***Please take a moment to read through the PHS Post each week for the latest updates to all things PHS; if you ever have questions please do not hesitate to give us a call.***

The first week was a great success! Students were busy learning their schedule and navigating the building, getting settled in classes, and making new high school memories by getting involved and meeting new people.

The football game Friday night was an AWESOME WIN over PV!

Way to go students for cheering on your P-Hawks - your energy was electric!

PHS

Productive - Healthy - Safe

Productive: We are encouraging all students to take part in activities and athletics. We know that students that are engaged and active in the their school have high rates of success.

Healthy: We encourage students to make healthy choices and keep their body and mind strong.

Safe: Be a good sport in and out of the classroom and on and off of the field, Prairie's tradition is built on hard work and dedication. #prairiepride

As we all work together to be PHS: Productive - Healthy - Safe the following are ways that families can support their student and their educational journey...

• Make sure your student attends school daily and arrives on time, ready to learn
• Ensure your student completes assignments and meets deadlines
• Help your student manage their time
• Encourage your student to take courses that build their experiences and love of learning
• Ask your student about their day, so that you are aware of their school life

Make every moment count! Have a great week!

Karla Thies, Principal

Prairie High School

The following are helpful tidbits in navigating PHS:

1. The PHS school day is 9:00am - 3:45pm - Teachers are in the building until 4pm to provide student assistance at the end of the day.
2. Students enter PHS through the Main Entrance - a greeter is always there to answer questions and help you navigate where you need to go. The Main Office, Student Services, and Attendance is also located near the Main Entrance if you would have questions or need additional assistance.
3. School ID - Beginning next week (Tuesday, September 7) students will wear their ID on a lanyard, around their neck, at all times - This year Student IDs will also be their lunch scan card and scanned as students enter and exit the building throughout the day.
4. All students driving to school will need to register their vehicle and purchase a Parking Tag for $10. There are 700 parking spaces so tags are limited - please contact Mr. Geilenfeld with questions. Parking registration was part of school registration.
5. Students park in Lots A, B, C, E, and F (all are labeled on the light posts). Lots A, B, and C are all on the northeast side of PHS. Lot E is located on the south side and Lot F is an overflow lot located near Creek and the baseball diamonds. All parking is first come, first serve. If students park in Lot E or F they will need to walk around and enter through the Main Entrance - there are sidewalks and walkways around the district office for a shorter commute.
6. Students attending Kirkwood Community College, Iowa BIG, or Prairie Construction will have a special pass to park in Lot E and enter through the Success Center doors after period 2 and period 3. Security will be on hand to allow students in. If these students arrive at another time they will need to enter through the Main Entrance.
7. All hallways are in order by number - If your Spanish class is in Room 2317 this classroom is on the 2nd floor ( the 2 of 2317) and in the 300 hall (the 3 of 2317) - so if your Biology class is in Room 2216 - You Got It! 2nd floor in the 200 hall. If you have WAM in Room 1814 - You guessed it, 1st floor in the 800 hall. You've got this!
8. Departments are grouped together in the same hall or near each other for easy access
9. Stairwells are color coded - Each stairwell is a different color as a path finder - You will find a red, blue, green, and yellow - Use these to help guide your way.
10. Lockers - If you would like a locker please stop by Attendance and see Mrs. Towe, she will provide you with a locker and lock. You will need to provide a lock for your PE locker.
11. Open Campus is permitted for Juniors and Seniors only. Sophomores who leave campus, during the school day, will lose their parking privilege.
12. Students that have an open period in their schedule need to remain in the PHS Commons or on the Learning Stairs located inside the main entrance.
13. The PHS School Store is located in the PHS Commons. School supplies and water are for sale daily. See Mrs. Schmidt if you have questions about KCC textbooks, course materials, and lunch money.
14. The Fan Stand will be open, during lunches, to purchase your Prairie Hawk gear - watch for announcements
15. Daily Announcements are posted around PHS on TV monitors and can be found on the PHS website.
16. PHS Lunch: Lunch A 12:08-12:30pm, Lunch B 12:35-12:57pm, and Lunch C 1:02-1:24pm

Hello PHS parents,

Each fall, eligible juniors and seniors are able to apply to become members of National Honor Society (NHS). In order to qualify for an application, a junior or senior student must have a 3.450 or higher cumulative GPA (current NHS members do not need to reapply). Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee membership. A Faculty Council of high school teachers will determine which applications will be accepted for membership.

I have sent the online application to all juniors and seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.450 or higher. If you believe your child qualifies for an application, please check with them to make sure that they received it. The due date for the application is September 24th. If they have qualified but did not receive an application, please contact me as soon as possible at malexander@crprairie.org.

Thank you,

Matthew Alexander

NHS Faculty Advisor

Attention Sophomores and Juniors

Prairie is hosting the PSAT on Wednesday, October 13 at 9:00am.

