PTO Newsletter March, 2013 Newman’s News I need your help for those of you that drive your kids to school in the mornings. The biggest concern I have relates to safety. The solution will require patience on the part of everyone, which may be inconvenient. However, I think we all can agree that if it makes a situation safer, it is worth the extra time and convenience. Students can be dropped off at 8:35. Dropping off before 8:35 creates an unsafe situation for your child(ren), as supervision does not begin until 8:35 and students are not admitted into the building before that time. In the parking lot, cars should not go around each other to pass in or let out a child when the car is not adjacent to the sidewalk. Patience is needed on the part of all, especially on days when children are a bit slow in getting out of the car. Parents, if you need to get out of the driver’s seat to assist your child, there are two options: 1) Wait in the car rider line until you can pull past the sign that states, “Pause here to drop off your children” or, 2) Park in the parking lot.

Please do not continue to get out of your car if you are parked before the sign that states, “Pause here to drop off your children” Finally, the last thing everyone can do to speed up the efficiency is to drop off the students as soon as you approach the building, instead of waiting to drop off by the gate. Kenosha Unified will be holding the first annual Academic Showcase at Indian Trail HS on Saturday, April 27th from 9:00-2:00. Every school in the district will be on hand, sharing student projects and work samples, highlighting the best their school has to offer. More information will be shared as we get closer. Hope to see you there!

PTO President’s Letter March Madness! Before the “madness” of spring begins, we need to start this month by giving a gigantic THANK YOU to our Winterfest chair, Jessica Ventura and a round of applause to all of her Winterfest chairpeople for an OUTSTANDING job bringing Winterfest to Prairie Lane this year. We had a great turn out of Prairie Lane families for the silent auction, raffles, games and food. It was a huge success! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we will hopefully have all of the numbers ready at our next PTO meeting on Thursday, March 21st. As I have stated before (and will again) we would not have great events such as this without the willingness of Prairie Lane parents to jump in and help. YOU are what makes the PTO events here so wonderful. If you are looking for a place to help, please contact any board member. We are always in need of some helping hands, such as with Market Day and other PTO sponsored activities. Hopefully as we “spring forward” our school year will continue on with success! Tracy Haase Prairie Lane PTO President

From the Gym Jump/Hoops for Heart Thanks to Students / Parents / Staff / PTO who helped with this year’s Jump/Hoops for Heart. Students Jumped and Dribbled during their gym classes a few weeks ago to raise money for the American Heart Association. Prairie Lane has a proud tradition of doing well raising money for a great cause. Roller Skating Roller Skating slips are going home soon. We will be roller skating from April 22nd - May 10th. Please return to school ASAP.

From the Art Room Please save egg cartons and empty rinsed creamer bottles for the Art Room! We have plenty of tubes and newspaper. Thank you again for your creative treasure donations. ( it's not junk!)

From the Library Welcome to “Book Camp!!” (For Students in the 4/5 Family) •

For every 5 AR points earned, you will get a STAR on the “Book Camp” board outside the library.

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Reach 50% of your AR goal (either personally or homeroom) and earn a “READ” book marker!

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Reach 75% of your AR goal (either personally or homeroom) and earn an Apple/Carmel sucker!

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Reach 100% of your AR goal (either personally or homeroom) and earn your “Dog” tag!

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ALL students that reach 100% of their goal will have their names entered in a drawing to win a “READ” t-shirt!

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ALL students reaching 100% of their goal will receive a “Liberty Pass” to attend a “Camp-Out” (in the gym) with tents & s’mores on April 12th!

Choir News NOTES FROM THE MUSIC ROOM PROGRAM SCHEDULE CHANGE PLEASE NOTE: Originally scheduled for March 19th, the second and third grade families will be presenting their musical program, "Feelin' Good - A Celebration Of Health And Well-Being," APRIL 16TH at 6:00 PM in Mahone Middle School's auditorium. More information concerning the rescheduling of the 4/5 musical will be available next month. Future program dates to note are: May 8, 2013 - Kindergarten and Grade One @ Mahone, 6pm May 14, 2013 - Band, Choir and Orchestra @ Prairie Lane, 6pm TBD - Grades Four and Five @ Mahone, 6pm

There is still time for more Prairie Lane vocalists to participate in choir. If your 4th or 5th grade students like to sing, please encourage them to join us on Thursday mornings. If transportation is a problem, perhaps we could work out a car pooling arrangement! Videography Volunteers Needed While our music programs are always best experienced "live," it is nice to have videos to save and share with the community via KUSD cable channel 20. Ideally, it would be great to have two videographers for each program, one to catch close ups and the other for the wide shots. If you have video equipment and are willing to record one or more of our upcoming programs, please contact me either by phone (359-3641) or email ([email protected]) as soon as possible.

