Panther Digest
Prairie View Elementary - December 2023
Principal's Note
Dear Prairie View Families,
I hope this note finds you well and that you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. As we dive into the festive month of December, there's an air of excitement and anticipation buzzing through our school halls.
We have four exciting weeks ahead before our winter break, and there's so much to look forward to. We have our PTO Sponsored Holiday Shop coming up on December 13th-15th, and our talented 5th and 6th graders will showcase their musical talents at the MHS Performing Arts Center on December 20th from 6:30-7:30 PM. It's an event you won't want to miss as they perform general music, band, and orchestra.
As we navigate the next few weeks, we encourage our students to continue embracing the spirit of learning and creativity. The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it's also a time for reflection and gratitude. Let's continue to foster a warm and inclusive environment where every child feels supported and valued.
Wish you all a fantastic lead-up to the holidays. May these weeks be filled with joy, laughter, and the spirit of giving. Thank you for your continued support.
Best Regards,
Valerie Vos
Important Dates in November
5 - MASD Band Extravaganza at MHS (bus leaves 4:00 p.m.)
11 - Report Cards Posted 3:30 p.m.
13-15 Holiday Shop
18 - PVES Spelling Bee (Grades 4-6) 2:30 p.m.
19 - School Performance of Music/Band/Orchestra concert, PVES Gym, 2:00 p.m.
20 - Grades 5 & 6 Concert Rehearsal at MHS 8:45 - 11:15 a.m.
20 - Grades 5 & 6, General Music/Band /Orchestra Concert at MHS P.A.C. 6:30 p.m.
22 - Classroom Holiday Parties 2:30 p.m.
12/25-1/1 NO SCHOOL Winter Break
1/2 School Resumes
PRAIRIE VIEW EARNS A 5-STAR RATING!
Congratulations to the Prairie View staff and students for earning a 5-Star Significantly Exceeding Expectations rating on the Wisconsin School Report Card.
School Counselor Note
Dear Families,
The holiday season is a time to spend with family, reflect on the past year, and celebrate. However, sometimes the holidays can cause a case of “the gimmes.” It’s easy to get caught up in the gifts, wish lists, and shopping. So, if you’re looking to avoid that “gimme” attitude at home over the holidays here are some helpful tips from US News (Hayes, Abby. “10 Ways to Give Back as a Family This Holiday Season.” US News: Money.):
Bake something. Take some baked goods to your local police or fire station or drop some cookies off at the neighbor’s house.
Pack stockings for the homeless. Pack up stockings with essentials and drop them off at a homeless shelter or food pantry.
Clean out the toy box. Go through toys at home and donate new or gently used toys to a local nonprofit.
Visit a nursing home. Bring treats or sing carols to spread holiday cheer around a nursing home.
Adopt a family. Get connected with local organizations (ex. Christmas Clearing Council) to sponsor a family in need this holiday season.
Donate food to the local food pantry. Go grocery shopping as a family and choose nonperishable items to give to the food pantry.
Babysit or wrap gifts for donations. Offer babysitting or gift-wrapping services in exchange for a donation to be given to a local charity.
Bring lunch to those who work over the holidays. Drop off lunches at your local police/fire station, hospital, or even retail store.
Host a party. As a family, host a party and invite those who maybe don’t have family nearby or who don’t have many friends in the area.
Tackle a bigger cause. Contribute to a fundraiser, donate to a charity, or volunteer at a local nonprofit.
Take some time to give back this holiday season and beat that “gimme” attitude!
Midnight Magic
COINS FOR KIDS
Thank you so much for your generosity during our November month of giving at Prairie View. We collected $2, 839.58 during Coins for Kids/Crazy Dayz to buy presents for children for Christmas. Thank you for teaching your children about giving during the holiday season and supporting so many families!
MASD Uses Standard Response Protocol School Safety Language
Occasionally, communications will be sent to families about safety drills or responses to incidents in and around our schools. Vocabulary used in these communications will come from The "I Love U Guys" Foundation's Standard Response Protocol (SRP). MASD adopted the SRP this year and students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol.
SRP is based on an all-hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. SRP utilizes clear, common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol.
