Dear Parents,
Thank you to all the parents and guardians for attending Family Educator Conferences over the past two days. It was great to “see” everyone who attended virtually and to literally see each family that attended in person. Teachers are reporting to me that conferences were successful and collaborative which speaks to the excellent home-to-school partnerships we have at Prairie School.
A big shout out to our PTO and donating families for the staff Family Educator Conferences dinner that was provided for us yesterday and today. The staff truly appreciates not having to leave the building to grab a bite to eat while completing last-minute conference preparations.
Have a lovely three-day weekend,
Christine
NEW *Student "No School" Dates Next Week*
- Monday, October 10th ~ Columbus Day
NEW *Prairie Art is Magazine Cover Worthy*
Congratulations to Mr. Morris and students for making the cover of the APWA Report Magazine! On page 30 of the October 2022 edition of this magazine, local schools are highlighted for giving personality to snow plows. Last year, Prairie student artwork was selected for placement on the Buffalo Grove Public Works snowplows. Students were able to track where "our snowplow" was when it was out clearing the streets. We had a drive-through celebration in our front circle last year where all students and staff gathered to cheer for our plow. Nice art-work, Mr. Morris and kids!!
NEW *Puma Pals Club 2022-2023 ~ Open to 1st-4th Graders*
Puma Pals club will be happening this year to help students build relationships with students outside of their classroom and grade level. We will have sessions available for twenty 1st-2nd graders and twenty 3rd-4th graders. We will play team-building games, have discussions, and get to know each other throughout the year. We will meet on Thursdays from 3:00-4:00 pm in Room 13 in the green pod.
If you are interested in signing up for Puma Pals please complete THIS FORM. Because we can only have a limited number of students participating, Miss Weil and Ms. McHugh will send an email confirming when the club has been filled.
Please contact Ms. McHugh [email protected] or Miss Weil [email protected] with any questions.
- 1st & 2nd Grade Dates: 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17
- 3rd & 4th Grade Dates: 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26
REPEAT *Get your Costumes ready and SAVE THE DATE for Trunk-or-Treat*
On October 28th, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm our PTO is putting on an OUTSIDE family event brought to you by the Prairie PTO! We are so excited about seeing our students, accompanied by an adult, trick-or-treating through the Prairie parking lot.
Stay tuned to the Prairie PTO Facebook page for more information about our Trunk-or-Treat event and how to register your Trunk, Mini-van, or Flatbed Truck! You do not need to register a vehicle to attend this family event. We are so excited to see the creatively decorated trunks and the more decorated trunks we have the better!
***This is an adult + child event. This is not a drop-off event.***
REPEAT *PTO Party Volunteers Can Sign-up on MTK*
This year we will be utilizing the Membership Toolkit (MTK) to sign up "Day of Party" volunteers. Each classroom will have one room parent and two party helpers. Room Parents will assign party helpers to bring a craft or play a game during the party.
Party volunteers will sign-up at least 30 days before the party. The sign-up will always go live on a Saturday at 9 am. Sign-up will be on a first come first serve basis. Once the two spots are filled, you may put your name on the waitlist. Should a volunteer have to back out, we will utilize the waitlist to fill the vacant spot. After the sign-up, the Room Parent will reach out to the party helpers to assign responsibilities and give more information about the classroom parties.
- Halloween Party sign-up will open on Saturday, October 1st at 9 am
- Party held on October 31st, 2:00 - 2:45 pm
- Winter Party sign-up will open on Saturday, November 19th at 9 am
- Party held on Thursday, December 22nd, 2:00 - 2:45 pm
- Valentine’s Party sign-up will open Saturday, January 14th at 9 am
- Party held on Tuesday, February 14th, 1:00 -1:45 pm
REPEAT *Halloween Costumes*
Our Halloween festivities will be here before we know it. We look forward to students dressing in their Halloween costumes for our Halloween Parade and classroom parties on Monday, Oct. 31st. Please help us with the following costume guidelines. Students will change into their costumes after their lunch period at school. Please ensure that your child can get their costume on with no or minimal help.
Costumes must be appropriate for school. If costumes are not school-appropriate the student will be asked to remove their costume. If you have any questions about your child's costume, the classroom can teacher can help to answer them.
- Please no masks, blood, super scary stuff, general iciness, or weapons
- Please no cigars or cigarette items
- Please no bare tummies
- Please keep hair coloring and make-up simple
***All costume changes will occur at school, not at home.***
REPEAT *Attendance Visibility in TeacherEase*
District 96 is helping to support families by giving easier access to attendance information for elementary students. Below are three steps that will show you how to access student attendance information at primary and elementary schools in District 96.
REPEAT *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.
REPEAT *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.
REPEAT *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.