Prairie View Elementary
October 2022
Shoot for Success
A Message from Mr. Ryan
Fall is in the air! Chilly mornings, tractors are back in the fields, and homecoming football games are upon us. It is hard to believe, but we are halfway through the first trimester. A lot has been happening within the brick walls of Prairie View, and we are proud of how hard our students work each day.
Coming home today in your student's backpack will be a progress report. We have updated our process this year, which we feel will be helpful for parents/guardians. As you all know, at the beginning of the school year, much of our time is spent learning and practicing new classroom routines and reviewing/practicing skills learned in the previous school year. Therefore, the most accurate reflection of your student's progress thus far can be seen in the learner traits portion of our report card.
You are also receiving regular feedback on your student(s) progress as you look over the variety of papers that make their way home in their take-home folders. We encourage you to speak with your students about what they bring home. Question them about a specific activity, ask them to teach you what they learned in math, or inquire about their classroom's read-aloud story. These are valuable conversations that strengthen the home-to-school connection.
Next month, you will receive another copy of your student's report card, which will update your student(s) acquisition of essential learning standards. We encourage you to look over these standards on your progress report and become familiar with what your student(s) are working towards mastering. In our following newsletter, you will receive information regarding parent/guardian-teacher conferences. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet with your teacher(s) and discuss learner traits and academic progress.
Below is a description in our student handbook of the rating scale used on our progress reports and report cards.
PERFORMANCE
Academic growth is the primary goal established for each student in our setting. Your child’s demonstrated efforts will be judged on established grade-level standards, using the following performance indicators:
- SECURE: Student performance meets the demands of the task and demonstrates a firm grasp of the concepts and procedures involved. Students can independently apply understanding in different contexts.
- PROGRESSING: Student accomplishes part of the task independently. Students can sometimes explain or demonstrate the process but may need prompting to complete it.
- BEGINNING: Students seldom demonstrate an understanding of concepts and procedures, while requiring consistent support.
- X: Not assessed this reporting period
When you see these letters on your child’s assessment, please understand what they mean for your child. Also, please make sure that you are reviewing all daily work that is being sent home in your child’s take-home folder. These daily assignments reflect how well your child is grasping the curriculum and the lessons being taught. Daily work does not receive a performance standard indicator.
District News
Free and Reduced Breakfast/Lunch
The carry over period for students who were receiving free/reduced lunch for the 2021-2022 school year will end on October 3, 2022. If a new 2022-2023 application has not been submitted by that date your child will automatically be put on paid breakfast and lunch beginning October 4, 2022.
Please click on the link below to apply for free/reduced breakfast and lunch:
2022-2023 Free/Reduced Application
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, and Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Building News
Erin's Law
On Thursday, October 6th, professionals from Safe Passage in DeKalb, Illinois, will be visiting Prairie View to talk with students about Erin's Law. Please read over the information below.
What is Erin’s Law?
Erin’s Law, or Illinois Public Act 097-1147, requires public schools to provide child sexual abuse prevention education for children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades.
How is Erin’s Law taught at Prairie View?
In order to meet the requirements of Illinois Public Act 097-1147, Prairie View utilizes a local community resource called Safe Passage. Safe Passage social workers provide age-appropriate instruction that will help students recognize unsafe situations, keep themselves safe, and how to respond to unsafe situations. This year, Safe Passage's staff will visit each classroom and deliver an in-person presentation. Common themes instructed at all grade levels include:
- Identifying safe versus unsafe or unwanted touching
- The Safety Rule About Touching (The Touching Rule): Private areas are not for others to touch, except to keep a child clean and healthy
- Understanding the difference between good and bad secrets
Click Here to view information from Safe Passage
Any further questions regarding Erin's Law?
If you have further questions regarding Erin's Law please do not hesitate to contact the main office at 815-786-8811. If you'd like to opt your student from Safe Passage's Erin's law presentation please contact your student(s) teacher and let them know.
Red Ribbon Week: October 24-28th
New: Staff Spotlight!
-Mr. Ryan
STARS K-4 at the Fair
Custodian Appreciation Day October 2nd!
