HUSKY TRACKS
Week of November 11th, 2019
Prairie Trail Middle School
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs: 7am -4pm; Friday 7am -3:30pm
21600 W. 107th St. Olathe, KS 66061
913-780-7280
https://www.olatheschools.org/prairietrail/
School Calendar:
https://www.olatheschools.org/Page/6822#calendar10522/20180722/month
Administration
Principal: Rick Sola (6th Grade)
Asst. Principal: Brian Barackman (7th Grade)
Asst. Principal: Jennifer Stoskopf (8th Grade)
Counselors
Katie Vena: 6th grade and Team Tundra-7th
Angela Bartlow: 8th grade and Team Glacier-7th
Website: https://www.olatheschools.org/prairietrail/
Location: 21600 W. 107th Street Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913-780-7280
Twitter: @PRT_Huskies
Message from the Principal: Week of 11/11/19
Dear PRT Family,
On Friday evening PRT hosted the annual Husky wrestling open involving many of our Olathe middle schools. PRT had 14 wrestlers compete with over 90 total from other Olathe middle schools...this was the biggest open so far! This brief (3 week) season provided a niche group of athletes an opportunity to compete in a sport not "officially" available at the middle level (i.e. its status is intramural). However, I'm so proud PRT is able to offer this for our boys and girls. It is a big thanks and expression of gratefulness for Coach Jones and his passion for wrestling that we are able to provide this experience for our students. I wonder how many of these students tried wrestling for the first time and loved it? Experienced success and now have a new passion? Even those who tried and decided wrestling isn't for them now have the experience of being on a school team, wearing the school colors, taking part in a team's camaraderie, learning a new form of hard work and challenges, and now having achieved a sense of accomplishment for finishing the season. Congratulations to our wrestlers on a job well done.
PRT's theme with staff this year is "PRT Experience". Wrestling at PRT is a great example of the motivation behind this theme...the offering of an "experience" for kids, both inside and outside the classroom. Providing experiences whether it be through organized teams (Wrestling, Science Olympiad, basketball, Math Counts), clubs (KAY, PACK, archery, jazz), or most commonly, our classrooms, where we aim to make the ordinary (school and classrooms) into something extraordinary (an experience). I hope our kids will take advantage of one of the elective experiences here at PRT. There is something for everyone and it may just spark a new passion.
Rick
Monday, 11/11/19
VETERANS DAY
3:30 GBB vs FT
Tuesday, 11/12/2019
8:00 am Spelling Bee
3:30 GBB @ PT
Wednesday, 11/13/2019
Education Support Professionals Day
3:30 Something to Eat Community Event (PRT KAY Club)
Thursday, 11/14/2019
Mock Interviews 8th Grade - 3rd and 4th hours
3:30 GBB @ OT
6:00 pm Open House
Friday, 11/15/2019
Substitute Educator Day
6:30 am Baker University Jazz Festival
Club Day
Saturday, 11/16/19
1:00 pm Robotics Meeting (Center HS)
Glance ahead...
Monday, 11/18/2019 8:40 am KC Wolf Presentation (6th grade), 2:45 PACK
Tuesday, 11/19/2019 Frozen Daytime Shows, hours 2,4,6 & 7
Wednesday, 11/20/2019 GBB pep assembly (tentative)
Thursday, 11/21/2019 1:45 Cookie Cake Delivery, 3:30 GBB vs IT
Friday, 11/22/2019 SPED Luncheon 11:30-12:45, 2:40 A Clubs
Saturday, 11/23/19 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Musical
THANK YOU PRT PARENTS
Thank you for the thoughtful and generous gesture of bringing in lunch to PRT Staff.
The food was sustenance, but also warmed our souls.
We truly appreciate the continued support during a difficult time, it brings great comfort.
VETERAN'S DAY IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11
REMINDER: Recognizing Vets Close to Us
Parents,
On Veterans Day our students will be offered a patriotic name tag to write the name of a veteran/s close to them to honor for the day. Our first hour teachers will facilitate this but I wanted to prime you to have a conversation with them, to brainstorm, and perhaps identify some facts (branch of military, rank, etc.).
For example: I will wear a name tag in honor of my father, "Cpl. Vincent Sola, US Army". Students may want to include more names, years of service, but the purpose is the name. We will also share with students our 2 PRT veterans, custodian Ric Pena and cafeteria worker, Harland Heckadon, if they want to participate but don't have a name. Of course, students are not required to participate.
Rick
VETERAN'S DAY FLAGS--Support Vets with a donation!
