and re-register due to updated forms. PLEASE NOTE: that we encourage everyone to have registration done by August 8th at 6pm so that we can get all things done before school starts.

Reminder: Please make sure all registration fees are paid prior to the start of school.

Dear Pekin Community, It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the death of Ava Ford, a valued member of our senior class. Ava died early this morning in a car accident. We know this news will be deeply upsetting, and we want to assure you that our thoughts and condolences are with Ava’s family and friends during this difficult time. Ava was a passionate, kind and thoughtful student who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Our school counselor will be available in the high school office throughout the rest of the week and next, ready to provide support to any student or community member who may need to talk. We have a grief crisis team available through the AEA that are on standby if needed. We encourage you to urge your child to reach out if they need help. Arrangements are pending at this time per the family.

We have some exciting (and possibly wet) activities coming up—FCCLA games with high school students tomorrow and an all-day field day on Wednesday! Please send a separate set of dry clothes with your child over the next two days, just in case. Thanks so much!

Elementary Track Meet Update: We’re planning to begin our track events with 3rd and 4th grade students at 10:30 AM, followed by 5th and 6th grade around 11:30 AM, and then Kindergarten through 2nd grade will head outside around 12:30 PM to run. We’re starting with 3rd and 4th grade first since their events run into the K-2 lunchtime. We’re hopeful the rain will clear up by 10:30 so we can begin. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we adjust around the weather!

Good morning, families! We want to let you know that we are doing our best to hold Elementary Track Day today. It’s a very busy week with many activities planned, and unfortunately, the weather isn’t cooperating with our outdoor events. Our current plan is to begin with grades K-2 as soon as the rain lightens or stops. From there, we’ll work through the grades as quickly as we can. We understand that many of you have taken the day off to attend, and we truly appreciate your flexibility and patience as we navigate this unpredictable weather. An announcement will be made as soon as we are ready to start with K-2. Thank you for your understanding and continued support!

Our Pekin elementary track meet is still on for tomorrow! Please dress your child in layers, as the weather is expected to be cooler and windy. You can find the event schedule in the attachment. We’re looking forward to a fun and memorable morning for our students. If you're able, we’d love for you to join us and cheer your child on!

Dear Elementary Families, We’re excited to announce that the Elementary Track Meet will take place on Monday, May 19th, 2025 at the Pekin track. Event Schedule: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: 8:30 AM – 9:45 AM 3rd – 6th Grade: 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM Please join us to cheer on your child and celebrate their hard work and participation! We look forward to seeing you there and making it a memorable event for all students.

Pekin Elementary is excited to have some fun dress-up days next week in celebration of Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!

Here is an update from Pekin Elementary for the month of May! May Smore: https://secure.smore.com/n/4mkep

Elementary yearbooks are now available! If you would like to purchase one, please send $25.00 with your child.

Please join us for the 5th and 6th Grade Music and Band Concert on Thursday, May 1st, at 6:00 PM in the high school gym at Pekin Community Schools. We are excited to showcase our students' amazing musical talents!