Prairieview Perspective

Writing

2012-02-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

Writing seems to be an integral part of every subject now a days and many students simply do not like to write. Here are some simple suggestions:

Have them write what they remember about the day (having inside recess, playing a game in gym, or simply what they had for lunch). It doesn't have to be long but if they write every day it will certainly give them practice.

Let them choose a toy or an animal and have them describe it. Example: "Our dog has a black spot with long ears. He runs very fast."

Ask him to write a list of what his favorite songs are or books or simply characters in a movie and have him substantiate them, as to why do they like these characters.

Encourage your child to write everyday and when it comes to writing at school it will become second nature.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay out of the snow.

Principal Schultz

Thank You Again

2012-01-27T08:01:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all who are supporting our fundraiser. Be sure to watch the 10:00 news tonight on Channel 2. They will be airing a special segment on our Lakeview/Prairieview vs. Eisenhower/Lace Cancer Smashers fundraiser!

Also, the fund raising contest has been extended until Monday morning so keep the donations coming. Remember that you can donate online at http://www.goombaybash.com/Cancer_Smashers/

Thank you for supporting us

Remember Bingo Night tonight and next week we have Movie Night!
Have a wonderful last weekend in January,
Mrs. Schultz

Cancer Smashers

2012-01-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Just a reminder, on Monday, we kicked off our Cancer Smasher Fundraiser. Students are encouraged to donate a dollar of their own money for the cause. Should families or parents wish to make a donation they can follow the link below and the school of their choice will receive credit.

http://www.goombaybash.com/Cancer_Smashers/

Thank you for helping us to "Smash Cancer"!
We are doing great but of course with your help we can close the gap,
Mrs. Schultz

January is a busy month !

2012-01-17T10:22:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone enjoyed their day off yesterday and rested because we will be having a busy week this week and in the upcoming weeks as well.

Our school will be in a “friendly competition” combining efforts with Lakeview School against Lace and Eisenhower Schools from District 61 beginning this Friday. Cancer Smashers is a community service fund raiser in which all four schools will be collecting funds to help find a cure for this disease. 100% of the money collected will go to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
Information will be sent home later this week with students and via email. More details can be found at this web site: http://www.goombaybash.com/Cancer_Smashers/

District 66 Spelling Bee
Paririeview is also having their classroom and grade level spelling bees this week. Two finalists from each grade will be participating in the District 66 Spelling Bee on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. The bee begins at 1:00 and will be held here at Prairieview School.

Enjoy the week and stay safe,
Principal Schultz

Welcome Back

2012-01-06T07:17:00.000-08:00

Welcome back everyone! What a joy to see everyone return rested and ready to start the New Year. Even though this was a short week, everyone was ready to learn and resume their quest for knowledge.
This week our students were treated to an assembly which promoted all aspects relating to feelings and respect for others. This assembly related to bullying and conflict resolution topics which are important to Prairieview. I hope by now your child has told you about the presentation of Martin Luther King by the company called Historical Perspectives. Martin Luther King was portrayed by an actor who dramatized his life from early childhood through adulthood.

Have a wonderful warm weekend and remember it is Prairieview's turn at Market Day,

Principal Schultz

Enjoy the season

2011-12-22T06:36:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the pictures of our holiday celebrations..............

Thank you everyone for making it special

Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season

Principal Schultz

Short on Christmas Ideas?

2011-12-14T07:35:00.001-08:00

To your enemies, forgiveness

To an opponent, tolerance,

To a friend, your heart,

To a customer, service,

To all men , charity,

To every child, a good example,

To yourself, respect.

Have a lovely Holiday

Principal Schultz

2011-12-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

I simply can not believe the holiday season is upon us. This school year seems to be moving at a terribly fast pace and I believe we all need to slow down a small bit. And what a better time of the year to do this then at Christmas. I hope this holiday you can take time with your child to talk, laugh, reminisce, and create memories. Just remember the best gifts are not all wrapped up in pretty paper and colorful bows, but they come from the heart. A true treasure your children will remember is not the toys they received but the gift of time and the many moments shared with the people who care and love them. Have a lovely holiday season, Principal Schultz

Parent Conferences

2011-11-30T11:37:00.000-08:00

The turnout this year for conferences has been great! It is wonderful to see so many involved parents who care about their children. If you will be attending your conference tonight, here is some advice. Ask the teacher about your child's lowest grade first; this way if there is someway you can help at home, they will be able to give you some ideas. Ask if you could e-mail the teacher later if you think of another question. It's a great time just to talk about your child and their progress here at Prairieview. Remember we are a team and team-work will help your child be the best that they can be!

Have a nice long weekend, Principal Schultz

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-22T10:27:00.000-08:00

Last Friday was very exciting; we made lap blankets for Edward Hospital Pediatric ER and for Westmont Nursing Home. It was a great turnout and we made over 60 blankets. This was a very simple project which made a positive and heartwarming difference. Thank you to Mrs. Raskovich-Kling for organizing it and Al's Pizza for providing wonderful cookies. Our teachers also showed support on this truly wonderful night.

We also had an assembly to prevent bullying which was also a success. Our teachers and students had a great time. I wonder if you can tell who this was ? Mr. McBrain did a wonderful job letting us know how bullying hurts.........this is something which is on every ones mind and here at Prairieview we take it seriously !

Have a safe and restful Thanksgiving, Principal Schultz

Study Smarts

2011-11-10T11:29:00.000-08:00

Now that we are in full swing everyone will be experiencing testing. Studying is a skill all ourstudents will need throughout their years of school. Perhaps you can help your child with these small tips.

Start a habit

Encourage your child to treat studying as a daily assignment, not just something their do the night before a test. For example, they might practice their spelling words every night for a short period instead of the night before. After they finish their homework assignments they can review what they were exposed to during the day. This way they can keep on top of all their subject and what is expected of them.

Use the Textbook or Notes

To increase their understanding have them preview the chapter again looking at the graphics and going to the glossary to look up all the boldfaced words. Review the heading and have your student in their own words tell you what the text or their notes represent.

Have a safe and warm long weekend, Principal Schultz

Veterans' Day Project

2011-11-03T12:28:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, the third, fourth and fifth grade students happily took an indoor recess day to each make a card of thanks and appreciation to our veterans. Approximately three hundred cards showcasing their beautiful artwork and kind messages will be delivered to Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital before Veterans' Day on November 11th.

What a better way to say thank you to our military!

Have a wonderful weekend, Principal Schultz

Halloween Party

2011-10-28T06:31:00.000-07:00

We are almost done with the 1st month of the Shopping 4 Schools program at The Promenade Bolingbrook and the initial results have been posted. We are in 10th place, out of 20 schools, for a share of $10,000! This is great news, since we are new to the program and just getting started.
Thanks to everyone for “liking” the Promenade on Facebook, writing a comment about how Prairieview students love to shop there, shopping at Promenade stores and turning in your receipts. Every little bit helps as we compete against the other 19 schools for our share of the money.
If you still have receipts for purchases made in October (remember, this includes all stores and restaurants within the Promenade including Bass Pro Shops) but haven’t turned in your receipts yet, please do so by Friday, October 28th. October is double points month, so we get 10 points for every dollar you spend. Receipts will be returned to you if you write your students name and teacher on the back.
Please help support this important fundraiser for the Center Cass #66 schools!

We were lucky enough to have a wonderful sunny day for our Halloween Party which of course was a wonderful success. Students and teachers all dressed for the party which made it even more festival.

