Panther Pride
#OneGoal
Welcome and Teacher Assignment
Welcome to the 22-23 school year!
We are excited to welcome your family and your children back to Prospect School on Monday, August 22nd. The information in the Smore will provide you with upcoming events, day-to-day procedures and updates to the building.
Once again, Prospect was a busy place over the summer. Prospect had an entire make-over with brand new floors installed in the classrooms and hallways. It looks like an entirely different school and I can't wait for you to see it at Curriculum Night. We also had many of our sidewalks repaired and new lighting installed inside and outside of the school. We will be adding some new additions to our playground as well.
This week the teachers will be back in the building participating in professional development and preparing their classrooms for the arrival of students on August 22nd. I can't wait to kick off the new year next week and see all of the students return to school. Enjoy your last week of summer!
Teacher Assignment
Are you wondering who your teacher(s) will be? You will receive an email on Wednesday, August 17th with information on how to view your child(ren)’s homeroom teacher information in the Skyward Family Access Portal. Placements are final at this time. Our grade level teams and specialists (reading specialist, differentiation specialists, resource teachers, and art, music, and PE staff) work together to share input and create class composites conducive to learning. We take into account your child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. Our goal is to create equitable classes in terms of size, instructional support, gender, etc. and allow for groups of students who can benefit from learning together.
We look forward to seeing you on August 22nd!
Kindergarten Sneak Peek/New Family Tours
On Thursday, August 18th, we welcome our Kindergarten students and parents to come to Prospect to meet their teacher, bring school supplies, and become familiar with the classroom.
AM Session Kindergarten Students- Mrs. Bergin
AM Session Rising Stars- Mrs. Wheeler
- Sneak Peek begins at 2:00
PM Session Kindergarten Students- Mrs. Bergin
- Sneak Peek begins at 2:30
PM Session of Rising Stars- Mrs. Wheeler
- Sneak Peek begins at 2:45
New families to Prospect School, please join us for a new family tour on Thursday, August 18th at 3:00. The whole family is welcome to attend. If you can't attend, please don't worry, we will make sure to assist your child on the first day of school.
After the building tours, the PTO will be hosting a Newcomers Event at the Prospect Pavilion at 3.
School Day
Kindergarten Rising Stars, 1st - 5th School Day - 8:40 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
Kinder RS,1st - 5th Lunch - 11:25 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
AM Kindergarten - 8:40 a.m. - 11:25 a.m.
PM Kindergarten - 12:20 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.
Student Arrival will begin daily at 8:25 a.m. Please do not drop your child(ren) off before this time as we do not have adult supervision prior to these times.
Student Dismissal will begin at 3:05 p.m.
If your child will be leaving campus for lunch, students will be dismissed at 11:25 a.m.
We ask that you please plan accordingly to ensure that your child returns on time after lunch, ready for instruction to begin at 12:15 p.m.
We recognize the need for appointments and understand that situations may arise that require you to pick your child up early from school. We ask that you please try your best to schedule appointments OUTSIDE of the school day and not pick your child up early from school, as to not disrupt the learning process. If students must be picked up early, please ring the bell in the vestibule to let the office know who you are picking up. Students can be signed out on the sheet in the office.
Grade Level Teachers/New Teachers
Kindergarten
- Mrs. Bergin (AM and PM)
- Mrs. Wheeler (AM and PM)
First Grade
- Mrs. Abitz, Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Monat
Second Grade
- Mrs. Nolin, Mrs. Segovia, and Mrs. Turrentine
Third Grade
- Mrs. Bauer, Mr. Goetz, and Ms. Palumbo
Fourth Grade
- Mrs. Litman, Mrs. Matt, and Mrs. Shramovich
Fifth Grade
- Ms. Akiti, Mrs. Legner, and Ms. Tweedie
A new school year brings about some positive additions to our Prospect staff. We are excited to welcome new members to our team and they are eager to meet everyone and join our Prospect Family. Please help me welcome:
- Mrs. Capizzi- Pupil Service Administrator
- Mrs. Braner- Part-time Secretary
- Ms. Palumbo- Third Grade Teacher
Meet Ms. Palumbo
Hi! My name is Stephanie Palumbo. I am a graduate of the University of Illinois and obtained my bachelor’s degree in elementary education. This will be my 7 th year teaching. I taught first and second grade and I am so excited to teach third grade this year! In my spare time I enjoy biking, spending time with family and friends and walking my not-so-little puppy, Tobi! I am thrilled to join the Prospect Elementary staff and community and look forward to a fantastic school year!:)
School Supplies
Drop Off and Traffic Flow
We encourage you take advantage of one of the following suggestions to bypass the parking lot.
• Walk your child to school if weather permits.
• We have a crossing guard at the intersection of Prospect and Norfolk Avenue. This is where the students are expected to cross to get onto to the school grounds.
• Choose an alternate location to pick-up/drop-off students off of school grounds if you are not using our pick up and drop off area.
Crossing Guards at Chicago Ave. and Middaugh and Chicago Ave. and Woodstock
Crossing Guard Hours: 7:45-8:30 am, 11:20-11:40 am, 12:00-12:20 pm, and 3-3:40 pm
If you choose to drive, all car and bus traffic shall enter the Prospect Circle Drive which begins on Chicago Avenue. Please refer to the map below. (Cars may not drive around the CHMS buses when the bus arms are out.)
Morning Drop-off Procedures Reminder:
Vehicles should pull as far forward into the unloading zone as possible to allow multiple cars to unload and the line to move more quickly. We ask that children exit vehicles in the morning from any point on the sidewalk in the car line and as soon as your car comes to a stop while in the carline area. This will expedite the drop‐off process. While we know parents may want to wait until their child is near the door to unload, we expect that our supervision along with appropriately‐dressed students exiting alongside sidewalk areas while stopped will greatly improve traffic flow in the line.
