Prairie View

Here at Prairie View we love when our stakeholders are able to get involved! As a staff, one of our improvement goals is to create new opportunities to engage with our stakeholders. Below is a breif survey regarding some volunteering opportunities we will be plannind during the course of the second and third trimester. If you would be interested in being involved, please fill out the survey. In the future, we will reach out with specific dates and times for those who are interested and able to be involved.

Click Here to take the Survey!

The Power of Respect
Teaching children respect is essential for their growth and success in life. By learning to value others’ feelings, opinions, and boundaries, they develop stronger relationships and a deeper sense of empathy. Respect also helps create a positive learning environment where everyone feels safe and valued. As parents, we can model respectful behavior at home and encourage open conversations to reinforce these lessons. Together, we can help our children build a foundation of respect that will guide them throughout their lives.

Taylorfaye was the Prairie View winner of the Sandwich Fire Department's poster contest. She got to enjoy a fire truck ride to school. Great job, Taylorfaye! Thank you to the Sandwich Fire Department for the wonderful opportunity.

Student absences need to be called in by 8:15 am (815-786-8811) on the day of the absence for the safety of your student. There is an answering machine here at school, so you can call at any time to let us know if your student will not be present. An automated system will take calls before 7:00 a.m. If your child is not at school and we have not been contacted, we will make every effort to get in touch with you, including calling emergency contacts that you've provided during the registration process. If contact cannot be made, please note that the absence will be considered UNEXCUSED.

Students shall be permitted no more than seven (7) excused absences, including vacations, per school year, based upon parental/legal guardian confirmation for the reasons of the absence. After the student has been excused seven times in one school year, additional excused absences for illnesses may only be verified through a written medical statement from a physician. For our full attendance policy, please refer to our student handbook.

The Fall Book Fair has been packed up and rolled out of the building. Our "Camp Read S'more" was filled with "So-Many-Out-Reading-Everywhere". We always love to see our PV Families out together with little siblings that are headed our way and surprise visits from siblings that just left PV. Thank you to all our Families for attending, Volunteers Way2WorkIt, and Mrs. Mitilieri for another great book fair.

As Fall turns to Winter, please send your student(s) to school prepared! Hats, gloves, an extra sweatshirt, and a jacket/coat are helpful to have at school each day. The wind can be strong and cold out here "on the prairie," so it never hurts to have layers. If you require assistance with hats, gloves, coats, etc., please reach out to our main office at 815-786-8811.

Free and Reduced Breakfast/Lunch

The carry over period for students who were receiving free/reduced lunch for the 2023-2024

school year will end on September 27, 2024. If a new 2024-2025 application has not been

submitted by that date your child will automatically be put on paid breakfast and lunch

beginning September 30, 2024.

Please click on the link below to apply for free/reduced breakfast and lunch:

https://www.freereducedlunch.com/sandwich430

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is

prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or

disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, and Office of Civil

Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-

3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

We Need Substitute Teachers and Substitute Paraprofessionals!

Do you want to make your own schedule?

Do you have at least 60 credit hours or an Associate's Degree?

You can be a Substitute Teacher and would be making a significant impact on our school with your support!

As a Substitute Teacher, you would make $120 daily or $140 after a total of 10 days in the district.

Here is the link to the DeKalb ROE for a Substitute Teacher packet.

You can easily become a substitute Paraprofessional as well with just a High School diploma and earn $14 an hour. Here is the link for the DeKalb Paraprofessional licensure.

Dental Reminder

Completed Dental Exam forms are required for current Kindergarten and second grade students by May 15th. If you are unable to obtain the required dental exam, please complete the Dental Exam Waiver.

Healthy Sleep for the HOLIDAYZZZZ

Make the most of the season by staying well-rested with these science-based sleep tips:

• Kids 12 and under need at least 9 hours of sleep each night.

• Try to keep a consistent sleep schedule by having your family go to bed and get up at the same times every day, even on holiday breaks or when learning remotely.

• Avoid caffeine and avoid large meals right before bed.

• If you want to nap over the holiday break, aim for a 20-minute nap, which experts say is the best time length to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go.

• We sleep better when the room is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit (65-70 degrees for babies and toddlers).

• Make sure to stay active over the holidays, as physical activity during the day can facilitate better sleep at night.

• Turn all screens off at least an hour before bedtime.

For more health sleep ideas, visit http://www.Healthiergeneration.org/smartersleep

Attention Preschool Families! This series is designed to empower families with practical strategies to support young children's development and set them on a path for lifelong learning. Join us to connect with other parents, gain insights into early childhood milestones, and explore ways to create a nurturing learning environment at home.

Our Parent Pathways sessions are designed to provide a supportive and interactive hour for families. Each session begins with 25-minutes led by our parent educator, where parents can learn valuable insights and strategies, while preschool students are supervised and engaged in play in classrooms. Following the parent session, families will enjoy a 25-minute activity to practice new ideas together.

These are the dates of our Parent Pathways events from 5:30 - 6:30 pm.

December 17th

January 21st

February 18th

March 18th

April 15th

May 20th

We kindly ask that non-preschool children have pre-arranged supervision at home, though infants may stay with parents if necessary. Please note that no diapering services will be available during play supervision.

Each month we will send a Google Form to inform you of the upcoming event's topic and ask for your RSVP.

December17th's Topic: Establishing Routines at Home

Activity: Making Playdough

The importance of routines and ideas on how to easily implement them at home.

December 16th: 1st Grade Field Trip to Hoover (Originally scheduled for Dec.5th - Rescheduled to the 16th)

December 16th: 5th Graders Visiting Kindergartners

December 17th: School Board Meeting at Prairie View Elementary School from 7PM

December 19th: Prairie View PPA Meeting at 1:30 PM

December 20th: Early Dismissal at 1:10 PM

December 23rd: Start of Winter Break

January 6th: No School - Institute Day

January 7th: School Resumes

January 9th: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

January 13th: Fox Valley Therapy Dogs visit Kindergarten

January 14th: Fox Valley Therapy Dogs visit 1st Grade

January 15th: Land of Smile Assembly 9:00AM-9:45 AM

January 16th: Prairie View PPA Meeting at 1:30 PM

January 20th- No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 21st: School Board Meeting @ SMS Library 2nd Floor 7PM-8 PM

January 23rd: 1st Grade Opera House Field Trip