I hope you all have a great and safe weekend, Principal Schultz

Where's October Gone ?

2011-10-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we are halfway through October. We have already had a teacher institute when my teachers either went away for a conference or worked in the building differentiating for our students in all our subjects.

Today we also had a bullying assembly which reminded our students what to do when they are bullied and what to do when they see someone bullied. They all did a great job. Make sure you ask your children about the assembly. Try to always engage your children to talk about their experiences. Ask them, "What was your favorite part of the day;" or "What was your favorite part of today's assembly." Talking now will certainly pay off later as they get older and you still want them to confide in you.

Have a wonderful week, Principal Schultz

October is here !

2011-10-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

This has to be my favorite month and also my dogs ! All our students are finally in the swing of school and we have many exciting things happening here. Like our field trips, movie nights, bingo nights way to many to mention here. but will be communicated every week through our weekly reminders.

First let me thank everyone who contributed to our magazine drive. Prairieview did a little less than last year but we are thankful to all of you who helped support our program.
Now, a little tip which I think happens at the perfect time. With the onset of colder weather this is the perfect time to build your child's attention span. Have your students focus on one activity while sitting at a table or desk for at least 15 minutes. They can draw, practice handwriting, read or write a story.......anything that motivates them to pay attention. Practicing like this will start to get them used to doing homework which we all know can be a struggle for all of us. Have a great weekend and enjoy the dry but cold weather. Principal Schultz

Changing Weather

2011-09-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

Seems like the school is in full swing even the weather is letting us know it is time to buckle down. It's time to set up a routine which is not only important for our students but also ourselves . A routine at home will prepare your student for the schedule here at school. For example, every day after school he might wash his hands, eat a snack, and start his homework. Even if you have sports at night if you follow a routine you will not have the drama for homework if they know there is the assigned time to start studying. It is never to late to develop good habits.

Busy Week

2011-09-08T13:01:00.001-07:00

We certainly had a busy week at PV. First, we had our final fourth and fifth grade curriculum nights which, thanks to all of you, went very well. Then this week we completed our MAPs testing which will help us in identying those students who may need a little extra help either in interventions or enrichments. School is now in full swing and the homework is coming. You can make this school year great by following a few rules: follow a routine, promote independence, recognize effort and talk to your child about what they have learned today.

This year through my blogs I would like to help and go a little into detail on each of these suggestions.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the cool weather. Mrs. Schultz

The First Week of School

2011-09-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we have finished our first week of school! It was wonderful having my building full of excitement and anticipation. I can only hope this energy will stay throughout the year.

Thank you to everyone who attended our third grade curriculum night which was very informative to all. Also, thank you to all who signed up for our magazine drive; we still need many more but we have made a good start.

Enjoy our long weekend and the change in weather. Relax and take the time for a nap at any age it is a wonderful thing! Principal Schultz

2011-08-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

It was such a pleasure to meet many of you at our Open House. The building was alive this week with all our new & returning students. I am sure they all will enjoy their weekend with anticipation of the new school year.

We will be busy next week with our MAP testing starting on Monday. All grades will be taking the math portion this week and we will be changing for our own math classes after the tests are completed. Please make sure your child is well rested and has a healthy breakfast everyday; they will sure be very busy little students.

Also, please remember to attend our Curriculum Nights, which are scheduled for Thursday Sept. 1st for third grade and Tuesday September 6th for 4th & 5th grades all are from from 6:30 to 7:30. At that time you will have an opportunity to visit our child's classroom and meet with your child's math teacher.

Enjoy your weekend!

WELCOME HOME !

2011-08-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

I still can't believe summer is over; they seem to get shorter each year. I hope everyone had as wonderful a summer as mine, even though it was mighty hot for many days. As always, I look forward to seeing all my teachers and our students. The school is just a building, but becomes a home when it is filled. I can't wait to see everyone!

I look forward to greeting everyone at Open House on Wednesday, August 24th 9:00-11:00 am.

Enjoy your last few days and welcome home,
Mrs. Schultz

What a Great Year

2011-06-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

I can not believe this year is coming to an end it has been one of the best. We have had an outstanding year thanks to all the teachers here at Prairieview and your constant support at home. This week we had our annual talent show and though I would love to print all our pictures attached are some of the highlights. We are truly lucky to have so much talent in our building.

I hope to see many of you at our picnic on Monday but if not, please have a safe and wonderful summer.

See you all next year and have a wonderful summer,

Principal Schultz

The busy month of May

2011-05-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

Just an FYI

District 66 has worked very hard this year to implement PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support). The Lakeview and Prairieview students and staff were introduced to PBIS in Fall of 2010 and Ide in February 2011. The District PBIS Committee has worked hard to create a Parent Handbook and letter to further explain this behavioral component of the RtI Triangle. The Parent Handbook and Letter can be found at: http://www.ccsd66.org/Montes%20Website/RtIPBISHome.htmls%20Website/RtIPBISHome.html s%20Website/RtIPBISHome.html

Last week we attended our Illinois Principal Association breakfast and this year Damiya Perry and Andrew Aguilera were chosen as Prairieview's representatives. It was a wonderful event with a terrific motivational speaker. Congratulations to both Damiya and Andrew.

Also, last week we received some lovely flowers from Home Depot which were donated through the efforts of Mrs. Kling. Thank you so much for helping our school look great !

Busy Times at Prairieview

2011-04-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

I never got the chance to thank everyone who came to our book fair/open house it was a huge success but only because of all of you.

And thank you all who came to our straight A recognition night. The children all worked very hard and it was nice to see so many parents and teachers recognize their efforts.

This week the fifth graders were recognized through a writing contest sponsored by the Citizens' Bank; we had a third place winner:
James David
and many students received an honorable mention:
Marc Alvarez, Kyla Brown, Drew Dusza , Maggie Reynolds
This must be the fifth graders time to shine because at our TGFD Graduation

these students will be recognized for their winning promise letters:

Clayton Linde, Lauren Krause, Adam Rosignal

Congratulations to all !

Open House

2011-04-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

I hope to see everyone tonight at our Open House. The hours are 6:30 till 8:00 and while you are here don't forget to stop by our bookfair ! We have terrfic books and summer is fast approaching for extra reading. Here is another avenue for those who have this electonic capability. A parent was nice enought to share this with me and now I would like to share it with you.............. McGraw-Hill is offering the EM Games Apps for iPads and iPhones/iPod touches FREE at the iTunes store from April 13-16, 2011. After April 16th, the apps will be available for $1.99.The games that will be available include: Addition Top-it Subtraction Top-it Beat the Computer Name that Number Equivalent Fractions Tric-Trac Monster Squeeze Baseball Multiplication 1-6 Facts Baseball Multiplication 1-12 Facts Divisibility Dash Check them out!

A Busy Week

2011-03-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

This month our students were treated to an assembly where teachers, students and parents, who have shown our school the importance of showing the virtues of respect, responsibility and safety were recognized.

We were entertained by authentic Hawaiian dancers who also talked incorporated respect, responsibility and safety.

These dancers were wonderful; both our children and our staff enjoyed the assembly.

We also were able to have one of our third grade students ride around the community on a fire truck. This opportunity was given to us by Dr. Tiede and it was certainly a hit !

PBIS Recognition

2011-03-04T06:06:00.000-08:00

Well, we finished our first week of ISAT's with everyone doing a terrific job. But again, I am asking all my parents to follow some of the suggestions for helping your child during testing week. Make sure they eat a healthy breakfast and get plenty of rest and finally tell them to do their best but not to stress, remind them they did well in the past and will do well again.

