Dear Families,
Today’s edition of the Principal’s Message will be our last of the school year, and what a year it has been. We made it! The 2020-21 school year will be behind us next Thursday. We were fortunate to provide our students with the same quality education that they have always received. Kudos to our teachers for all their hard work in planning engaging lessons for both remote and in-person learners. This was no easy task I want to thank them for their exceptional dedication to our students. Parents, thank you as well. You were equally supportive of our efforts and served as home overseers to your child’s education. This year was a collaborative effort like no other, and we appreciate YOU! We wish our 5th graders the best as they leave Prairie ready for the new experiences and environments that middle school will bring them.
We have much to be proud of at Prairie! Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, students and staff adapted and found ways to succeed. Below are some highlights from the 2020-21 school year.
Positively Prairie Leadership Council - A group of 17 students met virtually the entire school year sponsoring spirit days, creating Cool Tools lessons, and designing today’s Community Day celebration. 5th-grade students also presented virtually at a Faculty Meeting in May. Thank you to Miss Heuer, Mrs. Muehling, and Dr. Yutakis for helping our students lead us this school year.
Girls on the Run - 10 girls participated virtually in the Girls on the Run program with a culminating 5K run event held in-person at Heron Creek. Thank you, Miss Sauer and Mrs. Lethman for continually stepping with these girls regardless of the setting.
Virtual Talent Show - 45 students performed their talents for family and friends via Zoom who watched locally, nationally, and internationally. Mrs. Muehling and Miss Heuer, kudos to you for your outstanding talents in organizing and executing this program.
Family Educator Conferences - This year we had our largest participation ever in Family Educator Conferences with an incredible increase in meetings with specials teachers.
Photography and Yearbook Club - Conducted mostly via Zoom. As student club members returned to school, they were put into the field as photographers to capture daily life at Prairie. Students created the yearbook themes and layouts with the assistance of Mr. Morris, Miss Sauer, and PTO parents.
[email protected] - This email address received over 1,300 submissions from parents and staff in support of our yearbook creation efforts. Photos were also used in the Principal’s Message regularly. Thank you!
Culture Crew Club - Students participated in this club virtually where they learned about the many cultures represented at our school through visuals, songs, and stories. Thank you to Mrs. Himes and Dr. Yutakis for sponsoring this activity.
Have a wonderful summer! We all deserve it!!
Kindly,
Christine Pfaff ~ Principal
NEW *Celebrations from Parents*
Thank you for sharing your celebrations about your outstanding children. Please enjoy this slide deck, which will put a smile on your face.
NEW *Student Report Card Access June 3rd After 3 PM*
Your student’s report card will be available for you to access online Thursday, June 3rd, AFTER 3 PM. If you need assistance, please SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VIEW YOUR CHILD(REN)’S REPORT CARD(S), to switch between your children’s report cards and more.
REPEAT *2021–22 School Supply Lists and Kits*
See Info to download grade-level school supply lists or order school supply kits to be delivered directly to your home. (Order kits by July 9 for home delivery by Aug. 13.)
REPEAT *Protocol Update*
On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing in any setting–whether indoors or outside.
Consistent with our practice throughout this pandemic, we are in conversation with local health officials at the Lake County Department of Public Health to understand how this announcement from the CDC will affect our learning environments.
Be advised that our current mitigation strategies remain in place as we await local guidance.
That is–regardless of whether they have been vaccinated–our faculty, as well as our students, will be expected to continue to wear masks and practice social distancing at school and at a school-sponsored event such as 8th-grade Graduation. As you know, at this time students in our elementary district have not yet been vaccinated.
As local guidance is updated, be assured that we will share it and its implications with you promptly, as we’ve done consistently throughout the year.
REPEAT *iPad Exchange Info for ALL KCSD96 Students*
Action needed! This summer District 96 will exchange your student's old iPad, charging cable, charging brick, and iPad case for new equipment. You'll need to schedule an appointment to make the exchange and the exchange must occur before Aug. 1. READ DETAILS about this process and how it affects ALL District 96 students.
REPEAT *Math, Literacy, and Technology Materials Return*
There are only a few materials the district is looking to collect back from those that were distributed throughout the year. We are asking for all of the materials, which can be reviewed in previous Principal's Messages, to be brought back to school. Thank you so much for your help with this!