Dear Families:
Thank you, families and friends, for your support of Prairie Elementary School this week in the loss of our Principal, Dr. Christine Pfaff.
REPEAT: Field Day, May 25
Prairie School is very excited to celebrate our all-day all school Field Day, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 25th!
We encourage you to apply sunscreen to your child, use bug repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin and have them wear light-colored clothing, as your child will spend most of the day outside. Hats and sunglasses are also recommended, and students should bring a water bottle.
With our unpredictable weather, layering of clothing is also a good idea. In case of rain, Field Day will be on Thursday, June 1.
We can't wait for this fun filled day to celebrate this school year!
~ Mrs. Lehtman & Mr. Nickle
- May 19: 5th Grade Transition (8:45-10:45 a.m.)
- May 23: Early Release
- May 26: Half Day
- May 29: No School
- June 2: Last Day of School & Half Day
NEW: Thanks for Your Love
Thank you to the incredible community for the love, support, and food this week to celebrate our staff. Our PTO and volunteers really hit it out of the park! It is truly hard to believe we are only 14 school days away from summer!
On Monday, 4th grade students were treated to a concert and learning experience from the band. The middle school band students played together and highlighted the different instruments in the band. In 5th grade students may choose to begin playing an instrument!
NEW *MAP Reports*
Spring MAP Reports will be sent home on Monday, May 15.
NEW *Technology Update*
Aside from a few exceptions (defined below), all students will KEEP their District 96 technology (iPad, iPad Case, Charging Cable, Charging Brick, and Logitech Crayon) over the summer and will be expected to return with it at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year.
It will be the student’s responsibility to come to school next year with all of their technology items. Should parents have technology-related questions over the summer, they can contact us at [email protected].
Exceptions:
- All EC student iPads at Willow Grove will be collected at the end of the school year. We will redeploy class sets at the start of the 2023-24 school year.
- All 8th-grade student iPads will be collected on the morning of Wednesday, May 24, at both middle schools.
- Any student who is confirmed not returning to District 96 for the 2023-24 school year will need to turn in his or her technology items on the last day of school.
- Any student who unenrolls from District 96 (during the school year or during the summer) is required to turn in his/her technology items as soon as possible after they confirm unenrollment, even if families indicate they are planning to return at a later date, District 96 technology items should be collected.
NEW *Student/Parent Handbook Reminders*
Standards for Student Dress
Students who are appropriately and comfortably dressed are able to focus on schoolwork more effectively. The following guidelines will be enforced by building administrators. Cooperation by parents is appreciated.
1. Dress or appearance that provokes or distracts other students or otherwise causes a disruption to the educational process is prohibited.
2. Shoes must be worn at all times.
3. Clothing, jewelry, or accessories may not have writing or pictures that advertise or advocate alcohol, drugs, tobacco, obscenity, violence, or gang activity.
4. Pants must be worn at the waistline.
5. Hats are allowed on designated hat days only.
6. Half shirts, cropped tops, spaghetti straps, and underwear or sleepwear worn as outerwear are not acceptable.
7. Undergarments may not be visible.
8. With the exception of appropriate jewelry, no chains should be worn.
Students who are in violation of the policy and rules of student dress code will be asked to comply with the rules by either changing to other attire that is available at school or by having parents bring different clothes from home. In the event there is noncompliance to the above regulations, a student may receive disciplinary action.
NEW: Animals on Campus
As a general rule, animals are not allowed on the school campus or grounds during school hours when children are present. The exception would be when the assistance of a dog is required due to a disability. The service dog must be identified visually with a vest and harnessed, leashed, or tethered while on campus.
In all other cases, written permission must be obtained from the District Office before an animal is allowed on school grounds.
REPEAT *Proof of Dental Exam*
Dear Parents/Guardians of District 96 Kindergarteners, 2nd, and 6th Grade Students:
Please note that your child’s completed dental examination is now due, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is due no later than May 15 of the current school year. Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.
If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form and return it to your child’s school nurse.
In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination.
REPEAT *Cross-Cultural Expert Speaks May 23*
An expert in the raising of children cross-culturally will share her wisdom with District 96 families at the end of next month. Author Ruth E. Van Reken speaks virtually on “Raising Children Cross-Culturally: Maximizing the Benefits, Minimizing the Challenges'' on May 23, 2023 (7-8:30 p.m.). She is the author of “Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds (3rd edition).”
Here’s what she will discuss:
“There is no question that there are many gifts for those who grow up interacting with different cultural communities. Learning to ‘code-switch’ positively in certain situations can be a great asset in today’s globalizing world. Being a cultural bridge is another gift that can come with such a childhood. But the realities of juggling the differing expectations between different cultural contexts can also introduce certain challenges. Questions related to identity, attachment, and belonging are often common during this process. This session will not only help to normalize why these challenges frequently arise, but also share practical strategies for how parents and other caregivers can help children maximize the gifts and grow from the challenges as well.”
To pre-register, please visit: https://kcsd96.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArduCsrTwrGNL2dHxfbVHDgroIyXKYP1hP.
For questions, please contact Lubna Andrabi, Community Parent Liaison, at [email protected].