International Walk to School Day: Wednesday, October 5th
Book Fair
Fire Prevention Week
Halloween
As is tradition, on October 31st, we have our annual Costume Parade. The parade will begin around 1:00 on the blacktop behind the school. If you are planning to attend, please ONLY park in the Prairie View & Milestone Park lots and not in the front circle drive, as this is an emergency/fire lane and needs to remain fully accessible in case of an emergency. Handicap spots are available in the front circle drive for those who qualify. Young children are welcome to attend the parade and see their older siblings and classmates! If we have inclement weather, we will parade around in the gym and hallways.
The classroom teachers will coordinate Halloween parties. Due to limited space, only designated adult helpers who have been approved as volunteers will be able to accompany the students back to the classrooms for the parties. Please note that we are unable to approve last-minute volunteers. Due to our new district handbook treat policy (seen below), we will not do not have treats during our classroom parties.
Treat Policy:
Celebrations and positive reinforcement are an important part of our district’s culture of supporting students. Often students bring treats or snacks to school to share on special occasions. Due to food allergies and other health concerns, we do not permit students to bring in food items or treats to school to share. We would like to encourage healthy eating habits and promote non-food items such as pencils, stickers, bookmarks, or other small items in place of food treats. Curricular activities involving food will be dealt with individually.
Safety provisions will be set up for food or environmental allergies on an individual basis.
Curricular activities involving food will be dealt with individually.
Costume Guidelines: If you plan to send your student to school in a costume, the following expectations will be required:
Students will change into costumes after lunch and must be able to put on independently over their clothes.
If a student's costume includes a mask, it will not be able to be worn while at school except for a picture and the parade.
Please limit costume accessories, as these can potentially serve as a distraction to our daily learning. Weapons (play swords, knives, guns, etc.) are not allowed.
Halloween Trick or Treating Safety:
Some tips from the American Safety Council for a safe and fun Halloween:
Stay in groups
Costumes should be well-fitting and flame resistant
Always test makeup so it doesn’t irritate skin
Remember to look both ways before crossing the street
Examine all treats before eating
Stay on the sidewalk
Avoid dark houses
Flashlights and glow sticks for visibility
Enjoy with caution!
More Halloween Fun
News from the Nurse!
All Kindergarteners and any student attending school in Illinois for the first time are required to submit a State of Illinois Eye Exam or Waiver by October 15, 2022.
Flu season is around the corner! Protect yourself and your family this season with an annual flu vaccine for everyone who is 6 months and older. Seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Visit www.flu.gov or talk to your healthcare provider for more information.
Prairie View PPA
The Prairie View PPA had its first meeting on the 21th. The group discussed a variety of topics, including fundraising, supporting field trips, roller skating for our students, International Walk to School Day, and our upcoming book fair. Meetings are held at 1:00 p.m. in the PV gym. Siblings are welcome to attend but will need to remain in the gym.
SY 22-23 Meeting Dates:
- October 19th, 2022
- November 16th, 2022
- December 14th, 2022 ***Not the third Wednesday of the month**
- January 18th, 2023
- February 15th, 2023
- March 15th, 2023
- April 19th, 2023
- May 17th, 2023
Becky Englehart-President
Amanda Chapman- Vice President
Amber Plata-Secretary
Brenda O'Neil-Treasurer
PPA email: prairieviewppa@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PVPPA
Thank You Kiwanis Club
DeKalb County Basics News
Important Dates
October 5th- Book Fair Family Night
October 5th- International Walk to School Day
October 6th - Erin's Law Presentations
October 7th - No School, County InstituteOctober 10th - No School, Columbus Day
October 12th - Law Enforcement Drill
October 14th- Sandwich Fire Department Fire Prevention Week Assembly
October 18th - School Board Meeting
October 19th - PPA Meeting 1 pm
October 23rd-31st- Red Ribbon Week
October 24th- November 4th- SAEBRS Social-Emotional Benchmark Screener
November 1st- Building Evacuation Drill
November 3rd - Fall Picture Retakes