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Principal Weekly Update to Families
November 9, 2023
A Message From the Principal
A special thanks to those who were able to attend our Veterans’ Day Assembly last Friday. It was really great to hear from our own Mr. Kier about his military service and thank those who served or are serving our country! We extend our sincere appreciation.
As we approach Parent Teacher Conferences, I encourage you to sign up early for a time that works best for you. Conferences will focus on academic and behavioral performance. It’s a perfect time to work closely with the teacher to help your child do well in school. We look forward to meeting with you!
In partnership,
Tami Beach, Principal
No School
Friday, November 10
In observance of Veterans Day.
Parent Teacher Conference Sign Ups
Happening Now
It's time to schedule your student's conference. Please log into Qmlativ Family Access to select a day and time that you are available to meet with their teacher. If you need assistance with Qmlativ, there are a few videos with step by step instructions on how to log in, navigate "Q" and select your conference times. Go to our district website for further information. Handouts are available with quick tips - ENGLISH / SPANISH. Contact our office if you need additional assistance.
Milk Carton Shortage
The carton shortage across to the US is affecting our milk supply for breakfast and lunch.
Yelm Community Schools has been granted a waiver from OSPI to serve alternative beverages and remain within healthy food guidelines.
Food Service will be offering juice at breakfast and water at lunch.
To help accommodate students with water, we will set up multiple water stations in each cafeteria. This may vary by school. Students may bring a beverage from home to go with their meals if they choose.
Unfortunately, we are not sure when the carton supply will be restored. At Prairie, we understand our kitchen has enough milk in reserve until Tuesday morning at this time.
Picture Retake Day
Tuesday, November 21
Retake day is scheduled on Tuesday, November 21, for any student that did not have a picture taken on Original picture day OR for any student that purchased a picture packet and is not happy with it. Students must return the original picture packet to the photographer for a free retake. Forms will be sent home with students next Wednesday, November 18.
If ordering pictures for the first time, please utilize the information below:
To order pictures taken on RETAKE DAY
Website: JOSIEPHOTO.inter-state.com
Use order code: 81194S
Fall Scholastic Book Fair
Starts Next Week – Mark Your Calendars
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Prairie! This is a great opportunity for parents to do some early holiday gift shopping or for students to stock up on winter reading materials.
Book Fair Hours:
November 15–17: 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
November 20–21: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
November 22: 8:00–8:30 a.m. (Last Day)
Scholastic offers a program called eWallet—a digital payment account for your child. Before the Book Fair, parents can set up an eWallet account for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute—out of town grandparents, family or friends! Teachers will also be able to create an eWallet to purchase new books for their classrooms. If you can't make it to the Book Fair, you will be able to shop online. All orders ship directly to your home and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Every online purchase will also benefit the Prairie Library. Their goal is 1,000 new books! Visit the Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/yelmprairieelementaryschl.
Informational Flyers
Stay Updated Using Digital Tools
Did you notice schools are sending home less informational flyers than in years past? Gone are the days of backpacks being stuffed full of these extra papers. This change is an intentional effort to both conserve precious resources and be fiscally responsible with the budget. Schools have shifted to using electronic systems to share information. The district/school website and School Messenger (email, voice message, and text) are tools we use to share communication to families. Listed below are helpful links to bookmark for quick access for school information:
- Yelm Community Schools website—https://www.ycs.wednet.edu/Domain/1.
- Prairie's website— https://www.ycs.wednet.edu/Page/573. The Weekly Prairie Principal Update is shared on Fridays between 5:30-8 p.m. by School Messenger. If you miss the auto dialer, the newsletter is posted on the Prairie website under the Newsletter section. A library of past newsletters can also kept there.
- Community Resource page (Peachjar)— https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/all/districts/35559/ shares district approved flyers with information on upcoming events, local groups, and resources.
Christmas in the Park Essay Contest
"My Winter Wish is ..."
Staff Spotlight
Meet Our Team of Prairie Psychologists
School psychologists are valuable members of the school team who support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They can provide direct support and interventions to students, such as learning assessments, academic and behavioral interventions, counseling, and social skills training. They also work with families, teachers, and other educators to improve school-wide practices and policies that help make our school community a safe, supportive, and welcoming space in which all children can thrive. We would like to take this moment to thank our Prairie Psychologists—Sophia Apgar, Kristen Carter, and Michelle Fossum. Our preschool through fifth grade Panthers appreciate their work and dedication. We wish them a Happy National School Psychologists Week!
Prairie PTO
PTO's Annual Santa Shop and Other PTO Happenings!
Students will be invited to shop for family and friends at PTO's gift shop during school hours. Information packets and shopping envelopes will be going home the week of November 27. Santa's helpers are excited to help the students find gifts for their loved ones. If you are interested in being Santa's helper, please check this link for volunteer opportunities.
November PTO Calendar Dates:
- November 16: Popcorn Day
- November 20: Caffeine and Kindness Day, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. BeanWater's mobile espresso stand will be open for business at Prairie. Twenty percent of all proceeds are donated to the PTO. Grab a drink after drop off or on your way to conferences! PTO will be treating staff to a drink of their choice. Open to all!
- November 30: Popcorn Day
Do you use Facebook? Follow Yelm Prairie PTO! Their posts offer lots of great reminders and information on upcoming events at Prairie. You can also reach out to them by email at yelmprairiepto@gmail.com at anytime for questions or to volunteer.
Handbook Spotlight
Health Information
The health room is active place in our school all year long, more so during the winter months. The Prairie Family Handbook shares some important information regarding district/building health information and policies to keep our students and staff well.
As we keep students healthy during the school year, please keep in mind the following:
- Medications: YCS requires signed authorization forms for the dispensing of any prescription or non-prescription medicines to students. Forms must be signed by the physician as well as the parent/guardian and are available from the office. Physicians may fax this information to our school at 360-458-6326. All medications must be delivered to and picked up from the school by the parent/guardian in the original container. Most medications can be dispensed by the parent/guardian before or after school. Please ask your healthcare provider for guidance on medication delivery times. (RCW 28A.210.260 & 270, District Policy 3414)
- Diarrhea: Any student who has been having diarrhea will be sent home and may return to school when they have been free of diarrhea for 24 hours.
- Fever: Any student with a fever of 100.4 or higher will be sent home and may return to school once the child has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
- Injury: If any child has an injury that prohibits them from participating in PE or other school activities, a note from the physician is needed to excuse participation. Please be sure the doctor includes when the student can return to normal activity or provide a separate note.
- Rash: Any student with an undiagnosed rash will be sent home from school in order to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. The parent/guardian will be asked to provide a note from a healthcare provider upon return to school.
- Vomiting: Any student who has been vomiting will be sent home and may return to school when they have not vomited in 24 hours.
Check out the webpage for further information on specific health care needs. If you have questions on healthroom policies, please contact our office.
Announcements and Reminders
- Wednesday, November 15: Late start day.
- November 15–17: Book Fair, open 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- November 20 & 21: Book Fair, open 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Fall Conferences: November 20, 21, & 22. Classes will be released at 11:35 a.m. Sack lunches will be served. No late start on Wednesday, November 22.
- Monday, November 20
- Spirit Dress Up Day: Thanksgiving Color Day. Wear Your Red, Orange, and Brown!
- Tuesday, November 21
- Picture Retake Day
- Spirit Dress Up Day: Hat Day. Wear your favorite hat!
- Wednesday, November 22
- Book Fair closes at 8:30 a.m. Open at 8 a.m.
- Spirit Dress Up Day: Wacky Wednesday. Be silly!
- November 23 & 24—No School. Happy Thanksgiving!