Inclusion + Excellence

At East Prairie, our commitment to equity and inclusion isn't just a line in a strategic plan - it’s a daily practice.  We strive to make sure every student, educator, and family feels they truly belong. Today, we are incredibly proud to celebrate two staff members who are leading the way:

Ms. Newmark (4th Grade): Honored as a Friend of Niles Township District Special Education for her tireless work in creating a classroom where every child feels welcome.

Mrs. Butera (Student Services Coordinator): Recipient of the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education’s “Trailblazer” award for her visionary dedication to an inclusive school environment.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Newmark and Mrs. Butera!  We are so grateful for their, and all our educators', work in making East Prairie a place where every student can succeed.

Teamwork!

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”

- Dale Carnegie

Unplug + CONNECT

 

This week’s Unplug + Connect family event was a huge success, filled with hands-on learning, plenty of laughter, and most importantly meaningful connection!

We designed a high-energy night where families can explore the five SEL competencies—like responsible decision-making and social awareness—through interactive games and hands-on activities. 

It was the perfect opportunity to reconnect as a family and a community.

Celebrating Excellence!

We are thrilled to announce that two of our very own, Mrs. Mansour and Ms. Ingrassia, have been honored with the Illinois State Board of Education’s prestigious “Those Who Excel” Awards!  This state-level recognition spotlights educators whose innovation and leadership make a profound difference for students. As Governor JB Pritzker noted, these honorees work tirelessly to make Illinois a premier place for education. Please join us in celebrating their dedication and thanking all the educators who help our East Prairie community thrive!

Growing Hearts, Minds, + Plants :)

East Prairie’s first-ever after-school Hydroponic Garden Club is off to a fantastic start! Over the past three weeks, our 2nd and 3rd-grade students have transformed into budding scientists. After starting their journey on January 20th by germinating lettuce and herb seeds, they reached a major milestone this week: transplanting their seedlings into our high-tech hydroponic system.

In the coming weeks, students will act as lead horticulturists—monitoring pH levels, studying plant life cycles, and practicing sustainable agriculture. They are not just growing plants; they are developing the Critical Thinking and Problem Solver skills necessary to maintain a complex, soil-free ecosystem.

All of this hard work is leading toward our ultimate goal: the First Annual East Prairie Farmers Market, held in conjunction with our Family STEAM Night on Tuesday March 3rd (Save the Date!  More information to be shared soon).  We invite all parents and community members to join us, celebrate our students' dedication, and take home some fresh, student-grown greens!  Thank you to Mrs. Mehr, Mrs. Mansour, and Mrs. Mortell for cultivating this opportunity for our students!

100 Days!!!

At East Prairie, we know that success looks different for everyone, but yesterday we celebrated a win we all share: being 100 days smarter together! 

Thank you for the intentionality and care you bring to our school community.

We are grateful to have you as partners in this impactful journey!

Artistic Excellence

 

Congratulations to our talented artists—Dreiden Harris, Syeda Mehwish, Justin Nelson, Abdul Rafiq, and Christian Weiss! 

Their work is being showcased at the Bahá'í Temple in Wilmette this month. 

This exhibit celebrates Black History Month and highlights our students' study of the vibrant, rhythmic paintings of Alma Thomas.