Note from KAY club...
British philosopher James Allen proclaimed the at “no duty is more urgent that that of returning thanks.” Of all the duties, none is more valuable than the duty provided by those in our active duty military and reserve forces. Their sacrifice for country should be respected and honored. Like last year, we will honor veterans special to our PRT family with a flag display in front of the building the week of Veteran’s Day.
KAY club will be selling American Flags during parent-teacher conferences this week. Those who purchase a flag will write the name of the veteran(s) they wish to honor on a banner that will be placed on the flag’s post. Students will also have a chance to purchase flags at lunch time as we get nearer to Veteran’s Day. The week of November 11th, the flags will be placed around the flag pole in front of Prairie Trail Middle school.
Flags can be purchased for minimum $5.00 with the proceeds going to Homes for Our Troops (HFOT). Money donated will help HFOT build and donate custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. Construction of these adaptive homes allow veterans with amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or brain injuries reestablish a level of freedom and independence. Through building the homes, veterans are assisted in rebuilding their lives.
FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE...
Parents, do you know about the app “YOLO” that is becoming extremely popular for teens and tweens?
If your kids have Snapchat, you’re going to want to read more about this app…
Even though it’s fairly new, it’s making an impact on cyber bullying in a big way (…because posts are all completely anonymous.)
https://www.moms.com/yolo-app-for-snapchat-what-parents-need-to-know/
Parent Resource: Tips for Talking About Suicide
Parent Resource: Tips for Supporting a Grieving Teen
Resources for Parents
- Society of the Prevention of Teen Suicide: https://www.sptsusa.org/parents/
- Johnson County Mental Health: https://www.jocogov.org/dept/mental-health/education-outreach/suicide-prevention/resources
- Mayo Clinic Video for Parents (3:47): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BByqa7bhto
21st Century Open House
Draft 21st Century Application:
Follow the link below for the draft application for the 21st century academies. Students will also need to begin asking teachers if they would be willing to complete a recommendation for the student.
http://schools.olatheschools.com/buildings/21stcentury/onlineapplication1/
The application will open on Nov 25th at 8am and close on Dec 10th at 10pm
Students need to be prepared to COPY AND PASTE their essay’s and teacher emails into the online application. The online app will time out after about 15-20 minutes but the user won’t know it. So it is important for the students to get their info in quickly and submit.
If they are applying to two academies, they will need to answer the questions for both in the same text box….that might mean two different paragraph answers in the same text box. Only submit ONE application.
MOCK INTERVIEWS ARE THURSDAY--SIGN UPS NOW!
Mock Interviews:
Open to any 8th grader who is interested in applying for an academy. If a student is unsure, this is great practice anyway! Interviews will be on Nov. 14th, during 3rd and 4th hour. Students will sign-up and be given a time for them to practice interview skills with a professional community member, receive feedback, and answer questions themselves. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain interviewing experience.
Follow us on Twitter @PRT_Huskies
#PRTFamily and #PRTLearning...check it out!
Science Olympiad Competes at a local competition
Important Influenza information
The Johnson County Department of Health states that if a student is diagnosed with influenza, the student needs to stay home for 5 days from the onset of symptoms. Student must also be 24 hours fever free (without the aid of medication). This recommendation is for adults as well.
Red Ribbon Week--10/23-10/31
PRT will help support the drug resistance and education effort of Red Ribbon Week through daily announcements. Our announcements will focus specifically on vaping, but Red Ribbon Week is not limited to simply vaping awareness, but all drug awareness. In addition, there's a list of resources for parents to look through below. Please take a look and have these crucial conversations with your kids...it can make a big difference.
Did You Know:
Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don't, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.
Vaping Articles:
- https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/how-deal-kids-vaping-and-e-cigarette-epidemic1811.html
- http://neatoday.org/2018/11/14/vaping-in-schools/
- https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/print/17921-number-of-teens-vaping-hits-record-high-survey-shows
Vaping Statistics:
Olathe Public Schools' 2019-2024 Strategic Plan Adopted by the Board
Strategic Plan/PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE
Learn more about Olathe Schools' strategic plan by following the link below...
Full 2019-2024 Strategic Plan
https://www.olatheschools.org/cms/lib/KS01907024/Centricity/Domain/2941/Strategic-Plan-100319.pdf
BELOW IS A LINK TO THE DISTRICT CALENDAR
FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE...
Social Media Guide for Parents:
Tips and tricks to help you keep your teenager safe online.
