Prairie Point Express
Family Newsletter
March 19, 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
Upcoming Dates
Thursday, March 25
- Read A Thon Ends
- End of 3rd Quarter
Friday, March 26
- No School for Students - Teacher Work Day
Monday, March 29 - Friday, April 2
- No School - Spring Break
Monday, April 5
- Summer School Enrollment opens via Infinite Campus Parent Portal
- Park Hill Online Academy Enrollment opens
Friday, April 9
- DISTANCE LEARNING DAY - School will take place online - 9:00 AM - 3:40 PM
- 3rd Quarter Grade Cards Available to Parents
Tuesday, April 13
- PTA Meeting - 6:30 pm - Via Zoom
Thank You Pioneer Families!
Thank you for your flexibility on our AMI-X day, Thursday, March 18. The year of COVID-19 has thrown us many curveballs and challenges but one thing has remained the same, the amazing support from our Pioneer families. We appreciate your partnership and we just want to say thank you for your flexibility during these uncharted times.
Take care,
Dr. Todtfeld and your Prairie Point Staff
Congratulations to our Park Hill STAR Nominees!
Prairie Point's Spring Showcase (Virtual)
PTA Read A Thon
We are wrapping up week 1 of our Read A Thon and our March Madness tournament! Today we will start our Facebook BINGO competition! Follow Park Hill Prairie Point Elementary PTA to find the BINGO card. The first 5 students to post photos completing 5 squares in a row will win a book and a prize!
We hope your students are having fun reading! Please remember to turn in their reading logs to their teacher by Thursday, March 25. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Park Hill Online Academy Enrollment
The enrollment window for the Park Hill Online Academy for the 2021-2022 school year is approaching:
- High school: March 15-26
- Middle school: April 5-16
- Elementary: April 5-16
For more information, please visit the district office webpage here. Please continue to check the Prairie Point Express for more information about how to sign up.
Countdown to Kindergarten
Children who turn five on or before July 31 are eligible for kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year. If you have a child who will start kindergarten in Park Hill this August, we have a checklist for you to prepare for blast-off. If you have a neighbor with an incoming kindergarten student, please share this information. Beginning April 5, you can enroll your child in your assigned school. After you enroll, mark your calendar for the Kindergarten Kickoff event on May 6. Remember, the first day of school is August 23. Please check out our district website for more details.
Specials Spotlight with Mrs. Easley
Second graders have been learning how to find books independently in the library. They can search the library catalog using keywords, identify a book’s call number, and go to the shelf to find the book in the right library “neighborhood.” This week we practiced by creating shelf talkers of our favorite books and placing them near the book on the shelf.
Special Spring Break Frozen Meal Opportunity
All district and area parents will have the opportunity to order bulk frozen meals that will provide 10 days of breakfast and lunch over Spring Break AT NO CHARGE. This special option is available for all students - in person, hybrid, and online - as well as non-school age and area children.
Please order based on the number of children/students in your household (0-18) at https://forms.gle/yq8DBeKQKsjnRxum7
Orders must be placed by 7:30 am on Tuesday, March 23.
Meal pick up is March 24th from 10:00 am – 5:30 pm at Park Hill Support Services Center, 9501 N Seymour, Kansas City, MO 64153.
Questions? 816-359-4090
Save the Date for Summer School
PBIS Contests Coming Soon!
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 continue to check the Express after spring break for where to submit your entries!
GOOD LUCK PIONEERS! HAPPY CREATING!
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!
Last week to sign up for Mystery Reader!
You have the opportunity to be a Mystery Reader for your child's classroom! Please use this Sign Up Genius to choose a date in February or March to be a Mystery Reader via Zoom.
Once you sign up, each teacher will reach out to you directly for 5 clues about yourself as well as what book you'd like to read. The kids will love guessing all week long who they think the Mystery Reader will be!
Thanks in advance for your time and for promoting our home-school connection.
-Prairie Point PTA
March Curriculum Connections
Here are your Curriculum Connections for March!
ELA-March
Math-March
Social Studies/Science- March
Birthday Treat Reminders
March Habit
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.