We're excited to share the latest happenings and updates from our school community to keep you informed and engaged. As you read through our newsletter, please remember to click on the green button links to stay as informed as possible!
A note from Mrs. Harris
Dear Little Prairie Families,
It’s hard to believe, but April is here! We appreciate your efforts to stay connected to school, and your commitment to conferencing with your child’s teacher. March conferences were a success-thank you for making the time to talk with your child’s teacher about their progress in school. Communication with you is important to us! We look forward to a strong, productive 10 remaining weeks of the school
year.
As we enter April, we ask that you please keep a few things in mind regarding drop off and pick up:
* If you drop your child off at school, please make every effort to get him/her here on time.
Students should be in the building and to their classrooms by 7:50. Additionally, please avoid dropping students off before 7:30. We do not have staffing to provide supervision prior to that time.
* On occasion, the weather may require us to dismiss our car-riders from inside the building (such can be the case with a heavy rainfall). We ask that you either remain in your vehicle, as usual, or wait on the sidewalk, keeping the doorway clear, and we will dismiss them to you. We ask that you please be patient with us in these situations, as it takes a little more time.
* During both drop off and pick up, please be mindful of the crosswalk that is located near our
digital sign. There are frequently pedestrians crossing during both of the times of day, so we ask that you are aware, mindful and cautious.
* During both drop off and pick up, please wait to advance forward until the car in front of you
does so. Putting your car in reverse in an effort to pull around the car in front of you poses a
large safety concern and an increased risk of an accident.
* Although we have a long stretch of curb between Little Prairie and Prairie View, please avoid pulling up/parking there during drop off and dismissal. This is the space utilized by the PV pick-up line, as well cars that advance forward on to pick up at Prairie View. Thank you for your help with this.
Thank you for your cooperation in our busy parking lot.
April and May are exciting months at Little Prairie as students often make a lot of academic growth.
Spring is in the air!
Focused on growth for all students,
Lindsey Harris, Little Prairie Principal
🍎 Make an Informed Vote 🍎
On April 7, those who live in the East Troy Community School District will be asked to vote on a referendum that would allow the district to exceed the revenue limit by $4 million per year for three years for operational expenses. As families invested in the East Troy Community Schools, we want you to be informed of the possible implications of this referendum.
If approved by voters on April 7, the referendum would allow Little Prairie Primary to continue providing the programs, supports, and opportunities that help our youngest learners build a strong foundation for their educational journey.
If the referendum is not approved by voters, the district anticipates reducing approximately 25 full-time equivalent positions in addition to other reductions. At Little Prairie, this could mean:
Increased class sizes
Outdated curriculum materials
Reduced elective opportunities both in frequency and programming (Smart Lab, P.E., Art, Music & Art)
Reduced capacity to meet student needs in pupil services and intervention
Additional information is available on the East Troy School District website. Please review the facts, stay informed, and cast your ballot on April 7.
Momentum is not accidental.
It is built over time through steady leadership, dedicated educators, supportive families, and a community that values strong schools. It grows when systems are aligned, when instruction improves, and when students experience consistency year after year. In the East Troy Community School District, we are harnessing that momentum.
As measured by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction state report card, our district is currently rated as “Exceeds Expectations.” Both Prairie View Elementary and East Troy High School have also earned ratings in the “Exceeds Expectations” category. East Troy Middle School, after steady improvement and an overall gain of eight points since the previous year, is now rated as “Meets Expectations.” These results reflect sustained effort, intentional investment, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Operational funding decisions directly affect the district’s ability to sustain the systems that have produced these recent gains. Momentum, once slowed, can be difficult to rebuild.
Momentum in a school district leads to stronger outcomes, which builds a stronger community. Public education is not only about the students sitting in classrooms today. It is about the strength and future of our entire community.
It is the Little Prairie student learning to collaborate and solve problems, skills that shape the kind of coworkers, neighbors, and leaders they will become.
It is the Prairie View child building strong literacy foundations that prepare them to participate fully in our local economy and civic life. With consistent investment in curriculum and professional development, our elementary students continue to perform above the state not only in Reading and Math, but also in Writing, Science, and Social Studies. These results reflect a strong, cohesive foundation that begins with our littlest learners and continues through the upper elementary years.
It is the East Troy Middle School student building skills and discovering new interests that may grow into careers serving our region. After investments in curriculum and intervention supports for students, our middle school learners perform above the state in both Reading and Math and are growing at rates faster than the majority of the nation.
