Prairie Point Express
Family Newsletter
November 20, 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
Monday, November 23
Spirit Day: Comfortable Clothing Day
Mindfulness Practice: Meditation
Tuesday, November 24
Spirit Day: We are ONE Spirit Day!
Mindfulness Practice: Gratitude
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
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 PE Teacher Mr. Downey
In November, our second graders are working on their Physical Fitness Unit. They are doing an activity called Deal or No Deal as a warm-up. The kids that pick the deal do an exercise the teacher chooses, and they decide if it’s something they can handle. If the students don’t like the deal, they choose no deal and do an alternate exercise.
For their main activity, they are doing something called Rally Coach. Rally Coach is an activity where the students watch each other do an exercise, for example, push-ups, then they critique their partners performance of the activity. They tell each other what they have mastered as well as what their weaknesses are and how they can improve. The students are also learning what muscle groups they are strengthening. Mr. Downey is very impressed with the specific feedback the students are giving to one another, and how they are sensitive and understanding in the manner they are critiquing each other.
For a cool-down activity, the students are working on Yoga for Kids.
The 2nd Grade students are working on the following learning goals:
1. Tell why it is important to be physically active every day.
2. Identify opportunities outside of school to participate regularly in physical activities. (e.g., dance practice, jogging, kick, dribble, throw and catch).
3. Describe the benefits of appropriate warm-up and cool-down activities.
Tutoring Resources for Park Hill Parents
As our students continue to learn online and in distance learning, you may find a need for tutoring resources.
We are happy to announce a partnership between Park Hill School District and the Mid-Continent Public Library. This partnership provides all Park Hill parents and students with live access to online tutoring and homework help through the Mid-Continent Public Library website.
Important Information to Know:
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: November Habit Focus- Put First Things First
This month, our focus will be Put First Things First. All students will study this habit and learn to make it part of their everyday lives. Consider how you can discuss this habit at home as a family!
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: Community Food Kits for Park Hill Families
Park Hill has once again partnered with Feed Northland Kids for a FREE community food kit. These kits contain things like bread, peanut butter, granola bars, pasta and canned goods. They will be distributed at the same time and location bulk school meals are distributed. For more information regarding school provided meals read here.
If you are interested in a voucher for free food, you must sign up HERE.
If you sign up for the COMMUNITY FOOD KIT, you are agreeing that you will be able to pick it up.
WHERE: Park Hill Support Services Center at 9501 N. Seymore Ave., Kansas City, MO 64153.
TIME: 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every week on Wednesdays starting September 30, 2020.
A limited number of families will be selected. It is first come, first serve to those who have filled out the form in its entirety. Slots will go to those who can pick up the food.
- Once you sign up, I will email out the voucher.
- Show the paper voucher or a digital copy on your cell phone upon arrival.
- You will use the same voucher for weekly visits.
- This voucher is good for 1 Community Food Kit.
- If you have other students at other schools, only sign up for one voucher per family.
Please contact Marla Anderson, School Social Worker, with any questions. Her phone number is 816-359-6379.
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: Birthday Treats
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.