PVES PTO
Our Holiday Shop is quickly approaching. Students enjoy this opportunity to do their OWN holiday shopping for members of their immediate household. This event is a favorite for all the kids! PTO is still in need of volunteers. Check out the sign up, Link to Volunteer Signup
We want to wish all PVES families a wonderful holiday season! We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Monday, January 8, 2024!
HARVEST FEST
Harvest Fest was a huge success this year raising $12,442.91 for Prairie View! Thank you to all of those who volunteered as well as attended the event this year. We are grateful for the partnership we have with Harvest Fest and for the wonderful families of PVES!
This is a fantastic way to support both the school and our community!
Harlem Wizards Visit Mukwonago in January!
The world-famous Harlem Wizards will visit Mukwonago High School on Saturday, January 6, at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for a day of great fun and fundraising. The Wizards will play a game against a team of MASD administrators, teachers, community leaders, and community members. Proceeds will benefit Clarendon Avenue, Eagleville, Prairie View, and Rolling Hills Elementary Schools with a portion of all ticket sales to benefit all MASD schools.
The event will feature a variety of fun interactive extras to complement the Wizards' dazzling demonstration of hoops artistry: Pregame "Wiz Kids" warm-up, contests, comedy, awesome slam dunks, audience participation, merchandise giveaways, and more. The games will conclude with the Wizards' signature dance extravaganza that will have the crowd on their feet!
To purchase tickets, and for more information, visit www.harlemwizards.com.
Click here to purchase 1 p.m. tickets or click here to purchase 5:30 p.m. tickets.
DISTRICT REMINDERS ABOUT ELECTRONIC DEVICES AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL
It seems like there are new electronic devices available each holiday season. While many of these gadgets make great gifts, please remember that we have district policies about personal devices to minimize disruptions to the classroom and keep all students safe.
At the elementary level, we discourage students from bringing personal electronic devices to school. That includes but is not limited to devices such as: laptops, tablets, cell phones, smartwatches, and MP3 players. If a student brings a personal device to school, families agree to retain liability for the device. The school cannot guarantee that it will not be lost or broken.
Since the district makes a number of electronic devices available for educational purposes in
elementary classrooms, personal devices may only be used under the direction of staff members. When not in use, all personal devices should be put away and powered off.
Please remember these guidelines when considering devices for purchase and review guidelines with your child’s principal or teacher if you have any questions about bringing devices to school.
4K (2024/2025) Parent Info Night
A 4K parent information night will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at the Greenwald Foundation Performing Arts Center at Mukwonago High School. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Parents interested in more information about the MASD 4K program and our community partners should plan to attend!
Details and dates regarding enrollment for 2024-25 will be released at a later date.
For additional information, visit our 4K Information webpage.
Family Planned
When at all possible, family trips should be planned so as to not interfere with a student's school attendance and education. If this cannot be arranged and a student will be absent from school for the purpose of a family trip. a student will only be excused for a maximum of ten (10) school days per school year (School Board Policy JBAC). Planned absence forms should be completed prior to your family's trip. Here is a link to the Planned Absence Form which is also available on the MASD website.
Winter Recess
Outdoor Recess
The weather is clearly changing. Please make sure that your children are dressed appropriately for outdoor recesses. This includes a warm coat, hat, gloves or mittens. Please remember to label all winter dress items with your child’s name.
Please put a change of clothes or socks in your child's backpack in the event that they get wet.
Indoor Recess
Indoor recess will occur when the temperature, by itself or with wind chill reaches the negatives (-1 or below). In other words, if there is a negative in front of the temperature, recess will be indoors.
Students should be prepared with the proper attire to be outside for recess most days.
Weather Related Closure Information
Winter weather has returned! Click here to learn more about the district's procedures for closing school due to extreme cold or unsafe roads.
PVES Ski Club
Temperatures are falling, making now the perfect time to sign up for Prairie View’s Ski Club! Our first ski day is quickly approaching on December 6th. Our club offers families a more affordable way to hit the slopes. Please click here for more information.
Office Information
Mrs. Valerie Vos, Principal
262-392-6310, ext. 26500
Mrs. Ann Dudek, Administrative Assistant
262-392-6310, ext. 26501
Mrs. Tara Rice, Clerk
262-392-6310, ext. 26502
Mrs. Cindy Fendryk, Health Assistant
262-392-6310, ext. 26503