Principal Weekly Update to Families

Hello Prairie Panther Families!

Fall officially welcomed us this week with cooler temperatures and lots of liquid sunshine. Several students found themselves without a coat at recesses this past week, please help them remember to bring one for recess daily. The Lost and Found has more items than usual, so it could be that students have a coat (or two) waiting for them in the Lost and Found that needs to be claimed. We are reminding students daily to check for these items.

Prairie Panthers ended the month of September with an attendance rate of 92.2 percent! Keep up the great work Panthers! In October, we are challenging families and students to meet our building goal of an attendance rate of 95 percent. We will drop clues weekly in announcements about the end of month reward.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Becki Fowler

Assistant Principal

Prairie will be saluting veteran and current military service members at the Friday Assembly on November 3. We are asking families to send a photo of their veteran(s) by October 20 to be included in the assembly PowerPoint presentation. Email photos to Erika Morisset at erika_morisset@ycs.wednet.edu. Please include the veteran's name, branch of service, and student's name and teacher. Contact our office if you have any questions. We look forward to recognizing veterans on November 3. We appreciate their service!

Pre-orders are now being accepted for 2023–24 Prairie Yearbooks. Order now and save money! Pre-orders are $20 and due by October 13. Yearbooks will go on sale again in the spring; however, the cost will increase to $25. Order forms can be found on our website and are available in the office.

What is an Instructional Paraeducator? A Paraeducator is a school employee who works under the supervision of teachers or other professional practitioners. Their jobs are instructional in nature and they provide other direct services to children and youth and their families. At Prairie, we are so lucky to have a number of highly trained and experienced Instructional Paraeducators on staff. We would like to thank them for their hard work, dedication, and support to students, families, and staff. We couldn't do it without them!

• October 2: Prairie PTO General Meeting, 6–7 p.m. in the Prairie gymnasium. All are welcome to attend.
  
• October 5: Guess what day it is??? Popcorn Thursday! Popcorn punch cards are still available!
• October 27: 4:30–6:30 p.m., Prairie Halloween Carnival — Watch for further information!

PTO doesn't exist without the participation of parents and teachers! Time commitments vary. To find out more information on how you can volunteer with upcoming projects, email yelmprairiepto@gmail.com.

Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones to school. However, we do recognize that occasionally parents permit their students to have a cell phone for personal security before and after school. We require students to turn cell phones off upon arrival at school and leave them in their backpack or book bag until they leave campus. Cell phones are not to be in the student’s possession during class, lunch, or recess. At no time are cell phones to be used during the school day including cellphone watches. We are happy to facilitate communication between students and parents through our office phone.

Is your child age 3 to 4 and interested in being part of the Peer Model Developmental Preschool Program? Learn more about eligibility and requirements. Accepting applications starting July 1.

Monthly, students and staff will focus on a new character trait with new learning given each week to what that trait means. Daily, during announcements, Ms. Benny will share a message on the Character Trait of the Month. September's character trait is focusing on "responsibility." Ask your student if they know what "responsibility" means to them. Next month's trait is "Self-Control."

• October is Crime Prevention Month, Disability History and Awareness Month, National Bullying and Prevention Month, and National Principals Month.
• Wednesday, October 4: Late start—buses will pick up students one-hour later than normal schedule. Classes begin at 9:35 a.m.
• Thursday, October 5: PTO Popcorn Day!
• Friday, October 6: No school.Teacher Training Day.
• Wednesday, October 11: Late start—buses will pick up students one-hour later than normal schedule. Classes begin at 9:35 a.m.
• Friday, October 13: Friday Assembly, 8:40 a.m.
• Thursday, October 19: School Photos! Mark your calendar, more information to come!