Grand Prairie Elementary School Administrative Letter

Dear Parents,

I would like to welcome you to yet another exciting year at Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie is a beautiful building that makes wonderful things happen with our students every day. I am honored and proud to be a part of the successes that take place here at Grand Prairie Elementary School each day.

As a former teacher at Grand Prairie, I am thrilled to work with such supportive parents and community members, dedicated staff, and of course; the hard-working young students. I am devoted to the students and the district and look forward to working together with the parents to achieve success. Grand Prairie offers a challenging and engaging learning environment and curriculum for the kindergarten, first and second grade students in Frankfort School District 157-C.

Grand Prairie focuses on a "School within a School" concept with our different colored Learning Communities throughout the building. This was adopted by the district many years ago and has had endless positive outcomes since it was established. By having four communities within the building, students grow academically, socially and emotionally being a part of their own individual Learning Community from grades K through 2. We currently have Green, Red, Purple and Gold Communities within the building. Having kindergarten, first and second grade teachers housed in each colored community strengthens the relationships among all students and the staff assigned to that particular community…hence the “School within a School” approach. Once a student is assigned a community, they will stay within that community their entire Grand Prairie career. We have a well-earned reputation and commitment to foster academic excellence and hands-on learning with our students within each Learning Community.

The district is focused on many aspects related to quality education…one of those being the integration of technology in the classroom. We were fortunate enough to receive many donations and grants over the last year or two to purchase LCD projectors and ELMO machines for every classroom in the building…along with multiple Smart Boards and Inter-write Tablets. This educationally focused technology was purchased from donations from The Education Foundation, The FSP and The K-12 Teacher’s Alliance. This new technology adds an entire new approach and flavor to education where resources are endless.

We, as a district, are privileged to have the support and donations of the Booster Groups. I mentioned two of them above with the Education Foundation and the FSP. The Athletic Boosters have also generously donated PE and recess equipment including some special education equipment and many school-wide assemblies. The Chorus and Band Boosters always support our music program we have here at Grand Prairie. Lastly, the Courtyard Committee has wrapped up the creation of a beautiful Outdoor Education Center called “The Courtyard.” This courtyard houses a pond with a waterfall, various plants and trees and different paintings and sculptures of insects. I’d like to publically thank all these organizations for making Grand Prairie what it is today.

Please stop by and take a tour of Grand Prairie and all it has to offer! I look forward to working with your children…our students; this school year. We, together, will make the students successful.

Sincerely,
Bill Hermanson
Principal