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March Newsletter 23-24
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A Note From Dr. Hooton
Duello Families,
I hope this message finds you healthy and doing well. We had a busy February filled with snow days, the 100th day, and long weekends, but we are moving forward with returning to a sense of normalcy.
Some reminders:
1) If you plan to be a visitor at school for lunch, please be sure to bring your photo ID with you. Please also give yourself time to be properly checked in with your photo ID.
2) In the morning at car riders, please do not release the children from their vehicles until the morning staff are on the front sidewalk. We like to have our staff on the sidewalk BEFORE students are getting out of cars.
3) If you have a transportation change for your child(ren), please communicate with our main office by 2:45 p.m. so we are aware of the change. Our office will ensure that the transportation change is given to the teacher.
4) Last reminder - all parent letters for DUE class placement due to counselors by Friday, March 1.
Spring is around the corner, and I have high hopes that it will bring consistent warm weather, fun, and blooming new opportunities to grow as leaders and learners.
With Mustang Pride,
Dr. Hooton
Upcoming Dates
March 11 Late Start
March 12 Third Grade Concert
- March 13 Spring and Club Pictures
- March 13 PTA Meeting - virtual
- March 22 Early Release
- March 25-29 Spring Break
Congratulations!
Congrats to our 2023-2024 Spelling Bee Winners: Cayden Mango (1st Place), Pranav Nalajhala (2nd Place) and Isaiah Granberry (3rd Place). We are so proud of each of them.
Read Across America: Reading Week
We are celebrating Read Across America with fun spirit days and Mystery readers. Each day the classes will be sent a Masked Reader Read Aloud along with clues about who the staff member is. On Friday, the school will come together to unmask the readers and celebrate our reading success and love of literacy. Join us in this Spirited Week of Reading and Fun!
Weather Related Information/ AMI Information
Since we have used five of our District's six built-in snow days this school year, we wanted to share the next steps in case we surpass the maximum number of allotted snow days in the coming months.
DESE allows school districts to count up to 36 hours of instruction through Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI), such as virtual learning or assignments to be completed at home, during emergencies, or extended closures.
Our District has not used AMI for weather-related closures in the past, but if we exceed our six built-in snow days this year, the WSD will utilize AMI to keep students engaged in learning and prevent extending the school year into the summer break. On AMI days, families and staff will be notified through the regular district communication channels (phone call, text, social media). Student attendance will be recorded on days when AMI is assigned and will be documented by the completion of assignments and turning in activities. Assignments will be turned in either through Canvas or by returning them to their teacher on the next in-person learning day. Educators will be available electronically by email during AMI days for guidance with instruction.
Please work with your students' teacher(s) to address any questions.
PTA Information
Third Grade Concert
Third graders will be performing here at Duello on March 12 at 6:30 p.m. They will practice during specials classes the week of the concert. The only reminder is to wear a black top.
If you have any questions please reach out to Mr. Hayes!
Mic Drop Moments
Mrs. Wiatt has jumped into her role at Duello like a pro! Being a nurse in the clinic and being a one on one nurse to a student requires flexibility and grace and she has both. She is personable, works well with everyone and loves kids! We are so incredibly thankful that she is here!
Mrs. Morris works to ensure each of her student’s individual needs are met. She welcomes new students with open arms and builds strong relationships with her students.
Mrs. Smith goes above and beyond to love her students just as they are. Not only does she meet her students individual needs but she also works hard to ensure she has strong connections with her students' families. She is always finding positives and remains supportive in her conversations with parents.
Mrs. Henson plays a vital role in our building. She steps in, anywhere at any time. She communicates across all staff and balances many different roles within a school day. I don't know what we would do without her.
Disability Awareness Month
On February 26, 1987 President Ronald Reagan officially declared Proclamation 5613 making March National Disabilities Awareness Month. The proclamation called for people to provide understanding, encouragement and opportunities to help persons with disabilities to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Everyone wants, and deserves, to enjoy life, feel productive and secure. But in March, we take extra steps to raise awareness about the supports and rights of the people with disabilities and to celebrate their contributions to our communities and society as a whole!
We think it is important for people to understand disabilities. For children, this is especially important because attitudes develop during childhood by watching and listening to peers, teachers, and family. The classroom is an ideal place to increase knowledge about people with disabilities and to foster positive attitudes about them. The best place to bring awareness is within the classroom. Here is a list of suggestions you could do within your rooms.
