The Texan Star March 17th

Hello Prairie Trail Families,

On Monday, April 8, Dallas will be the largest city in the path of totality for the once-in-a-lifetime Great North American Eclipse. We are excited to share this milestone with your students, and want to make sure they are able to experience the eclipse in a safe manner. Please keep reading for Lewisville ISD’s plans by grade level:

Grades K-2
It is not recommended that our youngest students view the eclipse outside. Instead, K-2 students will have the opportunity to watch NASA's live stream of the eclipse. We encourage you to view NASA’s other online resources to explain this event to your student.

Grades 3-5
Students in grades 3-5 will have the opportunity to go outside to view the eclipse in the early afternoon on April 8. The Perot Museum has generously donated protective eyewear for each student to wear, and our campus staff will monitor students to ensure the eyewear is on correctly before inviting students outside. The eyewear provided from the Perot Museum is thousands of times darker than standard sunglasses to protect students from the concentrated solar rays. To learn more about safety considerations associated with the eclipse, including skin protection, click here.

If you do not wish for your student to view the eclipse, click HERE to complete the exemption form. Students who do not go outside will be able to watch NASA’s live stream of the event in a monitored classroom.

Many of our staff members have already incorporated this event into their lesson plans to enhance the educational experience for all students. We are excited for our students to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event, and witness science in action! As always, parents are the ultimate decision-makers on whether or not their students will attend school. If you choose to keep your student home to view the eclipse, please notify our school as you would for any absence. It will count towards one of your ten allowable ‘parent note’ absences. Please consider allowing your child to be present as much as possible during the school day. Technically they are marked ‘present’ if they are here at 9:00 am. This is a great learning opportunity to experience together with your teacher and classmates!

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 469-713-5980 or email your child’s teacher.

Thank you,

Wendi Vaughn

Principal

Unit 3 is over Empathy and Kindness. The last lesson in this unit is #15 during the week of Mar. 18th

Here are the links to the overview of the lessons:

English

Spanish

For links to all the lessons for the entire year, CLICK HERE.

Join us at CFA on 407 Thursday, March 21 between 6 am to 10 pm. Tell them you are with Prairie Trail or use code PTElem (case sensitive) on app.

If you’ve never attended a Prairie Trail PTA Spring Fest Carnival before, you are in for a major treat! This community event hosted by our PTA features carnival rides (the BIG mechanical kind - it’s a legitimate carnival!), TONS of bounce houses, games, inflatables, food vendors, concessions and more!

Entry is free, but you’ll need a wristband to enjoy the rides & inflatables. Check your child’s backpack for order forms and more information, or go online now and get yours today before the early bird pricing ends on 3/24/24!

Popcorn & a Movie! What’s not to love? Grab the family, a blanket and/or some chairs, and join your favorite PTE friends for FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT at Prairie Trail!

We’ll be showing the movie “Luck” in the Cafeteria at 6pm. Come hungry because we’ll have free popcorn and water, and $2 PIZZA slices available for purchase!

Help us plan ahead and let us know if you plan to purchase pizza HERE.

Do you LOVE all the special programs, events, funding & services that our PTA provides? Wish you could make a few changes, or maybe you’d like to help in some way? This is your chance!

We’re in the process of building and planning for the upcoming school year and would LOVE your help and input in shaping the future of our PTA. With the constant coming and going of PTA members as their kids transition into and out of elementary school, there are always spaces to fill in for the board positions and committees that help our school run.

Please think about joining a committee next year (or maybe even leading one!), and help us build our school community by filling out this short survey by March 21st.

English: https://forms.gle/Rc7RsA9gYEmkiKSh9

Spanish: https://forms.gle/t4vezEHFcMZiSgDt8

For a more detailed description of what each committee does, click here: https://prairietrailpta.membershiptoolkit.com/openboard.

Remember the huge membership contest we had vs. Timber Creek Elementary back in the Fall? Well, because of YOUR outstanding effort and participation, we’ve won several PTA membership awards. Check them out here!

✋🙋🏽‍♀️🙋‍♀️NEW VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP ALERT!🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️✋ Click the links below to volunteer during the months of MARCH & APRIL. We can’t wait to see you! :)

📚📚 March/April LIBRARY HELPERS📚📚

📝 March/April COPY ROOM HELPERS📄

🐶 WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) Spring 2024 🐾

Dad, Papá, Baba, Grandpa, Uncle, Papaw, Father, Abuelo, Daddy…whatever name the special kiddo in your life may call you, Prairie Trail NEEDS YOU!!!

