August 25, 2023
Good afternoon families,
The first full week of school was fantastic, and we didn’t let the heat get us down! It has been great to walk into classrooms, the gym, or outside on the playground and see all the positive connections that have already been made between students and staff. This week, Mrs. Clausell and I visited each classroom for a reading of What the Road Said, by Cleo Wade. This book is great to represent our school year as it references leadership, perseverance, kindness, and courage as some of its major themes. The students have welcomed us into their classrooms, been great listeners, and engaged in thoughtful discussions about what it means to be a leader. I have challenged all of our students and staff to be leaders this year as we walk the road of the 2023-24 school year.
Thank you to all the families who attended Curriculum Night this week. I hope you enjoyed hearing about the incredible teaching and learning that will happen this year! If you were unable to attend, please reach out to your child’s teacher to obtain a digital version of their presentation.
Next week we will have another full week of school and instruction before the long holiday weekend. Students will be taking MAP on Wednesday 8/30 and Thursday 8/31. A healthy breakfast, good night’s sleep, and some positive words of encouragement will help make these two testing days successful. We look forward to another great week of learning.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Lauren Delahanty
Principal
Mrs. Silverstein's 1st grade class was the last stop on our What the Road Said Book Tour this week!
Important August Dates
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Tuesday, August 29th - Early Release Day
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School starts at 8:25am and ends at 2:05 pm
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Please see the Twin Groves, Woodlawn, and Willow Grove Principal’s Message for attendance times
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Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday August 31 - MAP Testing
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Thursday, August 31st Curriculum Night at Country Meadows
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6:30 to 7:15 p.m. (Grades 1 and 2)
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7:15 to 8 p.m. (Grades 3-5)
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NEW * Early Release Reminder*
Tuesday, August 29th is an Early Release Day. Country Meadows, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, & Prairie will be dismissed at 2:05pm. Please make sure your child is picked up on time. Please see the Twin Groves, Woodlawn, and Willow Grove Principal’s Message for attendance times.
NEW - *NWEA MAP Assessment
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment on Wednesday, August 30th and Thursday, 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 - *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
This developmentally appropriate and interactive program focuses on teaching 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 Friday, September 15, 2023. If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request or your questions to [email protected]
NEW *Student Picture Day*
Prairie’s student picture day is Tuesday, September 12th. More information about purchasing will be in next week’s Principal’s message.
NEW *Prairie Club Information and Sign-Ups
Please read the information below about some of the clubs being offered at Prairie.
NEW - 2023 Talent Show Information
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, December 6th. Auditions will be held in October this year! Sign-ups begin on Friday, September 8th and will run for a week! Please read 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 17th after all auditions are done.
Pictures of the sign-up form will be included in the September 1st Principal’s Message so you can plan accordingly. Email Mrs. Muehling & Miss Heuer if you have any questions!
NEW - Choir Club - Seeking Members For The 23-24 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. The sign-up form will be in the principal’s message next Friday, September 1st.
Choir can only have 70 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 & Miss Heuer and they will be happy to help you!
NEW- Photography Club
We are looking for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who are interested in joining Photography Club. We will take pictures throughout the year to be used in the yearbook and frames around our school. We will begin meeting on September 15th. Please use this link to sign up if interested in joining the Photography Club. The club will meet on Friday mornings at 7:30 and is open to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Space is limited, so sign up now if you are interested!
NEW! - Harry Potter Book Club
Attention Muggles in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade! . . . Come join the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Ms. Sauer & Mrs. Weede will be hosting two different book clubs on Thursdays from 3:00-4:00pm at Prairie. Session 1: September - December we will read book 1 (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) and Session 2 : January - May we will read book 2 (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). Please email Ms. Sauer and Mrs. Weede for the form to participate. Complete the form as soon as possible if your child is interested in either club. Space is limited.
NEW! Let Me Run
Attention 4th and 5th grade BOYS! We are back with our 5th year of Let Me Run! Join Ms. Sauer and Mrs. Davis for Let Me Run, a national social-emotional running program for boys! We will teach your boy about healthy competition, expressing emotions, teamwork, helping others and more! Our activities will prepare us for running a 5K at the end of October. This club meets TWICE per week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-4:30pm. The boys who commit to the team must commit to both days for the whole season: September 6- November 6. There is a fee for this program (not to D96) and a 5K to sign up for on October 28 in Palatine. For now, please use the Let Me Run Interest Form link so we can see how many boys are interested. If we exceed the maximum participant level, we will hold a lottery. You will know if your boy is a member of the team by September 1st. Please find out more about this program at their website www.letmerun.org
REPEAT *Simultaneous Student Pick-Up from Willow Grove & Elementary Schools
Please know that we understand that some families may have concerns related to picking students up from Willow Grove and an elementary school building. Please know that all principals are aware of this concern, and no child will ever be left unattended. We know you may be going to more than one school with the same dismissal time. We appreciate your best effort in picking your children up in a timely manner, and we appreciate you adhering to our dismissal times. If when you arrive at a building your child is not waiting outside with an adult, please park and come to the front office. If you will be after 3:15 to a specific location, please call and inform the office of your ETA.
