Dolphin News You Can Use
Volume 3: October Newsletter
Principal's Message
Hello Dickinson Families!
The fall weather is on it's way, and I couldn't be more excited! I hope you all had a chance to visit the Fort Bend County Fair this weekend.
We had such an amazing start to school. The fun continues with a busy October! Please note: the month of October is the busiest "dress-up" month for our students. We understand this may cause a little added stress for families, but we tried to keep it as simple as possible! As a reminder, all dress-up days are optional. My hope is that I give you plenty of notice to prepare if you choose to participate. Please be sure to review this newsletter closely for important dates and reminders.
We are looking forward to our House Reveal Day where all students will learn which house they will be in for the remainder of their elementary career. More information below.
This year for fall pictures you may choose to dress your child in their best or wear their uniform. These pictures will be used for the yearbook. Pictures will be taken on October 12th.
I hope to see many dolphin families at our annual Trunk or Treat sponsored by the PTO. I am looking forward to spending time with our students and seeing them all dressed up! More information below and in the PTO section.
Part of our campus climate survey results last year was showing a need to provide more opportunities for extra curricular activities. In the spring we will be offering Chess Club and introducing a program called Girls on the Run. Students still have the opportunity to be a part of the Spelling Bee, UIL, and Science Olympiad. More information to come as it gets closer!
As a friendly reminder you can follow us on facebook and all past newsletters are housed on our Dickinson Website page.
Kindly,
Channon Almendarez
#dolphinproud
New Information
Safety Video
Our fence is completed. I am currently working with maintenance and operations to get some signage with hours and expectations during non-school hours.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR RON CLARK HOUSE SPONSORS!
House Reveal Day / Ron Clark Pep Rally on October 4th
The Ron Clark House System is designed to build community within the entire school. Students will be given a shirt sponsored by the Dickinson House Sponsors named below. Please be sure to thank them when you see them out in the community. This event will be live on Facebook for you to watch on the Dickinson Elementary Page.
We will have House Day Spirit Days where students will be encouraged to dress up to show their house spirit. Below are the guidelines for "Color-out" days. If you do not want to purchase anything additionally wearing their house shirt is fine. Next year, house shirts will be sold and may be worn on any Friday for spirit days.
Students are encouraged to "Color-Out" as a means to celebrate their House Color. Points are awarded based one a number of factors but one of those include team spirit! Students can show their spirit by wear as much of their house color as possible. Here are some guidelines:
- If tights and/or tutu's are worn, shorts must be worn under those items.
- Leggings worn as pants must be accompanied by a dress/skirt/shorts covering to midthigh length.
- Acceptable shorts are no shorter than mid-thigh.
- Students are prohibited from wearing shirts/blouses that are oversized to the point where the students shorts can't be seen.
- Hats, scarfs, glitter, jewelry, temporary hair color, etc. can be worn to show color house spirit but if it becomes a distraction, students will need to set the items aside until our house challenges occur.
Watch Dog Dads
Picture Day is Thursday, October 12th!!
Chess Club 3rd-5th Graders
Book Character Parade
Book Character Pumpkin Patch Information
It's that time of year for the Book Character Pumpkin Patch in our library. Please see the image below for all the dates and details. Please remember, we only accept plastic/artificial pumpkins for this optional activity. Flyers will go home the week of October 2nd in Tuesday Folders.
Birthday Book Club Information
Please click the images below if you are interested in participating in the 2023-2024 Birthday Book Club. Purchases may be made until March 21, 2024. Thank you for supporting our library!
Flyers went home during the week of September 25, 2023.
Updated Red Ribbon Week Schedule on 10/2/23
Field Day Information
Save the Date: Field Day will be October 26, 2023. Please see the flyers below for more information. Please click images to enlarge.
October Beanstack Reading Challenges
Repeated Information
Parent Standards of Conduct
Weather Guidelines for Elementary Campuses
Need help with viewing the 2022-2023 STAAR Results? Click the handout below.
PLEASE ADHERE TO OUR NEW SCHOOL ZONE TIMES! KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE IN GREATWOOD!
