Prairie Point Express
Family Newsletter
October 30, 2020
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
Upcoming Dates
Monday, November 2
- Anti-Bullying Week Kick-Off
- SPIRIT DAY: Crazy Sock Day
Tuesday, November 3
- SPIRIT DAY: Hat Day
Wednesday, November 4
- Lifetouch Retakes - In the Gym
- Online Student Photos - In the Gym (enter through bus doors)
- SPIRIT DAY: Wear Sweats Day
Thursday, November 5
- Fundraiser Item Pick-up | 3:15-6:30 PM
- SPIRIT DAY: Favorite Team Day
Friday, November 6
- SPIRIT DAY: We are ONE shirt
- 1st Quarter Report Cards Distributed to Families
A Letter from Dr. Todtfeld Regarding 2nd Semester Changes
October 29, 2020
Dear Prairie Point Families:
To assure a quality learning environment, the Park Hill Board of Education has adopted class-size guidelines for all grade levels in our elementary schools. We are fortunate that this commitment is honored, even after a school year has started.
As you may be aware, the window has opened for families to choose in-person learning or Park Hill Online for second semester. If you do not want to make a change for your child, there is nothing for you to do; your child will automatically continue with the in-person or PH Online option you have chosen. I know families will be making decisions no later than November 13, and want you to have important information from me as you do so.
If we have a significant number of students change from in-person enrollment to PH Online or from PH Online to in-person enrollment, we will need to look at class assignments again to make sure we have heterogeneous groups of students and balanced student numbers for our classrooms. This could affect both in-person and PH Online students, in terms of their assigned teacher for second semester. Students at middle school and high school are accustomed to changing classes at semester, but this is not something we typically do at the elementary level. Please know this will only occur here at Prairie Point if it is necessary, in order to keep classes balanced.
If you would like to provide input about a possible change in your child’s teacher placement, you can either email me at todtfeldd@parkhill.k12.mo.us or contact the Prairie Point office at 359.4380 by Friday, November 13. We will take your input into consideration as we make decisions for second semester, but please note final decisions about class placements are made by a school team. You can be assured we will do all that is possible to provide a smooth transition for all our students as we move into second semester, which begins Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
It is wonderful that we are a part of the Park Hill School District that is committed to small class sizes for students who are in their formative years, and we know that this is a priority for you as well.
Sincerely,
Dr. Danny Todtfeld
Principal, Prairie Point Elementary
Please click here to view this message in its original format.
Important Lost and Found Information
Please put your child's name on their winter clothing (coats, gloves, hats, etc..). This will help us return your child's lost clothing to them quickly!
Students with Cold Symptoms
Mark Your Calendars: PTA Meeting
Dr. Todtfeld will give an update on Prairie Point's plans for 2nd Semester during his segment, "Update from the Principal." Be sure to tune in for this important information!
What will We Do When It Snows?
AMI Distance Learning Days:
In the past, when the weather made it too dangerous to get to school in the Park Hill School District, we just called a snow day and added the day to the end of the school year. Now that the state of Missouri has said we’re allowed to do distance learning from home, we have another option - an AMI distance learning day.
Visit our website to find out:
- What is an AMI distance learning day?
- How many AMI distance learning days can we use in Park Hill?
- What will we do if we use up all our AMI distance learning days?
- What will an AMI distance learning day look like for students?
- What will an AMI distance learning day look like for teachers?
- What will an AMI distance learning day look like for each employee group?
AMI distance learning day information on the website
One of the ways we will alert you to an AMI distance learning day is a text alert. If you have not yet opted in to receive texts from the Park Hill School District, text Y to the shortcode 67587 from the phone number you have already provided to the Park Hill School District.
Specials Spotlight: Music
Halloween Safety Info from Children's Mercy Hospital
Anti-Bullying Week
The week of November 2 - November 6, 2020 will be Prairie Point’s Anti-Bullying Week. We will do an all-school spirit week and have daily lessons in each class. Our goal is to create a safe and caring school environment in which all students and adults can come to school and not need to worry about bullying!
Prairie Points Anti-Bullying School-Wide Rules:
- We will not bully others.
- We will help students who are bullied.
- We will try to include students who are left out.
- If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
Reminder: Send students with water bottles
Picture Retake Day
Picture Day ID: EVTN6CQHK
Online Student Picture Day
Virtual students are invited to have their picture taken for the yearbook on November 4 by appointment only. Please note, the pictures are used for our school yearbook. Please click here to sign up for a time to have your child's picture taken. Pictures will take place in the gym and students will enter through the side bus doors. Please call the front office or contact your child's virtual teacher with any questions.
November Habit Focus: Put First Things First
This month, our focus will be Put First Things First. All students will study this habit and learn to make it part of their everyday lives. Consider how you can discuss this habit at home as a family!
Congratulations, Mrs. Ford!
Way to go, Mrs. Ford!
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.
Repeat: Tri-County's Suicide Prevention & Mental Wellness Support Night
Tri-County’s Suicide Prevention and Mental Wellness Support Night for Park Hill parents is on November 10th from 6:00-7:00pm.
Click Here to signup.
REPEAT: Community Food Kits for Park Hill Families
Park Hill has once again partnered with Feed Northland Kids for a FREE community food kit. These kits contain things like bread, peanut butter, granola bars, pasta and canned goods. They will be distributed at the same time and location bulk school meals are distributed. For more information regarding school provided meals read here.
If you are interested in a voucher for free food, you must sign up HERE.
If you sign up for the COMMUNITY FOOD KIT, you are agreeing that you will be able to pick it up.
WHERE: Park Hill Support Services Center at 9501 N. Seymore Ave., Kansas City, MO 64153.
TIME: 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every week on Wednesdays starting September 30, 2020.
A limited number of families will be selected. It is first come, first serve to those who have filled out the form in its entirety. Slots will go to those who can pick up the food.
- Once you sign up, I will email out the voucher.
- Show the paper voucher or a digital copy on your cell phone upon arrival.
- You will use the same voucher for weekly visits.
- This voucher is good for 1 Community Food Kit.
- If you have other students at other schools, only sign up for one voucher per family.
Please contact Marla Anderson, School Social Worker, with any questions. Her phone number is 816-359-6379.
REPEAT: Yearbook Orders
To Order Your Yearbook:
- Visit: ybpay.lifetouch.com
- Enter Yearbook ID Code: 1724721
- School Name: Prairie Point Elem School
REPEAT: E-Backpack (Electronic Fliers)
Currently in the E-Backpack:
- Fliers for Online Clubs hosted by Community Education
- Party Flier (Ordering Birthday Treats through Food Service)
- Yearbook Order Form
- Directory Invite to Families
Repeat: Birthday Treats
Repeat: Technology Use at Home
Here are some general guidelines and best practices for laptop use at home.
Thank you for your support. If you have any technology issues or questions, please contact the Help Desk Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 816-359-5000.
Our 5 Pillars of Prevention
Please take some time to learn about Prairie Point's Health and Safety Precautions. Click here to access our matrix and other health information.
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.