Message from the Principal

Dear Prairie Point Families: It’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close. 2012-2013 school year has been a wonderful one. Read More

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About the Administration, Office and Support Staff

	Dr. Heidi Podjasek, Principal 630-636-3610 email My name is Heidi Podjasek and I am the Principal at Prairie Point Elementary School. I am so proud to serve the students and parents of the Prairie Point Community. Please call or visit me in the office if I can assist you in any way! I received my undergraduate degree in English and Education in 1999 and a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2001, both from Aurora University. During this time I taught 7th Grade Language Arts, Reading, Social Studies, and Gifted Education. I obtained my administrative certification in 2002 and became the Assistant Principal at Herrick Middle School in Downers Grove for three years. I then joined the staff at Fox Chase for the 2006-2007 school year, and was appointed principal at Prairie Point in 2008-2009. I also teach courses in the Masters of Arts in Teaching program at Aurora University. In May of 2009, I received my Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Aurora University. I live here in Oswego with my husband, David, our son, Lucas, and our cat Dolly. My true passion is education and kids. I love everyday that I get to spend working with, and for, children. I am honored to be a part of the Oswego School District and a member of the Prairie Point family.

	Mrs. Jonelle Salinas, Assistant Principal 630-636-3611 email My name is Mrs. Jonelle Salinas and I am the Assistant Principal at Prairie Point Elementary. I graduated from the University of St. Francis in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. I then returned to St. Francis and earned my Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership as well as my Administrative certificate in 2009. I have taught first grade and was an Assistant Principal in Channahon prior to joining the fantastic team in Oswego. I live in Minooka with my wonderful husband Matthew and our beautiful daughters Alyssa (4) and our newest addition Lyndsey (5/2012). We have a dog named Zoey and two cats, Buddy and Sissy. I enjoy baking, reading, traveling, spending time with family and shopping. I believe that all children are deserving of a quality education with all the support, enrichment, encouragement and love that we, as the adults in their lives, can offer. I am very committed to students academic and social/emotional growth as well working together as team with parents and staff to create a fantastic learning environment. I enjoy spending my time in classrooms, getting to know students and interacting with the community. Feel free to contact me at any time if I can be of service to you. Go Panthers!

	Mrs. Kim Manna, Principal's Secretary 630-636-3609 email My name is Kim Manna and I am the Secretary to Dr. Heidi Podjasek at Prairie Point Elementary School. I have been at Prairie Point since we opened in the 2005-2006 school year. Prior to working at Prairie Point I spent two years working at the District Administrative Office. Before I worked for the Oswego School District I worked for a Burger King and Krispy Kreme franchisee in the accounting and finance department as a financial analyst. My husband, Rob and I, and our two children, Jeff, and Katie, have lived in Oswego for thirteen years. When I am not at Prairie Point you can usually find me on the golf course, or at the baseball and softball fields watching my kids playing. In my spare time I enjoy vacationing with my family at a cabin on a lake, having campfires with s’mores and taking bike rides with my family. I absolutely love coming to work every day where I am greeted by over 500 smiling little faces. It is such a joy and pleasure to be part of the Prairie Point family.

	Mrs. Pam Weber, Attendance Secretary 630-636-3609 email My name is Pam Weber, and I am the Attendance Secretary at Prairie Point Elementary School. I came to Prairie Point when it opened for the 2005 – 06 school year. I had been the Attendance Secretary at Boulder Hill Elementary school for six years prior to coming to Prairie Point. My husband, Tim and I have three children and six grandchildren. I spend the time when I’m not at school following my grandchildren to all of their sporting events, playing tennis and following my beloved Bears and Cubs! I’m honored to serve the parents and students of the Prairie Point community. It is my mission every day to work together to serve our parents, students, staff and community with a friendly warm environment.

	Melonie Mateja, Building Nurse 630-636-3602 email My name is Melonie Mateja and I am the Building Nurse at Prairie Point Elementary School. The kids call me Nurse Melonie. I have been the Building Nurse at Prairie Point since 2006. Previously, I was a staff nurse at Central DuPage Hospital specializing in Pediatrics and Medical-Oncology. I graduated with a nursing degree from Northern Illinois University in 2003. My husband Dan and I have two children, Dylan and Meredith. We live in Montgomery. When I am not working at Prairie Point I enjoy scrap booking, spending time with my family, reading, and doing outdoor activities. I enjoy writing and have written two short story books in my spare time. I love my job at Prairie Point and look forward to seeing the students, parents, and staff as part of my regular school day. I feel very blessed to be a part of the Prairie Point family.

