PRAIRIE POST
April 17, 2020
School Closure for Remainder of the Year
Dear Staff and Families,
On Thursday, April 16, 2020, Governor Evers extended the Safer at Home order until May 26, 2020; the current order was set to expire on April 24. In this order he also closed all K-12 public and private schools through the end of the school year for face to face instruction. This news is disappointing to all in the School District of Waukesha as we were hopeful to be back in session before the end of the year. All district schools will remain open in the current virtual setting, and we will maintain our instructional program following the school calendar until the end of the year. District staff and administration are working on plans to assist families and staff members in retrieving belongings from school, including clearing out lockers and picking up student supplies.
We continue to be impressed with how our students, families, and staff are working together to engage in learning during these difficult times. Your collaboration and support of each other will continue to be important as this new reality extends.
More information is forthcoming. We will keep you apprised of updates as we receive them.
You can access Governor Evers’ press release here.
Executive Cabinet
Message from the Principal
Happy Friday! Know that the staff at Prairie are just as disappointed as all of you to not be going back to school yet this spring. Please know that our Prairie teachers are dedicated to working virtually and continuing to make this time we have a positive learning experience. A colleague of mine shared that we are actually doing Emergency Remote Learning that teachers, students, nor you as parents, signed up for! But I have to say, stepping into Prairie already three days into virtual mode, teachers sure were committed and learning at lightning speed as to how to make learning authentic and engaging for your child(ren). A big shout out to your Prairie Puma Teachers!
PTA NEWS: With the School District of Waukesha closing down for the rest of the year, it goes without saying the PTA has cancelled the Puma Palooza. Know that your PTA Board is still meeting virtually, What a wonderfully dedicated group of people!
STUDENT SUPPLIES: There will be a time when student supplies will be able to be picked up from school. I am waiting for word from the district administration of exactly when that will be and how that will work.
YEAR BOOKS: Our yearbooks are in process of getting published. They typically don’t arrive until late May, and there will be a process to be determined to make sure to get the yearbook out to anyone who ordered one.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING: Starting this week, part of the S’More will include Social Emotional Learning thoughts, ideas, strategies, ideas, or resources. Our School Psychologist, Mr. Endsley, and our School Counselor, Mrs. Edwards, will be providing this information to you. This week we are attaching two resources:
Bring out the Best in Your Children Behavior tips for parents. From the American Academy of Pediatrics, this tip sheet for parents is very informative and helpful, especially while we're spending a lot more time at home.
Zen Zone Strategies. These are the same Zen Zone strategies that we have been using in our classrooms throughout the school year. They have been shared with teachers to promote during virtual learning too. Check them out; they can work for adults too!
Mrs. Gannon
Acting Prairie Principal
Classroom Placement Letter for 2020-21
Breakfast and Lunch Pick Up Available
Technology Assistance
http://sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/virtual-student This page also includes a link to the Virtual Help Desk which is being monitored by our support team.
Learning Outdoors
Our Environmental Education Department has created a weekly newsletter entitled "Learning Outdoors". Each week we will provide a few small learning or just for fun activities to engage students in nature and outdoor play.
Fox 6 Educational Programming
FOX 6 is offering educational programming on Monday through Friday at noon. The station will be airing a variety of Xploration shows. These half-hour programs are designed to inspire kids to become interested in STEM and may provide some fun and interest for families.
Here is a link to programming information:
Playworks "Play at Home"
Playworks has launched a virtual recess. It will happen 3 times a day (11am, 1pm, 3pm), Mon-Fri through Facebook live! All you have to do is like Playworks on Facebook and log on and follow along!
Do you want to play right now? Check out this link for youtube videos to all of our favorites as well as a bunch of play resources:
https://www.playworks.org/get-involved/play-at-home/
It is a great way for our students to break up the day, get moving, and refocus for learning! Do you have a favorite game? Take pictures and tag with #PlayAtHome or #PlayworksAtHome to teach other people your family's favorite!
*Air High Five* Coach Courtney
Message from Mr. Endsley, School Psychologist
2020 Summer School
Spectrum Internet Service Option
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