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September Newsletter
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September 2023
A Note From Dr. Hooton
Happy September Duello Family,
We have had such an amazing start to the school year! Thank you to our staff and families for welcoming me and Mrs. Houdei with open arms in our new leadership roles! We have definitely felt the love and support!
If you are new to Duello, let me extend a warm welcome to your family on behalf of our entire staff. Our goal is to provide a rich and engaging educational experience for all students in a community that is built on relationships among students, staff, and families. YOU matter at Duello! Your involvement, input, questions, ideas, and partnership inspire and propel us to do the absolute best that we can for our students. We continue to strive for excellence in all that we do, maintaining a focus on our student's success academically, socially, and emotionally, and we value the support of our families in helping our students succeed in all areas.
This year, our staff is focused on collaboration amongst themselves and with students. This work will help us be in collaboration with one another and students to do what is best for kids. We look for opportunities for EVERY child to shine and build upon their strengths as individual learners.
Our mission of “Learning, Growing, Leading … Together” is as relevant as ever. Thank you for entrusting us with your children as we work together to equip students to be leaders, thinkers, and problem-solvers this year!
Love,
Dr. Hooton
Upcoming Events
- Monday, September 4: School is closed for Labor Day
- Friday, September 8: Fall Picture Day
- Monday, September 18: Late Start Day
- Thursday, September 21: PTA Skate Night
- Friday, September 29: School is closed for Districtwide Professional Development
DUE Mic Drop Moments
This month's Mic Drop features 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Barnes!
Barnes consistently goes above and beyond, not only for her teammates, but for Duello as a whole. She willingly steps up and offers help where it is needed - even when it's not "her job." She assisted in moving SEVERAL boxes of curriculum, without being asked, and did it with a smile on her face, all while her own room was still being put together. I appreciate her willingness, hard work, and her love of Duello! Her light shines bright everywhere she goes! THANK YOU, BARNES!!! :) LOVE YOU!
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!
A Letter from the PE Coaches
Please read the updates for PE on this link to be aware of policies and how to best keep your child safe. Thank you!
Mental Health
Mental health is extremely important, so we take extra care that our students have various materials available to them. Please view this link to read about our mental health resources and services.
Intruder Training Tips
Our district works hard to keep our buildings safe, you can do your part by talking with your student about active intruder situations. Please read the Tips for Parents at this link for help discussing this with your child.
Student Misconduct and Consequences
Please read the revised and updated document at this link from our Student Services department. This can also be found on our district website.
Picture Day!
Duello's Fall Pictures are September 8!
Trotter is doing away with film strips- everything will be digital this year.
Please accept emails from Trotter Photos when it gets closer to Picture Day. Thanks!
Leader in Me
Read the document at this link to learn more about the amazing program- Leader in Me!
Late Start Information
The WSD will once again be providing supervision for K-5 students who need to be dropped off at the regular start time on scheduled Late Start Days in the 2023-24 school year. This is separate from our Before Care Program through Chautauqua, so if you are registered for Chautauqua, please DO NOT register for Late Start Supervision. Late start day supervision will be available beginning at 8:05 a.m. on Late Start days (School start time 10:20 a.m.).
Please visit our Late Start page on our District website for more information.
5th Grade Camp- IMPORTANT INFO AND TO DOS
Students will be attending 5th Grade Camp on September 13 and 14. Students will visit Broemmelsiek and Quail Ridge Park to participate in a variety of activities including: archery, fishing, hiking, creek exploration, shelter building, and lots more! The cost to attend camp is $25 and includes a t-shirt. Attached is information regarding camp, permission slips, and instructions to pay your camp fee and order your student's shirt.
In addition, paper copies of the permission slip and nurse form were sent home with your child. Forms and fees are due by Wednesday, August 30. Please make sure to fill out forms and register ASAP. Additionally, as camp gets closer, the 5th grade team will send out a sign up for a few items we need and more information about the specifics of camp. Let Nicole Roth know if you have any questions about camp or how to register/pay online.
General Information
Car Riders
- If your child will be a car rider you will need to fill out the Car Rider Form. Please fill out this form to help us prepare for dismissal. You will only need to submit one application per family. Your family will be issued two car rider tags. Tags can be picked up at Meet the Teacher night or the tags will be given to the OLDEST Duello student in your family on the first day of school. Please begin using your tags immediately. Those without tags will need to move out of the parent pick up line and have their driver's license ready. We will need to check your ID to make sure you have permission to pick up the student.
Walkers
If your child is a walker, please communicate with the office and teacher so we know which students to release as a walker. If a child is not on our list as being a walker, we will need to call home to verify or send them on the bus or as a car rider. This is solely for safety purposes. We don’t want to release a child as a walker if we have not received permission from a parent. Also, we asked that you don’t drive a car up to school and then have your child dismissed as a walker. This creates an unsafe situation for students and adults. 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. We truly appreciate your help with keeping everyone safe!
Morning/Afternoon Schedule
- Doors open at 8:05 am
- Breakfast from 8:05 am-8:20 am
- Dismissal begins at 3:15 pm
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@wsdr.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.
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
Meal charges will resume on the first day of school, August 21.
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
Volunteer Registration Form Updates
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!
1814 Old Duello Rd.
Lake St. Louis, MO 63367
P: 636-327-6050
F: 636-327-4211