Newsletter: January 19, 2024
![Newsletter: January 19, 2024](https://cdn.smore.com/u/b293/ae26c3c929ea607f25c9629c35c09804.jpg)
JANUARY 19, 2024
School News
Principal's Message
Thomas Families,
The second semester has only just begun, but already we are thinking ahead to next year!
If you or someone you know has a child that will be five years old by September 30, 2024, they can register for kindergarten for the 24-25 school year. Next school year, Dublin Schools will continue to offer morning and afternoon half-day kindergarten. After registering, our school secretary Mrs. Neely will send a welcome email that asks for families to share their preference for morning or afternoon (though not guaranteed). Additionally, we will host a Kindergarten Information Night in April for incoming kindergarten families to attend.
For your information: the following school year, 2025-26, kindergarten will be full day for all students.
We look forward to welcoming our newest Thomas Tigers!
Go Tigers,
Melissa Garris
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-25 school year is now open! Children who turn five before September 30, 2024 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten for next school year. The registration process begins here on the district website. Even if you have another child already enrolled in Dublin Schools, you still must register your incoming kindergarten child.
As you prepare to register your child, it will be helpful to gather these materials:
Birth certificate
Immunization records
Two proofs of residency (i.e. utility bills, mortgage statements)
Photo ID of guardian
4TH AND 5TH GRADE FUTURE CHEFS COMPETITION
Does your 4th or 5th grader love to cook?
Check out Sodexo’s Future Chefs competition where six to eight lucky winners will be chosen as finalists to compete in a contest after school at Scioto High School on March 15. The winner will be entered in a Future Chefs regional contest and possibly the National Challenge for some great prizes!
Questions can be directed to Sodexo’s DCS manager, Ben Montgomery. Learn more and register here, no later than January 31.
School Information
WINTER WEATHER
Since today is our first snow day of the year, what a great time to review the district’s winter weather procedures!
Safety is the district’s top priority when determining whether to issue a delay or cancellation. We consider several factors, including bus and motorist traction, driver visibility, and wind-chill conditions. Monitoring local radar and weather info guides our decisions. Additionally, we consider all streets and roads in the district, not only the City of Dublin, as conditions may differ in our more rural areas.
In terms of extreme cold: there is no set temperature at which the district automatically closes school, but the ambient temperature is one of the many factors (along with wind-chill, road conditions, and weather forecasts) that are taken into consideration when making a decision. In most cases, schools can remain open when the ambient air temperature is well below zero. Extreme temperatures may cause schools to limit recess and some extracurricular activities. Parents should ensure that their child is dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.
Though rare, there is a possibility of a two hour delay based on weather conditions. In that instance, there are some key adjustments to remember:
Transportation and schools will start two hours later.
AM Latchkey will NOT be offered.
AM Kindergarten and AM Preschool will be canceled.
Fifth grade orchestra will be canceled. Orchestra students should attend their elementary school two hours later than normal.
Schools will dismiss at their regularly scheduled time.
Extracurricular activities will proceed as scheduled. Stay tuned to our website and local media for possible changes depending on the opponent’s situation and the weather forecast.
Upcoming Dates
January 29-February 9: Yearbook Sale
February 15: Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 16: No School (Staff Professional Work Day)
February 19: No School (President's Day)
February 21: Parent/Teacher Conferences
PTO News
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
The PTO will be providing sandwiches, salad, and pizza across the two days of Parent/Teacher Conferences. The PTO is asking for help with desserts and drinks. Thank you for your support!
Sign Up Here: Thomas Elementary: February Parent Teacher Conferences (signupgenius.com)
If you’d like to donate monetarily, please Venmo @Thomas-pto.
SPRING FLOWER SALE
Our Spring Sale with Foertmeyer will kick-off on February 20th and run through March 5th. This fundraiser is a wonderful way to support our school and get your flowers, veggies, and herbs for spring!! Orders will arrive before Mother’s Day!
UPCOMING PTO MEETING
Save the Date:
Join us on March 12 at 6:00 pm for our next PTO General Meeting. We would love to see you there!
GET INVOLVED WITH THE PTO!
Get involved & stay connected! Please join our PTO Facebook page, and check the PTO website for all event details, volunteer opportunities and ways to give back to our amazing school.
Report an Absence (email)
District News
Looking for activities and events for your student?
Nominate a Community Champion!
The Community Champion Awards program honors students and staff in our District who exemplify the best of volunteerism, character, leadership, and a sense of caring and responsibility for others. Nominate a student or staff member here before the February 19 deadline.
The Worries of Wesley Production
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio (formerly CATCO) is bringing the world premiere of The Worries of Wesley to the Riffe Center Studio Theater, in downtown Columbus, January 25 - February 4. This fast-paced 50-minute one-act play uses humor to engage youth and adults in recognizing, managing, and overcoming anxiety. Vetted by child psychologists at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the language and writing in the play appropriately address triggers and solutions for overcoming anxiety. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children, under 16. Learn more here.
Share Your Voice with the Board of Education
The Board of Education recognizes the value to school governance of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest. The public can engage with the Board of Education at any of their meetings. The next meeting will be Monday, January 22 at 6 pm. To learn more about public participation and engagement with the Board of Education, visit https://www.dublinschools.net/Page/3243.
Ties & Tiaras Dance
Scioto Touchdown club is hosting its annual Ties & Tiaras dance for K-5 student “princesses” February 24, 7-9 p.m. at the Scioto Cafeteria. Purchase tickets here.
DCS Preschool Accepting Peer Applications for 2024-25 school year
DCS Preschool is taking applications for new peers for next school year! If you are unfamiliar with our preschool peer program, visit the Peer Program page on our website to learn more. Interested families should complete the Peer Program Application as soon as possible to be considered for the upcoming school year. Please contact Tara Harris at 614-760-4345 with any questions.
FROM THE CITY OF DUBLIN
A Homework Assignment That Pays
Have you volunteered for the Dublin Irish Festival? Seniors can apply for the Dublin Irish Festival Scholarship by Feb. 29! The City of Dublin and the Festival are pleased to offer two $2,500 scholarships in 2024 to student volunteers. Apply here.
Glide into the Weekends at Riverside Crossing Park
The ice rink is open Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $12 and includes complimentary skates, sizes Youth 9 to Adult 13.
Do you have your own skates? You can bring them to the Riverside Crossing Park ice rink or skate for free at the Coffman Park ice rink. When the temperature drops below freezing for multiple days in a row, the rink opens from 3 to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends.
Got snow?! Weather permitting, the sled hill at Scioto Park is open from 7:30 a.m. to dusk for some winter fun.
Check the City of Dublin website for skating and sledding hours and updates: https://bit.ly/winterfunindublin