Prairie Trails

February 2023

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Important February Dates:

What's Happening at Prairie Trails?

February 1- Digital Citizenship / Internet Safety

February 3- 100th Day of School Celebration

February 8- Empowered Parents Workshop

February 9 -Erin's Law Presentations

February 20- No School Presidents Day

February 22- MOD Pizza PTC Give Back Night

February 23- Fuel Up to Play 60 Assemblies

February 23- Incoming kindergarten registration 4:00-8:00

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Empowered Parents Workshop

February 8, 2023 from 6:00-7:30

We would like to invite you to attend our Empowered Parents Workshop on February 8 from 6:00-7:30 at Prairie Trails School. The workshop will be focused on providing valuable information and tips on how to support your child's development and growth.The topics that will be covered include Routines & Rituals, Play Skills and Academics. Our very own PT staff will be presenting.

We believe that this workshop will be a great opportunity for you to learn some tips & tricks to help support your child at home.

Please RSVP using the QR Code or the link below by 2/6. We look forward to seeing you at the workshop. Babysitting is available if needed. http://tinyurl.com/3c7hbcs6

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Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration Night is on Thursday, February 23 at Prairie Trails School from 4 to 8 p.m. This is for all parents/guardians of incoming kindergartners, including those who have other children in the district. You can reserve a timeslot by visiting rtsd26.org/kindergarten.

5Essentials Parent Survey

We need your input! If you have not done so already, please participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Parent and Guardian Survey. Your responses will remain confidential and will not be connected to the identity of you or your child.

Survey results will help us to better understand the conditions at school and to guide improvement. For the survey to be validated, we need at least 20% of our parents to take the survey.

Visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ to participate. Thank you for your support!

Erin's Law Reminder

Next week, our Prairie Trails social worker and school psychologist will be presenting age appropriate information regarding Personal Body Safety to all Prairie Trails students. This presentation is in accordance with Erin's Law, which was passed in 2013.

To gain an overview of the program that was written by District 26 social workers in consultation with Northwest Center on Sexual Assault, please go to the River Trails School District Site (www.rtsd26.org). Click on the Families Menu Tab on the top of the page, then click Erin’s Law on the left sidebar.

If you do NOT want your child to participate, please go to the webpage detailed above. You will find the link to Erin’s Law opt out form. You can complete this form online or at your child’s school office.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either the building social worker, principal or Dr. Carie Cohen (Assistant Superintendent for Special Services) at 224-612-7304 or ccohen@rtsd26.org.

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WE ARE HIRING

We are hiring teaching assistants and lunchroom / playground monitors at Prairie Trails. If you are interested or know someone who may be, please follow the link to apply. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Amy Veytsman

224-265-9900. http://www.applitrack.com/rtsd26/onlineapp

PT Specials Update

ART

This month, our young artists will be learning about cool and warm colors, organic shapes and texture. Students will be practicing their fine motor skills by cutting, coloring and gluing and will use a variety of different art materials. Lauren Pennington lpennington@rtsd26.org

LIBRARY

Please continue to keep library books in great shape! Make sure your student returns their book on Wednesdays!

MUSIC

In Music we are exploring the melodic contour of music through movement, singing and instruments. We’re playing games, singing many songs and dancing! Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions: mthompson@rtsd26.org Meghan Thompson

PE

After winter break we spent a week doing parachute activities. We played shark attack, under the sea treasure hunt, and fruit salad. We made giant tents, popped popcorn, and even did a fun dance. My arms have never been more exhausted. We are also learning to jump rope-this takes a lot of practice to master. On January 31st we are kicking off our Kids’ Heart Challenge fundraiser-so exciting! Don’t hesitate to email me with any questions. Beth Miller evossmiller@rtsd26.org

STEM

January is all about how things move through coding. We already learned about coding through the Code and Go Mice using directional cards and buttons. Now we will move onto using color codes with lines and dashes to command our Ozobots! Ask your students about coding. It’s tough, but you would be amazed at how fast they are catching on :)

If you have any questions, please reach out to me at jwagner@rtsd26.org.

Jeannine Wagner