Prairie Dell Elementary School

PDE would like to announce our teacher of the year nominees and winner. Mrs. Dewitt - 1st grade, Mrs. Thurmond - kindergarten, Ms. Slezak - 5th grade, Mrs. Hilton - SPED, Mrs. Kindle - SPED, Mrs. McColloch - Art, Mrs. Smith - Music, Mrs. Stettes - Speech Pathology and the Winner Mrs. Gildehaus - 1st grade.

We are looking for a positive and student-centered assistant principal to join our team at Prairie Dell Elementary for the 26/27 school year.

Learn more and apply here: https://unionrxi.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=834

#Uproud

Last night at our regularly scheduled February Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the hiring of Mrs. Ashley Smith as the 26/27 principal at Prairie Dell Elementary. Mrs. Smith is currently the assistant principal at Prairie Dell Elementary and has been in that role the past two school years. Prior to her current position at PDE, Mrs. Smith was a kindergarten teacher at PDE for two years. Before coming to Union, Mrs. Smith was a kindergarten teacher for 12 years in both St. Clair and Lonedell and a 5th grade teacher in Webb City for one year.

Mrs. Smith earned her bachelor's degree at Pittsburg State University and earned both a specialist and master’s degree from Northwest Missouri State. Mrs. Smith resides in St. Clair with her husband, Cory, and their two children.

This is what Mrs. Smith had to say about serving as the 26/27 principal of Prairie Dell Elementary:

“Prairie Dell is home to me. From my time as a kindergarten teacher to now as an assistant principal, I have grown to love the Prairie Dell family and community. We have the best students and parents and our staff is absolutely amazing. I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue working alongside our PDE team because I know the work we are doing is making a difference in the lives of our students and our community.”

Mrs. Smith is filling the vacancy of Mr. Ryan Klein who was recently appointed as our 26/27 assistant superintendent of operations.

Please take a moment to congratulate Mrs. Smith!

#Uproud

Here is this weeks episode of PDNN. https://www.canva.com/design/DAHA8qB4NGY/Q2Mbv8aCF1waftjAgHevtA/watch?utm_content=DAHA8qB4NGY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h2383da0892

Today we are celebrating School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. Thank you to all our amazing SROs who partner with our district to keep our schools safe. We appreciate you!

#Uproud

Friendly reminder that there's no school on Monday, 2/16/26 in observance of Presidents' Day.

Thank you and #Uproud!

Here is the latest episode of PDNN.
Here is the latest episode of PDNN. https://www.canva.com/design/DAHASiEoRRo/3RHzH-tjFkihXecXvp6y5A/watch?utm_content=DAHASiEoRRo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h4edf6c0cd3

Take a look at the February newsletter. https://app.smore.com/n/9c8vg

This week we recognize our amazing school counselors who go above and beyond for our students each and every day. Thank you, school counselors! You all are amazing.

#Uproud

Tomorrow starts school counselor appreciation week. Please help us show Dr. Griffin how much we appreciate all that she does to help our students and staff.

Here are the February menus.

Here is the latest episode of PDNN. https://www.canva.com/design/DAG-9txJErY/9YjGVKYiNe0qFBf7WC8HWQ/watch?utm_content=DAG-9txJErY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h14d9e4fffd

Due to inclement weather and unsafe road conditions, all #unionrxi schools are closed on Tuesday, 1/27/26.

Be safe and #Uproud!

Due to inclement weather and unsafe road conditions, all #unionrxi schools are closed on Monday, 1/26/26.

Be safe and #Uproud!

We are looking for an innovative and dynamic principal at Prairie Dell Elementary for the 26/27 school year.

Learn more and apply here: https://unionrxi.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=820

#Uproud

Last night at our regularly scheduled January Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the hiring of Mr. Ryan Klein as the 26/27 Assistant Superintendent of Operations. Mr. Klein is currently the principal at Prairie Dell Elementary. Prior to his position at PDE, Mr. Klein was the assistant principal at Central Elementary. Before coming to Union, Mr. Klein served in a variety of roles in Iowa. This includes: elementary principal, middle and high school assistant principal and high school special education teacher.

Mr. Klein earned his specialist degree from Northwest Missouri State and is expected to complete his doctoral degree in 2027 from William Woods University. Mr. Klein resides in Washington with his wife, Andrea, and their three children.

This is what Mr. Klein had to say about serving our community in a new capacity:

“Though I’ve only been in Union for five years, I view the Union R-XI School District as my home. And I honestly couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to continue working in the district I love. Of course, I am sad to be leaving all the amazing staff and students at Prairie Dell Elementary, but I look forward to helping them in a slightly different way moving forward. We have an outstanding district with the best staff, students and parents, and I’m honored to be part of it all.”

Mr. Klein is filling the vacancy of Dr. Dan Kania who was recently appointed as our 26/27 district superintendent.

Please take a moment to congratulate Mr. Klein!

#Uproud

Please take a look at the January PDE newsletter. https://app.smore.com/n/aqe03

Thank you Kiwanis Club of Union for handing out popsicles to our students at lunch today.