Good afternoon Prairie families,
What a wonderful first week of school! It was energizing walking into classrooms, the gym, and outside on the playground and seeing all the positive connections that have already been made between students and staff. This week, Mrs. Cameron and I hosted grade-level assemblies where we read “The Circles All Around Us” by Brad Montague.This book has been chosen as our theme for the yearas it encourages kindness, friendship, and inclusion as some of its major themes.
Thank you to all the families who attended Curriculum Night last night. 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. A reminder that Tuesday is an early release day for all schools in District 96. Students will also be taking MAP on Wednesday, 8/28, and Thursday, 8/29. A healthy breakfast, a 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
*Important August Dates*
- Tuesday, August 27th - Early Release at 2:05 p.m. at Country Meadows, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, & Prairie. Please see the Twin Groves, Woodlawn, and Willow Grove Principal’s Message for attendance times.
- Wednesday, August 28th and Thursday, August 29th - MAP Testing
- Thursday, August 29th Curriculum Night at Country Meadows
- 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. (Grades 1 and 2)
- 7:15 to 8 p.m. (Grades 3-5)
Reminder, KCSD96 parents and guardians! Tuesday, August 27th is an Early Release Day. Kindergarten and Grades 1-5 dismiss at 2:05pm. Grades 6-8 dismiss at 1:30pm. Structured EC goes from 8:40am-2:05pm. ECSE/Blended AM goes from 8:40am-10:10am. Blended PM goes from 12:35pm-2:05pm.
NEW *NWEA MAP Assessment*
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in the NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment on Wednesday, August 28th, and Thursday, August 29th. 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 Early Childhood 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 Prairiestudents will be during the school day on Monday, September 9th. If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request or your questions to [emailprotected]
NEW *Fire Drill*
On Friday, August 30th, Prairie will be conducting a Fire Drill. Students will be evacuating the building during the drill. If the weather does not cooperate, we will reschedule the drill and communicate the rescheduled drill date.
NEW * CHOIR CLUB - SEEKING MEMBERS FOR THE 24-25 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, August 30th.
Choir can have approximately 70 members and you will receive an email from Mrs. Muehling & Ms. Heuer shortly after the club is filled. This club fills quickly! If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Muehling and Ms. Heuer and they will be happy to help you!
NEW *2024 VARIETY SHOW (formally known as talent show)- AUDITION SIGN-UP NEXT WEEK*
Attention all Prairie students! Do you have a special talent you would like to share? Prairie School has a variety show every year! The variety show will be on Thursday evening, December 5th. Auditions will be held in October this year!
Sign-ups begin on Friday, August 30th and will run for a week! The sign-up link will be in the Principal’s Message! 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 14th after all auditions are done.
Pictures of the sign-up form are included on this link so you can plan accordingly. Email Mrs. Muehling & Ms. Heuer if you have any questions!
NEW *Yearbook/Photography Club*
The Yearbook/Photography Club is looking for responsible 3rd, 4th and 5th graders to join our club! We meet on Friday mornings from 7:30 - 8:15. We have fun learning about photography techniques and use those when taking pictures for the yearbook. Space is limited, so please be ready to sign up next Friday. The signup link will be included next week. Please contact Chris Weede or Chris Morris with any questions. Meetings will begin Friday, September 13th and will run through May.
NEW *Music Boosters Blog*
Please see the D96 Music Boosters’ Blog for important information related to our music (band and orchestra) program. Click here for the most recent blog post.
REPEAT*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 your student has a SMART watch, it must be placed in airplane/off mode during the school day. 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. If students need to call home, we encourage them to ask their teacher if they can come to the office to use the 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.
REPEAT *Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION*
On Monday, August 26th, Prairie will be conducting the annual Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION. Students will be learning age appropriate safety procedures.
In compliance with the Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Drill EDUCATION with their school peers.
If you do not wish your child to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education with the other peers, please contact Ms. Delahanty at [emailprotected]. The administration will arrange for an alternative review of safety procedures with your child.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the education.
REPEAT *Picture Day - Tuesday, September 10, 2024*
Prairie’s Picture Day is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10th. Flyers will also be sent home with students next Friday, August 30th.
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 *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 *5th Grade Band Starting Next Week, still time to join!*
The band program is open to 5th grade students only. Students may learn one of 7 instruments during their 5th grade year in the beginning band: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, and Percussion. (Percussion consists of drum pad or snare drum and mallets.) We will begin our lessons at Ivy Hall on Wednesday, August 21 and Prairie on Friday, August 23. Many students are already signed up for band but there have been new families that have moved into the area and some families that did not fully make their decision yet, but now want to sign their student up for band. If this is you, please follow this Beginning Band Registration link to sign up your student for band and get the necessary information so they can be ready to go on our first day of practice. If you have questions please email Mr. Nagle, [emailprotected]
REPEAT *Arrival and Dismissal Procedures - PLEASE READ!
REMINDER… RIGHT TURN ONLY out of the pick-up and drop-off circle. NO LEFT TURNS are permitted.
To ensure that student dismissal runs smoothly, we are asking all families to please complete the form linked below. Please complete one form for each child you have attending Prairie. This information will be sent to our front office staff (Mrs. Demas and Mrs. Glassgow) who will then share it with classroom teachers. Thank you for your help.
Prairie Student Dismissal Form - Please Click Here
