Better TOGETHER!

We are aware of the increased anxiety within our community, and throughout the state, due to recent immigration enforcement actions.  We want to directly address your concerns and continue to provide you with clear information and resources.  Please know that our school is a safe space for all students.  Federal law guarantees all children the right to a free public education, regardless of their or their parents' immigration status.  Our school staff will never ask about a student's immigration status.  We will also not release information about our students to outside agencies without a legal court order.

Your child's education, safety, and well-being are our highest priority.  The well-being of our community is at the heart of everything we do.  We want to assure you that we will continue to welcome and protect every student.  Additionally, we want to provide you with a list of reputable organizations that offer legal and support services for immigrant families:

• Illinois Immigration Information

• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

• Illinois Attorney General’s Office  

Our social worker, psychologist, and entire team are also available to provide emotional support. Please reach out to Dr. Schmeisser or any member of our school team if there is something we can do to further support your child.  We are here to support you and your family during this time.

Welcome Back Pep Rally!

  

Pep rallies are one of our favorite ways to come together, connect, celebrate, and have some fun as a whole school!  This year's kick off pep rally was filled with all those things. 

 

In one action-packed hour we: officially welcomed everyone back, took an all school picture, welcomed our new students+staff with our EPS tradition of "Cookie Face," heard from our Student Council Exec Board, reviewed our schoolwide expectations, played a balloon bump relay (teachers won), learned about our new pawsomes from 5th grade, talked school wide positive behavioral incentives, danced K Pop Demon Hunter style, and of course had pie (twice)!  We couldn't be more pumped for the year ahead!

We’re back!!!

The eager, enthusiastic, and energized East Prairie team!

Our team is back together and the energy is amazing!  We're learning, laughing, and getting ready for a sensational school year.  We can't wait to see our students!

This year, our institute days are dedicated to creating the best possible learning environment for all 536 of our students.  We are actively reflecting on our practices, building new skills, and implementing new strategies to meet the unique needs of every child we serve. 

We also spend significant time examining the "why" behind our work and its impact on the entire East Prairie community.  We believe our school's culture of care is unmatched, and we are committed to partnering with you to pursue educational excellence for your children and all students, each and every day!

The best teams work hard AND have fun :)

Panthers @ Emily Oaks

 Thank you to all of those who came out for last week’s back to school campfire!  It was wonderful to connect and see so many of our students and families again.

We had a blast playing camp games and dining on s'mores. We can't wait for what is sure to be a most memorable and successful school year!

Thank you the Emily Oaks team and Skokie Park District staff for partnering with us to build community!

Welcome New Panthers!!!

We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Cohn (MS ELA), Ms. Danielsen (MS math), Ms. Faith (5th grade), Mrs. Isaac (NLU intern), Ms. Klingsporn (MS math), Ms. Matzke (speech language pathologist), Ms. Nambo (EL teacher), and Ms. Wood (school psychologist) to our East Prairie team!

We had the opportunity during this week's new teacher induction to connect, learn, and have some fun together!  

We very much look forward to the care, ideas, and excellence each of these educators will add to our school community.  Thank you for helping to make each feel a valued and welcomed part of our community!

Welcome Back!!!

We couldn't be more excited to kick off the new year! Here is a welcome back letter for students, thank you for sharing it with your child(ren).

The start of a new school year is always a special time, full of potential and possibility.  We are thrilled to begin this journey with you, united in our goal to do something extraordinary for our students and community.  We know this year will bring its share of challenges and successes, and we look forward to learning and partnering with you every step of the way!

Student Letter

 Our heartfelt thanks go out for your steadfast belief, supportive actions, and consistent goodwill this school year. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of such a remarkable community.  Here is our end-of-year letter to students.

Wishing you and your family a restful, enjoyable, and most special summer!  Thank you for all that you do to make East Prairie the very special place it is!