Recorder Update Letters and order forms will be going home soon for third grade students who will be studying recorders during the fourth quarter. In order to keep costs as low as possible, this year we will be purchasing the Canto one-piece soprano recorders with the Hands On Recorder Book. The total for the package will be $6.00. Of course, if your child already owns a recorder, only the book will need to be purchased. Parents, watch your child's Thursday folder for more detailed information.

Yes indeed, March is Music In Our Schools Month. This year’s theme is “Orchestrating Success.” If any of you recently attended Band-ORama or Choral Fest, you certainly will agree that there are many successful young musicians in Kenosha/Pleasant Prairie! Thanks to all of you for your continuing support of music education for our kids.

Winterfest 2013 brought in $5,000! Thank you to everyone who supported Prairie Lane! GREAT JOB! The Prairie Lane PTO would like to thank the following businesses & individuals for their generous donations to our Winterfest: Artistry Hair Salon Craig & Robyn Evans Brian & Jessica Winnie Proctor & Gamble c/o Therese Claypool Kari Ray Jeff & Betsy Crabtree Joyce & Bill Erickson Ms. Langerman Snap-On David Newman We Mean To Clean Matt & Monica Phillips Microsoft c/o Nancy Cornell SC Johnson c/o Angie Avirama Salute Restaurant Mrs. Foley Christi Gallagher Jenny Hermes Tracy Haase Melissa Eritano Lynn Troha Nicole Beddigs Nicky Ichen Carrie Shane Erica Ekkela Dana Cash Therese Claypool Steve & Patty Ignarski Jessica & Dominic Ventura Jill Taylor Jean Dippel Danielle and Cory Torkelson

John & Pam Delfrate Tanya & Tony Perri Bill & Manon Buss Eleni Buss Chuck and Dawn Gustafson Mahone Students: Emilie Valdez, Jaileen Gonzalez, Kaitlyn Trifone, Karlie Dostal, Shaye Dostal, Blake Schwandt, Keegan Marifern, Hailey McCarthey, Kayla Lange, Keri Larsen, Jayna McCracken Lance students: Arin Ficker, Leah Tirabassi, Karlee Venezze, Rachel Riese, Madison Clarke, Sarah Armstrong, Kaitlyn Keel Alex Haag, Alyssa Raetzman, Katie Pollock, Josh Nelson, Andrew Dorst, Josh Casillas, Gemma Delfrate, Najwan Hammad Harborside StudentsBrady Cornell, Blake Cornell, Nicky Ichen Sarah Wajerski Jennifer Marhefka Tara Pottala Therese Claypool Courtney Craig Jacque Bridgeman Nicole Johnson Julie Schmitt-Larson Jennifer Kenefick Karen Geryol Patty Ignarski Stephanie Troy Becky Persak Nancy Cornell Kathy Keberlein Holly Seidman Kristy Vavra Ashley Goergen Janel Wamboldt Kim Modory Peggy Smith Nicole Zeller Dawn Casillas Jill Powell Lacy Pearl Jennifer Grabot Judy Alley Kyra Geryol

Desiree Harrington Christy Selin Larinda Becker

Classroom Basket Winners! Congratulations

Wrap It Up/Stationary: Tanya Perri Chocolate Lovers: Jessica Winnie Birthday Party: Marhefka Family After School snacks: Maddy DeWulf Scrapbooking: Olivia Valentine Ice cream sundae: Renner Family Family Game night: Nate Neau Mexican #1: Dippel Family Mexican #2: Joyce Erickson Tailgating: Owen Goergen Baking: Mrs. Geryol Gardening: Rhonda LaMont Sports: Casillas Family Italian: Jenni Hermes Car Wash: Hamelink Family Picnic/Day at the Beach: Guilia Family

The PTO board would like to acknowledge the OUTSTANDING contributions made by our Winterfest

Chairpeople! We sincerely thank each of you for your time, creativity & hard work! This event would not have been possible without the dedication of the following parents: Kerri Valentine– Bake Sale & Cake Walk Manon Buss – Cafeteria Food & Drinks Pam Delfrate – Classroom Baskets Erica Ekkela – Ticket Sales Dawn Gustafson – Party decorations, signs and photo area Tanya Perri - Games and Prizes Robyn Evans – Silent Auction

In addition to our chairpeople, we would like to thank the following parents, grandparents, teachers, students and friends of Prairie Lane, who donated baked goods or gave their time and talents to help put on our Winterfest 2013 celebration!

