Duncan Dispatch

Our staff is working on developing common language for schoolwide expectations for all students at Duncan Elementary. We value your input and would greatly appreciate your participation in a brief survey to gather feedback on these schoolwide expectations at Duncan. Your responses will help us ensure that our goals and guidelines align with the needs and values of our students and their families.

Please take a few moments to share your thoughts and contribute to creating the best possible environment for your child’s success, by clicking on the form link below. Please choose 3-5 of the expectations you feel would best encompass a positive learning environment for all students, staff, and parents. Thank you for your support!

Perseverance is the ability to keep trying and working hard, even when something feels difficult or takes a long time. It means staying focused, not giving up, and believing that with effort and practice, you can improve and succeed. It’s about being patient with yourself and determined to reach your goals, no matter the challenges you face.

As we are experiencing colder temperatures, I would like to remind everyone to encourage our students to wear proper clothing for cold weather. This includes winter coats, hats, gloves, and boots. District protocol states that students are to enjoy outdoor recess if the temperature is above 10 degrees. It's important for their comfort and health while they are outside to be properly dressed.

Report cards will be posted in your PowerSchool account

after 4:00pm on Friday, January 10, 2024.

Here are the top three things you need to know:

• Access to the report cards will not be available through the PowerSchool app. The report cards are available by logging into your account through your favorite browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
• We strongly encourage you to make sure you can access your account by a web browser. If you need technical assistance, please contact our school office.
• You must have a PowerSchool account to see the report card. If you do not have an account, please follow the instructions at this link.

For more information on how report cards will be shared, where to access the report cards, how to request a new password or set up a PowerSchool account, please see this link.

January:

• 13th: Student Council Meeting @ 8am
• 15th: Yearbook Group Picture Day
• 15th: Bagel Day
• 16th: DECO Meeting in the Media Center @ 6:00pm
• 17th: SPIRIT DAY- Detroit Lions Day
• 17th: DECO Family Bowling Night @6pm
• 20th: NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• 24th: SPIRIT DAY- Detroit Lions Day
• 29th: ATG Meeting @ 3:50pm
• 31ST: SPIRIT DAY- Duncan Day. Wear your favorite Duncan Apparel.
• 31st: Rink Night @5pm

February:

• 5th: Kindergarten Open House @ 7:00pm
• 7th: SPIRIT DAY- Superbowl Sports Day. Wear your favorite sports apparel.
• 7th: DECO Mother-Son Event @6pm
• 10th: Student Council Meeting @ 8am
• 12th: Bagel Day
• 12th: ATG Meeting @ 3:50pm
• 12th: DECO Meeting in the Media Center @ 6:00pm
• 14th: SPIRIT DAY- Duncan Day. Wear your favorite Duncan Apparel.
• 17th-21st: NO SCHOOL - Mid-Winter Break
• 17th-18th: Kalahari Night
• 26th: Rink Night @5:30pm
• 28th: SPIRIT DAY- Duncan Day. Wear your favorite Duncan Apparel.

March:

• 5th: ATG Meeting @ 3:50pm
• 12th: DECO Meeting in the Media Center @ 6:00pm
• 17th: Student Council Meeting @ 8am
• 21st: Half Day of School - End of Marking Period
• 24th - 28th: NO SCHOOL - Spring Break

April:

• 4th: SPIRIT DAY- Rainbow Day. Wear your favorite rainbow color.
• 4th: DECO Sweetheart Dance @ 6:00pm
• 9th: DECO Meeting in the Media Center @ 6:00pm
• 11th: SPIRIT DAY- Duncan Day. Wear your favorite Duncan Apparel.
• 18th: NO SCHOOL - Good Friday
  
• 25th: SPIRIT DAY- Mismatch Day. Wear your clothes mismatched or backwards.
• 30th: Rink Night @5:30pm

May

• 2nd: SPIRIT DAY- Duncan Day. Wear your favorite Duncan Apparel.
• 8th: DECO Meeting in the Media Center @ 6:00pm
• 9th: SPIRIT DAY- Duncan Day. Wear your favorite Duncan Apparel.
• 15th: Author's and Artist @ 5:00pm
• 23rd: SPIRIT DAY- All American Day. Wear your red, white, and blue.
• 26th: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
• 30th: SPIRIT DAY- Carnival Day. Wear your favorite Duncan Apparel.
• 30th: Duncan Fest @ 5:00pm

June:

• 4th: Bagel Day
• 10th: Half Day of School - Dismissal at 12:04pm
• 11th: Half Day of School - Dismissal at 12:04pm - LAST DAY!

Job Opportunities for the 2024-2025 School Year

A number of Utica Community Schools employment opportunities are anticipated to be available for the 2024-2025 school year. This includes but is not limited to professional positions, paraprofessional, bus driver, food services, school age childcare, trades, mechanics, and other important support work. District personnel serve as excellent ambassadors for the organization and are encouraged to promote the UCS employment website to persons interested in being part of the UCS team. Related resources include:

1. The district general employment website can be found at https://uticak12.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx. Interested persons must follow the described process for each position.
2. In addition to the general employment website, some position postings are additionally and/or separately distributed internally within the organization to promote or foster interest from existing staff who may not be regularly reviewing the website.
3. EDUStaff opportunities please visit https://www.edustaff.org/.

The Community at Richard J. Duncan Elementary School is devoted to academic excellence. Sound instructional strategies will provide our students with a foundation of skills that will prepare them for lifelong achievement in a global society.

Mrs. Jodi Pfeifer - Principal

Mrs. Amy Mujkic - Assistant Principal

Mrs. Kelly Salter - Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Joanne Giannone - Clerk

School Hours: 9:00am - 3:50pm (Doors Open at 8:50am)

Half Day Hours: 9:00 am - 12:04pm

Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Website: Duncan Elementary / Homepage (schoolwires.net)