Dear Elementary Parents:

As previously communicated with parents, we are changing the way elementary Spelling Bees take place for USD 232. Because each elementary school can only have one representative move forward to the Johnson County Bee, each elementary school will now conduct a school-wide spelling bee as part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee program. The Spelling Bee helps inspire the exploration of words and celebrates academic achievement.

Student participation is completely voluntary and open to children in grades 3 through 5. Note, our middle schools conduct their own spelling bees.

All elementary spelling bees should be completed by December 9, 2022. Each school champion will then move on to compete in the Johnson County Spelling Bee.

Important Information
At Prairie Ridge, we plan to host our spelling bee on December 1, 2022 at 9:00 AM. Parents are invited. If you would like your child to participate in the school spelling bee, please fill out this Spelling Bee Google Form no later than November 11, 2022.

Background

The National Spelling Bee began in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling bee. The National Bee is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company from its headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Prairie Ridge PTO will be organizing a food drive! Student Leaders for this event are Izzy Carrol and Bryn Bruggeman. Students can sign up to participate after school from 3:45-4:45pm. Please note our younger students (K and 1st) will need to be accompanied by an adult in order to participate. All students will need to be signed out by an adult at the end of the activity. Each event will start with a brief introduction to the organization we are serving and a little bit about how our work will make an impact. We hope students are able to draw the connection to the "why" we serve while we participate in the hands on activity.

Our next event will be THURSDAY November 17th from 3:45-4:45 PM supporting Shawnee Community Service Food Pantry!

SIGN UP BELOW and Indicate: Child’s Name – grade & teacher

Students will be Sorting, Counting, Boxing and Packing donated food items. This will be a fun active event! For more information about this organization visit www.scsks.org

We also need adults with large vehicles to help us transport items to the community center.

Another opportunity for community service hours would be to collect non-perishable food items from neighbors, friends and family and your own pantry to donate during our food drive (Nov 14th -17th).

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BABA823A7FC1-precommunity5

The Board of Education approved three (3) delayed start days for the 2022-23 school year. The second delayed start date is Wednesday, November 9. Students will begin school two (2) hours later than normal. Students will need to arrive at school between 10:30-10:40 AM for the 10:45 AM start time.

Students who ride the bus will simply add two hours to their normal pick up time. For example, if the normal pick-up time is 8:05 AM, the pick-up time on November 9 would be 10:05 AM. Teachers and support staff will report for duty at their normal time on November 9. Schools will utilize time with staff for needed training and professional development.

The Lead Custodian and his team observe cleanliness throughout the week in classrooms and adjoining restrooms. One classroom from the K-2 side and one classroom from the 3-5 side will be chosen each week and will be announced Friday.

The cleanest classroom award goes to Mrs. Allison's class and Mrs.Kremer's class. Congratulations!