Principal's Message 8.5.22

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year.  The Prairie staff is very excited to be working with you and your child(ren) this year.  If this is your first experience as a Prairie family, I know that you will be pleased with our school and staff.  We have a positive and vibrant community that makes us all - staff, students, and parents - proud to be Pumas!  It has been my honor to be Prairie’s Principal since 2010 and it is my true privilege and joy to serve this community.

Positive relationships continue to be of the utmost importance.  For the past two years, we’ve implemented morning meeting time to ensure that students and staff have a structured forum to get to know each other and socialize in a non-academic setting.  I’m happy to share that we will continue to have this time in our master schedule for classroom family and personal relationship development.  We also have added five minutes to lunch for a total of 25 minutes.  

Teachers and administrators have been working tirelessly over the summer months to prepare for this school year participating in curriculum development, professional book studies, and so much more.  I could not be prouder of our staff for their dedication in preparing for this school year.   

The staff and I are looking forward to seeing all our students in person.  Please see the “Important August Dates” section below for events going on this month.  We look forward to seeing you there.  If you are new to the District, please take a few minutes to view our Welcome to District 96! video.  

We are all excited to start the school year together!  We deeply value our partnership with you and are so appreciative of your support.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with your questions. 

Kindly,

Christine Pfaff


NEW *Important August Dates*

  • Friday, August 12th from 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm - New Family Tour at Country Meadows, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, & Prairie
  • Wednesday, August 17th from 8:30 am - 9:30 am - Meet the Teacher at Country Meadows, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, & Prairie
  • Wednesday, August 17th from 10:00 am - 11:00 am - Meet the Teacher at Willow Grove
  • Thursday, August 18th - First day of school.  This is a half-day.  School starts at 8:25am and ends at 11:45am  Students may arrive at school at 8:10am, when adult supervision starts.  Please do not arrive to school earlier than 8:10am.  Please see the Twin Groves, Woodlawn, and Willow Grove Principal’s Message for attendance times.
  • Friday, August 19th - Full day of school.  8:25am - 3:05pm.  Please note the new dismissal time.   Please see the Twin Groves, Woodlawn, and Willow Grove Principal’s Message for attendance times.
  • Wednesday, August 24th Curriculum Night at Country Meadows, Kildeer, & Prairie 
  • 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. (Grades 1 and 2)
  • 7:15 to 8 p.m. (Grades 3-5)
  • Thursday, August 25th Curriculum Night at Ivy Hall
  • 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. (Grades 1 and 2)
  • 7:15 to 8 p.m. (Grades 3-5)
  • Tuesday, August 30th - Early Release at 2:05 pm at Country Meadows, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, & Prairie.  Please see the Twin Groves, Woodlawn, and Willow Grove Principal’s Message for attendance times.

NEW *August 18 ~ First Day of School* 

The first day of school is Thursday, August 18th. It is a half-day, from 8:25-11:45. On the first day of school, we will have extra staff at all entrances and outside the building to support student arrival and dismissal.  Prairie staff will be easily recognizable with matching t-shirts.  We will assemble on the playground blacktop area.  Each teacher has a numbered line that students will stand in.  The lines are as follows:


New *General Communication Expectations for Teachers* 

Teachers will communicate with parents, at a minimum, twice a month. Staff uses different forms of electronic communication. Some examples include emailed newsletters, blogs, email, and websites. You will learn this information at Meet the Teacher and/or Curriculum Night as well if you are in attendance.


NEW *Approved Snacks: What Parents Need to Know*

The District has revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST. The items on the list are free of the Top 8 allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.  This list includes the foods that are approved for students' daily snacks.  Daily snacks for your children must be from this list or they will be sent home.  

IMPORTANT: All items for daily snacks, with the exception of fruits and vegetables, MUST be prepackaged to allow staff to easily check that snacks meet the approved requirements.  

Director of Educational Services, Bob Hanrahan, also has provided responses to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) about foods approved for daily snacks/special events.

For your convenience, find links to the District 96 Approved Snack List and Approved Snack List FAQs on the homepage of the District 96 website and the homepage of each school.

Lunches packed from home may contain any food items, and do not need to be from the Approved Snack List.  If your child is bringing in lunch, snacks must be packed separately from lunch. Please label lunch bags and snacks with your child’s name.


NEW *School Lunch Programs*

The federal program that allowed school districts across the country to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of income, expired on June 30, 2022.  As a result, schools across the nation will be reverting back to free and reduced-price meals based on income eligibility guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

During the 2022-23 school year, families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals at no cost or at a discounted rate.  Applications for free and reduced meals are available on the District’s website.  Within this link, you will find menus and how to complete pre-payment for meals.  If you have any questions, please contact the Prairie School office at 847.634.3144.


NEW *Lost and Found*

Our lost and found accumulates items very quickly.  Items that remain when school goes into a break such as winter, spring, and summer breaks, these items are donated to local charities.  To avoid the loss of costly coats, bike helmets, lunch boxes, water bottles, you name it, please label everything with your child’s name.  Labeled items are returned to students.  Thank you for your help!


