Village of Buffalo Grove Intent to Burn Notification
The Village of Buffalo Grove has informed us that they intend to conduct a controlled burn as part of restoration activities at various wetland and natural preserves in the area.  The intended burn has been scheduled during the window of November 1st – April 30th.  This time frame may change due to weather conditions.  Should the burn occur on a school day, PE classes may remain inside as well as recess periods.

Mark Your Calendars

• Family Reading Night – November 17th, 7-8pm, Book Fair opens at 6:30pm
• Book Fair – Monday, November 14th – Friday, November 18th during the school day

Principal Coffees
As you know, the district will be offering four programs based upon a district level survey given earlier this month.  The first of these presentations, Understanding Elementary Standards-Based Report Cards, will be held at Prairie on November 9th at 6:30pm.  Other topics that will be presented this school year, at dates still to be determined include:  Social-Emotional Learning, 21st-Century Learning, and Standards-Based Reporting (Grades 6–8).

At Prairie, I would also like to offer parents an opportunity to discuss topics of interest at an informal coffee.  Please complete the following survey so that I may best plan to meet your needs.   

PTO News
To learn about current PTO events, please visit the PTO Newsletter.

Highlights of the Week

Our 2011-2012 school year “Principal Lunch” days have started.  During a Principal Lunch, I go to each classroom and dine with the students.  This is a great opportunity for me to get to know each student better in their daily school environment.  This year, classroom teachers are working with students to set attainable academic goals.  I am carrying these goal setting discussions over into the principal lunches with a focus on a life-long goal.  I set the stage for life-long goal setting through reading an inspirational story to the class.  I’ve read books such as The Wednesday Surprise, Wilma Unlimited, and Salt in His Shoes.  These stories help illustrate how, what may seem to be the impossible, is really possible if you set your mind to achieving it.  It has been really exciting to hear about all the long-term and career goals of Prairie students.  Third grader Ashley W. shared that she wants to be a teacher because she has had so many great teachers that have really helped her.  Stephen M. from Mrs. Kelly’s class shared that he would like to be an engineer like his parents.  I look forward to meeting with each class over the next several weeks and learning about each student’s future plans.     

Reading Calendars

Students who turn in 6 out of 9 months of reading calendars will receive a pass to Great America for some 2012 summer fun.  Reading calendars should be turned into the classroom teacher.  The calendars can be found on the Prairie website. 

Common Core Standards Highlight

Mr. Paul Louis, Director of Curriculum and Assessment, highlights background information on Illinois’ newly adopted Common Core standards along with a historical perspective of how District 96 has moved over the past several years toward a standards based report card.  Mr. Louis’s podcast, “Common Core Standards as it Relates to Standards Based Reporting,” will be helpful in answering questions you may have regarding this academic reporting format. 

PTO News

This year’s “Monster Mash” will be on Friday, October 28th from 6:30pm to 8pm.  To learn more about this event and others, please visit the PTO Newsletter.

Halloween Festivities Log

• Parade
• Start time is approximately 1:15pm on Monday, October 31st
• Parents are welcome to watch outside
• If the weather is inclement, the parade will be inside for students & staff only
• Students will exit the doors on Kingsbridge, walk toward Brandywyn, up around the circle drive, and students will re-enter the building by the gym doors
• Assembly
• The assembly is for students and staff only due to space constraints
• Parties
• Parties will begin at approximately 2:00pm and end at 2:45pm
• Only parent party volunteers may attend classroom parties
• If you are a volunteer, it is recommended that you have your driver’s license scanned into our security system prior to party day so that your badge can be ready for you upon arrival
• Going Home for Lunch
• Students must be picked up in the office by a parent if they are going home for lunch to change into their costumes
• Costumes
• Students will change into their costumes after the lunch period
• Must be appropriate for school
• No masks, blood, super scary stuff, general iciness, or weapons
• No cigars or cigarette items
• No bare tummies
• Please keep hair coloring and make-up simple

After School Pick-Up

When picking up your child after school, please remember that the large staff parking lot is not to be used for student pick-up.  This is a safety precaution in that it is unsafe for children to be walking through a the parking lot.  Children are often difficult to see and we would not want any child getting hurt.  Please arrange a pick-up location with your child along Brandywyn or Kingsbridge.  Thank you for your help in keeping our kids safe.   

Understanding Your Child’s New Report Card – November 9^th

The District is hosting a parent informational night dedicated to your child’s new report card.  You will learn how the new report card differs from ones used in the past.  The benefits of this new reporting tool for students, parents and teachers will also be highlighted.  The date and location of this meeting has been changed to November 9^th at 7:00 PM in Prairie’s gymnasium.

4^th Grade Orchestra Concert

• Thursday, October 27^th at Prairie Elementary School

Highlights of the Week

At our second Positively Prairie assembly of the year today, we welcomed our new friend Parker the Prairie Dog.  Parker had little work to do to get the kids pumped up as he danced about to Who Let the Dogs Out. Our new Positively Prairie Student Leadership Team made its debut today as well.  These students led three skits on positive and expected behaviors.  The skits discussed positive bus behavior, how to include classmates by being a good partner, and how to behave appropriately at assemblies.  Congratulations to this new Prairie student leadership team on a terrific performance today.  We look forward to seeing you and Parker again at our next assembly.    

