Cougar Tracks Family Newsletter
Prairie Ridge Elementary School
Paw Prints Today... Tracks Tomorrow
October 2016
Volume 13, Issue 3
Falling into a New Season
How do we know our kids are learning at the speed of light? It must be because it feels like time is flying, and the super hero Flash just zipped by! It seems like we had a sense of the unknown just a moment ago at Back to School Night, and suddenly, the days are getting cooler and shorter, and you could swear you see a touch of frost on the pumpkins.
As the weather cools down, please remember to send students to school appropriately dressed for recess and other outdoor activities. Jackets are encouraged, and teachers will exercise professional discretion with weather conditions and student attire. Be sure your little super hero is ready to go to the playground, and beyond!
A Mindset for Learning
Building a Classroom Ecosystem of Energy and Engagement
"Goldfish grow to the size of their bowl." It is literally true. The classroom, like the fish bowl, is a type of ecosystem. A child's self-control, tenacity, and persistence are influenced first by their environment and the reliability and consistency of their caregivers. If we want to build a community of persistence, joy, resilience, flexibility, and empathy, we must first BE all of those things, and be reliable in those things. We believe that a teacher works to become an invisible force in the classroom, but a force nonetheless.
In the most engaged and energized classrooms, we see teachers who set up systems where children are accountable to their community. They are owners of the materials and space. The teacher sends the message that everyone in the classroom community should care about the people in the space just as much. As children learn what the teacher values, they often grow to value it, too.
There is a way to learn almost anything, and it is not through effort alone, but rather through effort combined with a skilled and sensitive teacher who sets the learner up for just-right challenges. The teacher cannot be the tow truck that drags a child through the stances, even if it gets him there faster, but the teacher can be the gas station attendant or roadside assistance that provides fuel, feedback, and a reassuring pat on the back so the child can get there on his own... and keep going.
- Optimism- putting aside fear and resistance to learn something new
- Persistence- keeping at it, even when a task is hard
- Flexibility- trying different ways to find a solution
- Resilience- bouncing back from setbacks and learning from failure
- Empathy- learning by putting oneself in another person's shoes
October "Save the Dates"
3-7th Peace Week (Anti-Bullying & Red Ribbon Spirit Week)
3rd PTO Skate Night 6:00-8:00
Board of Education Meeting 6:00
4th Community Forum at MTMS 5:30
5th Walk to School Day
PTO General Meeting 7:00
6th Picture Day... SMILE
Community Forum at MCMS 7:00
12th Community Forum at LTMS 6:00
13th End of First Quarter
14th No School- (In-service)
17th No School- (In-service)
21st Grade Cards Posted to Skyward 4:00
31st Halloween Parade 2:45
Classroom Parties 3:00
Parent-Teacher Communication
A HUGE note of gratitude and appreciation goes out to our parent population for your participation at fall Parent-Teacher Conferences. We are proud to say we had a 96.3% rate of attendance. All of the time and talents that go into partnerships between home and school serve only to benefit student success, development, and achievement. It truly does take a village, and we're thrilled you are a part of ours!
Calling All USD 232 Stakeholders!
Parents, guardians, students and community members are invited to join the school district at one of three Community Engagement Meetings – October 4, 6 or 12.
During this school year and under the leadership of Superintendent Frank Harwood, the district will engage the USD 232 community in a process to establish a vision for the future of the school system.
The big question we have to answer is what we want our district to be for our students. It will take collaborative parent-school-community partnerships to support the continued success for all students in USD 232. We hope you will join us by providing input through one of the three community forums, as we embark on this vital process.
Three meetings scheduled
As a convenience, we scheduled three meetings for your consideration. All meetings are open to the public and each of them will be similar. Please attend the meeting that is most convenient for you.
Tuesday, October 4 at Monticello Trails Middle School
Commons
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
6100 Monticello Road, Shawnee
Thursday, October 6 at Mill Creek Middle School
Cafeteria
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
8001 Mize Blvd., Lenexa
Wednesday, October 12 at Lexington Trails Middle School
Cafeteria
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
8800 Penner Ave., De Soto
The forums are just the beginning of this important conversation. The Board of Education will be involved in the visioning process throughout the school year. If you are unable to attend one of the forums, there will be additional opportunities for you to provide input in the future.
October Pink
Every year, as part of our long-standing tradition, the staff of Prairie Ridge vows to do what we can to help win the battle against cancer. Therefore, we are united in spirit, determination, and jeans to raise money to identify cancer prevention, and ultimately, a cure. Every Prairie Ridge staff member who donates $25 or more, earns the ability to wear jeans to school every day throughout the month of October. Also, parents and community members may assist our school by helping our team to achieve our goal through donation toward our team goal. Thank you, in advance, for helping us honor everyone we love who has battled this disease!
