Prairie Point Express
Welcome Back, Pioneers!
August 10, 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
A Note from Dr. Todtfeld
For those who do not yet know me, I want to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Danny Todtfeld and I'm proud to be the principal at Prairie Point! This will be my fifth year at Prairie Point. I am lucky to continue serving our great community.
This year Prairie Point will celebrate our 25th year! We are excited and are planning some extra special activities to celebrate this milestone. Be on the lookout this year for our special celebrations.
I would be remised if I didn't mention the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. As you are aware, we are going to enter this school year wearing masks and many other safety protocols in place. I will continue to ensure our school makes student and staff safety a priority by aligning building practices with current district and health department guidelines. Last year our staff and students did an amazing job keeping each other safe and following the rules. Although we are all disappointed to be in this position again, I have no doubt we will be able to provide a quality educational experience that continues to meet individual academic, behavior and social/emotional needs. Click here to view the most up-to-date safety precautions we are implementing.
Prairie Point Elementary is truly a special school where all of our students will be encouraged, challenged, loved and pushed throughout the year to become their best selves. Every parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, guardian is an important part of the education team. WE all need to work together to help our children learn and grow. Please join us in partnering together to support your child's educational journey.
Again, I am excited and proud to serve as the principal this year. Let's make 2021-2022 a year to remember!
Sincerely,
Dr. Danny Todtfeld
Did You Know?
If your family has completed the annual residency verification process, you should have received placement information with this publication.
All Park Hill families are required to complete the online residency verification process before student enrollment is finalized and a class placement is made. We are unable to send classroom placement information to households who have not verified residency.
If you did not receive class placement information, please call the school office at 816-359-4380 to verify residency within the Park Hill School District. All Park Hill families must provide a copy of your lease or mortgage statement and one utility bill. Students will not be permitted to begin the 2021-2022 school year without having this verification of residency.
Back to School Night
Families are invited to sign up for a time slot to visit your child's teacher. Please help us limit the number of attendees by not bringing extended family members or siblings who could otherwise stay home.
When you visit, you will see your child's teacher and drop off school supplies!
Families will be asked to limit your time to 15 minutes in your child's classroom and 25 minutes for your entire visit.
Click here to scan the QR code to visit the Back to School Night Sign Up.
Meet Mrs. Swisher, School Counselor
Hello and welcome to another exciting school year! I am incredibly thankful and happy to be a part of Prairie Point’s Family as the School Counselor. My passion is connecting with, encouraging, and empowering children to understand and experience their true worth, and to thrive emotionally, academically, and socially. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my two daughters and husband. My favorite activities are being outdoors, trying new restaurants, and playing sports.
With COVID-19 changing the dynamics of many things around us, I want you to know that my care and responsibility for helping your child find academic, social, and emotional success has not changed. Please visit the counseling website at Prairie Point Counseling Website to access a variety of parent resources, kid’s games and activities to support their social and emotional needs, and more about Prairie Point’s comprehensive counseling program.
If you have any questions regarding the counseling program or would like to refer your child, please contact me directly at 816-359-6289, email me at swishera@parkhill.k12.mo.us, or you can refer your child online by accessing Prairie Point’s counseling website at Prairie Point Counseling Website.
I look forward to working together this year to help ensure your child’s success in school and life. We are going to have an awesome year!
Mrs. Ally Swisher
816-359-6289
A Message From Your School Social Worker
Are you in need of help with school supplies? There are two opportunities for assistance!
Synergy Services will be holding a Drive-Through Back to School Fair on August 13th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the YRC at 2001 NE Parvin Road, KCMO. contact Jennifer at jhurst@synergyservices.org for more information.
Replenish KC is working in partnership with the Clothing Center and Gerner Family Early Education Center to distribute the backpacks filled with supplies. This Drive Thru event will be held at Gerner on August 17th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
As you may remember from previous years, Restore Church conducts an annual backpack and school supply drive in our community called Replenish KC. High quality backpacks are filled with supplies from our district’s supply lists for each grade. Replenish KC partners with the Clothing Center for this event, and each student will also receive new socks and underwear!
