Prairie View Elementary
December 2020
NEXT WEEK!
- Monday, November 23rd: HALF DAY REMOTE LEARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS
Parent/Guardian - Teacher Conferences from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- Tuesday, November 24th: NON ATTENDANCE DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS
Parent/Guardian - Teacher Conferences from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Learning Today, Shaping Tomorrow
A MESSAGE FROM MR. RYAN
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. As a young kid, I loved the Thursday morning football game with my cousins and watching football on TV. As an adult, I cherish the time with my own family and seeing my son and daughter help set the table, prepare food, and wrestle with their grandfathers. Over time, I've learned to appreciate the little things that happen each day more and more. As we near Thanksgiving, I have been thinking a lot about what I am thankful for during these challenging times. My list is lengthy; however, near the top of my list is my happiness to be the educational leader of such a wonderful learning community here at Prairie View. I am thankful that we've been able to be in blended style learning for as long as we have. I am thankful for such happy, engaging, and enthusiastic learners, thankful for my wonderfully dedicated staff, and thankful for our supportive Prairie View families. The amount of positive feedback we've received over the last two and a half months has been incredible. In a year that will undoubtedly be the most challenging of our careers, your support has served to be the fuel for our unwavering desire to do everything we can to help our students.
It is hard to believe that this past week we have surpassed our 50th day of school. I have been so grateful to be able to have students in our building. I love seeing students eagerly raising their hands and contributing to their learning, seeing student work hanging on our walls, hearing laughter as I walk by classroom doors, the squeak of gym shoes coming from the gym, and singing during music times. What an impactful fifty days it has been! Unfortunately, as you already know, we will start an "adaptive pause" in our blended learning beginning November 30th. Learning of this announcement has been bittersweet. The safety of our students will always be paramount; therefore, I understand the need to shift to full remote learning. However, I am saddened to think about how quiet our building will be each day, without our energetic, positive, happy little learners. We will be excited to see them back in the building in a few short weeks!
I want to share that our staff is aware of the struggles that can come about as a result of five days of remote learning each week. It is a challenge on many levels to manage daily life on top of having your students learn from home. For many of our staff members, we can directly relate as we have young learners of our own at home. Please know that our teachers will continue to take these variables into consideration when planning. That being said, it is paramount that during our "adaptive pause," we continue to push along in our curricular paths, develop necessary skills, and expose our students to necessary content. Your student(s) teachers will be in contact with you regarding the structure of how their "class" will function during remote learning. However, I feel it is necessary to mention that routines are important. It will only serve to benefit your student(s) when they return on January 19th, if they maintain a similar remote learning routine as they would follow here at Prairie View. Below are some suggestions that will help during the coming weeks:
Consistent bedtimes and wake-up calls! Sleep is very important to our students' physical, emotional, and educational development. Keep bedtimes at a reasonable hour and consistent time. Try to wake your students up and have them start their remote learning day on the same schedule as a typical school day.
Nutrition: A healthy breakfast is a key to a successful day of remote learning. Try to limit high sugar foods. Instead focus on whole grains, proteins, fruits, and vegetables.
Encourage your students to take brain breaks and remain physically active. Take the dog for a walk, complete a GoNoodle, run around the house a few times, log onto cosmic yoga; and, of course, complete all of their P.E. assignments.
Encourage your students to approach each day of learning with a positive attitude. If, at any point in the day, your student becomes frustrated, it is OK to take a break, move on to a different activity, and come back later and try again.
Ask questions! If you or your student are confused, don't hesitate to ask for help! Use your Seesaw or Google Classroom platform to message your teacher(s) or simply email. Our staff will do their best to get back to you in a timely manner.
