Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!!

In this newsletter you will find many updates from both schools.

The next newsletter is planned for September 20.

VISION: Our students will have success for today and be prepared for tomorrow.

MISSION: Instilling values and providing opportunities that empower learners for lifelong success.

At DLB, we value respect, responsibility, honesty, accountability, teamwork, and empathy.

Summer went by in a blink of the eye, but we are so happy to be back! We are three weeks into our 2024-2025 school year and it has been a WONDERFUL start! It’s great being back into routine and seeing all the students’ smiling faces every day.

DLB Elementary had a few changes in the elementary school this year, one is Mr. Brown, assistant principal, is here full time. There is one new teacher in the building, in second grade, Miss Beck and Mrs. Knutson moved to fifth grade. Miss Carmen is a new paraprofessional in the building working with different grade levels. We have 58 kindergarteners this school year which puts our K-6 enrollment at 383 students.

School starts at 8:45am, drop off starts at 8:00am. (Unless your child is in CLC, they should not arrive at the school earlier than 8:00am.) When dropping off, pull in front of the school and have children exit the car from the right side (passenger side). If you plan to exit the car, please park in the lot and walk your child in. Parents, you are able to walk your child into the front door, and students will walk on their own to their classroom. Students walking to their classroom encourages responsibility and accountability. If your child is absent for the day or going to be late, please call the office and communicate this information.

School buses are dismissed at 3:35pm. Once buses are dismissed, walkers are dismissed, at approximately 3:43pm. After buses have left, parents please pull all the way forward to where the curb stops. Once all cars have pulled forward and have stopped, students will come out to your parked car, please stay in your vehicle. Students will be walked or released to your car down the curb. Please watch for students walking through the crosswalk to their parents, we will have vehicles stop periodically for this reason. If you would like to meet your child at the door, please park in the lot.

Title and Intervention started this past week, September 2. Title and Intervention teachers this year are Mrs. Drovdal, Mrs. Opland, and Mrs. Bosch. Title and Intervention assist students with their reading and/or math when they are struggling with certain skills. Students may be in Title for a while and be dismissed when starting a new skill. Title is for students that need a little boost and works on the skills needed at the time. Intervention is for students that are struggling with either math or reading and are a grade level or more behind than their peers. Intervention students need more intense instruction to get them to grade level. Students that are in both Title and Intervention are still in the classroom for instructional time with the classroom teacher.

Study time started this past week at the elementary. Study time is for students in grades 4-6 who are missing work or failing a class. The ineligibility list comes out each week on Wednesday, the students on the list attend study time in the morning between 8:00 and 8:40 from Thursday to Tuesday. Study time can also be used to complete homework or study for a test, but students need to get permission from their classroom teacher to attend. Study time isn’t used to avoid outdoor recess, recess is important for social skills and exercise. Study time is used to catch up on work, make up homework, and/or improve skills that may be lacking. Parents will be notified if your child is placed in Study time because of missing work or failing grades.

Below you will find our School-Parent Compact. This is a shared agreement that describes how parents, children, and the school will work together to support and enhance each student’s learning. Together we can create a fun learning experience for each student that sets them up for future success!

This year, like in years past, we are ensuring our students are respectful, responsible and safe in all areas of the school building and on the bus. Teachers have been going over expectations that align with these characteristics and everyone in the school building is helping teach all students these expectations. Below are school-wide expectations for all classrooms and some of these you may have heard from your child(ren) -

Laker Listener -

· Eyes on speaker

· Body still

· Sit straight with feet on ground

· Voice level at a 0

· Focused brain

Laker Line -

L - line straight

A - always at a 0

K - keep hands and feet to self

E - eyes forward

R - ready to go!

Voice Levels -

0 - silent/no talking

1 - whisper

2 - normal voice

3 - loud and proud

4 - outside voice

Each area of the school has expectations set based upon respect, responsibility and safety. Below you will find our expectations matrix. There are a few things that students can get for following set expectations and going above and beyond. Classrooms can get “caught yas” for following expectations in different areas in the school. When classes earn 10 “caught yas” they get a reward that has been decided upon by the classroom. Students are also able to get on to the “Laker Limelight” wall! There is a wall designated for “Laker Limelight'' cards for students showing kindness and behavior above and beyond what is expected. Students will receive a card that they will place on the wall, and parents will get a picture home.