Common Core Standards Highlight

Mr. Paul Louis, Director of Curriculum and Assessment, highlights background information on Illinois’ newly adopted Common Core standards along with a historical perspective of how District 96 has moved over the past several years toward a standards based report card.  Mr. Louis’s podcast, “Common Core Standards as it Relates to Standards Based Reporting,” will be helpful in answering questions you may have regarding this academic reporting format. 

PTO News

This year’s “Monster Mash” will be on Friday, October 28th from 6:30pm to 8pm.  To learn more about this event and others, please visit the PTO Newsletter.

Halloween Festivities Log

• Parade
• Start time is approximately 1:15pm on Monday, October 31st
• Parents are welcome to watch outside
• If the weather is inclement, the parade will be inside for students & staff only
• Students will exit the doors on Kingsbridge, walk toward Brandywyn, up around the circle drive, and students will re-enter the building by the gym doors
• Assembly
• The assembly is for students and staff only due to space constraints
• Parties
• Parties will begin at approximately 2:00pm and end at 2:45pm
• Only parent party volunteers may attend classroom parties
• If you are a volunteer, it is recommended that you have your driver’s license scanned into our security system prior to party day so that your badge can be ready for you upon arrival
• Going Home for Lunch
• Students must be picked up in the office by a parent if they are going home for lunch to change into their costumes
• Costumes
• Students will change into their costumes after the lunch period
• Must be appropriate for school
• No masks, blood, super scary stuff, general iciness, or weapons
• No cigars or cigarette items
• No bare tummies
• Please keep hair coloring and make-up simple

After School Pick-Up

When picking up your child after school, please remember that the large staff parking lot is not to be used for student pick-up.  This is a safety precaution in that it is unsafe for children to be walking through a the parking lot.  Children are often difficult to see and we would not want any child getting hurt.  Please arrange a pick-up location with your child along Brandywyn or Kingsbridge.  Thank you for your help in keeping our kids safe.   

Understanding Your Child’s New Report Card – November 9^th

The District is hosting a parent informational night dedicated to your child’s new report card.  You will learn how the new report card differs from ones used in the past.  The benefits of this new reporting tool for students, parents and teachers will also be highlighted.  The date and location of this meeting has been changed to November 9^th at 7:00 PM in Prairie’s gymnasium.

4^th Grade Orchestra Concert

• Thursday, October 27^th at Prairie Elementary School

Highlights of the Week

Our third grade students went on a field trip this week to Archer School House.  This field trip was a preview to the Trimester 2 Prairie Unit that students will be starting in November.  At Archer School House, students had an opportunity to compare and contrast the differences between their 21st century lives and the lives of children in the 1800s.  They also were able to see how Long Grove used to appear in maps.  Another Prairie Unit activity that third graders have to look forward to soon is the Conastoga Wagon Route Museum.  During this visit, experts will share with students the realities of settling the prairie and western territories through travelling in a Conastoga wagon.  

Professional Learning

Our Friday Institute Day was really excititng.  Our day was launched by 4th grader Daniel G. from Ivy Hall School who gave a presentation entitled “I Believe.”  Daniel spoke to the entire District 96 staff, over 300 people, about believing in our students and ourselves.  He shared how important our daily work is in helping children feel safe and cared for in the school setting and that we ensure our students are prepared for high school and college.  Daniel did an awesome job!!  

For the remainder of the day, teachers expanded their knowledge regarding second language learners in regard to how students qualify for English Language Learner (ELL) and Bilingual programs.  Teachers also expanded their knowledge on various instructional strategies that can be used to assist English acquistion students in meeting learning targets.  Teachers gained information as well on additional methods to assess student reading fluency and comprehension skills which will assist in planning instruction and growing all children’s reading skills.    

PTO News

This year’s “Monster Mash” will be on Friday, October 28th from 6:30pm to 8pm.  To learn more about this event and others, please visit the PTO Newsletter.

Halloween

Halloween will be here before you know it!  I want to remind parents that are already beginning to shop or construct their child’s costume that we do not allow any weapons or masks at school.  I also encourage all parents that are PTO room volunteers for the Halloween party to come into school before October 31^st to get your license scanned through the Raptor security system if you have not done so already.  As you recall, parent licenses are required by the Raptor system to print your mandatory visitor’s badge.  Parents that are just planning to watch the parade outdoors do not need a badge.  Additional information regarding the parade route and other Prairie Halloween traditions will be included in my next newsletter. 

Picture Retakes

Retakes will occur this Wednesday, October 12th.  Students will need to return the original set of photographs at the time of the picture sitting. 

2^nd Grade Math Night

Please be reminded that 2^nd grade Math Night is this Tuesday, October 11^th at 7pm at Kildeer School.  Our math specialist, Mrs. Arlene Steinberg, will teach parents many strategies used with our math curriculum that you may not be unfamiliar with.  If you are looking for some help in helping out with homework, don’t miss this presentation. 

Mark Your Calendar

*Understanding Your Child’s New Report Card – November 9^th

 • The District is hosting a parent informational night dedicated to your

   child’s new report card.  You will learn how the new report card differs from

   ones used in the past.  The benefits of this new reporting tool for students,

   parents and teachers will also be highlighted.  The date of this meeting has

   been changed to November 9^th at 7:00 PM with a new location in Prairie’s gymnasium.

*4^th Grade Orchestra Concert

• Thursday, October 27^th at Prairie Elementary School

Backpack Check

•    Students’ results on the MAP Assessment sent home Thursday, Oct. 6th

•    Fourth and fifth grade students’ Spring 2011 ISAT results sent home Thursday, Oct. 6th