Prairie Vista Newsletter - Prairie Vista Elementary

Prairie Vista Pawprint
February 2015
Congratulations Prairie Vista Community
State Superintendent of Instruction Glenda Ritz called Dr. Thacker with the outstanding news that Prairie Vista Elementary
School has been nominated by the Indiana Department of Education to apply for the 2015 National Blue Ribbon School award.
It is an honor to be nominated for this very prestigious award. Prairie Vista is recognized by the IDOE as an "exemplary high
performing school" and is one of only eight in the state being nominated for the national honor.
This amazing honor would not have been possible without dedicated students, staff, and parents that work so hard each and
every day!! You should be extremely proud of this nomination! I am so proud of all of you!
The next step is to complete an extensive application. We have formed a Blue Ribbon Committee and we will be working on the
application for the next two months.
Congratulations to the Prairie Vista Community!!
A Message from our Principal
Congratulations to all of our students who took part in Learningsphere! The students did an excellent job presenting their
newly acquired knowledge to the outside judges. I was so impressed by the creativity of the projects. All of the students who
participated should be very proud of their efforts!
I would also like to thank all of the volunteers who donated countless hours to coordinate Learningsphere. It is such a wonderful learning experience for the students and without you it would not have been possible. Our Hospitality Committee provided
breakfast and lunch to the judges and our parents and family members helped with the research that went into many of the
projects. Getting the projects to school proved challenging this year with the Monday snow day and more than a foot of snow
on the ground, but you did it! It is truly a team effort and we want you to know that we appreciate all of you!
And finally I would like to thank all of the people who made Winterfest 2015 an evening to remember and a financial success.
Adults and children alike enjoyed food, fun and festivities. We are grateful for your creativity, dedication and generosity.
Thank you.
Learningsphere 2015
Finalists
Alternates
Faisal Syed-Grade 4
Reagan Ludwig-Grade 4
Noah Palmer-Grade 5
Caleb Anderson-Grade 5
Amanda Baker-Grade 5
Dylan Durfee-Grade 5
Libby Eshowsky-Grade 3
Ellie Palmer-Grade 3
Payton Johnson-Grade 3
Sakina Al-Fadhl-Grade 4
Hannah Huston-Grade 5
Gwyneth Lannon-Grade 4
Anitej Waghray-Grade 5
Phillip Matous-Grade 5
ISTEP+ and IREAD3 Testing
On February 5, 2015 the Indiana Department of Education
Extended the ISTEP+ and IREAD windows
Please remember that all students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will be taking the ISTEP+ (Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress) assessment. The applied skills section ISTEP+ window is February 25th-March13th and the multiplechoice section is April 27th –May 15th. Students in grade 3 will be taking the IREAD3 test March 12th-18th. Please watch
for more information and specific schedules from your child’s teacher. Please avoid scheduling appointments that will
cause your child to miss school during the ISTEP testing windows.
You can assist your child/ren for testing by doing the following:

Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep before a test, and make sure your child eats properly the day of a
test.

Make sure your child has taken any needed medication.

Ensure that your child is present during testing (children generally perform better when taking tests at
their scheduled times rather than at a make-up time).

Arrive at school on time.

Wish your child good luck each morning of the test. Tell your child that he/she is special and that you believe in him/
her!

Remind your child the test is important. Encourage him/her to do his/her best.

Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the directions and each
question carefully.
Young Author’s Conference, Saturday, March 14th
The 2015 Young Author’s Conference is set for Saturday, March 14 from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. at Schmucker Middle School. It
is an opportunity for students in kindergarten through fifth-grade. This year’s conference will feature the talented author
and illustrator Mike Artell. The cost per child is $5 and includes the author’s presentation, entertainment for students and
a special parent session. You must register by Wednesday, February 18th in order to participate so please mark your calendars for this wonderful opportunity. Students must be accompanied by a parent.
For more information about the conference check out Mike’s website for a preview at mikeartell.com.
The Young Author’s Conference is sponsored by Corporations for Education, a division of the P-H-M Education Foundation.
Please welcome Bob Baughman, our new Lab Coordinator. Mr. Baughman will be taking over
from Kathy Veal who has done a terrific job as a long term substitute in that position.
Some of you may know Mr. Baughman as he has worked the past two years as a Kindergarten
Activity Aide here at Prairie Vista.
Prior to coming to Prairie Vista Mr. Baughman worked at Schmucker Middle School. Welcome
Mr. Baughman.
February 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Student Council
Meeting 2:30-3:10
Learningsphere
14
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
B-ball
8
9
10
11
12
13
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
P-H-M Music
Tour
PTO Board mtg.
2:30-3:30 Boy’s
8:45-9:45
B-ball Scrimmage
Student Council
Team Spirit Day
B-ball
2:30-3:45
PVU
Friendship
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
Celebrations
B-ball
1:30-2:10
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
President’s Day
Recess
2:30-3:45
2:30-3:30 Boy’s
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
PVU
B-ball Scrimmage
B-ball
B-ball
23
24
25
26
27
28
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
2:30-3:45
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
B-ball
PVU
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
Science Fair at
Notre Dame
5:30-6:30
B-ball
NO SCHOOL
22
Market Day P/U
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
B-ball
March 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
Student Council
Meeting 2:30-3:10
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
B-ball
B-ball
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
8
9
10
11
12
13
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
ISTEP+
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
IREAD3
IREAD3
B-ball
B-ball
14
PTO Mtg. 9-10
2:30-3:15 Boy’s
B-ball
15
16
17
18
19
20
IREAD3
IREAD3
IREAD3
9:15-11
Snow make-up
day
1st grade to the
Planetarium
21
6-7 pm Spell Bowl
22
23
24
Market Day P/U
5:30-6:30
29
30
31
25
26
27
3-4 pm
6:30-7:30 pm
Battle of the
Books
2nd grade musical
8:00 Birthday
Book Club
APRIL
APRIL
APRIL
1
2
3
Student Council
Meeting 2:30-3:10
28
Learningsphere 2015