Prairie Trail STAR
PRAIRIE TRAIL TEXANS
Volume 17, Issue 3
NOVEMBER 16, 2012
PRESIDENT’S PEN Prairie Trail Family:
In this Issue: President’s Pen
1
Principal’s Notes
2
PTA News
2-3
Membership
4
WOW Students
5
STARS
6
Reflections
7
Calendar
8
PTA Board
8
I’ve had the pleasure of hearing LISD Superintendent Dr. Waddell speak a few times in recent weeks and each time he speaks of the importance of community. He paints a vision of our schools being the focal point within our community – a place where people come together, where kids and families play, where sports teams compete, where our local businesses engage in our schools and where our kids feel comfortable in their learning knowing their “community” is involved. When I leave his talks, I’m always inspired but I’m also left thinking about what my role is in his
vision, both as a parent and as a member of our PTA. I really believe it’s as simple as our PTA message this year: GET CONNECTED. That’s our role – as parents, as volunteers, as community members. The most important thing we can do is advocate for our kids (for ALL kids), but we can’t do that in isolation. We CAN do that TOGETHER – as a COMMUNITY. Become a partner with your school for the good of your kids, for the good of all kids and for the good of the community. Get connected. Your PTA offers a number of ways to get connected and it starts with your membership. (If you’ve not already signed
STAY CONNECTED! Want to know what’s going on at Prairie Trail Elementary? Stay connected on Facebook! Our page is updated regularly with important announcements, reminders, event info and more! Visit facebook.com/ PrairieTrailPTA today!
up as a member, please do it now!) It continues with your willingness to volunteer, either with time or ideas or resources. As I’ve said before, there is a place for everyone within YOUR PTA. Join with those of us who have already discovered the connection. We’re looking forward to working with you! Contributor: Jill Zielinski Prairie Trail PTA President jill@fourzs.com 940-367-0355
Find us on Facebook Prairie Trail Elementary PTA Facebook.com/ PrairieTrailPTA
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Prairie Trail STAR
PRINCIPAL’S NOTES Dear Prairie Trail Parents,
Prairie Trail Elementary Principal, Mrs. Chellie Adams
We have had a busy and exciting 2nd six weeks of school with the CCA canned food drive, our PTA Pajama Fundraiser and Pajama Day, 3-5 Book Clubs, the observance of Red Ribbon Week, Mix It Up on the Playground, Mock Election, the Dennis Lee Character Education Program, our Veteran’s Day Ceremony and book drive, Scholastic Book Fair, and a creepy crawly PTA Meeting. I want to express my thanks to the veterans who honored us by choosing to attend our Veteran’s Day Ceremony. Your presence at our ceremony helps the children learn about the
From our Principal, Mrs. Chellie Adams
sacrifices real people make so we can experience freedom in our daily lives. During the month of November, our Words of Wisdom Theme is “Daring to be Your Best”. Our daily words of wisdom messages are focusing on taking responsibility, perseverance, caring, honesty and gratitude. In December we will be talking about gift giving with particular emphasis on the gifts of a positive attitude, friendship, and peace. As we enter into the winter holiday season, there is so much to be thankful for here at Prairie Trail. We get to work with amazing children every day and share their
excitement as they grasp new concepts and gain new skills. We have dedicated and caring teachers who work diligently to prepare exciting lessons and make learning fun for the children. We have parents who partner with us to support student learning and make Prairie Trail the best possible learning environment for each and every student. I want to wish each Prairie Trail family safety in your travels this holiday season and lots of time for rest and fun with family and friends.
PTA NEWS Parking / Traffic Safety When you are in a hurry to bring your child to school, please remember to park only in unrestricted zones. In addition, set a good example for your children and cross in the crosswalk. No jaywalking, please! Please remember traffic and parking rules so that everyone is safe and our drop off and pick up runs smoothly.
Please drive slowly and carefully around our school, especially during drop off and pick up. We need all drivers to avoid parking in the loading/unloading zones in front of the main entrance or the cafeteria entrance during the posted hours of 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Please remember to abide by the passenger loading zone regulations. Use the zone as designed, for dropping off and picking up. Not for parking! Please stay in your cars. Thank you so much for your assistance!.