We are also welcoming all parents and guardians to attend our PBIS Recognition Assembly on Thursday, March 10th, at 1:30 p.m. Students, teachers and parents will be recognized for their terrific work displaying our core expectations of :
Being Respectful, Being Responsible, and Being Safe.

Looking forward to see you there and have a wonderful four day weekend,

Principal Schultz

ISAT testing

2011-02-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

This week we will giving the Illinois Standards Achievement Tests. This test measures individual achievement relative to the Illinois Learning Standards.

Some of our students get what is called "test anxiety." They are so worried about taking the test they forget all they have learned for the test.

Just telling your child don't worry and relax doesn't always work; so here are a few tips to tell your children this week at home:

A good night's sleep is important. Studies show that getting enough sleep and a good breakfast does help in the performance of the test.
Read the directions carefully!
Don't be afraid to skip a question and go back later.
Don't waste time worrying about a question; you should be able to go on and then return to the item you skipped before time is called.
Remember past tests when you did well. You can do it again.

We are also in the midst of our conferences another time to meet with your students teacher. If you need to talk please stop by remember my door is always open and I'm usually always here.

A busy week but we have set a good base for our children and they all will do well .

Have a great week and remember there is no school on Friday.

Parent Power

2011-02-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

I'm sure we all worked together last week clearing snow. It was fun working as a family team and there are many ways you can work as a team with learning and the school. Here are a few ideas.

Spend a few minutes in the evening looking over handouts your child brought home.
Be in contact with your child's teacher if you see or hear of a problem from your child.
Check their grades often so there are no surprises.
Attend conferences, parent meetings and school functions.
Most of all, show them you care about their learning.

We stand by our code -- Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Be safe and make this your home motto.

Have a great weekend,

Principal Schultz

The Blizzard of 2011

2011-02-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

It sure was great to see everyone on Friday but perhaps I think our students would not have been upset with one more day of no school. I must give kodos to our custodians who came in on Thursday , the coldest day of the week, and managed to move all the snow so we could have school on Friday. Even Dr. Tiede was out there moving snow. I supervised from the window and was here for moral support. I hope this finds everyone shoveled out and in front of the fireplace this weekend. We have a busy weekend here at school ...............remember tonight we have movie night at Prairieview and tomorrow we have the solo contest at Lakeview.

Have a safe and warm weekend, Principal Schultz

Hockey Season

2011-01-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

Now that the Bears are done, it's Hockey time, this sure rings true here at Prairieview. We have over 1/2 of our gentlemen from the 3rd and 4th grade signed up to play. Making it a very busy intramural season.

Technology is action in many of our classrooms. In Miss Trefonas' class they were virtually, through the use of laptops, dissecting owl pellets before they actually received the pellets in class. It was wonderful to see everyone working with the computers without leaving the classroom.

I certainly hope everyone has a great and safe weekend. Principal Schultz

Bullying

2011-01-20T07:26:00.000-08:00

This week we had a wonderful assembly which centered around bullying. Our presenter was just terrific with the perfect message.

We also had our grade-level and building spelling bees. The culmination will be the district bee on January 25th at 10:00. Hopefully, all of our Prairieview students will do well.
Please stay well and

GO BEARS

Happy 2011

2011-01-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome back everyone ! We all seemed to have survived the holidays and now we are all back to work and giving it 110 %. The students are doing a wonderful job with our mid-year MAPs and AIMs testing. Early this year we will be holding a Parent Link and will be explaining all the testing that is done here at 66. It will be a very informative Link; I will keep you advised on when a date is secured and I hope to see you there.

This week we have an assembly brought to our students by our PTO which will be centered around "Bullying" . It should be a nice break from the testing and it will be educational at the same time. We are also going to Argonne Labs this year, it is only for the 4th and 5th grade students but everyone here is very excited. Sorry they don't accept students below 4th grade, something to look forward to for my third graders.

I hope everything is going well for all my families at Prairieview and I wish you all the best for 2011.

2010-12-22T08:16:00.000-08:00

We have so much to be thankful so to all of you...... our parents, our children and our community members, I wish you a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.

Principal Schultz

Happy Holidays

2010-12-16T13:24:00.001-08:00

What a wonderful time of the year. I hope everyone enjoyed their concerts this week. The choir and the cadet band were excellent. We also enjoyed bowling with the three grade levels and we are looking forward to going to the show as a whole school. The children have been wonderful and are respectful, responsible and safe. I am sure you have heard those words before because that is our new Positive Behavior Intervention System in action. May you all have a wonderful holiday season and continue our pledge of being respectful, responsible and, please during this season, be safe. Happy Holidays, Janeise

Thank you for your thoughts

2010-12-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

I would like to say thank you for all the cards and flowers I have received on the death of my sister; everyone's kind words are so appreciated.
It is great to work with a extended family who truly cares about each other.
Thank you again, Janeise

Now here is what is happening at Prairieview School......

The fifth grade Girl Scout Troop #1810 made fleece blankets for the children in the special needs class at Prairieview School.

At a meeting Hailey Rodden, Damiya Perry, Kailee O'Conner and Emily Brindac chose to make blankets and cards for the "Helping Hands" portion of their "My Community Badge". Delivering the blankets and seeing the happy faces of the children was a perfect way to "wrap up" the project!

Happy Holidays to all

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-19T13:22:00.000-08:00

We have been lucky to have had a visit from Kimberly Thompson who is an author and storyteller of children’s books. In addition to being an author she is an excellent storyteller. She has her Masters of Arts in Curriculum Instruction and Design from Concordia University and still has many friends in the area.
Ms. Thompson made three grade-level presentations
at Prairieview Elementary School on Friday, November 19, 2010. She read her book Toulouse on the Loose, which is a the tale of a French turkey, Toulouse, who travels to Washington DC at Thanksgiving time and discovers why everyone has turkey on their minds. The students still have a chance to order her book and have it autographed and personalized.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and enjoy the time together, Mrs. Schultz

Paper Recycling Fundraiser Comes to Prairieview

2010-11-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

We are happy to announce we will be raising money for our district by recycling paper! And you can help us out, too! Please collect any paper you are going to throw away or recycle (office and school paper, newspaper, magazines, catalogs and construction paper---no cardboard, no phone books) send it in with your child to school or drop it off at the Green and Yellow Paper Retriever Bin in the Lakeview parking lot (near the fence by the Prairieview playground). This bin is available for drop offs 24/7 and the more paper we recycle, the more money we make!

Please help our schools AND the environment!

Have a great weekend, Principal Schultz

PBIS at Prairieview

2010-11-16T13:56:00.000-08:00

What an exciting day Prairieview had on Monday as we celebrated our PBIS recognition day.

Our very own Prairieview Cheer Club led the audience in a cheer centered around the three core expectations of being respectful, responsible and safe at Prairieview School. This cheer was created and choreographed by the students in the Cheer Club and really helped everyone get into the spirit of things!

Corporal Urso and Officer Stejskal from the DuPage County Sheriff's Department and Officer Skweres from the Darien Police Department presented Prairieview School with a special award. This award was in recognition of our work with PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). The officers explained how being respectful, responsible and safe at school leads to making good choices when out in the community.

