October Weekly Update
Week of October 19th-23rd, 2026
What's Happening:
October at South Prairie 🐾
October is here, and it is hard to believe how quickly the school year is moving! Our Prairie Dogs have settled into routines, built new friendships, and are working hard every day to grow as learners.
This month brings lots of exciting opportunities for our students and families. We are looking forward to our pumpkin patch field trip, continued learning in our classrooms, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful fall season together. A special thank-you goes to the local community partners who make experiences like the pumpkin patch possible for our students. We are fortunate to have a community that continues to invest in our kids!
October is also a great time to remind our students about the importance of being at school every day and being ready to learn. Every day matters. Every lesson matters. Every connection with a teacher or friend matters. When students are here and engaged, they give themselves the best opportunity to learn and grow.
Thank you to our amazing South Prairie staff for the energy, patience, and care you bring to our school every day. And thank you to our families for partnering with us and supporting your children.
Let's keep building a school where students feel safe, supported, challenged, and proud to be Prairie Dogs!
📚 Learning Is Our Priority
Our teachers are working hard to make sure students are learning at high levels and receiving the support they need. We are continuing to focus on strong reading, writing, and math instruction while also helping students develop the skills they need to be successful learners.
We are looking closely at student progress and using that information to provide additional support when students need it. Our goal is simple: Every student should grow and make progress.
❤️ Building a Strong School Community
At South Prairie, we believe that students learn best when they feel safe, supported, and connected. We are continuing to teach and reinforce our expectations for being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn.
We are also celebrating students who demonstrate our Prairie Dog values through positive recognition and our Caught in the Act celebrations. We love catching our students doing the right thing!
🚌 Attendance Matters
Every day at school matters!
Being at school on time and ready to learn gives students the opportunity to stay connected to classroom instruction and their classmates. We encourage families to make regular attendance a priority. If your child is going to be absent, please make sure the school office is notified according to district procedures.
🚨 Safety at South Prairie
Student and staff safety continues to be one of our highest priorities. Throughout the year, we will practice our emergency procedures so that students and staff know what to do in different situations.
Our students are learning through our “I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared” resources and age-appropriate safety lessons. We want our students to feel prepared and confident while understanding that adults at school are here to keep them safe.
We will also continue our regular monthly fire drills and other required safety practices.
🌳 Getting Outside and Staying Active
Our students have been enjoying opportunities to move, play, and get outside. Our west playground fitness trail provides another opportunity for students to be active during the school day.
We encourage our families to find opportunities to get outside, walk, play, and be active together. Healthy bodies help support healthy minds!
🏫 A Reminder for Families
Please continue to check ParentSquare for important school and classroom information. ParentSquare is our primary way of communicating with families, so please make sure your contact information and notifications are up to date.
If you have questions, concerns, or need support, please reach out to your child's teacher or our office. We want to partner with you to help your child have a successful school year.
🐾 Thank You, Prairie Dog Families!
Thank you for your continued support of South Prairie Elementary. We are off to a great start, and we are excited about all the learning and growth that will happen this year.
⭐ Important Reminder
Attendance Matters!
Every school day is an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. Please help your child attend school regularly and arrive on time and ready to learn.
Thank you for trusting us with your children. We are excited about the year ahead and can't wait to learn, grow, and celebrate together!
📅 Important Dates to Remember
- The Great Shake Out Drill 10/15
- 10/21 Title Literacy Night
- 10/22 Bus Evacuation
- PTC Walk-A-Thon 10/26
- 10/28 (Workday)
- 10/28,29 (Conferences)
- 10/30 (No School)
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Warm regards,
Lonnie Eggert
Principal
South Prairie Elemenatary
Help Us Keep Track of Your Child’s Belongings
Dear Families,
To help ensure jackets, sweatshirts, hats, and other items make it back home, please label your child’s clothing and personal belongings with their name. This simple step greatly reduces the chance of items ending up in our Lost and Found.
Thank you for your help in keeping our students’ belongings safe and easy to return!
Hat Day
Fridays are Hat Day at South Prairie! This is an opportunity for students to be comfortable, have a little fun, and wear their favorite hat to school.
Please keep hats simple and school appropriate. We ask that hats do not create distractions or interfere with learning.
Thanks for helping us keep Hat Day fun and easy for everyone!
Behavior Reminder
At South Prairie, we believe that a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment helps every student succeed. Please take a moment to remind your child about our classroom expectations:
Be Respectful – Use kind words and actions.
Be Responsible – Follow directions and take ownership of learning.
Be Safe – Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Be Ready to Learn – Come prepared and give your best effort.
By working together, we can ensure that every classroom is a place where students feel safe, supported, and ready to grow. 💙
Safety at South Prairie: I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared
At South Prairie Elementary, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is always one of our highest priorities. This month, our staff will participate in ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training as part of our ongoing commitment to being prepared for a variety of emergency situations.
We will also be using resources from “I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared” to help our students learn age-appropriate safety skills. Our goal is not to frighten students, but to help them understand that being prepared helps us feel confident and know what to do if an emergency occurs.
Throughout the school year, we will practice important safety procedures, including fire drills, lockdown procedures, evacuation routines, and other emergency responses. These practices help students and staff become familiar with expectations so that we can respond calmly and efficiently when needed.
We encourage families to talk with their children about the importance of listening to trusted adults, following directions, staying with their group, and knowing that the adults at South Prairie are here to keep them safe.
Our message to students is simple: We don't need to be scared—we need to be prepared.
The Pledge of Allegiance at Our School
Each morning, our students and staff begin the day together with the Pledge of Allegiance. This daily practice is more than just words—it’s a way to build a shared sense of respect, unity, and pride in our school and community.
The pledge serves as a reminder of the values of responsibility, gratitude, and citizenship that we want to instill in our students. Starting the day with this tradition sets a positive tone, encourages respect for our country, and strengthens our school culture by giving students a consistent moment of reflection and focus.
Coon Creek Progress
The Coon Creek area is looking better than ever! Trails have been cleared and brush has been removed, opening up the space for exploration. We’re continuing to develop this outdoor learning area so students can enjoy hands-on activities and connect with nature in meaningful ways.
Anti-Bullying
Dear Parents and Guardians,
At South Prairie, we are committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for every student. As part of our ongoing efforts, we are focusing on the importance of anti-bullying education and encouraging kindness and respect in our school community.
Bullying can have a significant impact on a child's self-esteem and academic performance, which is why we take a proactive approach to address and prevent it. This month, we’ll be engaging students in lessons and activities that teach empathy, conflict resolution, and the importance of standing up for others in a positive way.
We encourage you to talk with your children about the importance of kindness and inclusion at home. Remind them to speak up if they or someone they know is being bullied and to always seek help from a trusted adult.
Together, we can make a difference and ensure that all children feel valued, respected, and safe at school. If you have any concerns or need resources to discuss bullying with your child, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you for your continued support in making our school a welcoming place for all.
Lost and not Claimed!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the school year gets underway, our Lost and Found tends to fill up quickly! Please take a moment to label your child’s jackets, lunchboxes, water bottles, and other personal items with their name. This makes it much easier for us to return lost items to the right owner.
Thank you for helping us keep belongings out of the Lost and Found and back with our students!
Thank you for your cooperation, and we appreciate your help in keeping our school organized!
Principal
Email: eggertl@tillamook.k12.or.us
Website:https://www.tillamooksouthprairieschool.org/
Phone: 503-842-8401 Ext. 6010