Volume 17, Issue 3
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GO DADS! Dads were everywhere at Prairie Trail this week! We started the week with our first Dads Committee meeting on Monday and had six dads that discussed ways they hope to be more engaged in the school. They started a list of activities they would like to get involved in and have set a goal of getting at least three to four times more dads involved with this committee. They
will schedule another meeting the first week of December. Watch for eblast information to come on this and please join them. This is going to be a committee to watch! Dads also joined us at book fair this week and enjoyed donuts and time with their kids. It was great to see so many faces filling the library so early in the morning. The kids
were excited to have their dads at school and the enthusiasm carried throughout the day. We also appreciated the extra support for our book fair. THANK YOU DADS for being such great supporters of our school!
DIRECTORY IS ONLINE! Our PTA directory is now available on PTAvenue for those who are PTA members. An email was sent out to those who are members of record to date. If you did not receive an email or would like to become a member, please contact Marie Siebert at marielsiebert@gmail.com.
Your membership dues go directly toward supporting our kids within our school and $7.00 of your $11.50 in dues stays here at Prairie Trail. Your membership also gives you access to our directory, among other benefits. THANK YOU for your support of YOUR PTA!!
SPRING FEST PLANNING IS UNDERWAY Spring Fest planning is under way and we need your help! We are looking for sponsors for games and rides.
Also, we will be having vendors this year. If you are a vendor or know someone who is, please contact us.
If you have a business or your family would like to sponsor an attraction at Spring Fest, please let us know.
Exciting new events this year at Spring Fest is sure to make it the best yet! If you would like to be on our planning team, we would love to have you.
Questions? Contact Amy Allen, Kristi Denton, Shelby Love Spring Fest Co-Chairs 2013 prairietrailstampede@gmail.com
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Prairie Trail STAR
Volume 17, Issue 3
Page 5
WRANGLER OF THE WEEK 2ND SIX WEEKS Congratulations on being a WOW Student! Keep it up! Kindergarten
3rd Grade
Ben Kucenski – Anderson Cameron Judkins - Hale Calista Mahendran - Phoenix Ian Brown - Rosendahl
Vincent Nguyen - Backus Cate McCutcheon – Erickson Shawn Egan - Franks Tate Evans - Hudson Patrick Hellyer - Morgan
1st Grade 4th Grade Blake Salway - Callahan JC Dacunos – Nanny Aaditya Ragam - Ogle Emma Mathis - Pearson
Camden Potter - Kelley Ryan Sparks - Moon Jack Golden - Parker Rachel Brown - Wagley
2nd Grade 5th Grade Logan Moake - Bigham Reese Martin - Domzalski Mackenzie Noffz - Hackett Joshua Park - Pulliam Aishani Raju - Whiteley
Jonathan Lucero - Clayton Emily Lundell - Herauf Kaitlyn Reichenberger - McLaughlin Annette Nguyen - Miller Mariah Wheeler - Reinert Evan Dahlberg - Schnoor
FROM THE NURSE’S OFFICE Please send an extra set of clothes to be kept in your child’s locker. It does not matter if your child is in 5th grade or in K. It seems they always find the only mud puddle on the play ground, sit next to someone who has a spill or worse, at times, it is just wardrobe malfunction. We do have a limited amount of clothes on hand but in many cases the
clothes will be the wrong size. If your child has extra clothes, they can change quickly, feel more comfortable, and return to class. So please, a t-shirt, pants and socks will make all the difference in the school day.
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Prairie Trail STAR
Prairie Trail Elementary STARS and Mallet Masters Prairie Trail STARS pictured from the front left to right are Markea Jackson, Noah Kirkpatrick, Lexie Smoot, and Caitlin Kinder. STARS on the 2nd row are Leland Allen, Thayde Lee, Siddarth Jayakumar, Taiona Farmer-Jackson, and Riya Bhuta.