They also thanked us for our efforts in shaping our students since they are our future community citizens and leaders. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and stays warm. Principal Schultz

Fall is in the Air

2010-10-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

We have completed our first week of MAP testing and it has been going well. We will be sharing information with you as soon as possible. Of course, this is a new test and we are still becoming familiar with all the reports and how to read them. The district staff will be trained on all the numerous reports we will be receiving from these tests on November 2nd during our District in-service day. Remember we have no school on that day which also coincides with state voting, so I am sure I will see many of you voting.

This week was also one of our monthly big PBIS winning days and those students who won got to have lunch with the principal. Every month the students will have a choice of treat to enjoy. This is, in addition, to our weekly drawings which have now been changed from three students a week to eight students. Because of the volume of PAWS we are receiving, students will have more of a chance to win. Ask your child if they have received one yet. I believe everyone has received at least one paw and, if not, they will be soon.

Have a wonderful weekend, Principal Schultz

Teacher In-Service

2010-09-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful day on Friday during our institute day when teachers in District 66 learned about a new assessment called MAP's which stands for Measurement of Academic Progress. It was a terrific learning experience for all. It will be a wonderful tool to identify all the individual needs of our students in math & reading.

I hope you all had a wonderful three-day weekend and are looking forward to another great week.

Principal Schultz

It's Homework Time Again

2010-09-20T05:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is now that time of year when homework starts. Having a routine to do this homework becomes very important whether it be right after school or after playing and a snack. Both are fine, but you have to figure out which works best for your child in order for it to be effective. First, before they start help your children put their assignments in order; idea: suggest they rank homework from the hardest to the easiest and tackle the more complicated work first. Our children grow up so fast and these little tips will

hopefully follow them throughout their life and career.........................even to the big office.

Have a great week, Principal Schultz

Another Great Week

2010-09-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

We had another full week with our curriculum night for fourth and fifth grade. We also have been very busy setting up our reading classrooms to meet the needs of all our students. Our first Market Day of the year was held on Saturday; many turned out to help and get us off to a great start. Our students are doing well with our new PBIS -Positive Behavior Incentive System and receiving many paws for a job well done. Have a terrific weekend , Mrs. Schultz

Our First Week

2010-09-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

What a terrific start! Thank you all for sending your children with the excitement for learning. Everyone was able to find their classrooms and start a great year. We had our first Curriculum Night when all our third grade parents were able to meet their children's homeroom teacher and their math teachers. We changed our format a little from being so formal to a more relaxed atmosphere. I hope you all enjoyed our evening and I certainly enjoyed meeting each of you and showing off our great school. Tonight we will have our fourth and fifth grade curriculum night and I hope you all enjoy yourselves with the new format. With Labor Day over we are now full speed ahead on a new journey, filled with exciting events and learning activities. Have a great week and hope to see some of you tonight, September 7th, at 6:30.

Welcome Home

2010-08-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe but summer is but a distant memory. It was wonderful this week to see everyone returning and filling up the school again. The faculty and staff of Prairieview gladly welcomed our students and parents to another terrific school year. We have introduced our new incentive program called PBIS which stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports which is a proactive system for establishing behavioral and cultural supports needed for students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success. We have our first open house for third grade this Tuesday with 4 and 5th next week, so please come meet your students teachers and hear more about PBIS. Have a great week and see you on Tuesday. Principal Schultz

Calculators

2010-05-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

I have had many questions about students using calculators at home and with the summer approaching keeping math skills sharp is essential. Your child will use a calculator throughout life; so, it is good for him to be comfortable with the tool. He should also know how to do basic math operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division - on paper and in his head. Your child's teacher will usually say when it's okay to use a calculator but at home keep practicing those math facts; it certainly will pay off when they get older and start computing their taxes. Have a great week and enjoy the weather, Principal Schultz

Open House & Book Fair

2010-04-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

I would just like to thank everyone for taking the time out of their busy schedule to come last night. We had a wonderful turn out even though it was a beautiful night and being inside was no the optimal place. Again, let me apologize for the warm building which made it kinda cozy for some but just hot for others. It was extremely nice to see all of you and to see the excitement on our students faces as they showed everyone their special projects.

I would also like to thank everyone who worked the book fair, you all will be truly missed, maybe you could do one more year? :)

Remember to watch the speed limit in front of the school during school hours and to stay off your cell phone in a school zone.

Have a lovely weekend and just a reminder we have an early dismissal Thursday at 11:00.

Principal Schultz

Bald is Beautiful

2010-03-26T13:37:00.000-07:00

Some times our children do things that are truly amazing. As many of you might have heard one of our teachers Mrs. Strong has one of those truly remarkable children. She participated in the St. Baldrick's fundraiser at her middle school. A quote from Mrs. Strong says it all, I have learned a valuable lesson from her about how much change one person can make in a community of friends and family. I also discovered the truth in these words... Bald Is Beautiful!

I would like to thank her for sharing her daughters pictures with all of us. She stated she was a very proud parent and we are a very proud district to know the caliber of teachers and their families. Have a lovely spring break and rest we still have a few more things to teach.

Be safe, Mrs. Schultz

Bullying

2010-03-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

At times I have had students come to me and say I saw someone being bullied. I have also heard that some students are coming home upset because their friends were being bullied on the bus. Here is advice I give my students and you can use this at home. Tell your child they have the power to help and stop the situation if they follow these guide lines.

There are several things they can do in this situation. First, start by reporting it to a teacher or the bus driver immediately when they see this happening. Make sure they know this is not tattling but a way to help someone who is being bullied. You can say, "Asking an adult to help with this situation is like asking the nurse to help someone with a skinned knee".

They can also help buy saying, "That's not very nice" to the bully and ask the person to join them someplace else. Either way the student should not be left to feel alone. We all at sometimes have been bullied and I want our children to know this is something which is wrong and shouldn't be tolerated. I want this to be a safe zone not a place they fear.

ISATS

2010-03-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

ISAT testing is over :) For those of you new to the Illinois school scene, let me explain.
ISAT stands for Illinois Standards Achievement Tests.These tests are given in
grades 3 through 7 throughout the state’s public schools to measure individual student
achievement relative to the Illinois Learning Standards.The results give parents,
teachers and schools one measure of student learning and school performance. The
state assessment scores are used to measure adequate yearly progress (AYP) for all
public schools. All students’ scores are part of the AYP measure, including students with
disabilities and limited English proficiency. Furthermore, the state provides individual
student's results, and schools are issued a State Report Card based, in part, on these
scores.

I am sure our students here at Prairieview did a wonderful job, thanks to our teachers and yourselves. They are all truly a product of the wonderful things which go on here at District 66. So now starts our last trimester; hopefully, everyone will give his or her
best effort during this last grading period. Have a great week and enjoy the weather.

We have a winner !

2010-02-19T11:41:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce to everyone that Karina Kling, our 5th grade student from Prairieview participated in the DuPage County Regional Spelling Bee which took place on February 17, 2010. There were students from 24 schools who participated in this annual event. We are proud to announce that Karina placed 9th out of 27 participants from grades 5th thru 8th. Congratulations to Karina for all of her hard work!!!

