Prairie Point Panther Press
Newsletter for Prairie Point Elementary School
Friday, October 16, 2020
Welcome to the Prairie Point Panther Press!
Principal's Letter
Prairie Point Families:
Next week marks a milestone in the 2020-21 school year - we will welcome our first groups of students back to in-person instruction! I am very excited to greet some of our early childhood students along with some students in our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program.
Every year I say that the first day of school is my favorite day of the year. This year I have hit the jackpot, because I will get to celebrate the first day over and over again! We had our first day of remote learning in August , we will have four “first days of in-person” throughout the next week and a half and I will get to do it again two more times in November when we welcome our A Group and B Group students back to in-person learning! This one aspect that makes this the best year ever!
Self-Contained Programs - Return to In-Person Instruction
As I shared, I am beyond excited for next week and cannot wait to greet our students as they begin to return to school.
If your child is returning to Prairie Point next week, you should have received a communication from Dr. Hildebrand, our Executive Director of Special Education Services, on October 9th. Included in that communication was information about transportation, related services and safety protocols.
Health certification forms will need to be filled out by the parent prior to the start of each in-person learning day. That form was attached to the communication that Dr. Hildebrand sent out on October 9th. If you are in need of additional Health Certification forms, there is a link on the Homepage of the Prairie Point website under Announcements, https://www.sd308.org/cms/lib/IL01906463/Centricity/Domain/25/Health%20Certification%20Form.pdf or you can reach out to Mrs. Holpuch in the office.
As you prepare for next week, do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. I am happy to help any way that I can!
EC - 5th Grade - Return to In-Person Instruction
As you are likely aware, on Tuesday evening our Board of Education approved the Stage Three Return to In-Person Learning Plan. This plan begins to bring Early Childhood through 5th grade students back to the school building beginning on November 9th.
This week you should have received communication explaining this plan, as well as a survey link to opt into remote by choice learning. I know that this is a personal decision that each family will make. Yes, I am excited to begin to bring students back to Prairie Point, however, I know that for many families remote by choice is the best decision. As a staff, we are dedicated to making both of these learning platforms the very best that we can and will celebrate milestones and successes remotely and in person! Whatever platform you choose for your family is the right decision.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me and ask any questions. As you can imagine, there are many moving parts to returning to in-person instruction and planning for both remote and in-person instructional platforms. While I might not have an answer right away, I will follow up with you and get you those answers when I have them. I am very grateful for your patience and support. Please know that while we are continuing to adapt and adjust during this unprecedented time, all of the decisions that our district administrators and that I will make are based on what we believe is the safest and healthiest way to provide in-person instruction for our students.
I hope that your family enjoys these beautiful fall days. I know it won’t be too long until winter is here! Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jennifer Groves
Principal
Fannie May Fundraiser
Good Afternoon Prairie Point Families:
This year our Fannie May Fundraiser will look a little different; same great candy and the same great price, but a little virtual.
Please return your order form and money to the Prairie Point office by Monday, October 26th. All money and order forms should be in a sealed envelope with your student's name and teacher's name on them. We will have a sealed, marked box in the foyer for your to leave your order and money in. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office at 630-636-3600.
PRAIRIE POINT’S STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM FALL 2020
FANNIE MAY CANDY FUNDRAISER
PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES
- Sell just ONE BOX or more and receive a FANNIE MAY CANDY BAR. ($1.79 VALUE)
- Sell JUST 5 BOXES or more and be entered in a SCHOOL DRAWING for a chance to WIN $50!
- Students get a FREE ½ lb. BOX of FANNIE MAY CANDY for EVERY 8 BOXES (Be sure to order your free boxes in the upper right corner of the order form.)
- Students get a CASH ENVELOPE ($1, $5, $10, or $50) for EVERY 10 BOXES SOLD!
- Any student selling 25 BOXES get $25 CASH, sell 40 BOXES get $50 CASH instead of $25! (Sell 60 BOXES get $75 CASH instead of $50, sell 80 BOXES get $100 CASH instead of $75.)
