Traditions at Prairie
The Prairie community is close. To some, it even feels like a family. And like any family, Prairie has its share of customs that have been passed down over the years, habits that have formed into institutional markers, traditions that have brought us closer together. From glassblowing to graduation, members of the school’s faculty share a few of their favorites in the pages that follow.
Buddy activities bring our diverse student body and learning together. Big and little, young and old(er), buddy activities at Prairie unite students in a singular purpose to benefit not only the Prairie community but the larger Racine area. By reading together, carving pumpkin, making cards for veterans and seniors, and playing games, student buddies create bonds across divisions that increase feelings of being known and valued.
There are few things more heartwarming than seeing a third-grade student’s beaming smile when acting as an older buddy for the first time or watching an Upper School student listen to the creative ideas of their sixth-grade buddy. Our warm, understanding, mission-driven community is what makes Prairie unique, and buddy activities are special examples.
Senior Send-Off
All of the events that bring our entire student body together are special, but my favorite is, hands down, Senior Send-Off. I love seeing our graduates decked out in their college gear, and hearing their friends – many of whom have known one another for fifteen years – talk about them during the slideshow afterwards is equal parts funny and touching. There’s so much joy in watching our younger students high-five the big kids walking down the path that symbolizes their launch from Prairie into the real world.
The icing on the cake is when one of our graduates stops and thanks a former teacher from Primary or Middle School, someone who shaped them or helped them or challenged them years ago. Senior Send-Off epitomizes some of the best things about TPS: care for those around us, the importance of celebrating one another, the power of long-standing relationships, and the excitement of taking the next big leap with your community cheering you on.
Diwali
All of the events that bring our entire student body together are special, but my favorite is, hands down, Senior Send-Off. I love seeing our graduates decked out in their college gear, and hearing their friends – many of whom have known one another for fifteen years – talk about them during the slideshow afterwards is equal parts funny and touching. There’s so much joy in watching our younger students high-five the big kids walking down the path that symbolizes their launch from Prairie into the real world.
Cultural Traditions
Honor Code
Community is a cornerstone of Prairie’s mission. The Multicultural Fair is a true celebration of diversity that makes Prairie such a unique home. Walking through the library, you will visit dozens of different countries
Buddy Program
Community is a cornerstone of Prairie’s mission. The Multicultural Fair is a true celebration of diversity that makes Prairie such a unique home. Walking through the library, you will visit dozens of different countries
Morning Meeting
Community is a cornerstone of Prairie’s mission. The Multicultural Fair is a true celebration of diversity that makes Prairie such a unique home. Walking through the library, you will visit dozens of different countries
Field Day
All of the events that bring our entire student body together are special, but my favorite is, hands down, Senior Send-Off. I love seeing our graduates decked out in their college gear, and hearing their friends – many of whom have known one another for fifteen years – talk about them during the slideshow afterwards is equal parts funny and touching. There’s so much joy in watching our younger students high-five the big kids walking down the path that symbolizes their launch from Prairie into the real world.
Halloween Parade
You hear the drum before you see it. A rhythmic thump-thump-thump, sometimes joined by the shake of a tambourine. And then, around the corner comes a wisp of iridescent fabric from a princess gown. Or the fuzzy paws of a teddy bear. Or the hollow eyes of a ghost. Prairie’s Halloween Parade is one of my favorite traditions – a time for every student, particularly those in Primary School, to pull out their inner superhero or fairytale character and traipse through the hallways for all to admire. They are always met with “oohs” and “ahhs” and nothing could be sweeter than the Early School students bringing up the rear. It doesn’t get better than a four-year-old asking if you like their Tinkerbell wings or Avengers shield. The answer, of course, is always “yes.”
Celebrations
Juneteenth
Kodomo no Hi
Ramadan Mubarak
Lunar New Year
Diwali
12 Days
All of the events that bring our entire student body together are special, but my favorite is, hands down, Senior Send-Off. I love seeing our graduates decked out in their college gear, and hearing their friends – many of whom have known one another for fifteen years – talk about them during the slideshow afterwards is equal parts funny and touching. There’s so much joy in watching our younger students high-five the big kids walking down the path that symbolizes their launch from Prairie into the real world.
Graduation
All traditions have to start somewhere, and I’m hopeful the new trend of graduates choosing a family member to present their diploma sticks around for a while. You can feel the intensity of the emotion – the joy, the pride, the happiness, the connection – passing between graduate and presenter as the student marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.