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