Donnelly Elementary School

Dear Families,

We are almost to the end of third quarter (March 20th) and looking forward to a strong finish to the school year. There are a lot of great things happening in the months of March and April at DES!

Reminder: If you plan on making changes to after-school transportation plans, please call Wendy at (208) 325-4433 by 2:30.

SCHEDULE:

March:

1. March 1st Kindergarten Registration Opens
2. March 7th MDSD Teacher Training (No School)
3. March 10th MDSD Board Meeting (6:00)
4. March 14th Parent / Title I Advisory (8:15)
5. March 14th (PACE)
6. March 17th Idaho's Theater for Youth: The Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson (1:30)
7. March 19th MDSD K-8 Health Adoption Parent Review (4:00-6:00)
8. March 19th DES STEAM Night (5:00-7:00)
9. March 20th End of 3rd Quarter
10. March 21st Teacher Workday (No School)
11. March 24th-28th Spring Break (No School)
12. Report cards will be sent digitally the week of March 31st.

April:

1. April 4th MDSD Teacher Training (No School)
2. ISAT testing begins in the month of April.
3. April 11th / 18th PACE
4. April 14th MDSD Board Meeting (6:00)
5. April 18th Parent / Title I Advisory (8:15)
6. April 25th Kindergarten Open House / MDSD Teacher Training (No school)

From February 25th to February 27th, our 5th-grade students had the incredible opportunity to spend three days at Tamarack Resort, learning how to ski or snowboard. The students had an amazing time, and we are deeply grateful for the support from our parents and the exceptional team at Tamarack Resort. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Tatum and Ms. Lloyd for their dedication and the countless hours they spent planning and preparing for this unforgettable event.

Donnelly Dragon Families: As our dragon students transition from winter into spring, they might experience restlessness in anticipation of longer and warmer days. Here are healthy tips for kids to improve their well-being:

1. Exercise and get outside: exercise increases mood, concentration, and decreases anxiety.
2. Family time: a game, a walk, a meal at the table. Kids love being with their family.
3. Gratitude: look for the positive in situations.
4. Sleep: sleep is essential for well-being. Kids need 8-9 hours of sleep each night.
5. Limit screen time: American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screen time be limited to 1 hour a day for kids 2-12 years old.
6. Healthy diet and hydration: limit sugar and drink water. Increase fruits and vegetables.
7. Talk it out: share thoughts, feelings, and stories with a trusted adult.
8. Write about it: journaling and art decrease restlessness and improves cognitive functioning.
9. Practice deep breathing: 3 slow deep breaths allows our central nervous system to return to a relaxed state.
10. Laugh: make time for fun, connect with others, and laugh. Laughter enhances oxygen-rich air and releases endorphins.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Margaux at mcrockett@mdsd.org

We are excited to invite parents to a special opportunity to review curricular resources for K-8 Health! This event will take place on March 19th at the Donnelly Elementary School library from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

During the months of January and February, Donnelly Elementary practiced each of our safety drills. This includes an Evacuation (fire drill), Hall Check, Reverse Evacuation, and Lockdown. Our staff and students did an amazing job at following procedures, and we had 100% participation. For more information on the specific drills, please see the handout below.

We have our most recent Continuous Improvement Plan on the district website. The plan addresses school climate, safety, communication, and academic achievement.

Continuous Improvement Plan

Email: dpickard@mdsd.org
Website: mdsd.org
Location: 327 East Roseberry Road, Donnelly, ID, USA
Phone: 208 325-4433