Requests for conferences have been sent out this week. This set of conferences revolves around Math. However if you would like to meet with your child's homeroom teacher this is always an open option. Being a part of your child education should be foremost as a parent and showing that you are involved and caring is the first step. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the Olympics

Cell Phones

2010-02-17T07:16:00.001-08:00

The cell phone use banned in school zones started January 1, 2010
Effective January 1, 2010, House Bill 72 became law and bans the use of cellular telephones by drivers while traveling on a roadway through a marked highway construction or school zone. The law contains an exemption for people using voice-activated mobile telephones.
Existing Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/12-610.1) prohibits the use of wireless telephones by most minors while driving on Illinois roads. However, there were no prohibitions on the use of wireless telephones by any other drivers. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that up to 80% of crashes are caused by driver inattention/distracted driving. Dialing on a cellular telephone can increase the chance of crashing by 1.3 times. As many as 10% of Illinois drivers are estimated to be using their mobile phones at any given moment in time. The Distracted Drivers Task Force was created by resolution by the Illinois General Assembly. The Task Force issued its final report in 2008, recommending a ban on the use of cellular telephones while driving through highway construction and school zones. So, please be careful with your usage and stay safe, Mrs. Schultz

Family Book Night

2010-02-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

What a great event ! Prairieview School hosted Family Book Night on Thursday, February 11th. Participating families were given passports to travel around the school visiting book stations. At the stations, they followed directions for a variety of fun adventures with books.

For example, when reading from Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor, they were to dress up in a feather boa and tiara. One student said that what he enjoyed most about the evening was reading with mom and dad. Everyone had a wonderful time and the teachers did a wonderful job creating this event, especially our new library aide Mrs. Gloria Walsh - Rock.

Next year this is a must to put on your calendar.

Have a great Valentines Day and a safe long weekend, Principal Schultz

Strategic Plans

2010-01-25T09:19:00.000-08:00

This last weekend was truly amazing. We had over 75 people here at Prairieview working on our Strategic Plan for the upcoming years at District 66. Many wonderful ideas came from lively conversation on Saturday morning. A big thank you to all those who participated. For those of you who are anxious to see the results, they should be on our website shortly.

Our PV family keeps getting bigger and bigger with boys. As you all know by now Mrs. Cushing's two boys are doing well. Adding to the team, Mrs. Travis also had a boy last week named Benjamin and Mrs. Csorba had a boy yesterday named Jack. We all wish our new little boys their moms and dads the best of health and happiness.

Stay safe and warm this week, Mrs. Schultz

IOWA WEEK

2010-01-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

We finally made it through the week and our students did a wonderful job! However, now it is your turn. Congratulate them on doing their best and when you receive their scores go over them with your child and see where they can improve. We constantly look at this data to effectively develop interventions to help your child meet state scores.

I hope you all have a lovely three-day weekend and thank you to all of you who gave your time to lace up skates. Everyone had a great time skating; as for me, it was just fun watching. Stay safe and warm and enjoy your time with your children.

The IOWA's

2010-01-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

We made it through our first week and a big thanks to all of you who managed to have your students arrive on time. Next week it is imperative that they are on time because IOWA testing begins on Monday and,as we all know, standardized tests are a fact of life for American students. Here is some important information that will help them and you survive next week and the weeks to come.

Encourage, don't pressure.

Encourage your child to do their best, but avoid putting on the pressure. Too much pressure can cause test anxiety and lead to worse, not better, scores. Understand that standardized tests are just one way schools measure a child's ability.

Give the "brain food."

Give your child a healthy breakfast in the morning - remember that good nutrition fuels brains year- round.

Put them to Bed Early

Sleepy students have a tough time succeeding academically and do we all. It's particularly important for your student to get a good night's sleep the night before a test. For most elementary school children about 10 hours of sleep every night is best.

Aim High

Finally aim high and encourage them to do their best this will help them believe in themselves and they will do well.

Have a great weekend and Stay Safe and Warm , Mrs. Schultz

End of the Year

2009-12-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

I can't begin to thank all of you for your help and dedication to our school this past year. We certainly have many things to be thankful for and being a part of a wonderful school district is one of them. We live in a great community with wonderful parents, children and staff members; this is something we must never lose sight of at these times. We are all very fortunate to be part of this community. Again I thank you for all your support.

You are all one in a million !

Have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

Principal Schultz

From the Heart

2009-12-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

The holidays for some are an extremely stressful time of year. To help those who are finding this a difficult time, make an effort to smile or just be understanding to those who are experiencing unrest. I have been away from the office this week learning a new behavioral program and one thing I have found out is that it takes seven compliments to erase one poorly chosen comment. I hope this holiday season you take the time to talk, laugh, reminisce and create happy memories. Remember the best gifts of all are not wrapped in pretty paper and colorful bows but come from the heart.

A Holiday Miracle

2009-12-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

It is so nice to know there are people who are really wonderful human beings. Here at Prairieview our Girl Scout troop 332 (grade 5) has been working on the "Business-wise" patch for the last month by making some craft projects which they sold last Friday. All of the profits are going to a family in our district. The troop's goal was to raise enough money to pay for expenses they will be receiving over time. The sale was a huge success and so far they've made over $550.00.

On Sunday the girls will go on their traditional caroling for canned goods event. They will tell the family that we just want to stop by and sing to them and then the girls will surprise them with the check.

This is our own holiday miracle one which should make everyone proud to be a part of the Prairieview Family. Have a lovely holiday and stay safe and warm, Principal Schultz

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. ~W.T. Purkiser

May everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a lovely extended weekend.

Be Safe and Secure, Mrs Schultz

Allow Yourself to be Guided

2009-11-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

First, let me thank everyone for the wonderful roller skating party we had this week. It was great to see all the dads and moms out there on the floor roller skating like the wind. All the children seemed to be having a wonderful time.

And just another thought -- I usually write in pencil and I feel this little saying was a great simile of how we feel about our students, our little pencils.

A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL FIVE IMPORTANT LESSONS :

1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK.

2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.

3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.

4.) IN LIFE , YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON.

5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm, Principal Schultz

Child Safe

2009-11-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

This week your child received a card with their picture for identification. This picture was taken in conjunction with a 24/7 Rapid Response System from Lifetouch School Portrait and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help families stay safe. To customize this tool please visit http://www.smilesafekids.com/justforschools to download customizable parent/guardian communication tools and child safety tips in both English and Spanish. These materials will help you better understand the SmileSafe Kids program and how it can help children stay safer.

Absenteeism Procedure

2009-10-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Below you will find information about student absences. Have a good weekend and stay warm and healthy!

As the flu season begins this month, we have seen an increase in absences over the last few weeks. Teachers have worked very hard to modify instruction to accommodate students who are absent from school – especially those that are out more than two days. We have been forwarding all information to parents that we receive from the health department regarding H1N1, vaccinations, and any other important information.
If your child has missed school or becomes ill in the future, here are a few suggestions to help keep them up to speed academically. Although it is impossible to re-create much of the instruction that takes place in the classroom, here are some things you can do from home.
We will daily fill out an assignment sheet with all the subjects listed with the current homework. We will then give this sheet and books to the person you have assigned to bring home your child’s materials. If there are simply too many books we will ask you to come to school and get your child’s books and materials. The materials are available by 2:00 in our office which is open until 4:00 each day.

Continue to check your teacher’s blog for additional information: www.ccsd66.org. Teachers post information weekly however, you can always contact her through e-mail or phone at any time. Remember e-mail is the quickest way for a response for your concerns.

Please remember to indicate whether or not your child has flu-like symptoms when you call in an absence. We are required to forward information about absences to the Du Page County Health Department.
Tracking absences in schools across the county have indicated that flu symptoms are high in our area at this time. Hopefully, this trend will end soon!

