Moran Prairie Elementary School

10/20/2026

LEVY LEARNING: Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levies are temporary, which is why we run replacement levies. The current 3-year EP&O levy approved by voters expires in 2027; if passed, the SPS replacement levy on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot would be collected in 2028, 2029, and 2030.

This cycle gives voters regular opportunities to review the proposed dollar amounts, estimated tax rate and how the funds are used.

Take 71 seconds to watch a quick video to learn more, or visit spokaneschools.org/2026levy.

10/19/2026

Ballots for Spokane County voters have been mailed. Remember to vote by Nov. 3, 2026.

RETURNING YOUR BALLOT: The General Election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The 18-day voting period has begun in Washington, and ballots have been mailed to registered voters.

There are several ways for Spokane County residents to return their ballots:

• Ballot Drop Box: There’s a ballot box outside every Spokane Public Library branch and Spokane County Library District branch, as well as several other locations across Spokane County. Find a ballot box near you at spokanecounty.org/187/Ballot-Drop-Box-Locations. You can drop it off anytime until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

• In Person: The Spokane County Elections 1033 W. Gardner Ave.) is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours – 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – on Election Day (Nov. 3). Stop by if you need to return a completed ballot, get a replacement ballot or envelope, register to vote, use an Accessible Voting Unit, or have questions about voting. Find details at spokanecounty.org/201/Voter-Service-Center-Locations.

• Mail: Drop your ballot in a mailbox – no stamp required. To be counted, ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3. Please note that US Postal Service recommends returning ballots by mail at least a week before Election Day. If returning your ballot by mail after Oct. 27, it’s recommended that voters take ballots to the counter at their Post Office to ensure it is postmarked by Nov. 3.

After returning your ballot, you can track its journey at voter.votewa.gov.

10/18/2026

This is a reminder that there is no school Oct. 19-23, 2026, as part of our new academic calendar for the 2026-27 school year.

The new calendar reorganizes the traditional school year to include shorter, more frequent breaks instead of a long summer break. These breaks, called intersessions, allow for opportunities to refresh and recharge while reducing the "summer slide" in learning retention. Learn more at spokaneschools.org/calendar.

We hope that students and staff enjoy the break and return on Oct. 26 ready to learn!

Families looking for ideas to keep kids engaged during the break can check out spokaneschools.org/fallbreak for activities offered by the district and community partners.

10/16/2026

Learning on the move! 🎃🌿 Our Prairie Dogs have been making the most of fall with some exciting field trip adventures!

🎃 Kindergarten enjoyed a fall trip to Hidden Acres Pumpkin Patch! From exploring the pumpkin patch to celebrating the season, our youngest learners made wonderful fall memories together.

🌿 Second Grade explored at the Doris Morrison Learning Center to explore wetland ecosystems and learn more about the incredible environment of the Pacific Northwest. Our scientists had the opportunity to connect their classroom learning to the natural world around them!

We love seeing our Prairie Dogs learning, exploring, and growing all around our greater community!

10/15/2026

LEVY AT WORK: “A lot of people think it's just Band-Aids and ice packs, and it's so much more than that.”

Yes, school nurses like Aidan McCrum address the day-to-day bumps and bruises associated with active, young students, but a significant part of their job is also managing health care plans for students with chronic or life-threatening health conditions, so they can attend school in a safe and healthy environment.

Positions for school nurses are supported in part by the local Educational Programs and Operations levy, which helps to fund academic programs, services, and student activities and athletics that are not funded by the state. The local levy makes up about 15% of Spokane Public Schools' annual operating budget. A replacement levy will be presented to voters on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. For more information, visit spokaneschools.org/2026levy.

10/15/2026

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ And they’re off! 🎉
Our Prairie Dog runners competed in the All-City cross country race on Tuesday! We are so proud of these students for showing determination, perseverance, and Prairie Dog spirit every step of the way.

10/13/2026

LEVY LEARNING: On Nov. 3, 2026, voters within Spokane Public Schools boundaries will consider a three-year replacement Educational Programs and Operations levy.
Take a minute to watch a video explaining how much money the proposed levy would collect and when, and what levy funds support.

Keep learning at spokaneschools.org/2026levy.

10/12/2026

🏀📚 READ LIKE AN EAGLE! 🦅❤️

What an AMAZING visit from members of the Eastern Washington University Men's Basketball Team! Our Prairie Dogs were treated to an exciting assembly filled with basketball challenges, impressive slam dunks, and some powerful messages about setting goals, working hard, and never giving up!

The players shared stories about their favorite childhood books, lessons they've learned through reading, and the importance of working toward your goals. After the assembly, they visited classrooms to read with our students! What an incredible experience for our Prairie Dogs! 🐾

📚 Now it's OUR turn to take on the Read Like an Eagle Reading Challenge!
🗓️ October 19 – November 30

Our Prairie Dogs are challenged to read outside of the school day for six weeks:
📖 Kindergarten: 50 minutes per week (300 minutes total)
📖 Grades 1–5: 100 minutes per week (600 minutes total)
Reading logs and additional information will be sent home Friday, October 16!
🎉 The reward? Students who meet their reading goals will earn a ticket to the January 30th EWU Men's Basketball home game against Portland State, plus a special prize!

A HUGE thank you to EWU Men's Basketball for inspiring our students to be readers, goal-setters, and hard workers! We can't wait to see our Prairie Dogs rise to the challenge! 🦅📚🏀

10/09/2026

In honor of National Principals Month, we asked our Prairie Dogs a very important question…“If Ms. Hellenthal wasn’t our principal, what would she be?”
And their answers did NOT disappoint. We sure are glad she chose principal!

10/08/2026

Elementary specialists teach music, art, science, and P.E. to K-5 students. These positions are supported in part by the local Educational Programs and Operations levy, which helps to fund academic programs, services, and student activities and athletics that are not funded by the state. Learn more at spokaneschools.org/2026levy.