After-School Pick-up Procedures:
Parents picking up students in the carline must pull ahead as far down as possible to allow for the maximum number of cars in the lane. Students will be corralled in the middle of the carline on the sidewalk. Once your car is in sight along the sidewalk of staff parking lot, students will walk to your car.
Drop-off and Pick-up Reminders
During drop-off and pick-up hours (8:25-8:40 and 3:05-3:20), please don’t walk through the car line. For example: if you are volunteering and leaving the school at 3:05, please walk to the parking lot exit and cross safely at the crosswalk that leads into the parking lot.
The staff parking lot should also not be used as a means to avoid waiting in line. Please do not pull into a parking spot and have your children walk across the carline as this is extremely dangerous.
Please do not park in the handicap spots in the staff parking lot to drop off or pick up your children. The Clarendon Hills Police have been monitoring the parking lot.
For safety reasons, please do not park in the overflow lot and let your children walk through the car lane.
Children shall always exit on the passenger side of the vehicle and walk along the sidewalk through the front door.
- Cars are not allowed to drop off or pick up any students in or near the service drive/entrance in the back of the school.
- Remember, according to state law, cell phone use is not allowed in school zones.
DO NOT leave your car unattended for any reason in the pick up lane or in the parking lot.
Please use your car sign during pick-up. (We will send them home to new families at the beginning of the year.)
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Arrival Procedures:
Staff supervision at the cross walks, school doors and car drop off begins at 8:25 am. Once the 8:25 bell rings, students are allowed to enter the building and go directly to their classroom. Students walking to school may use any of the doors (see picture) to enter and proceed to their classrooms. This will allow students to enter the building using the closest door near their house, walk in the building with their siblings or neighborhood friends, and allow them time in their classroom to organize themselves, build relationships with friends and their teacher, and be ready for a great day of learning when the bell rings at 8:40. Once the 8:40 bell rings, both the side doors will close. If students are arriving after the 8:40 bell, they will need to enter through the front door with a parent who will need to sign them in.
Dismissal Procedures:
Students will exit through the front door if they are being picked up in the car lane.
Please develop a plan or pick a designated spot where your children should meet before they walk home.
Students are not allowed to play on the playground at dismissal. All students must go home first and then they may come back to play on the playground.
Supervision will end at 3:15. If students are still waiting for a their ride, we will bring them into the office to be picked up.
Walkers will exit out their grade level doors. (See picture below).
Lunch Procedures
11:25 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. - Grades Kinder RS, 1, 2 and 3 eat first/11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. recess
11:25 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. – Grades 4 and 5 recess first /11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. eat second
Procedures for Students Going Home for Lunch/Recess
Upon arrival to school each day, your child will indicate to their classroom teacher that they will be going home for lunch.
Information will be shared with our lunch supervisors about who will not be present for lunch at school.
Students will be dismissed for lunch from their classroom teacher. Please arrange a pickup location with your child PRIOR to their first day of leaving campus for lunch. If your child is walking home, please be sure they are aware of this plan prior to dismissal.
Upon returning to school, please ensure that your student enters through the main entrance. Students will not be allowed to join their class in the lunchroom and/or at recess.
Classroom teachers will take PM attendance and ensure that all students have returned from lunch/recess on time.
If your plans change for lunch, please notify both the teacher AND the school office. This ensures that the message is received in a timely manner.
If your child will be eating lunch at school, please plan ahead for your child to have a lunch ready to go each day. While we know unique situations can arise, we discourage regular drop off and delivery of student lunches during the school day. Milk will be available for purchase during our lunch periods.
If we experience inclement weather, students will participate in a recess inside their classrooms.
Line Up on the FIRST DAY of SCHOOL (Only)
Below is information regarding first day arrival procedures and designated grade level areas where you child should report. All grade level teachers will be outside to meet and greet their students, take pictures, etc. The teachers will begin entering the building with their classes at the 8:40 bell.
1. Staff will be present starting at 8:25 am.
2. Grade Level areas are designated on the map below.
3. Any staff member will be able to support you and/or your child with questions you may have.
4. If you need to access the front office or health office, please enter through the Front Door.
Health information
For the specific groups listed below, please either email or deliver your health forms to the Prospect School office prior to the start of school. At this time, forms can be directed to the attention of Crichardson@d181.org.
Kindergarten Students
Physical Exam form (parents please complete the yes/no questions on the back and sign and date)
Dental Exam form (completed on or after Nov 15th, 2019 is acceptable)
Eye Exam form (dated within one year of the first day of school)
Second Grade Students
Dental Exam form (completed on or after Nov 15th, 2019 is acceptable)
Students new to D181
Copies of forms submitted to previous Illinois schools are acceptable.
Students from out of state will need to submit new Illinois forms.
Board of Education Meeting
The District 181 Board of Education will convene for its Regular Business Meeting on Monday, August 15, in the Hinsdale Middle School Cafetorium, 100 S. Garfield St., Hinsdale. Meeting Preview: Public Comment Any member of the public may attend the meeting in person to make their comment. Per Board Policy 2:230, each public comment will be limited to 3 minutes.
ALL K-5 Prospect Families - Before and After the Bell
The Community House will be offering the Before and After the Bell programs at Prospect School to help meet the needs of our families.
Before the Bell Registration Link
After the Bell Registration Link
For more information about either program, please contact Karen Kaspar at 630-323-7500 ext. 248 or at kkaspar@thecommunityhouse.org