Mario Karts

2009-10-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it was an exciting end to the school week here at Prairieview. The classes who had the most magazine orders were going to compete in Mario Kart Races on Friday afternoon. The teachers and their students: Ms. Stetka, Mrs. Cushing, Mrs. Sulima and Ms Trefonas were going to compete for the fastest time; however..........due to technical difficulties and 412 students sitting watching adults frantically trying to get the Wii to work, we finally had to cancel.

This was to be a great culminating activity for the school for all their hard work which benefited the whole district. We quickly transformed the gym into a theater and watched Charlie Brown. There was also a pizza party for the classroom that had the most orders and the classroom with the highest percentage of students participating. Those lucky classrooms were Ms. Stetka with 126 orders and Mrs. Cushing with 64% participation.

Thanks to all of our students and their families who helped make our magazine drive a success.

Have a safe and warm weekend, Principal Schultz

Lunch in the Library

2009-10-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

October Book Month

This week we started our “Lunch in the Library” series for students. Almost 100 students participated, munching in the library while listening to fellow students talk about books they have enjoyed reading. Our students did a wonderful job sharing their book reviews! Because we had so many students attending, not everyone got to share their books. But everyone did get the chance to write a review of their book for the library, and everyone received a list of favorites recommended by the group. They had a great time and we hope to see many more students for next month's “Lunch in the Library!”

Have a wonderful long weekend, Principal Schultz

Homework: Play-by-Play

2009-10-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

Since our Mustangs and our Bears are doing well on the field let's look at our team... the homework team...as a sport we all would like to win. First, make a schedule! Together help your child figure out the best time to do homework, if you have them be a part of the process they will take ownership. Also, understand the game plan, remind your child that it is their responsibility to keep track of their assignments.You can help by having them repeat the directions, it makes it much clearer to them and yourself. Finally stay on the sidelines. Be available if your student needs support, but let them know it is their homework not yours. Resist the urge to jump in ---you probably have already done this project for a grade by yourself. After all, homework assignments show your child's teacher what they can and can't do by themselves.

Have a great weekend and remember new band students, lessons start next week , don't leave Mr. Ohlsen alone!

Be careful and be safe, Mrs. Schultz

Boy Scouts - Character Counts

2009-09-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

We were very lucky to have Amy Burrows and Ciara Crowther, den mothers from Cub Scout Pack 48. They came to Prairieview Elementary School today armed with pictures and stories of camping trips, fishing extravaganzas, bow and arrow activities, and derby races, they sought out to recruit 3rd grade boys. Encouraging personal growth in boys age 8 and 9, Cub Scouts have been a staple in Darien and Downers Grove for years and we hope to see many of our students join this worthy group.

Today, we also had a character counts assembly which highlighted all the pillars which represent good character. The children will be asked to wear the appropriate color on Friday to show which represents the pillar being highlighted.

September 11th

2009-09-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

Patriot Day was observed on September 11th in memory of the 2,993 people who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 attacks here in the United States. On that day, two hijacked airplanes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in NYC. A third hijacked aircraft crashed into the Pentagon near Washington, DC. Then a fourth airplane which was to crash into the White House, was diverted by passengers which took control over the hijackers to prevent the attack; that plane ended up crashing in Pennsylvania. Many innocent people lost their lives during this tragedy and many of them through heroic efforts died trying to help others.
Here at Prairieview we observed a moment of silence at the beginning of the day and asked all our students to wear red, white and blue in honor of those heroic people. Many teachers talked to their classes about this day and followed up with different activities. This was indeed a horrible time for our country and should never be forgotten.

Safety Number 1

2009-09-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Since many of our students walk home, please follow the suggestions below.
Your child's safety is number one with us.

Walking in Traffic

Protect yourself and your family by doing these things:
Walk on the sidewalk and crosswalks.
Avoid walking in traffic where there are no sidewalks or crosswalks. If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
Cross at intersections; most people are hit by cars when they cross the road at places other than intersections.
Stop at the curb and look left, right, and left again for traffic.
Stopping at the curb, signals drivers that you intend to cross. Cross in marked crosswalks and obey the signal.

Make sure you check our district web page for all the updated information concerning current topics which are making the news this week.

Have a lovely long weekend and just be safe, Mrs. Schultz

The First Week

2009-08-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard by now we had a winner at Prairieview Elementary School. This year the Metra Railroad Safety Awareness Program invited students in the six-county region to submit poster designs displaying important railroad safety messages. They received over 3,000 entries from hundreds of schools and the winner received a laptop computer for first place.

William Burne a fourth grade student at that time received the honorable first place award. Congratulations to both his art teacher, Miss Smeltzer, and Bill for such a wonderful job.

I would also like to thank all the parents for making our first week of school such a wonderful experience. Everyone came in with a smile and was ready to work. A special thanks to our PTO for all they did to help our teachers smile this week, they are truly a wonderful group.

Remember to order Market Day which is a big help to our fundraising.

Have a great weekend and stay dry. Mrs. Schultz

Welcome Home

2009-08-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome all our new 3rd grade students and welcome back our 4th and 5th grade students. Truly this is my favorite time of year. Some see this time as a closure to the seasons however, I see this as a chance for a fresh beginning. We are all starting with a clean slate only to improve on where we have been and start anew on where we want to be. I am looking forward to a great school year and getting to know each of our students. Have a great week and enjoy our open house on Monday the 24th from 9:00 till 11:00.

Staley Da Bear

2009-05-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

This year we had a special treat with a presentation of Staley the Chicago Bears Mascot. The presentation was an effort to encourage children to make healthy choices for a healthy life. The major goal was to encourge your child to make a conscious decision for themselves when it comes to food. First and Goal was created by Staley Da Bear, the official mascot of the Bears to educate and jumpstart your child's desire to live a smater and healthier life. This is a family project and by making this descion we will all live be scoring a touchdown come the fall. Have a great long weekend and stay safe.

IPA Breakfast

2009-05-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

This year's winners of the Illinois Principal Association were Larissa Gurnic and Cryrus Santiago from Prairieview. This recognition was for citizenship and overall character. The students, their parents and myself attended a breakfast on May 13th to acknowledge the contribution they have made to our school. The featured speaker was Mawi Asgedom, a youth educator, who has dedicated himself to uplifting American students.

Take Your Child to Work

2009-05-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

Last week the annual Take Your Child to Work Day was celebrated on April 23rd. This event was an opportunity for both girls and boys to learn about the world of work, the challenges their parents face, and how school work will help them in their future . We had about 10% of our students attend and for their reflection they had to fill out a form of the activities they participated in and what they learned. It was a wonderful event as always and everyone was happy to be with their parents. The picture is of two of our students, Cannon and Marjorie Brackett with their Mom enjoying the day. Have a lovely weekend and stay dry, Mrs. Schultz

Illinois Principal's Breakfast

2009-04-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

I would like to congratulate the following two fifth grade students who were chosen by the fifth grade team to represent Prairieview at this year’s annual Illinois Principal Association’s Breakfast. This is an honor they will remember and they will be excellent representatives for all our wonderful students here at Prairieview.

Larissa Gurnic – Mrs. Bucklin's class

Cyrus Santiago – Mrs. Bell’s class.

I would also like to thank you all for a wonderful turnout last night at the open house it was very nice seeing all of you taking an interest in our children.
Have a wonderful and warm weekend, Principal Schultz

Open House

2009-04-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that tonight is our Open House and Spring Book Fair

from 6:30 to 8:00. We are inviting our second graders to check out their new

school and our fantastic facility. All the classrooms have been decorated with

our students work and they have done a wonderful job. We are lucky to work

in a district where pride and excellence are displayed by each and everyone working as a team. I

hope to see all of you and enjoy the evening brought to you by our staff and PTO.

