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The Pursuit of EXCELLENCE continues with Equity, Empathy and Empowerment!
Welcome Back to the
2022-2023 School Year!
Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 is re-imagining what education SHOULD be instead of what it has been....We are pleased to open our very own S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Academy located next door to our District Office in Markham, IL. Our very own Markham Park Elementary School is undergoing remodeling and will also share building space with the STEAM Academy this school year. It is exciting to observe the joy and engagement on the faces of our students. This year we plan to have Drone clubs at every school. Prairie-Hills Jr. High school plans to host a Drone competition for the South Cook region. More details will be forthcoming.As we re-imagine education, my staff and I continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our students receive the BEST learning experience possible. I am committed to ensuring that we meet the individual needs of our students and staff. This is why we are continuing our equity journey. We realize that the individual needs of students and staff vary, but we must be willing to meet them in order for everyone to be successful and productive. Our charge this school year is to ensure that our students have a fulfilling, engaging, challenging and collaborative learning experience.This year we will continue to provide weekly COVID testing for students and staff. The testing schedule has been mailed home to parents, and is listed on the individual school's websites.I am excited about our districtwide book study, "The 7 Mindsets" by Scott Shickler & Jeff Waller. Throughout this school year, we will be focusing on the following mindsets:1.) Everything is Possible2.) Passion First3.) We Are Connected4.) 100% Accountable5.) Attitude of Gratitude6.) Live to Give7.) The Time is NowPlease feel free to join us in our book studies. We have readings and activities planned weekly, monthly, and quarterly for the duration of the school year!Our moral imperative continues to be that home and school work together collaboratively to ensure that our students are challenged to grow, learn and excel in a rigorous and challenging environment, whereby our students compete and eventually dominate in the larger global society.My staff and I continue to be amazed at the tremendous strides we are making in Prairie-Hills District 144! We remained renewed, excited and tenacious about moving our District to the next level of EXCELLENCE. This is our continual quest! We cannot, nor would we want to succeed without your essential partnership, input, support, dedication and commitment!"The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics...We need men and women who can dream of things that never were, and ask why not."
~John F. Kennedy
Dr. Kimako Patterson, Superintendent@DrKimako