Here is the flyer in Spanish.
Here is the flyer in English.
We know that school supplies are one of many things that you might need assistance with, as always, please reach out to Marla Anderson, our School Social Worker if your family is dealing with a situation with which she may be able to assist. 816-359-6379 or andersonmar@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Contact Information
Prairie Point Hours
7:55 am: First bell rings. Students may not be dropped off before 7:55 am as there will not be supervision available.
8:20 am: Tardy Bell Rings and School Officially Begins
3:05 pm: Dismissal
Supervision of students begins at 7:55 AM. Please do not drop off students before 7:55. Students who wish to eat breakfast will pick up a breakfast from the cafeteria on their way to class.
Arrival and Dismissal
Bus Transportation
On August 17th, families will be able to log into their parent portal to view their child's bus information. During that same week, families receive a communication from Lana Dudzinski, Park Hill’s Transportation Coordinator, detailing how to access your child’s bus transportation information. Please check your contact information in the parent portal (Infinite Campus), to ensure your contact information is up to date. If you have questions or concerns regarding bus issues, please contact First Student at 816-359-4560.
On the first day of school, and every day after, teachers will walk their students to their individual buses and check off their names as they get on. Students will also scan their badges as they get on the bus. This is another important reason to ensure that students bring their badge to school each day.
Transportation Changes
If your student is going to have different transportation, a note or phone call from the parent must accompany the request. Please contact the office prior to 1:30 pm to request a change in transportation. Bus changes will only be issued for changes in daycare or for the safety of the student. If an alternative person is checking out your student, the person must have their ID scanned.
If you are picking your child up prior to the end of the school day, please arrive in the office prior to 2:45 pm. Parents who arrive after 2:45 pm, will need to wait until dismissal begins for their child to be called out of class.
Car Riders
Students who will be car riders every day will be considered “every day car riders.” All parents will be given a placard on the first day of school when they drop off their children. The placard MUST be displayed in the front window of the vehicle so staff can identify the parent or guardian. During dismissal, these students will be dismissed through the front doors. Staff members will supervise the car riders until a parent arrives.
We request that parents remain in cars and form a pick-up line in the front driveway. In order to eliminate congestion in the front office and keep students safe, we ask that you wait in the “car rider” line, in your car, and refrain from coming into the building to pick up your child unless it is an emergency situation.
Please avoid driving around cars who may be slower to load or unload students. Sometimes students use car doors on both sides of the vehicle. In order to keep students and staff safe, we request that you stay in line until the car in front of you moves.
Student Badges
If students lose their badge, they will be sent to the front office for a replacement. Students will be provided one replacement badge, if needed, free of charge. After the first free replacement badge, there will be a $5.00 fee for each additional badge issued.
Please help us by ensuring that all students wear their badge to and from school each day.
Free Breakfast and Lunch!
It’s official – the program that allows us to provide free meals to our students and to children throughout our community is going to continue through the summer and the 2021-2022 school year. This is not just for families who are in need – everyone may feel welcome to access this resource for their children.
Free Meals During the 2021-2022 School Year:
- For in-person students:
Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, we will provide free breakfast and lunch to our in-person students each day.
Students in our area who do not attend our schools in person will be able to order our five-day frozen bulk meal kits.
Prairie Point Health Room
Prairie Point PTA
2021-2022 PTA Board
Sarah Porter-President
Amanda Wilson-Fundraising
Johnathan Oladitan-Membership
Denna Nachlinger-Treasurer
Teresa Sidwell-Secretary
2021-2022 Committee Members
Angie Daniels
Anne Morris
Cara Kent
Christina Hall
Kate Conrad
Sara McGuff
Be sure to check out the attached newsletter for some additional information. We look forward to connecting with everyone this year!
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.
Prairie Point Communication
Of course, we know that two-way communication is best. Please feel free to call or email with any questions you have regarding your child's education.
Dr. Danny Todtfeld
Principal
816-359-6512
Mrs. Sarah McQuinn
Assistant Principal
816-359-6895
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.