The Piper Prairie Press

We have reached Labor Day and our teachers and students are settling into their routines. Let's continue to work together to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all. Our teachers and intervention team have been working hard to administer a screener to all students in both reading and math over the last two weeks.

We will also administer a diagnostic based on some of these scores on the screeners. This will provide us with a more in-depth understanding of each student's strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to develop targeted instruction to provide the support they need to succeed.

If you are a Kindergarten parent and have not completed the ASQ, please prioritize that by Monday September 9th. The ASQ is a valuable tool that helps us understand your child's development and identify any areas where they may need additional support. Your participation is essential in ensuring that your child receives the best possible education.

There is no school for students on Monday September 16th. That is an important day for our teachers and staff to review the valuable data, help us identify students who may need additional support and tailor our instruction to meet their individual needs.

Piper Prairie Proud!

Mrs. Bast and Mrs. Porras

Mon. 16th - No School (Professional Development for Teachers)

Thurs. 26th - School Picture Day

Fri. 18th - No School (end of first quarter)

Wed. 30th - Thurs. 31st - Parent Teacher Conferences (info to come!)

It is great to see the enthusiasm and excitement the Piper community has for supporting our students’ athletics and activities. Attending these events is a great way to come together to show school and community spirit. We thank you for your support of our students, coaches, and activity supervisors.

As our district has continued to grow over the past several years, so have crowds at district events. The larger crowds make supervision of unsupervised youth even more difficult. We have had a few concerning issues where student safety has been compromised.

In an effort to provide a safe, positive and fun fan experience, parental supervision of middle school and elementary school students will be required at ALL district functions for the 2024-25 school year (unless otherwise noted by the building principal or other administrator). Middle school and elementary school student MUST attend games with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult. Unsupervised students will not be permitted to enter the events.

For football games, as per last year, the expectation is that young people sit in the stands with their parent or guardian or on the hill with staff supervision. Students will be able to access concessions and restroom facilities without supervision but will be directed back to their seats to enjoy the game.

Thank you for helping us with these updated procedures to help make Piper USD 203 athletics and activities a safe and positive experience for all.

Piper High School Home Football games will begin this Friday! Let's show Pirate Nation our support by wearing PURPLE on Home Football Game Fridays! These are 9/6, 9/13, 10/4 and 10/18.

Y Club is offering before school care for those in need of only Friday morning times. If you are interested, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/MUYAnaguYbawHwCAA

If your little pirate rides the school bus to or from school, we ask for someone to be at the bus stop to see them get on and off the bus. Student safety is a priority!

Calling all K-12 Piper students and USD 203 staff!

Sponsored by PHS Troupe #4736 of the International Thespians Society, this event is designed to showcase the many talents, skills, interests, and individualities that are present within the students and staff of our USD 203 schools. There will be no judges present or prizes awarded; this is not a contest or a competition but merely a platform to display the things that make you proud to be a pirate! All talent categories and skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate. Possible talents could include, but are not limited to: Singing, Dancing, Playing an instrument, Gymnastics, Magic, Lip Syncing, Comedy, and many, many more!

Auditions will take place on Wednesday, September 11th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the PHS Theater Lab.

Video submissions are welcome! Email directly to scott.ladish@piperschools.us

The Talent Showcase will be on Wednesday, September 18th, at 7:00 PM.

Interested students and staff must fill out this Google Form.

We are grateful for your help in making our car line run smoothly!

School Hours:

• Mondays-Thursdays: School starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:40 PM.
• Fridays: School starts at 9:10 AM and ends at 3:40 PM.

• If you arrive after morning arrival supervision (8:30): Please park your vehicle and walk your child inside to the office.
• Teachers' duty day is over at 3:55. If you arrive after the dismissal supervising adults have come inside (3:55): Please park and come inside to get your child from the office.

Thank you for helping us keep kids safe!

As we navigate Car Rider traffic, we have reached out to adjust some car lane traffic. Please follow this map below, unless Mrs. Kelsey or your child's teacher has reached out to you personally. Thank you for helping us make dismissal efficient! If your child needs assistance buckling up, please pull forward to the Buckle Up zone!

Please be aware, if your child wears a smartwatch to school, they will be asked to put it in their backpack for the entire school day. Smart watches and cell phones are not to be out by any elementary student for the duration of the school day. Details regarding this policy is in the Piper Pre K - 5 Student Handbook. Thank you for your understanding.

Please follow the communication matrix.

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Porras - laura.porras@piperschools.us

Attendance: heather.bryant@piperschools.us

Transportation changes (request must be by 2:30): kristin.miller@piperschools.us

Phone: 913.721.1243

Nurse or medical concerns: taunisha.mcdonald@piperschools.us

Health Services: https://piperschoolscom.finalsite.com/departments/health-services

Counselors: daneen.kelsey@piperschools.us or serena.keenan@piperschools.us

Hours: Monday- Thursday 8:30 am - 3:40 pm

Late Start Friday: 9:10 am - 3:40 pm

Email: darcey.bast@piperschools.us
Website: https://ppe.piperschools.com/
Location: 3131 N 122nd St, Kansas City, KS 66109, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiperElementary/?scrlybrkr=41859c6e
Twitter: @PiperElementary