Prairie Point Express
Family Newsletter
April 16, 2021
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
School Social Worker: Miss Marla Anderson
Upcoming Dates
Friday, April 16
- Last day for PH Online Enrollment for the 21-22 School Year
Thursday, April 22
- PTA - Digital Safety Night - 6:30 pm - Via Zoom
Tuesday, May 4
- 4th Quarter Progress Reports Available
Friday, May 21
- Field Day
- PBIS Contest Winners Announced
Friday, May 28
- Last day of school - 1/2 day for students
Sign up now for in-person learning or the Park Hill Online Academy for 2021-2022
Good morning Prairie Point families,
This is a reminder that the window closes today, Friday, April 16, 2021, for you to select our new Park Hill Online Academy option for your elementary student for the 2021-2022 school year. The in-person learning enrollment window is also now open and will remain open throughout the upcoming months. Selecting your learning mode today gives us time to complete the scheduling puzzle, as we work to balance the different course needs between in-person and online students.
The Park Hill Online Academy is a small, online choice with limited course offerings, for students who do well in the online learning environment and want to make sure they have a high-quality option with Park Hill teachers and the Park Hill curriculum. There is more information about the Park Hill Online Academy on the district website. Please note that we must ask students to commit to the Park Hill Online Academy for a full school year.
To choose whether you want your child to learn in-person or online, go to the Campus Parent Portal and select the Survey tab in the Message Center (See a screenshot here). Please note, this selection is separate from Online Verification and Residency.
Thank you,
Dr. Stephanie Amaya │ Director of Educational Programs
Park Hill School District │Academic Services Department
Complete your Online Verification & Residency!
Dear Park Hill Guardian,
Online Verification & Residency for the 21-22 school year is now open! Every year, all Park Hill families are required to visit the Campus Parent portal to verify student demographic, health, and emergency contact information, and submit proof of residency documents for the upcoming school year Please check your mailbox – we recently mailed a letter and “Getting Started” guide so you can jump right in and get this process completed. You can access a digital copy of the guide on our website.
Note: Only a legal guardian living with a current student in their household can prove residency and complete verification for that student.
Attending Summer School? Complete Verification by May 7!
For the first time, Park Hill families can enroll for summer school through the same online form used to complete online verification and residency. If you have children in kindergarten through eighth grade who plan to attend summer school, please complete your verification prior to May 7 so we can properly process their summer school enrollment.
If you don’t have a Campus Parent account:
Contact your student’s school office (there is a list of numbers at the end of this email). They will send you a unique access code – Campus Parent setup instructions can be found here.
If you need to enroll a new student or kindergartner for 21-22:
You DO NOT need to complete a separate enrollment application if you have other students currently enrolled in the district. There will be an option in the verification form to add new students – please enter your new student(s) there.
If your new kindergartner is a current Gerner student, they will show up in the verification form: you DO NOT need to add them as a new student.
For more detailed instructions on adding a new student, see the “Getting Started” guide. Contact any school office if you have questions about this process.
If you need help verifying or have questions:
Contact your student’s school building at the number listed below. You can also head to any school building – there will be a computer available for verification, and staff members to help you and answer any questions. Remember to bring your proof of residency documents!
Thank you,
Park Hill School District
Enroll in Summer School Today!
Kindergarten Kickoff
Thursday, May 6 - 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Children who turn five on or before July 31 are eligible for kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year and we are excited to have you join us at Kindergarten Kickoff on Thursday, May 6 from 5:00 - 7:30 pm.
- Enroll your kindergartener beginning April 5 in Infinite Campus.
- Save the date for Kindergarten Kickoff, which will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on May 6. You and your child with get a chance to explore Prairie Point.
- Sign up for a Prairie Point Tour Here
- Get ready for our first day of school on Monday, August 23. We will be contacting you to schedule a kindergarten readiness assessment, so we can be ready to meet your child's educational needs.
- If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Kindergarten Families Sign up for a Prairie Point Tour
Yearbooks
Please fill out the form below and return it along with a CHECK or CORRECT CASH to Mrs. Carver – Second Grade Room 203.
Checks should be made out to Prairie Point Elementary.
AVID Survey
As an AVID school, we gather feedback from students, staff, and our parents each year. Please take a few minutes to fill out the AVID parent survey. We appreciate your feedback.
MAP Testing at PPE
This week you received important information regarding MAP testing. All Students Grades 3-5. Both Online and In-Person Students will be testing here at PPE.
When you look at the schedule, you will see we have in-person and online testing days separated. All will take place here at PPE. Online students will come into the building on the days stated in the schedule to test with their online PPE Teacher. If students have testing accommodations outlined in an IEP, 504 or ELD plan, those accommodations will be given as normal.
