The Royal Decree
August 2019 Newsletter
On the Docket for the Month of August
- Class Assignments posted in Powerschool after 4pm. Kindergarten and new families will be sent their log-in information. If you need assistance, please contact Mrs. Kamin in the office prior to August 7th
Sunday, August 11, 2019:
- Chalk the Walk. Join Mrs. Ellis at 6pm to decorate the front walkways to officially welcome teachers back to school!
Monday, August 12, 2019:
- 5:30pm Kindergarten Orientation
- 6:30pm 1st-5th Grade Open House
Wednesday, August 14, 2019:
- First Day of School. On the first day of school, all cars and buses will drop off in the front of the building. This is to allow for all students to enter through the front doors with the bubbles, music, and backdrops. If you are walking your child to the front doors or getting pictures, please park in a designated parking spot. Cars should NOT stop in the drop off line. After the first day of school, all buses will arrive in the back of the building and will not interfere with the car drop off line
- Boo Hoo Breakfast 8am
- Dismissal is at 2:15pm
Friday, August 16, 2019
- Fire Drill #1. The Regional Office of Education and State of Illinois require schools to complete 3 fire drills, a storm/tornado drill and a law enforcement/lock down drill. We will be completing each of these before the end August.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
- Board of Education Meeting 6pm DHS
Friday, August 30, 2019:
- Teacher Institute: No School for Students
Monday, September 2, 2019:
- Labor Day/No School
School Hours
Students will be dismissed at 2:15pm on Wednesdays to allow for teachers to participate in Professional Learning Communities.
Class List and Transporation Assignments
Bus lists, bus routes and pick up times will be posted with class lists on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. on Powerschool. Every parent of current students in grades 1-5 should have their child’s information on how to obtain access to Powerschool.
The district provides bus transportation to and from school for all students living 1.5 miles or more from the school. A list of bus stops will be published at the beginning of the school year. Parents must, at the beginning of the school year, select one bus stop at which a student is to be picked up, and one stop at which a student is to be dropped off. Students are not permitted to ride a bus other than the bus to which they are assigned.
In order to ensure safety to our students, the following are general guidelines regarding transportation:
- For kindergarten students DROP OFF only, there MUST be a parent/guardian present at the bus stop. If the driver does not see a parent/guardian, the student will be brought back to school to be picked up.
- All students being transported by a district bus will be transported to and from the same stop every day they utilize the bus services...
- Bus passes may only be used for emergency situations, at the discretion of the building principal, with the approval of the Director of Transportation.
- Once a student is on the bus after school, he/she will only be released at the designated bus stop.
- Afternoon transportation will only be provided on a student’s home bus or on a bus where the District will transport to a contracted daycare provider.
- If you wish to make different arrangements for your child after school (i.e., a day-care center, and/or a baby-sitter that will transport), you must make that request in writing before we can honor your request. Such requests must be submitted on the Bus Schedule Change form that is available in the school office and online via out school website.
For those who do not have internet access, both class and bus lists will be posted inside each elementary building on the morning of August 8 or at the Back to School Open House on Monday, August 12.
Health Requirements
All Kindergarten and New students MUST have a physical on file in order to start on the first day of school. Board of Education Policy 7:100 states that parents shall present proof of Health Examinations and Immunizations before the start of the school year in order for their child to start school. Students will not be able to attend the first day of school without these required forms in the office.
2nd Grade Dental Exams
As a reminder, 2nd graders are required to have an updated dental exam on file. You can drop it off in the office, bring it to Open House, or send to school with your child.
Medication Policy
A medication form must be completed for all medications, including all over the counter medications. (ex. pain relievers, itch cream, cough drops)
· All prescription medications require a physician’s signature on the medication form.
· All medications, prescription and over the counter must be in the original bottle or package.
· A parent must drop off all medications. (asthma inhalers, Epi-pens, Glucagon and Diastat may be transported and kept with the child)
· We are only able to dispense latex free bandages, ice and Vaseline for dry lips without a completed medication form and parental supply.
School Supply Lists
Supply lists for all grades are included below. Supply lists are also available in local department and office supply stores, and the supply list is posted at the top of our school’s website. The supply list is the same for all 5 Dunlap Elementary Schools.
Student Lunches
Dunlap offers an excellent hot lunch program, one that provides nutritious, balances meals every day. Parents are welcome to, and encouraged to, deposit lunch money for longer periods (i.e., a month or even a semester). We use a computerized debit system where students may deposit any amount into their account. Each time a student eats a hot lunch, the cost of that lunch will be deducted from his/her account. You may deposit money in your child’s lunch account by simply sending money to school an envelope with your child’s first and last name and the words ‘lunch money’ written on the envelope. You may also deposit money in your child’s lunch account by visiting www.myschoolbucks.com and following the instructions for setting up an online account.
Students who wish to carry their lunch may do so, and milk will be available to purchase. Students may also carry their own beverage, but we would ask that such beverages be confined to juices or bottled water; please do not send soda with students.
Parents should periodically check their children’s lunch account to make sure the child has enough money to purchase lunch.
Families wanting to apply for free or reduced lunches can apply online on the district website under food services. This is available beginning August 1, 2019.
Monthly Lunch Menu
Birthday and Classroom Party Treats
Birthdays are special events for children. We welcome birthday treats at the school but ask that parents follow a few simple guidelines. Treats must be both store-bought and individually wrapped. Bakery items are not permitted. Nutritional labels need to be on the packaging as well to ensure that students with food allergies are safe. In addition, we ask that balloons, flowers, etc. are not brought to school as those types of items are best given at home. Birthday treats not meeting the guidelines above cannot be distributed. A birthday treat reminder is available on our website under the parents tab.
