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February Newsletter 23-24
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A Note From Dr. Hooton
Duello Families,
We have had a cold start to the new year! I hope you have all stayed safe and warm. I'm eagerly waiting for warmer weather as we head into the new month. February is a month filled with hope and love as we celebrate friendships, creativity, and growth in our learning.
It is also the time of year that we start planning and preparing for next year. If you would like to provide input for your child’s class placement, please read this letter he deadline for submitting a letter is Friday, March 1, 2004.
Thank you for taking time to read our newsletter, as it is packed with lots of events and information. Don't forget to read through the information for the districts use of AMI days.
As always, please continue to reach out with any questions, concerns, or celebrations! We value your input and collaboration to make Duello such special and loving community.
Mustang Pride,
Dr. Hooton
Weather Related Information/ AMI Information
Since we have used four of our District's six built-in snow days this school year, we wanted to share the next steps in case we surpass the maximum number of allotted snow days in the coming months.
DESE allows school districts to count up to 36 hours of instruction through Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI), such as virtual learning or assignments to be completed at home, during emergencies, or extended closures.
Our District has not used AMI for weather-related closures in the past, but if we exceed our six built-in snow days this year, the WSD will utilize AMI to keep students engaged in learning and prevent extending the school year into the summer break. On AMI days, families and staff will be notified through the regular district communication channels (phone call, text, social media). Student attendance will be recorded on days when AMI is assigned and will be documented by the completion of assignments and turning in activities. Assignments will be turned in either through Canvas or by returning them to their teacher on the next in-person learning day. Educators will be available electronically by email during AMI days for guidance with instruction.
Duello will be providing detailed instructions to families next week, so you can start making plans in case we pass up our sixth snow day this winter. Please work with your students' teacher(s) to address any questions.
Upcoming Dates
February 7- Global School Play Day
February 12- Late Start
- February 19- No School, Presidents Day
- February 20- No School, PD Day
- February 23- PTA Sponsored Bingo Night
- February 29- STEAM Night
National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling week is coming up! We will be celebrating our amazing counselors February 5 - 9. It is important we take this week to highlight the tremendous impact our counselors have in helping our students academically, socially and emotionally!
Special Areas
Join Us For Steam Night!
Global Play Day!
Global School Play Day is observed annually every first Wednesday in February and this year it will be held on February 7. This holiday promotes the importance of unstructured, regular play for children. The campaign was started by a group of six educators in 2015. They realized that playtime for children was decreasing both at home and in school, leading to negative consequences for the children’s development. They immediately took action and initiated Global School Play Day, with over 65,000 children participating in its very first year. We are looking forward to this special day!
Leader In Me
Our Duello community has been "wigging out" about our Wildly Important Goal (also referred to as a WIG). We earn Mustang Pride Cards for respectful, responsible and safe behavior. Our goal for the year is to reach 10,000 cards schoolwide. So far we have 5, 272 and are on track to make it to our goal.
Our Leadership Jobs are going well and everyone in the school has participated in their role to help us build our community and feel a sense of belonging here at Duello.
Check out these Kindergarten Kindness Leaders!
Mic Drop Moments
🎤 Wish to celebrate or appreciate a Duello staff member? Looking to give a general shoutout highlighting DUE's bright spots? We will share our Mic Drop Moments via the monthly newsletter, our weekly staff newsletter, and social media!
Kindergarten Registration
All children who will turn 5 before Aug. 1, 2024, are eligible to attend kindergarten for the 24-25 school year. View registration event dates and get more information here.
Focus School Software Coming Soon
In case you missed it in the January Inside the WSD, we're Transitioning from SIS K-12 to Focus School Software. Next year, tasks such as completing forms, viewing grades, and checking lunch balances will be done on the Focus School Software platform rather than on Tyler SIS K-12. Here's a quick update on what you need to know. Be on the lookout for additional information coming soon!
Access i-Ready For Families Report
Please click here to read about this exciting new update!