Another Winner at Prairieview !

2009-04-08T14:10:00.000-07:00

Citizens Financial Bank is proud to announce the winners of the Abraham Lincoln Essay contest for students in schools in the Darien / Downers Grove area. Citizens Financial Bank sponsored this contest where students were asked to describe one specific individual who has had a significant impact on his/her life and why. Tell us how someone in your life has had an impact on you like Abraham Lincoln impacted so many others. One prize was awarded for grades 4-6 and one prize was awarded for grades 7-8. Each prize includes a $100 savings bond and a $25 gift card.
There were 151 entrants in the contest and the winners were:

Megan Stoppelman – 5th grade -- Grade 4-6 Group-- Prairieview Elementary School
Kishore Palla – 8th grade --Grade 7-8 Group -- Lakeview Junior High

Reading Comprehension

2009-03-20T13:07:00.000-07:00

Does your youngster listen actively when you read aloud? It's a key to understanding what's happening in the story. Try these simple tips to build listening skills:

Ask your child to retell small parts of the story to you or ask him questions while you read. Examples: "What will happen next?" Why do you think she did that?" Find the answers to the questions together.
After you've read a story together two or three times, skip a word or two and have your child fill in the missing words.

Either way if you become an avid reader your child will be come one also. Enjoy the weather and take a book outside both can do wonders for your spirit.

Have a great weekend and stay safe, Mrs. Schultz

The Lights Are Out !

2009-03-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for being so patient during our blackout on Wednesday. Without going into much detail it was a ground fault in our parking lot lights. When the building has no electricity not only are lights and heat are affected, we are no longer have direct service with our fire department. This, as you can see, really becomes an unsafe environment for all our students. Therefore, they received an extra day to enjoy your company. I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend and a safe one, Mrs. Schultz

Testing Week

2009-02-27T08:35:00.000-08:00

Next week we will be testing and nobody likes to take tests. Some of our students get what is called "test anxiety." They are so worried about taking the test they forget all they have learned for the test. Just telling your child don't worry and relax doesn't always work; so here are a few tips to tell your children:

Don't cram. A good night's sleep is more important than an extra hour of studying. Studies show that last minute cramming does not work; so relax and pull from the knowledge you have already acquired.
Read the directions carefully!
Don't be afraid to skip a question and go back later. Don't waste time worrying about a question; you should be able to go on and then return to the item you skipped before time is called.
Remember past tests when you did well. You can do it again.

We have set a good base for our children and they all will do well . Have a lovely weekend and remember we have Monday off -- so just enjoy!

Mrs. Schultz

Beat the morning Rush

2009-02-20T17:22:00.001-08:00

We seem to have many children reporting late in the mornings. I realize with the change in weather it becomes more difficult to rise and shine; however here are a few short tips to ensure a happy and calm school morning.

Check the weather forecast and help your child choose clothes, coat, and shoes for the upcoming day
Have them put their backpack by the door and be sure they put their homework, permission slips inside and a reminder their lunch is in the refrigerator
Together, plan breakfast, and pack a healthy snack or lunch.
Test your child for tomorrow's quiz that one last time.
If you still have problems set their clocks in their room ten minutes ahead this always gives a little cushion.

If you follow this advice you and your child will have a great morning which always sets the tone for the day. Have a great weekend and hopefully we won't be shoveling for long.

Principal Schultz

Presidents Day

2009-02-13T14:07:00.001-08:00

We have had wonderful Valentine Parties here at Prairieview, all the children had a party in their room and enjoyed the day. It was great to see all our students smiling and having a good time.
I hope everyone will enjoy their day off and I hope we all reflected on how all our Presidents were able to make a contribution to our country, for without these men freedom would not be possible.
This Friday we have our Family Bingo Night, February 20th starting at 7:00 till 8:30. This event is free but a donation of an item for the service men and women in Afghanistan would be appreciated for they are the true backbone of our freedom.
Have a wonderful week, Mrs. Schultz

Phone Week

2009-02-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

It seems like everyone in the world has a cell phone including most of our students. This morning a few students came into the office to call home after asking them their phone number I realized no one knew their parents phone number. This included third through fifth, and was I shocked. So we have developed phone week, this week every child has to memorize a number which they can reach a parent. It is an all school effort including teachers, students, office, and most importantly our parents. Please this weekend and all next week practice your phone number because they will be quizzed by our teachers to make sure we keep our children safe and responsible. Have a great weekend.

Art Rules

2009-02-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

Since we have had so many cold and snowy days I thought some of you would be interested in the different art projects we have opened up to our students.

We are asking students to participate in the Darien Woman's Club Creative Youth Art Fair. We have had many winners in the past but remember this is strictly optional but those who would like to participate can send in their artwork and we inturn will forward it. These art pieces will also be displayed throughout the building after the contest.

We will also be entering the Metra Safety Poster Contest this week. The poster contest is about railroad safety ('Safety Rules: Look, Listen, and Live). All posters must be received by Friday Feb. 20th so we can meet collect and mail in before the deadline of March 1st

All of these contests have been discussed in our art classes and the children all know the rules. Have a warm and safe week, Mrs. Schultz

Dental Health Grant

2009-01-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

The Du Page County Health Department has asked if we would be part of their grant for Dental Prevention. This offer has been extended to school districts in Du Page county and is totally volunteer. It consists of an oral screening and height/weight measurement called Healthy Smile Healthy Growth 2009/10. This oral screening and height/weight measurement is free of charge to our third grade students. Screening will take place on January 28, 2009. The consent forms need to be returned to the office by Tuesday, January 27, 2009.

Again with our weather changing hourly please watch our web site and the appropriate radio and television stations. No one would like to see another snow day; well, perhaps some of our students but we will keep you informed. Have a great week and stay warm, Mrs. Schultz

Welcome Back

2009-01-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has rested and ready to come back to school, for I certainly can't wait for school to resume. It was a hard holiday for me,as you might know, my father passed away on Christmas Eve and he will be missed every day. He was a very kind and organized man who wrote in a journal everyday of his life, I only hope, in his honor, to follow in his foot steps.
Thank you for all your cards, flowers, and kind words you are all truly amazing.
I am extremely lucky to work in a wonderful, caring district.

Principal Schultz

Happy Holidays

2008-12-16T11:29:00.001-08:00

Luckily, Santa came early to Prairieview pre-school for he was held up by snow and ice for our other students on Friday. As you may know we close when the High School closes for safety purposes so even though we were plowed and ready, school was cancelled. Our wonderful trip to the Tiviloi will be postponed until the snow melts. Have a lovely holiday season and stay warm and safe.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-04T12:56:00.000-08:00

After our first week of snow and I think I am through with snow blowing and salting and we are just beginning. All the children have been wonderful this week and during recess, we have been lucky not to witness any snow ball fights.

Conferences went extremely well with almost everyone showing up.
Again, thank you all for coming. Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm.

Don't Forget: Friday, December 5, 2008 - 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. - Wreath and Poinsettia Pick Up - Multi Purpose Room

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

As we celebrate this

Thanksgiving Season with our families,

one important part of my family

are the children, the parents and my

wonderful staff of Prairieview .

I wish you all Happiness and Peace and a joyous start to the Holidays.

