Information for Parents

Midterm Progress Reports
The school year is divided into quarters for Reading, Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies grades. Student assignments will change for Physical Education, Physical Fitness, Applied Technology, Health, Music, Art, Foreign Language Survey, Modern Life Skills and Communication Arts every seven weeks, or five times within the year. Report cards will reflect academic grades and special areas by quarters.

In order to offer parents an idea of how their student is performing academically, midterm notices are forwarded during each grading period. If the student is not achieving at full potential, it is hoped that the midterm report will allow action to be taken so that the student can achieve satisfactory grades by report card time.

In addition to the midterm progress report, it is occasionally necessary to issue a progress notice to parents if their student is experiencing academic or conduct difficulties.

Report Cards
Report cards are issued at the end of each quarter. This evaluation of the student progress takes into account individual characteristics, abilities, and effort. If parents or students have questions about a report card grade, please contact the classroom teacher for clarification.

Parent/Teacher Conferences
After the end of the first marking period, a parent/teacher conference day may be scheduled. Conferences will be scheduled to accommodate working parents who wish to attend. At other times throughout the year, conferences may be arranged between parents and teachers.

Building Evacuation
In the event of a utility failure, fire-related damage, or structural damage, students will be immediately evacuated to the parking lot of PVMS.  They will first be transported to St. Stephen’s Church, which is across the street. Once transportation has been arranged, the students will be driven to Grissom Middle School, 17000 S. 80th Avenue, 429-3030, where students will be housed for the remainder of the day.

Fire/Lockdown/Tornado
In the event of an emergency, either a fire alarm will be sounded or an announcement will be made.  During this time, absolute silence is necessary so that everyone can hear and obey orders.  Each classroom teacher will give specific instructions either to evacuate the building or to go to a designated area of the classroom or hallway. Throughout the school year, drills will be conducted so that students are familiar with these procedures.

Emergency Closing of School
Due to severe weather during the winter months, it may be necessary to close school.  The Chicago area broadcast stations have joined together to provide emergency closing information via a centralized computer system. 

The stations that will serve our District on AM radio are WGN 720, WBBM 780 and WLS 890.  Television stations include:  WMAQ-TV Channel 5, WGN-TV Channel 9, FOX 32, and CLTV NEWS.  In addition, members of the school community who register with the Xpedite system will be notified via telephone of any school closing.

Visitors/Security
Prairie View Middle School has a closed campus plan for the safety of our students.  School doors will be closed and locked during school hours and entry may be gained only through the doors in the front vestibule.  Visitors must push the security button located near the door.  A parent or a parent-designee in the office must sign out students who are to be dismissed early.  Any visitors in the building (including parents) must sign in and out through the office and must wear a visitor’s badge if they leave the office area to travel within the building. Also, anyone coming in contact with the students must complete a Volunteer/Non-Employee Acknowledgment of Non-Criminal Background form and attach a photo i.d.