PRE Newsletter
May 8, 2020
COntinuous Learning Plan Survey
All families should have received an email from USD 232 on Thursday, May 7, 2020, with the following message. If you have not had a chance, please take a few minutes to provide your feedback. Thank you!
Parents & Guardians:
Please take a moment to complete a survey about the remote Continuous Learning Plan and its impact on your student and family. The feedback you provide will assist us in making improvements, as well as identify strengths of the program.
The parent survey is open now through Wednesday, May 13. Thank you for your time and feedback.
Survey > https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QG2Y93N
We are also sending a separate survey to our students to gather their feedback about the remote learning experience.
USD 232 Administration
Chess Players
lichess.org--we liked this site because you do not have to make an account and you can just log on and create a game!
chesskid.com--this is the website that we used during chess club. It is very user friendly and has many components.
There are also several chess apps that are easy to use. You can play against yourself, against the app, or with a partner.
You can also just grab the chess board and pieces and play a live game!
Whatever you choose to do, we hope that you continue to practice the game of chess and continue to grow a love for it!
Specials Activities
We are not requiring anyone submit work to us, however we want to offer an OPTIONAL way for you to share the work you do for the specials lessons each week. If you would like to take a picture or video of yourself completing a lesson, you may do so and send it to us through email or upload it to your Seesaw account.
Our specials teachers have created their own newsletter with information for all of you. Click below to view!
Repeated Information
It Is Time to Retrieve Items and Return Items!
Pick-up times:
o 12:00-1:00--A-C
o 1:00-2:00--D-G
o 2:00-3:00--H-L
o 3:00-4:00--M-R
o 4:00-5:00--S-Z
Here are some other important points:
- We will have bags of items organized in the gym alphabetically by last name, so we will ask that cars pull up through the bus loop area next to the gym (please see map).
- Please have a piece of paper with your family last name printed on it to show us through your car window. If you utilize our regular car loop, please use the sign that you already have!
- We ask that you stay in your car. We will bring you your items and take any items that you have to return to us.
- This is a time for you to return items to the school as well. If you have library books, textbooks, or other items that need to be returned to the school, please put them in a bag and bring them on this day.
- 3rd grade recorders will be kept at school as they will be utilized at the beginning of the school year.
- 5th grade shirts will be sent home this day.
- Yearbooks will not be ready to go home yet, so we will communicate a plan for these at a later date.
- No families will be allowed to enter the building, so if there is something that you want to make sure gets home to you, please email your child's teacher.
- All current Lost and Found items will be boxed up for now and will be available in the fall.
- If there is bad weather on May 11, our back-up date will be May 12.
- If you are not able to come to PRE on May 11 to retrieve your items and return our items, please email Mrs. Fulcher (kfulcher@usd232.org) so that we can make alternate plans.
Does Your Child Have a Talent that They Would Like to Share?
One special time that we will miss in May is our talent show, but we have determined a way to still have any student share their talent. Here is how this will work:
- Sometime between May 11-15, you can take a video of your child showing their talent.
- Please limit the video to two minutes or less.
- Please make sure that all music, dress, and expressions are appropriate for elementary age students.
- Take a video of your student doing demonstrating their talent.
- Log in to your Seesaw account.
- Click on the green circle with the + sign at the top middle.
- Choose Upload
- Pick your location of the video
- Click the green check mark in the upper right corner
- On the next screen you have the opportunity to add a caption if you desire. Click the green check mark in the upper right corner when you are ready.
- Click on your child’s name followed by the green checkmark in the upper right corner.
From here the talent video will be shared with their teacher and all classmates will be able to view the talent video. Students will be able to like a video but not comment on it.
A Message from PRE PTO
PTO School Supply Kits:
In past years, PTO has offered grade specific school supply kits that can be purchased in the spring and picked up at Back to School Night. Due to the current physical closure of the school building, PTO has decided to not offer school supply kits for the 2020-2021 school year. PTO hopes to bring back this convenient, affordable offering for PRE families in the future.
Student Leadership Opportunities for 2020-21
Safety Patrol:
Safety Patrol (4th-5th graders) will be responsible for helping students arrive to school and leave school safely. Training will be required, and students will be assigned times to carry out their responsibilities.
Student Council Assembly Planning and Presenting:
Student reps (3rd-5th graders) will plan and present assemblies. There will be one assembly/quarter, and there will be a required meeting each quarter to do this work. This would be a great opportunity for students who enjoy speaking and presenting in front of others.
Student Council Spirit Day Coordination:
Student reps (3rd-5th graders) will plan spirit days. There will be one spirit week/quarter, and there will be a required meeting each quarter to plan these days. Students will also make posters to promote the spirit days.
Student Council Ambassadors:
Student reps (3rd-5th graders) will act as greeters at specific events, such as Back to School Night. The ambassadors will also assist kindergartners, especially at the beginning of the year. This is a great opportunity for students who feel comfortable greeting others.
Technology Team:
The technology team (4th graders) will work with Mrs. Porras and assist with technology needs.
Librarian Assistants:
Librarian Assistants (4th and 5th graders) will work with Mrs. Ptacek and Mrs. Sudac to perform library tasks.
Recycling Team:
Third graders will have the opportunity to serve on the recycling team. Team members will work with Mrs. Reinoehl and assist with recycling on a regular basis.
Announcements:
Fifth graders will carry out daily announcements.
Every student who wishes to participate and fills out an application will be on at least one team.
Applications are due on May 15, 2020. Please use the link below to apply.
Technology Help Desk
Students and parents, are you having issues with devices provided by the school district?
You can reach our Help Desk by calling 816-382-4840.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Social Media
We ask students and parents not to post or share photos on social media of students or teachers meeting for learning experiences.
Some students may not have a photo release and many families have rules and preferences about posting photos of their children online. We have shared the same message with our teachers. We appreciate your cooperation in making sure the privacy of students and staff is protected throughout continuous learning.
DISTRICT WEBSITE FOCUSING ON THE CONTINUOUS LEARNING PLAN
In an effort to support the continuous learning plan that our district transitioned to on April 1, USD 232 has put together a website with general information to help families manage the next seven-weeks of at-home learning.
Visit www.usd232.org/learningplan for an overview of the learning essentials for fourth quarter along with a variety of learning resources and social-emotional supports to keep students engaged in learning amid school building closures.
While specific learning instruction will come from teachers, this website was developed to support our families during the unique time in our community and includes information relevant to many needs. Please feel free to use this site as a resource while maneuvering through the last quarter of this school year.
The distance-teaching and learning environment will never replicate the amazing things that happen in our classrooms, but we want students to continue to have opportunities to learn. Together we can and will do amazing things.