Hello Dickinson Families!

I want to start off by sharing how proud I am of all the UIL students who competed yesterday. I look forward to getting the results soon and celebrating the students next week. Please see the schedule below.

I’m so excited for this week’s dress-up activities! It’s always a joy to see our students' creativity and school spirit shine. As we enjoy the fun, I’d like to remind everyone how important it is for students to arrive on time each day. Starting the day promptly helps set the tone for success and ensures they don’t miss out on valuable learning opportunities.

Please be sure to review the dress code policy as the weather is changing and we want to be sure all of our dolphins are dressed for success!

I want to thank all of our amazing parent volunteers for decorating the inside of our school. It looks amazing and brings a smile to our students faces everyday!

Officer Nash will be presenting the Now That You're Ten presentation to our fourth and fifth grade students this week. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact Suzanne Lowe at suzanne.lowe@lcisd.org or you would have returned the permission slip opting out of the program.

Thank you for your support, and I can’t wait to see everyone’s amazing outfits this week!

Warm Regards,

Channon Almendarez

#dolphinproud

Please click on the link below (microsoft forms) to pre-register for our winter party. The badges will be sent home with the students on Tuesday, December 17th. You must have the link completed by Dec. 13th at 4:00.

This year we are dividing our student celebration for UIL awards into two separate days. This is due to the number of students who participated this year. What a wonderful problem to have! I am so proud of all of the students that competed this past Saturday. Both celebration days will begin at 7:30 and will be located in the library. Please be sure you come through the front office to get a raptor badge on your way in or get it pre-printed before your child's celebration day. Thank you! A formal invitation will follow.

Our Site Based Management Team voted and decided to make a slight change to the Dickinson dress code. Students may wear a collared (polo style, no logo) solid color navy blue, light blue, red, or white tops. A Dickinson spirit shirt may be worn any day of the week. Bottoms, including leggings may be in solid color khaki, navy blue or black pants, capris, shorts, skirts, skorts, or jumpers. If leggings or tights are worn, they must be under shorts, skirts, or jumpers. Blue denim jeans permitted on Fridays.

Dolphin families please be mindful of our dress code above. Please note that sweatpants are not allowed this school year. I have sent out a survey to get feedback from the community and will bring the feedback to our Campus Improvement Council regarding changes for next school year. Please be sure you check out parent square to vote.

Join the fun this December with optional dress-up days for our dolphins! Each assigned day has a festive theme to bring extra joy and creativity to the season. Participation is optional, and we can't wait to see everyone's holiday spirit!

This year to ensure your child's safety all change of transportation notes must be sent to the front office or you can call by 2:00 to make a change. Teachers need to focus on instruction during the day so please do not send them any emails for a change. Please call the front office at 832-223-1400. There is a form below you can print and have for your file in case you want to send in a note. A handwritten note will be accepted as well. Thank you for your understanding!

Annual Volunteer Background Checks Via Raptor

Want to volunteer? Plan to attend field trips? Assist with Holiday Parties?

Dickinson Elementary has an amazing reputation for partnering with our parents and community to serve our students in a multitude of ways. It's important to review and update the volunteer application regularly to ensure it meets current safety standards and legal requirements. This process helps to create a safe and supportive environment for both volunteers and the children they interact with.

If you completed this task last year, you received a message via e-mail like this sample:

Hello,

Your ability to volunteer at Lamar Consolidated ISD will end on 6/30/2024. If you plan to volunteer after that date, please take this time to complete a volunteer application by selecting this link https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NTk1OmVuLVVT.

Thank you,

District Volunteer Coordinator

For our new volunteers, please follow these steps to become a volunteer at Dickinson:

1.) Apply to volunteer by completing the volunteer application found https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NTk1OmVuLVVT

2.) After you receive your volunteer clearance email, contact the campus or department you wish to support as a volunteer to receive information on next steps.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the district’s various volunteer opportunities, please contact:

Asia S. Duhon (Partners in Education Coordinator) at mailto:Asia.Duhon@LCISD.org OR 832-223-0383.

Technology Devices

Personal Technology Lamar CISD believes that appropriate use of students’ technology devices enhances our students’ education. This includes but is not limited to: cell phones, smart phones, iPods, iPads, electronic tablets, and laptop computers. At Dickinson Elementary: All electronic devices stated above, including Smart Watches, must remain in the student's backpack turned off during the instructional day. Please review the code of conduct below regarding cell phone(electronic devices) policy. We have technology available for students to use while on campus. Thank you for reviewing this information with your child before school starts. We want to ensure that students are engaged in their learning and want to help minimize distractions.

This is a video that all of the students and staff were required to watch as part of our safety protocol. LCISD is committed to keeping all of our students and staff safe. If you ever have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Our fence is completed. I am currently working with maintenance and operations to get some signage with hours and expectations during non-school hours.

Get your Dolphin reading and logging their reading minutes with our Beanstack Reading Challenges! The Library sponsors monthly challenges where students read and then log their reading minutes through ClassLink and the Beanstack app. Students who complete challenges within the challenge dates will earn a Brag Tag to celebrate their reading achievement.

Safety is our top priority! In Lamar CISD, we follow the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to prepare and respond to crisis situations should there ever be a need. It is important to be prepared for a quick response to keep our staff and students safe. When we practice drills, parents will receive an e-mail that we practiced a drill. Below is information about the SRP so that you can keep informed about the protocols we have in place. We need your support for when you visit the campus by wearing your visitor badge on the left or right side of your chest / torso in visible view for our staff members to see at a quick glance. The sticker badge should not be worn on the pants, arm, purse or other areas besides the upper chest area. Thank you for your help keeping our dolphins and staff safe!

The culture of Dickinson Elementary includes a partnership with our community. Last year, our parents volunteered hundreds of hours to support our students and staff. We value our partnership as together we educate our dolphins. This year all volunteers are required to register as a volunteer. This includes PTO Board Members, work room volunteers, Watch Dog Dad volunteers, room parents, field day volunteers, library volunteers, and the list continues! Please visit this website to begin the process:

https://www.lcisd.org/community/volunteers

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the front office at 832-223-1400.

Thank you for giving the gift of time for the success of our campus! What you value, you give your time to! - Channon Almendarez

• December 1st-31st: Reading Wrap-Up Beanstack Reading Challenge
• December 16th: Rudolph Day Sponsored by House Council
• December 17th: Sing Along (Students Only) & First Grade Program @ 6:00
• December 18th: UIL Celebration & Awards @ 7:30 AM (Parents of UIL students are invited.)
• December 19th: Winter Holiday Parties
• December 20th: Student Holiday / Staff Planning & Work Day
• December 21st-January 6th: Winter Break

Email: channon.almendarez@lcisd.org
Website: https://www.lcisd.org/campuses/dickinson/home
Location: 7110 Greatwood Pkwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479, USA
Phone: 832-223-1400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dickinsondolphins