Panther Tracks

8th Grade Parents/Guardians, if you could please fill out the End of the Year Activities Survey, we would greatly appreciate it. This will allow us to plan for important upcoming events such as the 8th grade picnic, Great America Trip, and Promotion: 8th Grade End of Year Activities Survey

This survey link will also be sent via email and text message.

The weather looks warmer next week! Please ensure you send students with cold weather gear including coat, hat, gloves/mittens, boots and snowpants!

The elementary yearbook sale starts today, February 2nd! The yearbook is $20 and can be ordered through Skyward. This sale will end on February 28th. Order yours today!

Dear Families,

We are writing to share that there was damage to a portion of the exterior brick on one of our school buildings. This occurred several weeks ago, and on behalf of the Board of Education and district leadership team we want to assure you that there is no structural damage and no one was injured.

Repairs are planned and will be completed as soon as weather conditions allow. The area continues to be monitored to ensure safety.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Just a friendly reminder to make sure to call our attendance line if your student is going to be absent. We appreciate your help making sure we keep accurate attendance!

Attendance Line: 815-459-3023

Each year, we work to make sure every student in our school receives the support they need to achieve success and experience positive outcomes on our campus. Ongoing screening in both academic and social, emotional, and behavioral functioning can identify students that need additional support to increase their academic performance and improve overall well-being.

Screening tools help school staff develop effective plans and allocate resources at the school, class, and individual levels. During the week of February 2nd, we will administer an SEL screener, Waypoints, to all students in grades 3-4. JH students will take the Youth Needs Screener the week of February 9 to not conflict with QPR trainings.

The results will be used as one data point in a proactive process that supports students with organizational strategies, social skills, coping strategies, and other supports that help them fully engage in their learning. Should our team identify your child as needing additional support, you will be notified just as you would with academic interventions.

We encourage every child to participate in the SEL Screeners as it gives us important information about addressing common needs at the school level and how to best support each student in our school.

If you decide that you would like to have your child not participate in the screener, please email your child’s building principal with your child's name and grade, Jordan Master (jmaster@dist46.org) or Jessica McKenzie (jmckenzie@dist46.org) by Friday, January 30th.

We appreciate the ongoing partnership with our families to ensure all students receive what they need and can experience success at Prairie Grove District 46.

Parent/Guardians of students Grades 6-8 received an email this week regarding Suicide Prevention Training presentations that will be held in January and early February for students. Please read your email for that very important update. If you have any questions and/or do not want your child to participate in the SOS program, please contact our school social worker, Kayla Dinkelmann (Kdinkelmann@dist46.org), prior to the program date.

The following presentation dates are scheduled for students:

8th Grade Student Training - Thursday, January 22nd
7th Grade Student Training - Thursday, January 29th
6th Grade Student Training - Thursday, February 5th

Upcoming Athletic Events

All students joining clubs, activities, or athletics are required to complete the Extracurricular Code of Conduct. 2025-2026 form only needs to be filled out one (1) time a year and it is to be completed before Athletics or Clubs begin: COMPLETE THIS FORM

Upcoming Events:

Monday, February 2nd

7th Grade (A&B) @ Harrison 4:15

6th Grade (A&B) Home VS Harrison 4:15 JH Gym

Girls basketball 6-8 attending PR Game! Go Wolves!

Wednesday, February 4th

8th Grade Home VS North Boone (A&B) 4:15 in JH Gym

7th Grade @ North Boone (A&B) 4:15

6th Grade Home VS Johnsburg (A&B) ELEM Gym 4:15

Thursday, February 5th

6th Grade Girls basketball (A&B) @ Marengo 4:15

Scholastic Bowl @ Lundahl

Abby Weck - Elementary Counselor

Tell us about your family.

My husband, Chris, and I have been married for almost 13 years and we have two kiddos, Charlie and Maggie. Both of our kids keep us very busy with sports and activities, including football, hockey, taekwondo, gymnastics, basketball, and piano! We also have a house full of rescue dogs and cats - our three dogs are Penny, Russell, and Smoky and our cats are Agnes, Montee, and Mavis. Sometimes we like to add some foster puppies to the mix, just to keep up with the chaos!

