Tiger Tale

Over the past few months, our school community has engaged in meaningful dialogue regarding potential changes to our kindergarten program. Through parent and staff forums, as well as online surveys, we gathered valuable input regarding making a potential change to our kindergarten program for the 2025-26 school year. During these forums we explored three potential options:

• Traditional a.m./p.m. program 8:55-12:15 / 12:10-3:30

• Modified program 8:55-12:50

• Full Day program

We want to thank you for your thoughtful feedback and active participation in this important process.

After extensive review and consideration of the input provided, it became clear that additional time is needed to further explore potential changes to the kindergarten program. Our goal is to ensure greater consensus and alignment within our school community before implementing any adjustments.

As a result, Dewey Elementary will continue to offer a traditional a.m./p.m. kindergarten program for the 2024-2025 school year. Beginning in the spring of 2025, we will reopen discussions and exploration of possible changes to the program, with a focus on the 2026-2027 school year.

We deeply value your ongoing support and partnership in this process as we work to provide the best educational experience for our youngest learners. Should you have any questions or additional feedback, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our school community.

Warmest regards,

Sabrina Parsley, principal

sabrina.parsley@sanjuan.edu

As we navigate through the school year, it’s not uncommon for students to experience various illnesses, especially with changing weather and the presence of common viruses. Recently, there has been an increase of students and staff that have reported illnesses that have included fevers. We understand that illnesses spread quickly, and we want to ensure the well-being of our school community.

Here are some steps and recommendations we would like to share:

1. Communication: We encourage you to inform us if your child is feeling unwell, showing symptoms of an illness, or has been diagnosed with a contagious condition. This helps us monitor the situation and take proactive measures.

2. Stay home when sick. If your child is not feeling well, we strongly recommend keeping them at home until they are symptom-free and fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

3. Good hygiene practices: remind your child about the importance of regular handwashing with soap and water, covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and using tissues.

4. Sanitization - We are providing enhanced cleaning of common touchpoints and encouraging frequent handwashing.

The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the office.

Camp is coming!

Our spring 5th and 6th grade camps are approaching:

6th grade will go to Westminster Woods from March 17th through March 20th.

5th grade will go to Grizzly Creek from April 23rd through April 25th.

If your student will NOT be attending camp, they must either complete an Independent Study contract for the days of camp or come to school and work in a different classroom. If you wish your student to have an Independent Study as an alternative to camp, notify the teacher as soon as possible. If a request for Independent Study is not made, the student will be expected to attend school.

New Rotation!

The Maker Lab is saying good-bye to the classes in the first rotation and HELLO to the classes in the second rotation. I am looking forward to building and creating with kindergarten, Ms. Burton’s class, 2nd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade. You can follow some of the Maker Lab happenings on Instagram at deweymakerlab.

The Maker Lab needs to restock some supplies. I appreciate all your donations and I ask that they keep coming. Specific requests are at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Z2RDYAVQWREC/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2

Thank you!

Kristin Janeway

San Juan Unified would like to invite parents and students to take the San Juan Unified annual district climate survey. Your feedback is vital and informs school and district leaders of the changes needed in their communities. The deadline for the survey is Feb. 7.

Surveys are available online in several languages at:

• Parent Survey - sanjuan.edu/parentsurvey
• Student Survey - sanjuan.edu/studentsurvey
• Staff Survey - sanjuan.edu/staffsurvey

We greatly value your feedback and thank you in advance for your participation.

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

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!

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

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!

January 31: Tiger Talk at 9am NEW DATE

February 4: 1st grade Yolo Basin field trip (Mrs. Willett)

February 5: 1st grade Yolo Basin field trip (Mrs. Robbins)

February 10-14: Kindness Week

February 10: TK Nimbus Fish Hatchery field trip

February 12: School Site Council @ 3:45

February 17-21: President's Week NO SCHOOL

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