Prairie Point Panther Press
Newsletter for Prairie Point Elementary School
Friday, December 21, 2018
Welcome to the Prairie Point Panther Press!
Missions for Taylorville
On December 1, it was reported that 12 tornadoes made their way through central Illinois, leaving behind a path of destruction. The town of Taylorville, located in Christian County, about 3 hours south of Oswego, experienced the brunt of this damage.
When Mrs. Van Dusen was talking with her class about this the following week, they decided that they wanted to do something to help. After contacting the Taylorville fire department, it was determined that they were setting up a fund called “Missions for Taylorville,” that would benefit those who experienced the most devastating damage or those who did not have insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding their homes.
The students decided that organizing a coin drive would be a good way to raise some money for this fund. They worked hard making posters to put up around the school as well as slide shows to explain the fundraiser to the other classes at Prairie Point. Over the course of one week, the students at Prairie Point brought in $1,389 in spare change to help the citizens of this rural central Illinois town. Prairie Point came through in a BIG way to show that we care! Thank you so much to everyone who donated!!
Illinois 5Essentials Survey
Dear SD 308 Parents,
Beginning December 11, students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the seventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
- Effective Leaders
- Collaborative Teachers
- Involved Families
- Supportive Environments
- Ambitious Instruction
Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5 Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.
All teachers and 4th through 12th grade students will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in March 2019 and will also be included in the State School Report Card. The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted December 11, 2018 through February 15, 2019.
Additionally, our district has chosen to provide the optional Parent Supplement survey. If at least 20 percent of parents from each individual school complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card.
Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted now through February 15, 2019. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or 5essentials@uchicago.edu.
Sincerely,
Danielle Lee
Assistant Director for School Improvement/Data
Friendly reminders for Arrival & Dismissal
* Always pull all the way forward to the far fire hydrant.
* For safety, students must enter and exit on the passenger side only.
* Drivers are to remain in the car at all times.
* Encourage your student to be respectful in line and watch for your car at dismissal.
* Display your student's name card in your car.
* Cell phone use in school zones is against the law.
Cold Weather reminder - Recess
Now that the cold weather and snow are upon us please remember that while we won't have outdoor recess on days when the real feel is ten degrees or below, please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for the cold weather including layers/snow pants if necessary, a winter coat, hats, gloves, and boots. As a reminder, students who do not have snow pants on outdoor recess days are not allowed in the snow.
Gym Shoe Reminder
We realize it is a little tricky this year to remember what days P.E. are because of the A,B,C,D,E schedule. Therefore, it is recommended that a pair of gym shoes are left at school so your child is always prepared. Please be sure the shoes have laces or Velcro.
Thank you,
P.E. Department
Lost & Found Table
From the Nurse's office
The nurse's office could use smaller size boys & girls elastic waist pants.
Young Rembrandts
Check out Peachjar for new Young Rembrandts flyer
AFTERSCHOOL DRAWING CLASSES NOW FORMING!
Whether your child is a seasoned pro or new to art and loves to draw, ENROLL them in Young Rembrandt’s award winning afterschool drawing program! Classes meet immediately afterschool – at your child’s school – once a week for 1 hour! All supplies provided!
New Lessons EVERY week – every session – every year!
Choose how you would like to enroll your child today!
Register online at www.youngrembrandts.com/swsuburbs
Visit the school’s Virtual Backpack to download an enrollment form.
Stop by the school office to pick up an enrollment form.
Call YR at (844) DRAW-184 (that’s 844-372-9184)
Let your child discover the power of drawing today!
Home & School - My School Anywhere
MY SCHOOL ANYWHERE
Home and School will be utilizing My School Anywhere for our directory, communication, signups, school store, Panther Fitness Challenge donations and more this school year!
To Sign up:
- Visit join.myschoolanywhere.com
- Enter join code: prairiepoint
- After entering your information, you will receive an email with login information
- Get the MySchoolAnywhere app for your phone to have access to signups, the directory, school store and more right in the palm of your hand!
New Communication "Peachjar"
Oswego CUSD 308 has launched a new communication tool called "Peachjar." School-approved flyers will now be sent to you electronically and posted on the school website. Simply click flyers you receive via email or on the Prairie Point homepage click Digital flyers then Peachjar flyers.
Cafeteria Menus are now in Peachjar
The Cafeteria Breakfast and Lunch Menus will be sent to parents via email through the Peachjar Flyer delivery system. We will no longer be sending a hard copy home with the students in their Thursday folders. The Menus can also be found on the district website at https://www.sd308.org/Page/264.
PushCoin - New Lunch & School Fee Payment Procedures
Health Requirements Kindergarten, 2nd & 5th
Kindergarten :
Completed physical exam/immunizations
Eye exam
Dental Exam
2nd Grade:
Dental exam
6th Grade:
Completed physical exam
Proof of one dose of Tdap
Completed 3 shot series of Hepatitis B
One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine given on or after 11th birthday
Dental exam
News from the Nurse's Office
Noted on the District 308 website: http://www.sd308.org/Page/17756
When should my student stay home from school?
Your child is too ill to go to school if he/she has any of the following symptoms:
· Vomiting and/or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
· Shortness of breath or wheezing (not controlled with an inhaler if they have asthma)
· A cough that interrupts his/her normal activity or wakes them, or other family members at night.
· An undiagnosed rash unless cleared by a physician’s note
· Drainage from the eye
· Severe sore throat
· Fever- If your child has a temperature of 100° (or higher) in the past 24 hours they cannot attend school. Children are to be fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medication, before returning to school.
· A contagious illness that is treated with antibiotics, such as strep throat or pink eye, and has not been taking the antibiotics for a full 24 hours before returning to school.
Aramark Positions Available
For details visit
http://www.sd308.org/Page/8234 or call Kate Kloet at 630-636-4611.