A Message from the Principal
Dear Prairie Wind Families,
We are excited to share some important updates about the steps we’re taking to support the academic growth of every student at Prairie Wind Elementary!
To strengthen our ability to meet the diverse needs of our learners, we have added two dedicated reading interventionists and are actively seeking a math interventionist to join our team. Additionally, we will be hiring three new paraprofessionals who will be trained in reading and math interventions.
These intentional staffing additions will ensure that each grade level has access to the support needed for students requiring Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions in reading and/or math. Our mission is clear: every student will achieve proficiency at their grade level and grow by one grade level by May 2025. This team of interventionists and paraprofessionals will be critical in helping us close academic gaps and make this vision a reality.
We are thrilled to welcome these new team members for the second semester and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our Stallions! Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure the success of every student.
With gratitude,
Tamika Walker
Principal, Prairie Wind Elementary
From the Asst. Principal, Mr. Richardson
Did you know there are five keys to your child graduating high school, and they are the habits we are trying to develop in your child? Those habits are as follows: 1. Attend - show up daily. 2. Maintain a C average. 3. Do not fail a class. 4. Participate in a school club or sport. 5. Parents are involved by attending school events. We start our focus on attendance. All we ask is show up. The building opens at 8:35 am.
Thanks,
Christopher J. Richardson
Assistant Principal
From the School Nurse
llness Guidelines:
Parents, please be vigilant with keeping kids home if their fever has been 100.4 or higher or have experienced vomiting in the last 24 hours. You should be fever free or vomiting free for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school. To fight infection in the home, make sure to wash your hands frequently and be sure to get regular sleep. Children especially need a nighttime schedule and good nutrition to boost their immune system. Regular exercise also increases your ability to fight infection.
Human Growth Classes:
Fourth grade will be starting their Human Growth Classes in January. There are four separate sessions and kids are divided into boys only and girls only classes. For more information about what is covered, please contact Mrs. Hansen at 531-299-1982. Kids are only allowed to participate with written or online permission for one, some or all of the sessions.
PTO Fundraiser
We greatly appreciate how many families participated in our fundraiser this year. All fundraiser items will be delivered to school for pick up on December 12th. PTO will reach out with more information about the timeframe for pick up as soon as we get word from the company. Thank you for helping to support our students!
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Fernandez at nicole.zersen-fernandez@ops.org or Kara Winther at kara.winther@ops.org.
From the Counselors
Counseling Corner,
Hopefully, everyone was able to enjoy the week off from school, enjoying friends and family. It was great to see the students after the break and have them be so eager to get back into the swing of things, for the final push to winter break.
We hope everyone is staying warm! If your student is in need of hats, scarves, or mittens please reach out to us or your student’s classroom teacher. We are here to help.
Kindergarten, second, and fourth grade students are staying busy by learning about self-regulation, calm down strategies, and creating a culture of kindness. You can support your kiddo at home by practicing self-regulation strategies, like deep breathing. It is such a joy to work with Prairie Wind students, I am grateful to be a part of this school community!
First, third, and fifth grade students have been learning all about regulating “BIG” emotions and using self-controlling breathing strategies; how to calm oneself down in times of frustration; and how to stop, think about consequences, and then make their decisions. The students have all shown great self-control and are showing off their growing skill sets in school. Hopefully, you are experiencing all that they have learned, at home, from their guidance lessons. Looking ahead: Next up, the students will be learning about empathy, seeking healthy friend relationships and we will also continue reviewing actions and their consequences.
December is such a busy and short month. Let’s all work together to have a successful month. Please help set your student up for success by ensuring they are getting enough sleep, eating breakfast (either at home or at school), and are on time, ready to learn. Breakfast doors open at 8:35. If your kiddo is going to be absent, please call the office at 531.299.1980.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Jamie Quandt
Grades 1,3,5
Tiffany Haynes Reed
Grades K, 2, 4
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
What is the Campus Portal for Parents?
The Campus Portal for Parents, part of the Omaha Public Schools student information system, allows parents and guardians to monitor their children's academic progress online. Using the internet, parents will be able to log in and view district and school announcements, schedules, current and final grades, missing assignments, attendance, immunization records, account statements and class newsletters. Additionally, parents will be able to email teachers and print a variety of reports including IEPs, current progress reports, current report cards (secondary only) and unofficial transcripts.
Campus Portal for Parent Documents
Get the ZUM APP for Transportation
Get the Zum App for Transportation
Zūm Parent App
With Zum app, you can better protect your student's safety by:
- Tracking your student’s ride in real-time and receiving ride updates
- Knowing the driver profile and vehicle assigned to transport your student
- Viewing pick-up and drop-off time estimates
- Starting real-time chat with our support team if needed
- Canceling rides when necessary
Download the Zūm App (iOS) (Android) from your carrier’s App Store