	Janice D'Ambrosia, LRC & Computer Lab 630-636-3603 email My name is Janice D’Ambrosia and this is my seventh year as a Teacher's Assistant. I am currently working in the Learning Resource Center and the Computer Lab. I feel very blessed to work with such wonderful students and staff! My husband and I have been married for 28 years and have two wonderful children, Janelle (24) and Tyler (14). We have called Oswego our home for 11 years. Our family also loves animals. We have two dogs-Scooby and Dotty, two bunnies-Hendrix and Bear, a guinea pig named Cookie, Chester, our bird and Tiki the cat. In my spare time I like camping, reading, playing games, volunteering, and most importantly, spending time with my family! I enjoyed my banking career for over 16 years, but my favorite job, by far, is working here at Prairie Point!

	Sharon Foley, Teacher's Assistant email My name is Sharon Foley. My family and I have lived in Oswego for 10 years. I have also been a T.A. in Oswego for 10 years. I have worked with every grade level these past 10 years but this year my job is different! I am working with 1st-5th grade students with math only. I always liked figuring math problems out so this is just right for me! I love working with the kids! The only thing I don't like about my job is outside recess in the winter! I have 3 awesome kids. Brittany is 25 and works for Teach for America. Colin is 22 and goes to college. He hopes to become a firefighter. Maddie is 17 and goes to OHS. She will be graduating this year. During my rare free time I love to spend time with my family, run, pretend I am a photographer and read. I have my teaching degree so maybe one day I will be a teacher or maybe become a photographer!

	Laruel Holpuch, AT & LD Teacher's Assistnat email My name is Mrs. Holpuch and I have been at Prairie Point Elementary since it opened in 2005. I am a teacher assistant for the resource department. I also assist the academically talented teacher. I have always enjoyed helping others and I get to do that everyday at Prairie Point. Whether working with a student or assisting a teacher I am doing what I love. My husband and I have three children ages 20, 18 and 13. We are a very active family involved in volleyball, football, basketball and lacrosse. When I am not at Prairie Point or watching my children playing a sport you can find my family and me at Lake Carroll boating, four wheeling, snow skiing or snowmobiling.

	Craig Hotchkiss, Teacher's Assistant email My name is Craig Hotchkiss and I am a Literacy Aide at Prairie Point Elementary School. My family and I moved to the area in January 2012 from Green Bay, WI. Yes, I am a PACKER FAN! My son is a 4^th grader at Grande Park and my 4 year old daughter is in preschool. When I am not at work, I enjoy reading, playing with my kids, and spending time outdoors. I became a certified teacher in Wisconsin in 2009 after earning my Bachelor of Science degree in Education at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. I am currently taking a class at Northern Illinois University to get my teaching certification in Illinois. I enjoy working with kids and teaching them new and exciting things.

	Heather Warner, KLeap Reading email My name is Heather Warner and I am the K-Leap Teacher Assistant. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from North Central College.My husband and I have lived in Oswego since 1997 with our two sons.Austin is a 9th grader at Oswego High School and Troy is in 5th grade here at Prairie Point.While raising my kids, I stayed active by volunteering in the district and with Home & School.In my spare time I enjoy reading, scrapbooking, gardening and spending time by the pool or lake with my family.After staying home with my boys for many years, I am excited to be back teaching.

	Ernesto Muniz, 3rd Grade TPI email My name is Ernesto X. Muniz and I am the Bilingual Teacher Assistant of the English Language Learners at Prairie Point Elementary. I have worked in the Oswego School District since 2009. Prior to that, I worked as the Operations Manager of a business in Puerto Rico. I was born on the beautiful Island of Puerto Rico were I attended college and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Management and Technology. My mom, dad and sister still live in Puerto Rico. In my spare time, I enjoy playing tennis and mountain biking. When I am not working, I visit Puerto Rico where I spend time with my family, surf and race my race car on the drag strip. I enjoy being a part of the amazing Prairie Point family and working with over 500 of the smartest students in the world! Go Panthers!

Cafeteria

Dawn Friel	Annelle Mitchell	Tina Messmore	Sue Ronkovitz
Jen Smith

Building Engineer & Custodians

Steve Whitlock	Yolanda Cuautle	Gordon Gramme	Jorge Quiroz

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