It is the East Troy High School student preparing for college, career, or military service, ready to contribute, give back, and build a life right here in our community. We lead the area in students participating in Youth Apprenticeships, ensuring that students are getting the workforce development skills necessary for a variety of fields, while also offering robust opportunities to earn college credit. With intentional investment in both college preparation and career readiness, at East Troy High School, students are preparing for their future, no matter their path.
Momentum looks like stability. Stable staffing fosters consistent relationships with students and families. This trust builds over time. Instruction strengthens when teams remain intact. Progress accelerates when systems are not disrupted.
Even for those without children in the school system, public education touches daily life, through property values, workforce readiness, public safety, community partnerships, local businesses, and the overall vitality of our neighborhoods. Strong schools help create a strong community.
On April 7, our community will be asked to consider a referendum that would allow the district to exceed the revenue limit by $4 million per year for three years for operational expenses. If approved, momentum will continue, as these funds will be used for staffing and programming. Without this funding, momentum could be derailed, as the district anticipates reducing approximately 25 full-time equivalent positions, which will impact class sizes, remove programming options, limit student supports, and undo the systemic planning and work that have built the momentum the district is currently seeing.
This is about maintaining progress and preserving the conditions that allow students, staff, and the entire community to thrive, ensuring our schools continue to meet the needs of all learners and strengthen the East Troy community.
As you prepare to vote on April 7, we encourage you to stay informed and to review the facts available on the East Troy Community School District website. Our commitment remains steady: to create a great place to learn and a great place to work by providing high-quality educational experiences and to continue building on the progress our students and staff have worked hard to achieve.
Momentum matters.
Amy Foszpanczyk - Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning
Taylor Baumeister - Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning
Kids Who Care Month!
April will be a great month for learning about the importance of caring for ourselves, family, others, our community, and our world. Thank you for your participation. If you have any questions, please contact Christine Hamele at 262.642.6730 x2251
👒 Wear a Hat Day 🧢
“Wear a Hat Day” on Thursdays April 9, 16, 23 & 30. Students and staff may donate 50¢ (or what he/she can contribute) and gain the privilege to wear a cap or hat for the day (or $2.00 for all four days). Money will be donated to the East Troy Family & Community Resource Center to help support their programming. Kids can show how they care about their community.
Sidewalk Chalk Drawings
To honor Walworth County’sFamily Strengthening Month, Little Prairie and Prairie View students will have the opportunity, during recess, to create sidewalk chalk drawings of what they like to do with their family. They will also complete a craft in class. Kids can show how they care about their family.
Making Good Choices & Preparing for Future
Classroom Guidancelessons at Little Prairie will focus on feelings, goal-setting, growth mindset, and careers during the month of April. At Prairie View, lessons will address diversity and accepting our differences. Lessons and conversations will empower students to make good choices, prepare for the future, and to care about themselves.
Acts of Kindness
Pay It Forward acts of kindness will be encouraged at school throughout the month of April. Students will be participating in various kindness activities, including decorating grocery bag flyers and creating May baskets for senior citizens to show how students care about others.
Caring for Others
Beginning April 1st, student drawings will go in grocery bags at Hansen's!
Earth Day
Earth Dayis April 22nd. Encourage your child to pick up trash, rake a neighbor’s lawn or implement a way to conserve water in your home. This will help teach your child how to care about our planet.
PBIS - April is CARING month
**We are working towards our next school-wide reward of “Block Party.”
** Just a friendly reminder about completing a bucket drop and sending it to school when you catch your child showing “bucket filling” behavior at home.
**A big thanks to Marcus Theatres: Student Motivation Program for donating two-for-one movie passes (with complimentary soft drinks). When students return “bucket filling drops” for demonstrating bucket-filling behavior at home and in the community, they will receive a movie pass. Additional copies of the “bucket filling drops” can be found here.
📖 Reading News! 📖
Where Have You Been??
The library is working on a new display that features the US National Park System to open up conversation around adventure, ecosystems, conservation and trying new things!
April 18-26 is National Park Week. We would like to feature photographs of your student out in the world! Have you visited one of our Nation's parks or gone on an outdoor adventure? Are you planning to visit a National Park over spring break? We'd love to share your photos as part of this display in our library. Just send a hard copy or email the photo to verkat@easttroy.k12.wi.us by April 15th to participate!
Monthly Reading Calendar
Help your child develop healthy reading habits! A monthly calendar has been sent home in your child's yellow folder, but you may print a new copy here, if needed!
ETE PTO
Get Involved!
The PTO relies on the community to fund, organize & operate activities. Here's how you can help!
Follow PTO Facebook page
Attend a PTO meeting - next meeting April 15th from 3:30-4:30
Lice is common this time of year while families are traveling and visiting others. Please look for extra itching, by your son or daughter and look while brushing or combing hair.
