Prairie Point Panther Press
Newsletter for Prairie Point Elementary School
Friday, May 20, 2016
Welcome to the Prairie Point Panther Press!
**be sure to scroll down the newsletter - lots of great information and pictures!**
Home & School President's Letter
We have had such a great year and I want to thank the wonderful volunteers who have given their time at our many events through out the school year. We able to host these events for our students and families because we have your help.
Most recently, we spoiled our staff during staff appreciation week (the first week of May). Each day, the staff was treated to goodies and prizes all following the "What Lifts You Up?" theme. Our committee chairs out did themselves again. So many parents helped make and donate food throughout the week. Thank you to everyone involved.
Last Thursday was our field day and it was one of the best yet! Mrs. Warren and our committee chairs created fun stations for all to enjoy. (If you haven't seen the pictures, please revisit the latest Panther Press or the school website.) We had almost 75 parents volunteer to help run stations and donate water balloons. Pictures of each class were sent home with your student.
Finally, I want to thank the home & school board that served this year. It has been a pleasure working with each one of you. Thank you for your time and dedication.
Keep checking our Facebook page, Prairie Point Elementary Home & School - Home of the Panthers, and school marquee for information throughout the summer.
See you in August!!!
Registration 2016-2017
Please login and confirm your students registration information.
Good morning Prairie Point Families,
I have received several questions regarding the placement of students for next school year. I will still be a part of that process. Mrs. Kern and I will be working on those prior to my departure. I am attaching a document for you to be able to provide written input into the needs of your child - academically, socially, and physically. Due to the change in administration, please turn your form in by the provided due date of May 19th. If you send the form via email, please send it to myself AND Mrs. Kern. Our emails are provided below.
At Prairie Point, we are committed to the academic and social growth of each student. The creation of class lists is a thoughtful and involved process. With more than 500 students to place, this is a very large task. We spend a lot of time to ensure that every child is placed in a classroom where they can thrive. We consider many factors when placing students into classrooms, including instructional needs and talents, support services, behavioral needs, gender balance, interpersonal relationships, and learning styles. Each list is evaluated and adjusted many times before they are posted prior to the first day of school. Our end goal is to have all students in a classroom where they can grow and thrive both academically and personally.
The following describes the process for parents to have input into their child’s placement. Please note, some things have changed in the process for this school year.
- If your child has an instructional or social need that you would like to be considered when assigning classroom placements, please fill out a Student Placement Input Form. This form is attached to this letter, as well as is available for download at https://goo.gl/i0VL7q, and will come home in Thursday folders next week.
- This form should be returned to the school office by May 19, 2016. Please return them in a sealed envelope addressed to Dr. Podjasek/Mrs. Kern, or you may email it to hpodjasek@sd308.org AND jkern@sd308.org
- Please, do not request a specific teacher on the form. Forms that do so will be returned for revision.
- If you would like to discuss your input with me directly, I’d be happy to talk or meet with you. Please contact me to set up an appointment.
- Any special requests submitted will be considered, but cannot be guaranteed.
I am very proud of the teaching staff here at Prairie Point and I have high confidence in the ability of all of them to provide quality educational experiences for our students. Thank you for your continued support of the staff and students at Prairie Point Elementary School. Please contact me or Mrs. Kern at any time if you have questions or feedback for us. Happy Spring!
Sincerely,
Dr. Heidi Podjasek
End of the Year - Dates to Remember
Elementary Summer School Registration Now Open
News from the LRC
Congratulations to our winning team for our "Amazing Race - Panther Style", Charlie Snyder and Maddie Waite, pictured below. Our runners up, finishing only 2 points behind them, were Riley Eggers and Jacob Tsang. The Amazing Race is an optional team activity for 4th and 5th graders, done outside of school hours, and focuses on increasing geographical background knowledge.
The Bluestem list is a statewide annual list of 20 books for grades 3-5. Students who participate must read 4 books to qualify to vote for their favorite. Seventy-one students took part this year, including three who read all 20 books: A.J. Schoenfielder, Ella Schrader, and Eleanor Engel. The list for 2017 is available on the Illinois State Library Media Association website, www.islma.org
Similarly, the Rebecca Caudill list is also available as a link on the above website. Fourth and fifth graders who read 3 or more titles are qualified to vote. Thirteen students participated this year, including Eleanor Engel who read all 20 titles.
Remember that our LRC will be open on Mondays in June and July at 1 p.m. Students will be able to check out 2 books each time they visit.
Have a great summer! Happy reading!
Home & School is in need of chairpersons for 2016-2017
Preview Night
Community Outreach
Family Fun Nights
Fun Fair
Health and Wellness co-chair
Science Committee
5th grade send off
If you are interested in chairing or co-chairing any of these committees, please contact Lisa Eloe, me-mrs-e@sbcglobal.net, or Stephanie Hornik, sslmhornik@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Prairie Point Home & School
Home & School Directory Form
** Please turn in a form even if you are in the directory for this school year **
EPI School Supply order form
STEAM Summer Camp
Oswego Panther Baseball Summer Camp
Summer Run Club - 5th Grade Boys & Girls
OHS Boy's Basketball Summer Camp
Aramark Positions Available
For details visit
http://www.sd308.org/Page/8234 or call Kate Kloet at 630-636-4611.