The PSAT, also known as the Preliminary SAT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a practice version of the SAT exam. You can only take the PSAT once per year, and many students take the test in both 10th and 11th grade. If you earn a high score on the PSAT your junior year, you could qualify to receive a National Merit Scholarship—$180 million dollars in merit scholarships are awarded to students each year. The PSAT tests your skills in reading, writing, and math. There is no cost to take the test here.

Sign up by September 10th in the Student Services office.

PHS Counselors @PHawkCounseling

Students: The last day to drop a class is this Friday, September 3. If you have questions, please stop in to see your counselor!

Do you volunteer? Find out how to earn your Volunteer Cord HERE - Volunteer Cord Process

College/Career Visit Information...

• September 15: Eastern Iowa College Fair - Juniors and Seniors
• September 26: Golden Circle College and Career Fair - Prairie Meadows in Altoona

Testing...

• ACT Dates
• SAT Dates

PHS is hosting a ZAPS ACT seminar on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 9am to 3pm

Register here, the cost is $95.00

The ZAPPING the ACT seminar includes:

• Five hours of focused strategy instruction by a highly trained instructor
• 24 practice tests for the ACT and ZAPPING the ACT Study Guide
• Specific strategies for each type of question on the ACT
• General test-taking methods for lifelong success
• Test-specific time-management techniques
• Explanations for each question and answer on the practice tests
• Unique system for analyzing errors to identify strengths and weaknesses
• Instruction for writing a high-scoring essay

ICAN Support...

• Understanding the FSA ID Presentation for Seniors and Senior Parents - September 1, 2021 at 5:00 PM. This event will be held virtually via Zoom. Register or stream on Facebook Live

Student Planning Guides...

• ICAN Transition Guide
• ICAN College and Career Ready

Dear Gifted and Talented Students and Families,

Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year! My name is Erin Hoffman and I am the Gifted and Talented Specialist at PHS . My office is located in Student Services at the entrance of the building. Students, please stop in at any time!

Students: I am happy to help each of you prepare for advanced testing, such as the ACT and SAT, and to help make decisions about Advanced Placement, college courses, and dual credit classes. I work with students on scholarship searches, college applications and essays, and am always willing to write recommendations. Please know I am available to help with anything you need.

Another way to support you: I work with teachers in offering competitions and contests, such as math competitions and science challenges. If you are interested in a competition group, or would just like to enrich your learning, let me know and I will try to match you with an opportunity!

Sometimes, gifted and talented students just need to share their concerns with someone who understands and will listen. Our high school students are surrounded by caring counselors, teachers, and staff. I am one more person who is here to serve your student. Many of my students I have worked with for years. I hope all my gifted and talented students know that I am one more advocate who they can come to with questions, concerns, or other support.

Families: Please encourage your student to check their email DAILY, and read the PHS Post for announcements.

Students: Be thinking about your PEP academic and personal goals. CHECK your GT GOOGLE CLASSROOM. Listen and look for opportunities that interest you!

Looking forward to a great year!

Mrs. Erin Hoffman

ehoffman@crprairie.org

GT Services and Supports

Please see Mary Gudenkauf in Student Services for help or email Mgudenkauf@crprairie.org.

Deadline for signing up is Friday, September 24 at 3:00pm.

PHS Main Office: 319.848.5340

Ms. Karla Thies, Principal - kthies@crprairie.org

Mr. Rocky Bennett, Athletic Director - rbennett@crprairie.org

Mr. Chuckie Geilenfeld, Associate Principal (Last Names A-L) - cgeilenfield@crprairie.org

Mr. Ian Kleman, Associate Principal (Last Names M-Z) - iankleman@crprairie.org

Mrs. Kelly Klekar, Building Facilitator - kklekar@crprairie.org

PHS Main Office:

Mrs. Brenda Haendler, Main Office 319.848.5340

Mrs. Lori Pleiness, Athletic Office 319.848.5350

Mrs. Debie Towe, Attendance Office 319.848.5360

Mrs. Angie Wagner, Discipline Office 319.848.5340 x2052

Officer Obbink, Student Resource Officer - jobbink@crprairie.org

Brianna Boston-Kemple, Nurse 319.848.5340 x2011 bbostonkemple@crprairie.org

Student Services: 319-848-5344

Laura Fisher, Counseling Secretary

Angela Amunson, Counselor (Students with Last Names A-G) aamunson@crprairie.org

Mike Reshetar, Counselor (Students with Last Names H-O) mireshetar@crprairie.org

Clay Stoffer, Counselor (Students with Last Names P-Z) cstoffer@crprairie.org

Erin Hoffman, Gifted and Talented Coordinator ehoffman@crprairie.org

Josh Bentley, Transition Specialist

Mary Gudenkauf, Career Services: Internships and Job Shadows mgudenkauf@crprairie.org

Molly Rathe, Counselor - Tanager Services

Stormy Hinton, Counselor - Tanager Services

Jess Fitzpatrick, Social Worker