Principal's Message 4.12.13

Parent Teacher Conferences
Thanks to all our parents for wonderful parent-teacher conferences.  We enjoy sharing the growth that your child has made over the course of the school year.  

Student Council News
Next Friday, April 19th the student council is sponsoring Decade Day! Whether it is 50's rock 'n roll, 70's hippie or  80's punk, dress like your favorite decade! We can't wait to see all the creative outfits!

PTO Board Positions & Committee Chairmanships

It is that time of year again.  On the PTO website, you will find forms to sign up both for the open Executive Board positions and for Chairs. It is the most fun to chair events with friends so if there is something that interests you, see if you can find a friend and indicate this on the form.  If you are currently in a Chair or Board position and wish to continue, you still need to fill out and return a form indicating this. Some of these committees take very little time to run and are great for those of us with super busy schedules. Email Suzanne Dicker, suzannedicker@yahoo.com, or Cynthia Zarkowsky, zarkstron@sbcglobal.net, with questions and they will be happy to steer you in a good direction.

There are a GREAT MANY SPOTS to fill! Please consider getting involved at some level. It takes many hands to do all the things that make Prairie so special.

Art Auction

Don't miss out on a fun adult evening.  On Friday, April 19th from 7-9:30pm at Cubby Bear North, 21661 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, the PTO is hosting annual Art Auction.  Be present to bid on awesome original classroom art projects and silent auction items such as restaurant gift cards, theater and sports tickets, golf clubs, Principal for a Day, and exciting teacher sponsored activities.  Cost:  $15/person in advance, $18 at the door.  Appetizers and desserts will be served. Questions:  Aimee Brohl at 847.793.0055, Patricia DeJesus at 847.478.8015, or Jennifer Salpietro at 847.478.0654.

News from Student Council...

The Prairie School Student Council is sponsoring a toy drive to provide children in our community with toys and games. Prairie students and families are invited to donate gently used toys and games. Toys and games can be dropped off in the lobby entrance. The toy drive runs from April 8-April 19. Our school-wide goal is to collect 400 toys or games! If we reach our goal, all of the students at Prairie School will be rewarded with a Prairie Pod Party, where students can play games with any other kids in their pods. Let’s all work together to meet our goal and help out less fortunate children in our community! Click here for a terrific Toy Drive commercial. 

5th Grade Parents - Click Here!
Check out the UPDATED CURRICULUM WEBPAGE with a link to 6th grade placement information.

**Click here for the PTO Newsletter.**  

Upcoming Dates

April 8 - 19th - Student Council Toy Drive
Thursday, April 18th - 4th Grade Concert at 6:30pm

Friday, April 19th - Art Auction - Cubby Bear North 7 - 9:30pm

Wednesday, May 15th - Prairie Celebrates Learning at 6pm-7pm

Thursday, May 16th - Orchestra Extravaganza Concert Grades 4-8 at Twin Groves

Thursday, May 23rd - 5th grade trip to Twin Groves
Friday, May 31st - Talent Show at 6:30pm

Thursday, June 6th - Last Day of School

Principal's Message 4.5.13

Principal's Lunch Showcase
This week I met with my last Principal's Lunch Showcase (PLS) classroom, Mrs. Saltzberg's homeroom, for this school year.  We had such a great time at our special seating area in the lunchroom simply talking and hanging out.  The kids shared with me all of their fun spring break adventures such as going on cruises, skiing in Colorado, and simply hanging out at home with family and friends.  

The PLS lunches this year have been such a wonderful way for me to get to know the kids more closely outside of the classroom.  Learning students' hobbies and talents has been really great and provides me with expanded talking topics with them when we pass in the hall or when I'm visiting their classrooms.  I look forward to the next round of PLSs next school year.   

Straight from the Superintendents

On Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m., at Stevenson High School (West Building, Rm. 2104), superintendents from Districts 96, 102, 103, and Stevenson will talk about ways they are working together to improve student learning and organizational efficiency. Their discussion will also focus on the new Common Core learning standards.  Join District 96 Superintendent Julie Schmidt and her peers to learn more.  Stevenson High School is located at One Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire. Park in Lot B.

Registration Update–Register by May 17 to Save

Registration emails were sent out April 1 for the 2013-14 school year.  ALL students who will attend District 96 in the Aug. 2013–June 2014 school year must register. 

Click on the link in the registration email you were sent to open the online registration form for your student. The subject line of the email reads: "Register your District 96 Student for 2013–2014 School Year."

Please read carefully to confirm the accuracy of the information that appears. It is very important that we have current contact information for your family to send you communications and to reach you in an emergency. Please update your information as necessary. 

