PC Principal's Post
Every Student. Every Day. No Matter What.
Prairie Center Elementary
Home of the Pioneers
12/5/2021
Thankfulness and Positivity
A huge shout out to everyone that has filled in when we are short staff. It is impressive how you have stepped in and figured out a plan B or C or D...well you get the point.
I appreciate you all.
I know that it is difficult right now.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel! We can do this and I can't think of a better team to go through this with!
60 Things to Be Thankful for in Life
Amy Morin A psychotherapist, psychology instructor, keynote speaker, and the author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do
Here you’ll find 60 very solid things to be thankful for in your everyday life. These are great reminders for you to treasure everything you have.
1. Good Health
Even if your health isn’t great, it could be worse and you likely still have some working parts to be thankful for.
2. Money in the Bank
Having just a few coins makes you richer than most people on Earth.
3. Good Friends
Often, it’s the quality of friendships, not the quantity.
4. Freedom of Religion
Being able to worship whomever and however you want is something many people don’t ever experience.
5. Your Parents
Even if they’re dysfunctional, they gave you life.
6. Weekends
There’s something magical about weekends.
7. Having a Partner
Being in a romantic relationship can teach you so much about the world and yourself.
8. Pets
Pets offer one of the best examples of unconditional love.
9. Learning from Mistakes
If we never made mistakes, we wouldn’t learn much so it is one of those things we should be thankful for.
10. Opportunity to Get an Education
The opportunity to attend school is something many people don’t have.
11. Having a Home
Whether you live in an apartment, a mansion, or a tent, having a place to call home is something to be thankful for.
12. An Ability to Read
If you’re reading this right now, you have a lot to be thankful for.
13. Breathing Fresh Air
Being able to step outside to breathe in fresh air is a good reminder how many little things we should be thankful for.
14. A Bed to Sleep
A bed is one of those things that’s easy to take for granted, until you don’t have one.
15. Laughter
Without laughter, the world would be a sad place.
16. Safety and Security
Being able to wake up without immense fear frees us up to really live life.
17. Cars
Without cars, it would take a lot longer to get our activities done.
18. Sunshine
The sun’s warmth can brighten any day.
19. Time
Although we often don’t think there’s enough of it, time is something we shouldn’t take for granted.
20. Clean Water
Many people on earth lack access to clean water.
21. Cell Phones
Cell phones make talking to loved ones easy.
22. Love
The world sure would be a different place if we lacked the ability to love.
23. Books
Books provide an opportunity to enter another world all from the comfort of your own home.
24. Kindness of Strangers
Never take the kindness of a stranger for granted.
25. Campfires
The simplicity of a campfire creates lifelong memories.
26. Pain
Without pain, it would be difficult to appreciate life’s joys.
27. Art
The world would be less beautiful if art didn’t exist.
28. Holidays
Any reason to celebrate is something we should be thankful for.
29. Freedom of Speech
Being able to express your thoughts and feelings freely should never be taken for granted.
30. Rainbows
The beauty of a rainbow is unmatched.
31. Tears
Sometimes when there are no words to say, tears express how we feel for us.
32. Waking up Today
Simply waking up today means you have things to be thankful for.
33. Indoor Plumbing
Indoor plumbing not only provides convenience, it spares us from disease.
34. Wisdom that Comes with Age
Thankfully, we grow smarter over time.
35. Mountains
Mountains provide us with beauty and recreation.
36. Eyesight
Being able to see allows us to view the world’s beauty.
37. Grocery Stores
Grocery stores mean we don’t have to spend all of our time getting our own food.
38. Sunsets
Sunsets are a reminder that we should enjoy the simple things in life.
39. Entertainment
Entertainment gives us a way to relax and enjoy life.
40. Your Mind
Being able to think, remember, and solve problems sure makes life easier.
41. Employment
Even if you don’t like your job, being employed means someone thought you were special enough to hire.
42. Diversity
The world would be a boring place without diversity.
43. Moon and Stars
The moon and stars encourage us to dream.
44. Electricity
Electricity makes most of our chores efficient.
45. Air Conditioning
Staying cool on a hot day is something people wouldn’t have dreamed about in past centuries.
46. Hearing
Being able to hear your loved one’s voice is something that not everyone gets to do.
47. Children
Watching children laugh, grow, and dream can keep things in perspective.
48. Ability to Learn
The ability to learn new things means we have endless potential.
49. People Willing to Teach
Whether it’s your grandmother teaching you to knit or your plumber showing you how to prevent future problems, be grateful that others are willing to use their time and talents to teach you something new.
50. Oceans
The sea creatures in the ocean almost seem too mystical to be real.
