Friday, September 26, 2025

Social-emotional Learning

 We believe that teaching social and emotional skills is essential for helping our students become their best selves and contributing members of society.  This work is a key part of how we live our mission to “value the uniqueness of all and ensure the highest levels of learning.”  To learn more, here is a brief video overviewing our approach at East Prairie.

Our first unit on emotions is complete, and it was a wonderful success!  We spent the past five weeks focused on a student-friendly goal of “I can show kindness and respect diversity.”  To do this, we focused on utilizing community circles, a powerful and practical tool for building connection and student voice.  These daily routines are helping us create a safe space for meaningful conversations, which in turn builds deep trust and respect among our students.

We are now moving into our second SEL unit for the year, which is all about community, climate, and safety!  The student-friendly goal for this unit is “I can persevere through challenging situations.”  To get there, we'll be creating a Class Charter together that will outline how we want our classroom to feel and the behaviors needed to make that happen.  We'll also continue to utilize community circles.  The ultimate goal of all our work is to help our students learn these important skills and use them in their daily lives.

5 Core Competencies of Social-Emotional Learning


As with all of our work, we'll continue to share information and resources with our families.  The more we work together, the more we can achieve for our kids - and that's what this is all about.

Thursday, September 25, 2025

PreSchool at Night

Preschool at Night is a long-standing East Prairie tradition that further connects our early childhood families with one another, our school, and their child's learning.

 A huge thank you to Ms. LaPata, Ms. Hernandez, Ms. Matzke, Ms. Simkins, Mrs. Byron, and Mrs. Butera for their hard work and creativity in making this happen. 

We also want to thank our families for their active involvement and unwavering support. 
This event is an excellent example of community involvement and care at East Prairie.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Reading, Learning, Growing - Together.

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.

"The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig is a moving story about a shy boy named Brian who feels unseen and invisible in his classroom. His world, depicted in black and white, begins to change when he performs a small act of kindness toward a new student, Justin, who is also feeling like an outsider.  This single, thoughtful gesture not only helps Justin but also makes Brian feel seen and valued, causing his world to fill with color.  The book beautifully illustrates how a simple act of kindness can have a profound impact, teaching students that they have the power to make others feel included and seen.  It also highlights the importance of respecting and appreciating diversity in all its forms, including different personalities, and encourages empathy for those who may be quiet or feel like they don't belong.  The story serves as a powerful reminder that all individuals are valuable and deserve to be noticed.



Our SEL skill for unit one is “I can show kindness & respect diversity.”  This book explores what it means to “be kind” and how any act, small or large, can help make a difference to others.  Here is a link to a video read aloud, additional copies of The Invisible Boy - and many other titles - can be borrowed from the book tree in our main office.


Discussion questions for families


In the story, a small note from Brian changed everything for Justin. Can you think of a time when someone did something small that made you feel happy or special? What happened, and how did it make you feel?  This question connects the book's central theme of kindness to a child's personal experience.  It validates their feelings and helps them recognize the power of small gestures, making the concept of kindness feel real and achievable.  It encourages empathy by prompting them to reflect on their own emotions.


The book shows how people can be different in many ways. Brian was quiet, and Justin was new to the school. How can we make sure everyone, even people who are different from us, feels seen and included? What is one thing you can do at school or in our family to help someone feel like they belong?  This question directly addresses the concept of diversity, moving beyond just race or culture to include different personalities and backgrounds. It encourages children to think about inclusion as an active choice.  The two-part question asks them to consider a solution and then commit to a specific action, making the learning tangible


At the end of the story, Brian is no longer invisible. What do you think he did to help himself, and what did others do to help him? As a family, what can we do to make sure everyone in our home and our community feels seen and important?  This question brings the lesson full circle, connecting the book's resolution to the family unit.  It encourages a collaborative conversation about creating a positive and inclusive environment at home, which reinforces the lessons learned at school.  It also prompts children to think about the different roles we all play in making others feel valued—both as the one who needs help and the one who gives it.

Thursday, September 11, 2025

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:



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.