Registration questions? Please call 847.459.4260, ext. 7722

P2P Network

As busy families, it's harder than ever to connect with other parents experiencing the same pleasures–and challenges!–involved in raising our kids. Building community in our schools and as a district helps us develop friendships and support each other. The District's Parent-to-Parent (P2P) Network exists for that very purpose, and I hope you have been able to attend some P2P programs this year.  If your calendar allows, the last P2P program sounds like fun...

Moms Need to Laugh

The D96 Parent-to-Parent Network is inviting all moms to The Grove Country Club (formerly Hillcrest), 3217 Rt. 53, Long Grove, at 10:30 a.m. on Fri., Apr. 12, for a program presented by Second City-trained professional keynote Sally Edwards. This program is just for fun–for moms who could use a good laugh and a comedian's insight into "women's life stages' and "the  secret to a good life." Don't miss this chance to meet other District 96 moms and enjoy some time together. The program is FREE. Guests also have the option to stay for lunch afterward if they choose ($18, including beverage, tax, and tip; order when seated from a menu including  salads and sandwiches).  DO YOU PLAN TO ATTEND?

PTO Board Positions & Committee Chairmanships
It is that time of year again.  On the PTO website, you will find forms to sign up both for the open Executive Board positions and for Chairs. It is the most fun to chair events with friends so if there is something that interests you, see if you can find a friend and indicate this on the form.  If you are currently in a Chair or Board position and wish to continue, you still need to fill out and return a form indicating this. Some of these committees take very little time to run and are great for those of us with super busy schedules. Email Suzanne Dicker, suzannedicker@yahoo.com, or Cynthia Zarkowsky, zarkstron@sbcglobal.net, with questions and they will be happy to steer you in a good direction.

There are a GREAT MANY SPOTS to fill! Please consider getting involved at some level. It takes many hands to do all the things that make Prairie so special.

Art Auction

Don't miss out on a fun adult evening.  On Friday, April 19th from 7-9:30pm at Cubby Bear North, 21661 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, the PTO is hosting annual Art Auction.  Be present to bid on awesome original classroom art projects and silent auction items such as restaurant gift cards, theater and sports tickets, golf clubs, Principal for a Day, and exciting teacher sponsored activities.  Cost:  $15/person in advance, $18 at the door.  Appetizers and desserts will be served. Questions:  Aimee Brohl at 847.793.0055, Patricia DeJesus at 847.478.8015, or Jennifer Salpietro at 847.478.0654.

Pics from our March 15th Pajama Day
Take a look.....https://sites.google.com/a/kcsd96.org/prairie/

Babysitting for Parent Teacher Conferences

Twin Groves 6th Girl Scout Troop 41416 (former Prairie School Girl Scouts) will be providing babysitting services during the upcoming Parent-Teacher Converences. Please help Troop 41416 feed the hungry by utilizing their services. For 1 hour of babysitting Troop 41416 kindly requests 1 non-perishable food item or $2 donation per child (for children over 1 year of age only, please). Food donations will be given to the Vernon Township food pantry. Your financial support helps the girls of Troop 41416 earn their Silver Award. This award is the highest Girl Scout service award for Junior Girl Scouts. 

Locations are as follows:

Monday, April 8: 4:45pm - 6pm in room 19

Monday, April 8: 6pm - 8:45pm in the gym

Tuesday, April 9: 9:45am - 1:45pm in the gym

No reservation necessary, children should be older than 1 year (sorry, we will not be changing diapers), parents cannot leave the school and must provide a cell phone number and a conference room number.  For additional information regarding babysitting please email Nina Strezewski nina_strez@yahoo.com.

Creating Balanced Class Lists

I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information about your child’s learning style and needs, received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 26th, 2013.  I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing. As you can imagine, we receive lots of parent input, and verbal information is nearly impossible to track. Further, please direct all of this communication to me as ultimately I am responsible for reviewing final class lists in August when teachers are not working.  While we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored.  Please put your thoughts in writing and address them to me either via hard copy letter or email (cpfaff@kcsd96.org).

**Click here for the PTO Newsletter.**  

Upcoming Dates

Monday, April 8th & Tuesday, April 9th - Parent - Teacher Conferences
April 8 - 19th - Student Council Toy Drive

Wednesday, May 15th - Prairie Celebrates Learning at 6pm-7pm
Thursday, May 23rd - 5th grade trip to Twin Groves

Thursday, June 6th - Last Day of School

Principal's Message 3.22.13

Positively Prairie Highlight
Today we had our monthly Prairie Pal Buddy Activity.  Students came together to do something kind for other children.  Our student buddies made cards stuffed with an activity sheet for hospitalized kids at Edwards Hospital in Naperville.  Our kids were really excited about doing something kind for others.    

