Tiger Tale

Dear Dewey Community,

During the past six weeks, the Dewey community has been engaging in discussions regarding proposed changes to our kindergarten program starting with the 2025-2026 school year. We have had three different parent/guardian and staff meetings for members of our school community to provide feedback and input about each of the proposed changes. This feedback was then shared with our kindergarten and leadership teams. Based upon this feedback, we are proposing that Dewey's kindergarten program become a modified day beginning in the fall of 2025. The modified schedule would:

• All morning classes would be 8:55-12:55 (no p.m. schedule) daily

• Align with our Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Autism kindergarten class schedule

• Allow for music, art and p.e. to be taught thematically throughout the school day

• Provide additional times for more play-based learning activities

• Allow our kindergarten teachers to provide intervention support to our older students

• Allow our youngest students to acclimate to a longer school day

We do recognize that many families would prefer a full-day program. However, there were a few components of this schedule that had an impact on the overall program.

• This is a long day for five and six year olds. Although many students come to us having participated in a full day preschool program, there would not be a nap time in this program.

• If we eliminate recess, lunch, and specialist times, kindergarten instructional minutes mirror the modified schedule.

• There are a large number of transitions during the day: specialists, recess, bathroom breaks, lunch.

The proposal was based upon what the team felt was best for students and our overall school system. Please take a moment to complete the survey below by Friday, November 22nd to provide your input. Your voice matters and is appreciated. If we are unable to have a unified agreement on the program, we will make no changes to the kindergarten schedule next year. Again, thank you for your time and feedback.

Warmest regards,

Sabrina Parsley

It is time to elect your representatives to this year's Dewey Fundamental School Site Council. The SSC is charged with the task of developing a school plan for the use of supplemental resources provided by the state.

Please vote for 3 individuals. Cast your votes by Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Thank you for taking the time to vote in this very important election.

As you are traveling this holiday season, please keep in mind that Dewey collects all small toiletries that you may receive at your hotels (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shower caps, soap, toothpaste, sewing kits, etc.). Another great place to pick up some extra toiletries is your dental office. The free toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss they offer you are great items to donate as well. Please drop off your donations in the office hallway or to Mrs. Ruswinkle in room 9. All items donated will be sent to Mercy Pedalers organization (mercypedalers.com).

Thank you! Mrs. Ruswinkle

Kids Only Shoppe donations are greatly appreciated! If you plan on donating, please bring your items to the office by Friday 12/6.

Our 6th Grade Classes are busy organizing our Kids Only Shoppe while our DJ is gathering his coolest Santa-approved music list!

You do not want to miss this special event- details coming soon!

Our Lost N Found is filling up! Please come take a look through it when you get a chance. Any unclaimed items will be collected and donated on November 22nd.

The Harry Dewey School Library is a fantastic hub for knowledge and exploration! We are so excited to see our student actively using the online catalog to research topics they love. Have you checked it out together yet? Explore here: https://dewey.sanjuan.edu/academics/library

Our student store is a hit but we need your help! Please let the office know if you are able to volunteer on Fridays to help run the store during student lunchtimes. Also, a donation of any of the prizes listed here would be greatly appreciated- thank you Dewey families!

Ready to up your earning potential? You can now earn Dewey Scrip (all funds go directly to your student's classroom, and during summer months directly to your students) in a brand new way -in addition to gift cards- simply by shopping online. Log in at RaiseRight.com or the mobile app [QR code] and select the new Shop Online tab to get started!

Scrip orders will be collected on the following Mondays:

October 28

November 4

November 18

December 2

December 16

For more information contact Lilia Nardozzi at lilia.nardozzi@sanjuan.edu or text (916) 517-8366.

It’s back! This year, half of the school will come weekly for the first half of the year, then the other half of the school will come weekly the 2nd half of the year. Don’t worry if your child doesn’t start next week- everyone will have equal opportunity to DESIGN, BUILD, and CREATE in the Maker Lab.

The Maker Lab runs on your donations. There is a box for all donations in the office hallway. All cardboard tubes, craft supplies, duct tape, etc. are appreciated. Don’t keep google eyes around your house, but you still want to give? There is an Amazon Wish List: Dewey Maker Lab Wish List

Right now, the Maker Lab is needing your Hex Bugs that are no longer being played with. Give the bugs a second life, give them to the Maker Lab.

Follow deweymakerlab on Instagram!

Please visit deweypfo.com for more information about ways to get involved, our PFO executive board and committee chairs, and an online store for Dewey merchandise!

November 18th-22nd: Parent-Teacher Conferences SCHOOL DISMISSAL AT 12:15

November 19th: TK Raley's field trip

November 25th-29th: NO SCHOOL

November 25th: Trimester 1 grades viewable

December 10th: DHH Silent Sleigh field trip

December 10th: 3rd grade Telephone Museum field trip

December 13th: Santa's Night

December 16th: PFO Meeting

TK: 8:55-12:15

Kindergarten Early : 8:55-12:15

Kindergarten Late: 12:10-3:30

DHH/ASD Kindergarten: 8:55-12:55

*Thursdays: All Kindergarten students 8:55-12:15

1st -6th Grade: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:55-3:30

*Thursdays: 1st-6th grade 8:55-2:15