The Texan Star January 26th

Hello, PTE families,

As the weather is getting cold and rainy this season, we wanted to send a reminder about getting to school on time.

School doors open every day at 7:15am. Students are expected to be seated and ready to learn in their classrooms at 7:45am. Every time a child arrives late to school they are missing some of the most crucial learning minutes of a school day.

Arriving at school on time is a life skill your child will need in order to be successful in the future. Putting good practices in place now, will benefit you and your child. There is less stress and anxiety when you have routines in place for getting out the door on time each day. Students are marked tardy at 7:45 daily.

Some ideas for getting to school on time:

• Have a family meeting and come up with a plan for what you are going to do in order to be at school on time. Your child should be a part of the meeting.
• Make a list of what can be done the night before and in the morning so nothing is missed. This could include packing the lunch, laying out clothes, packing the backpack and putting it by the door, reviewing the school calendar or newsletter for special events, etc. Refer to the list daily so everything gets done.
• Make a pact as a family to work together to be at school on time. Then, track the days you are on time and celebrate when we hit milestones.
• Set your goal to be at school before 7:30 am each morning to make sure you are not tardy at 7:45 am. Waking your child earlier on school days may be helpful to meet your goal.
• If your child rides the bus, take steps needed to ensure they are at the bus stop on time.

Insider Tip: The best time to avoid traffic in the car drop off line is from 7:25 – 7:35am!

We appreciate your help in ensuring your child gets to school on time so that they are ready to learn each and every day!

Alex Kixmiller

Assistant Principal

Raise happy and well-behaved kids with positive, loving tools!

The Love and Logic approach to parenting is built around the science of caring and respectful relationships. An authentic, loving connection between parents and their children forms the foundation of good behavior and healthy decision-making. Our approach provides a variety of simple and effective strategies for parenting children from birth to adulthood. Whether you’re embarking for the first time with your new baby or navigating the turbulent teens with your child, our strategies and techniques will help you create calm and loving solutions. Becoming A Love and Logic Parent © provides simple and easy to use techniques to help parents have more fun and less stress while raising more responsible kids of all ages. (www.loveandlogic.com).

These classes are offered FREE of charge.

Please let me know if you have any questions 👍

Lauryn Rutherford, M.Ed.

Professional School Counselor

Prairie Trail Elementary School

5555 Timber Creek Rd, Flower Mound, TX, 75028

Lewisville Independent School District

972-350-4062

It’s Valentine’s Day party time! We’re so excited to have our festive grade-wide parties back in the gym this year!

Each grade will rotate through the party during their regular specials time (times listed below), but there are 3 volunteer shifts to choose from. Feel free to sign up for 1 (or 2) shifts and then stick around to hang with your child during their party time.

Click HERE to volunteer and help us make this the best Friendship Party ever! Please note, ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST HAVE AN APPROVED BACKGROUND CHECK IN VOLY TO SIGNUP

Can’t volunteer but just stopping by to hang out with your kiddo during the parties? Pre-registration for volunteers AND visitors is required this year. Be sure to pre-register at this LINK.

Not sure if you have an approved background check on file? Go to https://lewisvilleisd.voly.org/volunteer/login.html and click "My Applications". If you see 4 green boxes, then you are good to go. If not, please complete the necessary steps for approval before signing up.

Back by popular demand is Harry Potter NIGHT!

We need all students to pre-register for this event.

In order for us to have enough materials for students to participate, you must sign-up each student.

The deadline for signing up is the first 300 students or Friday, February 2nd, whichever happens first!

Ms. Howell has planned a fun evening. Students are encouraged to dress up, but there will NOT be a costume contest this year. There will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures.

LINK to pre-register for Harry Potter Night!

All information must be filled out completely.

Add all STUDENTS attending.

Date: February 15th

Time: 6:00-7:30

Unit 2 is Emotion Management. The next lesson is #9 during the week of Jan. 29th.

Here are the links to the overview of the lessons:

English

Spanish

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

Do you or someone you know own a local business & are looking for local sponsorship opportunities?

Do you (or your family) own an Airbnb or vacation rental and want to get the word out to potential renters?

Do you or your company have season tickets for the Cowboys, FC Dallas, The Mavs, The Rangers, Broadway Dallas, or something similar, and you aren’t able to attend every game or event?

The Spring Fest Silent Auction is coming up soon (April 9th - 16th) and is our primary Prairie Trail PTA fundraiser of the year. Spring Fest and the Silent Auction have a broad reach beyond just our school and neighborhood and can help you or your business reach potential new customers/renters/etc.

● Last year’s online silent auction site had over 66,000 views!

● Reach up to 2,000 Spring Fest attendees & social media fans

● Individual auction items had up to 475 UNIQUE clicks/views!

Every penny we raise comes from donations from businesses and families like yours. The funds we raise help to pay for things like:

● New shade structures for the courtyard and the playground

● Basketball goals for the playground

● Classroom supplies for teachers

● Field Trips

● Assemblies and special programs

● Special events for our families like Trunk or Treat

● SO much more!