Online ONLY - Day of testing:
Parents will be allowed to start dropping off their online students in the bus loop area at 8:45 am. Online teachers will be outside waiting for the students. Online teachers will take attendance and then walk them through the cafeteria for breakfast and making home versus school lunch choices. Parents will be allowed to pick up their students at 2:15 pm from the bus loop.
Any online student that DOES NOT have transportation to school on the day of testing, , please reach out to your classroom teacher ASAP.
There are some things you can do to help your child do well on these tests including:
• Make sure your child is well-rested and eats breakfast each day of testing.
• Make sure your child attends school and arrives on time on testing days.
• Speak positively about the test. Your attitude is contagious.
• Encourage your child to have a positive attitude about tests and to listen closely to test instructions.
• Help your child become more familiar with the test format by reviewing sample MAP items and the new online platform with them. Sample MAP items can be found at:
https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MO/portals/mo (must use Google Chrome Browser)
• Other parent information put out by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education about the MAP can be found at: http://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/assessment/grade-level
Results of the assessments will be shared with parents when the district receives them. If you have questions concerning these assessments, please contact your child’s teacher or front office.
2021-2022 Class Placement Parent/Guardian Input
It's hard to believe, but it is about that time of the school year to begin class placements for the 2021-2022 school year. If you would like to provide feedback on your child's placement please use the form below to do so.
During this feedback process, at no time can parents/guardians request specific classrooms by name as this is not acceptable. In addition, this form must be returned to your child's teacher by Friday, April 30th at 4:00 PM. Late forms will not be accepted.
PBIS Contests - April 9 - April 30, 2021
What is PBIS?
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based three-tiered framework for improving and integrating all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. It is a way to support everyone to create the kinds of schools where all students are successful. Prairie Point has been working all year to update our processes as we are becoming a PBIS School! We have started many aspects of PBIS this year and are looking forward to learning more.
Tell me more about these contests...
CONTEST DATES: Students, staff, and families may enter their drawings and pledges from April 9 - April 30. The winners will be announced on Friday, May 21st!
CONTEST #1: We are needing to redesign our SOAR Slips to PRIDE POINTS! After spring break, we will have a drawing/graphic design contest.
CONTEST #2: We are needing to come up with a new school pledge that incorporates our new school rules -
Proud Pioneers are Expected to:
Be Safe
Be Kind
Be Responsible
And Do Their Best Everyday!
Please click this link for more information and where to submit your entries!
GOOD LUCK PIONEERS! HAPPY CREATING!
PTA - Digital Safety Night
PTA Connected Smart Talk Conversation Event, sponsored by TikTok
Hello parents!
Please join us on Thursday, April 22nd from 6:30 – 7:30pm for our online Digital Safety Night. We will have a guest speaker from the District Technology Department and you will have the opportunity to discuss technology usage and safety with other parents. You will then have time to complete the Smart Talk contract with your family, which will help you establish good guidelines for healthy and safe technology usage in your home.
We will be raffling off several great prizes to families that attend the event and complete an event survey. We have 2 Nintendo Switches, a family fun pack (bowling, games and laser tag) at Main Event, $60 dinner at Rancho Grande and $60 dinner at Red Robin, and a PopCultural gift card.
This event has been made possible by a grant from TikTok and National PTA. Click here to register. You will receive a Zoom link via the email you provide during registration prior to the event.
Thanks and see you Thursday,
Prairie Point PTA
Horizons/Bright Futures Opportunity at Gerner
Free Eye Exams
Reminders from Nurse Fennelly
If your child wakes up not feeling well, please do not send them on the bus or drop them at school until you speak with our school nurse, Terri Fennelly. You can reach the front office by calling 359-4380. Nurse Terri's direct line is 359-4384.
Remember, all members of our Park Hill family will follow these guidelines to screen for symptoms of COVID-19, and must stay home if ill. A list of symptoms to screen for can be found below.
- Fever
- Cough
- Rash
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Lack of appetite
- Loss of taste or smell
Sophie's Run
Sophie’s Run will happen this year! This will be our 11th year!
We hope you will consider joining us.
The race will be on May 8th at Lake Waukomis or you may choose to participate virtually!
Here is the link to Register for the race. This year’s shirt is a beautiful purple, register to get one!
April Curriculum Connections
Check out the linked Curriculum Connections below to see what our Pioneers will be working on in each subject area during the month of April! We want to share the learning topics at all of the grade levels so that you are familiar with what topics and content are taught this month! Your child's teacher is always happy to provide more details should you have questions!
April ELA Curriculum Connections
Birthday Treat Reminders
Repeat: 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.
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: 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.