The PHS Post
January 30 - February 3
THANK YOU Premiere Volunteers - the day was a HUGE SUCCESS! We appreciate you!
Going to STATE!
Congratulations! PHS Girls Wrestling - Off to STATE!
Your 2023 IGHSAU State Qualifiers:
- 100 - Myah Rausch
- 125 - Mackenzie Childers
- 140 - Jade Hynek
- 155 - Erika Brokovich
- 190 - Chloe Heefner
Congratulations Sydney and Will!
Congratulations to the first two CR Prairie FFA Members EVER to earn their Iowa FFA Degree. Will Vlasek and Sydney Divokey will be recognized at the 2023 Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference in Ames, Iowa for this honor this April. They each invested over 375+ hours into their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) Projects, completed over 25 hours of community service, and participated in more than 5 events above the chapter level, plus maintained accurate records over the course of their project the last three years.
PHS Scholastic Award Winners Announced - Congratulations!
Prairie's Regional Award winners:
- Hailey Asbe - Poetry - A Celebration (of life) - Silver Key
- Jae Brown - Poetry - A Liminal Winter - Honorable Mention
- Johnnie Each - Writing Portfolio - Faith and Lack Thereof - Silver Key
- Rebecca Hein - Poetry - Endings - Silver Key
- Skye Noonan - Art Portfolio - Mind's Turmoil - Silver Key
- Skye Noonan - Drawing & Illustration - Love? Or, Pomegranate Seeds? - Honorable Mention
- Skye Noonan - Drawing & Illustration - Madonna and the Lamb - Honorable Mention
- Skye Noonan - Drawing & Illustration - Parasites - Honorable Mention
- Miya Swenson - Short Story - Blue Makes Me Think of You - Silver Key
Academic Decathlon Regional Results - Congratulations!
- Elliott Bourgeous = Silver in Music, Silver in Economics, Gold in Mathematics
- Joshua Levering - Gold in Music, Gold in Science, Bronze in Social Science, Bronze in Economics, Silver in Mathematics, Silver Overall
- Tracen Dixon - Gold in Literature, Bronze in Science, Silver in Art, Gold in Social Science, Gold in Economics, Silver in Mathematics, Gold Overall
- Mac Feldmann - Gold in Science, Gold in Art, Gold in Social Science, Gold in Economics, Gold in Mathematics, Gold in Interview, Gold Overall
- Rithvika Sivaprakash - Silver in Literature, Silver in Art, Silver in Social Science, Bronze in Speech
- Sophia Johnson - Silver in Science
- Aleena Wittenburg - Bronze in Interview
- Sam Dahlem - Bronze in Social Science
- Moriah Levering - Bronze in Music, Bronze in Art, Bronze in Mathematics
Important Update: PHS Semester 2 Attendance Protocol
As Semester 2 begins, we would like to remind you of the following information regarding attendance.
In our goal to increase student attendance, we continuously monitor unexcused absences and skipped classes. As we move into the second semester, we want to make you aware that any student who accumulates 10 unexcused absences, which includes skipping classes, within an individual course will be dropped from that course and ineligible to receive credit for the semester.
In any given semester, this change would affect a small percentage of PHS students but it is important for all students and families to be aware. We understand that some absences are unavoidable and ask that you call PHS on the day in which your student is not attending and the reason for their absence at 319.848.5360. Your student’s daily attendance information is also available in the Campus portal.
If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s attendance, please contact the PHS Main Office 319.848.5340.
Safety First! Wear your PHS Student ID - All Day - Every Day!
PHS Students: READ your EMAIL...
CHECK THIS OUT - the PHS Assignment Page...
The PHS Assignment Page is a single-stop reference for students and families to stay up to date on what is happening in all classrooms. On the PHS Assignment Page teachers provide a weekly update of daily assignments, long-term assignments and projects, and upcoming assessments and intervention opportunities.
For a more detailed understanding of what is happening in an individual classroom, please talk to your student or reach out to their teacher. Need assistance enrolling in the "Guardian View" of Google Classroom? Individual teachers can assist with this too.
Congratulations to all of the PHS students in Mrs. Beatty's and Ms. Widmer's classes who were recognized by the College Community School Board for their hard work in the Prairie Cares Market for providing food boxes to Prairie families each week. In the last 10 months, they have helped give out over 40,000 lbs. of food from HACAP to our Prairie families. THANK YOU for your service!
Registration Dates for the 23-24 School Year
PHS Student Services...
2nd Semester Important Dates...
Last day to DROP a class is Monday, January 30th
This drop date includes both PHS and Kirkwood classes
Scholarships
January Scholarships - On Xello
Seniors, here are a few scholarships that just opened up that you can work on over break. Some of them are need based, so make sure you have your EFC from your FAFSA ready to upload.
