Few days will stick with me like today will.  We have had a truly special day at Prairie Hill today.  This morning, through the help of an eager and outstanding staff, we welcomed more than 650 members of the community in for a free breakfast.  This was our first Sweets with Someone Special breakfast, and it seemed to be a rather smooth and very enjoyable experience.  Thanks to Mrs. Michelle Barnhardt and Custom Cake Creations (815-389-3188) for her exceptional talents in making the breakfast a tasty one. 

Following a wonderful breakfast, an even greater treat awaited some of our students.  Thanks to humanitarian work being done by Mr. Rosborough, Mrs. Hill's 4th grade class was able to complete their third web chat with Kenyan students.  Few things have ever put more of a perspective on the world as that chat.  The students have learned more from their connection with Mr. Rosborough's work in Kenya than likely any other unit they've been part of.  The class has taken it upon themselves to start a penny drive to raise money for the orphanage the students of Kibera, Kenya live in.  If you would like to donate money, you can drop it off in their Drive Bucket or can send it to:

ATTN: 4th Grade Penny Drive
14714 Willowbrook Rd.
South Beloit, IL 61080

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for all you do to make Prairie Hill a fa

Amy Mylin joined the PHS staff this year as the part-time Reading Recovery teacher.  She is not only an employee, but also the parent of two Prairie Hill students.  She previously taught in the Rockton school district before taking time off following the birth of her children.  This is her first foray back into teaching, and she has joined sister-in-law Emily Breakfield as a member of the PHS staff.  Here's a little more information about Mrs. Mylin:

1.  If you could witness any event, past, present, or future, what would it be?  Finding a cure for Alport Syndrome
2.  What is the best book you've ever read?  Kite Runner
3.  What do you miss most about being a child?  Unlimited play time
4.  If you were immortal for one day, what would you do?  Scuba dive
5.  What do you absolutely hate doing?  Grocery shopping with my three kids
6.  Have you ever had a nickname?  Tomato Face
7.  What secret talent do you have?  I can karaoke every word to "Baby Got Back".
8.  What do you consider your greatest achievement?  Being my kids' mom
9.  Where is your favorite place in the world?  Jost Van Dyke, BVI
10.  What is something that many people don't know about you that you don't mind sharing?  I founded Fighting Alport Syndrome and with the help of many wonderful friends and family members, we raised over $30,000 in the last two years to help build awareness and find a cure through research. 

We would love to welcome any and all families to come out and complete our story tour of Clement Clarke Moore's timeless tale, Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Every class has taken on a different part of the poem, creating a beautiful building-wide version of the story.

Our debut for the story will be during the K-2 Winter Concert on December 6th.  Even if you do not have a child performing, feel free to join us and to take in what we hope will become a holid

We are fortunate to have a talented and dedicated staff at Prairie Hill.  I have mentioned this before, but I was thoroughly blown away by the time and effort put in by the staff over the summer.  There were a number of teachers who neglected summer vacation and spent it in their non-air-conditioned classroom.

The hard work that they put in to their craft has paid off.  Last year, Prairie Hill School was the second-highest performing school in the Rock River Valley (out of more than 140 schools), behind only Washington Gifted Academy.  This is due to a number of factors: hard-working students, involved and supportive parents, and a caring and knowledgeable staff.

It's always nice when hard work gets recognized, and recently, four of our teachers (and an additional staff member) were nominated for the Golden Apple Award.  Kindergarten teacher Roxann Persekian, 1st Grade teachers Chris Pickel and Jacki Davenport, and 4th Grade teacher Chuck Leonard were recognized as outstanding classroom teachers.  We already have two Golden Apple winners in our building, Shannon Anderson (Kindergarten) and Traci Hill.  I also want to make sure Rick Hall, our custodian, gets recognized for his nomination as well.  He was nominated by a parent for his caring and compassionate work with Pra 

Dear Prairie Hill Parents,

At Parent-Teacher Conferences, you may notice a change from previous years.  At PHS, we are de-emphasizing grades and are looking to push the focus on the ability of the student.  To help us move towards that goal, each student recently completed a first-quarter benchmark.  These assessments in Reading, Math, and Writing were developed according to where students should be in their grade level at the end of the first quarter.  These assessments are a way to see where your child is succeeding and where he/she is currently struggling.  The desire is to move the discussion away from what has already happened in the class (the traditional conference) to what can be done moving forward both in the classroom and at home.  Our hope is that you are able to leave the meeting feeling as though you have a firm grasp on where your child is and what you can do to help move him/her forward. 

The benchmarks were developed by the grade-level teachers this year.  The students in each grade take the same assessment benchmark as their fellow classmates regardless of the teacher.  For example, the first grade students in Mrs. Smith’s class will take the same 1st quarter assessment as the students in Mrs. Pickel’s classroom. 

This is a new process for many of us here, as it probably is for you as well.  This being the first year, I expect that there will be some bugs in the system that will work themselves out as we go along.  If you have any questions or concerns about the process, please share them with your child’s teacher or contact me at 815-389-3957 x6702 or finnegank@prairiehill.org.  I hope you enjoy our new outlook and I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Your Partner in Education,

Kevin Finnegan

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Mrs. Pickel runs the Pickel Patch classroom in 1st grade.  If you haven't had the chance to meet her or get to know interesting things about her, here's a quick look at what makes her unique:

1.        If you could witness any event, past, present, or future, what would it be? 

I would like to be around when they find a cure for cancer and AIDS, and I would also like to be here to see what technology will be like in the future.

