Lions Exchange

We love celebrating our amazing teachers and staff. The District is accepting nominations for teachers and staff to receive a LifeLeader Award at our annual end of year awards ceremony. Help us celebrate our amazing teachers and staff by submitting a nomination by March 31st: LifeLeader Nominations

Next week, February 3rd-7th, is National School Counselor Week! This is a special time to recognize the invaluable contributions of our amazing school counselor, Ms. Washington. She plays a vital role in supporting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of every student at Life School Oak Cliff Elementary.

Ms. Washington is a dedicated professional who works tirelessly to help our children succeed. She provides guidance on everything from academic planning and career exploration to social skills and emotional support. She is a listening ear, a source of encouragement, and a vital link between school, home, and the community.

During School Counselor Week, we encourage you to join us in celebrating Ms. Washington's hard work and dedication. Perhaps your child could write a thank you note, create a drawing, or simply express their appreciation for the support our counselor provides.

We are so fortunate to have Ms. Washington as part of our school family. Their commitment to our students makes a real difference in their lives. Let's take this week to show our gratitude for all that she does!

Click here to learn more about the role of a counselor and ways to show your appreciation for all Ms. Washington does.

Just some reminders regarding lunch:

• Only adults listed on your child's authorized pick-up form are allowed to eat lunch with students on campus.

• If you’d like a family friend to join your child for lunch, please contact the campus in advance to have their name added.
• We do not accept food deliveries from delivery services for student lunches. All lunches must be dropped off by a family member or friend.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and organized environment for our students!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don’t forget to mark your calendars!

• January 31 - No School for Students or Staff/ Last Day to Enroll your child for Next Year

• February 3-7 - National School Counseling Week

• February 1 - Open enrollment starts for new students. Spread the word to your friends and family—we can’t wait to welcome more amazing students to our school community!

Warm regards,

Principal Stovall

As we prepare for our upcoming Spring Benchmark assessments, we want to share key dates and guidelines to ensure a successful testing experience for everyone.

Campus Closures to Visitors:

Due to Spring Benchmark testing for 3rd-6th grades, our campus will be CLOSED to parents and visitors on the testing days that are listed below. Parents will not be allowed to eat lunch with students, do parent observations, or volunteer on major testing days. On designated Makeup Testing days the campus will be open to parents or visitors. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to create a focused and conducive testing environment for our students.

Test Preparation:

To ensure your child performs at their best, please assist us by ensuring they get enough sleep and have a nutritious breakfast. Please have your students leave their cell phone and smart watches at home on testing days. We encourage students to bring snacks and a bottle of water on testing days. Some good examples are peanut butter/cheese crackers, goldfish crackers, pretzels, nuts, granola bars, trail mix, & a few peppermints.

Upcoming Benchmark Dates:

• February 4: Reading Language Arts Benchmark (Grades 3 & 5) No Campus Visitors

• February 5: Reading Language Arts Benchmark (Grades 4 & 6) No Campus Visitors

• February 6: Makeup Testing for Reading Language Arts Benchmark (Grades 3-6)

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this testing period. Your partnership is invaluable in fostering a positive learning environment for our students.

Does your child love to cook? Encourage your child to get involved and cook up something amazing!

Our Annual Future Chef Competition is right around the corner! This is a fantastic opportunity for young chefs to showcase their skills and creativity in the kitchen.

Submit your child’s recipe by February 12th to join the fun!
Click here to submit your recipe.

Re-enrollment Began January 1st

Life School re-enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will began January 1, 2025. With the 4-day school week calendar, we are experiencing increased interest in enrollment. If your child attends Life School, please watch your email for re-enrollment instructions so you can act quickly in January to reserve your child's seat for next year.

Refer a Friend to Apply to Life School Today

Enrollment for new students will begin February 1, 2025. If you have family or friends interested in attending Life School next year, please share their contact information by completing this referral form or have them Life School Enrollment and request information.

Space is also still available this school year on some Life School campuses. If you have family or friends interested in attending Life School, please encourage them to apply today or pass along their contact information by completing this referral form.

FEBRUARY is BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Jan 31 - Last Day to Enroll your child for Next Year

Feb 1 - Open enrollment starts for new students

Feb 2 - Life's Finest Showcase (10AM -2PM)

Feb 4 - Reading Language Arts Benchmark (Grades 3 & 5) No Campus Visitors

Feb 5 - Reading Language Arts Benchmark (Grades 4 & 6) No Campus Visitors

Feb 6 - Makeup Testing for Reading Language Arts Benchmark (Grades 3-6)

Feb 7 - No School for Students or Staff

Feb 13 - Progress Reports available to families in Parent Portal

As the weather begins to change, please remember to send your child to school with a warm jacket each day. Cooler temperatures mean our students will need extra layers to stay comfortable, especially during recess and outdoor activities.

As a reminder, students are only permitted to wear solid red or navy blue jackets/sweaters inside the building during school hours. Other color jackets can be worn into the building but will need to be removed once students enter and may be put back on for recess and dismissal. This helps us maintain our dress code while keeping students comfortable throughout the day.

Please make sure to label your child’s jackets and sweaters with their first and last name. This helps your student quickly retrieve items from our lost and found if they get left behind in classrooms or on the playground.

Additionally, this is a great time to remind children about handwashing and other healthy habits to help prevent seasonal illnesses.

Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

As we enter cold and flu season, here are a few tips to help keep everyone healthy:

1. Handwashing: Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals and after using the restroom.
2. Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Remind your child to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow to prevent the spread of germs.
3. Stay Home When Sick: If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them at home to recover and help prevent spreading illness.
4. Healthy Habits: Ensure your child is getting plenty of rest, staying active, and eating a balanced diet to support their immune system.

Thank you for helping us keep our school community healthy and safe this season!

Life School is gearing up for our newest high school in Duncanville, TX with plans to open its doors in time for the 2027-28 school year! If you believe Life School will make an even greater impact in our community by building this new high school in Duncanville, show your support by attending these City of Duncanville public meetings wearing your Life School gear!

UIL Academics

We are excited to invite your child to participate in UIL Academics! This opportunity is available for students in grades 2-6 who are interested in competing in various academic events. Click here to review the events and complete the registration form. If you have any questions, please contact Christen Arroyave at christen.arroyave@lifeschools.net.

Don't forget to sign up for our Partners for Life parent organization by clicking here to receive the most up to date opportunities to engage on campus. After you sign up, be sure to become a fan of our campus.

When you respond for an event, you will receive hours for your participation. As parents receive hours, we will recognize parents throughout the year with shout outs, special prizes, and recognition.

Did you know... When you dedicate time to reading every day, you can reduce stress, boost your mental health, fall asleep faster, and enrich your vocabulary?

Did you know ... Children who read 20 minutes every day are exposed to a large number of books and stories throughout the year, which improves their understanding and analytical skills, increases their vocabulary, shapes their personality, and increases overall academic performance.

Click here to read 7 Benefits of Reading 20 Minutes a Day as well as some tips on how to get started. #LifeLeadersRead

Every day we have Life Habits time that is focused on building social, emotional and behavioral skills. Each week we will post Life Habits conversation starters in our newsletter that are aligned with the Life Habits lessons from the week. We will also have signs in the pick up line for you to access the questions of the week. We hope you enjoy hearing about what your child is learning at school.

Email: quanesha.stovall@lifeschools.net
Website: https://lifeschool.net/schools-campuses/oak-cliff-elementary-school
Location: 4400 South R L Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 214-376-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeoakcliffelem
Twitter: @PrincipalStovall