March 30, 2026
Prairie Trail Elementary School Newsletter
🛌 Building Responsibility at Home: Why Chores Matter 🧹
Hello Prairie Trail Families,
One of the most important life skills we can help children develop isn’t found in a textbook—it’s responsibility. A simple and powerful way to nurture this skill at home is by encouraging children to take part in regular chores.
While chores may seem small, their long-term impact is anything but. A well-known 75+ year Harvard study (the Harvard Grant Study) found that children who were given chores early in life grew into adults who were more successful, independent, and better able to work collaboratively with others. The study highlights that doing chores teaches children that being part of a community means contributing to it.
Why chores are so important:
- Build responsibility and accountability
When children complete tasks at home, they learn that others depend on them. - Develop a strong work ethic
Chores teach that effort leads to results—an essential mindset for school and future careers. - Increase confidence and independence
Completing tasks gives children a sense of accomplishment and capability. - Strengthen family teamwork
Children begin to see themselves as valuable contributors to the household.
What can this look like at home?
Even young children can help in meaningful ways:
- Making their bed
- Putting away toys
- Helping set or clear the table
- Feeding pets
- Organizing their backpack
As children grow, responsibilities can grow with them.
Tips for success:
- Start small and be consistent
- Set clear expectations
- Offer encouragement rather than perfection
- Model responsibility in your own daily routines
By giving children responsibilities now, we are helping prepare them for success later—both in school and in life.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s growth!
Warm regards,
Wendi Vaughn
Proud Prairie Trail Principal
Second Steps Lesson Review
During the week of March 30th, we will be in Unit 4: Problem Solving and on lesson 18. To see more about what your child is learning check out the summary below:
Don't forget to check out the homelink at the top of each grade level's summary for things you can practice or topics to discuss with your child at home.
To see reviews of all the lessons for the entire year, click HERE!
Add Money to your Child's Lunch Account!
Need to add money to your child's lunch account? RevTrack Link
Menus for March:
Visitors for Lunch other than Parent/Guardian?
Do you have some special visitors who want to have lunch at PTE with a student and the parent/guardian won't be coming with them?
We can help you make that happen. You just need to fill out THIS FORM using an email that is listed for a parent/guardian of the student in Skyward. If you could fill out the form before 9:00 am the day they plan to come to lunch, we can make that happen.
The visitor will still need to bring their ID and check in through the office.
If the parent/guardian will be coming to lunch with the special visitors, there is no need to fill out the form. You being with them is sufficient.
Let us know if you have questions.
Thanks,
PTE Office Staff
Email: prairietrail@lisd.net
Website: lisd.net/prairietrail
Location: 5555 Timber Creek Road, Flower Mound, TX, USA
Phone: (469)713-5980
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prairietrailes
X (Twitter): @PrairieTrailES