SPECIAL DRAWING: Students who SELL 20 BOXES or more will have their name entered into a MULTI-SCHOOL DRAWING for a chance to win $1,000 (1st prize) or $500 (2nd prize). WOW!
DATES TO REMEMBER
THURSDAY, OCT. 15…..START OF SALE. MATERIALS SENT HOME.
MONDAY, OCT. 26..……END OF SALE. PLEASE DROP OFF ORDER FORM WITH MONEY TO THE SCHOOL. MAKE SURE YOUR NAME is on YOUR ORDER FORM and A MONEY ENVELOPE. (Be sure to order your FREE BOXES if you qualify.)
Prairie Point Food Drive: Contest!
This year, the food drive is working in coordination with the opening of the Oswego Satellite of the Kendall County Community Food Pantry's location at East View Academy.
1) Monetary donations can be made here: https://kccfoodpantry.org/sd308/ between October 12th and November 6th. For every $1 collected, the food pantry can purchase $8 worth of food.
2) Food Items will be collected at Prairie Point from October 19th through October 28th. Drop off all donations at the bus parked in front of the school.
The days/times are as follows:
· Monday October 19th, Thursday October 22nd, and Monday October 26th: 6:00 am - 11:00 am
· Tuesday, October 20th, Friday October 23d, and Tuesday October 27th: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
· Wednesday October 21st and Wednesday October 28th: 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
3) Help our school win the Food Drive competition and support our local Kendall County Community Food Pantry! If your children help donate, please snap a picture and send it to us: KManna@sd308.org
Thank you! J
Celebrate with a Great Book!
We have some very exciting news about a new partnership with the Oswego Public Library District! This partnership has been created to give all students in SD308 access to the digital resources available through our public library. Some of our SD308 students don't live within the boundaries of the library district, so they have not had access in the past. This new partnership will give all students access to the amazing resources our public library has to offer! There are many wonderful databases and ebooks that students may use for research, homework, classwork and personal enjoyment.
Getting access to these resources is EASY! Just fill out the attached Library Google Form. (even if you already have a library card). After you complete it, Mrs. Seiple or Mrs. D will contact you with access instructions and the library card number. IT’S THAT EASY! :) The library card number will be active as soon as you receive it, and will expire on June 1, 2021. Please be sure to complete the form for every child in your household who attends Prairie Point, so that we may give each child her/his own library card number.
In the upcoming weeks, Mrs. Seiple will be showing students how to access resources during her Wednesday Go Live! sessions. She will also post videos with further directions. In the meantime, please fill out the form and start exploring the wonderful resources on your own!
Jessica Seiple
Library Media Specialist
Prairie Point Elementary School/ Boulder Hill Elementary School
(630) 636-3603
W.O.W. Winners!!
It was a beautiful day for a walk. Prairie Point Panthers were able to celebrate our 2nd week of Walk on Wednesday. We had 24.5% of our students go for a walk with Mrs. Hoke’s 2nd grade class winning the Golden Shoe Award with 61.9% of her students that went for a walk. 2nd place went to Ms. Skillman’s 4th grade class with 59.1% taking a walk and 3rd place went to Mrs. Van Dusen’s 4th grade class with 34.8% of her students going for a walk.
Congratulations to all our Students who went for a Walk!
Here is the link to the story on our Homepage News Section with the slide show:
Virtual Walk On Wednesdays
Virtual Walk On Wednesdays
W.O.W.
In October
October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th
Prairie Point will be celebrating International Walk to School Month in October. This year we will be having our Walk on Wednesdays virtually. If your student(s) would like to participate, all they will need to do is take a walk on Wednesdays during the month of October. Go for a walk with your parents, your sister, your brother, your dog, or any family member.
Please take a picture while out on your walk and send it to Mrs. Manna at kmanna@sd308.org. Please include your child’s name and teacher. We will count all of our participants and the classroom with the most participation will win the Virtual Golden Shoe Award for that week!
All picture submissions must be received by the next day (Thursday) by 1 pm. We will post the Virtual Golden Shoe Award classroom winner on Thursday afternoons.