Campbell Elementary
Arrival Bell = 7:15 am
Morning School Zone Period = 6:30 am – 7:20 am
Dismissal Bell = 2:40 pm
Afternoon School Zone Period = 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
Dickinson Elementary
Arrival Bell = 7:45 am
Morning School Zone Period = 7:00 am – 7:50 am
Dismissal Bell = 3:10 pm
Afternoon School Zone Period = 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
Library Information and Reminders
Please remember that library books must be returned weekly in order for your child to check out additional books. Students also have the option to renew their book/s, if they are not finished reading them.
New this year - Book Bag: All library books are required to be stored in a 2 gallon plastic bag. On your child's first library checkout, they received their Book Bag. Please ensure your child uses this bag to help minimize water bottle and lunch kit mishaps, as these are the main causes of many non-repairable forms of damage to library books. Our goal is to decrease the number of library fines our Dolphins pay. Your child will receive a new Book Bag at the beginning of the second semester.
Beanstack Reading Challenges - How-To for Families to Log Reading Minutes
Safety
Standard Response Protocol (SRP)
SMART Tags / ID Badge
The Smart Tag is used to ride the school bus, check out library books and purchase a tray in the cafeteria. We need parents to assist us with making sure students have their badges available each school day. Work with your child's homeroom teacher as to the procedures followed in the classrooms.
It is significantly important to register your child's Smart Tag in the system which provides a great deal of additional information should your student ride the bus. Click on this link to learn more about this process: https://www.lcisd.org/departments/support-services/transportation/smart-tag-information
This link has videos on how to:
- Create a Parent Portal Account
- Create Additional Parent Portal Accounts
- Setup Phone Notifications
KINDERGARTEN PARENTS: If your student is going to ride the bus, parents are required to register their name and any other person's name (adult and/or older sibling) who have access to assist your child getting off the bus. Every person listed having this permission must have an ID on them to show the bus driver at the bus stop for your child to get off of the bus. If that person does not have their ID at the bus stop, the child will be brought back to campus to check out the student from campus.
FAQ'S:
Are SMART tag ID badges required to ride the bus?
Yes, in order to foster increased student safety and security as well as to provide a more efficient process of loading and unloading our buses, SMART tag ID badges will be required for all riders. Additionally, in order to minimize the manual review of students who misplace or forget SMART tag ID badges at home or school, those students possessing SMART tag ID badges will be allowed to board the bus first.
Lamar Students are issued Smart Tag ID cards with an electronic chip Smart sensor (please do not modify the ID cards, or place holes in the card). The student name is printed on the front of the card, and there is no student information stored on the card.
Will students be eligible to ride the bus if they lose or forget their SMART tag ID Card?
Yes. If a student does not have their smart tag at the bus, the driver must personally log them in. This is more time consuming than students tagging in and can delay a route causing anxiety or late buses down the line. This is the reason why those not having their tags are loaded and unloaded last. Manually logging in is time consuming and the compliant students should not be held up.
What are the consequences of not having your Smart Tag?
Elementary: If a student does not have his/her Smart Tag ID badge for five (5) consecutive days, the Lamar CISD Transportation Department will contact the school/campus or parent to request that a Smart Tag replacement card be purchased. Replacement cards can be requested through the campus office or via the Lamar CISD Transportation website https://lcisd.org/departments/support-services/transportation. There is a $5.00 fee to replace Smart Tag cards. Replacement cards include the Smart Tag and clear plastic sleeve. A lanyard, badge reel, or zip tie are not included.
When a student receives the maximum number of warnings allowed by the school, the student may be subject to disciplinary action which may include the suspension of transportation service.
How do I link my students together on the SMART Tag Parent Portal?
Once you have registered, you will have the option to add multiple students within the Parent Portal.
Are notifications through SMART tag available?
Yes, electronic notifications (text alerts) are available through SMART tag. The parent must be registered for the Parent Portal and the option for notifications to be turned on. There is no cost to parents to utilize the SMART tag Parent Portal. The portal may be accessed directly at https://www.parent.smart-tag.net
Will parents receive a notification when their child gets on/off the bus?
