PANTHER PRESS
January 8, 2016
Principal's Letter

Dear Parents:

Believe it or not, the staff and administration will soon begin working together to establish class rosters for the next school year.  Parents often wonder how students are placed and if they can request to have a child placed in a particular classroom. Please understand that there are many variables that go into making class lists. Many characteristics are considered such as, but not limited to, making classes that are as balanced as possible, clustering special groups of students together to maximize services, matching students' needs with teacher strengths, and grouping students who will potentially work well together. Because of the complexity of this process, we cannot entertain requests for specific teachers. Doing so would inhibit us from making equitable classes. The most helpful information you can provide will speak to the unique needs, talents, and the personality of your child, or the type of classroom structure to which your child best responds. 

Certainly, we recognize that parents also have good insights into how their children learn. If you would like to request that certain information be considered in a child's placement, please provide this information, in writing, to both Mrs. Motl and me no later than March 1, 2016 . Due to the timely nature of this project, we will not be able to accept letters after March 1, 2016. P arents and students will be notified of their next year's class placement during the month of August. 

Thank you for working with us to support all of our Prairie Grove students.   

Best regards,
Martha Maggiore
Principal

District Information
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration for the 2016-2017 school year will be held on 
Thursday, January 21, 2016 at  
Prairie Grove Elementary School
3223 IL Route 176, Crystal Lake, IL  60014 
from 
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.


Congratulations to our district spelling bee winners and runners-up:
Elementary 
Winner - Anya L. 
Runner-Up - Liesel B. 
Junior High
Winner - Sajiv S. 
Runner-Up - Cheyenne T. 

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WEATHER ALERT! 
WINTER STORY WARNING! 

Saturday, January 30th  is WinterFest at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road starting at  9:00 a.m . We will again have a "blizzard" of activities for all to enjoy. Music, art, winter trail hikes and ending the morning with storytelling. Stay tuned for more information on what's in store.




The R.A.V.E. Review button can also be found on the district homepage. 

Important Information about Lice

Please continue to monitor your children for signs of lice.  This is the time of year when we often see cases of lice in our schools.  We encourage you to periodically check your child's head for any indication of lice. If you would like more information about head lice and examples of proactive measures you can take at home, please refer to the following link: 


A Note From our Junior High School Social Worker

On February 14, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed Public Act 96-1524.  The Act created the "Erin's Law Task Force".  Illinois' Erin's Law calls for the adoption and implementation of a district policy addressing sexual abuse of children.  The law also requires the inclusion of age-appropriate  education for students.  Schools in McHenry county are fortunate enough to be able to have a trained prevention educator available to us free of charge.  For the third year in a row, a prevention educator from Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault will come out and present to our students.

6th grade presentations took place on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 during their social studies class.  The main theme of their presentation was on empowerment. They discussed safety while babysitting, at home, on the streets and in school situations.  They also talked about the importance of saying "NO", getting away and telling a trusted, safe adult immediately.  Each student was given a handout to take home and share with you.

7th grade presentations will take place on  Tuesday, January 12, 2016 during their social studies class.  These presentations will focus on sexual harassment.  They will discuss the difference between flirting and harassment, with the key difference being that sexual harassment is unwelcome.  They will be asked to share a handout with you that explains behavioral, verbal, non-verbal, physical, digital sexual harassment and how they can get help if they are ever in that unfortunate situation.

8th grade presentations will take place on  Tuesday, January 19, 2016 during their math class.  These presentations will focus on dating violence, a pattern of abusive behaviors used to exert power and control over a dating partner.  A handout will be distributed for them to share with you.  It offers "Dating Rights", as well as a description of physical, verbal/emotional, sexual and digital abuse.  In addition, they will be provided with a nice visual of a "Healthy Relationship Wheel".

A Note From our Elementary School Social Worker

Elementary Erin's Law Presentations will occur on  February 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th. 

Representatives from the CARE Center will discuss a variety of the following concepts:
  • Safe touch, unsafe touch, unwanted touch 
  • The Boundary Zone (areas of private parts) 
  • The Safety Rule (No one should touch your private parts, except to keep you clean and healthy.) 
  • Secrets ­ Good vs. Bad 
  • Saying "No" and "Run Away" 
  • Identifying and learning to tell safe, trusted adults who are not touching you 
  • When someone breaks the safety rule, it is not the child's fault
For more information, please feel free to contact the CARE Center, satellite office of NW Center Against Sexual Assault directly at 815-671-4004.  Our presenter this year is Melissa Carlson, if you would like to ask for her by name.  As always, our school social workers are always willing to speak with you directly.



8th Grade Graduation Information

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How would YOU like to be guaranteed FRONT ROW seats for graduation?

On Thursday, January 14, 2016, Mrs. Jeanne Salazar, 8th grade team leader, will be emailing a video to all 8th grade parents with important information about the end of year graduation activities. There will be a link in the email to all the forms mentioned in the video.  If all the forms are completed and turned in and all fees are paid in full by February 17, 2016, your family name will be entered into a drawing to win four front row seats to graduation. WOW! 

Please watch your email carefully on Thursday, January 14, 2016 so you don't miss this 
important video.


Graduation Gowns

8th graders will need a green Jostens gown for graduation.  If you still need to purchase one, please send $20.50 to the JH front office before  Jan. 29th .  Checks can be made out to Prairie Grove Jr. High.  If your child will be using a previous gown from a sibling, please make sure the office is aware of this. 

Junior High Information

Vision Screenings for
8th Graders
  Week of  February 8th, 2016

Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this vision screening  if  an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report indicating that an examination has been administered within the past year. Vision screenings are not an option. If a vision examination report is not on file at the school for your child, he/she will be screened.

*If your child wears glasses for any reason, PLEASE  make sure they bring them to their screening session!!

Please don't hesitate to call Diane Chlebicki at 815-444-4342 if you have any questions.

Student Safety

If you are picking up your son or daughter from the junior high, please remember to pull up to the front of the building. Students are not allowed to walk to their parent's car.  
Thank you.
PTO Information

SAVE THE DATE
Looking Ahead...
Important Dates to Remember


Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Board of Education Meeting
JH Library
7:00 p.m.

Friday, January 15, 2016

No School
Teacher Institute


Saturday, January 16, 2016

8th Graders Leave for Washington, D.C. 


Monday, January 18, 2016

No School
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 

Friday, January 22, 2016

PTO Variety Show
7:00 p.m.
MPR

Prairie Grove Elementary - 815-459-3023

Prairie Grove Junior High - 815-459-3557 

Fax - 815-356-0519

Attendance Line - 815-459-6967