Duncan Dispatch
October 2022
Duncan Elementary
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.
- Email: jodi.pfeifer@uticak12.org
- Website: duncan.uticak12.org
- Location: 14500 26 Mile Road, Shelby Township, MI, USA
- Office Phone: 586-797-4600
- Absence Line: 586-797-4699
- Early Childhood Phone: 586-797-4660
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UCSDuncan
A Message from the Principal
Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 @ 4:30-7:30 PM
November 10, 2022 @ 1:00 – 4:00 PM & 5:00-8:00 PM
It may be hard to believe, but we are near the end of our first card marking period. Since the start of school, we have worked together to navigate some of the challenges of our environment but also celebrate real successes of the connections being made between teachers and our students. It is now our opportunity to schedule Parent-Teacher Conferences. Conferences are an important part of our partnership to make sure students are meeting our shared expectations. This year, we will be offering BOTH virtual (online) and in-person conference sessions.
We will again be using a web-based process this year to schedule and virtually meet with your child’s teachers about their progress. The system we are using is called School Soft Conference Manager and it will allow you to check our teachers’ conference schedules and book an appointment on-line. You will use the same system for you and your student’s teacher to have a virtual conversation about academic progress.
The first time you use the Conference Manager you will be required to register and create a parent account. (If you already have an account from previous years, you can skip this step). Setup only takes a minute or two. You will continue to use this same account for the duration of the time you have children in the school, so please record your password where you can reference it later.
More details with specific signup times will follow in our next few the weekly newsletters...stay tuned!
Halloween Information
Halloween is a time of year where some of our students get super excited about picking out their Halloween costumes, and as parents/guardians we know that sometimes those "popular" costumes are hard to find the longer we waited to go shopping. With that being said I thought it may be helpful for you to have an idea of what "school appropriate" costumes are. Keep in mind, or as I like to put things in perspective with my older students.... we have students as young as 4-5 years old and while some costumes are "age appropriate for them", they may not be appropriate for the all school parade. After reading the guidelines below if you have any questions regarding suitability, please contact the office or your child's teacher.
Students should refrain from violent characterization and may not use any fake weapons, fake blood, or any references to victims or perpetrators of violence for their costume choice at school. Violent characterization is unacceptable for school parades where younger students might be frightened. If deemed inappropriate by school personnel, students will be asked to remove the costume and/or wash makeup.
Book, cartoon, folk heroes, historical figures, and period costumes are all good ideas to consider when thinking of the perfect costume.
Since Halloween is a half day of school (12:20 dismissal), students will be allowed to wear partial costumes to school. Check to be sure that your child can walk freely, and that the costume will be comfortable enough for the classroom setting. In addition, mask may not be worn. Plan to have your child bring any costume props (wigs and other add-ons) to school in a bag or backpack.
Weather permitting our current plan is to hold the Halloween Parade around the perimeter of the outside of the school starting at 10:45am. Families are welcome to view the parade from designated spots around the outside of the school. We are also planning on having a Team's Link available for families to be able to join from home. If the weather does not cooperate, we will move the parade indoors. More specific details will come closer to the date.
Teachers will send classroom specific information home regarding classroom celebrations. Only classroom party volunteers will be allowed in the building for classroom celebrations. Volunteers will need to show ID's and sign in at the office.
October Literacy News with Coach Mrs. Williams
October's Explorer Artists of the Month
TOO SICK TO COME TO SCHOOL? TAKE A PEEK AT THESE HEALTH DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES
When is your child too sick to attend school? The following guidelines, along with the advice of your family doctor, will help you decide when your child should stay home:
- Cold and/or cough – a child with deep mucus that causes a cough and heavy nose drainage cannot function at school.
- Fever – fever is a warning that something is wrong. A child should remain at home for 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of medication.
- Rash – a rash, spots or blotches on the skin can be the first sign of many illnesses. Rashes require a physician’s release stating they are not contagious.
- Stomachache/Upset – a child who is vomiting or has diarrhea should be kept at home and may return 24 hours after the symptoms are gone.
Calendar of events
October
- 12th- Duncan Dash Prize Limo Lunch with Lambert!
- 13th - Duncan Dash Prize Silly String Stecker!
- 14th- Duncan Dash Prize Pop Popcorn with Principal Pfeifer
- 17th- Ike Band Assembly
- 19th- No School- Teacher Professional Development
- 19th- D.E.C.O Restaurant Fundraiser Portillios 11am - 8pm
- 20th- D.E.C.O Meeting in the Media Center 7:00pm
- 21st- Duncan Dash Prize Dine and Dance
- 22nd- Halloween Run Against Hunger Running Club Race
- 27th- 4th Grade Music Concert 6:30pm
- 28th- 1/2 Day of School 12:24 Dismissal
- 28th- D.E.C.O Boo Bash 6:00pm - 8:00pm
- 31st- 1/2 Day of School 12:24 Dismissal
- 31st- Halloween Parade- 10:45am