NEW *Arrival and Dismissal Procedures*

Morning Parent Vehicle Drop Off 

  • The earliest drop-off is 8:10am when adult supervision starts
  • Right or left turns into the circle are permitted in the morning (NOT the afternoon)
  • This occurs in the front circle by the main entrance to Prairie
  • Pull up as far as you can
  • Students exit the vehicle on the passenger side, if driver side exit is needed, call over a supervisor for assistance
  • Adults stay in the vehicle, drop and go.
  • NO cell phone use in school zones - Illinois State Law 
  • Right or left turns leaving the circle are permitted in the morning (NOT the afternoon)
  • Students walk to the back of the school, go to the blacktop area for morning recess, and will line up in response to a signal provided by the supervisor.  Each day, teachers will up students outside. If there is inclement weather, students will gather by grade level in the multi-purpose room.

After School Parent Vehicle Pick-Up

  • Vehicles can turn RIGHT ONLY into the front circle after school.  Why? With so many vehicles gathering at the same time, it is necessary to have traffic moving in one direction.
  • Pull up as far as you can
  • Please tape your family name card to the passenger side front windshield at a height visible to supervisors.  Three family name cards were given to your student on the first day of school. If you need more, contact the office.
  • Using your family name card will decrease wait time for everyone, as supervisors can quickly call students to vehicles.
  • Students will enter the vehicle on the passenger side.  Supervisors will assist if driver-side entry is neeed.
  • Drivers stay in the car.
  • Vehicles can turn RIGHT ONLY out of the front circle after school. Why? With so many vehicles leaving at the same time, it is necessary to have traffic moving in one direction.
  • Various after school traffic patterns have been tried over past 13 years Dr. Pfaff has been the Principal of Prairie School. This after school traffic pattern, though not perfect, has been determined to be the best.  It has been observed and approved by the Buffalo Grove Police Department as well.  Once the beginning of the school year has past and all procedures are moving smoothly, the average time for after school parent pick up is ten minutes.  Naturally, it’s longer with inclement weather.  Your cooperation and patience with the protocol is greatly appreciated.

Bus Drop Off & After School Pick Up

  • Students who ride the bus will be dropped off and board the bus in the Kingsbridge Circle.
  • Upon arrival, students walk to the playground blacktop for morning recess unless there is inclement weather when they will enter the school through the main entrance and report to the multipurpose room.
  • After school, students will board the bus.  Many supervisors are present to ensure students board the correct bus.  Bus signs and student bus tags are color coded for easy verification.

Walkers & Bikers

  • Upon arrival, students go to the blacktop for morning recess.  If there is inclement weather, they will enter through the main entrance and gather in the multi-purpose room.
  • After school, students will either meet up with the family member picking them up or head out on their own.  This is a family decision.
  • Bikers will park their bikes in the bike rack. Please do not lay bikes on the ground.  Scooters can lean against the wall under the windows. 

NEW *Changes to Dismissal Plans*

Please contact the school office at least 1 hour prior to dismissal in the event that your dismissal plans change. Your child will be at the designated dismissal location unless the school is notified in accordance with the above. Please notify the office in writing in accordance with the district handbook. Please see Section 9.4 in the Parent/Student Handbook regarding permission for students to ride other buses, as in most cases, this is not allowed.


NEW *Student Picture Day*


Prairie’s student picture day is Tuesday, September 13th.  More information to come in an upcoming Principal’s Message.


NEW *Birthday Treats*

Only school-appropriate, non-food items such as pencils, stickers, crazy straws, etc. will be allowed.  If you are unsure whether the item is school appropriate, please contact your child's classroom teacher for guidance.


NEW *Health Form Deadline*

The district website lists today as the deadline for immunization forms. All immunizations should be completed to avoid school exclusion.  Please refer to the D96 Student Health website for more information.


NEW *Class Placement Information & Bus Information*

Your child’s class placement and bus information, if applicable, will come to you electronically on Wednesday, August 10th.  A team of staff members worked diligently to make sure each child was placed in the classroom in which he or she will find continued success. We know you appreciate the fact that, with such careful thought and consideration put into these decisions, including your input, no changes will be made and we thank you for your support. This year’s class lists were developed with the following teaching teams in place to ensure student success.

1st:  Miss Carly Andrews, Miss Kaylee Furlett, Mrs. Kaitlin Giannos, Mrs. Lindsay Silverstein

2nd:  Mrs. Vrunda Desai, Miss Kaitlyn Elfering, Miss Abby Heuer, Mrs. Melanie Pawlow

3rd:  Miss Morgan McHugh, Miss Barb Ramont, Mrs. Roberta Souza, Miss Arienne Weil

4th:  Ms. Suzy Cotter, Miss Allyson Flackus, Miss Angela Kotsonis, Mrs. Amy Wood

5th:  Mrs. Betsy Davis, Mrs. Wendy Hafft, Mrs. Ramona Smith, Mrs. Chris Weede

If you do not receive a notification, please email our administrative assistant, Mrs. Michele Demas, at [email protected], or give us a call in the office at 847.634.3144.


NEW *Short Video Clip Invitation*

Dear Community Members,

Are you just as excited about returning to school as we are?  If so, District 96 wants to hear your story!

You are invited to submit short video clips encouraging and/or thanking our staff for the work they do with our students every day. The purpose is for us to use these thoughtful video clips of voices from our community members to create a montage for our staff, to continually remind them of the positive impact they make.  If you are interested in joining our efforts, please take a moment to review the specifics for recording and submission.

Recording Specifics:

Please use a personal phone, tablet, or camera that records video to record one child, multiple children, or your entire family sharing the message. 

Shoot the videos horizontally (landscaped) so the videos we stitch together are all of the same orientation. 

Verify your settings are at least 720p when using your camera. (Please check your device's camera settings to verify this.)

Limit your message to 15-45 seconds each.