Do activities that show how students are alike and different.
Teach how to interact with people with disabilities.
Talk about disabilities in general (what, why).
Celebrate the abilities of people with disabilities.
Thank you for helping us raise awareness of the abilities of all persons and for bringing this awareness into the classroom.
Cruising Into Kindergarten Event
On March 19, from 6-7 p.m., we will be hosting an event for our future Kindergarteners. Incoming kindergartners will be able to meet some new friends, tour the building, meet staff and play some fun games (No siblings please). This is a Parents as Teachers Event.
Meet Your 2024 Board of Education Candidates
Four candidates will be on the ballot for two open seats in the April 2, 2024, election. The open seats are currently held by Shannon Stolle and Jason Goodson, and each open seat is for a three-year term.
Attend a Community Roundtable Event on March 5
Superintendent Dr. Danielle Tormala, District administrators, school leadership and staff, members of the Board, and student representatives will come together to collaborate with our community! RSVP for our upcoming Community Roundtable and Timberland Feeder Pattern Student/School Showcase on Mar. 5 at Timberland High School.
Late Start Information
The WSD will be providing supervision for K-5 students who need to be dropped off at the regular start time on scheduled Late Start Days this school year. This is separate from our Before Care Program through Chautauqua.
WSD Parents: to register your student, visit https://wsdr4.revtrak.net/ and select your student's Elementary School, followed by clicking "Late Start Registration" and completing the form for your student. Please register each student attending separately.
The fee is $10.36 (which includes a transaction fee) per child for each late start day you would like to register for.
Please visit our Late Start page on our District website for more information.
General Information
Morning/Afternoon Schedule
- Doors open at 8:05 a.m.
- Breakfast from 8:05 a.m.-8:20 a.m.
- Dismissal begins at 3:15 p.m.
Lunch/Recess/Specials Schedule
Reporting Absences
Regular school attendance is critical to your child’s success at school. In the event that your child should need to be absent from school, please notify the office at (636) 327-6050 and press 1 to report that absence. Please leave your name, your child’s name, and grade, the teacher's name, and the reason for absence. You may also email attendance changes to attendance.duello@wsdr4.org
Arrival and Dismissal
This is an important reminder of the drop-off and pick-up procedures that we will enforce for the safety and efficiency of the students and parents at Duello. Staff supervision and student drop-off begin at 8:05 a.m. If you arrive early, please wait with your child(ren) until 8:05 a.m. to assure that they are supervised. Parents should not drop students off in the parking lot in order to avoid the drop-off line.
Walkers- Walkers are defined as students who walk or ride their bike home. These students will be dismissed and will either travel home alone or meet their parent/guardian. The parking lot is not a designated crosswalk and is extremely dangerous for students to walk through unattended. Please do not bypass the carline for convenience and put your child and others in danger.
Car Riders- Car Riders are defined as students who will have parents/guardians who will utilize our car rider line to drive through and pick their child up. This is the most efficient way if a parent is coming to pick their child up. The line might look long but it moves quickly.
Car Rider Drop Off- Parents, if you are dropping off in the car rider line in the morning and your child needs assistance getting out of the car, please put your flashers on and a staff member will help assist getting your child out of the car.
A smooth and efficient procedure takes all of us working together. I appreciate and expect all parents to follow the outlined procedures.
Child Nutrition Updates
Breakfast K-12: $2.00
Elementary Lunch K-5: $3.10
Secondary Lunch 6-12: $3.15
Reduced Price Meals:
Breakfast: $0.30
Lunch: $0.40
Click here to see the breakfast and lunch menus for the 23-24 school year.
Applications for free & reduced priced meals are available here or at any school office. In an effort to assist families as we transition back to paid meals, the USDA has increased the income guidelines used to determine eligibility. Click here to see the new guidelines.
If you believe your family would qualify for this program, please fill out an application.
Applications can be returned by the following methods:
Scan and email to: marysanzottera@wsdr4.org
Fax: 636-327-3961
Mail: Child Nutrition Services, 101 Support Services Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
Would you like to volunteer at your student's school? Would you like to attend field trips? Please read the information at this link for more information, and to sign up to volunteer!
Opt Out Communication
Please read the attachment for more information on opting your student(s) out of presentations.
Mrs. Amber Houdei | Assistant Principal
1814 Duello Road
Lake St. Louis, MO 63367
636.327.6050