One Year Later

Dear East Prairie families,

One year ago we suspended in person learning and shifted to what at the time we thought would be a relatively brief disruption.  As last spring unfolded, we came together to create a new model of education at East Prairie grounded in our core principles and values.  Throughout the summer and into the fall we partnered to continue reimagining what schooling looks like in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic.  We engaged in challenging conversations and difficult decision-making to provide families with a choice of the learning model and environment that best fit their needs.  We again reenvisioned the school experience, never losing sight of our core purpose and commitment to kids.  Teamwork, communication, respect, and an unwavering sense of community have enabled us to navigate these past 365 days in a way that is supportive of kids, families, teachers, staff, and our broader community members.

“When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.”

- Tuli Kupferberg

As a school and community, we believe that in challenge there lies tremendous opportunity.  We remain committed to making this moment one of transformative change at East Prairie.  As we work hard to finish this school year and plan next, we promise to build upon the very best of our practices, while developing new structures, strategies, and supports for the areas we can and must do better.  Our team is unwavering in our commitment to serving your children, your family, and our community to the very best of our ability.  We are confident in the strength and possibility of our partnership.

It is with that in mind that we want to acknowledge the incredible accomplishments of this past year.  That we want to give voice to our incredible appreciation for the strength of our connection as a school community.  Over the past year, we have not only continued to provide high quality learning experiences to kids, but have done so in a way that supports them physically, emotionally, and socially.  Serving the whole child is truly embodied in the beliefs and actions of our East Prairie community.  During this time, we have created new partnerships within the Skokie and Niles Township community, while building upon those that already existed.  We have provided food, groceries, clothing, toiletries, technology, school supplies, internet, care, compassion, and hope to our children and their families.  All of this we have done together!

While we continue to focus incredible time and attention to this current school year, we have also begun our planning for next.  Please see this letter from Dr. Goldberg regarding our plans for the remainder of this year and looking ahead to the 2021-22 school year.

Dr. King spoke to the interconnectedness of our lives, “all persons are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly...this is the interrelated structure of reality.”  The personal and shared experiences of this past year support the truth of this matter.  Our school, our community is only as strong for all of us, as it is for each of us.  We are keenly aware of the many challenges and longer-term impact and implications this pandemic has had on many students and families.  We remain determined in the weeks, months, and years ahead to ensure every child is prepared with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to reach their fullest potential and live their very best life.

It is the collective “we” that makes East Prairie such a special place!  Thank you for being a part of our school community and helping it to thrive!

In partnership,

The East Prairie Team