Panther Tracks

The elementary wrapped up One Book One School Thursday with an assembly!

We will have a change in our Junior High Pick Up procedures for car riders only at dismissal starting Monday, March 2. We hope that these procedural adjustments will make dismissal more efficient, while keeping safety as our top priority for students, families, and staff. Please note, there will be no changes to morning arrival or elementary procedures.

Prairie Grove Junior High Parent Pick-Up Procedures Update:

Who: Junior High students (Grades 5–8) who are dismissed via parent pick-up at 2:40 PM (No changes to morning arrival)

What: Updated PGJH parent pick-up location (No changes to elementary procedures)

Where: Students will wait near Door 27 sidewalk until their parents' car has pulled forward in the 176 Parking Lot – Junior High Entrance

When: Starting Monday, March 2

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work together to keep dismissal safe and efficient for everyone at Prairie Grove! Please reach out to Mrs. Master or Ms. Cotton for any questions or concerns.

• The survey, administered online by UChicago Impact for the Illinois State Board of Education, measures five key indicators: Effective Leaders, Collaborative Teachers, Involved Families, Supportive Environments, and Ambitious Instruction to assess school learning environment and effectiveness.

• Research shows schools strong in at least three of these areas are 10 times more likely to improve student learning in math and reading.

• Teachers and students in grades 4–8 will participate during the school day.

• The survey is confidential, takes only a few minutes, and students who return completed raffle tickets can be entered to win fun prizes as a thank-you for participation.

The Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in the District Learning Center to conduct a self-evaluation. In addition, the regularly scheduled meeting set for March 17, 2026 has been moved to March 10, 2026 due to the General Primary Elections being held on March 17th.

All of the following criteria must be met in order for students or staff to return to school:

• 24 hours fever free without the use of fever-reducing medication

• Without any episodes of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours without the use of medications

• Feeling well enough to attend and participate in the learning environment

• We are pleased to announce that our school will once again participate in the Kids Heart Challenge, beginning February 10 and continuing through March 13. This program, in partnership with the American Heart Association, promotes heart health, kindness, and physical activity.
• Students in grades K–4 will take part in this year’s challenge, building on the incredible success of last year, when our school community raised over $18,000 to support heart research and education!
• Information and participation materials will be sent home with students after the kickoff on February 10. We look forward to another successful and meaningful challenge this year.

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

• Open for the 2026-2027 School Year.
• If you have concerns, please contact Jessica McKenzie at jmckenzie@dist46.org to set up time for a screener.

Classes that won the Class ROAR Ticket competition for February celebrated with ice cream treats.

Students won coloring with Mrs. McKenzie!

• Don't forget to fill out the 8th Grade End Year Activities Survey: 8th Grade Survey
• Students have received their two photo proofs from E.D. Clark School Photography. Ordering information is printed on the back of the proofs. You may securely place your order online using the password provided on the proof. The deadline to place orders is March 4, 2026.
• If your child did not have their picture taken or would like a retake, retakes will take place on March 4 at 8:00 AM.

Thank you JH Student Council for an awesome Panther Hangout! There was pizza, cookie decorating, ice cream, dodgeball, and basketball! We look forward to our spring hangout on Friday, May 8!

Our amazing band had the opportunity to play alongside of the Chicago Brass Band, one of the best British-style Brass Bands in the nation. Mr. Crylen partnered with this organization to give students this extraordinary opportunity and we were so excited to see this come together at our concert on Thursday Night! The featured song the groups played together was "Under the Sea"- a Disney classic!

As FACS wraps up their final Food Truck projects, Mrs. Giuliano and Mrs. Costa partnered with Brothers BBQ Food truck to come to PGJH to talk about owning and running a Food Truck. Brother's BBQ even provided students with a pulled pork sandwich and BBQ sauce to take home! What a creative (and delicious) way to end the trimester!

Teen leadership is a fantastic opportunity for our 7th and 8th graders to show that they can set a good example for the rest of the school and that the students who graduate from Prairie Grove have the skills to be leaders and make a difference in the world. Our teen leaders help out in both the Elementary and Junior High with various tasks like leading small groups, one on one tutoring, helping in the library and main offices, and assisting in the elementary PE classes! Each leader is assigned one day during 9th hour to help in their placement classroom.

