PRATT PRESSUpcoming Events

November 17: Site Council meeting 4:45, PTO meeting 5:30-7

November 19: Native American Family Invol-ment Day: All-school assembly with The Little Thunderbirds Drum and Dance Troupe 10:40

November 20: True Food Taste Test

November 25-27: No School Thanksgiving break

December 4: Picture Retake Day

December 12: Movie Night at Pratt. Stay tuned for details

December 15: Site Council meeting 4:45, PTO meeting 5:30-7

December 18: Breakfast and Books,9:25-10am

Dear Pratt Families,

We have come to the end of the first academic quarter of the 2015-16 school year. Teachers have finished entering grades on the report card and we plan to send those home to par-ents in the next week.

Report cards and parent/teacher conferences are two ways to be informed about your child’s progress. We also send home informa-tion in Tuesday folders and classroom teachers communicate in a variety of ways. It is important to regularly check your child’s back-pack and ask them about the things they are learning at school. Taking time to help them clean it out also teaches them necessary organization skills.

November typically brings cooler weather and a need for addition-al clothing at recess. Now is a good time to do an inventory to be sure they will have the necessary boots, coats and gloves when the snow finally flies.

As always, thank you for your support in creating the safe, challeng-ing and nurturing environment that helps all students succeed.

Kind regards,

Nancy Vague Principal, Pratt Community School

Tweet TweetPratt School is on Twitter Follow us: @MPS_Pratt for updates and news

Pratt is a Minneapolis Public School I http://www.pratt.mpls.k12.mn.us I Phone: 612.668.1122

November 2015

Please make sure your child gets to school no later than 9:40, and avoid picking them up before the school day ends. This helps all of our instructors and students learn without interruption. Thanks!

Not too late, not too early

Kleenex donations needed. Please drop off at the office.

Achoo!

Pratt is a Minneapolis Public School I http://www.pratt.mpls.k12.mn.us I Phone: 612.668.1122

November 2015

Photos by Lissa Steenerson

New Faces

Kaitlin Ripley, ReadingCorps TutorI’m Kaitlin Ripley, and I’m a part-time reading tutor for Minnesota ReadingCorps. I work one-on-one with stu-dents to improve their reading skills. I’m so excited to be part of such a friendly and supportive community here! As a student, I’m wrapping up my degree in English Literature this December at the University of Minnesota. When I’m not at Pratt or in class, you can find me volunteering at the Saint Paul public library or slinging coffee at the local coffee shop.

New Faces

Annie Sparks, First Grade TeacherHello Pratt Community, my name is Annie Sparks. I am a new first grade teacher at Pratt. I completed my student teaching at Pratt school last year, and some of your stu-dents might remember me as Ms. Fischer. I got married in August, and I couldn’t be happier to return to Pratt as Ms. Sparks!

I grew up in a small farming community in southeastern South Dakota, but I attended college at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where I received both my bachelor and master’s degree in education. Go Gophers!

Outside of school I love spending time with family and friends, and I enjoy exploring new restaurants in Minne-apolis and St. Paul. My husband I love Minnesota sports, and we can often be found cheering on the Twins or the Wild! I enjoy staying active and try to participate in a few road races a year. I’m looking forward to a relay race with friends later this fall in Door County, WI.

I’m very excited to be a part of the Pratt Community. I look forward to a great school year!

The Health Office could use sweatpants, leggings and (new) underwear sizes 5T–8 for occasional mishaps.

Clothing donations needed

Community Concert Series at Prospect Park United MethodistThe concert series features one free concert per month, September through May, with donations collected in which 100% goes to designated community organizations. Concert is in the sanctuary, with refreshments following the concert in Community Hall.

November 2015

Pratt is a Minneapolis Public School I http://www.pratt.mpls.k12.mn.us I Phone: 612.668.1122

“Joy in Learning”—A Lifelong Learning Program Offered in the Pratt CommunityLearning is an important part of growing and expanding our knowledge throughout our lives. Pratt Community Education and Southeast Seniors co-sponsor a learning op-portunity each month in the Pratt community through the “Joy in Learning” program. Community members come together for a time to visit over lunch at nearby Prospect Park Methodist Church, followed by guest presentations on a variety of topics including current affairs, history, law, the arts, health and wellness.

