Dear Parents,
It was such a joy it was to welcome students back to Prairie this week! The 2022-2023 school year is off to a great start! Mrs. Clausell and I were able to visit each classroom and welcome students back in that smaller setting. It was great to see students getting to know their teachers, connecting with peers, and engaging in learning after a long summer. It sure is good to be back! We have a full week of learning ahead of us and it will be nice to begin settling into our routines. I wish you a wonderful and restful weekend.
Kindly,
Christine Pfaff
NEW *Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education*
On Thursday, August 25th, Prairie will be conducting the first annual Law Enforcement Safety Drill education session. Students will be learning age-appropriate safety procedures.
In compliance with the Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Drill Education with their school peers.
If you do not wish your child to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education with peers, please contact me at [email protected]. I will arrange for an alternative review of safety procedures with your child. If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the drill. The first drill will take place after the education session on a different date.
NEW *Erin’s Law*
An Illinois law known as Erin’s Law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness/prevention curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 researched and observed best practices and programs for delivering this instruction, selecting Be Seen & Heard ©. For more information about this presentation please go to www.victorpacini.com/peace-of-mind-2.
The focus of this developmentally appropriate and interactive program is to teach children skills to keep them safe from danger or abuse. Concepts discussed will include distinguishing safe from unsafe touches, safety rules at home and school, saying NO, safe/unsafe secrets, and telling a trusted adult, as well as reinforcing that an adult’s touching him or her is not the child’s fault.
Opt-Out Procedures
The presentation to Prairie students will be during the school day on September 21st. If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request or your questions to me at [email protected].
NEW *Curriculum Night
Curriculum Night is scheduled for Wednesday, August 24th. This is a parents-only event and I hope you are able to attend. Curriculum Night presentations will be in person. There are different timings for presentations based on the grade level to allow parents to attend more than one session if they have children in different grade levels.
NEW *After School Parent Pick-Up*
After-school parent pick-up went quite well on Thursday and Friday of this week. Thank you to everyone who is using the Family Name Card, as it is really helping us match students to cars. Full details and traffic maps are in the REPEAT section below. Please review these brief bullet points so that Prairie staff keep things moving fluidly always with child safety at the forefront.
- Follow staff directions
- Pull up as far as possible
- Adults stay in the car
- Place the Family Name Card high enough so staff can see the names/grades of children
- Please do not use the Family Name card from last year, use the new one given this year
- If you need more Family Name cards, please contact the office at 847.634.3144.
- Only right turns are allowed after school
- We're off to a great start with parent pick-up and the process will continue to grow in efficiency during the upcoming week.
- Thank you!!!
NEW *NWEA MAP Assessment*
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment on Monday, August 29th and Wednesday, August 31st. 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.
NEW *Photography / Yearbook Club*
Attention 3rd, 4th and 5th graders! Are you interested in photography? Excited to help create this year’s yearbook? Join Mrs. Weede and Mr. Morris on Friday mornings from 7:30 - 8:15. In addition to capturing school activities, we will also explore different photography techniques. We will use our school iPads for all pictures.
Next Friday in the Principal's Message, the interest form will go live. We are limited to 30 students in the club. Parents will receive an email if their child is able to participate in this year’s club.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Weede and Mr. Morris and they will be happy to help you!
NEW *5th Grade Band Recruiting Information*
Beginning band is a great way to offer your student the opportunity to learn to play a band instrument, help them learn to communicate through music, work on discipline, and become part of a team of friends that could last all the way through high school. All interested 5th-grade students looking to be a part of the 5th-grade band for this year please look over these links.
Beginning Band will start next week: Ivy Hall - Wednesday, August 24 and Prairie - Friday, August 26.
Beginning Band Information 2022-2023
Beginning Band Registration Link
Any questions please email Mr. Daniel Nagle at [email protected]
NEW *2022 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 Wednesday evening, November 30th. Auditions will be held in October this year!
Sign-ups begin on Friday, September 9th, and will run for a week! The form will be in the Principal’s Message!
Please read the specific information below:
- All Prairie 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 4th after all auditions are done.
Pictures of the sign-up form will be included in September 2nd Principal’s Message so you can plan accordingly.
NEW *Choir Club - Seeking Members for the 22-23 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 Fridays from 7:30-8:15am. If you are interested in signing up for choir, sign-up will begin next Friday, August 26th. The link to the sign-up form can be found in the Principal’s Message.
Choir can only have 50 members and you will receive an email from Mrs. Muehling & Miss Heuer shortly after the club is filled. This club fills quickly! If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Muehling and Miss Heuer and they will be happy to help you!
NEW *World Music Club - Seeking Members for the 22-23 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 3:05-3:45pm. If you are interested in signing up for the World Music Club, sign-up will begin next Friday, August 26th. The link to the sign-up form will be in the Principal’s Message.
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 *Photography/Yearbook Club*
Attention 3rd, 4th and 5th graders! Are you interested in photography? Excited to help create this year’s yearbook? Join Mrs. Weede and Mr. Morris on Friday mornings from 7:30am - 8:15am. In addition to capturing school activities, we will also explore different photography techniques. We will use our school iPads for all pictures.
If you are interested in signing up for the Photography Club, sign-up will begin next Friday, August 26th. The link to the sign-up form will be in the Principal’s Message.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Weede and Mr. Morris and they will be happy to help you!
NEW *Please Share Your First Day of School Pictures*
Please send your first day of school pictures to our Prairie Yearbook email account. Select pictures will be used in the yearbook, around school, and in the Principal's Message. The Prairie Yearbook email address is [email protected]. Thank you!!
NEW *No Dogs on Campus*
As a reminder, dogs are not allowed on campus. As stated in the Parent/Student Handbook:
- As a general rule, dogs are not allowed on the school campus or grounds during school hours when children are present. The exception would be any time the assistance of a dog is required by a person’s disability. In all other cases, written permission must be obtained from the building principal before a dog is allowed on school grounds.
NEW *Orchestra Information*
4th Grade Students: In District 96, 4th graders can choose to participate in orchestra, learning string instruments (violin, viola, cello, or bass). We have pull-out weekly lessons and rehearsals (sometimes twice a week), work hard, and have a lot of fun. We will be having 3 concerts this year.
It is not too late to sign up. CLICK HERE for a slide presentation. CLICK HERE to register.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Ok at [email protected] or/and Mrs. Anderson at [email protected].
NEW 5th Grade Students: If your child is new to the district and is interested in joining the orchestra, please contact Mrs. Anderson at [email protected].
REPEAT *Before and After School Parent Vehicle Traffic Patterns
Please use your family name card which indicates last name, first name, and grade level of each child in your family. Family name cards will be available to you at Meet the Teacher. If you cannot attend Meet the Teacher, the family name card will be given to your oldest child on Thursday, August 18th.
Family Name Card Example
Parent Vehicle Morning Drop Off Procedure Map
Parent After School Vehicle Pick-Up Procedure Map
REPEAT *Important August Dates*
- 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.
- 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.
REPEAT *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.
REPEAT *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.
REPEAT *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!
REPEAT *Changes to Dismissal Plans*
Please contact the school office by noon 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. Please know that students cannot ride other students' buses.
REPEAT *Student Picture Day*
Prairie’s student picture day is Tuesday, September 13th. More information to come in next week's Principal’s Message.