For Parents

“We choose PCCS for their environmental focus and ability to engage us to help in my children's development. Where else do you get that chance?” Parent of 2 students

Parents

Charter public schools provide quality public school options for all families. Charter schools exist and thrive because parents choose them. At PCCS we rely heavily and encourage participation from our parents as we recognize that they are our children’s first teachers and their support and involvement strengthens our school. From being engaged in the classroom, helping our award winning Farm To Table program to being morning greeters for our students; our parents play a vital role in our uniqueness and success. Thank you for choosing to be a part of our community and entrusting us with your child’s development.

COVID-19 Related Resources

COVID-19 Tips

TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT COVID

COMMUNITY SERVICES

  • UNITED WAY can help with Housing, Utilities, Food, Financial Help, Mental Health, and more 211 Lake County – website offers quick links to find help and information from around Lake County, IL. 330 SOUTH GREENLEAF STREET GURNEE, IL 60031 MAIN: (847) 775-1000 | FAX: (847) 775-1001

INTERNET SERVICES

  • COMCAST is offering new customers in low-income families 60 days of complimentary internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Customer must reside in a Comcast service area. Visit https://www.internetessentials.com/ to apply.

Continuing Education Resources Update

The Illinois State Board of Education is dedicated to providing all students of Illinois with a quality education. In March 2020, ISBE provided educators with virtual educational resources to assist in the transition of continuous learning. With the school year already in full swing, ISBE has re-evaluated the resources and identified the following as distinguishable resources. These resources are aligned to standards and are free to users. They provide opportunities for additional and deeper learning and can be utilized by multiple users (teachers, parents, students).

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES SUICIDE AWARENESS

  • Text-A-Tip  – a 24/7 anonymous text crisis hotline offering emotional support for middle school and high school youth. To access this service, text LAKECO and your message to 1-844-823-5323. Within seconds, you will receive an automated response, and within minutes a live mental health counselor will respond to your text.  All messages are sent through a cloaking server located offsite that keeps the communication completely anonymous.
  • National Suicide Prevention Line https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ (800)273-8255
  •  

ERIKA’S LIGHTHOUSE – Promoting Positive Mental Health for Teens Feeling Isolated ANXIETY CDC offers tips for STRESS and COPING with COVID here. TELETHERAPY LAKE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT – BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES https://www.lakecountyil.gov ; 847-377-8180 Warren Township Youth & Family Services 100 S. Greenleaf St., Gurnee, IL 60031847-244-1101 ext. *401 youthservices@warrentownship.net www.wtyouthservices.com  FOOD PANTRIES

  • Open Arms Mission – Antioch, IL; (847)395-0309
  • Avon Community Food Pantry – Round Lake, IL
  • Warren Township Food Pantry – Gurnee, IL ; 847-244-1101 ext. 101
  • Cool Food Pantry – Waukegan, IL; 847-662-1230
  • Lord of Glory Lutheran Church Food Pantry – Grayslake, IL; 847-548-5673
  • Community Christian Church of Lake County – Waukegan, IL; 847-662-8887
  • Helping Hands Food Pantry – Spring Grove, IL; 815-245-7345

Other Organization/Web Site Links
A Safe Place the sole provider of services exclusively addressing domestic violence in Lake County, Illinois
Boys and Girls Club of Lake County provides after school and summer programming for children. Virtual club option during COVID-19
Boys Scouts of America provides character building programs for children. Virtual scouting activities during COVID-19
Catholic Charities of Lake County has a broad array of services. COVID-19 service and response are available
Childserv offers a wide range of services for children, from foster care to early childhood education throughout the Chicagoland area. Temporarily closed during COVID-19
College of Lake County- the county’s community college also offers free adult educational classes. Buildings are closed during COVID-19
COOL  offers food pantry, family housing and veterans assistance
Habitat for Humanity helps families build and improve places to call home
 Job Center of Lake County connects employers and workforce and provides resources for those seeking employment. Closed during COVID-19 but working remotely. You may Email your request to elocke@lakecountyil.gov or call 847-377-3450  
IL Department of Employment Security– administers state unemployment benefits, runs the employment service and Illinois Job Bank, and publishes labor market information. Emergency rules are in place to assist more families during COVID-19
IL Department of Human Services– provides a variety of assistance including SNAP benefits and Medical Card.
Lake County Affordable Housing Commission provides grant funds and forgivable loans to qualifying Lake County residences.
Lake County Health Department and Community Center provides a variety of health services including immunizations, doctor appointments, addiction rehab, dental and mental health services.
Lake Behavioral Health offers inpatient and outpatient mental health services for patients 12 and older. They are open during COVID-19 but are not accepting visitors.  
HACES programs are: Legalization, Immigrant Family Resource, Health Plans Enrollment and Navigation, Citizenship and naturalization, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, School Parent Mentors, and Bilingual GED preparation.   .  
Mano a Mano Family Resource Center mission is to empower immigrant families in Lake County, IL to become full participants in American life. This includes a variety of programs  
NICASA provides behavioral health and substance abuse assistance. They remain open during COVID-19 and have included virtual resources during this time  
Prairie State Legal Services offers free legal services for low income persons and those age 60 and over.  During COVID-19 you may call the main office number at 847-662-6925 to speak to a telephone counseling attorney Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm and special telephone access for victims of domestic violence on Wednesday evenings between 6 pm and 8 pm.  
PADS of Lake County is a homeless shelter. During COVID-19 shelters are closed but access to individual accommodations is available after being assessed at the Waukegan location during the hours fo 8-4, Monday- Friday. You may also call 847-689-4357  
Salvation Army offers a variety of services including assistance with utility bill payments, safe shelter, and food security. During COVID-19 food pantries are closed but are providing meals in to-go boxes. An Emotional and Spiritual Support Hotline has also been created and is available from 8-4 by calling 877-740-8829. You may also leave a message  
Roberti Community House has over 20 different programs including a culinary pathway. During COVID-19 their efforts have shifted to focus on food recover, prepartions and distribution  
UMMA Centers provides free GED and computer training as well as ESL and Spanish classes. During COVID-19 food pantry remains open Monday and Wednesday 10-3. GED students are allowed to work form home but all other classes are postponed. You may call 847-336-6136 or email info@ummacenters.org  
Waukegan Public Library beyond books and other media the library provides a variety of services and classes. During COVID-19 you are able to apply for a free library card online to access all their online resources.  
YWCA of Lake County provides services to empower women and eliminate racism including Childcare Assistance Program. During COVID-19 they will be closed ot the public but staff is available remotely.  