PTO Committee News and Updates

Spirit/Popcorn Day

Wednesday, March 20th! The ONLY caps that should be turned into Prairie Lane from this point forward are from Swiss Valley and Prairie Farms. They will also ONLY accept caps from white milk. The acceptable color caps are RED, BLUE, AQUA and PINK. Please remember to wash the caps before sending them into the school. I appreciate your assistance. If you have any questions please contact: Kim Snyder: 697-6046

Thank you to Betsy Crabtree and Danielle Torkelson for their food donations to the teachers during conferences. You are greatly appreciated!

The next Market day delivery is scheduled for Monday, March 25th from 4:30 to 5:30 in the gym.

We Need Your Box Tops!! Please keep clipping and ask all of your family and friends to save too!

Popcorn will be sold for $.50 per bag. Limit TWO per student. Don’t forget to show that school pride by wearing your Prairie Lane spirit wear or blue and gold!

Teacher Appreciation Week will be from May 6th-May 10th! More information on the agenda will be published in the April Newsletter. We would be grateful for the following donations: paper plates, cups, plastic silverware, napkins, cases of soda, bottled water, large bags of plain M&Ms, crystal light packets. Please contact Becky Longrie ([email protected]) or Melissa Eritano ([email protected]) if you are able to provide donations.

Mark Your Calendars!

Mark Your Calendars!

March 1st No School for students 1st Parent Teacher Conferences, 8:20 – 10:20 am 4th Black History Bee @ Prairie Lane 5th Intramurals, 3:50 – 5:25 pm 6th Room 229 field trip to Armitage to see Music man, 11 am – 1:15 pm 6th Black History Bee @ Reuther, 9:30 am 7th Choir Practice, Grades 4/ 5, 8 am th 7 Chess Club, 3:55-4:55 pm 8th Rooms 109/210 field trip to Hawthorne Hollow, 9 – 11:50 am 8th Early Release, 12:35 pm 12th Intramurals, 3:50 – 5:25 pm 14th Spring Picture Day th 14 Choir Practice, Grades 4/ 5, 8 am 14th Chess Club, 3:55-4:55 pm 15th Rooms 104/107 field trip to Hawthorne Hollow, 9 – 11:50 am 15th Family Fun Night at Action Territory, 410 pm 15th Early Release, 12:35 pm 19th Intramurals, 3:50 – 5:25 pm 20th School Spirit Day/Popcorn Day 21st Choir Practice, Grades 4/5, 8 am 21st Scrabble Club, Grades 4/5, 4-5 pm 21st Chess Club, 3:55-4:55 pm 21st PTO Meeting, 7 pm nd 22 Deputy Friendly Safety/Bullying Assembly, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. 22nd Early Release, 12:35 pm 25th Market Day Pickup, 4:30 pm 26th Intramurals, 3:50 – 5:25 pm 27th Grade 3 Instrument Parade, 3:15 pm th 28 Choir Practice, Grades 4/5, 8 am 28th Close of Session, 12:35 p.m. dismissal 28th 3rd Quarter Ends th 29 No School

April 1st – 7thNo School 8th School Reopens 9th Intramurals, 3:50 – 5:25 pm th 11 Choir Practice, Grades 4/ 5, 8 am 11th Chess Club, 3:55-4:55 pm Early Release, 12:35 pm 12th 15th Grade 5 field trip to Reuther for KSO concert, 12 – 1:30 pm th 16 Intramurals, 3:50 – 5:25 pm 16th Grades 2/3 Music program @ Mahone, 6:30 pm 17th School Spirit/Popcorn Day 18th Choir Practice, Grades 4/ 5, 8 am 18th World of Jump Roping Assembly th 18 Chess Club, 3:55-4:55 pm 18th PTO Meeting, 7 pm 19th Early Release, 12:35 pm 22nd Roller Skating Begins in Gym Classes 22nd Grade 5 field trip to Camp Timber-Lee 23rd Intramurals, 3:50 – 5:25 pm rd 23 Grade 5 Camp Timber-Lee Field Trip. Students to return at 4 pm 25th Choir Practice, Grades 4/5, 8 am 25th Scrabble Club, Grades 4/5, 4-5 pm 25th Chess Club, 3:55-4:55 pm 26th Early Release, 12:35 pm th 29 Book Fair Begins 29th Grade 5 Field Trip to Kenosha Public Museum, 11:45 am - 3 pm 29th Market Day Pickup, 4:30 pm 30th Book Fair, Muffins for Moms, 7:458:45 am 30th Room 226 Field trip to Hawthorne Hallow, 8:55 am-2 pm 30th Intramurals, 3:50 – 5:25 pm * All Dates and Times Subject to Change

Go to http://prairielane.kusd.edu/ and select the calendar tab for any changes.