PRE Newsletter
August 6, 2021
We did have one staff change this past week. Amanda Smith, 3rd grade teacher, transferred to Riverview Elementary School to teach 3rd grade. That means that we hired a new third grade teacher, Heather Grayson. Please get to know her by reading about her below!
Have a great weekend!
Respectfully,
Kristel Fulcher
Prairie Ridge Principal
Important Dates
August 12 First day of School with Dismissal at 12:10 P.M. (no lunch served)
August 18 Sombrero's Restaurant Fundraiser
August 31 Picture Day
September 2 Papa John's Night
Back to School Night
As a reminder, our Back to School night will be held on August 10. This casual come and go time is a great way for you to come with your child to meet their teacher and bring in school supplies. Teacher video presentations will be sent out to families at a later date. In order to keep a steady flow of families in the building, I kindly ask for you to come within the designated times below based on your family’s last name...plus it helps for parking! Crossing our fingers for a great weather day so that many of you can walk!
Back to School Night Times:
4:30-5:00—Family Last Name A-F
5:15-5:45—Family Last Name G-O
6:00-6:30—Family Last Name P-Z
In the past, we have had tables set-up for groups that want to be available to answer questions or have information available (for example, Girl Scouts). If you would like to have a table available, please contact Angela Handy (ahandy@usd232.org or 913-667-1800) by August 9. All tables will be outside near the front of the building.
All kindergarten families will report to the gym during Back to School Night. Due to recent decisions, ALL people entering Prairie Ridge will need to wear a mask. Thanks for doing your part!
PTO Back to School Night
Class Lists
We will also send you a message letting you know that teachers have been assigned and can be accessed through Skyward. This is a great perk if you are unable to make it to the school and would rather not be around too many people!
Each child will also receive an email with a welcoming video from their teacher.
Kona Ice will be at PRE for Back-to-School Night! 20% of all purchases will go back to PRE PTO.
School Supplies
I have been asked if we will have any community supplies this year, and the answer is no. That means that your child should label their school supplies. Students in kindergarten should NOT label supplies except for their pencil box, backpack, and water bottle. Please also add a towel to your supply list. We will eat outside again this year for as long as the weather allows. We ask that students bring an older towel to sit on. The fresh air and vitamin D are great while they socialize and eat lunch!
Some Important Information to Start the School Year
All ELEMENTARY students should arrive at school between 8:30 and 8:40 A.M. Students will find it difficult to make it to their lockers and be in their desks ready to learn by 8:45 if they arrive later than 8:40 to school. The tardy bell is at 8:45 A.M. If your child arrives at 8:45 A.M., you will need to come inside and sign them in. Car loop maps are included in this newsletter.
BREAKFAST is served from 8:20-8:40 A.M. in the cafeteria. Students may ring the bell and go directly to the cafeteria to eat prior to going to their classroom. This is not a social time, but meant to efficiently provide nourishment to participating students prior to their school day.
HELMETS are expected for bike and scooter riders. Bikes and scooters should be walked on the school grounds.
DOGS are not permitted on school grounds. Please know that I LOVE dogs. I have my own at my house, and she is loved! We need to keep in mind that not all children feel comfortable and safe around dogs, and dogs can be unpredictable.
Please follow the speed limit and know that you cannot turn left into the parking lot during morning drop-off. Please watch out for our kids on the streets and sidewalks. When students enter a crosswalk, it is the law to stop for them. Drive slowly and watch closely, and please put your cell phone down.
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES should be communicated to the office no later than 3:15 P.M. either by calling 913-667-1800.
Arrival
Entering Procedures--Front:
Students will form four lines near the front entrance. Students will begin entering the building at 8:30.
· Students in grades K-2 will line up on the left side (facing the building)
· Students in grades 3-5 will line up on the right side (facing the building)
· Students move into the building where they will use hand sanitizer from sanitizer stations placed near the entrance.
· Students will continue to walk down the hallway to their classrooms
· Staff members will be placed in the hallway to monitor as students walk to their rooms.
Entering Procedures--Back:
Students will form lines near the back doors.
· Students in grades K-2 will line up on the K-2 side.
· Students in grades 3-5 will line up on the 3-5 side.
· Students move into the building where they will use hand sanitizer from sanitizer stations placed near the doors.
· Students will continue to walk down the hallway to their classrooms
· Staff members will be placed in the hallway to monitor as students walk to their rooms.
Birthday Treats
All birthday treats will need to be store-bought and pre-packaged.
Classroom Set-up
· Desks will be arranged in the classroom that is deemed most appropriate by the classroom teacher.
