Puma Press
Prairie Vista's Weekly Newsletter
A letter from Mrs. Twibell
Dear Prairie Vista Families,
Welcome to the start of the 2017-2018 school year! I hope you have had an enjoyable summer and that your child is excited about the upcoming year at Prairie Vista. I believe there is no finer place for your child to spend his or her elementary school experience that at Prairie Vista. Our entire staff is committed to working with parents to help students grow academically, socially and emotionally.
The school office officially opened on August 7th. Office hours are 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. Class lists will be posted in the front lobby on Friday, August 18th at 7:00 am. Please do not call the school office to inquire about your child's classroom placement, as this information will not be given over the phone.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the PTO Ice Cream Social and Building Walk-Through from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm on Monday, August 21st. New families are invited to the New Family Orientation on August 21st at 6:00 pm in the music room. This meeting is intended for all parents new to Prairie Vista who have children in grades 1-5. Teachers will not be in their rooms on Monday, but they will be available in their classrooms to meet and greet families on Tuesday, August 22nd from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Please understand that this is the second day back for the staff and they are required to be in meetings and training all day on Monday and Tuesday morning. Because of this, they have not had the opportunity to completely prepare their rooms or decorate bulletin boards on the outside walls.
PTO will have most of their documents online and computers will be available at our back to school activities. Please plan to spend about 10 minutes completing the PTO documents online at one of our back to school events, if you do not have access to a computer.
As a reminder, Prairie Vista will be providing the majority of school supplies for your child this year, but if there are certain items you specifically want your child to have, you may provide those and send them in his/her book bag on the first day of school. Your child's teacher will inform you, in the first newsletter sent home, if there are any additional items that will be required or any supplies needed for specific projects.
Any questions regarding your child's transportation, please contact the PHM Transportation Department Office directly at 258-9565.
If is your decision to permit your child to walk to school if you live in one of the bordering neighborhoods, or to allow a child to ride his/her bicycle. Students riding a bike to school must wear a helmet and walk his/her bike once they are on Prairie Vista property. If you give your child permission to do this, please write a permanent note that can be kept on file in the front office. While we keep safety as our first concern, please make sure you have spoken with your child about being responsible and making good choices once they have left the school grounds and are out of our field of vision. If it is raining or the temperature is below zero, students will not be allowed to walk or ride bikes home. In addition, if your child is consistently going to be picked up from school by car (either daily, or certain days of the week), we would request a note to keep on file as well. These procedures help to streamline dismissal each day. We would like for all families to fill out the enclosed dismissal information form for the school year and return it at one of our back to school events or on the first day of school to make sure we have a smooth dismissal and to ensure the safety of our students.
The PHM Transportation Department has a great responsibility for ensuring the safety of children. Changes to a student's transportation schedule increases the chance that a child may be "lost" or not end up going to the proper and intended location. The student handbook states, "Students will ride only assigned school buses and will board and depart from the bus at designated bus stops. A change in a student's assigned bus route may be granted for a special need but is highly discouraged." This guideline was instituted purely for the complete safety of all students. Changes to dismissal routines adds a great deal of responsibility to the office staff, teachers, and bus drivers by asking them to evaluate parent notes and keep track of students at more than one pick up and drop off location. Please do not make arrangements for play dates, sleepovers, and other activities that rely on school transportation or the office to organize and coordinate after-school transportation for students to non-school activities.
Parent Information Nights:
- Tuesday, August 29th at 5:30 pm for 1st grade
- Tuesday, August 29th at 6:30 pm for 4th grade
- Thursday, August 31st at 6:00 pm for 5th grade and camp meeting
- Thursday, September 7th at 5:30 pm for 2nd grade
- Thursday, September 7th at 6:30 pm for 3rd grade
This is an evening for parents to learn about their child's curriculum and specific topics relating to grade level and teacher. As this is an information night for parents, we ask that children not attend this event. However, I am aware that families new to the area might not now neighbors well enough to ask them to watch their children. In this situation, please feel free to bring your child knowing that we do not provide child-care services.
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 1-5 IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23RD. Students in Grades 1-5:
PHM buses will provide transportation on August 23rd for these students. (Kindergarten transportation begins on August 24th.) The doors open at 7:40 am and our school day begins at 7:55 am and ends at 2:20 pm. Students may not be dropped off until 7:40 am. If you bring your child to school in the morning, please be sure that he/she is here on time to insure a positive start to the learning day. Students who are consistently tardy are at a disadvantage and usually come in feeling unsettled or anxious. All students who arrive after 7:55 am must be signed in at the front office by a parent.
KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS HAVE A MODIFIED SCHEDULE ON AUGUST 23RD.
PARENTS PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL ON AUGUST 23RD.
In order for the children and parents to become acquainted with their teacher and classroom, we are offering an orientation on Wednesday, August 23rd from 9:00 - 9:45 am. A parent, or the person bringing the child to school, will need to stay during the orientation, but please DO NOT BRING SIBLINGS. The teachers will share information about full day kindergarten, the year's activities and programs. Time will also be available for asking questions, forming car pools, and other details about the beginning of this exciting experience. If the medical and dental forms have been completed, please bring them to the orientation program and turn them into your child's teacher.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24TH - REGULAR CLASSES BEGIN FOR KINDERGARTEN
PHM buses will begin transportation for Kindergarten students on August 24th.
Teachers will hand out student agendas/planners to all students. The PHM Elementary School's Student and Parent Handbook is located inside. Please read everything carefully. The written policies show address any questions and conerns. Both you and your child must sign and return the "Student Handbook Certification" sheet located on page one of the agenda/planner and parents must complete the "Consent To Publish Student Work and Photographs" found on the reverse side.
PICTURE DAY - Tuesday, September 12th.
I am looking forward to another great year at Prairie Vista and I hope to see you at the Ice Cream Social!
Sincerely,
Keely Twibell
Principal
Take Home Folder
Thank you parents and welcome back!
FUN FAIR REMINDER - ORDERS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 19TH
Announcements & Important Dates
Lego League Meet Up: September 18th - 6:15 - 8:45 pm
Lego League Meet Up: September 20th - 6:15 - 8:45 pm
5th Grade Camp Volunteer Meeting: September 21st - 6:00 - 7:00 pm
2nd Grade Planetarium Field Trip: September 22nd - 9 am - 10:45 am
Fun Fair: September 22nd - 4:30 - 7:30 pm
Room Parent Meeting: September 25th 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Lego League Meet Up: September 25th - 6:15 - 8:45 pm
Lego League Meet Up: September 27th - 6:15 - 8:45 pm
Vision Screening Grades 1, 3, & 5: September 28th - All Day
About Prairie Vista
Email: ssage@phm.k12.in.us
Website: www.prairevista.phmschools.org
Location: 15400 Brick Road, Granger, IN, United States
Phone: 574-271-0055
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ktwibellprairievista/
Twitter: @PVPumaPride