East Prairie Community Pantry - NOW OPEN!

 We are overjoyed to officially open the East Prairie Panther Community Pantry TODAY!  This project has been a coordinated effort between our Student Council, Student Leadership, PTA, kids, families, and staff.  Thank you for the incredible show of support, this resource reflects the essence of our community!

 

Our goal is to collectively support the needs of our entire East Prairie community.  The pantry is open to ALL families and includes: winter gear (coats, hats, gloves, & snow pants), clothing (of all sizes), school supplies, toiletries, and non-perishable food items.  Families can visit the pantry daily between 9:00AM-2:00PM, please enter through the main office.   Need more flexibility?  Reach out to info@eps73.net or any member of our team to let us know what you need and we will gladly coordinate a pick-up/delivery option.

Thank You & Happy Thanksgiving!

 Thank you for the trust and confidence that you place in us each day.   This year has found additional burden and responsibility placed on all of us.  We are truly grateful for all of your efforts to support your child’s learning, as well as, the collective action that has enabled us to remain a tight knit community.  East Prairie is truly special and unique because of this care and connection.  We are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to continue to do the work we love and for those whom we share it with.  On behalf of our staff, we wish you and your family a very restful, safe, and happy Thanksgiving!

Learning Update - Student Letter

With the transition back to full remote learning, the following message was shared with our students.  Thank you to our children for their ongoing positivity, resiliency, and commitment to learning and each other.

Bulb beautification!

Thank you to Ms. deBettencourt's 2nd grade class for coming together outside to plant bulbs and help further beautify our school grounds.  This project was an excellent way for students to apply their mathematical measurement skills in a real world setting, while also having some fun and enjoying the beautiful day! 

We can't wait to see your efforts come Spring!

Introducing the EPS Community Panther Pantry

Community and care are part of what makes East Prairie so special!  Bringing both of these beliefs together is the action of collectively ensuring that every child and family have what they need during this most challenging time. 

As such, the EPS staff, Student Council, Student Leadership, and PTA are teaming up to create “The East Prairie Community Panther Pantry.”  Set to open around Thanksgiving, this space will be open for any family to access school supplies, toiletries, non-perishable food items, and clothing at no cost.  Here is a brief video overview courtesy of our Student Council.

You can help support our endeavor by donating school supplies, toiletries, non-perishable food, and/or clothing (new and gently used) to our main office. Student Council and Student Leadership will be reaching out with additional updates in the weeks to come. Thank you for your support!

Letter to students

  With so much going on in our school, community, and world at this moment, here is a message just for our students.  Thank you to our kids for everything you do to make East Prairie the very special place it is!  

Community Message

Dear East Prairie families,

As we begin this week we do so with the understanding of continued rising COVID-19 case counts locally, regionally, and throughout the country, as well as, the uncertainty of tomorrow’s presidential election.  There has perhaps been no time in modern history like the one we find ourselves currently sharing together.

Now, more than ever, we do not know what the future will hold.  The culminating effects of the pandemic and our politics affects each member of our East Prairie community differently, and as you well know, our students are immune from none of it.  As a school, we feel strongly about the need to recognize this moment, to give it a voice, and a position of consideration from each of our respective roles.  As a community, we must continue to be explicit about what we believe and stand for, proclaiming and acting upon our shared values.  We must, regardless of any differences we may hold, be able to find our common humanity to discuss, consider, and act upon matters both collectively and as individuals.

At East Prairie, our aim is to cultivate informed young people towards active participation in our shared democracy.  We seek to partner with families to develop in children a well rounded and critical perspective of any issue, alongside the qualities of empathy, care, and compassion.  Above all, we strive to create a learning environment - whether in our building or virtual classrooms - where ALL kids and adults are valued, respected, and cared for.  We approach this work each day with humility and an enormous sense of responsibility.

Here is an article for families on how to discuss the election with your child(ren).  Here is an article that overviews how we will continue to approach these matters as a school and public institution.  

Each of us has an important role to play in making sure our school, community, and broader shared world are healthy, safe, just, and equitable.  This work is not easy, but remains fiercely important.   It is through our conversations, considerations, and most importantly actions, that we shape a brighter future for not just our children and selves, but for future generations to come.  Together we will collectively meet this, and any, moment by sustaining and strengthening the relationships between our homes, school, and community.

In partnership,

The East Prairie Team