Saturday, January 28, 2012

Principal's Message 1.27.12

Highlight of the Week
This past Wednesday, the 5th graders gave their final whole class choral concert.  The Sound of Music was a wonderful production with many of our 5th graders giving solo or duet performances on the piano and through song.  The performance was very well attended.  Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, and other family members that came out to see the students perform.  A huge thank you to Mr. Dan Nagle for his creative vision and direction of our young performers.


MAP Testing
Students in grades 2 - 5 took the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) reading assessment this week.  Next week, students in grades 2 - 5 will take the math portion of the assessment.  During the week of February 6th, first graders will take both the reading and math assessments.  As you recall, teachers use the results of these assessments to examine students' growth over time.  We look forward to sharing your child's results with you in the near future.  If you have any questions regarding MAP testing, please contact your child's teacher.



PTO Highlight
Please go to the  PTO Newsletter to learn about upcoming PTO events.  



Parent Presentation
On Thursday, February 2nd, District 96 will be presenting Understanding 21st Century Learning.  We look forward to seeing you at Twin Groves at 7:00pm.   


Please RSVP
Are you planning on attending the upcoming Principal's Coffee focusing on Developing Positive Relationships and Behaviors in Your Child on Monday, February 6th at 9:00am or 6:30pm?  If so, please respond through our electronic RSVP.  We look forward to seeing you soon.   

New Food Service Options for Elementary Schools
2nd Entrée
As of February 1st, students will have the opportunity to purchase a 2nd entrée (i.e., the main course only) at a price of $1.25.  This option is available only after first purchasing or obtaining a complete Type A Meal (Full price = $2.60).  Students previously had only the option to purchase an entire 2nd meal (i.e., entrée, sides and beverage) for $2.60.  Just as with the purchase of an entire 2nd meal, the student will need to return to the serving line to purchase the 2nd entrée.  The cashier will have the student complete a logbook entry in which he or she will check off the additional item purchased and sign off on the entry.

Limited A la Carte Offerings
Elementary students will also now have a limited a la carte menu available to them for an additional charge starting in February.  Aramark will display a la carte menu signage and work to educate the children, emphasizing that the items on the snack table are considered “extra” and should be purchased only if the child has obtained parent permission to do so.  The items to be offered are shown below.  Students may purchase them through the normal serving line.  If a child who brought lunch from home wishes to supplement his or her meal with an a la carte item, the child may go through the serving line to do so.  As students who bring their own lunch may not have their lunch ID cards available to them once in the cafeteria, those purchasing an a la carte item will also be asked to complete a logbook entry, checking off the extra item(s) purchased and signing off on the entry.

Please discuss these new options with your child and feel free to contact the Food Service Department at 847-325-2592 if you have any questions or concerns.

Elementary a la Carte Items
Teddy Grahams.........................................0.80
Whole Grain Cereal Bars..........................0.50
Mozzarella Cheese Stick...........................0.60
Baked Gold Fish.......................................0.65
Danimals Yogurt.......................................0.65
Red-Fat Otis Muffins (Asst. Flavors)........0.75
Honey Pretzel Twist .................................0.90
Rold Gold Mini Twists..............................0.90

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Principal's Message 1.20.12

MAP Testing
On Monday we will begin administering the Measures of Academic Progress (M.A.P.) assessment to all students.  As you recall, the M.A.P. assessment is administered to students three times a year in the areas of reading and math.  This assessment allows educators to examine students’ progress in these content areas over time.  This assessment is also used to reevaluate students’ need for intervention outside of the regular education classroom.  We look forward to sharing your child’s results with you.  

Willow Grove Kindergarten Registration is Now Open
Kindergarten registration for the 2012-2013  school year began on January 3, 2012.  Students must be 5 years old  on or before September 1, 2012.  Registration will be accepted at Willow Grove Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm when school is in session.  Please bring an original birth certificate (not a copy), travel visa, or passport for the enrolling student.  Additionally please bring two proofs of residency:  tax bill or monthly mortgage statement or current lease agreement AND utility bill or home insurance bill or driver's license.  Any questions please call Willow Grove's Administrative Assistant Sue Winston at 847-541-3660.

Principal Coffee
Our first Principal Coffee presentation will focus on the social-emotional topic Developing Positive Relationships and Behaviors in Your Child. This presentation will occur on Monday, February 6th, at 9am and 6:30pm.  Miss Erin Sauer, Social Worker, and I look forward to seeing you there.

PTO Highlight
The Go Roma fundraiser is this Thursday, January 26th.  Please stop by Go Roma to help raise funds for Prairie School.  Other exciting PTO events can be found in the PTO Newsletter

K.I.D.S. Mini-Grant Opportunity
Our students are invited by the District 96 Foundation to be creative and suggest their ideas for making their classrooms and our school a better place to learn. The Foundation is again accepting nominations online for K.I.D.S. mini-grants (Kids Initiating a Difference in School). Please encourage your child to apply. Find the KIDS MINI-GRANT LINK on the front page of the District website. The last day K.I.D.S. mini-grant proposals will be accepted is Monday, January 31st. Questions? Contact Foundation President Wright Chase at wwc11@aol.com.