2.       What is the best book you’ve ever read?

Bridges of Madison County.

3.       What do you miss most about being a child? 

The freedom of no schedules and time frames.  Just living each day knowing the only obligation is to play and have fun!

4.       If you were immortal for one day, what would you do?  

I would like to fly in a MiG fighter jet at supersonic speeds.  (Wouldn’t mind having Tom Cruise as my wingman, either!)

5.       What do you absolutely hate doing?  (Hopefully it’s not working…) 

Exercising!

6.       Have you ever had a nickname? 

No, I have only been called by my first name (Chris).  However, my children are NEVER called by their first name.  They are only known as … PICKEL or DILL.

7.       What secret (and unusual) talent(s) do you have? 

Nothing secret and unusual!  Just the talent of being able to juggle multiple schedules between work and my kid’s sporting events and being able to fit everything in and attend as much as I can.  ‘Proud mom of four busy kids!’ 

8.       What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

Graduating from college, becoming a teacher, getting my Master’s Degree, and working at a school like Prairie Hill!

9.       Where is your favorite place in the world? 

Anywhere, preferably warm, that I can be with my family enjoying time together.

10.   What is something that many people don’t know about you that you don’t mind sharing? (Don’t hold back, go ahead and brag here.)  

I have four children, three of them are triplets, and the triplets were born on my older daughter’s birthday.  All four of my kids have the SAME birthday, and the triplets were born three years after my oldest!   Our dog and cat have the same birthday too!   Isn’t that Amazing! 

The teachers are Prairie Hill are exemplary.  They put in time, money, and effort above and beyond the expectations.  I remember coming in for the first time in late June, long after the students had left for the summer.  Yet, here were a number of teachers, working on their rooms, their plans, their collaboration.  They did not take the summer away, and it's evident in their work in the classroom.

Has your child had a truly awe-inspiring teacher here at Prairie Hill?  If so, maybe it's time to recognize him/her for the outstanding enthusiasm and effort put into the profession.  The Rockford Golden Apple Foundation is accepting nominations for amazing teachers in Winnebago county (grades K-5 only) from now until October 17th.  You can submit an on-line application here.  Let them know you care and that their hard work is not going unnoticed.

In just her third year in the district, Mrs. Wright has filled many roles.  She has been a Reading Recovery teacher, Gifted teacher, parent, and now, 1st grade teacher.  She came to Prairie Hill with a wealth of experience earned down in Florida and she has brought a great deal to the staff here.  Get to know her a little better from her little interview.

1.        If you could witness any event, past, present, or future, what would it be?

It would be fun to go back and watch my sons being born.  I would love to revisit them when they were just little babies and relish the moments that I took for granted, time has flown by too quickly!

2.       What is the best book you’ve ever read?

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet 

I love historical fiction as well as Jodi Picoult (I love wrestling with all the moral dilemmas) I hate to admit it, but I loved the Twilight series too!

3.  What do you miss most about being a child?

Having no responsibility and my summers spent at our lake cottage in Northern Michigan.

4.       If you were immortal for one day, what would you do?

I would go ski diving or cliff diving.  I think it looks amazing but I definitely am not brave enough to ever attempt in my ‘right’ mind!

5.       What do you absolutely hate doing?  (Hopefully it’s not working…)

Basically any household chores:  cleaning the house, doing the laundry, putting laundry away etc…..

But on the flip side I absolutely love mowing the grass.  Who would have thought????

6.       Have you ever had a nickname?

Amers and Baby Ruth

7.       What secret (and unusual) talent(s) do you have?

I am the master at “Whirly Word” and love to play Texas Hold ‘Em.  Also,  I have the uncanny ability to figure out the plot/ending of most movies within the first 15 minutes.  It really is no fun to watch movies with me!!

8.       What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My beautiful family, I am truly blessed by a family that supports me in everything and anything!!

9.      Where is your favorite place in the world?

Sorry, I have 2 favorites…. Northern Michigan in the summer and South Florida in the winter.

10.   What is something that many people don’t know about you that you don’t mind sharing? (Don’t hold back, go ahead and brag here.)

I have lived in 7 states throughout my life. I have taught in 4 states and truly see how awesome PHS is.  I am lucky to teach in this district and clearly see how my own children benefit from the exceptional staff and administration at Prairie Hill.

I imagine your children slept pretty soundly on Friday night following our jog-a-thon.  The weather was perfect, just cool enough to keep us comfortable and no wind to speak of.  The turnout was astounding, as parents encased the entire track outside, cheering the students on as they completed their laps.  The timing couldn't have been much better, as it began raining right as we began sending students back to their classrooms.

Everything is preliminary at this time, but I am expecting some record-breaking distances this year from the students.  Eric Harris and River Sterud each completed 22 laps, which is equivalent to 5 1/2 miles in just 45 minutes. Quite impressive from both of them.  There were a number of students in the 16-20 lap range, and I look forward to posting all of the results when they become final. 

Just a reminder that all jog-a-thon fundraising money is due on Friday, September 30th.