Panther Press

Dear Prairie Lane Families,

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Prairie Lane Elementary School! I hope you've had a rejuvenating summer filled with cherished moments and new experiences.

This year promises to be one of growth and discovery. Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time, know that you are an integral part of our school community. Together, we will explore, learn, and achieve remarkable things.

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming events:

• Open House - August 6th from 5:30 - 6:30 pm
• Card My Yard for "first day photos" - August 6th & 7th
• First Day of School - August 8th

Let's make this year extraordinary! I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Westfall

August

6 Open House Night, 5:30 - 6:30

8 First Day of School

27 PL Community Club Meeting, 6:30pm

28 Elementary Band & Strings Parent Meeting WMS, 6:30pm

30 Professional Learning - No School

September

2 No School - Labor Day

6 PLCC K-6 Outdoor Movie Night 7:00 pm

10 Step It Up Fundraiser Kickoff

21 Westside Foundation Dinner

20-24 PL Book Fair

24 PL Community Club Meeting 6:30 pm

25 School Picture Day

You can link to the live calendar at https://calendar.google.com/calendar/r/month?tab=mc.

Prairie Lane Elementary - District 66 - https://www.facebook.com/prairielaneelementary

Prairie Lane Community Club - https://www.facebook.com/plcc.panthers

8:00-8:20 am Staff Planning

8:05 am - Student Supervision and Breakfast

8:20 am - First Bell

8:30 am - Classes Begin

8:31 am - Tardy

3:30 pm M, T, Th, F Dismissal

3:00 pm W Dismissal

We will have supervision outside the building starting at 8:05 am. We ask that students do not arrive before 8:05 am unless:

• Participating in a school activity
• Serving on Safety Patrol
• Working with a teacher
• Attending Club 66 Before Care program

WHY CAN’T I ARRIVE EARLY?
Teachers are involved in team meetings, staff meetings and individual planning from 8:00-8:20 am. Students may enter the building when first bell rings at 8:20 am. Our school day begins promptly at 8:30 am. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Arrival:

Supervision and breakfast begins at 8:05 am with the first bell for students to enter the building at 8:20 am. The second bell rings at 8:30 am and students are considered tardy after the second bell. All students will enter DOOR 1.

• Walkers:
• Students walking will be directed to cross at the crosswalks where designated staff and safety patrol students will assist.
• Car Drop off:
• Use the dropoff lane and stay in the left lane.
• Stay in the line and do not pass other cars.
• Follow the lead of the staff and safety patrol.
• Keep crosswalks clear for crossing.
• No parking along Hascall Street.
• No parking in the Prairie Lane Parking Lot during arrival except for ECC families.
• You will be directed to drive straight or turn right out of the parking lot.

Dismissal:

We will dismiss Walkers and Club66 students at 3:25. Bus and car riders will dismiss at the 3:30 bell.

• Students are considered "Walkers" if they are meeting their ride parked along the side streets.
• We will have many crossing guards and staff to assist walkers.
• We ask parents picking up walkers to wait along the sidewalk next to Hascall Street at the parking lot entrance or along 114th St.
• Students will be walking to those areas to alleviate congestion at the car and bus loading zone.
• Dismissal is at 3:30 M, T, Th, F and 3:00 on Wednesday
• Please do not arrive before 3:25 (2:55 on Wednesday)
• No parking along Hascall Street.
• No parking in the Prairie Lane Parking Lot during dismissal except for ECC families.
• You will be directed to go straight or turn right out of the parking lot.
• See the attached map for loading/unloading zones, crosswalks and marked areas for students walking to/from school.

Arrival Map:

messages/attachments/5e14ec7704900049f635a15c9116ed1e/Prairie_Lane_-_Arrival_Revised_23-24.pdf

Dismissal Map:

messages/attachments/b3211eaad34d052d84854c534707f3bc/Prairie_Lane_-_Dismissal_Revised_23-24.pdf

Absences, Tardies

We want to know that all our students are safe. Please notify the office at 402-390-6470, or thompson.janis@westside66.net, when your student is not coming to school or will be late for school. If we have not heard from you, it is our policy to call.