Yes. The parent must be registered for the Parent Portal to receive an alert/notification. SMART tag will deliver an electronic notification (text) approximately 10-15 minutes prior to pick-up and drop-off.
Can parents view their child’s bus route?
Yes. Parents will be able to track their child’s bus once his/her student swipes his/her SMART tag ID badge upon boarding the bus. Bus activity/tracking will remain active until the child swipes his/her SMART tag ID badge to get off the bus. Please note, parents must be registered to use the Parent Portal to view bus activity.
Can a parent see when his/her child gets on/off the bus?
Yes. The parent can view a student’s ridership activity for the entire school year. If the parent wants to review the daily history, it will take a minute from loading/unloading the bus for SMART tag to update its records due to network connectivity. Parents should be aware it may take longer if there is a poor signal or the network provider is experiencing a delay/latency issue out of Lamar CISD’s control.
Is the information regarding a student’s bus location in real time or is it delayed?
There may be a one-minute delay to process the exchange of information between the SMART tag tablet mounted on each bus and the SMART tag main server.
How does SMART tag benefit transportation departments and school administrators?
SMART tag not only provides immediate information regarding which students are on which bus, it also automates a number of reporting functions for transportation department personnel such as state headcount and mileage reports. SMART tag also provides efficient communication between the transportation department and parents.
How does SMART tag benefit drivers?
SMART tag provides the driver a student profile with a photo ID. The system enables the drivers to perform their duties more efficiently and effectively while improving overall safety and security. It also automates seating charts, maintenance requests, and other critical documentation.
How does SMART tag benefit parents?
The SMART Parent Web Portal is designed to enhance communication between the transportation department and the parents of student riders. SMART tag provides parents with improved security and leading-edge technology designed to keep students safe.
LCISD Elementary Student Handbook / District Code of Conduct
https://www.lcisd.org/departments/academics/elementary-education
HIGHLIGHTS
Technology Devices
Personal Technology Lamar CISD believes that appropriate use of students’ technology devices enhances our students’ education. Students may be asked to bring their own device to school. This includes but is not limited to: cell phones, smart phones, iPods, iPads, electronic tablets, and laptop computers. Students may use devices in class at the teacher’s discretion. Students must follow teacher, campus, and district rules and guidelines for use.
(Campus Guideline: All electronic devices stated above, including Smart Watches, must remain in the student's backpack turned off during the instructional day unless the teacher allows the student to use the device for an assignment.)
Vapes / e-cigarettes
During the last Texas Legislative session, a law was passed making it illegal for a student to be in possession of a vape / e-cigarette at school events or on campus. If a student is in found of possession of such items violating the district code of conduct, there is a mandatory placement at ALC. (Page 113 Elementary Student Handbook)
Possession Of Prohibited Items Students shall not possess or use:
(For a complete list of prohibited items see page 99 of the LCISD Elementary Handbook)
- fireworks of any kind, smoke or stink bombs, or any other pyrotechnic device
- razor, box cutter, chain, or any other object used in a way that threatens or inflicts bodily injury to another person
- “look-alike” weapon
- air gun or BB gun, firearm, stun gun
- a pocketknife or any other small knife
- mace or pepper spray
(Parents, please discuss this with your child and check your student's backpacks or pockets every once in a while. Students have shared that on the weekends they go fishing or hunting where they use a pocket knife. We simply do not want a pocket knife left in a pocket or back pack from a fun weekend trip inadvertently. If you look on page 113, there's mandatory placement to ALC if these items are brought on campus.)
Compulsory Attendance Law
Excused Absences for Compulsory Attendance
State law allows exemptions to the compulsory attendance requirements for several types of absences if the student makes up all work. The District shall excuse a student from attending school for the following purposes:
- Religious holy days
- Required court appearances
- Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship
- Health-Care Appointments*
- For students in the conservatorship (custody) of the state
- TAPS at Military Funeral
- Parent, Stepparent, or Legal Guardian who is an active-duty member of the uniformed services leaves for active duty
- Personal Illness**
- Death/Funeral of an Immediate Family Member
- Quarantine Absences for a student who is required to quarantine will be excused with written documentation from a medical physician or the school nurse.
