It isn't too late to join in the fun tonight for Spring Fest! We would love to have you. Carnival rides, games, food trucks, bounce houses, Pie in the Face, and MORE!

What an incredible event to be a part of.

When it hit totality, the shrills of excitement, oooooos, and awwwwws from the students were my favorite part.

Trinity from Mrs. Holland's 3rd grade class said, "I didn't understand why people were coming in from all over the place just to see the totality of the eclipse, but since I got to see it, I get it now."

One of Sr. Saucedo's Kindergarten students asked, "How can the moon cover the sun when the sun is much bigger than the moon?"

Enter for your chance to win a Ride to School in a FMFD Fire Truck!

Raffle tickets may be purchased on the silent auction website HERE April 9th - April 16th or IN-PERSON at the Spring Fest Carnival on April 12th.

Open to one (1) child over the age of 5. Child’s home (and school) MUST be within the town limits of Flower Mound.

Drawing will be held on April 26th and live-streamed on Instagram @prairietrailpta

3 Throws for only $5 or 1 Throw for only $2!

CASH ONLY

Stop by for a chance to throw a pie in the face of some of your Prairie Trail Favorites:

• 5:30 - 5:50 pm - Mrs. Brustad
• 5:50 - 6:10 pm - Mr. Collie
• 6:10 - 6:30 pm - Mrs. Florentino
• 6:30 - 6:50 pm - Ms. Erickson
• 6:50 - 7:10 pm - Ms. Massa
• 7:10 - 7:30 pm - Mrs. Goldman
• 7:30 - 7:50 pm - Sr. Saucedo
• 7:50 - 8:10 pm - Ms. Morgan
• 8:10 - 8:30 pm - Mrs. Vaughn

SMILE! It's Picture Day!

On Thursday, April 18th we will be taking both class and individual pictures. You can order class pictures online at Lifetouch.com and enter the Prairie Trail code: EVTRP394M (LINK)

Or you can return the flyer that was sent home with your child this week.

Children's book author, Max Brallier will be visiting Prairie Trail's 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders on Monday, April 29th. He is the New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of more than thirty books for children and adults. His books and series include The Last Kids on Earth, Eerie Elementary, Mister Shivers, Galactic Hot Dogs, and Can YOU Survive the Zombie Apocalypse?

If you would like to pre-order an autographed book, please see the order form below or be on the lookout for it in your child's backpack next week.

If you happen to have any of the items below or don't mind sending in some donations for some fun activities for the end of the year in STEM, it would be greatly appreciated.

Needed items:

• Empty plastic 2 liter bottles
• Empty plastic standard water bottles
• Empty plastic small water bottles
• Bubble solution
• Elmer’s glue
• Baking soda
• Contact solution
• Ziploc sandwich bags
• Plastic mixing bowls
• Mixing spoons
• Paper towels
• Plastic table cloths

There will be a box to put the donations in the foyer.

Thank you,

Lyndse Ellis

STEM Teacher

Prairie Trail Elementary

ellisl@lisd.net

Unit 4 is over Problem Solving. The next lesson in this unit is #19 during the week of April 15th.

Here are the links to the overview of the lessons:

English

Spanish

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

BIDDING ENDS TUESDAY, APRIL 16TH @ 10pm! (New this year - extended bidding! Read below for more details)

We have GREAT DEALS on Weekend getaways to Broken Bow, a night at the Ritz-Carlton, a vacation to St. Lucia, a complete orthodontic treatment (BRACES - from start to finish!), teacher experiences, class baskets, gift cards, SUMMER CAMPS, hallway signs, marquee messages, the list goes on and on!

We still have a few items without bids. Don’t wait until the last minute! Place your bids now before you miss out!

www.32auctions.com/PTE2024

***EXTENDED BIDDING (NEW THIS YEAR): If an item receives a bid during the final 3 minutes of the auction, the item end time will be extended to allow for 3 additional minutes of bidding. This process repeats until no new bids are received during the final 3 minutes of the item bidding window or the auction has been extended for a maximum of 30 minutes beyond the original end time.

Calling all dads! Are you ready to make Friday mornings at drop-off a blast? Introducing the Prairie Trail Padres Dad's Club! Get ready to serve, bond, and create lasting memories with fellow dads as we team up to make Friday mornings unforgettable by welcoming students and families with smiles, high-fives, and positive energy.