If you own a business, please consider sponsoring the auction. If you are able to donate an item, tickets to an event, or a week/weekend at a vacation rental, or if you would like to donate your time or services in any way, we would be SO grateful!

Please email Cortney at silentauction@prairietrailpta.org with questions or for more information.

Spread the love with Prairie Trail & Petite Sweets Bakery!

PTE is thrilled to once again partner with Petite Sweets Bakery to bring you DIY Sugar Cookie Decorating Kits just in time for Valentine’s Day!

For just $30, you’ll receive a dozen delicious sugar cookies, along with icing and sprinkles to unleash your inner cookie artist. Plus, 10% of the sales go directly to support PTE!

Click HERE to order, now through Sunday, February 4th @ 9pm.

Pick up your kits on Friday, February 9th from 4-6pm at PTE.

First Grade! This is your time to shine! Each month we’re asking one or two grades to be good citizens and give back to the Prairie Trail community. For the month of February, we’re asking 1st grade to help.

What can you do? There are 3 different ways you can help your Prairie Trail community this month:

1) SNACK DRIVE: February 5th - 9th. Help us restock the snack pantry by bringing in snacks like individually wrapped bags of pretzels, goldfish, applesauce pouches, nutrigrain bars, nut-free granola bars or raisins/craisins. You can also shop directly from the snack wishlist at https://tinyurl.com/Snack1st and select “Prairie Trail Elementary” to have it shipped directly

2) SERVICE SATURDAY (Saturday, February 10th): Join fellow kinder & 1st grade families at Service Saturday on February 10th from 8am-10am as we give back together and help clean up our Prairie Trail Community

3) Valentine’s DIY Cookie Kits (now through February 4th): Create new core family memories while decorating these adorable Valentines Cookies at home & supporting our school at the same time! Order yours today at Tinyurl.com/PTECookieKits

Join us on Saturday, February 10th as we give back to our Prairie Trail Community! We’ll be sprucing up the playground, gardens, plant beds and the surrounding areas to make sure our school is looking its best! So grab the family & bring your rakes, gloves, & anything else you think you might need & join us from 8-10 next Saturday!

Everyone is welcome but Kinder & 1st grade families are ESPECIALLY encouraged to attend this one.

Join the ‘stache bash for Valentine’s Day fun! Bring $1 and rock a mustache all day long at PTE this Valentine’s Day! (Mustaches provided!)

All proceeds go directly to the 5th grade field trip fund.

Friendship (Valentine's) parties are just around the corner. If you plan to join us for your child's party or are planning to volunteer, please fill out the pre-registration form LINK.

***For safety purposes, there is a requirement for us to pre-register every adult for daytime events on campus.

All information must be filled out completely.

Fill out the form for each person attending.

You will still need your ID when checking in and picking up your visitor's sticker.

Date: February 14, 2024

Times:

Kinder - 1:00 - 1:50 pm

1st Grade - 12:05 - 12:55 pm

2nd Grade - 8:50 - 9:40 am

3rd Grade - 9:45 - 10:35 am

4th Grade - 1:55 - 2:45 pm

5th Grade - 10:40 - 11:30 am

Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out at 469-713-5980 or email us at prairietrail@lisd.net.

✋🙋🏽‍♀️🙋‍♀️HELP WANTED🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️✋: It’s a fresh new year and we have fresh new opportunities to volunteer! Click the links below to learn more and sign up to volunteer during the months of January & February. We can’t wait to see you! :)

📚📚January/February LIBRARY HELPERS📚📚

📝January/February 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 teaching? 12 years

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? Easy, the families! I love the Prairie Trail families sooo much! They are so incredibly kind and bend over backwards for us. We are so lucky to have such incredible support!

Why did you become a teacher? I worked in "Corporate America" for several years and taught Sunday School on the side. I realized that I was WAY better teaching kiddos than working in an office. My servant heart was not being fulfilled purchasing medical inventory. I went back and got my Alt. Cert and haven't looked back!! It also helps that the hubs is an educator, my sister is an educator and my 2 sister-in-laws are educators. Plus we get to hang out with kids all day, how cool is that?! Kids are WAY more fun than adults! :)

What is something most people don't know about you? I like designing wood cut-outs for my front yard...random, I know. I take my handy dandy jigsaw and cut out Christmas decorations, as well as paint them. It looks like Christmas threw up in my front yard. Stop by during the holiday season and take a look. :)

How many years have you been working in education? 15 (10 years subbing + 5 years BIC aide)

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? I love the staff at Prairie Trail, especially my team. I know that I can rely on them to lend a hand if I need assistance in any situation. The people I work with are amazing educators and some of my closest friends.

Why did you become an educator? I love that I have the opportunity to help children learn and reach their full potential, especially those students who have difficulty regulating their feelings. It makes me happy to see the students I work with deal with situations that were once impossible for them.

