Principal's Message 9.16.22

Principal's Message 9.16.22

Dear Parents,

Teaching and learning is in full swing at Prairie. The students are continually settling into our instructional routine as our fall assessment window has now concluded. The little joys of my day include saying good morning to each student, distributing birthday pencils or pens, or just taking five minutes out of my schedule to sit in a classroom and watch our amazing teachers deliver quality instruction.

The PTO Back to School Bash is tonight from 6pm - 7:30pm. As always, thank you for your partnership in your child’s education and have a fantastic weekend with family and friends.

Kindly, 

Christine Pfaff


NEW *Classroom Parties*

As always, we are looking forward to celebrating at holiday classroom parties with our students. Parties will continue to be food free. All classroom food must be checked through our nurse and it is not feasible for our building nurse to manage this, along with the day-to-day responsibilities to ensure student safety and wellness. Students will enjoy crafts and games to celebrate the festivities.


NEW *Student Birthdays*

Teachers recognize student birthdays. Although it is not necessary, families may choose to send something for the class. We do not, however, allow food to be passed out in classrooms or sent home with children. Appropriate non-food items are allowed, such as a pencil or stickers. Please keep the age of our children in mind for the appropriateness and safety of the item.  If you are unsure about an item, please contact the classroom teacher.


NEW *Dogs on Campus*

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 *SMART Watches*

SMART watches are starting to show up here at the elementary schools. Many SMART watches have similar capabilities to SMART phones (game, voice, and text capabilities).  If a SMART watch becomes a distraction or is used for communication, it may be confiscated and stored in the office to remove the distraction from the learning environment. Essentially, we will treat the SMART watches like a cell phone. Confiscated equipment may be picked up in the office at the end of the day by the student(s). If a pattern of distraction occurs, parents may be asked to pick up the technology.


NEW  *Culture Crew is Coming!*

Within Culture Crew, we will learn about, share and celebrate the many cultures embedded into our Prairie community. Join Mrs. Desai and Ms. Elfering on Wednesday afternoons to share traditions, listen to music, and create crafts. We will meet in the library from 3:05 to 4:05 beginning October 5th through May 3rd!  If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected].

Please use this form to sign up. The last day to register is September 30th.


NEW *CONFERENCES*

Fall Family/Educator Conferences are right around the corner. The conference dates are Thursday, October 6th from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Friday, October 7th from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

We will be using Meet the Teacher as an electronic sign-up for conferences. A School Messenger email will be sent to families on Monday, September 19th at 6:00 PM with a link to sign up for conferences.

Conferences will be held virtually using Meet the Teacher’s video conferencing platform unless parents request an in-person conference using the instructions below. After you have scheduled your conferences, you will receive an email from Meet the Teacher with a link you will use to access the video conferences.

Elementary parents will have the option to sign up with the classroom teacher as well as specials teachers and any related service providers their children see.

If you are unable to schedule a conference with a specific teacher, please remember that conferences are not the only time to communicate with teachers. Please feel free to reach out any time.


NEW *Requesting an In-Person Conference*

If you want to have an in-person conference with the teachers, you must notify the teachers via email by the end of the day on Tuesday, October 4th.


NEW *Morning Drop-Off Reminder*

When dropping off your child in the morning, use the front circle drive.  Pull up as far as you can.  Drop-off in the parking lot area at the playground is not allowed.  Students are to be dropped in front and then they walk to the blacktop area. 

Please always follow the directions of the adults on duty during morning drop-off and after-school pick-up times.  They are in place to ensure your child's safety and deserve respectful treatment. 


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-up! The form will be open until Monday morning at 7:00 am. Please include all audition information in your registration. 

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.
  • Email Mrs. Muehling & Miss Heuer if you have any questions!

REPEAT *Letters to Veterans*

With Veteran’s Day just around the corner, we are inviting D96 students to write thank you notes or letters to veterans.  These letters will be included in individualized care packages that will be given to veterans who attend an upcoming recognition event in Lake County.  If your student is interested, please have them return their letter or thank you note to the front office no later than October 13th to ensure we are able to mail them in enough time to be included in the Lake County project.  


REPEAT *Room Parents Needed*

Room parent sign-up is now open! Head over to Membership Tool Kit to sign up to be your child’s room parent for the 22-23 school year. 

As the Room Parent, you will attend all 3 classroom parties. Halloween Monday, October 31st (2-2:45pm), Winter Thursday, December 22nd (2-2:45pm), and Valentine’s Day Tuesday, February 14th (1-1:45pm)

**5th grade Room Parents will also be on the 5th-grade end-of-the-year party committee (more information later). 

Room Parents are responsible for organizing party volunteers (2 per classroom) and running the party the day of the party. Party volunteers will sign up on MTK at a later time.  Stay tuned for more information!


REPEAT *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 21, 2022. If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request or your questions to [email protected]