Top 10 Apps that parents should know about.
https://www.learningliftoff.com/10-apps-kids-use-that-parents-should-know-about/
GET YOUR STUDENT PASSES HERE!
In the event you are needing to pick up a student during school, please call (913-780-7280) or email the attendance line (prtattendance@olatheschools.org) for a pass to be sent to your student. Please allow at least 30 minute notice for all passes to be delivered.
Online Absence Reporting!
PRT HAS A NEW THERAPIST AVAILABLE FOR STUDENT NEEDS!
Important Student Pick-up UPDATE
In order to promote as much safety and efficiency as possible we ask the following be adhered to while picking up and dropping off your student.
- Arrive and depart using Valley Road (between Meadowlane and K-State Bio-Science Center).
- when dropping off, please pull forward as far as possible behind the auxiliary (west) gym. This will allow as many cars as possible into the drive. Students have quick, supervised , and easy access to the building.
- The front drive is reserved for bus traffic from 7:15-7:40. Those needing to park and come into the building may park in the front lot.
- No entering or exiting using the back drive before or after school.
- For the safety of students and others, no drop offs or pick ups on 107th Street or Lone Elm
- Students waiting for their rides beyond 3:30 will be asked to move to the front of the building. This is for student safety as the office is still accessible.
- Please follow directions given by PRT staff on duty.
iPad Connectivity
Sporting Events
Getting involved doesn't always mean participating in a sport. It is fun to get together and sit in the stands, with your friends or family and cheer on our Huskies!
Athletic Admission Fees:
Individual Game Fees
$1 for Students, $2 for adults
2019-2020 In-District, Non-Tournament School Year Passes
$5 for Students (will be printed on your ID card)
$10 for Adults (pick up your pass in the PRT front office)
Two PDF handouts are below with important athletic information and schedules (PDF includes fall, winter, and spring sport info). Coaches will have most up-to-date changes should they occur. Contact AD Brian Barackman or your child's coach with questions.
More athletic information can be found on the athletics tab on our website: https://www.olatheschools.org/prairietrail/
School Calendar Link
You can access the Prairie Trail calendar at the link below. The info here will be kept up-to-date. It is recommended to bookmark the link to keep up on PRT events.
https://www.olatheschools.org/Page/6822#calendar10522/20180722/month
FREE MICROSOFT OFFICE 365 for Students
Office Contacts
Microsoft 365
All district students get Office 365 and OneDrive with 1 terabyte of online storage at no cost. Office 365 lets students install the latest version of Office on up to five personal computers or Macs and on other mobile devices, including Windows tablets, iPads, iPhones and Android phones.
NOTE: The Olathe School District offers this incentive to all students in the district, but cannot provide support for home installation or troubleshooting.
New PRT Staff - 2019-2020
We are excited to welcome 8 new members to the PRT Family this school year.
- Angela Bartlow--Counselor (new graduate from ESU)
- Eric Bruner--French (coming from OSHS and FT)
- Melissa Eker--Industrial Tech (coming from Trail Ridge MS-Gardner, KS)
- Katie Glasscock--ELA 7 (coming from Woodland Elementary)
- Darren Heavey--Literacy Teacher (coming from ONHS)
- Megan Roberts--Library Media Specialist (coming from OSHS)
- Max Taulbee--Resource (new graduate from Baker U.)
- Kim Wilson--Attendance Secretary (returning to PRT after couple years in private sector)
Rick Sola
Principal
6th Grade
Brian Barackman
Assistant Principal
7th Grade
Activities/Athletic DirectorJennifer Stoskopf
Assistant Principal
8th Grade
SPED CoordinatorKatie Vena
Counselor
6th Grade
7th Grade (Tundra)
Angela Bartlow
Counselor
7th Grade (Glacier)
8th Grade
Office Staff
Assistant Principal's Secretary: Shannon Gouger
Attendance Secretary: Kim Wilson
Bookkeeper/Principal's Secretary: Tracy Dammrich
Data Operator: Lisa Carpenter
School Nurse: Julie Beth Anselmi
Bell Schedule and Lunch
Hour 1 7:50 - 8:40
Hour 2 8:45 - 9:35
Hour 3 9:40 - 10:30
Hour 4 10:35 - 11:25
Hour 5 11:30 - 12:45
- 6th grade Lunch 11:30 - 11:55
- 8th grade Lunch 11:55-12:20 (8th moves to last lunch in S2)
- 7th grade Lunch 12:20-12:45 (7th moves to middle lunch in S2)
Hour 6 12:50 - 1:40
Hour 7 1:45 - 2:35
Husky 2:40 - 3:10