Prairie Point Express
Family Newsletter
November 24, 2020
School Address: 8101 NW Belvidere Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64152
School Hours: 8:15 am - 3:05 pm
School Phone: 816-359-4380
Principal: Dr. Danny Todtfeld
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Sarah McQuinn
Counselor: Mrs. Ally Swisher
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 28
No School - Fall Break
Monday, November 30 - Friday, December 11
Distance Learning - No Students Report to Prairie Point
School Hours during Distance Learning - 7:30 a.m.- 4:15 p.m.
Distance Learning Expectations
Dear Prairie Point Families,
You received a message from the district about moving to distance learning after the Thanksgiving holiday, from Monday, November 30 to Friday, December 11.
In addition to the information in that message, we wanted you to know that we have a plan at our school for distance learning, so you will know what to expect.
Here’s what you need to know as you prepare for Distance Learning:
- Your in-person student will be considered a part of distance learning during this time period.
- All elementary students will continue to learn the same curriculum with the same resources they are used to using in-person.
- Your child’s teacher will provide a daily schedule to you and your child on Tuesday, November 24. While students may choose to work through assignments at their own pace, attendance during Zoom sessions will be expected.
- Students are expected to log in to SeeSaw (K-2) or Schoology (3-5) and complete their assignments each day. These assignments will help teachers determine if your child has mastered the skills.
- Please continue to contact Nurse Terri Fennelly at 816-359-4384 to report any student illness. This allows us to communicate your child’s “absence” to teachers, so they are aware your child would not participate on that particular day(s).
Here’s what you need to know about each day of Distance Learning:
- Your student’s teacher will email the specific plan for each day by 9:00.
- Students will participate in learning activities from 9:00-3:40 each day, with a lunch/recess break from 12:00-1:00.
- Learning activities will include a combination of online lessons and independent learning activities throughout the day.
- Students who receive special education services will receive communication from their child’s case manager.
- Your child’s teacher will have an established plan for how you will contact the teacher each day. If you need assistance, you will always be able to call our front office at 816-359-4380.
Thank you for your support of Prairie Point Elementary. Our staff has been preparing for a possible closure all year, and we are ready to go!
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Dr. Danny Todtfeld
Principal, Prairie Point Elementary
8101 NW Belvidere Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64152
816-359-6512
Free Meals during Distance Learning
Free Meals
As we transition to distance learning for two weeks from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, our nutrition services team is working to make meals more available to all children, ages 18 and under. Families can choose between two options each week.
Bulk Frozen Meals
In addition to the normal Wednesday pickups, families are able to pick up bulk frozen meals on Mondays during this distance learning period, on Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Families that choose the bulk frozen meal option may only pick up once per week. Preorder your bulk frozen meals here.
Daily Hot Meals
Families can pick up daily hot meals Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Congress Middle School and Walden Middle School. During distance learning, we will also have a hot meal pickup location at Graden Elementary. Find more information about daily hot meals here.
In addition- Feed Northland Kids are giving away a food kit every week. A voucher is needed for that- if you are interested, fill out this form. If you are interested in frozen meals but do not have adequate transportation- please let school social worker Ms. Anderson and/or school counselor Mrs. Swisher know.
Parent Panorama Feedback Needed
Park Hill has partnered with Panorama Education to survey you to better understand your experiences with your school. Your responses to the survey are confidential, which means that no one at your school will see your individual responses.
The Park Hill Fall Family Feedback Survey will close on November 24.
To access the survey please go to:
https://surveys.panoramaed.com/parkhill
Access code: 9626917573
Thank you for your help.
Specials Spotlight with Music Teacher Mrs. Koster
Tutoring Resources for Park Hill Parents
As our students continue to work online and in distance learning, families are looking for as much support as they can get. We have created a partnership between our district and the Mid-Continent Public Library, which provides all Park Hill families live access to online homework help through the Mid-Continent Public Library website.
Watch this video to see how to access this resource. You can also find more information at our Park Hill Parent University.
Curbside Book Checkout
During distance learning, Prairie Point Library is offering curbside book checkout. Students can place holds on two books through Destiny*, our library catalog. Place holds by Tuesday afternoon, then pick up books on Thursdays (Dec. 3 & Dec. 10) between 10 am and 2 pm. Books will be in a labeled paper bag outside the front entrance. You can also return your old books and place them in the monster book return tub. Ask Ms. Easley or Mrs. Proctor if you have any questions.
*How to place holds in Destiny: Video Tutorial 1. Log in to Park Hill Portal 2. Click Destiny Library, then Prairie Point Elementary 3. Search/browse for 2 books that are “in.” 4. Log in to Destiny with Park Hill SSO 5. Click “Hold” on the books you want.
What to Do if You Get COVID-19 While We're Away
As we head into Thanksgiving break and distance learning for the following two weeks, we need to continue tracking our COVID-19 data. We need to know if students or family members become sick or exposed to COVID-19.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits
Even though meals are free this year, this form also helps us get needed funding for district services for students. And if you are signed up this year, you won't have a gap in services at the beginning of the next school year.
If you qualify for free or reduced-price meals, you are eligible for additional discounts on things like health care, college application fees, athletics, AP class fees, and fees for the SAT and ACT tests. For more information, click here.
Prairie Point Spirit Wear
Notes from our PTA
Our PTA subscribes to the Membership Tool Kit service for our family and faculty directories, online store, volunteer signups and email communications. It's secure, easy to use, and free to families.
Please go to the site below, create your account and follow the steps to register your family. You can specify what information you'd like to appear in the directory - or choose not to appear at all.
Register at https://prairiepointpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
If you would like to donate to our class party fundraiser, please see below on how to donate.
Repeat: Do You Know A Park Hill Star?
The Park Hill Star recognition program was started in 2015 to celebrate support staff and teachers whose work is especially noteworthy.
The following is an overview of the Park Hill Star Program:
Our employees are the reason we are so successful here in the Park Hill School District, and we would like to recognize them for all they do for our students.
That is why we present the Park Hill Star award once a month to a pre-K or elementary teacher, a secondary teacher and a support employee.
REPEAT: Yearbook Orders
To Order Your Yearbook:
- Visit: ybpay.lifetouch.com
- Enter Yearbook ID Code: 1724721
- School Name: Prairie Point Elem School
REPEAT: E-Backpack (Electronic Fliers)
Currently in the E-Backpack:
- Fliers for Online Clubs hosted by Community Education
- Party Flier (Ordering Birthday Treats through Food Service)
- Yearbook Order Form
- Directory Invite to Families
Repeat: Technology Use at Home
Here are some general guidelines and best practices for laptop use at home.
Thank you for your support. If you have any technology issues or questions, please contact the Help Desk Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 816-359-5000.
Our 5 Pillars of Prevention
Please take some time to learn about Prairie Point's Health and Safety Precautions. Click here to access our matrix and other health information.
Prairie Point Mission
Our Vision
Prairie Point Elementary School provides all children with a safe, caring educational environment that focuses on high expectations and promotes lifelong learning.
Our Mission
To create a safe and caring student centered environment, to empower students to be independent learners, problem solver, and responsible citizens in the 21st Century.
At Prairie Point School, we value:
- Keeping the focus on the student
- Continuous learning and professional growth
- Warm, caring, open-minded environment
- High expectations for all students and adults
- Team work and collaboration
- Empathetic approach with our actions.