What is something most people don't know about you? Most people don't know that I received the Gold Award in Girl Scouts. (This is the equivalent of the Boy Scout Eagle Scout Award.) I worked extremely hard and completed many community service hours to earn all of those badges.

How many years have you been teaching? 7 years

Why did you become a teacher? I’m a teacher because I love working with children and watching them grow. I find it incredibly rewarding to see a student’s face light up when they finally understand a concept or have success in an area where they were struggling.

Why do you love teaching at Prairie Trail? As many may already know, I was lucky to have the opportunity to do my student teaching at Prairie Trail. My first week there, I knew PTE was the school I wanted to be at. The staff, students, and families were so friendly and welcoming. I wouldn't want to be any other place!

What's your favorite way to spend a day off? My favorite way to spend a Saturday (day off) is having a soccer filled day. Getting to sit on the sidelines cheering my girls on in their soccer games is the only way I want to spend my Saturdays!

How many years have you been working in education? This is year 7 at PTE.

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? I love working on a team that dedicates so much time and effort to make sure our PTE students have a bright future! Prairie Trail has a family atmosphere and feels like home. It doesn't hurt that I get to watch my daughter be educated at the best elementary school around.

Why did you become a teacher?I wanted to make a difference in the lives of all students but specifically those in special education. It is important to me that every child feels loved and cared for. Building relationships with the students and fostering a love learning is my goal!

What is something on your bucket list and why? Going to Japan! I have a fascination with the culture, food, traditions, beauty of the land, and so much more! Plus I could check off one more Disney park of my wishlist.

How many years have you been teaching? 15 years

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? I love teaching at Prairie Trail because I work with an amazing staff, kids, and families. I have a great team that is very supportive, fun, and full of great ideas. Everyone here is always willing to help, and they do it with a smile. It is a very positive and supportive place to work, and I'm very blessed to be here.

Why did you become a teacher? I wanted to become a teacher because of my mom. My mom taught at the same school I went to, and I saw the impact she made on her kids every day. Seeing the differences she was making inspired me to become a teacher, and I'm so glad I did.

What is something most people don't know about you? I sing country music, and I used to sing at a lot of places with some people who are now famous.

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

• January Elementary Breakfast Menu

• January Lunch Menu

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

Check out dates for the school year.

• 23rd-24th - Talent Show Tryouts - 3:00-4:00 pm in the Gym
  
• 24th - PTA Room Reps Class Basket for Spring Fest Meeting @ 6:30 pm
• 25th - 100th Day of School
• 25th - STEM Night - 6:00-7:30 pm
• 26th - Progress Reports

• 2nd - Nana Puddin' & Dennis Lee Program (8:00 am - K-2nd & 9:00 am - 3rd-5th)
• 2nd - Last Day to pre-register for Harry Potter Night
• 9th - Multicultural Day & Read Around the World
• 10th - Service Saturday 8:00-10:00 am
• 14th - Friendship (Valentine's Day) Parties
• 15th - Harry Potter Night
• 16th - Student Early Release - 11:45 am
• 16th - Progress Reports
• 19th - School Holiday
• 21st - Field Trip 1st Grade LISDOLA
• 22nd-23rd - Field Trip 5th Grade Outdoor School
• 27th - LISD 5th Grade Honor Choir Performance 7:30-8:30 pm
• 29th - Talent Show 5:45-8:00 pm

• February 14th - Friendship (Valentine's Day) Parties
  
• February 29th - Talent Show @ 5:45-8:00 pm (NEW DATE)
• March 7th - Open House
• 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.

During our counselor time, we will spend most of February reviewing bullying prevention and empowering bystanders using our Bullying Prevention Unit. If you would like to know more about the lessons, click HERE or feel free to contact our counselor, Ms. Rutherford, rutherfordl@lisd.net.

Also, during March and April in elementary school, counselors will cover the Senate Bill 9 topics on the prevention of Child Abuse and Family Violence. As a reminder, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires anti-victimization lessons be taught in all public schools. Texas legislature also requires parents/guardians to opt-in to these lessons. You have already filled out the paperwork for this in the Skyward forms at the beginning of the year or when you enrolled your child. If you would like to check what you chose, you can log into your Skyward account, go to 2023-2024 Back to School Forms, then go to section 10 - Counseling SB9 Consent.

• If you have opted-in to lessons on the prevention of Child Abuse, your student(s) will receive Second Step’s Child Protection Unit (CPU) lessons

• If you have opted-in to lessons on the prevention of Family Violence, your student(s) will receive a presentation on Healthy Families

*If you opted out of these lessons, your student(s) will NOT participate in the applicable lessons

Please see link or PDF documents below for more detailed information about the lessons and content that will be covered.

Again if you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Thank you,

Lauryn Rutherford, M.Ed.

rutherfordl@lisd.net

972-350-4062

SB9 Topics Letter English is on page 1 and Spanish is on page 2 - 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