 

STATE OF ILLINOIS

Organization Web Site:

Illinois Department on Aging Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Illinois State Board of Education Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Illinois Housing Development Authority Illinois Department of Human Rights

EDUCATIONAL LINKS:

Literacy

Reviewed Childrens Books National Center for Family Literacy Improving Early Reading Achievement Federal Resources for Educational Excellence  

Parent Links

Helping your Child with Homework

Bilingual Education

Google Translate National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition Discovery School: Foreign Languages

SPECIAL EDUCATION LINKS:

Organizations and Agencies for Special Needs Children

The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE) National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities National Center for Learning Disabilities Council for Exceptional Children US Department of Education

Information on Specific Conditions

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association American Foundation for the Blind Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Dyslexia National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Handbook, Medical Forms, Fee Waiver and Classroom Supply Lists

This page contains many school-related forms that pertain to student needs while at school. Please contact us if you need assistance finding any forms.

 

Parent-Student Handbook

Welcome to a new school year at Prairie Crossing Charter School!  Whether you are new to our school or a familiar face, we are pleased to be travelling along with you on your school journey. We are excited and looking forward to continuing truly meaningful partnerships with our families, staff and community, so that our students will thrive academically, socially and environmentally. This handbook is intended to provide answers to questions and guidelines that ensure a safe and enriching learning environment for every PCCS students.  Please familiarize yourself with the information herein so that we can forge an effective partnership and provide you with the small school personalized care that you expect and deserve.  Thank you!

Student Yearly Instructional Fee:

Medical Forms 2021 /2022

2021-2022 School Calendar

2021-2022 School Supply Lists

School Spirit Wear and PE Uniform Orders

Spirit Wear is available for sale to all students and family members. 

Students in grades 5-8 should consider wearing alternative clothing for PE.  Students must wear appropriate gym shoes (preferably non-black soled shoes) and should consider wearing alternative clothing or PCCS-approved uniform if they so choose to purchase one.

To order PE Uniforms please:
-Log into your student’s PowerSchool Account and choose “Pay Fees”.
-PE Uniforms can be ordered by making your selection under the “Categories” Navigation bar on the left side of the Edutrack Home Menu.
-Once you have added the desired quantity and size for your PE Uniform purchase, you can finalize your transaction by paying online via credit card (a service fee will apply). If you would like to make payment via check or cash in the office, please complete your order in Edutrack and change the amount due to $0 to finalize your order. Print the order confirmation that is emailed to you and submit it with payment via check payable to PCCS PSO or cash to the Business Office. Your order will NOT be placed until payment is received.

Enrichment

Enrichment info coming!

Software

Student Online Personal Protection Act – SOPPA

As part of your child’s education, PCCS partners with education technology companies to provide services such as digital curriculum, educational resources, and analytical tools. PCCS is committed to protecting the information security and privacy of our students in accordance with the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA). SOPPA is the data privacy law that regulates student data collection and use by schools, the Illinois State Board of Education, and education technology vendors.

On August 23, 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law an amended version of SOPPA that gives parents greater control over student data. Among the changes is a new requirement to enact breach notifications that are available to the public. SOPPA also requires Illinois school districts to provide additional guarantees that student data is protected when collected by education technology companies and used for beneficial purposes only. The law is effective July 1, 2021.

PCCS adheres to the following applicable laws regarding student data

  • PCCS Approved Applications
    PCCS values your child’s privacy and strives to ensure that parents are aware of what web-based tools and applications are being used for educational purposes.  A list of D50’s approved web-based tools, written agreements with operators, and a list of data elements shared can be found and reviewed here.

    Data Breaches
    In the event that there is a data breach, PCCS will notify parents via district communication systems within 30 days of a data breach and within 60 days if a third-party is responsible for the data breach.

    Video
    What is Soppa? Student Online Personal Protection Act