It is fun to celebrate all the good things that happen in school, but sometimes there are behaviors that may need to be fixed. Sometimes a student may receive a “Fix It”. This is where the expected behavior wasn’t being followed and the teacher, para, or principal will need to go through some steps to determine how to fix a problem. This sheet may come home in a backpack or a call may be made home if something needs to be fixed. As a school, we want to create an environment that is safe for ALL students and get students ready to be good citizens. To do this, everyone will learn new things, have fun, and make memories, which is the environment we want to create at DLB!

Bus Behavior

Riding the bus is a privilege that our district is able to provide. Please be sure to have your child out to the stop on time, so drivers are able to get to their other stops on time. If your child is not riding that day, please let Deb, in the office know, or their bus driver, before it is time for pickup. Please review bus expectations with your child to ensure a smooth and safe ride for everyone on the bus! Bus expectations are -

• Follow bus driver instructions and rules
• Voices are at an indoor level (Voice level 1 or 2)
• Use appropriate language and gestures
• Keep bus clean
• Take care of your items
• Stay sitting while bus is moving and in designated seat
• Stay in your space

Sixth graders learned about North Dakota native wildlife, wetlands, trees, prairies, and soil on their EcoEd field trip on September 4. This is a yearly trip for students in sixth grade. Students visited 5 different stations, where they learned about different parts of North Dakota's ecosystem. They also learned ways to help with ND conservation. Students ride the bus to Mouse River Park for this learning experience.

Homecoming Spirit Week is September 16-20, with dress-up days coinciding with the High School. The elementary will travel to the High School again this school year for a whole school pep rally! Elementary students travel to the high school on buses during the school day and are back by the end of the day. More information will be coming about this through Remind.

This year the Elementary Student Council will be organized by the sixth grade teacher team. Students were voted on last school year by classmates and are in grades 4-6 this school year. Council members include Brayden K. (6); Brycen K. (6); Asher W. (6); Serenity R. (5); Landon M. (5); Trout T-B (5); Finnley N. (4); Dexton D. (4); and Sauly U. (4). Each week they put out a weekly video of school announcements and lead the pledge on the intercom. Monthly they have school-wide assemblies. Each quarter they do a service project for the area community.

Guess the Staff Member! Staff members brought pictures from when they were in school to share with students. The pictures went up this week and will be up next week, names will be attached to the pictures next week so students know who the staff members are in the pictures.

• Please pay your school fees if you have not yet. Call Deb in the office if you need help with payment.
• Please be sure to call the office if your child will be late or out of school for the day.
• If you have not joined the Elementary School Remind, please do, this is where you will receive messages about whole school activities and announcements -
• September 16-20 - Homecoming Week
• Tuesday, September 17 – School Pictures
• Friday, September 27 – 3:45 – Running Club Event (send back sheet if child is participating)
• October 4 – No School
• October 14 – 4:00-8:00pm - Parent-Teacher Conferences
• October 16 – Elementary Career Day
• October 17-18 – No School

SCHOOL:

• All students were in attendance for an overview of the student handbooks between August 22 and 26.
• All student schedules have been finalized and students are getting into their routine.

SPORTS:

• Fall sports participation:

• Football: 37 students

• Cross Country: 23 students

• Girls Golf: 15 students

Please note this policy from the North Dakota High School Activities Association

SPECTATOR EJECTION POLICY

On August 14, 2024 the NDHSAA Board of Directors approved a Class A Review recommendation to add a minimum penalty for spectators who are ejected from contests during the regular season. The policy was drafted by the NDHSAA Sportsmanship and Citizenship Committee prior to being approved.

"Any attendee ejected from a regular season or NDHSAA tournament contest will incur a minimum three (3) game/event suspension from that team's games/events and all other NDHSAA games/events in the interim at any level of competition. If the ejection occurs with fewer than three (3) games/events remaining in the team's season, the suspension will carry over to the school's sports season which immediately follows. An attendee ejected for a second time during a school year shall be suspended for a minimum of one (1) calendar year from all NDHSAA regular and postseason events. NDHSAA member schools may increase these minimum penalties at their discretion."

