School – The more you go, the more you know….Really

Let’s agree that school attendance is important. I don’t think there is anyone who would not agree with that statement. As we work hard to be sure that students attend, we did not make the District goal of 96% attendance and have not since September. The truth is I care far less about not meeting the goal, for the sake of meeting a goal, and care far more about the fact that we have students missing school far too much. If your child is sick, they should stay home. But what does sick look like? A little sniffle – it’s ok. We want you here. A bit tired – we’ll help you out. Most days, kids can do a great job of learning although they may be a bit “under the weather”. Moms and Dads -- a worksheet can never impact your child’s learning like the rich conversations and instruction your child misses when he/she is at home. What is equally tragic is that there is absolutely no way to ever recreate that instruction. If it’s a day here or there, the impact will be minor. However, when students are missing in upward of 10 or more days, there is no way to recover. Let’s say that your child does well in school in spite of being absent a lot. We can never be sure just how far your child could be in their learning if he/she had fewer absences. Additionally, I just read a report stating that not only does chronic absenteeism affect the student who is absent; it also negatively impacts the dynamic of the entire classroom. Have faith in your child to work through their not feeling so great days. They will learn that they don’t have to feel perfect in order to have a perfect day of learning. What a great lesson in perseverance. Camille Schroeder Principal, Prairie Lane Elementary

April 2015

PTO President’s Letter We finally made it to spring! The nicer weather is becoming more frequent and I can hear birds chirping and children playing outside! I hope you were able to spend some quality family time during your Spring break. Just like last year, our BIG fundraiser for Prairie Lane happens quickly after school starts. Our 2nd annual Walk-A-Thon/Craft Fair is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2015 -- RAIN OR SHINE! Much of the planning is already underway, but if you attended our March meeting, you are aware that we are in need of some chair people to organize and plan different aspects of the event. Thank you to those of you who already signed up to help! Please see the list below that highlight the areas we are in need of help. Please feel free to contact any board member or message the PTO on Facebook if you’d like to help with one of the areas. Event Details Volunteers Craft Fair Contact vendors, make flyers, follow-ups, post of

Facebook/Craig’s List Cristi Gallagher Natalie Winnett

Bake Sale/Water Sales Make flyer, set & mark prices, check in and organize food.

Girls Scouts Tara Pottala

Student Pledges Collect & deposit money, collect envelopes Megan Calhoun Corporate Sponsorships Contact local businesses for sponsorships,

collect logos for t-shirts Cindy Joy Kari Ray (2 more volunteers needed)

T-Shirts Organize and distribute shirts to students/staff before the event.

Liz Molton Mandy Taylor

Food Set-up, set prices/tickets, make signs (2 volunteers still needed) Carnival Games Set-up, prepare and plan games (many are in

PTO closet) (2 volunteers still needed)

DJ Photo Booth, Bounce House, Face Painting, Fire Truck

Make calls and book for the day PTO Board

Decorations Make signs, arrows, posters Amy Dollar (2 more volunteers needed)

Walking Course / Walkers Plan course, set up cones, water stations, determine lap tracking (beads/necklace?)

(2 volunteers still needed)

Promotions Hang flyers, signs, post ads, contact radio stations.

Beth Olson Jenny Hermes

Raffle Obtain raffle items, set-up, label items (2 volunteers still needed) Volunteers Send out flyers, plan schedule, email volunteers

about tents, coolers, tables. Jessica Winnie

Silent Auction/Class Projects Organize classroom projects, work with teachers to plan crafts, set-up projects that day.

Mandy Taylor (2 more volunteers needed)

Pre-event ticket Sales Send out forms, put tickets into envelopes, hand out to kids before the event.

(2 volunteers still needed)

Also, next year, we will have many open committees that will need chair people. Please consider stepping out to help with one of them. We need these positions filled to ensure that these activities and events remain at Prairie Lane. Please watch for more information about these chair positions coming home next month. Thank you! Jessica Winnie PTO President

Jump Rope for Heart 2015 BEST YEAR EVER for Prairie Lane!

Congratulations Prairie Lane as we celebrate another successful year for our event, raising $10,157 for the American Heart Association. The top five students, collecting the most funds were: Alexis Joy ($550),Bailey Metzger ($505), Eme Gorman ($500), Kennedy Day ($450) and Ethan Tranberg ($355). Mrs. Foley’s first graders were the top fundraising class and they will play the teachers in a favorite game of their choice. Prairie Lane will also receive $500-$600 in gift certificates for new P.E. equipment, which is awesome!! Besides all the prizes, treats, many incentives, lots and lots of “DUCKS”, the Dr. Jump assembly and me getting on the roof dressed like “Ms. Cool” Duck, I really believe the students came away with an understanding that exercise can be fun, along with learning heart-healthy habits which will last a lifetime. They take pride in supporting and fundraising for heart research and education, saving lives everywhere throughout our community and country. The Kids at Prairie Lane inspire me with their heart stories and it motivates me to come back every year and make it even better. These students continue to amaze me.

