Duval Dispatch

Hello Duval Community!

Welcome back again!

It was great to see so many families tonight at Open House! Many thanks to PTO for all the fun in the lobby! With new staff and new routines, there will always be a learning curve. But, we can honestly say that the Duval Staff is the finest in the land, and the kids will be in great hands beginning tomorrow!

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

Looking forward to seeing everyone real soon!

Dr. Marcus and Ms. Craig

Traffic around the school needs to move slowly and carefully. The first few days will definitely be a bit slower than veteran families are used to. Please be patient.

Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Up: Go to the far right side of the building and around back. Drop off kids from the 8th cone to the corner of the building. Pick up is the same in reverse. We will come to your car and ask for your child's name. Please have your placard in the window.

Walkers/Bikers: Please make sure teachers know that your child has permission to walk or bike home. Parents on foot picking up should be on the grass by the bike rack, far left of school.

All students K-5 will report to school on Wednesday. School hours are 9:15 to 3:20. Our doors open at 9AM. 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!

Thanks to the dozen or so folks who've sent one in already! Keep 'em coming!! 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!

Nurse Melissa is amazing! Please read her Beginning of the Year Newsletter HERE.

There is really important information on medications, illnesses, first aid, and more.

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

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

Please 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.

• 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 on the Duval website.

• 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, press 1. Day of dismissal changes need to be made in writing or with an email prior to 9:30 AM.

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

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