All DLBHS Juniors and Seniors will attend the Futurepalooza on Wednesday, September 11 from 9am-10:30am. This is a career/college fair hosted by Minot State University.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE MRS. SCHAEFER'S WEBPAGE (linked below) Visit Mrs. Schaefer's website " Counselor's Corner" for info on Career Ready, Choice Ready, College Ready, Military Ready, Scholarships, Letters of Recommendations, Course Catalog, Dual Credit, Financial Aid, Job Shadow, Leadership Events, and more. NOTE: Click on the "MORE" button on the top menu to find all topcs!

NHS Blood Drive at DLBHS: September 11 from noon until 4 pm

Homecoming Week: September 16-20

Wednesday, September 18 - Homecoming Coronation at the High School -- 2:30 pm

Homecoming Game: September 20

October 4: No School

October 17-18: No School

October 30: Professional Development for Teachers; No School for Students

Students are starting a new school tradition of collecting Homecoming Buttons! They worked hard to design and making the very first one. The goal is to collect one for every year!

The buttons are $5 and order forms/money will be due September 11th. Unfortunately, there are only have an initial 100 buttons that will get made and handed out (before Homecoming) in grade order. There are have many more buttons on back order that we will make for all other orders so, even though they will be late, the button collection can start this year!

Contact Business teacher, Mrs. Hacker, by September 11, if you are interested in ordering a button.

Freshmen Physical Science classes collected data on three templates of twirling toys (paper helicopters), then created their own designs that could land on a target and have the slowest possible descent. These groups are winners of the challenge competition on Friday, 8/30:

4th hour: Jayden and Wyatt

6th hour: Audrey, Aspyn, and Brea

7th hour: Kynley, Hayley, and Bailey

Anatomy Students started their work on a fetal pig dissection this week. This experience will help them develop lab skills and increase their understanding of the structures that make up the body systems. The work they are doing is truly exceptional!!

Genetics Students have been developing lab skills by practicing pipetting and growing the first of three generations of plants. They will be exploring Mendelian heredity, biotechnology, and more.

Freshmen: Princess Piper Feller and Prince Cale Roedocker

Sophomores: Princess Sierra Yale and Prince Zane Bjerklie

Juniors: Princess Kaylee Austin and Prince Easton Andersen

Senior Queen Candidates: Grace Bock, Addison Rakness, Ava Brown

Senior King Candidates: Jacob Schaefer, Drew Roedocker, Jace Crockett

Coronation will take place at the High School on Wednesday, September 18 at 2:30 pm

We are so grateful to the students, staff, and family members who have already registered to donate blood next week! We still have slots open. You can register by clicking on the link below.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Membership criteria

To be selected to the National Honor Society, students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. They are also required to complete an information form showing their interest and desire to be a part of this organization. The information forms are reviewed and selections are based on a variety of factors, which can be reviewed in the bylaws linked to the website (see below).

For students considering NHS as an option during this school year, we highly recommend keeping track of community service hours over the summer and into the next school year. The current bylaws require a minimum of 10 service hours per year for all members. Other requirements include attending all monthly meetings, carrying goals of scholarship, leadership, character, and service, and actively participating in group projects through the year.

Mrs. Sandbo will review this information forms in January 2025. Just a reminder that students who are current NHS members AND students who might become NHS members during the 2024-2025 school year can use service hours from the summer as part of the membership criteria for this group. See more information below.

For more information, please contact the chapter advisor, Mary Eldredge Sandbo at the high school.

In an effort to keep parents updated about students' progress in school, the Laker Time teachers will be sending short email alerts when students grades fall below passing. We hope that this will help to support every student as they work through this year. Teachers might also send "AWESOME LAKER ALERTS" for academic and other celebrations at DLBHS.

Parents, please make sure that your correct email address is entered in Power School.

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The school website includes links to each of the teacher's webpages with contact information, schedule, links to classroom websites, and more. In addition to some great photos and videos of the building project, here are a few things you will find on each of the pages:

• Welcome page: Laker Scoop, Counselor's Corner, Approved Supplemental Educational Services, Powerschool Link, Lunch account link, Booster club link, Course Catalog, and the Burlington Elementary Newsletter!
• Information Page: PowerSchool, Booster Club, Athletics,
• Office Page: Lunch menu, School Policies, Schedules, and School Calendar, Title One, Counselor's Corner
• School Board Page: Policy Manual, Board Members, Board Minutes, Delegation Policy

Email: laker.letter@dlblakers.com
Website: https://www.dbhs.united.k12.nd.us/
Location: Box 117, Des Lacs, ND 58733
Phone: (701) 725-4334

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