Panther Tracks

Retake and Absentee Picture day is coming up on Wednesday, November 11th! If your child is doing a retake, please send back the original envelope with the photos on Picture Retake Day! Thank you!

Please see the attached letter for more information.

Recognize a Valued Educator

Our teachers and staff show up for students every day with care, patience, and heart, often in ways that go unseen. Whether it’s a teacher who sparked a love of learning, a staff member who offered support during a tough moment, or someone who simply brightens the day, we invite you to let them know the difference they’ve made.A few kind words can mean more than you might imagine, and every note will be shared with the person you recognize.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the people who make Prairie Grove so special! #OneBuildingOneTeam

We're excited to share a wonderful learning opportunity for parents and caregivers! Prairie Grove CSD 46, in collaboration with Fox River Grove School District 3 and Cary School District 26, invites you to join us for an evening with Dr. Doug Bolton as he presents “Parenting Myths That Undermine Children’s Development."

Today's students are facing rising levels of anxiety and burnout. In this session, Dr. Bolton will take a deep dive into emotional regulation and share practical ways to support your children through their hardest moments.

Date: Tuesday, November 10

Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Cary Junior High (Gym), 2109 Crystal Lake Road, Cary, IL 60013

Each classroom will have Halloween parties on Friday, October 30th organized by PTO. K-4 parties will be 2:30-3:15 and ECE will be AM- 10:45-11:30, PM- 2:15-3:00.

Costumes:

• Children in ECE, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades may wear their costumes to school.

• Children in 3rd and 4th grades may bring their costumes to change into at school.

• Costumes should be tasteful, modest, and appropriate for a school setting. Costumes may not include any form of weapon, blood, gore, or masks.

• Students whose costumes do not meet these standards may be asked to call home for a change of clothing.

Additional Reminders:

• Please take and share photos of only your own child.

• Snacks will be provided by the PTO.

Students wrap up Pantherpalooza on October 28th with an obstacle course challenged! Sign-up to volunteer for supervision is below. Students are encouraged to wear the grade level colors listed below:

• ECE: Purple
• Kinder: Green Kindergarten T-shirts
• 1st: Orange
• 2nd: Red
• 3rd: Green
• 4th: Blue

All students will participate!!!

Now enrolling 3-5-year olds

• Licensed teachers and in-class specialists
• Kindergarten-ready learning
• Potty training encouraged but nor required

Morning: Tuesday - Friday 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Afternoon: Monday - Friday 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM

What’s Happening in the Library?

This month in the library, we kicked off two exciting reading adventures! Our K–2 students started the Monarch Book Award, while our 3rd and 4th graders began exploring books nominated for the Bluestem Book Award.

Here’s a peek at the books we’ve been enjoying!

Monarch Book Award (Grades K–2)

• Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson

Summary: This hilarious picture book, illustrated by National Book Award winner Dan Santat, warns readers about suspicious fish who are secretly plotting our doom while hiding underwater! There were lots of laughs as we explored this silly story. Beware of the fish named Jeff.

• 100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle

Summary: Get ready for a hilarious counting adventure! One hundred dragons, all named Broccoli, embark on wacky escapades, and readers get to keep track of how many dragons remain. The students loved the surprise ending!

Bluestem Book Award (Grades 3–4)

• The Iguanodon's Horn: How Artists & Scientists Put a Dinosaur Back Together Again & Again... & Again by Sean Rubin

Summary: How do we know what dinosaurs really looked like? This fascinating book explores how scientists and artists' ideas about the Iguanodon have changed over time. From an iguana-like creature to a kangaroo-like dinosaur and, eventually, the more accurate reconstruction we know today, students discover how new evidence can change the way we see the past! We learned so much about all the scientists and artists who helped shape the Iguanodon over many years.

ECE Storytime

• The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming Our ECE story this month was The Leaf Thief, a fun book I picked up at the PTO Scholastic Book Fair!

Summary: Squirrel loves counting all the beautiful, colorful leaves on his tree—until one day, he discovers that a leaf is missing! What a mystery! With a little help from his friend Bird, Squirrel starts to figure out where his beloved leaves are going. And what will Squirrel do when the snow starts to fall? You'll have to read to find out!

A Little Library Reminder

Don't forget to ask your child which book they've picked out at the library! Please help them remember to return their books on their scheduled library day so they're ready to choose another great read.

Keep Reading, Panthers!

APEX and PTO brought an amazing fundraiser to PGJH over the last two weeks. With a kick off assembly to our color toss, it was a fun way to celebrate all the hard work.

FINAL SCHOOL UPDATE! ...Drum Roll Please!!!

As of 8:00am today: ~$26,354 raised.

Donations from 26 States

Let’s finish the Apex Color Games strong, Panthers Nation!

Art club enjoyed a pumpkin carving and decorating day!

Teen Leadership: Assignments started on 10/5

Drama Club 5th-8th Graders: 11/2 DLC: 2:40-3:45

Art Club: 11/4: 2:40-3:45

Newspaper Club 5th-8th Graders: 10/30: 2:40-4:00

Student Council: 5th-8th Graders: 10/29: 7:30 AM, Please enter Main JH Door 27 in 176 lot

Baking Club Trimester 1: Cohen 10/26, Flynn 10/27, Drozd 10/29: 2:40-4:00 FACS Room

Please enjoy our October Monthly Team Level Newsletters!

This will give parents insight into what teams are working on this month with students/curriculum, what families should expect to see next, what families can do at home to support learning, reminders/housekeeping, and special classroom moments! They will be linked in the newsletter every week.

PE/Health (5-8) October Newsletter

5th Grade October Newsletter

6th Grade October Newsletter

7th Grade October Newsletter

8th Grade October Newsletter

Co-Curricular (5-8) October Newsletter

2026-2027 Athletes must have a current physical on file to participate in athletics.

Email healthoffice@dist46.org & athletics@dist46.org your current physical forms!

Please complete Agreement to Participate form or QR- this only needs to be completed once a year for any athletics/clubs/activities.

Monday, October 26th

7th (4:15) & 8th (5:15) Grade Boys Basketball (A only) @ Fox River Grove

6th Grade Home VS Fox River Grove (A & B) Home VS Fox River Grove

Tuesday, October 27th

8th Grade Boys Basketball (A & B) @ Harvard

7th Grade Boys Basketball (A & B) Home VS Harvard JH Gym

6th Grade Boys Basketball (A & B) Home VS Harvard ELEM Gym

Questions? Please email Ms. Cotton at athletics@dist46.org.

• October 23 - Harvest Fest 5-7 PM
• October 28 - Elementary Pantherpalooza Finale
• October 28-30 - Timber-Lee Field Trip
• October 30- Halloween Parties
• November 5 - Board Finance Committee Meeting 4pm
• November 6 - Fall Choir Concert 7 PM
• November 9 -PTO Meeting 7:30 PM
• November 11 - Picture Retake Day
• November 13 - End of Trimester 1
• November 13 - Half Day Student Attendance
• November 12 - JH Band Concert 7 PM
• November 16 - Trimester 1 grades available
• November 16 - Board of Education Meeting 7 PM
• November 19 - Elementary Band Concert 7 PM
• November 25-27 - No School for Thanksgiving Break

• Project Hope - Paws to Party
• Encore Music Academy
• Woodstock Dolphins
• Autism Resource Center
• What is HUG?
• Child and Family Connections