*Documented health-care appointments for the student or a child of the student, including absences related to autism services shall be excused, if the student returns to school on the same day of the appointment and brings a note from the health-care provider. A consultation over the phone or via video (telemedicine) is considered an appointment with a health care professional. However, an appointment with a school nurse does not count as an appointment with a health care professional.
**When a student is absent from school due to personal illness, the student upon return, or within 5 days of returning to school, must submit a note signed by a parent giving the date(s) and describing the reason for the absence.
Unexcused Absences
If an absence does not meet the criteria for an excused absence, the absence will be considered unexcused for attendance accounting purposes. Examples of unexcused absences includes, but are not limited to the following:
- Any absence without required documentation.
- Family trips/vacations, reunions, weddings, parent business trips.
- Non-school sponsored activities.
- Private lesson or tutoring.
- Religious retreats, camps, mission trips, and individual rites other than a religious holy Day.
- Non-enrollment days – These are days that a student is not in school due to transferring to another LCISD campus or alternative placement.
ABSENT NOTES:
Parent notes may be sent by email but must come from a parent’s verified email account. The note or email must be sent to the campus attendance clerk. Excuse notes turned in after 5 days are subject to approval by the campus principal. An excessive number of absences will be referred to the Campus Attendance Review Committee (ARC). If a student is absent 5 consecutive school days or more, a doctor’s note is required within 5 days of the student’s return to school for the absence to be excused.
MAKE-UP WORK:
It is critical for students to work with teachers when they return from an absent from school so that assignments can be completed.
Dickinson Dress Code
The culture of Dickinson Elementary includes a partnership with our community. Last year, our parents volunteered hundreds of hours to support our students and staff. We value our partnership as together we educate our dolphins. This year all volunteers are required to register as a volunteer. This includes PTO Board Members, work room volunteers, Watch Dog Dad volunteers, room parents, field day volunteers, library volunteers, and the list continues! Please visit this website to begin the process:
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the front office at 832-223-1400.
Thank you for giving the gift of time for the success of our campus! What you value, you give your time to! - Channon Almendarez
2023-2024 / 2024-2025 Instructional Calendar (2 year adoption)
Federal Report Card
Dickinson Elementary is sharing the below information about the district and your child’s campus with you as part of its obligations under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA).
Federal Report Cards for the state, the district, and each of the district’s campuses are now available on the district’s website at this link: https://www.lcisd.org/departments/academics/raa/performance-reports-and-legal-postings or are also available on the Texas Education Agency’s website at: https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants/grants/essa-program/federal-report-card. A detailed description of these reports is enclosed.
If you have difficulty accessing the information from the website, hard copies of the reports can be requested from the district or campus office. If you have questions about the information, please contact Joanne Bromonsky or the Lamar CISD Research, Assessment, & Accountability Office at 832-223-0138.
The federal report card is located below for your reference.
2023-2024 Dickinson Elementary PTO Board
If you would like to be a part, please click the link below and join. Thank you for your support!
- Oct. 3: Dyslexia Night
- Oct. 4: Ron Clark House Reveal / Pep Rally @ 8:00 (View Facebook Live)
- Oct. 6-9: Fall Break
- Oct. 10-17: Book Character Pumpkins
- Oct. 11: SBMT Meeting 3:30-4:30
- Oct. 12: Picture Day (Free Dress Day)
- Oct. 17: Board Meeting 6:30-8:30 (You can view online at www.lcisd.org.)
- Oct. 18: Freddy's Spirit Night 5:00-9:00
- Oct. 20: Book Character Parade, Trunk or Treat - 5:00-7:30PM
- Oct. 23-26: Literati Book Fair
- Oct. 26: Field Day
- Oct. 27: Student Holiday
- Oct. 31: Students may wear a Halloween/Fall Shirt with uniform bottoms or jeans. Please do not wear any shirts that may be scary to a kindergarten student.