51. Modern Medicine
Without advances in modern medicine, many of us wouldn’t be alive.
52. Music
Music brings out new emotions.
53. Entrepreneurs and inventors
Some of life’s best inventions resulted from an entrepreneur who was willing to take a risk.
54. Warm Clothing
On a cold day, there’s nothing more important than warm clothing.
55. Freedom to Vote
Being able to have a say in the laws should never be taken for granted.
56. An Internet Connection
It’s hard to believe how easy it is to take the internet for granted, seeing how none of us had just a couple of decades ago.
57. Challenges
Without challenges in life, we wouldn’t be the people we are now.
58. Hiking Trails
Hiking trails give us the chance to enjoy mother’s nature beauty.
59. Vaccines
Many of us wouldn’t be alive without today’s vaccinations.
60. Armed Forces
Our lives would likely be very different if we didn’t have protection from the armed forces.
95% Updates from the District
On the afternoon of January 5, there will be opportunities to be trained in 95% intervention materials in person at Indian Trail. Two levels of training will be offered--introduction and refresher (if desired). If you choose to attend one (or two) of those trainings, please fill out the form linked below. The choice to attend training must be made by all members of the grade level PLC (to train or not to train). Those who opt not to attend training at this time will be required to attend training at a later date (Do I say April?) and continue using West Virginia resources for MTSS intervention. When not in attendance at one of these trainings, teachers will engage in structured implementation work in their buildings."
With that Said...
If we delay the ELA, I fear that your grade level will have even more on your plate next year. Getting comfortable with 95% could make your life easier in the long run.
To Help with This...
So...this Wednesday, we will have a staff 95% materials gathering party. It will not be the typical staff meeting. We will meet in the library. Although we will be organizing materials for grade levels, I would appreciate the help of all certified staff so we can help our grade levels prep for the interventions that they will be administering. No need to bring anything with you to this unless instructed by Justin.
Thank you for your willingness to help each other.
Staff Meeting this Wednesday
Planning a Field Trip?
Spelling Bee
3rd Grade Musical
5th Grade Band and Orchestra
Bingo Night
Pennies for Shoes
Winter Parties and Half Day on Dec. 17th
As far as the parties go, since we have different grade levels that do different activities for winter, the big requirement is that if snacks or drinks are provided, that we utilize the same procedure for when you have snack in the classroom.
PLEASE do not have all students unmasked at the same time. It is also an option to have the activities and then provide a goody bag to go.
We are not limiting parents for the older grades, but everyone should be masked during activities.
From Sub Services - - - Assistance Requested
As you are all fully aware, there continues to be various unfilled substitute positions each day. While our Substitute Services Department is working around the clock (literally) to fill these needs, we are kindly asking for your assistance in providing a friendly reminder to your teams. Please remind your staff that if/when they have a need for a substitute, it is critical that they enter their request as soon as the need arises. This will assist Human Resources with securing substitutes in a timely manner. As always, should you have any questions regarding substitute needs, you can contact Shelly Longstreth directly at mlongstrethec@olatheschools.org.
COVID REPORTING & DISTRICT FAQ:
If a fully vaccinated employee is exposed to COVID-19 and they are symptom free, the employee does NOT have to quarantine or complete a staff report.
If a fully vaccinated employee develops symptoms within the 14-day incubation period after an exposure to COVID-19, or is experiencing ONE of the PRIMARY symptoms or TWO or the SECONDARY symptoms (regardless of exposure), the employee should:
- Notify their supervisor
- Stay home
- Complete the Staff Report Form
- A Supervisor Referral Form should be sent to the HR department.
Click the link below to access the link below to access the staff reporting form:
https://www.olatheschools.org/domain/3145
All COVID updates regarding mitigation measures will be shared on the district website on the Return to School 2021 page.
See link below:
https://www.olatheschools.org/Page/11587
Interventions on Synergy
Reminder!
Now that interventions should be in full swing, please make sure that you are putting this on synergy when you begin and then update this when you complete it. This should be done for any behavior or academic interventions.
CALENDAR FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK
Monday, December 6th- E Day
Tuesday, December 7th- A Day
*Sean at District meeting in AM
*PLC Day
**8:30 Shirk
**9:00 Renne
**10:00 DeGroot
**3:00 PreK Speech
*3rd grade music program at 2:30 for students and 6:00 for families.
*5th grade band and orchestra concerts in the evening for families.
Wednesday, December 8th- B Day
*PLC Day
**9:30 5th
**10:00 3rd
**11:30 4th
**1:00 2nd
**1:30 K
**2:30 1st
*Certified Staff Meeting
Thursday, December 9th- C Day
Friday, December 10th- D Day