Viking News
What's Happening at Del Rio!
August 23, 2024
Good evening Viking Families!
Thank you for a great first full week of school! I appreciate all of the support you have given in making our dismissals get smoother. Our students are building relationships in their new classrooms and learning all about the expectations for success. It has been great to watch our Vikings as they learn more about each other, and themselves!
Thank you also to the many parents who offered to volunteer for our School Site Council positions. I will be sending out parent election ballots on Monday in students' backpacks, so please vote for your choices and return those with your student as soon as possible.
Thank you to our amazing student leaders for assisting the duty supervisors in helping our TK and kindergarten students to get to the playground in the mornings. We have been working on training our youngest Vikings to be able to walk straight to the classrooms when the bell rings. It is always great to see them build their confidence and join the same routines that the rest of our students follow.
Just our TK and K students will continue with minimum day schedules for the first 12 days of school (August 15th - 30th). Please make arrangements so that students are picked up on time. Also, please see the Arrival/Dismissal Procedures below so that you can support safe conditions in our parking lots. We always have longer wait times and lines for the first few weeks, and I appreciate you working together to follow our expected procedures. If you have any questions, our office staff is here to help!
We will have our Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 11th from 5:30-6:30. Teachers are looking forward to having you join them to learn all about the upcoming school year! Also, our Fall Picture Day is coming up on Thursday, September 5th. More information will be coming home regarding picture orders.
Our students were all issued brand new school devices this week! Our TK-1st grade students will be using iPads, with heavy duty cases, and the devices will be staying at school. 2nd through 5th grade students are using chromebooks, fitted with sturdy cases, and families will be able to share with their teachers if they would like the devices to go home with their student each day. Please see the attached information regarding insurance for the devices, to avoid charges for damages caused to the devices. Insurance is inexpensive and lasts throughout the school year.
Also, please check out the information below about Parenting Coaching opportunities!
Be sure to stay up to date with all of our school happenings by following us on social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DelRioElementaryVikings/
Twitter: @DelRioVikings
Instagram: @DelRioVikings
I visit classrooms everyday and share out examples of the learning adventures of our students as often as possible!
Please call or stop by our office if you have any questions!
Protect Your School Device!
A Chrome Device Protection Plan is now available through OUSD!
Cost of the Protection Plan
$20 per year for up to two (2) incidents per device
$60 per year cap, per family, for up to two (2) incidents per device
What IS Covered?
Accidental Damage, Cracked Screens, Liquid Spills, Theft/Loss, Fire, Flood
What IS NOT Covered?
Chargers
Willful acts of abuse or neglect
Tampering with or any attempt to repair devices
For more information on the OUSD Protection Plan, visit:
To purchase the plan, visit: myschoolbucks
Do Not Delay!
The window for purchasing the Chrome Device Protection Plan for the
2024-2025 school year opens July 1, 2024 and runs through the month of
September. This protection plan will cover your device through June 12,
2025.
Students who enroll after this date will be given a 4-week window
from their enrollment date to purchase the plan.
Arrival and Dismissal
- If you are not in the drop off/pick up line, you may not double park or block parking spaces in the parking lot. Do not park on the red curb in the traffic circle. You must use a parking spot in the lot even if you are waiting with your car!
- Please do not block the crosswalk at the entry to our parking lot, and be vigilant about watching for students!
- Have your child ready with their backpack with them, so that the driver does not need to get out of the car. Please stay with your car and continue to pull forward!
- If you are dropping off in the car line at the front gate, please remember that the driver must stay with their car, and that you need to pull all the way up to the stop sign at the top of the circle so that we can keep traffic flowing.
- Please wait until you have gotten past the cones/crosswalk to let your student(s) out of the car. It keeps everything moving faster!
- Your car must be pulled up to the curb before any students can enter or exit a vehicle, so please do not double park!
- If you do park in either parking lot, you must walk up and accompany your student using a crosswalk. They will not be allowed to walk out to cross into the parking lot on their own.
- For pickups, it would be helpful if you wrote your child's name/teacher/grade on a sheet of paper and kept it on the dashboard! That will help our staff to locate students and keep things moving!
Reporting Absences
Please remember that ALL absences from school need to be reported to our school, letting us know the reason that your student has missed school! When you need to report your student's absence, please email us Attendance.des@oside.us. Often our main office phones are very busy in the mornings and this is a faster and easier way to report your student's absence! You can also call our Attendance Line at (760)901-7301, but please speak slowly and clearly, as many times the messages are difficult for our staff to hear.
Updated OUSD Cell Phone Policy
We are excited to share our new cell phone policy, "During the Day, Off and Away," for the 2024-2025 school year (Board Policy 5131.8). Our goal is to create a safe and focused learning environment for all students by minimizing distractions and promoting their mental well-being.
Key Points:
Cell Phone Usage: Students must turn off and store their phones in their backpacks upon entering campus. Phones should stay off until they leave.
Communication: Classrooms have landlines for students to contact parents when necessary. Phones will be accessible in emergencies.
Academic Benefits: Reducing phone usage helps students stay focused and engaged in class.
Safety and Security: This policy helps prevent cyberbullying, ensures students focus during emergencies, and reduces the risk of theft or loss.
Support and disciplinary measures are in place for policy violations to help students adjust.
Thank you for your support as we work together to enhance our students' learning experience and well-being.
Del Rio STEM Academy Handbook 2024-25
Please take a few moments to read through our Del Rio STEM Academy Handbook. It includes information about how to contact our staff, how to report attendance, school policies and procedures, and available supports for your student. Reach out to our office if you have any questions!
Breakfast is available before school from 7:45-8:15am!
In the Spring, I shared some upcoming changes to our breakfast program. Beginning on the first day of school, all students may go to the cafeteria from 7:45 to 8:15 to eat breakfast, free of charge. If you think your student will be eating at school, please plan to have them here as early as possible to have time to finish eating before the bell rings at 8:15. Students will line up and go straight to class at 8:15!
How to Communicate with our School!
Emails, text messages and phone calls from OUSD including those from your principal, teacher and the district office will be directly sent to you using the email address and phone number you provided in Aeries during data confirmation. It’s important that all the emergency contacts listed in Aeries have updated contact information so everyone can receive important messages from OUSD.
You no longer need to download any third party apps to receive messages from our school.
Do you want to know more about how to support our school?
Our hard working PTO needs your help! If you would like to join the PTO, or help with events and planning, you can contact them at pto.delriovikings@gmail.com.
THRIVE - Our Before/After School Provider
Stay Connected
Email: lorrah.hogue@oside.us
Website: delrio.oside.us
Location: 5200 North River Road, Oceanside, CA, USA
Phone: (760)901-7300
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DelRioElementaryVikings/
Twitter: @DelRioVikings
Instagram: @DelRioVikings