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January 26: 5th Grade Math Spring Benchmark

January 27: 100th Day of School!

January 31: 3rd & 4th Grade Math Spring Benchmark and 5th Science Spring Benchmark

February 1: Breakthrough Virtual Parent Meeting for parents of 5th graders

February 2: Math is a Big Deal Family Night 6-7PM

Dear Families, Staff, and Community,

The DVISD administration and the District Advisory Team, which consists of staff, parents, and community members, have drafted two calendar options for consideration for the 2023-2024 School Year. Based on this feedback, administration will present a final proposal to the Board of Trustees at the February meeting for approval.

Click to view Option A / Haga clic para ver la opción A

Click to view Option B / Haga clic para ver la opción B

Calendar Survey: Complete survey by clicking here.

Please complete the survey by February 7.

Calendar Highlights:

Commonalities of Both Calendars

• Winter Break aligns with many other area districts and provides 10 school days off during the break: December 23 - January 8 (First day of Spring Semester for students: Tuesday, January 9, 2024)

• Spring Break aligns with all other area districts and Austin Community College, where some of our students take dual-credit courses: March 11-15, 2024

• Last day of school for students: Thursday, May 23, 2024

• Please note: Both calendar options will have an early release day each week. Please ensure that you complete the survey to indicate which early release day works best.

Option A

This calendar option is based on positive feedback from our current school year. It provides teachers with professional learning during the school year to support students, with a fall mid-semester break for students.

• First day for students: Wednesday, August 9, 2023

• Professional development week (No school for students): October 16-20

• Professional development days (No school for students): February 16 & 19, 2024

Option B

This option provides teachers with professional learning at the start of the school year with a later first day of school for students.

• First day for students: Monday, August 14, 2023

• Professional development day (No school for students): Monday, October 9, 2023

• Professional development days (No school for students): February 16 & 19, 2024

One tool that has been helpful to me as a social worker is the book “The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst. The book describes how when people love or care about one another, their hearts are connected by an invisible string that is made out of love. This means that even when we are apart from each other, we are still connected by the invisible string. This concept has been helpful for kiddos who are missing their parents in the morning when arriving at school, who have had a friend or family member recently move away, and especially for students who have had a loved one die. If you ever feel like your child is having big feelings over missing someone, explaining that they are still connected to them by an invisible string can be a helpful way to provide them comfort and assurance that they are not alone. The book is also available as a read aloud on youtube!

“As they slept, they started dreaming of all the Invisible String they have, and all the strings their friends have, until everyone in the world was connected by Invisible Strings. And from deep inside, they could now clearly see..no one is ever alone”

FEBRUARY

2/1 PROGRESS REPORTS

2/2 MATH A BIG DEAL NIGHT 6-7PM

2/6-2/10 SCHOOL COUNSELOR APPRECIATION WEEK

2/9 PTA FAMILY DANCE NIGHT 5:30-7PM

2/14 VALENTINES DAY CLASSROOM PARTIES

2/15 SPRING AND CLASS PHOTOS

2/17 NO SCHOOL: STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

2/20 NO SCHOOL: STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

2/28 PTA MEETING

MARCH

3/2 NATIONAL READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

3/2 FAMILY GAME NIGHT & 3RD GRADE MUSIC PERFORMANCE

3/11 END OF 3RD NINE WEEKS

3/13-17 SPRING BREAK

3/22 REPORT CARD

3/30 PRINCIPAL COFFEE & SPRING TITLE 1 MEETING

3/31 EARLY RELEASE 11:45AM & KINDER & 5TH GRADUATION PICTURES

Hello Newton Collins PTA!

Welcome to 2023! We had a great first semester and we are excited about what we can do for the second half of the school year.

A few dates to be aware of:

• February 9 - Family Dance: The first ever family dance! More information to come but save the date! We will send out a sign up genius for parents to help with selling food for this. We hope you can attend.

• February 28 - PTA Meeting and Elections: Fill this out by January 23 so we can set a meeting time!

• March 2 - Family Fun Night: This is hosted through Newton Collins. The PTA has agreed to sell concessions during this event. Sign up HERE to volunteer 30 minutes of your time.

It’s hard to believe, but we are already planning for Fall 2023. We are launching our NC PTA program and project application process for all of the great ideas parents and teachers have presented this first semester. A program has a longer timeline (example: community garden, after-school enrichment class, Hallway Heroes) where a project is a one time thing (example: playground equipment, digital marquee, science experiment equipment). Due to the resources we have, the executive board will review proposals submitted and determine which programs will be sponsored by the PTA in terms of fundraising for next year and allocating resources. If you have a great idea for a new initiative at Newton Collins, please reach out to jessica.acebo@gmail.com (VP of Programs) for an application. Jessica Manning-Acebo is willing to help you fill out the form should you have any questions and will walk you through the steps needed to submit the application. The due date for all program and project proposals will be February 10.

Are you interested in getting more involved? We will have executive board positions open for next school year (VP-Membership and Fall Festival Committee Chair, perhaps others!) More information will be provided around open positions and the PTA election process as we get closer.

Cheers to the second half of the school year!

For more information, please click the following link. Apply today!

https://delvalle.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=3683

Visitors & Volunteer Guidelines

• Pre-approved volunteers will be permitted at campuses, specific to campus needs
  • Volunteers must complete the district volunteer application and DPS background check form available in every Collins Parent Newsletter (see below)
  • The form can be dropped off at your child’s school.
  • A background check is required for all volunteers.
  • Volunteers will follow the direction of campus administration while on campus
  • A “hug zone” will be established at elementary campuses in order for parents to say goodbye and send students to their classrooms.
• Parents will not be permitted to attend lunch at school with their students
• Campuses will host in-person on-campus events outside of school hours

Parent and community volunteers are integral to our school’s success. There are many ways for you to get involved in our community. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the form below. We look forward to hearing from you!

All on-campus volunteers and parent chaperones for field trips MUST complete a background check and volunteer application. This takes awhile to process so complete yours now!

Please complete the forms below and email to araceli.mcbeth@dvisd.net

English Volunteer Survey:

https://forms.gle/9gB47Sar3Uqw2AZW6

Spanish Volunteer Survey:

https://forms.gle/bQjiYGhEMnPsudL67