Thank You PTO
A big thank you to our PTO for being so sweet to staff this Valentine’s Day. We absolutely loved the Hot Cocoa Bar and treat spread you set out for us. We are so appreciative of you all and everything you do for us.
Parent Communication about Spring Conferences
Spring Conferences are coming on Thursday, March 7th from 5pm-8:30pm and Friday, March 8th from 10am-1:30pm .
Spring Conferences are Collaborative Conferences!
Collaborative conferences means that your child will be leading the conference. The purpose of collaborative conferences is for educators, students and families to discuss, reflect and celebrate student work, and for families to experience school through their child's eyes. Students have been working hard to prepare for the conference, and we are excited for you to learn about your child’s progress directly from your child!
Teachers will be available in the room as guides and will be available to answer student questions or elaborate on a point a student is making, but we ask that all participants respect that this is the student’s opportunity to lead the conference by sharing progress and reflections about their own learning.
Please read below to learn specific information about how collaborative conferences will be structured for each grade-level.
Grades EC-2
Families will sign-up for a 15 minute collaborative conference. Grades EC-2 collaborative conferences will be structured with one student in the classroom at a time with the classroom teacher as the guide and the student as the leader of the conference.
Grades 3-5
Families will sign-up for a 30 minute conference. Grades 3-5 collaborative conferences will be structured with up to 3 students in the classroom at a time. Student/Family partnerships will sit in a private space to engage in the conference. Classroom teachers and other building staff will be in the classroom to guide the process, but students will lead the conference. Specials teachers will be in classrooms as guides in addition to the classroom teacher. Students should plan to bring their iPad to the conference.
Grades 6-8
Families will sign-up for a 20 minute conference. Grades 6-8 collaborative conferences will be structured with up to 6 students in the classroom at a time. Student/Family partnerships will sit in a private space to engage in the conference. The grade-level team of teachers will be in the classroom to guide the process, but students will lead the conference. Exploratory teachers, PE, Health, Spanish and Band and Orchestra teachers will host an exposition of their courses. More information coming soon. Students should plan to bring their iPad to the conference.
What is the Role of Families during Collaborative Conferences?
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Provide reinforcement, encouragement and praise
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Listen and ask questions
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Help students look realistically at quality of work
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Facilitate student’s self-reflection and goal setting
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Be a partner in learning
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See school through their student’s eyes
Questions Families Can Ask During the Collaborative Conference
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What is your favorite piece of work? Why?
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Describe your favorite activities or subjects.
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What experiences at school do you find the most exciting?
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Are there experiences that frustrate you, if so why?
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What goals have you set for yourself for this spring?
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How can I help you at home?
Please sign up HERE for Spring Collaborative Conferences. Be SURE to scroll across the top to find your child's teacher's name to ensure that you are signing up for the correct teacher.
Prairie's Culture Fair
Our Culture Fair is on Friday, March 15th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. We are excited about this awesome event and are looking forward to seeing YOUR FAMILY there sharing out your culture and what makes you special. We will need your family’s help. How?
- Do you have a special dish?
- Talent?
- Language?
- Customs?
- Traditional dress?
- Family traditions?
- Art?
- Music?
- Ability?
- Anything else that makes your family special?
Here are some other ideas if you are still wondering how your family can participate:
- Families in public service
- American culture
- Special needs
- Family structures
- World Travelers
- Twins/Multiples
- Teaching words/phrases in your language
- Bring in a video of a talent or skill to show, etc.
- Perform your talent or skill
NOTE: If you run a booth or classroom, please know that your family does not need to stay there for the full two hours. We are just hoping to have many different representations from families and learn from and about each other. You don't have to be an expert to run a booth or classroom. We want to learn about your experience and what makes up your family!
Here is what is signed up so far:
- Indian artifacts
- Traditional games
- Indian foods
- Chinese artifacts
- Bollywood dance
- Japanese artifacts
- Indian food & drinks
- Israeli foods
- Chinese performances
Please fill out this form so that YOUR FAMILY can participate in our cultural celebration.
Erin’s Law
Today our students had presentations from Victor Pacini to teach the kids about keeping their bodies safe. Victor presented a story to the children and a lot of the kids talked about wanting a copy of Victor’s book. Here is a link CLICK HERE to download a copy of the book “Be Seen and Heard”. If you have questions regarding Victor’s Presentation please feel free to reach out to Erin Sauer, social worker or Christine Pfaff, principal.
Notes from the Nurse
Dear Parents: It is that time of year when we see a lot of illness throughout the school, and the community. To help prevent the spread of illness, I would like to give you some guidelines to help with your decision on whether or not to send your child to school.
Please keep your child home if he or she:
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Has a fever of 100.0 degrees or higher (oral)
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Has vomited
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Has a sore throat with fever (see below)
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Has a persistent cough (dry or productive)
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Has had 3 or more episodes of diarrhea in the past 24 hours
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Has a rash, or open and draining sores
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Has symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as:
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Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite
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Headaches, body aches, or earache
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Severe sore throat (could be strep-throat even without fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache & stomach upset. Contact your pediatrician to assess or diagnose)
If your child has recently been ill, please be aware of the following guidelines before having your child return to school, athletic or social activities:
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They should feel fit for at least 24 hours.
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Be fever free for at least 24 hours (without medication)
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Be free of vomiting and/or diarrhea for at least 24 hours
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If strep throat, they must be on the appropriate antibiotic for at least 24 hours.
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Rash illnesses should be assessed by a doctor.
To keep children healthy, make sure they get plenty of rest and a nutritious diet. Also, hand washing is the most important thing we can do to help prevent the spread of germs. Encourage your children to wash his her her hands frequently throughout the day. Show them the proper way to wash their hands, using soap and warm water and rubbing their hands together for at least 20 seconds. Limit touching areas of the eyes, nose or mouth, and teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or the crook of the elbow if a tissue is not available.
Please notify the school if your child has been diagnosed with an infectious condition such as strep throat, chicken pox, scarlet fever, pertussis, etc.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Tami Strom, RN
Building Nurse, Prairie School
PTO News
Stomp, Chomp, and READ at our Dino-Mite Book Fair! OurSpringg Book Fair is coming March 5th - 8th! We hope you'll stop by during Class Preview Days, March 5th - 6th or during parent-teacher conferences. All proceeds go directly to Prairie's library and Exploration Lab. Hope to see you at the Book Fair!
Photography Club
Our Photography Club has been really hard at work this year. They are learning photo techniques from club sponsors Mr. Morris and Ms. Abramowicz. These kids have used their photos to spruce up our hallways and update our framed photos. Students in the club recently voted for the craziest (Alexa K.-5th Grade) and best action shot (Stewey B.-5th Grade) photos. Here are the winners. Enjoy!
Warm Regards,
Dr. Christine Pfaff, Principal
Follow me on Twitter @clkpfaff1