Our Community Pantry

We are excited to increase our accessibility!  We’ve expanded our community resources by moving a key component of the Panther Pantry right to the main office.

Introducing the Community Pantry: This resource features ready-to-eat snacks, quick meals, and essential toiletries.  If you need it, please simply take what you need from the shelf, no questions asked.  Our full-service Panther Pantry continues to operate as usual, providing clothing, winter gear, and school supplies ready for both pick-up and delivery.

Need something?  Take it from the shelf.  No questions asked.

Please leave all donations in the main office. 

EPS Night of Service

We hope you can join us next Wednesday, 12/10, at 6:30PM for a Night of Service in support of East Prairie families and our border community.  The PTA is joining forces with the non-profit Humble Helper to host an evening where purposeful giving meets outstanding fun.  If you wish to contribute, please consider bringing any of the following items with you to the event.  Please know that participation is entirely voluntary, and all are warmly welcome to join and help out, regardless of contribution.

• Gift cards: Target, Walmart, other local grocery stores

• Clothing: socks, sweaters, pants, leggings

• Outerwear: boots, shoes, winter coats

• Winter gear: hats, gloves, blankets

• Toiletries: shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sunscreen, razors, comb, brush, lip balm

• First aid: badges, hand sanitizer

In addition to doing good for others through our service project, we'll warm up with a hot chocolate bar, get creative decorating cookies, and enjoy some teamwork building igloos!  This event is guaranteed to be a meaningful and enjoyable community-building experience for the entire family.

We look forward to a fantastic event dedicated to service and community connection.  We hope to see you there!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, 

brings peace for today, 

and creates a vision for tomorrow."

 -  Melody Beattie

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we wanted to pause for a moment of sincere gratitude.  At East Prairie, thankfulness is a part of our daily commitment, and we have so much to celebrate!  The opportunity to gather as a community each day, dedicated to our children’s learning and well-being, is both a profound joy and a distinct privilege.

Our deepest gratitude extends to every one of our students, teachers, support staff, families, and community partners.  The work we undertake together is a true partnership, dedicated to ensuring our children realize the brightest of futures and, in turn, shaping a better, more inclusive world for all of us to share.

Our hearts are full of gratitude for the opportunity to dedicate ourselves to this important work, and for the amazing people who make up our community.  On behalf of our staff, we wish you and your family a restful, joyous, and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Arts at East Prairie

The arts are critical to a well-rounded education at East Prairie!  By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and confidence, these programs help our students thrive.  Check out this brief video spotlight showcasing the extraordinary experiences of the arts at EPS!

Community Collaboration Meeting Follow-up

Thank you for the strong showing of support at Monday’s community collaboration meeting.  Our time together centered on uniting our families to serve the broader community and exploring ways to boost our available resources.  Here is a link to the slides, as well as an overview of the connections, ideas, and resources shared:

• East Prairie

• Reviewed all support systems (including safety plans and resources) and communication tools (common language) for both students and staff.

• Reviewed the approach to incorporating current events into our social-emotional learning curriculum.

• Shared our existing and expanded community partnerships (LAN41 network, ELL Parent Center, counseling and behavioral health centers, etc.)

• Shared EPS Reporting Form and Safe2Help online tools.

• The Panther Pantry is an onsite resource providing free food, clothing, and school supplies to ALL our families.  We offer pick-up and delivery options—please visit the office or contact a staff member to access the support you need.

• We are ready to assist you!  To access the resources and support your family needs, please reach out to any trusted member of our school community, and they will ensure you are connected.

• Niles Township Government Social Services Department

• Here is a video overview of the financial assistance, food pantry, respite center, referral, and non-financial assistance resources supported by the Niles Township Government.

• Here is a link to the Niles Township Linktree to get involved and help in a variety of ways (supporting food needs, essential supplies, the community garden, etc.).

• Our East Prairie team is here to help you make connections, complete paperwork, and support in any way that we can.

• PTA

• Shared the following resources and plans.  Copies of each are attached in today's message to families in both English and Spanish.

• Know Your Rights When Interacting with Immigration Officers

• Safety Planning for Families

• Support for Parents + Caregivers: Talking with Children About Immigration Enforcement

• Here is a link to sign up with the PTA if you are interested in volunteering as a school patrol to help support the safe arrival/dismissal of our students and families within the neighborhood.

• Please reach out to a trusted community member or our staff if we can help coordinate a trusted adult to walk your child(ren) to and/or from school.

We remain dedicated to listening, learning, and gathering ongoing input on opportunities to enhance partnerships that best serve our families.  Our commitment is to always ensure this school remains a safe, welcoming, and protective environment for every student, family, and staff member.  We are a place of unconditional support and care for everyone in our community.  

Please never hesitate to reach out to any member of your child’s team if there is anything that we can do to support their safety, learning, and well-being.  We promise to continuously learn, grow, and improve to meet the needs of our community.  Collective care is the true strength of our community.  Know that we remain ready to support your child and family through every opportunity and every challenge.

One School, One Readaloud

 This year, we're excited to continue our cherished tradition of an all-school read-aloud.  All Panthers will unite through a powerful story that supports our Social and Emotional Learning curriculum, strengthening our community and fostering a love of reading.

We are excited to begin Unit 3: I can act in a responsible manner, which focuses on how our individual choices shape our shared community.  We will use the engaging picture book, What if Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick, as our anchor text to explore this essential topic across all grade levels.  This simple yet powerful story clearly illustrates the cause and effect of our actions, teaching our youngest learners basic rules and routines while prompting older students to delve into deeper concepts of personal accountability and civic responsibility.  Whether discussing cleaning up a mess or analyzing the ethics of communal responsibility, the goal of this unit is to foster students who think beyond themselves and actively participate as thoughtful, responsible members of our school and neighborhood.

Ready to explore the book?  Here is a video read-aloud link for you!  Additionally, if you'd like a physical copy, please feel free to borrow one from our main office.

Veterans Day

 Thank you to United States Marine Corps veteran Mikhail Dasovich for his service and for sharing his experiences and insights with our students.