Dolphin News You Can Use
Volume 5: December Newsletter
Principal's Message
Hello Dickinson Families!
As we approach the end of the calendar year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've had so far and extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you.
Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and collaboration. The Dickinson community is truly remarkable, and it is evident that our shared commitment to education is making a positive impact on the lives of our students.
December is a month of reflection, celebration, and anticipation for the upcoming year. It is a time when we come together to appreciate the achievements of the past months and set our sights on new goals and aspirations for the future.
Here are a few highlights and updates from Dickinson as we approach the end of the year:
Academic Achievements: Our students have demonstrated exceptional dedication and hard work in their academic pursuits. We are proud of their accomplishments and the growth they have shown throughout the semester.
Winter Break: As we look forward to the winter break, I encourage all families to take this time to relax, recharge, and enjoy quality moments with loved ones. It is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the year's achievements and create lasting memories.
Gratitude: In the spirit of the season, let's take a moment to express gratitude for the support network that surrounds us. Whether it's the teachers who inspire our students, the parents who actively participate in school activities, or the students who bring joy and energy to our halls, each member of the Dickinson community plays a crucial role in our shared success.
As we approach the end of 2023, I want to wish you and your families a joyous holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments. May the upcoming year be filled with new opportunities, growth, and continued success for our students.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support, and I look forward to the exciting adventures that the new year will bring.
As a friendly reminder you can follow us on facebook and all past newsletters are housed on our Dickinson Website page.
Warm Regards,
Channon Almendarez
#dolphinproud
New Information
December 1st is a Ron Clark Color Out Day
2023-2024 CAR TAG
I NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE! RAINY DAY DISMISSAL!
We have had several rainy day dismissals this school year. We are continuously reflecting and trying to speed up the process. Recently, we are noticing that parents are bringing their old car tags which have different numbers. Please be sure to check your car tag and be sure you have the correct one. If you need another tag, please contact the front office and we will print one for you. It is imperative that you have these tags posted in your car windshield.When we have to stop to get a name, it slows down the process. If you do not have a tag, you will be directed to go park and check out through the front office. This is to ensure the safety of all students. Thank you for your understanding! I apprecaite your support!
LCISD Board Meeting from November 14th
On November 14, 2023 the district presented leveling options to the school board. If you missed it I have added it to this newsletter. I will be selecting four parents to be a part of the Attendance Boundary Committee this month. Once they are selected, I will announce their names and please feel free to share your feedback with them as they will be a part of presenting the pros and cons of each option. The ABC Committee has the opportunity to create their own zoning map as well. They will also make a recommendation to the board. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
December Board Meeting is on Dec. 12th @ 6:30
After Hours Playground Vandalism
It has been reported to the front office that on the weekends we have older children on the playground making poor decisions. Please know that our Officer Nash, LCISD police, has been in contact with Fort Bend County police department to closely monitor in the evenings. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. and share information. If you see something, suspicious, please do not hesitate to call the police. Thank you!
THE BENEFITS OF GOOD SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND ARRIVING ON TIME
Every day a student is absent is a lost opportunity for learning. Too many absences not only can affect achievement for the absent student but also can disrupt learning for the entire class. Many of our learning opportunities include cooperative group learning. Learning is reinforced when academic vocabulary can be used in conversations with each other and the teacher. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in elementary school so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college and at work.
We have noticed that several students have earned a tardy the past few weeks. The start of the school year was amazing with little to no tardiness. As per the district handbook, students must be in the building at 7:45am. There is a 30 minute window to arrive so please evaluate if leaving your home 5 minutes earlier would be beneficial. A student's positive start of the day reduces their stress!
Gifted and Talented Referrals
Due December 15, 2023
To refer a student for the 2024-25 Gifted and Talented Program, you need to fill out an online referral form. The last date to turn in Gifted and Talented referral forms for next year is December 15, 2023.
- Kindergarten students do not need to be referred as every student is screened for the program.
- First grade through fifth grade students already identified as Gifted and Talented do not need to be reassessed.
Testing is done in the spring. You will be notified of the committee's decision around April 2024.
Online link for GT Referral Forms: CLICK HERE
If you have any questions, please contact Staci Hartfiel, GT Facilitator at shartfiel@lcisd.org.
December Beanstack Reading Challenge
If you need a refresher on how to log into Beanstack and log your child's reading minutes, please see the how-to under the Repeated Information.
Repeated 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!
Chess Club 3rd-5th Graders
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.
Parent Standards of Conduct
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
- Dec. 1- 1st Grade Field Trip, RJH Band Concert for 3rd, 4th, & 5th grades at 9:30-10:30am, House Spirit Day
- Dec. 8- School Spelling Bee (Audience: 3rd, 4th & 5th) 8:00am, GRHS Choir (ALL students) 2:00pm , Rudolph Day
- Dec. 12- School Board Meeting at 6:30 (You can view online via the LCISD website.)
- Dec. 14- Class Holiday Parties (See Schedule Above)
- Dec. 15- House Pep Rally and Sing Along (Students Only) & Early Release Day