First Day of School Reminders
Before School:
Students who do not ride the bus should plan to arrive at school AFTER 7:24 AM. There is no supervision for students before that time, and the school will assume no responsibility for any occurrences prior to that time. Students that arrive prior to 7:24 AM should sit quietly on the foyer benches. They may not access any other point of the school building without permission.
- All bus riders enter the building through the gym doors. Car and bike riders should enter through the main entrance in the front of the building.
- Students who ride bicycles are to put bikes in the bike rack when they arrive at school. It is strongly recommended that all bikes be locked to the rack. The school is not responsible for bikes left at the rack.
- Upon arrival, all students are to report to the gym and sit quietly by homeroom. Teachers provide supervision during this time and students are not to leave these areas without permission.
- Announcements will begin at 7:35 and teachers will dismiss students to class at the conclusion. Students are to walk in an orderly fashion to their classroom and are expected to be in the classroom immediately following dismissal from the gym.
- Students not in class by 7:39 are considered tardy and must obtain an admit slip from the office. All tardies are considered unexcused unless the absence is for a medical or dental appointment.
- Being on time to school is an important lifelong trait to develop and being on time sets the tone for a positive and productive day for children. Please make every effort to have your child here at school on time each and every day.
- Once a student has arrived at school, he/she may not leave the school grounds without the permission of the Office.
- All rules concerning student behavior, which are listed in this code of conduct, are in effect before school.
Morning Drop-Off Procedures
Due to congestion in the parking lot in the mornings, it is important to maintain consistent flow and drop off procedures. Please note these morning procedures:
- All buses will drop off in the back parking lot. Parents will drop off in the circle parking lot in the front of the school.
- The earliest students should be dropped off to school is 7:24am.
- Students should be ready with their materials for the day upon pulling up to the entrance and immediately exit the vehicle. It is suggested that students exit vehicles on the passenger side. Parents should remain in their vehicles.
- Please do not pass other vehicles that are dropping off students. This is for the safety of our students.
- Please pull forward when dropping off and picking up students. The areas marked “No Parking” should not be parked on for extended periods of time or when the driver exits the vehicle, but can be crossed as a loading zone.
- If a student requires adult assistance to get out of the vehicle or with supplies (birthday treats, instruments, classroom projects, etc.), please park in a designated parking spot and walk the student across the parking lot to not hinder traffic flow.
- Please be cognizant of other drivers and families that may be behind you. If your student requires additional time to exit the vehicle, please pull forward into a parking spot.
- Front doors will be locked beginning at 7:39am. Students arriving after that time will be marked tardy.
- Illinois State Law prohibits cell phone use on school grounds while operating a motor vehicle.
Thank you for your assistance in ensuring effective and efficient morning drop-off procedures.
Staff Updates
Please welcome these new members to our Royal Staff:
Belle Kestner: K-5 Music
Raylynn Sahm: 4th Grade
Lisa White: 3rd Grade Aide
Cassie Callahan: Cook
Marsha Weld: 2nd Grade Aide
Sonny Forsythe: Library Aide
Mrs. Lanser was recently offered a leadership position in the district as a TOSA (Teacher on Strategic Assignment). We are thrilled that she will be using her knowledge of the elementary curriculum to support all staff in the district. With this change, Mrs. Kraushaar was going to be teaching fourth grade, but will be remaining as a teacher in 3rd grade. We are actively searching for an interviewing for a new 4th grade teacher. We will be contacting fourth grade families once we finalize that process with information about the new hire.
School Security, Visitors and Volunteers
In an effort to maintain the safest environment possible for our children, security measures have been implemented in all buildings throughout the district. All school doors, including the front entrance, will be locked during school hours. Visitors to the school will need to press the buzzer located on the post to the right of the main entrance and wait to be let in by office staff. Upon entering the building, visitors will be asked to present a US government issued ID such as a Driver’s License, which can either be scanned or manually entered into our electronic sign in system. Once entry is approved, a badge will be issued that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit. Upon exiting the school, visitors will be asked to give their visitors badge to the office staff when checking out. Any classroom visits should be pre-arranged and approved with the classroom teacher ahead of time. We hope our families understand and appreciate our efforts in maintaining a safe school environment. School volunteers are important to the success of our school district.
If you are interested in volunteering, the district has established the following procedure for volunteers:
1. Complete the online application. To find the application go to www.dunlapcusd.net then click on the employment link.
2. After completing the online application, you will receive an email containing a letter which will allow you to be fingerprinted at the Regional Office of Education.
3. Once you have been fingerprinted, please bring the signed letter along with your driver’s license to the school office. Both items will be copied and sent to the District Office.
STAR Assessments
Teachers will use this information to guide their instructional practices and develop plans for the teaching.
Parents will receive copies of these reports in September.
Paren't Club Corner
Parent Curriculum Night
DGS teachers will host a parent-only Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 3 from 6:30-7:30. This night is intended to explain the following topics related to your child’s education this year:
Overview of the academic and social-emotional curriculum
How student progress will be communicated
Classroom expectations and routines
Overview of 1:1 chromebook usage
Means and expectations regarding communication
There will be 2 identical presentations in each classroom to help accommodate parents who have more than one child. The first presentation will take place from 6:30-7:00 and the second presentation will take place from 7:00-7:30. The evening will conclude at 7:30.
Staff Birthdays
Carly Olson August 18
Jessica Bremer August 19
Genia Workheiser August 19
Rachel Klein August 20
Dunlap Grade School
Email: mellis@dunlapcusd.net
Website: www.dunlapcusd.net/dgs
Location: 301 1st Street, Dunlap, IL, United States
Phone: 309-243-7772
Facebook: facebook.com/dunlapgrade
Twitter: @dgsroyals