During our October gathering we were honored to host guest speaker, WCCO Radio Reporter Susie Jones, who spoke about her path to broadcast journalism, the histo-ry of WCCO radio, the current status of radio news, and the future of information and communications. Susie, an alumnus of Pratt School, shared fun stories about her many years with WCCO, and also how current news stories are written, “filmed,” and broadcast using state-of-the-art informational technologies. She even demonstrated on her smart phone how she can prepare and send an off-site newscast!

Our High 5 through Grade 5 students and their families can know that community members of all ages are part-ners in learning at Pratt! For more information about the “Joy in Learning” program call 612-668-1100.

The Pratt School Parent Teacher organization wel-comes Pratt students, parents, staff and friends to their monthly meetings. Please join us on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the school cafeteria. We start the meetings with free piz-za and socializing from 5:30-6:00 pm. The business meeting is 6:00-7:00pm, and childcare for Pratt-aged students will be provided.

Pratt PTO

Pratt Family Directory —last call to sign up!Exciting news: the Pratt Family Directory is coming soon! The purpose of the directory is to help us con-nect with one another. The Pratt PTO hopes it will be useful for organizing playdates, birthday parties, carpools, etc.

So far, the directory includes 84 students. If you want to be added, please email Christianne Lind at christi-annelind@gmail.com. At this point, your name will be included in the online version, but not the print version.School year calendar planning

The Board of Education will vote in December on the new district calendar for 2016-2019. The proposed calen-dar will use the same general schedule as our current school calendar. For the 2016-2017 school year, students in grades 1-12 will start on Monday, Aug. 29, with early childhood and kindergar-ten students beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The last day of school for students Pre-K-11 will be Tuesday, June 13.

Specialist Update

Technology with Mr. WettengalThe new computer lab is open for business! We are still waiting on a few finishing touches, but the students have been really impressing me with their technology skills so far. Many students have published informational videos through an awesome app called Educreations. Check them out on the class websites! Fifth grade is working on animal reports and PowerPoint presentations. These and other projects should be posted online soon! In the meantime, stop in, say hello, and see the beautiful new lab!

November 2015

Pratt is a Minneapolis Public School I http://www.pratt.mpls.k12.mn.us I Phone: 612.668.1122

Pratt Family Dance

Art Adventure is coming back to Pratt Art Adventure is a program that engages students with artworks from the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s collection through the support of volunteers. It brings visual arts into K-6 classrooms across Minnesota and beyond. The program encourages cre-ativity, critical thinking and global awareness through in-depth explorations of art across various cultures and time periods. Art Adventure is an opportunity for students to experience art up close and personal through reproductions, technology and touch-and-feel props. The class presentation is completed by a small project chosen by the volunteers in collaboration with Jakki Kydd-Fidelman.

As a parent, it is your opportunity to be in the art room, share your passion for art and interact with the kids. A short training session at the MIA during the day or evening will prepare you to discuss and ask the right questions. No art background necessary: It is all about showing great pieces of art, witness students’ reaction, asking questions, listen, nod and laugh. Best of all, Mr. Hurley is always present with in the room: You focus on the fun part, and he takes care of the rest.

If you are interested, please contact Jakki Kydd-Fidelman.

Minneapolis Kids learning roboticsMinneapolis Kids in grades 3-5 have been learning hands-on about robotics and programming while working on STEM/STREAM applications. Ozobot is a miniature smart robot that can follow lines or roam around freely, detect colors, and be programmed. Ozobot teaches children in a fun way so they learn while being engaged and playing. The kids have been enthusiastic quick learners when programming the robot using visual color codes. Other Minneap-olis Kids highlights have been solving various logic puzzles. Even the youngest students have enjoyed the challenge.

Celebrating Native American Family Involvement DayThis Thursday November 19th, we will be having an all-school assembly for a performance by The Little Thunderbirds Drum and Dance Troupe, a potluck luncheon/discussion with our Native American families and Principal Vague. In addition there will be a display of cultural items in our library plus reading recommendations.