The Greater Cedar Rapids Scholarships are now available on XELLO
Due Date to Student Services: Feb. 15th 2023
Please see each scholarship for eligibility requirements:
- Merveaux Academic Excellence $500.00
- Glidden Community Service $500.00
- Outstanding Student Leader $500.00
- College Opportunity $500.00
- Kalous Opportunity (renewable for 3 years) $1,000.00
- Prairie Golf $1,000.00
- Kleiman Nomination Application Only (Potential $5000 renewable)
Prairie General Applications - Due March 19, 2023
Prairie Internal Scholarships Application now on XELLO
Prairie Internal Kirkwood Scholarships Application now on XELLO
Fall Scholarship List - Make sure to check XELLO for the information and applications!
National Scholarships-Student Scholarship Organization
Events and Information
Testing Information
ICAN Support
- ICAN Financial Aid Resources (FAFSA)
- Call ICAN 877-272-4692 or visit www.icansucceed.org/apt to set up in person or virtual appointment
Student Planning Guides
Available NOW...
Mercy Urgent Mental Health Care
The start of the school year can cause some anxious feelings for students. This is common. But sometimes those feelings don’t settle down and start to impact life at school and at home.
Mercy Urgent Mental Health Care is available to all Prairie students and is conveniently located at the Mercy Prairie Creek office east of the Prairie Campus.
This service is free to all Prairie students and the referral process is simple. If you’d like more information or to schedule an appointment, please reach out to your student’s school counselor. All counselors’ contact information is available at this link.
We are grateful to the Mercy organization for their partnership with College Community Schools.
GT Corner...
7 Things NOT to do while Studying: Tip 4) Save your bed for sleeping
Lying in bed while studying in your pajamas sounds great, doesn’t it? “Comfy it may be, helpful it is not,” as Yoda would say.
Your brain does a pretty good job of associating places with activities, and if you try to study while reclining on your bed, you may find yourself sleeping while you should have been studying.
Everyone has preferences for places to study. Some people like large, crowded spaces, while others like isolated silence. Some like couches, while others think that all studying should be done at the kitchen table. These are all preferences with pros and cons, but one thing we know is that while it is important to be comfortable while studying, it’s equally important not to be too comfortable.
Look for a study place that:
Isn’t too distracting for you. Some of us are better at tuning out background noise than others, yet sometimes we think we are good at tuning it out because we like it, when it really is having a negative impact on our focus. Be honest about this with yourself – you only hurt yourself if you’re not.
Has the supplies you need. If you have to keep interrupting yourself to get supplies, you will reduce your effectiveness.
Isn’t too hot or too cold (both extremes harm focus).
Has good lighting. Straining to see increases distraction.
Please consider participating in the 2023 Drake Physics Prize Examination. Since 1970, Drake has offered this scholarship opportunity to encourage interest in physics, astronomy, and physical sciences, and to give recognition to outstanding high-school students.
Any high school sophomore, junior, or senior can compete in the Physics Prize. A variety of awards are available, however the first place award is an unrestricted four-year, full-tuition scholarship to Drake University!
The Drake Physics Prize Test will cover topics in physics that would normally be studied by students during the first semester of their high-school physics course: kinematics, dynamics (Newton’s laws), circular motion, universal law of gravitation, harmonic motion (simple pendulum and mass-spring systems), impulse, linear momentum, conservation of momentum and collisions, work, energy and conservation of energy, torque, rotational kinematics, dynamics and energy, angular momentum conservation, mechanical waves, and sound.
You can read full details about the scholarship here.
Your students can sign up for one of the following virtual exam times:
Wednesday, February 1, 2023: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. CST
Wednesday, February 1, 2023: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. CST
Thursday, February 2, 2023: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. CST
Thursday, February 2, 2022: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. CST
Friday, February 3, 2023: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. CST
Friday, February 3, 2023: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m CST
Mrs. Hoffman
College and Career Transitions...
Did you FAFSA? It is NOT too late!
Well done, Seniors! As of January 18th, 2023, 42% of the Class of 2023 had completed the FAFSA! This means that the Class of 2023 is well on their way to reaching our 60% FAFSA completion goal. Keep up the great work!
FAFSA Raffle:
Students who completed the FAFSA by December 31st, 2022 were entered into a raffle to win a pair of Prom tickets or a $50 Casey’s gift card. Student Services will be announcing the winners of the raffle on Tuesday, January 17th during third hour. We would also like to announce a second raffle opportunity. Submit the FAFSA by Sunday, March 19th, 2023 for a chance to win some great prizes!