It's not just about drop-off duties; it's about being involved in our children's school lives and strengthening our community. Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity to connect with other dads and build lifelong friendships

Want to give it a try? Email padres@prairietrailpta.org

It’s hard to believe that we are already thinking ahead to next school year! But it is that time to get ahead of things and knock one thing off your Summer to-do-list by purchasing a school supply wrap pack!

The PTA provides this service to families and teachers to make sure you can get your supplies in an easy, no-stress way. One of the best benefits of wrap packs is that EPI guarantees their products and will replace them at no cost (think headphones!).

Just go to www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks

And enter code PRA013 (3 letters, 3 numbers) for our school list.

Questions? Email wrappacks@prairietrailpta.org

VOLUNTEERS are the heart of our PTA and school community. This week we’re highlighting another one of the amazing volunteers who works tirelessly to help our PTA, our teachers, our school & our kiddos: VANISHA BLACK!

Thank you for all you do, Vanisha! We are lucky to have you as part of our PTE family!

Join us on Saturday, April 13th as we give back to our Prairie Trail Community! We’ll be sprucing up school & the surrounding grounds to make sure Prairie Trail is looking its best after Spring Fest! So grab the family & bring your rakes, gloves, & anything else you think you might need & join us from 8-10am, Saturday, April 13th!

Everyone is welcome to attend. Service Saturday is also a great opportunity for NJHS/NHS service hours! We’re happy to sign volunteer hour sheets.

Here are the Nominees for the 2024-25 PTA Executive Board. Voting will be at the next PTA meeting on April 18th at 6:30 pm.

During the Texas PTA annual meeting held in July 2023, delegates voted to increase the Texas PTA dues by $0.50, effective August 1, 2024. Consequently, the Texas PTA state dues for each member will automatically change to $2.75, making the total dues for National and State $5.00.

In light of this state-level adjustment and to help offset the general increased cost of goods and services as we strive to support and enhance our school, we are proposing a local dues increase from $7.25 to $8, making the total Prairie Trail Elementary PTA membership dues $13 effective August 1, 2024. This adjustment will ensure that we can continue to effectively carry out our mission and provide valuable resources and programs for our school community.

We will be holding a vote on this proposed dues amendment to our PTA bylaws at the next membership meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 6:30 pm in the Prairie Trail Elementary Cafeteria. Your attendance and participation are welcomed as we highly value your input, which is crucial to the decision-making process.

Please feel free to reach out to our President, Natalie Smith at president@prairietrailpta.org if you have any questions or concerns regarding this proposed dues amendment. We value your feedback and input and thank you for your continued support of Prairie Trail Elementary PTA.

✋🙋🏽‍♀️🙋‍♀️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!

The Marcus 9th Grade Center is celebrating its 10th year, and in honor of a decade of excellence, they are hosting an art exhibition on Wednesday, May 1st from 5 PM – 7 PM. They want to celebrate with the Marcus community, so their intention is for students PreK-12 from all feeder schools to participate. In order to be part of the show, your art piece must answer the question, "What does excellence mean to you?"

Accepted Submissions:

• Photography
• Sculpture
• Painting
• Sketching
• Digital art
• Anime Drawing
• Original LEGO architecture/design

Submission Criteria:

• Must be original artwork completed by the student.
• Must be on a black mat or board for display.
• Must include the parent permission form with the submission. (QR code below)

All submissions are due to the PTE office or M9 office by 3 PM on Monday, April 22nd.

At the event on Wednesday, May 1st, there will be food trucks, a craft station for younger children, and prizes for art submission winners! There will be a winner chosen from each school.

How many years have you been working in education? 21 years

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? I love my team! We work well together and they are all fabulous. I have made so many friends from Prairie Trail now either from former parents of students or the wonderful staff. Everyone is very loving and supportive!

Why did you become a teacher? My best friend in high school said she was going to become a teacher to have the same schedule as her kids so I decided that was a good idea. Once I started taking education classes in college I knew teaching was perfect for me!. I always wanted to be a mom and I have been lucky enough to teach both of my kids.

