Duval Dispatch

Hello Duval Community!

The first day of the school year is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome everyone. Here are some important pieces of information and links that will help everyone, both veteran and new families ensure we have a safe and fun school year.

Click on the picture or link--> to see our Welcome Back video!

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Dr. Marcus and Ms. Craig

Kicking off this year’s theme, we hope to have a giant Garden of kids and staff faces in the lobby by the end of the first week. Don’t forget to send your child in with a small picture of them to add to our Growing Garden!

New families (and old) might find our Welcome Packet helpful.

Here's the Portuguese version, but it's translatable to most languages through Google.

Don’t forget to fill out THIS SURVEY to tell us your hopes and wishes for your children this year.

We were fortunate to hear from a family in need this summer who connected us with Schools on Wheels. We have a half dozen backpacks with school supplies in them for students in need. Please reach out to Dr. Marcus if you need a backpack and supplies.

August 26, 6 PM: Kindergarten families are welcome to this year's Meet and Greet on Duval’s playground. Please wear your class color!

August 27, 4:30 - 6 PM: Duval’s Open House for all K-5 students and families. The Open House is a perfect opportunity for students and parents/guardians to visit the school and meet the teachers. They have been working so hard to set up learning spaces that are warm and welcoming.

The Duval PTO will have Photo Spots set up during the Open House, so come by to take some pictures! The PTO Executive Board wants to meet you, too. Please stop by their table in the Bus Lobby to say hello and check out the Duval Dolphin swag!

August 28: All students K-5 will report to school. Duval’s school hours are 9:15 to 3:20. Our doors open at 9:00 AM. Car riders and walkers need to arrive at school between 9:00-9:10 AM. If you are new to Duval, please review our Arrival and Dismissal Procedures. Please help us keep students safe and traffic flowing by following the arrival and dismissal procedures. Thank you!

• Teacher Assignments and Bus Route Info: Families can log into Infinite Campus for classroom teacher assignments.

• Need an Infinite Campus Parent Portal Account? Please contact the Technology Department at 781-618-8100.

• School supplies are listed here and will be posted on the Duval website shortly.

• YMCA Before/After School Care Information

• The WHRSD and Duval School PTO Facebook pages are excellent social media resources for staying connected and informed.

• WHRSD Academic Calendar includes holidays, vacations, and early release dates.

• School breakfast and lunches will remain free for all families throughout the school year. Snacks/treats at lunch are NOT free.

• For the safety of your children and our students, please call the Absence Line if your child will be absent or tardy @ 781-618-7055. Day of dismissal changes need to be made in writing or with an email prior to 9:30 AM.

Aug. 26- Kindergarten Meet and Greet. 6pm, Playground

Aug. 27- Open House 4:30-6pm, K-5

Aug. 28- First Day for all

Aug. 30- Early Release Day

Sept. 2- No School, Labor Day

Sept. 3- No School, Primary Election Day

Sept. 10- PTO Meeting, 7pm in the Library

Sept. 17- First School Council Meeting, 3:45pm, Conference Room

Welcome back, Duval Families!

The PTO has been brainstorming all summer about how to make this school year the best one yet! We’re excited to tend to our corner of the Duval Garden, but with so many plants to tend to (figuratively and literally sometimes) we are always looking for a few more hands to plant seeds, water the sprouts, and reap the harvest.

We have more than a dozen opportunities throughout the year for you to help out as much, or as little as you'd like. From October’s Monster Mash all the way until Fun Day in June, we rely upon your support and creativity in making sure your children will never forget their time at Duval.

You'll see us plenty of times before then, but our first meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, September 10th at 7:00 PM in the Duval Library. We have childcare provided at all our meetings, so please join us if you can!

Thank you,
Marshall Ottina
President, Duval PTO

Check out some of the work done this summer to get ready for opening day!

This area will be used to post various community events.

John H. Duval Elementary provides a safe, supportive environment where children are able to reach for the stars!

Email: john.marcus@whrsd.org
Website: https://whd.whrsd.org
Location: 60 Regal Street, Whitman, MA 02382
Phone: 781-618-7055
Twitter: @DuvalElementary