Students arriving after 8:30 am must come to the office and check in. Parents picking up or dropping off their students during the day for appointments, illness, etc., must sign them in and out through the office.

We want to know that all our students are safe. Please notify the office at 402-390-6470, or thompson.janis@westside66.net, when your student is not coming to school or will be late for school. If we have not heard from you, it is our policy to call.

Students arriving after 8:30 am must come to the office and check in. Parents picking up or dropping off their students during the day for appointments, illness, etc., must sign them in and out through the office.

All Prairie Lane families are invited to attend open house from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6th. This fun night will be a chance to meet the teacher, see the building, and learn more about the curriculum. Come join us and enjoy a "Popcorn Meet and Greet" hosted by our community club!

If your family purchased a 1st Day School Supplies kit, those will be in your child's classroom for Open House.

Office Staff

Principal - Belinda Westfall

Secretary - Janis Thompson

School Nurse - Lynette Mullins

Health Assistant - Carole Anderson

Technology Assistant - TBD

Teaching Staff

Sarah Schuppan - Kindergarten

Nancy Bell - Kindergarten

Sandy Fey - 1st Grade

Karen Neuman - 1st Grade

Alexa Thielen - 2nd Grade

Jacy Dragsten -2nd Grade

DeAnne Stroud - 3rd Grade

Sarah Clark - 3rd Grade

Carmen Suey - 4th Grade

Jill Langhorst - 4th Grade

Taylor Wilken - 5th Grade

Stephanie Sinnott - 5th Grade

April Bridwell - 6th Grade

Richard Christie - 6th Grade

Jordan Carmichael - Special Education

Michelle Bauermeister- Special Education

Joshua Kelley - Special Education

Claudia Kinnaman - Speech & Language Pathologist (SLP)

Meghan Rivera - School Psychologist

Megan Utter - School Counselor

Gillan Van Lent - Special Education Facilitator

Theresa Meehan - OT

Holly Williams - PT

Molly Matheson - Library/Media

Melisa Brezina - Art

Alex Steele - PE

Madeline Henecke - Music

Thomas Krueger - Band

Viktoria Matheson - Strings

Jenelle Strecker - Reading Coordinator

Megan Thompson - EY

Sara Reyes - EL

Educational Assistants

Nancy Epstein, Grace Hanselman, Bree Holyoak, Trudy Foster, Betty Johnson, Hannah Carr, Annie Morgan, Jill Smith, Teneka Mills, Onyah Rush

Skilled Behavior Assistant

Jaidyn Hoffmann

Custodial & Maintenance

Andrew Larson - Day Custodian

Courtney Calvert - Evening Custodian

TBD - Part Time Evening Custodian

James Wheeler - Maintenance Engineer

Kitchen Staff

Kathleen Hayford

Rosa Caro

My name is Miss Dragsten. I was a former elementary student and a student teacher last fall in second grade at Prairie Lane. I am beyond excited to teach in the very same school I attended as a youth! I love animals, enjoy being active and spending time outside! Ever since I was little I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. During college, I worked as a preschool teacher and as a Club 66 summer teacher. Since graduating from UNL in December of 2023, I have been substitute teaching at various schools around the Westside district and finished the year as a long term substitute kindergarten teacher at Swanson Elementary. I am looking forward to teaching 2nd grade at such an amazing school this fall!

My name is Mrs. Van Lent. I am originally from Minnesota, where my family still lives. My husband and I have a dog named, Millie, who brings us a lot of joy. Together we love trying new foods and spending time with our families. I enjoy figure skating and did it for 13 years before going to college at UNL. This will be my first year as a Special Education Facilitator and my 9th year with Westside. I have been a special education teacher with the district, and I am excited to start this new chapter.

