The Piper Prairie Press

Dear Piper Prairie Families,

We had a great kickoff to Inclusive Schools Week! Along with Officer Dave, Mrs. Bradner, Mrs.Bryant, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Riggs, and Dr. Dain, we enjoyed being guest readers and sharing important lessons on being an advocate, showing inclusion, understanding diversity and identity. Vocabulary words we learned:

Inclusion - Inclusion means everyone is welcome, accepted, and can join in. It’s about being kind, sharing, and making sure no one feels left out.

Holiday Parties: If you are volunteering for our holiday parties on the 19th, please be mindful that only parents who signed up with their student's teacher will be allowed to attend and participate. Arrive 20 minutes early to pick up your volunteer badge. Please see complete details for Volunteer Guidelines in this issue.

• Our last day of school for elementary students is Thursday, December 19th.

• Our office will be closed from December 23 through January 2nd. Staff will return on the 3rd.

• Students will return for their first day of school after the break on Monday, January 6th.

Lastly, if you haven't already done so, please Share Your Voice: Help Shape Piper’s Facility Future

In Dr. Dain's Tuesday Talk, you were invited take a few moments to complete the survey linked below as we continue our efforts to plan for the future of our facility needs. Your input is essential in helping us make informed decisions that reflect the priorities and aspirations of our community. Together, we can ensure that Piper USD 203 remains a place where every student thrives. Thank you for being an integral part of this process!

Click Here to Complete the Survey

Sincerely,

Mrs. Bast and Mrs. Porras

The Piper School District is proud to support our military families! We are excited to announce that we are creating a dedicated Military Families Network to keep you informed, connected, and supported. By signing up, you'll receive important updates, exclusive resources, and opportunities tailored to our military families.

To join, simply fill out a quick form with your name, contact information, and the first and last name and grade level of your students. Thank you for your service and for being a valued part of the Piper community!

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE FORM

Fill out this interest form to be a Piper Prairie Watch D.O.G.

Email our counselors to find out more information about becoming a volunteer through the Watch D.O.G.S. program.

daneen.kelsey@piperschools.us

serena.keenan@piperschools.us

Dec. 13th is our last day of Inclusive Spirit Week:

• F - wear PJs or comfy clothes to "be comfortable with who you are!"

Dec. 19th - Winter Parties *volunteers must be on teacher's list to attend.

Dec. 20th - No School for elementary students (work day for staff)

-----------WINTER BREAK--------------

Teacher work day on Jan 3.

Jan. 6th - Students return to school

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

Jan. 21st - No School for students, PD for Staff

Feb. 6th - save the date! Prairie Family Engagement Evening

Feb. 12th & 13th - Parent Teacher Conferences, by appointment

Feb. 12th - 5:30pm Site Council Meeting

Feb. 14th - No School

Feb. 17th - No School, President's Day

We wish we had the room to allow all students to have an adult join us at parties and on field trips, but that unfortunately is not the case. Thank you for understanding we must limit this number due to classroom space or field trip guidelines. If not enough adults volunteer, then teachers open up spaces for their students' adults to volunteer an additional time. The ladies in the front office create lists using the names teachers turn in to run off name tags using the Raptor System. Once they have scanned a volunteer's State ID or Driver's License once, it is usually in the system. But keep in mind you may be asked to provide your State ID or Driver's License any time you volunteer. You are welcome to scan your ID the day before or week before so you don't get stuck waiting in line for your visitor's sticker. Only adults on the sign up list will be admitted, do not bring younger siblings to class parties or when you volunteer to help with a field trip.

If you are not on the list to volunteer and only need to drop off items for classroom parties or birthdays, please label the items you are dropping off with this information:

• Teacher's name

• Student's name

• and, what or when the dropped off items are for
  
  

For the safety of our students and school, we are all expected to follow these guidelines and only allow those on the list to go to the classrooms or on field trips.

Volunteer Guidelines set forth by our district:

Thank you for volunteering and being part of Piper USD 203. Your time, energy and participation is valued. Please remember to be:

• CONFIDENTIAL because it is very important that what is observed in the school remains confidential. Student behavior or performance is not to be discussed with other parents or passed along in the community. Videos or photos of other students are not permitted.

• FLEXIBLE in responding to the needs of students.

• FRIENDLY because with a smile and thank you, you can make an impact!

• HONEST in your approach and attitude which will aid in developing trust.

• PATIENT when working with students because when they are having difficulty, they do not need additional pressure.

• RESPECTFUL by treating individuals in the same manner you wish to be treated.

Our recess guidelines state that we will go outside for recess when the windchill is 20 degrees or above. As a result, it is important that your child is dressed for the weather. If your child in in need of a winter coat, please contact us and we will do our best to help.

With that being said, it is easy to misplace winter hats, coats, jackets, gloves and scarves. Please put your child's name on the tag of any items that could get left behind so they don't show up at Lost and Found.

Morgan Hunter is looking for substitute teachers and can offer a flexible schedule and competitive pay! If you are interested in subbing in Piper, check this out: https://morganhuntereducation.com/

Would you be willing to share your career expertise with students at Piper? Please complete this form to help INSPIRE our young learners by showcasing various career paths. Your participation will make a meaningful impact to help them become #FUTUREREADY

PHS Academy Descriptions

As you read in Dr. Dain's Tuesday Talk, the Unexcused Absence Reporting System went live on 10/02/24. If an Unexcused Absence is recorded, for students in grades K-5, you will receive an automated call at 11 a.m. This call will include your child's name, the school building they attend, and a notification that they were reported absent.

We are grateful for your help in making our car line run smoothly!

School Hours:

• Mondays-Thursdays: School starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:40 PM.
• Fridays: School starts at 9:10 AM and ends at 3:40 PM.

• If you arrive after morning arrival supervision (8:30): Please park your vehicle and walk your child inside to the office.
• Teachers' duty day is over at 3:55. If you arrive after the dismissal supervising adults have come inside (3:55): Please park and come inside to get your child from the office.

Thank you for helping us keep kids safe!

As we navigate Car Rider traffic, we have reached out to adjust some car lane traffic. Please follow this map below, unless Mrs. Kelsey or your child's teacher has reached out to you personally. Thank you for helping us make dismissal efficient! If your child needs assistance buckling up, please pull forward to the Buckle Up zone!

If your little pirate rides the school bus to or from school, we ask for someone to be at the bus stop to see them get on and off the bus. Student safety is a priority!

Y Club is offering before school care for those in need of only Friday morning times. If you are interested, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/MUYAnaguYbawHwCAA You must be signed up by 4pm the Thursday before in order to attend on Friday. (If you've signed up once for a Friday, you don't need to sign up again.) You must arrive by 8:15 for YCare on Friday.

Please follow the communication matrix.

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Porras - laura.porras@piperschools.us

Attendance: heather.bryant@piperschools.us

Transportation changes (request must be by 2:30): kristin.miller@piperschools.us

Phone: 913.721.1243

Nurse or medical concerns: taunisha.mcdonald@piperschools.us

Health Services: https://piperschoolscom.finalsite.com/departments/health-services

Counselors: daneen.kelsey@piperschools.us or serena.keenan@piperschools.us

Staff Directory: https://ppe.piperschools.com/staffdirectory

Hours: Monday- Thursday 8:30 am - 3:40 pm

Late Start Friday: 9:10 am - 3:40 pm

Email: darcey.bast@piperschools.us
Website: https://ppe.piperschools.com/
Location: 3131 N 122nd St, Kansas City, KS 66109, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiperElementary/?scrlybrkr=41859c6e
Twitter: @PiperElementary