Prairie Elementary - USD 261

Thank you to all of our Prairie families who came out to our Back to School Event! 🐾

We loved seeing so many smiling faces and can’t wait to welcome our Bulldogs back next week for an amazing school year. See you soon! ✨

👀 Spotted in the community: The Building Relationships and Targeting Healthy Emotions program, a summer program in collaboration with Haysville Public Schools, recently wrapped up its fourth summer with both children and staff enjoying popsicles. Pictured is the dedicated team of counselors who helped provide 29 children and families with intensive behavioral and social skills interventions for eight weeks this summer.

The BREATHE program offers a therapeutic alternative to medication for children with symptoms of ADHD, teaching and reinforcing social skills and behavior regulation in the context of sports and recreational activities. The program, which started in 2022, has grown each year with support from our Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics.

📬 We're excited to share that Meet Your Teacher (1st - 5th Grade) postcards will be mailed tomorrow morning for all currently enrolled students! Keep an eye on your mailbox, you'll get to scratch off the sticker to reveal your teacher. ✨

If you don't want to wait for the mail, teacher assignments will also be available in PowerSchool later this week.

We can't wait to welcome everyone back for another amazing school year! 🐾

🎒Here’s what to know about Kinder Launch!

Kinder Launch thoughtfully places kindergarten students into balanced classrooms where every child can learn, grow, and feel supported.

Here’s what families can expect:

📅 Students will attend full days on August 12, 13, and 14
🏫 Kindergarten students will visit classrooms during Open House
🚫 There will be no school for kindergarten students on Monday, August 17
📞 Families will receive a call if their child’s teacher placement changes
✨ Regular kindergarten classes will begin on August 18

During Kinder Launch, students will rotate through small groups while teachers gather academic and observational information. Teachers will look at skills in areas such as colors, numbers, letters, and shapes, then work together to create balanced classes that support each child.

Thank you for partnering with us as we help every kindergartner get off to a strong start!

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❄️ Cool off and kick off the new school year with us! 🍧

Prairie Elementary is excited to invite all incoming and returning Prairie students and their families to our Cool Off & Kick Off Back-to-School Event!

📅 Thursday, August 6
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM

Enjoy a FREE snow cone from Mrs. Cole's Snow Cones (limit one per person), connect with other Prairie families, and help us celebrate the start of an amazing school year!

We can't wait to welcome our new students and see all of our returning Bulldogs. See you there!

Planning appointments, trips, or family time for the 2026-2027 school year? 📅

Regular attendance plays an important role in student learning, so families are encouraged to use scheduled breaks and long weekends when making plans whenever possible.

The district calendar includes several opportunities throughout the year, including:

• Labor Day weekend
• October conference break
• Thanksgiving break
• Winter break
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend
• February conference break and Presidents' Day
• Spring break
• Spring holiday
• April professional development weekend

View the full 2026-2027 school calendar at usd261.com and plan ahead for a successful school year.

Need help finding your student’s bus information? 🚌

Visit usd261.com and select the PowerSchool link on the right side of the homepage. You can also go to Menu → Parents & Students → PowerSchool Parent Portal.

After signing in, look under Grades and Attendance for the most current transportation information.

Please note that bus details may change during the first few weeks of school as routes and schedules are finalized.

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📣 One Stop Enrollment is this week!

Families who are new to USD 261 Haysville Public Schools can complete enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year at:

📍 Haysville West Middle School
1956 W. Grand Ave.
Haysville, KS 67060

🗓 Thursday, July 23
8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

🗓 Friday, July 24
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Please bring the following items:

• Driver’s license or state-issued ID
• Proof of residency, such as a current utility bill showing the parent or guardian’s name and the student’s address, or a current rental or purchase agreement
• Certified copy of the student’s birth certificate
• Kansas Certificate of Immunization
• Health Assessment Form for children under age 9

District staff will be available to help families complete the enrollment process and answer questions.

For more information, call 316-554-2200.

| | Haysville West Middle School - USD 261