What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the single most important form to fill out to be considered for multiple types of federal financial aid (grants, loans, and work study). However, did you know that completing the FAFSA is often required to be considered for many different scholarship opportunities, regardless of income.
For example, the Last Dollar Scholarship is available to students regardless of income and provides up to full tuition benefits for in demand careers at select colleges. The only thing a student needs to do is complete the FAFSA and be enrolled in a qualifying program!
There is zero risk or obligation in completing the FAFSA!
How Can I Complete the FAFSA?
Schedule a Virtual FAFSA Appointment with ICAN here.
Schedule and In-Person FAFSA Appointment with ICAN here.
Schedule an In-Person FAFSA Appointment with Ms. Rawson here.
Or, on your own here.
What Do I Need to Bring to My FAFSA Appointment/Complete the FAFSA?
Students AND Parents need to create an FSA ID prior to their FAFSA appointment or completing the FAFSA
Copy of 2021 Federal Tax Returns (Parent AND Student)
Copy of 2021 W2 (Parent AND Student)
Social Security Number/Alien Registration Number, Date of Birth, Date of Marriage/Divorce (Parent AND Student)
Records of any untaxed income
Child support paid/received
Have questions about college and career planning?
Reach out to Ms. Rawson at nrawson@crprairie.org or schedule an appointment here.
Career Services: Internships and Job Shadows...
- All About Internships You gain real-world experience through a 45-hour supervised internship where you earn elective credit in exchange for your time. Internships count as a class.
- Why Do an Internship? There’s no better way to learn skills related to your future career and the workplace in general. Even if your internship isn’t directly related to what you want to do for a living, it will still help you develop important workplace skills like teamwork, organization, and public speaking. Other reasons to pursue internships include:
- Learning about a field before you commit to it. Invest in yourself and get an inside look at jobs in a field you’re considering. Figure out sooner than later if they’re a good fit..
- Improving your resume. Employers/Colleges/Universities/Military/Trades all expect to see varied experience with accomplishments and skills you’ve learned. An internship is a great place to get that experience.
- Networking. It’s tough for high school students to network when they’re not in their chosen field yet. Internships let you meet people at all levels of the company where you’re interning, and those connections can be valuable.
- Getting job offers. Sometimes internships can lead to full-time employment. However, even if they don’t, they’re a great way to get your foot in the door in general.
- Earn elective credit. Consider an internship a class outside of school, based 100% on your career interest area. Internship experiences guide your post-high school plans by knowing first-hand what areas of work you might enjoy and what areas you don’t. Both are equally valuable.
Stop in and visit with Mrs. Gudenkauf in Student Services to learn more or email her at mgudenkauf@crprairie.org.
Class of 2023 - Submit your Senior picture to sholdaway@crprairie.org...
Need Assistance? We are here to help...
PHS Administration...
Mrs. Karla Hawley, Principal khawley@crprairie.org
Mr. Rocky Bennett, Athletic Director rbennett@crprairie.org
Mr. Travis Sprague, Associate Principal - tsprague@crprairie.org
Mr. Rich Jackson, Dean of Students (Last Names A-L) rjackson@crprairie.org
Mrs. Kelly Klekar, Dean of Students (Last Names M-Z) kklekar@crprairie.org
PHS Main Office - Dean's Complex - Attendance Line...
Mrs. Brenda Haendler, Main Office 319.848.5340
Mrs. Lori Pleiness, Athletic Office 319.848.5350
Mrs. Debie Towe, Dean's Complex/Attendance 319.848.5360
Mrs. Angie Wagner, Dean's Complex 319.848.5340 x2052
Officer Janae Obbink, Student Resource Officer jobbink@crprairie.org
Mrs. Jackie Martin, Nurse 319.848.5340 x2011 jackiemartin@crprairie.org
PHS Student Services...
Mrs. Laura Fisher, Counseling Secretary 319.848.5344
Mrs. Angela Amunson, Counselor (Students with Last Names A-G) aamunson@crprairie.org
Mr. Mike Reshetar, Counselor (Students with Last Names H-O) mireshetar@crprairie.org
Mr. Clay Stoffer, Counselor (Students with Last Names P-Z) cstoffer@crprairie.org
Mrs. Erin Hoffman, Gifted and Talented Coordinator ehoffman@crprairie.org
Mrs. Nicole Rawson, Kirkwood: College and Career Transition Counselor. nrawson@crprairie.org
Mr. Nick Norris, Grades 7-12 Transition Specialist
Mrs. Mary Gudenkauf, Career Services: Internships & Job Shadows mgudenkauf@crprairie.org
Ms. Karinda Bacon, Counselor - Tanager Services
Ms. Kerry Kilker, Community Engagement Specialist