Dear Parents,
The Buffalo Grove Public Works Department has done a wonderful job of connecting with schools. This year BGPW reached out to schools for artwork to adhere to snowplows for the upcoming winter season. Each grade level submitted a name for the snowplow and we conducted a whole school vote with the winner being "The Prairie Express". Next, Art Teacher, Mr. Morris, brought the snowplow name to students who submitted ideas for a design. Elements from students' artwork were combined to make one winter scene. Thank you to the following students for their artwork contribution from left to right: Emily S., Zaya S., Addie F., Lily N., and Abi P. The BGPW will be rolling out a snowplow tracker soon for us to keep an eye on where The Prairie Express is, which will be shared with all once received.
Kindly,
Christine Pfaff - Principal
NEW *Parent to Parent Network*
Parent to Parent Network is hosting a wonderful opportunity to learn more about security and safety on virtual platforms from two of our own. This virtual session is “Family Tech Talk,” featuring Lucas Cowden, the District’s Director of Technology, and Buffalo Grove Police Officer Essig, KCSD 96’s Resource Officer.
“Family Tech Talk” runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17. To register, click here.
NEW *Symptoms, Close contacts, and Quarantine*
If you have any questions about symptoms, close contacts or quarantining please visit the IDPH Decision Tree posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
Additionally, as winter break approaches, please note the guidelines for unvaccinated individuals and international travel posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
NEW *Report Card Explanation*
Reports will be released to parents on Friday, November 19th at approximately 3:00pm. Please click HERE to listen to a brief explanation of our standards-based reporting system.
NEW *PTO News*
SPECIAL LUNCH
Head over to MyToolKit (MTK) and get your orders in for Papa John’s Pizza Special Lunch!
To ensure your student is able to enjoy a special lunch, get your orders in by November 12th.
DESSERT DAY
The PTO is happy to introduce the new Dessert Day Club Membership for 2021-2022! Pay only once this school year and get an ice cream dessert from Hershey's during a designated Dessert Day each month starting from November 2021 to May 2022! Join the Dessert Day Club for only $16 for the rest of the school year! Head over to MTK to place your order.
Please note that we disable the form on MTK on Wednesday before dessert day and reactivate it the day after dessert day is complete. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to us!
REPEAT *Indoor Music Concerts*
We are excited to have our students perform in concerts to showcase their talents. Students will follow school health guidance protocols as they do in their music classes.
In order for District 96 to maintain safety and health guidelines, each child will be strictly limited to 1 guest only. Guests will be provided seating in the gym that has been spaced for social distancing. Masks will be required.
The event will allow for live virtual access and will be recorded to later share with other family members or relatives unable to attend due to attendee restrictions. More information on how to access the live link will be coming soon.
REPEAT *Attendance Information*
Attendance is one of the most powerful predictors of academic achievement and having your student in their seat, ready to learn for the entire school day will benefit them, their classmates, and our whole school community. Let’s work together to make sure your child has great attendance and can get the most out of their learning opportunities this school year.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school. Our parent handbook reflects legislative updates from the state and is ready for you to review.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
We miss your student when they are not at school as we value their contributions to our school community. If your student is going to be absent, please contact the school in advance. If an absence was unplanned, please contact the school please contact the school office as soon as possible.
HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
Send your child to school unless they are truly sick, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, contagious rash or showing any other COVID-like symptoms.
Avoid appointments and travel when school is in session.
Keep track of your child’s attendance.
Set a regular bedtime and morning routine (including limiting how late your child may use any electronic devices) and finish homework and pack backpacks the night before.
Have a back-up plan for getting to school in case something comes up (this could be alternative bus routes, roads, or a plan with family members, neighbors, or other parents).
Communicate with the school about how we can work together to support your child’s attendance.
OUR DUTIES UPON A STUDENT’S ABSENCES
If your child has five unexcused absences we will reach out via phone and follow up with an email.
If your child has seven unexcused absences we will schedule a conference with you and your child to create a student success plan for support.
After 10 days of unexcused absences, and our supports and interventions haven’t helped get your student to school consistently, we are required to file a petition and you will be notified by formal letter that the case will be forwarded to the truancy department and the Lake County ROE, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, Illinois' mandatory attendance law.
WHAT IS EXCUSED AND WHAT IS UNEXCUSED
Excused: Medical appointment, illness, quarantine, death in the family, mental health day, religious holiday
Unexcused: Most other reasons for absence include; vacation, sporting events, missing the bus, sleeping in, day before a special individual occasion.
REPEAT *O’Hare PCR Results*
If you do not receive your child’s PCR results over the weekend, we apologize for the inconvenience.
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.
REPEAT *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.
REPEAT *Family Reading Night*
For details and to RSVP, please click HERE.
REPEAT *Culture Crew Accepting New Members*
Is your student is interested in exploring the many cultures at Prairie and the world? Culture Crew is open to new students in all grades. We meet every Wednesday after school from 3:00-3:45 in room 15 (yellow pod).
Please email Mrs. Himes or Dr. Yutakis to sign up.