The Kids Heart Challenge took place on Feb. 28. Throughout the month of February, students and staff worked to fund raise for the American Heart Association to help patients with heart defects or those who have gone through open heart surgery. The day was full of fun activities for each grade level that got their heart pumping and energy flowing.

On Feb. 14, all classes celebrated Valentines Day with their annual class parties. The parties consisted of games, sweets, and prizes. Students were brought together to cherish the love of the holiday and bond with each other.

On Feb. 6, The Silly Safari came to visit the students. Silly Safari is a presentation given to schools all over the Midwest enriching the students’ minds with facts about different environments and the animals that live within them. The instructor brings a wide variety of live animals with him. To this group of third graders, he brought his Boston Terrier, a scorpion, a kinkajou and even a crocodile. After the interactive presentation, the students were able to pet the rabbit, frog, and touch a snake.

Miss Bourget, a third grade teacher, celebrated Thanksgiving with her students by placing them in designated Native American tribes and allowing them to use pieces of paper as crops or other materials to trade with the other tribes in the classroom. The students learned how to independently trade with other tribes and even experienced “uh-oh” cards which were cards that hindered them from trading at specific times.

Mrs. Savitski, the school librarian, taught one of her first grade classes how to make scarecrows out of paper bags for the Thanksgiving holiday. The students learned to glue the pieces together and follow directions.

On Monday Nov. 11, the students and staff invited their families to the annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony. The ceremony was held to honor all veterans who had served or are currently serving in the armed forces. Each grade contributed to the ceremony with either a speaking presentation or a song. To end the ceremony, the students came together along with Mr. DeLaughter to sing “God Bless the USA.”

Socktober was in full force at Peifer for the month of October.  Socktober is a fundraiser to donate small items, such as socks, to give to people at homeless shelters.  The whole school was asked to participate and many items were donated. Student council was in charge of separating all of the clothing items and Miss Chloros and Miss Rossi were in charge of promoting the fundraiser.  The idea was seen on an episode of Kid President and sparked a schoolwide fundraiser.

Organized by Miss Colgrove, a fourth grade teacher, students at Peifer have been asked to participate on the special days of Anti-Bullying Month.  Students were encouraged to participate in themed days that help raise awareness for the trouble of bullying among students. Some days included making encouraging signs to put outside of the classrooms, making leaves for the school’s unity tree, random act of kindness day, and even an orange out.  Throughout the two weeks that these events were held, students and teachers worked hard to create door decorations for each classroom that would be judged at the end of the festivities. The winning classroom is then rewarded with ice cream to celebrate their creativity and participation in this good cause.

For almost 18 years, Henry Zahrn has been coming to read to Mrs. Izsak’s third grade classes. He comes in every Tuesday and picks out a book to read to the children and also records it for his Youtube Channel. This reading benefits Henry by helping him read out loud and interact with the students. The children are eager to hear from him each week.

On Sept. 26 Tim Hanning visited Peifer for another year of the “Pro-Kids Show”. Tim entices the children’s imagination and dares them to laugh at the amusing show he puts on. Tim encourages the students to make good choices that reflect positive character qualities all while putting on a magic show. He performed twice during the day and even came back to put on a show that night for the students and parents.

On Tues., Feb. 19, the Silly Safari brought a zoo to the gym. Students learned about many different animals including the similarities and differences between reptiles, amphibians and mammals. While the owl proved how smart it was by flapping its wings whenever its handler said “wings,” the bunny rabbit seemed to be the favorite, at least among the kindergarteners. The biggest animal that was brought was the python named Nagini. All of the grades got to see a different combination of animals, and each grade had the opportunity to pet the animals on their way out!

Students in all grades participated in Valentine’s Day parties. From sweets to games, students were able to have fun and enjoy the holiday.

On Feb. 13, second graders learned all about journalism and writing from Mr. Jerry Davich of the Chicago Tribune. Davich showed a powerpoint presentation showcasing all of the work he has done as a reporter.

On Wednesday, January 23, students celebrated the 100th day of school. Kindergarteners dressed up as elderly “100-year-olds,” and first graders wore homemade shirts that displayed 100 items or a cute saying about surviving 100 days of school.

Penny Wars is a fundraiser ran by Lake Central Dollars for Scholars. The money brought in by students goes directly toward a scholarship that will be awarded to a Peifer graduate.

In honoring Martin Luther King Jr., students made projects declaring what their individual dreams are. While some are more serious and some are more lighthearted, all students respected the idea of creating a better future for themselves and society. On January 21, MLK day, school was closed for a day of remembrance.

To ring in the new year, students crafted new year’s “toasts.” Most of the resolutions wished for happiness and healthiness in the new year.

In Mrs. Kaitlyn Rossi’s first grade class, students broke into small groups to do math centers. The students worked on the math skills they have learned throughout the first semester, but with a holiday twist.

From reindeer to snowmen, the halls are decked with boughs of holly and holiday spirit. Every class has their own way of decorating for the holiday season.

On December 13, the Kindergarten Holiday Program filled the gymnasium with Holiday spirit. Students sang songs they had been practicing with their classmates and everyone in the audience left with a smile.

For some early holiday cheer, third graders gathered on Dec. 12 to sing songs while dressed as elves. The highlight of the performance was when they sang “I want an Elfie Selfie!” and ran out to the audience to take a picture with their families.

Kicking off the holiday season, second graders boarded the Polar Express with Conductor DeLaughter. The students received a golden ticket to ride the train to the cafeteria where they drank hot chocolate and ate donuts. One lucky student received the first gift of Christmas: bells from Santa’s sleigh.

Kindergartners in Ms. Ashley Chloros’ class dressed up in their best Disney spirit wear.

Happy Veteran’s Day from Peifer Elementary School!

Students celebrated Halloween with class parties and a costume parade.

On Wednesday, Oct. 24, students came to Lake Central High School to see the play Charlotte’s Web.

On Friday, Oct. 19, Peifer hosted the annual Boo Bash, an event for students to come to school in costume, play games and win prizes.

On Friday, Oct. 12, kindergartners took a field trip to the Schererville Fire House.

On Oct. 11, students participated in Farm Day where they dressed up like characters from Charlotte’s Web.

Adventure Club is a before and after school care program for students to have fun and learn.