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August Newsletter
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Welcome to the 23-24 School Year
A Note From Dr. Hooton
Welcome Back Duello Family!
The 2023-2024 school year is about to start and we are so excited! The beginning of a school year holds many different emotions; excitement, worry, hope, and many other feelings. My hope for our students and families here at Duello is to come to a place where they feel safe, loved, respected and are given the opportunity to grow academically. Our school’s mission statement is Learning, Growing, Leading … Together. The teachers and staff have prepared all summer by attending professional development, reading books, and making lesson plans to be sure we are prepared to have a great school year!
This year we will continue to build strong relationships and leaders in our students through our Leader in Me program. We will also continue to focus on The Mustang Three - Being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. Together as a school community, we will help every child reach their full potential through clear communication, loving relationships, and strong academics.
Mrs. Houdei and I are always available to support you and your children. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Love,
Dr. Alicia Hooton
Upcoming Events
Friday, August 4th after 4:00pm: Parent and Student Portal Opened
Saturday, August 12th from 8-11am: Annual Back to School Fair at Liberty High School
Wednesday, August 16th from 5-7pm: Meet the Teacher Night
Monday, August 21st: First Day of School
DUE 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!
Meet the Teacher Night
Join us for "Meet the Teacher Night" by getting acquainted with your child's teacher, their future classroom, and the building. While you're here, feel free to drop off your student's school supplies to help prepare for their first day of school. We can't wait to meet you!
WSD's Back to School Fair
The WSD plans to host the 13th Annual Back to School Fair for District families on Saturday, August 12, from 8-11am at Liberty High School. The event is intended to get school supplies in the hands of WSD students who need them the most. The event is free for District families and will feature dozens of vendors, free school supplies, games and fun activities for children. For more information, click here.
School Supply list
Utilize this link to see your child(ren)'s school supply list for their specific grade level(s).
General Information
Teacher Assignments
- Teacher assignments were shared on August 4 and the portal also opened that day.
Transportation Information
- An email will go out to families on August 11th.
Car Rider Form
- If your child will be a car rider you will need to fill out the Car Rider Form. Please fill out this form by Thursday, August 17, 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.
Kindergarten Soft Placement
- Duello Elementary kindergarten students will participate in soft placement the first four days of school. They will be assigned to a home room teacher. This will be their “home base” for the first week of school, Monday, August 21 - Thursday, August 24. Your child will report to his/her homeroom teacher every morning and be dismissed from this classroom each afternoon. Throughout soft placement, Duello staff members will be observing the strengths and needs of all students. Interactions between students and adults will also be observed. This will allow the staff to develop balanced classes that will promote success for your child throughout the year. On Thursday, August 24 students will find out their classroom teacher by email and through a letter that will come home with your child that day. That evening (August 24), each kindergarten student is invited back up to Duello for a Meet the Teacher and popsicle social from 5:15-6:15 PM.
The First Day of School is Monday, August 21 (can't wait to see your kids!)
- Doors will open at 8:05 am.
- Families may walk their students into school for the first week of school. Please do not park in the drop off lines. Be patient because parking can be hard on the first day.
Independence Day
This year we will be celebrating our 4th annual Duello Independence Day! On Monday, August 28 we are asking for all students to walk independently to their classrooms in the morning. The expectation will be that students walk to their classrooms on their own from this date forward. We invite you to celebrate this occasion by wearing red, white, and blue, or any other patriotic gear.
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 am 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 home on their own without a parent/guardian. 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 21st.
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
1814 Old Duello Rd.
Lake St. Louis, MO 63367
P: 636-327-6050
F: 636-327-4211