REPEAT *Arrival and Dismissal Procedures*
Morning Parent Vehicle Drop Off
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The earliest drop-off is 8:10am when adult supervision starts. Students should not be dropped off before 8:10 as there is not adult supervision on campus.
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Right or left turns into the circle are permitted in the morning (NOT the afternoon)
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This occurs in the front circle by the main entrance to Prairie
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Pull up as far as you can
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Students exit the vehicle on the passenger side, if driver side exit is needed, call over a supervisor for assistance
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Adults stay in the vehicle, drop and go.
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NO cell phone use in school zones - Illinois State Law
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Right or left turns leaving the circle are permitted in the morning (NOT the afternoon)
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Students walk to the back of the school, go to the blacktop area for morning recess, and will line up in response to a signal provided by the supervisor. Each day, teachers will up students outside. If there is inclement weather, students will gather by grade level in the multi-purpose room.
After School Parent Vehicle Pick-Up
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Vehicles can turn RIGHT ONLY into the front circle after school. Why? With so many vehicles gathering at the same time, it is necessary to have traffic moving in one direction.
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Pull up as far as you can
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Please tape your family name card to the passenger side front windshield at a height visible to supervisors. Three family name cards were given to your student on the first day of school. If you need more, contact the office.
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Using your family name card will decrease wait time for everyone, as supervisors can quickly call students to vehicles.
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Students will enter the vehicle on the passenger side. Supervisors will assist if driver-side entry is neeed.
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Drivers stay in the car.
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Vehicles can turn RIGHT ONLY out of the front circle after school. Why? With so many vehicles leaving at the same time, it is necessary to have traffic moving in one direction.
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Various after school traffic patterns have been tried over the past 13 years. This after school traffic pattern, though not perfect, has been determined to be the best. It has been observed and approved by the Buffalo Grove Police Department as well. Once the beginning of the school year has past and all procedures are moving smoothly, the average time for after school parent pick up is ten minutes. Naturally, it’s longer with inclement weather. Your cooperation and patience with the protocol is greatly appreciated.
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 17th.
Bus Drop Off & After School Pick Up
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Students who ride the bus will be dropped off and board the bus in the Kingsbridge Circle.
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Upon arrival, students walk to the playground blacktop for morning recess unless there is inclement weather when they will enter the school through the main entrance and report to the multipurpose room.
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After school, students will board the bus. Many supervisors are present to ensure students board the correct bus. Bus signs and student bus tags are color coded for easy verification.
Walkers & Bikers
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Upon arrival, students go to the blacktop for morning recess. If there is inclement weather, they will enter through the main entrance and gather in the multi-purpose room.
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After school, students will either meet up with the family member picking them up or head out on their own. This is a family decision.
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Bikers will park their bikes in the bike rack. Please do not lay bikes on the ground. Scooters can lean against the wall under the windows.
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 in accordance with the district handbook. Please see Section 9.4 in the Parent/Student Handbook regarding permission for students to ride other buses, as in most cases, this is not allowed.
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.
A FAQ for the Approved Snack List can be found here.
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 *Birthday Treats*
Only school-appropriate, non-food items such as pencils, stickers, crazy straws, etc. will be allowed. If you are unsure whether the item is school appropriate, please contact your child's classroom teacher for guidance.
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 ~ 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 *D96 Food Service Information*
ON-LINE MEAL PREPAYMENT SYSTEM (K12PaymentCenter.com)
District 96 parents are encouraged to utilize the District's on-line system to prepay student meal accounts and monitor account activity / balance. There are no fees to use the site or to make online payments. Please click here for more information. If you still have questions regarding the K12PaymentCenter (K12PaymentCenter.com), please feel free to contact Michelle Zelek, Director of Business Services, at [email protected].
Please note: You will need the student ID number at the top of this message to successfully add your student to your K12PaymentCenter account.
Even if you choose to continue to send payment to school rather than pay on-line, we encourage you to utilize the free service to monitor your student's meal history and balance.
FREE MEAL & FEE WAIVER APPLICATION (LunchApplication.com)
If you believe your child may be eligible for a free/reduced meals and fee waiver AND have not yet applied, please utilize our on-line application system at LunchApplication.com. You will need your child's student ID number, provided at the top of this message, to complete the application. Please apply based on your current income information. Please note that if you have already received an email from the District indicating that your student(s) were approved for free or reduced meal benefits during this school year, you need not apply again.
MENUS (KCSD FOOD SERVICE MENU INFO)
Please visit the District 96 Website to view current meal menus. Under the About menu dropdown, select Menus/Manage Account. This page contains links to the menu page, as well as the K12PaymentCenter and LunchApplication.com.
REPEAT *Health Form Deadline*
The district website lists today as the deadline for immunization forms. All immunizations should be completed to avoid school exclusion. Please refer to the D96 Student Health website for more information. https://www.kcsd96.org/student-services/student-health