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

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.

Unit 4 is over Problem Solving. The next lesson in this unit is #18 during the week of April 8th.

Here are the links to the overview of the lessons:

English

Spanish

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

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.

If you’ve never attended a Prairie Trail PTA Spring Fest Carnival before, you’re 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. Go online now and get yours today! Skip the will-call line and order by April 8th to receive your wristbands by “backpack” delivery.

April 9th @ 8am - April 16th @ 10pm (with extended bidding!)

Want a sneak peek at some of the exciting items available in this year’s Spring Fest Silent Auction?

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 (with more to come!), the list goes on and on!

Preview the auction now at www.32auctions.com/PTE2024 - we’re adding new items daily!

BIDDING BEGINS TUESDAY, APRIL 9TH @ 8AM! (New this year - extended bidding! Read below for more details)

Tips & Tricks to setting up your auction account so you can have fun and support our school:

● Set up your account in advance with an active email address & phone number so you are ready to bid. (Click “Login” at the top right corner, Click on “create account now” & create an account)

● You can enter an exact bid amount or enter a proxy to bid on your behalf until it reaches the maximum amount you set. If you really want an item, set a proxy amount since bidding becomes most aggressive in the last few minutes of the auction.

● You will receive an email if/when you are outbid to help you manage your wanted items.

● A link will be emailed to the winners to pay invoices online within 2-3 days after the auction closes. If you would like to pay with cash or check, please email treasurer@prairietrailpta.org to make arrangements.

● Payments must be made by April 24th, 2024.

● Winners may pick up their items at Prairie Trail Elementary School on Thursday, April 25th, 2024 between 3:30pm & 6pm in the gym. No items will be shipped.

***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.

INAUGURAL MEETING - Wednesday, April 10th @7pm at TRIO Coffee

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.

So mark your calendars for our informational meeting on Wednesday, April 10th at 7 pm at TRIO Coffee in Flower Mound, and come help us launch something special! Together, let's make Friday mornings the highlight of the week for our kids and families.

CLICK HERE to let us know you're coming!

Can't make it, but would like to learn more? CLICK HERE to let us know!

See you there!

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 one of the amazing volunteers who works tirelessly behind-the-scenes to help our PTA, our teachers, our school & our kiddos: TYLER FLOYD!

Tyler is an awesome volunteer who is super involved with the school. There's a good chance he's given your kiddo a high five! Not only is he a regular volunteer and our council delegate, he's heading up the new Prairie Trail Padres group! Thanks for everything you do, Tyler!

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!

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.

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? I've been teaching for 14 years.

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? I love teaching at Prairie Trail because of our community and school culture. PTE is a very positive and supportive place to work. I love to work in PTE because of the amazing staff, and team, sweet families and students.

Why did you become a teacher? I decided to become a teacher because this profession allows me to make a positive difference in a child's academic success.

What's your favorite way to spend a day off? I love to spend time with my family. I enjoy spending time getting involved in my kids' activities, movie nights, going out to eat, shopping, and traveling.

How many years have you been working in education? 13 years

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? I love the warm and inviting atmosphere that is everywhere you go in the building. I also love that the staff celebrates, encourages, and cares for each other.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I realized that I loved helping kids learn. I especially have a heart for kids who learn differently after working in a special needs summer camp while I was in college.

What are you most proud of in your teaching career? Teaching is the hardest most rewarding job I have ever had...as a brand new teacher and as a teacher returning to the classroom after 20 years of staying home. I have always been an advocate for kids and I am very proud of that. During my first year of teaching (1989), I was the first teacher to implement inclusion into a 1st grade classroom successfully. The staff rolled their eyes and said it would not work and the families of kids who learned differently were afraid that their child would be made fun of, but guess what... It worked!! In fact, it was so well received by staff, parents, and families that the local newspaper came out and did a feature story on my class of 10 who were being included in a general education classroom. Fast forward to my return to the classroom and I would say that seeing all students learn successfully is still my top priority. So I guess staying true to my beliefs is something I am quite proud of as well!

How many years have you been teaching? 13 years

Why did you become a teacher? I wanted to have a career in which I could make a positive impact on my community.

Why do you love teaching at Prairie Trail? Students and staff at Prairie Trail have amazing attitudes and school spirit. School pride is very strong within the school and the community. It shows how families really care about the school and I like being a part of that team spirit.

What is something on your bucket list and why? I would like to travel around the United States in an RV with my dogs, following a National Parks travel map, and explore as many as I can. I think it would be fun to get away from daily life routines and to enjoy nature.

How many years have you been working in education? 5 years

What do you love about working at Prairie Trail? The people are what make PTE such a special place. We found our community when our daughter started Kindergarten here 8 years ago. I spent several years supporting PTE through various PTA roles and feel so fortunate to be able to continue to work with and support so many wonderful educators that are so passionate and care so deeply about the well being of our students and families. I also enjoy connecting with and helping people and I get opportunities to do that here all day long, every single day. Also, I must say that I work with the best office staff ever and I think we make a pretty great team!

Why did you want to work in education? When I completed my teaching degree, I was passionate about two important things… the world and the kids in it so what better way to merge the two than be a geography teacher? Nowadays, I mostly save my nerdy lectures for my own kids and enjoy supporting all of you!

What is something most people don't know about you? When I was in high school, my family hosted two foreign exchange students. We hosted my exchange sister Noora from Finland for a year and then opened our home to my second exchange sister, Diana from Mexico, the following year. Hosting them was an experience that changed who I am and I wish I had had the courage to venture out to another country and immerse myself in another language the way they did. During the pandemic, I actually had the opportunity to see Diana again and our husbands and kids met for the first time. It was so special to be together again and to hear her talk about my mom and tell my kids about her was an experience that is hard to put into words. For the last several years, I have been seriously considering opening our home to an exchange student here as well but haven’t had to confidence to hit submit on that front quite yet. Until I do, I hope to continue to travel and see all the things I can and show my kids all the wonders in the world. And I really need to get to Finland one day for the long discussed reunion with my first sister, Noora.

How many years have you been teaching? 8 years

Why did you become a teacher? As a student I struggled behaviorally, I was lucky and had teachers that invested in me and took the time to build relationships. The teachers that reached me the most were my band directors, probably because I spent the most time in that class. I had also worked at a daycare while in High School so I knew teaching young kids was where I wanted to be. Being a safe place for the kids that are like me growing up is my number one priority.

I also wanted to help younger students find their love of performing. I had such a negative experience in Elementary School, but throughout my Band experiences learned to love performing, especially in High School with Color Guard and Theatre.

Why do you love teaching at Prairie Trail? The students are so diverse and so eager to share their musical and life experiences with one another. I also greatly appreciate the community being so involved and eager to help when needed. Of course the Admin and Staff are terrific here too! I've never had so much support for my position and what I do until I came to Prairie Trail.

How do you enjoy spending your alone time? I'm a gamer at heart. I love playing MMO games like FInal Fantasy online. I also am a HUGE Mario Kart fan and LOVE to play especially with my boys.

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.

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.

• 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
• 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