Dear Families,
It is hard to believe that December is already upon us! With only two weeks left until winter break brings us to the year 2022, we still have a lot to accomplish and celebrate. Next week all D96 students will take the NWEA MAP assessment in both reading and math. We are looking forward to celebrating the growth our students have made so far this year while also acknowledging we have a lot of exciting learning left to do. We hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend, and we look forward to seeing students back next week!
Kindly,
Christine Pfaff - Principal
NEW *MAP Testing*
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in NWEA MAP - Measure of Academic Progress -assessment. The MAP assessment is a normed referenced, computerized adaptive test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. Like in previous years, all students will be taking the MAP test in reading and math during the school day. Testing will take place on Monday, December 6th and Tuesday, December 7th.
Students who are quarantined during those testing days will take the MAP assessment when they return to school.
NEW *Vaccination Cards for 5-11 year olds*
Once the district sponsored vaccination clinics for second doses have been completed, a message will be sent out to all families. This message will include a link for vaccination cards to be uploaded. Please do not send copies of vaccination cards prior to the message going out the week of December 13.
NEW *PTO News*
The PTO is partnering with Original Bagel and Bialy to create a fun-themed winter cookie kit for our Puma families. The kit will include 3 different cookie shapes (2 of each shape), 3 frostings, and sprinkles!! Order through Membership Toolkit.
The kit will cost $15 and will be delivered to school for you to pick up starting at drop off on 12/16 through 12/17 at 3:30 PM. If you have any questions please reach out to the Prairie PTO at [email protected].
If you haven’t signed up yet, head over on Monday, December 6th to MTK and pay only once this school year and get an ice cream dessert from Hershey's during a designated Dessert Day each month starting from December 2021 to May 2022. Once you purchase a membership, your child will be given a ticket on Dessert Day to use towards their favorite frozen treat, so you won't need to do anything else. No punch cards are necessary. Please note that we disable the form on MTK a day 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.
NEW *Girls on the Run Spring 2022*
We are excited to start our 11th season of Girls on the Run at Prairie IN PERSON this spring! Girls on the Run is a social-emotional program that incorporates running/physical activity to encourage girls to be confident and healthy in all areas of her life. During practices, girls will do activities and lessons about making friends, dealing with emotions, building confidence, and serving her community. The girls will also train to run a 5K in May!
Girls on the Run is an international program with millions of girls participating. If you’d like more information, please visit www.girlsontherun.com or www.gotrchicago.org.
Girls on the Run Prairie meets for 12 weeks, TWO days per week- Wednesdays AND Thursdays from 3-4:30 pm. Girls must be available for BOTH days. We will start our program the last week on February 23rd and go through mid-May (date TBD per the Chicago GOTR council).
There is a fee to participate (GOTR regulated) and there are opportunities for financial support if needed upon registration.
If you are interested in having your girl participate - please click and fill out THIS FORM to let us know. This is an interest-only form NOT registration. GOTR limits the number of girls that are able to participate based on the number of coaches. If we have more girls interested than we have coaches needed, we will do a modified “pull from a hat” model for participants with a slight preference to 5th graders. We will let you know after Winter Break if your daughter is part of the team.
New *After School Roller Skating Club*
Prairie Elementary School will be offering after-school roller skating during the months of January and February 2022. Students in 3-5th grade will be participating in January and 1st and 2nd-grade students will be participating in February. All students are welcome regardless of their skill level, especially beginners! There are 8 sessions for both age levels of students. Students may attend as many roller skating days as they want but must be signed up and turn in an athletic activity waiver in order to participate. Please choose the days that are most convenient for your family. Roller skating will be held after school from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the gym.
Students will need skates/roller blades (**If your child’s skates are NEW please lace them up at home!) and safety gear (helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads). Please check to see that your child’s helmet fits securely and rests squarely on top of the head. To see the dates and to sign up a 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader please click HERE. To see the dates and sign up for a 1st or 2nd grader please click HERE. Students will also need to fill out the Parent Consent Form and either email or turn this into Mr. Nickle in person in order to participate. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
NEW *Morning Greeters Needed*
Morning Greeters ~ Is your 4th or 5th-grade student interested in joining the team of morning greeters?
Morning greeters will be posted in different locations outside the school to welcome students as they arrive at Prairie. There is also an afternoon farewell option. Please join us for an information meeting on Thursday, December 9 from 3:00-3:30 pm in the library. Pick-up will be at 3:30 pm at the front of Prairie.
Additionally, please fill out this form.
Please contact Dr. Yutakis with any questions.
NEW *Project-Based Club Opportunity*
New club for students in 3rd-5th grade. Are you interested in building your leadership skills and working with other students? Join us as we identify ways to become involved and continually foster a strong school community.
Join Mrs. Himes and Dr. Yutakis in a project-based club that will benefit all students at Prairie. We will meet on Friday mornings at 7:30 am beginning after winter break.
NEW *Talent Show Tonight*
Talent Show this evening! Want to watch a concert tonight? We have 2 shows this evening, 6:00pm & 7:30pm. See zoom information below if you are interested!
The zoom link will open 15 minutes prior to showtime. Please invite family and friends to watch our great performers!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://kcsd96.zoom.us/j/85925062229?pwd=b1MxWk53ZDFZOTVFa1pvVG5kK2Y2UT09
Meeting ID: 859 2506 2229
Passcode: 842447
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