Remote Learning Attendance
Communication with your student(s) teachers
Materials/Supplies Pick-Up
Adaptive Pause Free Meal Pickup
Meal Pickup:
Until the end of the calendar year, free food is available through the USDA's "Free Meals for Kids" program. During our adaptive pause from blended learning, our process for ordering and picking up meals will change. Each week, you will need to fill out a meal order form by Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. for the NEXT week. Meals will be picked up Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 am behind Sandwich Middle School. Your first meal order will be due by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, November 25th. **We will not be using the same order form that we've been using during blended learning**
Click Here to access the meal order form
Meal order deadlines during the adaptive pause:
- November 25th at 12:00 noon
- December 2nd at 12:00 noon
- December 9th at 12:00 noon
- December 30th at 12:00 noon
- January 6th at 12:00 noon
Starting the week of January 18th, we will return to ordering food using the same process that was in place prior to the adaptive pause.
School Improvement Survey
Dear Parents and Guardians,
In order to continue our school improvement initiative, we need your help! Each year we send a survey to parents and guardians asking for input. Please take the time to fill out a survey. The link for the survey is below. In advance, thank you for your help. We will be closing the survey on December 18th.
Click Here to access the parent survey link!
Resource News!
The students in Miss Lumsden’s classroom have been participating in a lot of sensory based learning activities. So far, the students have practiced writing their letters, sight words, and sentences in moon sand, shaving cream, and in rainbow salt and sprinkle boxes.
Physical Education during "Adaptive Pause"
Please click on the link below to view a letter explaining how P.E. will work during our period of remote learning.
Click Here for remote learning information!
P.E. News!
We have been very busy getting active in PE! We have been learning about and participating in activities that deal with healthy food choices and the different food groups. We have been discussing the importance of picking foods that will give long lasting energy and foods that will give our body the nutrients it needs to grow and develop properly. I have encouraged students to try new foods and to eat a variety of foods from each food group.
We honored our veterans in a unique way by sweating for a vet during a workout. The students performed exercises and movements that challenged their strength, endurance, and flexibility. The students did so well and worked so hard throughout these physical activities.
Nutrition Tips For Thanksgiving:
Don’t forget to eat breakfast. It’s important to eat a small meal before the big one, so you are not starving by the time you eat Thanksgiving dinner.
Sometimes it is easier if you start out with small portions when you first fill your plate. If you finish all your food on your plate, you can then have a second plate or dessert if you are still hungry.
Make sure you fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables; then add the rest with the special foods. It’s important to include your fruits and veggies, even on holidays.
Please remember to count your blessings and be thankful during this Holiday. I am thankful for my family and for a career that allows me to do the things I love. Have a warm and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Martin
News from the Nurse
Dental Reminder:
Completed Proof of School Dental Exam forms are required for current Kindergarten and second grade students by May 15th. If you are unable to obtain the required dental exam, please complete the Dental Exam Waiver Form.
Healthy Sleep for the HOLIDAYZZZZ
Make the most of the season by staying well-rested with these science-based sleep tips:
Kids 12 and under need at least 9 hours of sleep each night.
Try to keep a consistent sleep schedule by having your family go to bed and get up at the same times every day, even on holiday breaks or when learning remotely.
Avoid caffeine and avoid large meals right before bed.
If you want to nap over the holiday break, aim for a 20-minute nap, which experts say is the best time length to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go.
We sleep better when the room is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit (65-70 degrees for babies and toddlers).
Make sure to stay active over the holidays, as physical activity during the day can facilitate better sleep at night.
Turn all screens off at least an hour before bedtime.
For more health sleep ideas, visit http://www.Healthiergeneration.org/smartersleep
IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATOIN
Ice Cream Social Basket Winners!
Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all who donated and purchased raffle tickets! We were able to raise $865.00 for our school!
PPA News
New PPA Facebook Support Group!
This is a support group for anyone going to Prairie View Elementary. This is a place to ask questions regarding blended/e-learning, technical/Chromebook issues, or anything else revolving around our Prairie View kids.
We are all parents to kiddos at Prairie View & we are all in this together! Let's support and cheer each other on!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/339569930435524
Box Tops for Education:
Click Here to access information on how to use Box Tops for Education to help out our School.
Additional Parent Resources
Prairie View is on Facebook
Prairie View School
Email: hmartin@sandwich430.org
Website: http://pv.sandwich430.org
Location: 1201 Castle Street, Sandwich, IL, USA
Phone: (815)786-8811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PVElementary430/