Dear Parents:
There have been so many moments to celebrate this past week at Prairie. Congratulations to all of our orchestra and band students who performed at their concerts this past week. We are also so proud of all of our students who were nominated as a Prairie representative at the Stevenson High School Consortium Art Festival.
Upcoming Dates
- May 23: Early Release
- May 23: Beginning Orchestra Registration Night at Woodlawn (7 p.m.; for all District 3rd grade families)
- May 26: Half Day
- May 29: No School
- June 2: Last Day of School (Half Day)
*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 light-colored clothin,g 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
*REPEAT* Library News
This is a reminder to please start looking under beds, in closets, cars, and backpacks for our loved library books
.All books are due back in the library today ~ on May 19 ~ in order for book inventory to take place. Our public libraries have wonderful summer reading programs.
I highly recommend them to encourage your child to read over the summer.
Mrs. Spivack
*NEW* PPLC Spirit Week
Friday, May 26th - Beach Day - You can dress up like how you would when you go to the beach. You can wear Hawaiian hats, sunglasses, (the only thing you shouldn’t do is wear a bathing suit), etc.
Tuesday, May 30th - Decade Day -
- 1st grade: 90s style
- 2nd grade: 80s style
- 3rd grade: 70s style
- 4th grade: 60s style
- 5th grade: 50s style
Wednesday, May 31st - Patriotic Day: Wear Red, White and Blue Colors!
Thursday, June 1st - Color Day
- 1st grade: Neon
- 2nd grade: Purple
- 3rd grade: Red
- 4th grade: Blue
- 5th grade: Pink
Friday, June 2nd - Spirit Day: Sport Day
NEW *2023 Summer Reading*
This summer, we want students to experience the pure joy of reading. Since the purpose of summer reading is to help foster a love of reading, we strongly feel that students should read a book that is of high interest to them and close to the difficulty level of text they would encounter during the school year.
To support our elementary students in continuing to read over the summer, each grade level has a recommended reading list, as well as optional reading lessons that can be completed independently by students. Both the lists and the summer reading lessons can be found on our district website.
NEW *Band Information*
Attention 4th grade parents
The chance to sign up for 5th grade band is happening now! Your child has already taken home information about band and play tested several band instruments.
There is a band information meeting for all interested 4th grade parents on Monday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Twin Groves Middle School band room (students are also allowed to attend). At that meeting the band teacher Mr. Nagle will explain the band program, the instruments, the schedule, the costs, and how to get an instrument and supplies. If you can't attend the meeting be sure to look over the information on the band website here.
Band sign up and instrument rental is on Wednesday, May 24, anytime from 4:00-7:00 in the Twin Groves cafeteria. Online sign up will also be available on the band website starting on that date.
REPEAT *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.
REPEAT *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.
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].