What's your favorite way to spend a day off? I love doing anything with my family but I also love a relaxing day at home. Hallmark movies are my favorite. I could watch them all day long! :-)

How many years have you been working in education? 21 years

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? I love Prairie Trail because of the amazing students, parents, admin and teachers. We have such a diverse population, which adds so much character to the school. Prairie Trail has such fabulous teachers that engage and enrich students daily, admin that leads with integrity, parents that are helpful and involved, and students that are respectful, kind and love to learn.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I love kids. I love their innocence, their love for learning, their humor and joy. I love to help kids see their strengths, know their value and find their passions. The early years is where we set the foundation for a love of learning, which is what makes elementary education so special.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I would love to visit Asia. I've travelled throughout North and South America, Europe and Africa but I've never been in Asia. I'd love to eat my way through Thailand, shop in Japan, see the great wall in China, visit the volcanoes in Indonesia, go to the beach in Malaysia, see the palace in Korea, visit the Burj Khalifa in the UAE and see the mosques in Turkey (to name a few). :-)

How many years have you been teaching? This is my 8th year.

Why did you become a teacher? Teaching is a 2nd career choice of mine. Before becoming a teacher I was an auto insurance agent for a large auto insurance company. After several years in the insurance industry, I decided to earn my degree in education and become a teacher. I've always had a heart for education ever since I was little and I enjoy explaining and teaching others.

Why do you love teaching at Prairie Trail? I'm at Prairie Trail in the afternoon part time as additional support for reading intervention. I'm a Dyslexia Interventionist at another campus in the morning. I absolutely love how bright this campus is and how friendly the staff has been.

What is something on your bucket list and why? I absolutely enjoy learning about the early American colonial time and the American Revolution. This time period is one of my favorite things to teach when I was a 5th grade teacher. One of my bucket list items is to travel through the New England states and visit as many as possible historical sites of those early American colonial times. I also want to be able to do this during the fall season.

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

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? The amazing students I get to interact with. They never fail to make me smile!

Why did you want to work in education? I love helping my students be able to see all the amazing skills they possess so they can share them with the world.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why? London! I traveled to London briefly in college and I would love to go back with my family. I love experiencing the culture of big cites.

Please click this LINK to see all of the summer camps Marcus High School has available.

Support Marcus HS students as well as send your kids to some really fun activities this summer. They have cooking classes, dance, multiple sports, science, and more.

Some dates are not yet available.

Marcus Track and Field Summer Camp & XC Camp. We are also doing the 2nd Annual Marauder Mile on April 27th! Please feel to reach out if you have any questions! Don’t hesitate to let me know if you ever need any assistance with events at your schools too!

PS-One of our biggest program fundraisers is the Celebrate Highland Village 5k, if you or anyone you know would be interested please pass the word along! Thank you!

https://www.givesignup.org/Race/TX/HighlandVillage/CelebrateHighlandVillageRun

Andy Reinberg

Head Coach XC/TF

Marcus High School

This spring, the Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to include a Bond Election on the May 4 ballot. Registered voters residing within Lewisville ISD boundaries will be asked to consider a total of three propositions that would generate additional funding to conduct maintenance, repairs and renovations at athletics and recreation facilities across the district. Even if approved, the LISD tax rate WILL NOT change.

Lewisville ISD residents will vote on the propositions during Early Voting, beginning April 22 through April 30, and on Election Day, Saturday, May 4.

Visit LISDbond.com for more information.

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.

• April Elementary Breakfast Menu

• April Elementary Lunch Menu

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

Check out dates for the school year.

• 9th-16th - Spring Fest Auction
  
• 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
• 18th - LISD West Zone Art Show Reception 6:00-7:30 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

• 2nd - Math STAAR Test for 3rd-5th Graders - Campus closed to all visitors
• 3rd - Thinkapalooza
• 6th-10th - Teacher Appreciation Week
• 6th - 4th Grade Field Trip - Ft. Worth Stockyards
• 10th - Field Day is the End of Year Parties
• 14th - PTA Meeting and Choir Performances
• 16th - Field Day (Rain Out Date)
• 17th - Senior Breakfast - 7:15 am
• 22nd - 5th Grade Celebration (Outside weather permitting) - 6:00-7:30
• 23rd - Last Day of School & Early Release at 11:45 am

• April 9th-16th - Spring Fest Auction
• 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