Prairie Point Panther Press
Newsletter for Prairie Point Elementary School
Friday, December 2, 2016
Welcome to the Prairie Point Panther Press!
Principal's Letter
Dear School Families:
It is hard to believe that we have turned the calendar to December and the first half of the school year is nearly behind us. As a new principal, I have the opportunity to experience many of the Prairie Point traditions for the first time. A few of the highlights, so far, have been the Panther Fitness Olympic Challenge, our Walk on Wednesday Celebration, the 5th Grade Musical, our Veteran’s Day Celebration and meeting our therapy dogs. Many of these wonderful events really showcase the community that we have here at Prairie Point. I see the dedication of our teachers and faculty day in and day out. I am continually impressed with the many ways that our teachers collaborate with each other, support the students, and partner with our parents.
As we move into this season of giving, I have noticed the many ways that our school and our students support the community. With activities such as making cards for veterans, participating in the district food drive, donating toys to the Kendall County Food Pantry, and collecting hats and mittens for the Oswego Optimist Club our students are engaging in service learning projects that are not only giving back to the community but also providing them with valuable experiences.
We do have a few service projects that are still going on, such as the toy drive and sock donations. As you read through the Panther Press, you will see that we have included information about each of these projects. We have also included a link to sign up to volunteer during our Holiday Shop on December 9th. Many of the wonderful traditions, programs and projects that we have, are supported by our school community and parent volunteers. We are still in need of a few volunteers to help out during the Holiday Shop. If you are able to help out, please click on the link below and sign up.
I am excited for the 2nd half of the school year and look forward to experience many more Prairie Point traditions and events!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jennifer Groves
Fannie May Pick Up
Pick up your Fannie May Order on
Tuesday, December 6th between 3:45-5:00
in the Community Room. Please enter through Door 1.
If you have a small order we will be sending the candy home with your child on Tuesday. If your candy does not come home on Tuesday then you will need to pick it up at school. If you are unable to pick it up on Tuesday evening then it will be available for pick up in the office during office hours 8:00-4:00.
Thank you for your support!!!!
Parents Only Book Fair
We Need Volunteers!!
Please check out the link to our Holiday Shop 12/9. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0f4fa8a928a13-prairie1
Thank you
Candy Cane Lane Holiday Shop
Socks Needed
Everyone needs socks this time of year. Please bring socks to hang on a tree at Holiday Shop 12/9. Thank you
Gifts for the Caring Basket are Due Friday, Dec. 9th
Prairie Point Elementary is pairing up with the Kendall County Food Pantry to provide gifts for local children this holiday season.
Please visit the Holiday Caring Basket in the office.
Take a gift tag of your choice and return the unwrapped present with the tag attached to school by Friday, December 9th.
Thank you so much for your generosity.
Student Leadership Team - Holiday Hustle
Home & School President's Letter
Happy December,
Winter has finally come – I guess we couldn’t hold it off forever. On a fun note, it’s time for one of our most beloved events – Holiday Shop. We will turn half of the gym into a shop for kiddos only! This gives them the opportunity to shop for their family in “secret”. You can drop off your child/children to shop and wrap their gifts, while you go to the other half of the gym and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and a holiday movie. Frosty will also be there available for photos. Shopping begins at 5:00 and ends at 8:00. Remember, shopping is for Prairie Point students only, but siblings can enjoy the treats, movie and Frosty. We hope to see you all there.
Continue working on your Wolves forms for free tickets for your student(s). Turn them into the office as soon as they are complete. Most Caring Classroom contest is still on. We are accepting old cd’s/dvd’s until December 14th.
We have a dinner night scheduled at McDonald’s on Dec. 13th. If you are signed up to volunteer at the Holiday Party, those are on Dec. 21st. School ends that day on 12:45.
We would like to thank those who gave their time for our events throughout November, Great Art in the classrooms, Veterans Day and the Father/Son movie night. We appreciate all that you do!
The Home & School board would like to share changes we are making to our current bylaws:
Changing the definition of a member from “any teacher employed at the school may be a member and shall have voting rights” to “any parent/guardian after attending a minimum of one meeting within the school year may be a member and shall have voting rights”.
Adding verbage: Officers are elected for one fiscal year and may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office, “unless no other candidates come forward”.
Throughout the document, striking votes require a 2/3’s majority and changing to “fifty percent plus one”.
Updating the list of committees to include “Community Outreach” and changing the name from “Fall Fundraiser” to “Panther Fitness Challenge”.
Adding under Article VIII – Finances: “Ending balance: The organization shall leave a minimum of $15,000.00 in the treasury at the end of each fiscal year.”
If you would like to see a copy of the current bylaws, please contact me directly at
me-mrs-e@sbcglobal.net. We will be voting on the purposed changes at the January 10th meeting.
Lastly, I would like to ask each of you to consider volunteering at a Home and School event. We are still in need of volunteers for the Holiday Shop and after the break, we will be sending out sign ups for Fun Fair and Field Day. We cannot continue to run events without volunteers. Our committee chairs are passionate and excited to bring family fun to Prairie Point, but without help, we may get to the point of cancelling events due to lack assistance. This is something we really don’t want to do. At any time, if you are wondering how you can help, you can contact the board at homeandschoolprairiepoint@gmail.com. And like us on Facebook at Prairie Point Elementary Home & School – Home of the Panthers.
The entire board wishes all of you a happy, safe and relaxing holiday break! See you in 2017!!
Home and School Calendar
Upcoming Dates
December
9 Holiday Shop, 5:00-8:00pm in the gym
13 TND - McDonald's
Save the Date - 12th Annual Variety Show
Calling all Prairie Point talent – we are looking for you! Do you love to sing or dance? Perhaps you can pull a rabbit out of your magic hat or play an instrument! Whatever your talent is, we want you to show us your stuff! The variety show is Friday March 3rd (Preview day is Thursday, February 9th.) Look for forms in Thursday folders AFTER winter break.
OHS Father/Son Pitching Camp - 5th Grade
OHS Spring Training Baseball Camp
News from the Nurse's Office
Donations of boys and girls athletic & yoga pants (all sizes) are needed in the nurse's office.
Noted on the District 308 website: http://www.sd308.org/Page/17756
When should my student stay home from school?
Your child is too ill to go to school if he/she has any of the following symptoms:
· Vomiting and/or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
· Shortness of breath or wheezing (not controlled with an inhaler if they have asthma)
· A cough that interrupts his/her normal activity or wakes them, or other family members at night.
· An undiagnosed rash unless cleared by a physician’s note
· Drainage from the eye
· Severe sore throat
· Fever- If your child has a temperature of 100° (or higher) in the past 24 hours they cannot attend school. Children are to be fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medication, before returning to school.
· A contagious illness that is treated with antibiotics, such as strep throat or pink eye, and has not been taking the antibiotics for a full 24 hours before returning to school.
Aramark Positions Available
For details visit
http://www.sd308.org/Page/8234 or call Kate Kloet at 630-636-4611.