Prairie Point Panther Press
Newsletter for Prairie Point Elementary School
Friday, August 26, 2016
Welcome to the Prairie Point Panther Press!
Principal's Letter
Dear Prairie Point Parents:
Thank you for such an amazing start to the school year and thank you for the warm welcome to Prairie Point! One thing that has been evident to me during the last week and a half, is the community and family at Prairie Point. I have observed so many teachers and staff members connecting with former students, welcoming families back to school and supporting one and other. This has been an absolutely wonderful school to step into. I know that the bar has been set high by Dr. Podjasek and Mrs. Kern. I am honored and excited to step in and take the reins this year!
As an administrator, one of my goals is to get to know each and every student in my building. My previous school had right around 500 students, and I took pride in learning the names of all of our new students by mid-September each year. As all of the students are new to me this year, it will definitely take a little more time. However, by greeting students when they enter the building, having a presence during lunches and recesses and regularly stopping in classrooms, I am certain that I will get to know everyone here at Prairie Point throughout the year.
As I live right here in the Prairie Point community, I also hope to see your family out and about. If you see me at the park district, a store, restaurant or walking on the path, do not hesitate to say hi and introduce yourself. While I prefer to talk about school-related issues when I am at school and can give you the appropriate attention, I love to get to know you and your family where ever and whenever I see you! I saw several of our students this past weekend while I was walking my dog around the path here at Prairie Point!
I do want to take a minute to formally introduce our administrative team. In addition to Mrs. Kern and me, I am thrilled to welcome Mrs. Julie Lenz as our special education coordinator. We share Mrs. Lenz with Lakewood Creek Elementary School. Mrs. Lenz is at Prairie Point on Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as every other Thursday. Should you have a question that is related to special education, I encourage you to reach out to Mrs. Lenz directly. It is wonderful to work on a three-member administrative team and I am excited for all that we will accomplish this year.
Our theme for this year is SPARK – This stands for Self-Confident, Persistent, Accepting, Resourceful and Kindhearted. In addition to the teaching the core curriculum, we are also strive to instill characteristics in our students that will prepare them for success both in and outside of the classroom and prepare them to be leaders. We are looking to all of our students to be leaders and to demonstrate these characteristics at Prairie Point and throughout the community. What is your SPARK?
2016-2017 is off to a great start! Please don’t hesitate to contact me, Mrs. Kern or Mrs. Lenz if you need us for anything throughout this year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jennifer Groves
Principal
Curriculum Night
Dear Prairie Point Families:
I’d like to welcome you to the 2016-2017 school year. We are off to a great start! The staff and I are looking forward to seeing you at curriculum night on Thursday, September 8, 2016, at 6:30 pm.
During curriculum night presentations, the teachers will share information with you about the district curriculum, the Common Core State Standards, and information specific to their classrooms.
There will be 2 sessions held in the classrooms.
Session 1: 6:30 p.m. – 7:10 p.m.
Session 2: 7:15 p.m. – 7:55 p.m.
We do ask that your children stay home this evening, as the information shared is for parents only.
During the evening, Mrs. Kern, our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Lenz, our Special Education Coordinator, and I will be available to answer questions or talk with you. Please don’t hesitate to seek us out just to say hello or to ask questions. We look forward to seeing you!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jennifer Groves
Principal
Picture Day is Sept 2, 2016
Bring your Smiles and look your best because Friday, September 2nd is Picture Day at Prairie Point. This year Lifetouch is offering parents many new options. You will have several different poses to choose from, the ability to add your child’s grade and name to their photos and a convenient new way to pay online with your credit card.
Visit mylifetouch.com, create an account, choose the pose, the package and any other options you may want. Provide your credit card information and you will be given a Payment Code to write on your student’s picture day envelope that is attached to the order form. Your student will then provide the photographer with the envelope with the code.
Picture Day Order forms were sent home in Thursday folders. If you do not have a Picture Day Order form, we have extras in the Main Office.
News from the Nurse
Welcome back! We are so excited to start the new year. Just a friendly reminder, we have some students in our school with life threatening food allergies. Please be cognizant of the ingredients in the snacks you are sending with your child to school.
Thank you so much! With your help we can keep all our students safe and ready to learn. Have a great school year.
News from PE!
The P.E. department is excited about the new mural in the gym. Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Warren, Jenna Allen, Tyler Stack, Sophia Lopez and Lori DeJesus painted it this summer. G.O.A.P.E. stands for Go Outside And Play Everybody!!
Coming Soon - Smoothies for Breakfast!
Aramark Positions Available
For details visit
http://www.sd308.org/Page/8234 or call Kate Kloet at 630-636-4611.