Clara Peterson Students and Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! I am excited to begin this school year and look forward to working with students, staff and families. Here are several items that need to be addressed so that everyone is aware of adjustments and expectations.
Registration
If you have not registered yet, please do so immediately before registration closes. Your student will not be able to attend the first day of school without completing the Skyward Family access portion. If you need any assistance you can email our secretary, Paige Weber at pweber@pblpanthers.org or call the Clara Peterson office at (217) 379-2531.
If your plans have changed and your child will not be attending Clara Peterson for the 2026-2027 school year, please contact the office to let us know.
Supplies
Please click here to find all supplies your student needs for this school year.
In addition to all the usual supplies, students may bring a refillable water bottle. Water fountains with water bottle filling stations are available throughout the building.
Open House
Thursday, August 13th
Students and families can drop off supplies, see their classrooms, and meet their teachers.
PreK-12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
K - 2nd grade -3:00 p.m-4:00 p.m.
3rd-5th grade -3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Bus Service
Anyone needing bus services should have completed the information during the registration process or should contact the PBL bus garage.
Items of note about bus services:
Each bus will have a seating chart, and students are expected to sit in their assigned seat.
There will be shuttle service from PBL JH to Clara Peterson each morning.
Afternoon bus dismissal
Route buses will pick up students in front of Clara Peterson at approximately 2:50 and depart at 2:55 each afternoon except Tuesday when the buses will depart Clara Peterson at 1:30.
Students needing shuttle service to PBL JH will board buses at 2:50 except on Tuesday when students will board buses at 1:30.
The shuttle bus from PBL JH to Clara Peterson will arrive at approximately 3:20 each day. On Tuesday, that shuttle bus will arrive at approximately 2:00.
Arrival at School
Students will be allowed to enter the building beginning at 7:40 each morning.
All students will report directly to classrooms, or they will eat breakfast and then report to classrooms.
Walkers/Car Riders
Preschool and kindergarten students who walk or ride in a car will enter the building at the west entrance facing Park Street.
First through Fifth Grade students who walk or arrive by car will enter through the south entrance.
For safety reasons and to allow buses access to the bus lane/circle drive in front of the building, we ask that no students be dropped off in front of the school.
Bus Riders
All students who ride the bus will enter through the main entrance on the north side of the school and go to their classroom or the commons if they are eating breakfast.
Students eating breakfast
Students will eat breakfast in the commons
When students are finished with breakfast they will be directed to their classroom.
Breakfast/Lunch
School breakfast and lunch will be served in the commons.
Students will wash hands before going to lunch.
Surfaces will be cleaned during and between each serving time.
Restrooms
Teachers will allow scheduled restroom breaks for students.
Visitors
All visitors to Clara Peterson need to check in at the main office.
Parents eating lunch with their child should check in at the main office.
Field Trips and Classroom Parties
Both are being planned at this time.
More information will be communicated regarding field trips and parties in the future.
End of the Day Dismissal
Pre-K through first grade students who ride the bus will be dismissed by staff. Students will exit using the old main entrance to Clara Peterson.
Second through fifth grade students who ride the bus will be dismissed following PreK, kindergarten and first graders, out the main entrance.
Pre-K and Kindergarten car riders will be dismissed by teachers and paraprofessionals out the west door by Park Street.
First through fifth grade car riders will be dismissed out of the south gym doors.
First through fifth grade walkers will be dismissed out the main doors as soon as buses have departed.
Students with kindergarten siblings may meet their younger sibling(s) at the kindergarten classrooms and exit out the west doors.
School Cleaning
As always, each area of the building will be cleaned each night.
Day time custodians will sanitize touch points such as doorknobs throughout the day.
I look forward to a productive and successful year!
Sincerely,
Barry Wright, Principal
Clara Peterson Elementary School
Check out the attached flyers in English and Spanish for full details on these free services.
To schedule an appointment, please call 217-600-7000.
Night Information
Online Registration is coming soon!
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 21st to get registered online for the upcoming year.
In the meantime, check out our school supply lists here:
Clara Peterson: http://bit.ly/3T2p5i9
Junior High: https://bit.ly/4poGVHY
High School: https://bit.ly/4vBWePc
🤼 Calling all wrestlers! Our PBL Wrestling Team is hosting a camp for boys and girls of all ages. You won't want to miss this event! Sign up today.
Join us in celebrating our Perfect Attendance superstars:
Aymar Stallone ⭐
Lilly Henrichs ⭐
Lexi White ⭐
Joshua Lopez ⭐
Thank you to these amazing students—and their supportive families—for making school a top priority. Keep shining bright and setting a wonderful example for us all!
Last Friday, we celebrated our annual 5th Grade Awards, and we couldn't be prouder of this amazing group of students. They have worked so hard, and it shows!
A special shoutout to the students recognized for:
✨ President’s Education Award for Academic Achievement
✨ President’s Education Award for Academic Excellence
✨ Participation in the ICTM Math Contest
✨ Illinois Principals Association Corn Belt Region Student Recognition
Thank you to our teachers, families, and staff for supporting these students all year long. Way to go, future junior high students!
🍎✨ CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION! ✨🍎
We are bursting with pride to announce our three incredible Teacher of the Year - Crystal Apple winners! 🏆
What makes this award so incredibly special? These teachers were nominated and voted for by their own peers and colleagues. There is truly no higher honor than being recognized by the people who work alongside you in the trenches every single day.
A huge thank you to our building principals and Mr. Steve Fiscus from Horace Mann for helping us present these well-deserved awards and celebrate our amazing staff.
🌟 Meet Our Winners 🌟
Kara Kinzinger, Clara Peterson Elementary School – Your dedication to your students and your infectious energy inspire everyone down the hall.
Katrina Reber, PBL Junior High School – Thank you for always going above and beyond, and for being the ultimate teammate.
Sheila Pickens, PBL High School – Your passion for teaching shines brightly every day, making our school a better place.
"The influence of a great teacher can never be erased." ❤️
Friday marked the official end of a fantastic school year! There were so many fun memories this year, including the Kindergarten Glow Days.
As we head into summer break, the Kindergarten class wants to send a special wish to all of our fellow students, teachers, and staff: Have a safe, happy, and GLOWING summer vacation!
Thank you for a wonderful year. We will see you all back in August!
Go Panthers! 🐾
From providing delicious meals and treats to donating raffle prizes and classroom supplies, your generosity reminded our staff that they have an entire village behind them. Because of you, our teachers felt seen, fueled, and deeply valued.
🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week at PBL!
Our teachers are the heart of PBL School District. From sparking "lightbulb moments" in the classroom to being mentors, cheerleaders, and innovators, they go above and beyond every single day to support our students.
Now, it’s your turn to share gratitude and thanks for our teachers!
We’ve set up a Teacher Shoutout Form where you can leave a note of gratitude for a teacher who has made a difference in your child's life or our community. We will be sharing these messages with our staff throughout the week to show them just how much they mean to us.
📝 How to Participate:
Click the link below to access our Google Form.
Write a quick note highlighting a teacher’s hard work, a kind gesture, or a great classroom memory.
Hit submit and help us make their week unforgettable!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7ojjKpocywXQLoJrEl8zETneLVQKNi95JOb33EeHQTtDLxg/viewform?usp=header
Why we appreciate our PBL Teachers:
They Inspire: Turning everyday lessons into lifelong passions.
They Care: Building a safe, supportive environment for every student.
They Lead: Dedicating countless hours to extracurriculars, coaching, and growth.