Reading Success Plan - Parent Communication
Parent Culture & Climate Survey
If you haven't already, please complete this Parent Culture & Climate Survey to provide feedback about our school and district. The survey will close Feb. 9.
Code of Conduct Update
In December, we updated the Code of Conduct around Discriminatory Conduct and Speech to overtly address discriminatory, insensitive, demeaning verbal, written, pictorial, or symbolic language or gestures based on a protected class (race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, & genetic information). The District shared this change in the Board Meeting Report following the revision, and we have since reviewed expectations with students. View the comprehensive document. A copy of the updated Code of Conduct is available on the WSD website.
Late Start Information
The WSD will be providing supervision for K-5 students who need to be dropped off at the regular start time on scheduled Late Start Days this school year. This is separate from our Before Care Program through Chautauqua.
WSD Parents: to register your student, visit https://wsdr4.revtrak.net/ and select your student's Elementary School, followed by clicking "Late Start Registration" and completing the form for your student. Please register each student attending separately.
The fee is $10.36 (which includes a transaction fee) per child for each late start day you would like to register for.
Please visit our Late Start page on our District website for more information.
PTA Updates
General Information
Morning/Afternoon Schedule
- Doors open at 8:05 a.m.
- Breakfast from 8:05 a.m.-8:20 a.m.
- Dismissal begins at 3:15 p.m.
Lunch/Recess/Specials Schedule
Reporting Absences
Regular school attendance is critical to your child’s success at school. In the event that your child should need to be absent from school, please notify the office at (636) 327-6050 and press 1 to report that absence. Please leave your name, your child’s name, and grade, the teacher's name, and the reason for absence. You may also email attendance changes to attendance.duello@wsdr4.org
Arrival and Dismissal
This is an important reminder of the drop-off and pick-up procedures that we will enforce for the safety and efficiency of the students and parents at Duello. Staff supervision and student drop-off begin at 8:05 a.m. If you arrive early, please wait with your child(ren) until 8:05 a.m. to assure that they are supervised. Parents should not drop students off in the parking lot in order to avoid the drop-off line.
Walkers- Walkers are defined as students who walk or ride their bike home. These students will be dismissed and will either travel home alone or meet their parent/guardian. The parking lot is not a designated crosswalk and is extremely dangerous for students to walk through unattended. Please do not bypass the carline for convenience and put your child and others in danger.
Car Riders- Car Riders are defined as students who will have parents/guardians who will utilize our car rider line to drive through and pick their child up. This is the most efficient way if a parent is coming to pick their child up. The line might look long but it moves quickly.
Car Rider Drop Off- Parents, if you are dropping off in the car rider line in the morning and your child needs assistance getting out of the car, please put your flashers on and a staff member will help assist getting your child out of the car.
A smooth and efficient procedure takes all of us working together. I appreciate and expect all parents to follow the outlined procedures.
Child Nutrition Updates
Breakfast K-12: $2.00
Elementary Lunch K-5: $3.10
Secondary Lunch 6-12: $3.15
Reduced Price Meals:
Breakfast: $0.30
Lunch: $0.40
Click here to see the breakfast and lunch menus for the 23-24 school year.
Applications for free & reduced priced meals are available here or at any school office. In an effort to assist families as we transition back to paid meals, the USDA has increased the income guidelines used to determine eligibility. Click here to see the new guidelines.
If you believe your family would qualify for this program, please fill out an application.
Applications can be returned by the following methods:
Scan and email to: marysanzottera@wsdr4.org
Fax: 636-327-3961
Mail: Child Nutrition Services, 101 Support Services Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
Would you like to volunteer at your student's school? Would you like to attend field trips? Please read the information at this link for more information, and to sign up to volunteer!
Opt Out Communication
Please read the attachment for more information on opting your student(s) out of presentations.
Mrs. Amber Houdei | Assistant Principal
1814 Duello Road
Lake St. Louis, MO 63367
636.327.6050