Did you miss the kickoff event? No worries! You can still be a part of the Watch D.O.G.S.

How do you get started?

• Make sure you have an updated Background Check Volunteer / Home
• Background Checks have to be done every year.
• Read through the slide deck from last night's event: Linked HERE!
• Don't forget the Safety and Security slides: Linked HERE!
• Optional - Order a shirt https://shop.dadsofgreatstudents.com/shop-all/

***Need more info? Please email Matthew Kulik watchdogs@prairietrailpta.org or Amber Bearden, VP of Volunteers volunteers@prairietrailpta.org.

For ALL the latest info & more upcoming events, hop on over to our PTA WEBSITE at www.prairietrailpta.org. 🌐👀

Follow us on FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM for daily updates, fun content, photos & more!

How many years have you been working in education? 26 years total and this is my 20th year at PTE

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? Prairie Trail is my home away from home. My kids attended Prairie Trail, so it has been a part of my family for over 20 years. The staff at Prairie Trail always steps up when we need support for our students, families or ourselves. I am always amazed at how quickly they respond, whenever there is a need or request for help! I also appreciate that we can make each other see the lighter side and laugh when we need it the most! Of course, getting to know all of the families that have come through PTE the last 20 years, has been an added benefit. We have had lots of families that have several kids, so when the last one leaves us, it is bitter sweet. I'm thrilled when the seniors come back for Sr. Breakfast and talk about playing Mission Impossible or how much they loved Jingle Bell Jog or Field Day!

Why did you become a teacher? My teachers in elementary school had a huge influence on me. My home life was not always consistent, so going to school provided that consistency that I craved. I admired their ability to lead, teach and most importantly wear matching shoes with every outfit. Yes, that is where it all started!! I knew I wanted to be a teacher in elementary school, but my middle school coach was such an inspiration that I decided coaching and teaching PE was going to be my focus. I loved how my teachers and coaches could relate to me and inspire me, in spite of all my insecurities.I hope I can do that for my students as well.

What's your favorite way to spend a day off? My favorite way to spend my time away from school is with my family. My grandson is 5 and I love watching him play baseball! We have always been a baseball family, so I feel right at home at the ballpark. Really, anytime I have both of my kids and their families with me, I am thrilled. We enjoy watching sports, playing games like Farkel and LCR, as well as bowling and just relaxing at a cabin in Broken Bow or at the beach. They are my greatest blessing.

How many years have you been working in education? 3 years

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? Prairie Trail has wonderful staff and supportive families! There is a great sense of community at PTE!

Why did you become a teacher? I have always enjoyed working with children. It was a childhood dream of mine to become a teacher. I love being able to help students learn and grow to achieve their best efforts.

What's your favorite way to spend a day off? On my days off, I love to spend time with my big family! If I am not watching the Marcus Band, I am usually Facetiming with my grown children and doing fun crafts. I have recently started crocheting amigurumi animals.

How many years have you been teaching? This is year #13.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher through an alternative certification program in Texas. I graduated college with a Bachelor of Arts in French and International Studies with a concentration in business. I worked for a non-profit for 7 years, but in my free time, I volunteered in various activities centered around teaching youth. Occasionally, I also taught adult English classes. I found myself being very fulfilled in the area of education, especially when working with youth. It was then, that I decided I would work towards getting my teaching certificate and in bilingual education. When I was working towards my certification, I knew there was a need for bilingual educators. At that point in life, I remembered my International Studies advisor telling me to use my native Spanish skills to my advantage. He knew I had tested and earned Spanish college credits instead of taking Spanish courses. Teachers never stop influencing us, do they?

Why do you love teaching at Prairie Trail? I love teaching at Prairie Trail for two main reasons. First of all, the environment is positive and supportive. It all starts with our Administration, and we have three of the best! The rest of the staff follows their example. However, it is not only the staff. Our PTA support is incredible! They sure know how to help meet the needs of our school as well as providing the staff with encouraging surprises to show how much they care.