My name is Mr. Krueger. For the last 8 years, I have worked in the Westside Community Schools as the Director of Bands at Westside High School, and I am excited to transition this year into a role as a traveling Elementary Band Teacher and Director of Jazz at Westside High School. My wife, Cassie, and I have two kids -- James is 4 years old and Liz is 2 years old, and we are expecting our 3rd (Carter Joseph) in early September. When I have free time, I love performing as a trumpet player and a jazz musician, as well as spending time golfing and playing ultimate frisbee. I am a huge Ultimate Frisbee enthusiast and love playing! It is how I met my wife!

My name is Mrs. Utter. This is my third year as a counselor and prior to that I worked in human services working with children in the foster care system. One of my passions is helping children and being an advocate for them. A fun fact about me is that I worked at Disney World in Florida for six months! My husband and I got married last June. We have a 2 year old Dachshund named Winnie. We love to travel and watch sports especially Husker volleyball and football. I played volleyball in college and continue to coach and play as I can.

My name is Mrs. Rivera. I am a proud Westside Alum! In my free time I enjoy reading, exploring Nebraska state parks, and spending time with my family. This May 2024 I graduated from UNO. I recently completed my School Psychology Practicum and Internship in the Plattsmouth Community School District. I am excited to meet and work with all of the Prairie Lane families!

You are invited to BE A PART OF THE MUSIC! This fall, you will have the opportunity to do what so many successful students have done before you by being a part of Band and Strings! In the first three weeks of school we will be visiting all the buildings, demonstrating the instruments, and giving students the opportunity to select an instrument of their choice. We will have a parent meeting about our program on Wednesday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Westside Middle School. All are welcome to attend to learn about elementary instrumental music and meet the teachers. We are excited to introduce your child to the world of instrumental music!

The Elementary Instrumental Music Staff

Gail Carpenter-Johnson, Tommy Krueger, Viktoria Matheson and Jennifer Johansen

All Westside Community Schools will communicate news and information via our school and district websites as well as email. Please update your Returning Student Registration to make sure we have your most current email address.

• Monthly Panther Press Newsletter and Panther Weekly Updates - These will be sent to you via email and are filled with important information for you about current events.

• Parent-Student Handbook and other important district information can be found at westside66.org, click on For Families, Forms & Handbooks.

• This list is a suggested list. Thank you for purchasing what you can during this time.
• Please send a water bottle to school with your child.

• You may send a bottle of hand-sanitizer to keep at their desk; this is optional.
• Please place names on all items and containers.
• We know it's a lot to carry, so please feel free to bring your student's school supplies with you at Open House or to send with students over the first few days of school.
  
• If your family purchased a 1st Day School Supplies kit, it will be waiting for your child in his/her classroom at Open House.

Online enrollment for the upcoming school year is now available! This process replaces the paper forms sent home at the beginning of each school year. You will use the PowerSchool Parent Portal to access the Registration.

** Please note, this must be done through the WEBSITE, not the mobile ap.

How do I get started?
Login into your PowerSchool Parent Portal. From the Parent Portal:

1. Select the student you wish to register from the blue header along the top.
2. Select the Returning Student Registration Icon on the lower left side for 2024-2025.
   
3. If you see access online forms with two options: New to PowerSchool Enrollment (Left side of screen) AND Link your PowerSchool Enrollment account (right side of screen) DO NOT click "Sign In" to link your PowerSchool Enrollment Account.
4. If this is the first time. you are entering your parent portal account, them you will need to check the box "To Comply with COPPA, I affirm that I am 13 years or older" (Agree to the terms of conditions).
5. Click Begin Forms

I can’t remember my login for the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
If you need a password reset or an account created, email powerschool.support@westside66.net with the full name(s) of child(ren) AND the school(s) they attend. Please DO NOT try to create an account.

Do I have to answer all the questions?
Required questions are marked as "Required".