Mrs. Schultz

We are all winners

2008-11-20T09:17:00.000-08:00

A big congratulations goes to the following students:

Jessica Fortin a fourth grade student in Mrs. Cushing's class. The Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Authority of Northern Illinois sponsored a poster contest in October. Jessica's poster won out of 761 other posters from various grade levels of many schools. Jessica will be receiving a US Savings Bond along with a certificate and other small giveaways. Jessica's hard work has also awarded our school a $2,000.00 gift certificate to the Computer Discount Warehouse. Great Job Jessica!!!

Jeff Spear, a fifth grade student in Mrs. Bell's class, is the winner of the Apple IPOD Nano for having the highest sales in our Wreath and Poinsettia sale. Great Job Jeff!!!

Prairieview did an excellent job in our unexpected fire drill on Thursday. It seems a little dust went into one of our fire detectors and caused the alarm to ring. It is nice to know everyone is prepared and knows exactly what to do.

Have a great weekend, Mrs. Schultz

Let's go Skating

2008-11-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

We had our first all school roller skating party on Tuesday, November 18th. In attendance we had 175 students, 15 chaperones, and 4 teachers. I would like to congratulate our students on their fine job they did at the roller rink, and to our parent chaperones who took on the challenge of riding the bus to the rink.

After our skating party District 66 had our School Board Meeting where we thanked our Board Members with notes and cards made by the students in appreciation for the wonderful job they perform for our school district. Thank you again, to our professional and wonderful school board.

Thanks to all and have a wonderful weekend.

2008-10-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

I thought I would do a little head lice review. The issue of head lice is one that often causes strain on families and the school. In the coming days we will be communicating with all parents about this issue in an attempt to increase understanding about “head lice” as well as District policies and procedures for dealing with head lice. Here is the procedure followed by our schools with regard to head lice:
When a parent notifies the school that a child has lice we check the classmates of that child to insure that the lice have not spread to other students.
If a child is found to have lice at school, the child is sent home immediately with instructions on how to eliminate the lice. Once the child has been treated he/she may return to school.
Mrs. Heckman, our school nurse, checks all students who have been treated for lice after seven days to insure that they are free of lice.
When a child is confirmed to have lice in school, the classroom is vacuumed and desks and chairs cleaned in the event that a louse has jumped off the infected child.
The District complies with all suggestions of the Center for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, and DuPage County Health Department. To our knowledge there are no additional steps that we can take to reduce the incidence of lice in the school setting.
We rely heavily on parents of students to control the spread of lice! Parents are an essential part of the solution to reduce lice!
Future communications will include information about lice facts to help all of completely understand this issue. Should you have specific questions about this issue please contact your

Count Down to Halloween

2008-10-24T12:47:00.000-07:00

Around this time every year we have the State Inspectors and our local fire department walk through our building to make sure that it is safe and secure for all our students. We are proud to report that we received an excellent rating.

We also celebrated Bus Drivers Appreciation Day. We are extremely lucky in this district to have the bus drivers work directly for District 66. A big thank you for all they do for us.

One last thing -- many members of our District 66 were recertified as skilled practitioners in CPR and AED. You can feel safe at District 66.

Safety in our Schools

2008-10-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to attend the DuPage Regional Office of Education where the DuPage States Attorney's Office hosted a School Safety Conference on October 15 to address the issue of promoting a safe -learning envioronment in our schools. Current trends and issues were presented, and the conference featured the best practices in School Safety, a panel discussion regarding school threats and violence, available resources from DuPage County offices, and featured a keynote presentation from the FBI regarding assessing levels of risk, debunking myths, and knowing how to recognize a student who may be prone to violence.
I certainly hope everyone has a wonderful weekend .

Illinois Principal Association

2008-10-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

This week I was privileged to attend the Illinois Principal Professional Conference in Peoria. I attended a variety of legal updates and other small group sessions on topics affecting administrators and schools . One of the speakers were Dr. Christopher Koch, Illinois State Superintendent of Schools, who updated attendees on the state of education in Illinois. I was also able to attend a speech by Michael Dorne a nationally renowned speaker from Georgia who presented, "School Safety Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", which focused on the importance of a safe environment. The mission of the Principals Association is to advance learning through effective educational leadership.

We also had a treat for reaching a magazine sales limit during our magazine drive. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Vetter graciously had four teachers and four students compete in a wild game of Mario Race Car Driving. Make sure you ask your children how much fun we all had with Mr. Coffee, Mrs. Bell, Miss Stetka and Mrs. Cirjakovic and our wonderful students. Have a safe and restful long weekend.

2008-10-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Fall is finally here and all our Chicago teams are involved; some are winners and some are not. However, for us here at Prairieview we are all winners because of the Darien Rotary Club. All our third grade students this year received a Student's Dictionary. Having all our children with a dictionary, written at their level, we are able to achieve much more. Remember this weekend we have Movie Night tonight and Market Day on Saturday; it should be a busy District 66 weekend. Have a nice one and stay safe.

Trouble Times

2008-09-26T12:34:00.000-07:00

I am sure everyone is watching our country trying to bail out many of our financial institutions but you will be happy to hear we had a great financial highlight this week. Midwest Welding Supply has generously given money to our school for our students. We thank them for their continued support and being part of the Prairieview team.
School has been great this week and with each passing week students seem to settle down into more of a regular routine. Hang in there for you are all doing a great job in keeping up.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

2008-09-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

As always this has been a full week, with magazine sales and band conferences -- the building has been hopping. Our first Early Dismissal was perfect thanks to all of you. Now let's have another great week next week. We have Magazine turn-in on Tuesday and picture day on Thursday.
People have been asking me about homework completion and here are a few short ideas that should help. Schedule short periods of work to fit your child's attention span. If she/he has an hour of homework, they can do 30 minutes and then take a break before finishing up. If you are spending an inordinate time doing homework something is wrong because students all have time in the classroom for finishing many assignments. Keep in contact with the teacher if you do spend hours doing homework; she/he should be able to give you a few ideas on how to help your child at home. Have a wonderful weekend and GO Mustangs.

Curriculum NIghts

2008-09-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

I would personally like to thank everyone for the wonderful turn-out for all my curriculum nights. It is just wonderful to work in a district where parents are so involved in their child's education. You have shown that you support your child's learning here at school. Just make sure you show your child how connected you are to our school whether it be spending a few minutes going over their handouts and assignment notebooks or having them read out loud or practicing math facts as you are preparing dinner. Remember life doesn't require that we are the best, only that we strive to be the best.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Parent Link

2008-09-05T12:26:00.001-07:00

I would first like to thank everyone who attended our Parent Link which was held last night. It was a very informative venue for our new "Response to Intervention" program which is tied to our reading curriculum. We have had a great start this year and everyone has been extremely excited about the 2008-2009 school year.
We are focusing on making this a very healthy year and I will be giving tips on nutrition and your child. Have a terrific weekend remember a full week next week, Mrs. Schultz

2008-05-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

Next week is our last week, I can hardly believe it but the year simply flew by.
Today was our final fifth grade gala and it was a great event and thanks to all the mom's who made this a time to remember for everyone.

We still have a very busy last week and in case you don't have our calendar, here are the events.

Monday, June 2, 2008
Third Grade Field Trip – Chicago/Navy Pier
Miss Conley/Mrs. Spakausky

Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Third Grade Field Trip – Chicago/Navy Pier
Miss Carlstrom/Miss Pellin

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
All School Picnic

Have a great weekend