Dear Families,
Happy September! We have had another great week at Prairie, and we’re ready to tackle the month ahead. Our students did a great job taking the NWEA MAP assessment, and results will be shared with families on September 17th. I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend ahead and finds time for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Kindly,
Christine Pfaff, Principal
NEW *Upcoming Calendar Reminders*
This is a friendly reminder that there will be no school on Monday, September 6th and Tuesday, September 7th. We look forward to seeing students back at school on Wednesday, September 8th.
NEW *Contact Tracing Clarification*
Contact tracing is completed when a confirmed COVID-19 case is reported. If a student is identified as a close contact, families will be notified. Contact tracing in District 96 is based on the current IDPH definitions of close contact which are included at the bottom of the D96 Quarantine Decision Making Matrix that has previously been shared with families.
● In classrooms, hallways, etc., close contacts are defined as being closer than 3 feet with inconsistent masking of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period.
● In the lunchroom, close contacts are defined as being closer than 6 feet with inconsistent masking of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes over a 24 hour period.
● In general, individuals who are solely exposed to a confirmed case while outdoors will not be considered close contacts.
As part of the contact tracing protocol, we check with the classroom teachers, specials teachers, and related services staff to ensure that no student was unmasked, for more than 15 minutes cumulatively, within a given setting. If this is the case, additional close contacts would be identified and notified (i.e. snack, water, etc.). Please note that this may mean a student who sits 3 feet away from a confirmed positive case in the classroom setting (consistently masked) IS NOT identified as a close contact, while a child who sits within 6 feet of a confirmed positive case at a lunch table (inconsistently masked) IS identified as a close contact.
District 96 does not define what a close contact is, rather follows the IDPH definition. Likewise, District 96 does not alter contact tracing or notification protocols, rather strictly follows those provided by the IDPH.
NEW *Student Handbook Update - Change to Transportation *
Please note the following update to the Student Handbook.
A change in a child's typical bus routine must be communicated through a written and signed parent note or email given to school office staff before noon on the morning the parent will be picking up the child after school (rather than having the child ride the bus). Otherwise, the child will follow his/her typical transportation routine.
NEW *Information for parents that have opted out of bus transportation services*
As a reminder starting on Wednesday, September 8th, parents that opted their child(ren) out of bus transportation may drop off at the school at 8:00 instead of 8:10. This is ONLY for parents that opted out of bus transportation through January AND need to drop at an earlier time. We are asking that all other morning drop-offs respect the current time and wait until 8:10 to support traffic flow and ensure sufficient supervision for students. Thank you for your help with this.
NEW *Student Handbook Update - Change to Transportation *
Please note the following update to the Student Handbook.
Changes to Assigned Transportation
A change in a child's typical bus routine must be communicated through a written and signed parent note or email given to school office staff before noon on the morning the parent will be picking up the child after school ~ rather than having the child ride the bus. (Due to the young age of Willow Grove students, all Willow Grove parents must call the main office to make changes.). Otherwise, the child will follow his/her typical transportation routine.
NEW *Bus Survey Information*
As a reminder, the survey to opt-out for bus transportation through January is due on Wednesday, September 8th, 2021.
NEW *O’Hare PCR Results*
If you do not receive your child’s PCR results over the weekend, we apologize for the inconvenience. We understand that this was an issue across the district last week.
Please feel free to contact O’Hare Labs by sending an email to [email protected]. This email is monitored frequently each day and is the preferred method of contact. Please be sure to include your child’s First Name, Last Name, DOB, and test date in the email.
If preferred, you can also call the Call Center at (800) 604-0197 Monday-Saturday between the hours of 10am-5pm.
NEW *It’s not too late to join 5th Grade Band*
Students can still sign up for band and learn an instrument this year. Our first lesson with instruments will be Friday, September 17. Come Join the 5th Grade Band. The beginning band is open to all 5th-grade students. Band Registration and Information Link.