Family Nutrition Learning Opportunity
Is improving what your family eats one of your New Year’s Resolutions? Nutrition for children is the topic of the daytime Parent-To-Parent Network program next Wednesday., January 18th (9:00 a.m. at Sunset Foods in Long Grove, 2nd floor). If you want more information about this free program featuring dietician Dave Grotto, please call the public info coordinator at 847.459.4260, ext. 7722.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Principal's Message 1.13.12

Highlight of the Week
Today we had our second Positively Prairie assembly of the school year.  The Positively Prairie Student Leadership Team provided our students with positive and negative examples of behaviors that depicted our Positively Prairie tenets of being kind, respectful, responsible, and ready.  Students in the audience watched mini-skits and then applauded for the positive behavior.  Students leaders did a really nice job of illustrating appropriate behaviors.  Also at our assembly today, Parker the Prairie Dog made an exciting appearance dancing and dribbling a basketball to get everyone pumped up.  Mr. Nagle closed our assembly with our beloved Prairie School Song.  


Box Tops for Education
Thanks to all families for saving and sending into school Box Tops for Education.   This week we received a check from Box Tops for $200.  As always, this money goes back into the Student Activity Fund and is used for programs and activities that directly benefit our kids.  Please keep clipping!!  


Willow Grove Kindergarten Registration is Now Open
Kindergarten registration for the 2012-2013  school year began on January 3, 2012.  Students must be 5 years old  on or before September 1, 2012.  Registration will be accepted at Willow Grove Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm when school is in session.  Please bring an original birth certificate (not a copy), travel visa, or passport for the enrolling student.  Additionally please bring two proofs of residency:  tax bill or monthly mortgage statement or current lease agreement AND utility bill or home insurance bill or driver's license.  Any questions please call Willow Grove's Administrative Assistant Sue Winston at 847-541-3660.


K.I.D.S. Mini-Grant Opportunity
Our students are invited by the District 96 Foundation to be creative and suggest their ideas for making their classrooms and our school a better place to learn. The Foundation is again accepting nominations online for K.I.D.S. mini-grants (Kids Initiating a Difference in School). Please encourage your child to apply. Find the KIDS MINI-GRANT LINK on the front page of the District website. The last day K.I.D.S. mini-grant proposals will be accepted is Monday, January 31st. Questions? Contact Foundation President Wright Chase at wwc11@aol.com.


Family Nutrition Learning Opportunity
Is improving what your family eats one of your New Year’s Resolutions? Nutrition for children is the topic of the daytime Parent-To-Parent Network program next Wednesday., January 18th (9:00 a.m. at Sunset Foods in Long Grove, 2nd floor). If you want more information about this free program featuring dietician Dave Grotto, please call the public info coordinator at 847.459.4260, ext. 7722.


Snow and Recess
We finally have some beautiful snow covering our landscape.  Please remember that for students to be able to play in the field when snow is present, they must have snow boots and snow pants.  


The Human Growth and Development Unit 
This annual curricular unit will be taught from January 17th-23rd to all third,  fourth and fifth grade students.  The unit will deal primarily with the informational aspects of human growth and development.  Instruction will be provided by Mrs. Androjna and Mrs. Lehtman.  If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact either of our P.E. teachers.

Principal Coffee
Thank you to all parents who responded to our online Principal Coffee Survey.  Our first presentation will focus on the social-emotional topic Developing Positive Relationships and Behaviors in Your Child. This presentation will occur on Monday, February 6th, at 9am and 6:30pm.  Miss Erin Sauer, Social Worker, and I look forward to seeing you there.



PTO Highlight
Please visit the PTO Newsletter to learn about upcoming PTO events and news. 

Friday, January 6, 2012

Principal's Message 1.6.12

Welcome Back ~ Happy 2012!


Highlight of the Week
It has been so much fun this week hearing about students' winter break adventures.  Many students stayed home and enjoyed relaxation time with family and friends.  Other students enjoyed traveling near and far during the holidays.  The Prairie staff is happy everyone is back safe and sound.


Today we had an assembly featuring The Rope Warrior through the PTO Cultural Arts Program.  This exciting assembly featuring David Fisher conveys a message of positive character, life-long physical fitness, intertwined with amazing rope jumping feats that most of us could only dream of doing.  Be sure to ask your child what their favorite part of today's assembly was as Mr. Fisher's performance was an exciting part of their day.  Thank you PTO Cultural Arts Program for sponsoring this assembly and to all our families and teachers who support the PTO in their work of providing quality programs for our students.


Isn't it supposed to be cold right now?
With our recent unusual weather, please stay tuned into the weather reports in the event temperatures should quickly turn cold.  Students may not need mittens, hats, and warmer coats one day but require them the next.  Please remember that we do have outdoor recess when the temperature &/or wind chill is 10 degrees or higher.  Thank you for helping your child to be properly prepared for morning outdoor line up and recess.



The Human Growth and Development Unit 
This annual curricular unit will be taught from January 17th-23rd to all third,  fourth and fifth grade students.  The unit will deal primarily with the informational aspects of human growth and development.  Instruction will be provided by Mrs. Androjna and Mrs. Lehtman.  If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact either of our P.E. teachers.

Principal Coffee
Thank you to all parents who responded to our online Principal Coffee Survey.  Our first presentation will focus on the social-emotional topic Developing Positive Relationships and Behaviors in Your Child. This presentation will occur on Monday, February 6th, at 9am and 6:30pm.  Miss Erin Sauer, Social Worker, and I look forward to seeing you there.


4th Grade Parent Math Night
4th grade parents districtwide please join us on Wednesday, January 11th at 7pm at Prairie for a presentation from our Math Specialist, Mrs. Arlene Steinberg.



PTO Highlight
Please visit the PTO Newsletter to learn about upcoming PTO events and news. 

Upcoming Choir Concerts
  • 5th Grade Choir:  Tuesday, January 24th at 7pm
  • 2nd Grade Choir: Tuesday, February 21st at 7pm
  • 4th Grade Choir:  Thursday, April 12th at 7pm