Babysitting for Parent Teacher Conferences

Twin Groves 6th Girl Scout Troop 41416 (former Prairie School Girl Scouts) will be providing babysitting services during the upcoming Parent-Teacher Converences. Please help Troop 41416 feed the hungry by utilizing their services. For 1 hour of babysitting Troop 41416 kindly requests 1 non-perishable food item or $2 donation per child (for children over 1 year of age only, please). Food donations will be given to the Vernon Township food pantry. Your financial support helps the girls of Troop 41416 earn their Silver Award. This award is the highest Girl Scout service award for Junior Girl Scouts. 

Locations are as follows:

Monday, April 8: 4:45pm - 6pm in room 19

Monday, April 8: 6pm - 8:45pm in the gym

Tuesday, April 9: 9:45am - 1:45pm in the gym

No reservation necessary, children should be older than 1 year (sorry, we will not be changing diapers), parents cannot leave the school and must provide a cell phone number and a conference room number.  For additional information regarding babysitting please email Nina Strezewski nina_strez@yahoo.com.

Creating Balanced Class Lists
I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information about your child’s learning style and needs, received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 26th, 2013.  I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing. As you can imagine, we receive lots of parent input, and verbal information is nearly impossible to track. Further, please direct all of this communication to me as ultimately I am responsible for reviewing final class lists in August when teachers are not working.  While we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored.  Please put your thoughts in writing and address them to me either via hard copy letter or email (cpfaff@kcsd96.org).

**Click here for the PTO Newsletter.**  

Upcoming Dates

Monday, April 1st - Return from Spring Break

Monday, April 8th & Tuesday, April 9th - Parent - Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, May 15th - Prairie Celebrates Learning at 6pm-7pm

Thursday, June 6th - Last Day of School

Principal's Message 3.15.13

Parents of current 5th graders, if you missed the orientation program presented this week on Tues., Mar. 12, here are MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT ORIENTATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS. School supply kits for students who will attend Twin Groves next year must be purchased through Twin Groves by Apr. 12. MORE INFO

PTO Board Positions... News from Co-President Cynthia Zarkowsky
Hi all! It is that time of year again. In the PTO newsletter, you will find forms to sign up for both open Executive Board positions and for Chair positions. It is the most fun to chair events with friends so if there is something that interests you, see if you can find a friend and indicate this on the form.  If you are currently in a Chair or Board position and wish to continue (most chair positions are a two year commitment whenever possible) you will still need to fill out and return a form indicating this. Some of these committees take very little time to run and are great for parents with super busy schedules. Email Suzanne Dicker at suzannedicker@yahoo.com or Cynthia Zarkowsky at zarkstron@sbcglobal.net with any questions and we would be happy to steer you in a good direction. 

Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and other staff members.  We at Prairie take it very seriously.  The process for class list creation is as follows:

• First, teachers think about the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision making process.
• Next, teachers meet together as grade level teams to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering friendships and other areas.  This is no easy task and often takes several meetings.  Teachers consider each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a match for each individual child.  Specialists and the specials team collaborate with the teams as needed during this process as well, and I attend each of these meetings.
• Each grade level team types a draft set of class lists that are then submitted to me.  One at a time, I will consider each student and his/her placement.  At this time, parent input is also considered.  Any changes in the draft lists are reviewed by the classroom teachers to ensure balance.
• Final class lists are then created in August with summer changes for move ins/outs reflected.

This process happens at grades 1-4.  Willow Grove creates the class lists for our incoming kindergartners enrolled there and I will add in students who attend private kindergartens.  Our 5th grade team actively works with Twin Groves to provide data and input related to placement decisions as well.

We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students.  It is a delicate balancing act which takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children.  Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child.  Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons.  The process benefits all students.  Because of the input and thought given by teachers, parents, and administrators, we are very reluctant to make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of a class, impacting all students.  

I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information about your child’s learning style and needs, received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 26th, 2013.  I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing. As you can imagine, we receive lots of parent input, and verbal information is nearly impossible to track. Further, please direct all of this communication to me as ultimately I am responsible for reviewing final class lists in August when teachers are not working.  While we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored.  Please put your thoughts in writing and address them to me either via hard copy letter or email (cpfaff@kcsd96.org).

**Click here for the PTO Newsletter.**  

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, March 19: Early Release @ 2pm

Friday, March 22nd - 2nd grade dental exams are due

Monday, April 1st - Return from Spring Break

Monday, April 8th & Tuesday, April 9th - Parent - Teacher Conferences