NEW *World Music Club - Seeking Members for the 21-22 School Year*
Attention all 5th graders! Do you love learning songs in different languages, from different cultures, or different countries in music class? This club will be filled with songs to sing, cultural dances, and pieces to play on instruments! Mrs. Muehling has a lot of material, but also wants you to contribute and share your culture with the group! This extracurricular club will meet on Mondays from 3:00-3:45pm. If you are interested in signing up for world music club, the sign-up form will open on September 10th. The link to the sign-up form can be found in the Principal’s Message next week.
World music club can only take 15 members and you will receive an email from Mrs. Muehling shortly after the club is filled. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Muehling and she will be happy to help you!
NEW *Choir Club - Seeking Members for the 21-22 School Year*
Attention all 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders! Do you like to sing in music class? Choir is an extracurricular club that will meet on Friday mornings from 7:30-8:15am. If you are interested in signing up for choir, the sign-up form opens on Friday, September 10th. The link to the sign-up form can be found in the Principal’s Message next week.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Muehling or Miss Heuer and they will be happy to help you!
NEW *2021 Talent Show Audition Sign Up*
Attention all Prairie students! Do you have a special talent you would like to share? Prairie School has a talent show every year! The talent show will be on Friday evening, December 3rd. Auditions will be held in October this year!
Sign-ups begin on Friday, September 10th and will run for a week! The form will be in the Principal’s Message next week!
Please read specific information below:
All students are welcome to sign-up for an audition.
Each performance needs to be 2 minutes or less. (No exceptions)
Students can only perform once.
If you are performing with a group, only one parent should sign up for the group! Please coordinate this!
Results will be sent out by Friday, November 12th after all auditions are done.
Here are pictures of what the form will look like for sign-ups so you can gather all the information needed:
REPEATING *Covid Metrics*
To stay up-to-date this school year on local metrics, please visit the COVID DASHBOARD for District 96. Our priority remains to keep our students safe and follow guidance from the CDC. If your student is identified as a "close contact", you will be notified individually through the contact tracing process.
NEW *PTO News*
Back to School Bash
The PTO will be hosting a Back to School Bash on the blacktop on Friday, 9/10 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm. Please visit the PTO Facebook page for more information about this event.
Spirit Wear
Prairie PTO has put together some amazing spirit wear to purchase this year! Show your Puma Pride and place your order today! Spirit wear is only available from September 3 thru September 24. We have many new designs and options to choose from for your student or yourself! Head over to https://imprintyourshirt.com/prairiespirit/shop/home to shop! Contact [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] with any questions.
Dessert Day
The PTO is doing a special September 2021 Back to School Dessert Day treat on Friday, September 10th. You must place your order by today, Friday, September 3rd on Membership Toolkit.
Please note that Desserts cannot be purchased on the day of the event.
We are working on releasing the official Dessert Day Order Form for the rest of the 2021-2022 school year! Keep checking our Facebook and PTO Blog for more information!
Special Lunch
Head over to Membership Toolkit and get your orders in for Special Lunch! The last day to get your order in is September 16th!
Please note for the 2021-2022 school year the parent volunteers and PTO will be slowly releasing the monthly special lunch options. We will be updating social media when the new options are available for you to order.
Volunteers
Puma Families, We are looking for volunteers to help us with Dessert Day, Special Lunch, and the school store. Head over to MTK to sign up. Please make sure to select a date that works best with your schedule.
Room Parents Needed
We need your help! We are looking for Room Parents. Please head over to MTK.
Signing up here does not guarantee that you will be the room parent. A lottery will be held on September 21st to choose room parents.
How the lottery works: Each parent that is signed up on this form will be given a number. Numbers will be placed into a hat and picked randomly. Should the first choice no longer be able to volunteer another number will be picked.
NEW *Picture Day Ordering Information*
Option 1
Complete the order form sent home this week and return with payment, on or before, Friday 9/10.
Option 2
Use your phone and scan the QR code on the bottom right of the order form sent home. Follow these prompts:
View all events and organizations.
Go to 2021 Prairie Elementary Fall Picture Day Buffalo Grove and click to select.
Enter your email address to login and order student pictures.
Complete by 8:00am on Friday 9/10.
Option 3
Use the following link: https://AccessMyEvent.com/SMMHJ0
Enter your email address to login and order student pictures.
Complete by 8:00am on Friday 9/10.