· Students will be assigned seats.
Dismissal
Dismissal will be announced over the intercom.
Specific details are in place to ensure a well-monitored and systematic dismissal.
Drills
Drills (tornado, fire, crisis) are still required by state law. Safety in all areas continues to be a top priority.
Communication
Teachers will send out weekly information to families, and you will receive my newsletter every Friday.
Field Trips
Students will be able to participate in field trips this year. Teachers are researching the best options that have curricular connections as well as little to no interaction with other schools.
Handwashing/Sanitizing
Students will hand sanitize when they enter the building in the morning and when they enter the building after recess. Students will either use hand sanitizer or wash with soap and water before eating their snack, and all students will wash their hands with soap and water before eating lunch.
iPads
Every student will be issued a district iPad with accessories. The iPads will stay at school unless there is a specific assignment assigned by the teacher where the iPad would need to go home.
Isolation Room
All buildings in the district assigned a designated area for use as an isolation room. Any person demonstrating symptoms of COVID-19 will utilize this room. This room can be used for both staff and students.
Lunch for Students
There will be three lunch choices for students in the morning, and lunches are FREE again this year!
Lunch times are staggered with two grade level classes going to lunch at a predetermined time with the other two sections going five minutes later. This is to allow for less congestion in the hallway.
Lunch will be held outside as often as the weather allows. Students are asked to bring an old towel to school to use when going to lunch. Students will take their towels to lunch, go through the lunch line, and then head out the front door. Students will find their number spot within their labeled classroom area. They will spread out their towel and sit on it. Then, they will remove their mask and carefully place it on their towel and enjoy their lunch. Students will then dump their trash and line-up in a designated area. Teachers will walk around the building to enter through a door with a card reader that is closest to their classroom.
Towels need to go home often to be laundered.
If the weather is not conducive to have lunch outside, students will eat in the lunchroom.
Masks
The USD 232 School Board has determined that students and staff will wear masks while in the building. Students will be able to remove their masks several times during the day…recess, snack time, lunch, and PE (we will be using the MVHS grass soccer field when weather permits).
Recess
Outdoor: Students will remove their masks right before heading outside. They will exit the building at the door closest to their classroom. Grade level classes will have recess together.
Students need to use hand sanitizer after recess.
Two teachers will supervise during recess time.
Indoor: Teachers will determine activities for indoor recess. Masks will need to be worn during indoor recess.
Specials
Specials classes (art, music, PE, library, counselor, Tech Time) will return to 60 minutes and the A-E schedule, meaning that students will go to a different specials class each day.
Student Supplies
There will be no community/shared supplies this year. Families have been asked to label all supplies (except kindergarten).
Visitors
Visitors are allowed in the building this year. ALL visitors must wear a mask at all times. Visitors must ring the front doorbell to gain access into the building.
Water Bottles
Each student should bring a filled water bottle to school every day. We have water filling stations to fill water bottles. Teachers will schedule a time during the day to fill water bottles. It would be a good idea to send a backup water bottle.
Heather Grayson, 3rd Grade
Hello! My name is Heather Grayson and I am so excited to join the PRE family as a third grade teacher this year. I have lived in Shawnee my whole life until recently moving to the Overland Park area. I attended the University of Mississippi my freshman year of college, then decided to transfer to the University of Kansas and graduated in May of 2020. My first semester of student teaching was in Kindergarten in Blue Valley, and my second semester was right here in USD 232 student teaching fourth grade at Riverview Elementary! During the summers for the past three years, I have taught at a preschool in Prairie Village. After graduating from KU, I taught Kindergarten at a school in the Shawnee Mission School District before coming here to Prairie Ridge. I am so thrilled to be here at PRE and get to know all of the students and families!
Outside of teaching, I enjoy watching movies, reading books, cheering on the Jayhawks and the Chiefs, and hanging out with my friends and family. I love to do calligraphy and crafting on my Cricut machine. I am so looking forward to this upcoming school year!
A Special Message from our Food and Nutrition Department
The school district is thrilled to announce that all students eat FREE in 21-22! We are able to offer this benefit to students because of the federal government’s seamless summer meals program. This includes breakfast and lunch when students are in session. Please note the free meals will only be provided as a complete meal per federal program guidelines. Drinks (milk, juice) to accompany a home lunch are considered a la carte items and cost $0.55 each. Students must have sufficient funds available in their food service accounts in order to purchase extra items.
Our team is hard at work creating new recipes and making plans to return favorite items to our menus this school year. To see the most up-to-date menu, please visit our online menu at usd232.nutrislice.com.