What is something that makes you really proud?

I am always so proud of my children. Watching them grow into the kind-hearted and hard working people they are becoming is my greatest accomplishment. I am also constantly amazed by and proud of the students here at PG. We have such a unique, tight-knit, and supportive school community and I see how the students reflect that every day.

What is your favorite hobby?

I do a little bit of hand embroidery when I have time, nothing too complicated but I have fun doing it!

What is your favorite food?

I really just love food in general, but if I had to pick just one favorite, it would probably be pad thai with tofu!

What is something you have learned lately?

I tend to keep myself really busy between work, kids, and all the other things that end up on my schedule, so I am learning how important it is to balance “busy-ness” with down time and really make sure I give myself time to rest and recharge.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I would definitely be a cat! If anyone knows how to rest, it is absolutely a cat!

What is your favorite thing about Prairie Grove?

Prairie Grove truly is such a warm and supportive community. The students are wonderful, and I am so happy that I get to support PG kiddos as a School Counselor. The staff at Prairie Grove are always working hard to make sure students are supported and collaborating to develop new ideas that make our school an even better place than it already is. I have an amazing team that I work closely with every day, and I am so thankful for every single one of them.

Ms. Zeman-7th Grade Science

Tell us about your family.

Hello, my name is Jane Zeman, and I am the 7th-grade Science teacher here at Prairie Grove Junior High. I live in Palatine IL. My family consists of my mom and two older brothers. My dad passed away three years ago and is missed every single day. My oldest brother, Tommy, is 29, my second brother, Jimmy, is 28, and I just turned 26. We are all a very close-knit family, and they are very important to me.

What is something that makes you really proud?

Something that makes me really proud is my family for our perseverance after my dad had passed away. I was finishing my 5th year at college when I got the news that my dad had passed away. I was home for a week before I went back and finished my year strong, accepted a job before graduating, and lived in Wisconsin teaching for two years. There have been a lot of times when I wish I could call my dad and ask for advice on a lot of things. I’m proud of my mom for literally everything. My mom is such a strong, resilient, and kind person, and through everything, she has always shown up. My brothers have also worked really hard and have shown resilience, and shown up and continue to help the ones they love and those around them.

What is your favorite hobby?

I love a good puzzle. I have been doing puzzles since I was a child, and I love sitting down and working on a puzzle. I have also been enjoying the diamond art kits. That also brings a lot of calming energy to just sit down and do a puzzle or diamond art. I also enjoy making charcuterie boards for family and friends.

What is your favorite food?

I have a lot of favorite foods, but I definitely would have to say Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli. (especially from Jamesome Charhouse in Arlington Heights).

What is something you have learned lately?

Something I learned is to never take anything for granted in life or in general. Things can change quickly, and the people and opportunities around us aren’t always guaranteed. Because of this, it’s important to appreciate what we have in the moment and not overlook the small things. This mindset helps me be more grateful, more aware, and more intentional about how I treat others and approach life.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

If I were an animal, I would be a dog because they are very loving, loyal, energetic, and love to be with people. (but I have always wondered what dogs are thinking :) ….)

What is your favorite thing about Prairie Grove?

There is a lot about Prairie Grove that I love. I love how welcoming the community is and how involved they are, not just in the educational aspect but also in the extracurriculars and athletics. The staff is also so welcoming, and it truly has been my second family since moving back to Illinois to continue my teaching career. I missed that family/welcoming feeling at my last school. The people in Prairie Grove School are really genuine and always want to help in any way that they can. The people in Prairie Grove School, not just the staff but the students, have made an impact on me as a person and as a teacher.

How thick does ice need to be to walk on?

If you are a junior high student, email your answer to Mrs. Master (jmaster@dist46.org). If you are an elementary student, email your answer to Mrs. McKenzie (jmckenzie@dist46.org).

Turn in the following activity to Mrs. Master or Mrs. McKenzie to have your work displayed at Prairie Grove!

Want to know more about what PTO is up to? Interested in helping them achieve their mission of supporting ALL students? Visit their website for up to date information on events and initiatives!

Panther Tracks