The Prairie Trail STARS and Mallet Masters, directed by Ardis Rider, will celebrate the winter season with two on-campus concerts for the Prairie Trail population and one off-campus concert. The concert selections are seasonal in nature or just fun songs to sing and play on instruments. The two Prairie Trail concerts will be Wednesday and Thursday, December 12 and December 13 at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. respectively. The STARS and Mallet Masters’ final concert will be Thursday, December 20th for the Lewisville Area Retired School Personnel Association at 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 1002 Fox Avenue in Lewisville. The Prairie Trail STARS is a volunteer performance organization open to Prairie Trail 4th and 5th grade students. Throughout the concerts, members sing and play their recorder of choice: sopranino, soprano, alto, or tenor recorder. Mallet Masters audition for their position on the Orff team. In
addition to singing and playing their choice of recorder, Mallet Masters play graded sizes of xylophones, metallophones, drums, and many other percussion instruments. Mallet Masters accompany STAR song selections or play arrangements written for them. The STARS and Mallet Masters are very excited about their upcoming concert season. It is always a treat for the students to perform for the school. However, it is a great honor and privilege to perform for the Lewisville Area Retired School Personnel Association. Mr. Ken Bridges extended the invitation to the STARS and Mallet Masters to perform for the Lewisville Area Retired School Personnel Association after hearing about the STARS and Mallet Masters from community members. Mr. Bridges stated that he is very pleased that the Prairie Trail STARS and Mallet Masters accepted his invitation. He stated that he and the LARSPA Board are anxious to hear the Prairie
Trail STARS and Mallet Masters perform. The STARS and Mallet Masters perform at retirement villages in the Flower Mound area to honor our aged friends during the winter and spring concert seasons. The LARSPA concert is a wonderful opportunity for the STARS and Mallet Masters to give back to the very people who served Lewisville area students prior to their retirement. Chellie Adams, Prairie Trail Elementary Principal stated, “The STARS performance for the Lewisville Area Retired School Personnel Association is an example of the kind of campus community partnerships we are undertaking as part of LISD’s Strategic Design. Our students will have the opportunity to showcase their musical skills in a real world performance setting, and the retired school personnel will enjoy an engaging holiday concert.”
Volume 17, Issue 3
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UPCOMING EVENTS/SCHOOL HAPPENINGS PRAIRIE TRAIL TEXANS
5555 Timber Creek Road Flower Mound, TX 75028 prairietrailstar@gmail.com
WE’RE ON THE WEB! www.prairietrailpta.org www.PTAvenue.com
November 19—23
No School / Thanksgiving Holiday Break
November 27
McTeacher Night—6-8pm
November 30
Report Cards go home
November 30
Spirit Day
December 12
STARS Concert - 8:00 am (3rd through 5th grades)
December 13
STARS Concert - 9:00 am (K through 2nd grades)
December 13
Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A 5-8pm
December 14
Jingle Bell Jog
December 18
McTeacher Night—6-8pm
December 18
Holiday Party—Kinder & 3rd Grade Classes
December 19
Holiday Party—1st & 4th Grade Classes
December 20
Holiday Party—2nd & 5th Grade Glasses
December 21
Spirit Day
December 21
Early Release—12:15 pm
December 24—January 4
No School / Holiday Break
January 7
Back to school
January 7
Spirit Night at Texas Roadhouse—5-8pm
January 10—January 11
Outdoor School—5th Grade Classes
January 18
End of 3rd Six Weeks
January 18
Early Release—12:15 pm
January 24
PTA General Meeting & Cultural Fair - 6:30 PM - Cafeteria
2012-2013 PTA BOARD Meet your PTA Board Members. Please feel free to contact any of the Board Members with any questions or concerns you may have. President: Jill Zielinski jill@fourzs.com
VP, Membership: Marie Siebert marielsiebert@gmail.com
VP, Programs: Christian Mathis christian.mathis@verizon.net
VP, Budget & Finance: Jay Dee Denton jdenton@twincreeks.com
VP, Communications: Amy Kenney amy.kenney@verizon.net
VP, Volunteers: Jessica Marick jessicamarick@gmail.com
Secretary: Lacy Dreger Lacy.dreger@yahoo.com
Treasuer: Shaunna McNatt mcnattsm@verizon.net
Historian: Brandy Moon bnbmoon@hotmail.com
Parliamentarian: Dawn Zanagar dawn.zanagar@verizon.net
Council Delegate: Marta Dunlap dunlapmm@tx.rr.com
Council Delegate: OPEN
Principal: Chellie Adams adamscs@lisd.net