Dragon Digest- Family Edition

Dear Dragon Parents and Guardians,

A HUGE THANK YOU everyone who sent in donations for Staff Appreciation Week. We are so thankful for such supportive families. Check out Facebook and Instagram next week to see all the amazing pictures of how we celebrate our teachers. We are blessed to have the best staff in Pasco County Schools and love celebrating them!

I can't believe we are starting our last month of the 24-25 school year. It sure has been a Learning Adventure. We are in the middle of the End of the Year FAST Assessments for all students. Your child's score will be posted in myStudent. We ask that you take time to look at this and see their growth from PM 1 to PM 2 to PM 3. Our goal is for all students to be at least a Level 3 which is showing grade level proficiency. Celebrate your child's growth, as that is very important for them to see. At the school year's end, they will bring home their data binders from this school year. Throughout the school year, they have been tracking their assessment data and setting goals with their teachers- we do this because we want to teach students to be aware and accountable for their learning and growth.

No Parent Lunches for the remainder of the year. We are doing state testing daily throughout May and have adjusted schedules often. If you have lunch coupons- save them for next year :)

I will send out one more newsletter at the end of May with activities for your family to do at home this summer to prevent the dreaded Summer Slide. Worksheets and workbooks are not necessary.

Some Important Reminders:

Emergency Contact Information: All students should have at least two phone numbers and emails listed on myStudent for when the school needs to contact you. Lately, we have been unable to reach families when students are sick, hurt or other important reasons- this is scary for your child and us as well.

Cell Phone and Smartwatches Policy: According to Pasco County Schools' Cell Phone Policy, cell phones must be turned off and kept in backpacks during the school day. Smartwatches are not permitted at all for all students.

Attendance Matters! It's crucial for students to be present and on time every day. Please ensure your child arrives by 9:35 AM to maximize their learning opportunities.

Reading at Home Encourage your child to read daily at home. This practice helps build reading stamina and fosters a love for reading. Sharing a book together can be a wonderful bonding experience!

Upcoming Field Trips We have some exciting field trips planned! Please note that all chaperones must be approved through Pasco County Schools. Due to space limitations, each trip can only accommodate a certain number of chaperones.

• Kindergarten to Safety Town on 5/9 & 5/13
• 4th Grade to EMC 5/19, 5/20, 5/21
• 5th Grade to Busch Gardens 5/23/2025

No Toys at School: A reminder that toys, including Pokémon cards, are not allowed at school or on the bus. They are causing disruptions in the classroom, lunchroom, and on the bus. If toys are brought to school, they will be collected from the child and given to Mrs. Wisneski.

Car Rider and Escorted Afternoon Pick-Up: We dismiss students at 3:50pm every day. We are done with the carline by about 4:05pm every day now. We have many kids not being picked up on time. Our teachers contract hours end at 4:10pm, so we need them to be able to leave on time. My staff is staying late due watch students after their paid time- I am asking that you make this a priority. Make sure you are here to pick up your child PRIOR to 4:05pm.

Reinforcing School Rules at Home We ask for your support in reinforcing our school rules at home. Our core values are:

• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
• Be Safe

#everydragoneveryday

Kelly Wisneski, Principal

kwisnesk@pasco.k12.fl.us

Kori Barber, Assistant Principal

kellis@pasco.k12.fl.us

MAY

1- 1st Grade Math Testing

2- Student of the Month, 5th Grade Science Testing

5-9 Staff Appreciation Week

5- PTA Meeting 4:30pm

6- 4th Grade Reading Testing

7- 3rd Grade Reading Testing

8- 5th Grade Reading Testing

9- KG to Safety Town, Make-Up Testing

13- KG to Safety Town, 4th Grade Math

14- 3rd Math Testing

15- 5th Math Testing

16- All Pro Dad

19- 4th Grade to EMC, 5th Grade Music Final

20- 4th Grade to EMC

21- 4th Grade to EMC, 3rd Grade PE Final

22- Sunshine State Readers Party, 4th Grade Art Final

23- VPK Celebration, 5th Grade Field Trip to Busch Gardens

26- NO SCHOOL for Memorial Day

28- 5th Grade Water Day

29- 5th Grade Awards 2pm, Clap Out 3:20pm

30- Students' Last Day of School

UPDATED Upcoming Spirit Days for Students:

May

2- DOES Spirit Shirt

9- DOES Spirit Shirt

16- DOES Spirit Shirt

23- DOES Spirit Shirt and 5th Grade Wear their 5th Grade Shirt

30- School Appropriate Beach Wear- Happy Summer

5th Grade Awards and Clap Out

Every 5th grade student is permitted to have 2 guests ONLY attend the 5th Grade Awards. Due to limited space this will allow for ALL students to have 2 adults there to celebrate their accomplishments. Yes, the two quests includes younger children as well. We must limit it because we have to adhere to the Fire Marshall Capacity for our cafeteria. Because of this large number (250+ guests) we want to expedite your arrival and sign in procedures.

Please fill out the form by Friday, May 23rd no later than noon so we can pre-print your Visitor Badges through our Raptor System.

On Thursday, the doors will open for guests at 1:40pm and we will begin promptly at 2:00pm. Be sure you arrive prior to 1:45pm so we can get you your Visitor Badge and have you seated on time to start. BRING YOUR ID with you.

If you are late, we will have you enter after our students have walked in and are seated so PLEASE be early so you don't miss this.

Additional guests are welcome to join us for the Clap Out at 3:10pm. We ask that you arrive by 3:00pm to sign in and take your spot outside. You will need to bring your ID to sign in with the Front Office Staff. The Clap Out will begin at 3:10pm so don't be late :)

THIS FORM IS DUE BY FRIDAY, MAY 23 AT 12:00pm!!!!

**Please only submit 1 form per 5th Grade student.

https://does.pasco.k12.fl.us/mform/view.php?id=51217

If you have questions or classroom concerns, please use myStudent to email your child's teacher before calling the front office. The teachers are with your child all day and can help you more quickly than the front office staff who are not in the classroom. Your child's teacher is your first point of contact prior to contacting the school administration. We are here to help but will always direct you back to the teacher first. We know parent emotions can run high when there are concerns, please always be respectful and calm with our staff when calling or emailing. We have had many of our staff getting yelled at when they are trying to help- this is not acceptable. Our classroom and special area teachers are amazing and are more than willing to answer any questions or concerns you have- they want your child to have the best learning adventure this year.

Student Code of Conduct

Our goal is to work together to provide a quality education and safe environment for all students. We know that providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students is essential to student

learning. Therefore, it is important that parents and/or guardians read and discuss the Code of Student Conduct with their children. We need your support to teach and reinforce the student rules of conduct.

https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/ssps/page/conduct

Online Free & Reduced-Price Meal Applications

This school year all meals for students are free of charge. This includes both breakfast and lunch.

You can still fill out the application for other needs.

***Applications available for the 2024-2025 school year. All members of the household should be included on the application (1 application per household). Click here to complete your application today.

We have many avenues of communication to stay connected with families. Keep an eye out!

Monthly for Parents Dragon Digest Newsletter

Denham Oaks Website https://does.pasco.k12.fl.us/

School Messenger (Phone and Email)

Denham Oaks PTA Facebook Page Denham Oaks PTA

Twitter/ X @DenhamOaks

Instagram DenhamOaksElementary

Website: https://does.pasco.k12.fl.us/
Location: 1422 Oak Grove Boulevard, Lutz, FL, USA
Phone: (813)794-1600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenhamOaksPta/
Twitter: @DenhamOaks