What if I need to change some information?
If you would like to make a change, click on the underlined field or click “Prev” to return to a previous page. *If. you need to make changes after you have already submitted the form, please email the changes to powerschool.support@westside66.net.

I’ve completed the form, now what?
When you have finished entering your information, click “Submit.” This will send all of the information you’ve entered to the school. If you cannot click on this button, you will need to make sure that you have answered all required questions.

What if I have more than one student at Westside Community Schools?
Do I need to do this for each child? Yes, because you’ll need to provide information that is specific for each child. We recommend that you submit one Returning Student Registration and then start another – this will allow you to “import” shared family information, which will save you time. Go back to your PowerSchool Parent Portal, click on next child's name, then click on the icon again.

**Please complete no later than August. 8th

Thank you!

Westside Community Schools

School Nurse

Lynette Mullins will be the district nurse assigned to our school. She visits us regularly once a week and is available to us at anytime if needed.

Carole Anderson, our Health Assistant, will be in the office everyday for daily health matters.

Medication Administration Policy

Medication should be brought to school only when it is not possible to arrange administration outside of school hours. All prescription and over-the-counter medications, including medicated creams, eye drops, ear-drops, herbal products, and cough drops, must be provided to the school by the parent/guardian in the pharmacy- or manufacturer- labeled container. Repackaged and expired medications will not be accepted.

• A Medication Authorization form must be completed for any medication taken at school. These forms may be obtained from the Health Office or on the school website. The physician portion of the medication form must be signed by your doctor for any prescription medication. Non-prescription medicines can only be kept at school for two weeks at a time. If more time is needed, the form must be updated by a parent.
• Students are not permitted to keep any type of medication with them; all medication must be kept in the health office. The only exception is for students who must carry an inhaler for asthma, in which case a parent/guardian must submit written verification from a physician that the student is able to self-carry and self-manage.

Student Illness Guidelines

• Office personnel will notify parents/guardian when a student needs to be sent home from school due to illness. Conditions requiring a student be sent home include: temperature greater than 100.0°F, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained rashes, or on determination by the school nurse that the child’s condition prevents meaningful participation in the educational program, presents a health risk to the child or others, or that medical consultation is warranted unless the condition resolves. Before allowing a child exhibiting any of these symptoms to return to school, parents should be sure that the child has been symptom- and fever-free for 24 hours without the assistance of medication.
• Parents should complete the online Returning Student Registration each year to verify that all emergency daytime phone numbers are current, so that parents can be reached if their child becomes ill or is injured while at school. Parents should also inform the School Nurse or Health Assistant of health-related information they feel is important for each child’s safety and success at school.

If you know that your child will not be attending Prairie Lane in the fall, please call the office at 402-390-6470 as soon as possible.

Additionally, the Prairie Lane office must be updated on any legal documentation concerning your child, including restraining orders, custody changes or address changes.

Throughout the school year, the Prairie Lane Community Club plans and facilitates fun activities and fundraising events for the betterment of the school for its students, teachers and support staff. As a self-sustaining organization, the Prairie Lane Community Club relies on parent and teacher volunteers to coordinate and run all the activities and events. "Pop By" the PLCC table at Open House on August 6th to view this year's t-shirt and receive information regarding events and more.

PLCC will have Card My Yard set up on August 6th & 7th in front of the ECC. Families are welcome to take their own first day of school photos during this time.

Meals are provided as follows:

Student Prices:

Breakfast: $1.80

Lunch: $2.75

Extra Main: $1.20

Extra Milk: $0.50

*Meals includes one milk.

Please note there are additional charges for any extra items not included in a full meal. Students in grades 4-5 may request an extra main meal.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM - Breakfast is served from 8:05 - 8:30 daily. Our breakfast program will be available beginning August 8th, the first day of school.