These pictures are of Gabriella B. who is placed in Kelly Ledinsky's Pre-K class!

Track will begin in March for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

Please make sure a current physical is on file. All students participating in clubs, activities, or athletics are required to complete the Extracurricular Code of Conduct form.

The 2025–2026 form only needs to be completed once per school year and must be submitted before participation in any athletics or clubs begins.

Upcoming Events

Monday, March 2nd

7th Grade at MNC Tournament at Marengo Locust Elem Gym. 5:15

Tuesday, March 3rd

8th Grade at MNC Tournament at Marengo Middle School 4:15

Depending on Monday's results 7th Grade at MNC Tournament at Marengo Locust Elem Gym. 5:15

Thursday, March 5th

Depending on Tuesday's results 7th Grade at MNC Tournament Championship at Marengo Middle School 4:15

Depending on Tuesday's results 8th Grade at MNC Tournament Championship at Marengo Middle School 5:15

GO PANTHERS!

Tell us about your family.

I am blessed with two amazing children, Kendall and Norman. Kendall is in college studying to be a Special Education teacher. Norman is in middle school and he loves to play baseball and basketball. We have two dogs, Otis and Tilly, who bring us so much joy!

What is something that makes you really proud?

Watching my children grow into wonderful people is my greatest joy! They both have such kind hearts and that, to me, is more important than anything. I feel so fortunate to be their mom!

I am also so proud of my hard-working students! They are doing so much more than I was at that age, and to watch them grow throughout the year makes me so happy!

What is your favorite hobby?

I love to read and try to get through a book a month - if I can stay awake to read! I also love the beach and will never miss an opportunity to sit by the water!

What is your favorite food?

Tacos! I could eat Mexican food every day and never get sick of it!

What is something you have learned lately?

This is nothing new, but more of a daily reminder…happiness is often very small such as a kind word, a smile or a helping hand. It’s important to always remember to try and show kindness…you never know what someone is dealing with.

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

I would be a manatee! They float around sweetly in warm water and eat a lot! They don’t have to move too fast!

What is your favorite thing about Prairie Grove?

PG is such a special place! We are truly a family who care and look out for one another. My third grade teammates have become life long friends! I am so grateful for my colleagues.

Tell us about your family.

I am Joyce Devine and I am the 8th grade math teacher at Prairie Grove Junior High. My family consists of my husband, my parents, my younger sister and brother and their families. My husband and I have seven nephews and three nieces.

What is something that makes you really proud?

I am proud of accomplishments that my family has made over the years in their fields of work. I am also proud of my students and the growth that they make over the school year.

What is your favorite hobby?

I enjoy playing my clarinet in the Crystal Lake Community Band, playing handbells in my church’s handbell choir, reading, spending time with friends, playing board games and working on puzzles.

What is your favorite food?

I am a big pasta fan.

What is something you have learned lately?

I enjoy taking classes and learning from other teachers so I can keep growing and trying new strategies in my classroom. Recently, I learned more about using manipulatives during lessons. Bringing in hands-on materials has helped keep my students more engaged and gives them a better way to see and understand the concepts we’re working on. It has been a great way to make learning more interactive and meaningful for my students.

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

I would be a bird so I could easily go between favorable climates depending on the time of year and I would also like to have a viewpoint from up above to see what is happening down below.

What is your favorite thing about Prairie Grove?

My favorite thing about Prairie Grove is the people. I have taught at PG for 21 years and I have made many friends here over the years.

What is the first official day of spring?

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).

Complete the weekly activity with your family!

Saturday, February 28th

PTO Sweetheart Dance, 6:00

Monday, March 2nd

PTO Meeting, 7:00

Tuesday, March 10th

Board of Education Meeting, 7:00

Thursday, March 12th

8th Grade Girls and Boys Basketball teams VS Faculty 4:00-6:00 JH Gym

Wednesday, March 18th

PTO McTeacher Night, 4:00

March 23-March 27

No School, Spring Break