Panther Fitness Virtual Challenge
Fitness Challenge Money is Due Friday, Oct. 23rd
Panther Fitness Virtual Challenge
Panther Shout Out Spirit Stickers
Spirit Stickers
Home & School - Konstella
Join us on Konstella!
Prairie Point Elementary's Home and School Board is changing from Membership Toolkit to Konstella!
Unfortunately, with everything that has been going on, your Home and School Board has decided to change our school management software again. This decision did not come lightly to us. We did not want to change to a new software again, when you just signed up for Membership Toolkit, but we needed to make a change for the better. This decision impacts our finances as well as how we manage the events. We think it will be easier for all. Please follow the link below to begin the new sign in. Thank you again for being so cooperative with us.
https://www.konstella.com/cd/0UJE2V
Sincerely,
Your 2020-2021 Home and School Board
Angela McCumber, President
Erin Szostak, Corresponding Secretary
Coreen Sedlacek, Treasurer
Other Ways to Earn for Prairie Point Home & School Organization
Young Rembrandts Virtual Halloween Party
Chess Scholars/After school Enrichment
: • Live, interactive weekly sessions with expert instructors o Chess and STEM live sessions are divided by grade level.
• Video lessons with step by step instructions to complete hands-on projects • Project workbooks to reinforce learning concepts
• Access to online Chess tournament play with other Chess Scholars students
Our live class times are held both in the morning and afternoon throughout the week to accommodate your schedules.
Video lessons are available 24/7. Learning is Fun with these engaging enrichment programs!
To learn more, please visit: afterschoolenrichmentsolutions.com ———————————————————————————————————————–————–———— Course Days: Weekdays, October 19th - December 18th, no class 11/23 - 11/27 (8 Weeks)
Live Course Times (both sessions): Weekly live, 30-minute lessons available during morning and afternoons for each course. (Spanish is a 60-minute lesson. All other subjects are 30-minute lessons.)
A weekly schedule will be sent to enrolled participants the Friday prior to each week of the session.
To sign up, please visit https://www.learningmeansfun.com/signup.
Late registrations are welcome!
All-Access Pass Price: $136.00
All-Access Pass Course Code: AES20
Young Rembrandts
September drawing classes are now a muddy memory! Pictured above was our last interactive Zoom class hosted by Miss Crystal featuring squealing little piggies!
AUTUMN ART is right around the corner!
Join Young Rembrandts L-I-V-E during the month of October as we bring all the drawing fun your child enjoyed after-school INTO the comfort of your home. Parents get time to themselves while the kids have FUN drawing something new every week as they get to meet AND talk to new art friends!
This is NOT your typical screen time. We are going to continue to get super creative and chase away 'at home' blues!
COME DRAW WITH US!
Multiple Age Groups and Options Available
Ages 6 - 12 Drawing Club, L-I-V-E with Zoom
ALL AGES Family Drawing Night live using Zoom
ALL AGES On Demand pre-recorded classes - perfect for families who can't commit to a schedule
REGISTER ONLINE NOW
https://www.youngrembrandts.com/swsuburbs/view-classes-enroll/
Prairie Point Care Closet
If you are in need of any items please send your message to the following confidential email PTCares@sd308.org
News from the Nurse's Office
Kindergarten students:
A completed physical and immunization record (dated after 8/24/2019) is due by October 15th 2020.
A completed vision exam form and dental exam form are due in March of 2021.
2nd grade students:
A completed dental exam form is due by March of 2021.
We can accept any of these forms at any time. They may be emailed (dacuff@sd308.org), faxed (630-636-3612), or left on the drop off table in the school’s vestibule.
Voluntary 24 hr Student Accident coverage plan for the 20/21 school year
"Peachjar" Communication
Oswego CUSD 308 has launched a new communication tool called "Peachjar." School-approved flyers will now be sent to you electronically and posted on the school website. Simply click flyers you receive via email or on the Prairie Point homepage click Digital flyers then Peachjar flyers.