Simply go to the page below and click the big “FUNDRAISE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN” button and you'll instantly have your own fundraising page as a part of our team.
http://www.crowdrise.com/prairie-ridge-elementary
Thanks so much.
BOO with the PRE Crew
Please send school-appropriate Halloween costumes for parties on October 31st. Items such as make-up, masks, gory accessories, and items classified as toy “weaponry” should remain at home to be used for nighttime trick-or-treat adventures and fun.
The all-school parade will begin at 2:45. It will circle the exterior of the building if weather permits. Parties will begin at 3:00.
Parents will be able to move to classrooms and pods to start party preparations at 2:30.
The National Day of Play Cardboard Challenge
It All Started with a Door Handle...
Creativity is one of the most critical skills for the future. The ability to dream, take chances, and create the things we imagine… these are the skills of entrepreneurs, innovators and change makers. Children are born with these exceptional talents, but research shows that over time they begin to lose them.
What Does the Evidence Say?
Creativity is recognized as one of the most critical skills for the next generation. Its value reaches well beyond the arts to affect every discipline and numerous industries.
A popular survey conducted by IBM of 1,500 CEOs from 60 countries and 33 industries identifies creativity as the “most crucial factor for future success.” And 17 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development identify “creativity and innovation” as a core competency, so valuable for the next generation it requires major restructuring of national educational programs and priorities.
Why Creativity?
The world is changing at a fantastic speed. The future requires people who can problem-solve, adapt and communicate in workplaces and environments that are increasingly complex. Creativity creates jobs, drives economic growth and provides answers to societal needs. And it also maximizes human potential. Research quoted in Newsweek says that children with high “creative self-efficacy” are better able to handle stress and are more “confident about their futures.”
We think that when children develop their natural creative talents, they develop a variety of skills and attitudes that will drive success in school, life and future work.
That is why this year, in tandem with A Mindset for Learning, PRE will participate in the National Day of Play Cardboard Challenge on November 15th.
This started with a boy named Caine who lives in California, and his joy is spreading across the country. There will be more information to come regarding logistics of the event, but for now, to help give background and context, please take time to watch these short documentary videos. THIS is going to be GREAT!
Caine's Arcade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U
Caine's Arcade 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul9c-4dX4Hk
The National Day of Play link specifically for Prairie Ridge is
http://cardboardchallenge.com/event/prairie-ridge-elementary-national-day-of-play/ .
We will need your help! More information coming soon regarding supplies that will be needed and volunteer opportunities for this event.
Kansas Teacher of the Year Nomination Window Open!
2017 Horizon Application Now Available
The Kansas Horizon Award program offers Kansas school districts an excellent opportunity to honor exemplary first-year teachers.
The program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education, recognizes and rewards teachers who have served as outstanding representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state during their first year of teaching.
Horizon Award winners receive special recognition during the KEEN State Education Conference, which takes place each February in Topeka. Award recipients also get a cash award.
Nominated teachers must have completed their first-year of teaching and be starting their second year. It’s easy to nominate a teacher from our district — simply click on the link http://www.ksde.org/Agency/Fiscal-and-Administrative-Services/Communications-and-Recognition-Programs/Kansas-Horizon-Award-Program and complete the application.
Completed applications must be postmarked no later than October 11, 2016.
For more information about the program, please contact Tamla Miller at (785) 296-4950, or e-mail her at tmiller@ksde.org.
PRE PTO News
Find us on the web at www.PREfamilies.com
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook/prefamilies
Send us an email at PREfamilies@gmail.com
Book Fair
Thank you to all of our volunteers at the Book Fair, including Books and Breakfast. We couldn’t pull off successful events without you!
Missed the in-person Fair? Online shopping is still open until October 7th with deliveries free of charge to the school.
Please Turn in BoxTops
Check out the NEW Box Tops BONUS app! All you have to do is scan your receipts for automatic Box Tops credit to PRE! (AND you can continue turning in your clipped ones for even more credit.) Really easy way to help our school - check it out today!
Our teachers and staff at PRE enjoyed a fantastic fiesta meal during conferences! Thank you to all the families that provided food for the meal. It is much appreciated and enjoyed!
WatchDOGS
The 2016-2017 sign-up is live for Watch D.O.G.S. to sign up for shifts. You can sign up for 2 shifts per semester. Sign-up NOW!
Contact Jeff Boor with any questions – jeffjboor@gmail.com
USD 232 Student and Family Handbook
Please be sure to review district policies in the Student and Family Handbook, located on the school website. Click here to locate the handbook.
Electronic Flyers
Safety In and Around School Property and Car Loop Areas
Achieve excellence . Build character . Challenge minds