LUNCH MONEY

• CASH OR CHECK - Breakfast and lunch charges come out of the same account. Each student in your family has a separate account, but you may send one check to be divided. Please make checks out to “Prairie Lane.” You may also drop lunch money in the “lunchbox” at the office during our Open House night or anytime. Be sure to include your child's NAME.

• PAY ONLINE - Our online payment website is www.myschoolbucks.com. If you are setting up a new myschoolbucks account, you will need your student's ID numbers available from Mrs. Thompson at the office. For additional support or questions, please contact Jacklyn Cambridge at cambridge.jacklyn@westside66.net or 402-390-3382, or you can go to support@myschoolbucks.com.

Free/Reduced Applications - For families in need, applications for free/reduced meals MUST be completed every year regardless of the current free meals program or whether you qualified in the past. Forms are available on-line now and anytime at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application .

Please take a moment to view and familiarize yourself with the District Approved Snack List below. All birthday treats and snacks provided for class must be on the District Approved List. Students may bring individual snacks for themselves that aren't on this list, but we still encourage foods from this list when possible to help keep all of our learners safe. Teachers will provide more guidelines for individual classrooms.

See the complete policy in the 2024-2025 Student Handbook.

A student’s personal appearance is the responsibility of the student and their family. Students in the Westside Community Schools are expected to dress in a way that is appropriate for the school setting. Students should not dress in a manner that is dangerous to the health and safety of anyone or interferes with the learning environment or teaching process in our school. Following is a list of examples of attire that will not be considered appropriate; this list is not exclusive, and other forms of attire may be deemed by the Principal to be inappropriate for the school setting:

1. All students must wear a shirt, bottoms, (pants/sweatpants/shorts/skirt/dress/leggings) and shoes (soft-bottomed slippers are not allowed). Undergarments are not considered tops or bottoms. Clothing/undergarments should cover a student’s private body parts. Clothing should not expose genitals or undergarments.
2. Costumes and blankets should not be worn during the school day unless they are a part of a school-sponsored activity.
3. Clothing and jewelry should not advertise beer, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
4. Clothing and jewelry should not be lewd, indecent, vulgar, make sexual references, exhibit nudity or profanity, or include violent images or language, hate speech, or images or language creating a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class.
5. Clothing and jewelry should not be able to be used as a weapon (ex: chains, spikes) or encourage horseplay or cause property damage (ex: cleats).
6. Clothing and jewelry should not promote illegal activity.
7. Heavy coats should be put away during the school day.
8. Unless it is part of a school-sponsored activity, students should not wear baseball caps, stocking caps, hoods. This does not prohibit religious headwear.

Violations of dress code will expose the student to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct.

Nuisance Items:

Students are discouraged from bringing gum and candy to school. Toys, skateboards, etc. are also discouraged except when their presence serves an educational purpose assigned and approved by the Principal. The School is not responsible for items that are lost or broken. Pets are not allowed unless prearranged with the teacher and approved by the Principal.

Use of Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices:

Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones to school. [This does not include devices authorized by a staff member for an educational assignment or by an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Accommodation Plan when used as set forth in the plan.] While students are permitted to bring phones with them to school, phones may not be on a student’s person between the school’s start and dismissal times. During school hours, phones must be either checked in with staff for safekeeping or kept in the student’s book bag.

Use or possession of cell phones and other electronic devices, including the recording of any person, on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, and in school vehicles is prohibited when the use or possession:

• disrupts or is reasonably likely to disrupt the educational environment;
• is an illegal activity under state, federal or local law/ordinance;
• is prohibited under any Board policy including, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct (Board Policy 5300) or District rules for internet use;
• is contrary to a directive previously given to a student by a staff member;
• creates a risk to the safety of students or others;
• infringes on a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy; or constitutes “sexting.”

In addition to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct, cell phones and other electronic devices used in violation of these rules are subject to confiscation, and arrangements will be made to return the item to the student or a parent/guardian after school hours.

Have a Safe, Respectful, Responsible Summer!

# BE KIND

SEE YOU SOON!