Prairie Point Express
Family Newsletter
April 30, 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
Monday, May 3 - May 7
- Staff Appreciation Week
Tuesday, May 4
- MAP Testing Begins at PPE - see the schedule below
- 4th Quarter Progress Reports Available
Thursday, May 6
- Kindergarten Kickoff - By Appointment
Friday, May 21
- Field Day
- PBIS Contest Winners Announced
Friday, May 28
- Last day of school - 1/2 day for students
MAP Testing at PPE
All Students Grades 3-5. Both Online and In-Person Students will be taking the MAP test 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.
Autism Acceptance
In the past, Prairie Point has followed the norm and celebrated Autism Awareness and Light it up Blue during April. Recently, there has been a push to change this. We are sharing some of the new information and want to acknowledge the shift from “Awareness” to “Acceptance”. Awareness is still important but we want to continue to push ourselves and include “Acceptance” for all and “Celebrate Differences” in everyone.
Please read the attached PDF to learn more about the Autism Society of America Advocacy Guide: Show Your Support for Autism Acceptance Month and #CelebrateDifferences
Also, below is a great video, Beyond Autism Awareness…to Acceptance and Appreciation!
Virtual Art Show
Congratulations to Mrs. Davis!
Congratulations, Mrs. Davis who received the Excellence in Classroom Teaching award during the Virtual Excellence in Education Banquet.
Specials Spotlight with Mr. Downey
The 5th graders are working on FITNESSGRAM testing. They did the PACER test which measures their cardiovascular endurance, the PUSH-UP test which measures their upper body strength, the CURL-UP test which measures their abdominal strength, and the SIT-and-REACH test which measures their flexibility. Mr. Downey has been impressed by how hard the kids have been working and how many kids are in the healthy fitness zone.
Complete your Online Verification & Residency!
Our annual online verification and residency process for returning students is open. All families must visit the Parent Portal to verify student demographic, health, and emergency contact information, and to submit proof of residency documents for the 2021-2022 school year. Visit our website for more information about this process.
Enroll in Summer School Today!
Summer school registration is now open. For the first time, families can register their incoming kindergarten through eighth-grade students for summer school through the same form used to complete online verification and residency. If you want your child to attend summer school, please complete their verification by May 7.
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
Digital Safety Night a Success!
Thank you to all our families that participated in our zoom meeting for Digital Safety last week! We loved seeing our families and had a very informative presentation with our experts from the district technology department. We hope the Smart Talk Contract and the information shared will help your families stay digitally safe and happy! If you were unable to join the meeting but would like to receive the information about digital safety, please email prairiepointpta@gmail.com and we will send you the information.
Park Hill Kids Soccer Camp
The Park Hill Soccer Program will be hosting our annual kids camp on July 19-21.
- PH Kids Soccer Camp
- July 19th-21st from 7:15-8:15 AM
- Located at the new Park Hill Soccer Field on the Park Hill High School Campus
- Open to K-5 boys and girls
- The cost is $30 and includes a t-shirt
- Register at www.tinyurl.com/PH-Soccer-Camp
- Contact Josh Marchbank at marchbankj@parkhill.k12.mo.us for more information!
PHHS StuCo Presents: Family Fun Night In!
PHHS StuCo typically hosts a Family Dance each year for the district's elementary students and their families. We are unable to host the dance this year due to Covid-19, so instead, we have created Family Fun Night In! videos and activity kits.
The videos are pre-recorded, are grade-appropriate (ie. origami for older grades and coloring by number for younger kids, dancing for everyone, scavenger hunts, etc.), and come with a kit to complete all the activities. The PHHS StuCo kids have worked very hard to put these together!
Here is the form to sign up: https://forms.gle/aWuepPDpFywSVNNA9
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.
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.