A special thanks to all for your helpful support and encouragement for such an important cause. Final ducks and prizes are on their way, as we wrap up another terrific JRFH Event. Great job!!

Mark your calendars for Field Day, on Friday, May 29, with our rain date set for Thursday, June 4.

Ms. Tiffe as Ms. Cool Duck!

Shake, Rattle and Roll at the annual Prairie Lane Sock Hop Friday April 24 from 6pm - 8pm! Dress up in your fun socks and/or 50’s gear to enter the contests. We will need one volunteer per 10 kids to run this event so please contact Kari Ray (kariray01@gmail.com or Jenny Hermes (jkhermes00@gmail.com) if you would like to help!

Please mark your calendars! April 23 will be the Kindergarten and first grade concerts. Kindergarten will be at 6:00 pm and first graders take the stage at 6:45 pm. Please have students meet in their classrooms 15-minutes prior to performance times. May 28 is a concert given by our performance groups only. Choir, band and orchestra have prepared a special evening of music for their families. The concert will begin at 6:00 pm. Notes will be sent home telling students where to meet prior to the concert. On May 29 the Prairie Lane choir will have their 15-minutes of fame at the Kenosha Kingfish game when we sing the national anthem to start off the game! Choir members will receive notes to take home giving all the details regarding this event. Ms. Roland

Thank you to everyone that has ordered Market Day. We have earned over $600 for the PTO in the last three months. This has been a very successful program to bring back to the school and we hope to keep it going strong with all of your participation. The April order deadline (for on-line orders) is April 25. Our next pick up is going to be Thursday, April 30th from 6:00-7:00pm by the front entrance. We are still in the Frequent Buyer portion of the year. Make two purchases of $40 between February and April and then place a third order of $40 in May and you will receive a FREE set of two Collapsible Storage Bowls with your May pick up. Market Day is also still offering $5 off a $25 purchase if you are a first time Market Day customer who places their order online. Use promo code NEWFIVE at checkout to receive that savings. Remember Prairie Lane provides drive thru pickup option for all customers who prepay for their order online at www.marketday.com. Just pull your car up in front of the school and we will load your order into the car for you. No need to park and get out of your car. If you have any questions about Market Day, please feel free to contact Megan Calhoun at megmirs13@hotmail.com or 815-236-4044.

p A Note From:

Ms. Roland

It’s Not Too Late!

Keep sending in those box tops! There is still time for your child's class to reach the pizza party award, plus the top four classrooms will receive a Kona Ice Party in June!

Do you dread school supply shopping? Are you tired of dragging your kids from store to store just to find every item on their lists? Last year our PTO introduced the School Kidz program to our school and we will have it available again for the 2015-2016 school year! Order forms will come home before Spring Break. Order your kit and it will be in your child's class at open house. It's that easy!!! No shopping, no searching… just a quick order and all their supplies are there! If you have any questions please contact Kari Ray at kariray01@gmail.com.

Register at Prairie Lane on April 16 and April 20. Pre K and Kindergarten registration can be completed at Prairie Lane from 5 to 7 pm. Please bring a birth certificate, immunization records and proof of residency. Please share with your friends and neighbors who have Pre-K and Kindergarten age students.

5th Grade Fundraiser!

Sunday, April 19

8 am to 12 pm Prairie Lane Cafeteria

Teacher Appreciation Week is just around the corner (May 4-8th). We're working on putting together gift baskets for our wonderful teachers. Do you have a home based business? We're looking for awesome, donated items to be put in baskets.

We currently have a few items from Norwex, Thirty-One and Gateway Cosmetology to name a few. We are also looking for gift-cards for Starbucks, Target or any local restaurants. All donations need to be turned in by April 30th. If you are able to donate, please contact Mel Modica at melmodica@gmail.com.

Our teachers are so wonderful, let's show them how much we care!

Upcoming Events! April 19 – Fifth Grade Pancake Breakfast 23 - Kindergarten and First Grade Concert 24 - Sock Hop – 6 to 8 pm 25 - Market Day Online Order Deadline 30 - Market Day Order pick-up 6-7 pm May 4 – 8 - Teacher Appreciation Week 20 - Bingo Night 28 - Band, Orchestra and Choir Concert 29 – Field Day

Prairie Lane Day at the Kenosha Kingfish Game