PRAIRIE POST
January 10, 2020
Message from the Principal
Hello Prairie Families,
Our learners did a wonderful job of getting back into their routines throughout our first full week since winter break. We are entering MAP testing season. MAP stands for Measures of Academic Progress and is a standardized assessment that all K-5 students in the School District of Waukesha take on their iPads. K-1 takes the math portion of this assessment and 2-5 take both the reading and math portions of the assessment. The test takes anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes to complete. The assessment provides us with a data point to analyze how our school is doing as a whole, how our grade levels are doing and how individual students are doing. We use the data to inform our next steps for plans on the school level, grade level, and individual student level. However, it's important to keep in mind that this is only one snapshot of a data point that helps us to know where a learner is at. We continue to use other methods of assessment to inform our plans as well. This week learners had an opportunity to practice some questions that will be similar to those they will see on the MAP test next week. Next week all grade levels will take the MAP test. Please remind your student to relax and do his/her best on the assessment to show us what he/she knows.
On Monday we will have our kickoff assembly for Step It Up! Watch for emails via School Messenger to come your way from Mrs. Anderson in the office. We are proud that we will be donating a portion of the funds that we raise to the American Heart Association, to the health and wellness of Prairie students, and to the playground.
Have a great weekend!
Carly Solberg
Principal
Staff Spotlight - Mrs. Kim Ferguson
Hi! I’m Mrs. Ferguson. I’m one of the third grade teachers here at Prairie. This is my 21st year of teaching and my fourth year at Prairie. I grew up near Appleton, attended college at UW-LaCrosse and currently live in Greenfield. In my “free” time I enjoy watching my sons, Noah and Elijah, play basketball (and volleyball and track). I also enjoy attending concerts. I’ve seen a lot of great bands over the years! I love our community and feel blessed to work with not only great staff and students, but parents as well.
Upcoming Dates for the School Year!
1/14: PTA Meeting
1/20: NO SCHOOL
1/27: NO SCHOOL
1/31: Scrip deadline
2/6: Grade 5 to Milwaukee Tool
2/11: PTA Meeting
PTA News
We are starting to plan Puma Palooza. We would love to have help in planning, and new minds bring new fun ideas! More information about a planning meeting coming out after next week's PTA meeting.
Box Tops
We are getting close to $900 in Box Tops! If we reach $1,000, we will earn a PUMA PJ DAY!! Please keep scanning receipts and turning in Box Tops. Our school goal this year is $1,500. If we can reach that by April, we have an all school event planned! Check out the bulletin board in the hallway to see our progress. GO PUMAS!
PTA Dates:
PTA Meeting is 1/14
If you have any questions or need additional information, please email ptaprairie@gmail.com.
Step it Up
STEP IT UP for HEART is a new program with a familiar twist. Our school has a strong tradition of doing Jump Rope for Heart which was a community service learning program of the American Heart Association. That program has ended, so we are continuing our tradition and focus on heart health with STEP IT UP for HEART!
This is our second year of STEP IT UP for HEART and our kick off will be Monday, January 13th. All students will bring home a small packet of information on Monday showing you how easy it can be to sign up and help raise money. A portion of the funds raised will be divided between the American Heart Association, programs for the health and wellness of Prairie Students, and the new playground being planned for Prairie.
If you choose to support our efforts, please register as soon as possible. All students who register the first night can bring in their GOLDEN TICKET on Tuesday, January 14th for two awesome awards - the octopod and a super sloth.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Booth at: rbooth@waukesha.k12.wi.us.
Thank you for your support.
"Not Enough Apologies" - Community Event on Trauma
Here is an outline of the evening's events:
5:30-6:00 - Resource tables for all partnering community agencies, refreshments (popcorn, cookies, water)
6:00-7:00 - Introduction, Documentary Screening
7:00-7:30 - Panel Discussion to process the film, answer questions
7:30-8:00 - Dismissal with resources tables open
Childcare will be provided! We hope you can attend this important event. Special thank you to board member Amanda Roddy for assisting with the planning committee for this event.
Yearbook order forms
There is an option to order online at www.inter-state.com/yearbook with order code 46811T. Paper and online orders are due by February 19, 2020.
Attendance
We encourage you to get a doctor's note for any medical or dental appointment your child may have requiring any absence from school. A "medically excused" absence does not count in the total number of days absent. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office.
Important Enrollment Dates to Know
Dec 1: Intra-District Transfer/School Choice Application Period Opens at 8:00 AM
Dec 2: 4K & New Student Enrollment Begins
Dec 7: We are Waukesha Enrollment & Family Fun Event at North High School 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Dec 16: District Wide “See it Live”
Jan 10: Intra-District Transfer/School Choice Application Period Closes at 4:30 PM (Late Applications will not be accepted)
Jan 17: Intra-District Transfer/Secondary(Grades 6-12) School Choice notifications will be emailed home
Jan 24: Secondary School Choice Online Commitments Due
Jan 31: 4K Enrollment Ends for the lottery
Feb 7: 4K Lottery at the Lindholm Building 2:00 pm
Feb 14: 4K Site Placement will be emailed home
March 13: Intra-District Transfer/Elementary School Choice notifications will be emailed home
4K Enrollment for 2020-21
Physical Education News
Waukesha Sings
We would like to invite any interested 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to participate in Waukesha Sings! Beginning at Noon on Saturday, March 7th, participants will be able to combine with singers from across the entire school district for a large group choral experience. This action packed day of rehearsals, singing, and team building will culminate in a concert at 5:30 pm directed by Magdalena Delgado, director of the Chicago Children’s Choir. Registration and more information is available on the website linked below. Please consider participating in this fun filled musical event, and please let Mrs. Wirth know if you have any additional questions.
Too Sick for School
Elks Hoop Shoot Competition
Congratulations to our Prairie shooters who participated at the local competition on December 7th at Hillcrest Elementary:
Girl Age 8 & 9: Evie Dixon
Boy Age 8 & 9: Liam Krajewski
Girl Age 10-11: Izabella Rivera
Boy Age 10-11: Cameron Becker
Two of our shooters, Cameron Becker and Evie Dixon, won their age group competition and will now move on to the District Competition that will be held January 18th in Beloit.
Good Luck Cameron and Evie!
News from the School Guidance Program
Safe Arrival Attendance Program
Daily Schedule - Lunch & Recess
School Fees
Background checks
School/Community Activities
All school and community activities are now being posted on the Waukesha School District and Prairie Elementary School home page via the "Peachtree/flyer" link on the left side.
Prairie Elementary School
Email: vanderso@waukesha.k12.wi.us
Website: www.waukeshaschools.com/prairie
Location: 1801 Center Road, Waukesha, WI, United States
Phone: 262-970-2205