The other reason is this is my daughters' school. My oldest started at PTE and finished 5th grade here last year. She loved every year, and I was able to be a part of her last two. My youngest is currently in 1st grade, and I love hearing and understanding all about her day clearly. As other educators will understand, it is difficult to be an educator and always participate in your own children's school functions. While being at PTE, I have been able to be a part of their special events. It is a blessing to know their teachers and friends and be a part of their education world.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I would love to travel to Bora Bora. The pictures I have seen are AMAZING! It just looks like the most perfect place. My youngest's nickname has also become "Nora Bora". Not only do these two words rhyme, but they are also beautiful. It was really after we started calling her "Nora Bora" that I started wishing to visit Bora Bora.

How many years have you been working in education? 24 years. 18 of them at Prairie Trail

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? The family feeling among my team.

Why did you want to work in education? I always knew that I wanted to be in the education field. My kinder teacher was my inspiration, she was amazing, loving and very patient with her students.

What is something most people don't know about you? I love all forms of arts & crafts. I am obsessed with "Diamond Dots", I also enjoy rock painting, and jigsaw puzzles, and coloring books.

How many years have you been teaching? 10 years

Why did you become a teacher? I have always loved working with children and watching them grow.

Why do you love teaching at Prairie Trail? I absolutely feel so blessed being able to work at PTE. Everyone has such a positive attitude and is working their hardest for our students to thrive.

What is something most people don't know about you? I am the 6th generation that grew up in my small hometown of 3,500 people. The cemetery, the high school football stadium, and a street are named after my ancestors.

Calling all new students! LISD enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is now OPEN! Do you have a Kindergartener? Let's help you get them enrolled. The form for Prairie Trail Kindergarten can be filled out HERE!

Recognize Someone submissions are open again! Would you like to recognize a staff member at Prairie Trail or LISD, click here to type a quick note. It will be printed on a nice post card and delivered to that staff member. It is free for you, but worth so much!! :)

https://www.lisd.net/recognize

Have you missed an event that happened at PTE this year? Check out all the pictures from this school year at this LINK. Pictures are sometimes added a little later so you might check back to see if you missed any.

• March Elementary Breakfast Menu

• March Lunch Menu

To get to your child's meal account: RevTrack link

Check out dates for the school year.

• 18th-21st - 2nd Grade Swimming Classes
  
• 20th - 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Symphony
• 21st - CFA Spirit Day 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
• 22nd - PTA Movie Night
• 25th-28th - 2nd Grade Swimming Classes -
• 26th - NEW Safety Patrol Parent Meeting - 6:00 pm
• 29th - School Holiday - No School

• 1st - No School - Bad Weather Day
• 5th - Progress Reports
• 5th - Volunteer Breakfast at 7:30 am
• 9th - Spring Fest Auction Opens
• 12th - Spring Fest 5:30-8:30 pm
• 13th - Service Saturday - 8:00-10:00 am - help us pick up after Spring Fest
• 15th - STAAR Pep Rally
• 16th - Spring Fest Auction Ends
• 17th - Reading and Writing STAAR Test for 3rd-5th Graders - Campus closed to all visitors
• 17th - Kinder Field Trip - Crayola
• 18th - Spring and Class Pictures
• 18th - PTA Board Meeting 9:45 am
• 18th - PTA Meeting and 1st Grade Performance - 6:30 pm
• 19th - Safety Patrol Changing of the Guard
• 24th - Science STAAR Test for 5th Graders - Campus closed to all visitors
• 26th - Early Release Day - 11:45 am
• 26th - Progress Reports

• April 12th - Spring Fest
  
• April 17th - Reading and Writing STAAR (3rd-5th grades)
• April 18th - Spring Picture Day (Individual and Class)
• April 24th - Science STAAR (5th grade)
• May 2nd - Math STAAR (3rd-5th grades)
• May 10th - Field Day (May 16th is rain out day)
• May 22nd - 5th Grade Celebration
• May 23rd - Last Day of School

Need some ideas to keep the kind acts going? Check out the Random Acts of Kindness Calendar below. One kind act can change someone's day!

The 2024-2025 School Calendar has been approved by the school board. Check it out at this LINK.

Email: prairietrail@lisd.net
Website: lisd.net/prairietrail
Location: 5555 Timber Creek Road, Flower Mound, TX, USA
Phone: (469)713-5980
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prairietrailes
X (Twitter): @PrairieTrailES