MARCH 3 2024
MARCH 3, 2024
Hello, Dolphin Families!
This newsletter is FULL of information, so please sure to check all sections carefully to ensure you don't miss anything! This week, the Scholastic Book Fair is on campus! The Campus Information section of this newsletter has all the details you need regarding scheduled shopping times and volunteer opportunities. Thursday, March 7, the Donald staff invites you and your family to attend our Open House event from 6PM to 7PM, too! We hope to see you there!
As a reminder, we will have an EARLY RELEASE at 11:45AM Friday, March 8. If your student attends ESD, please remember ESD will be closing early on this day, too! All students must be picked up from ESD by 5:30PM.
There will be NO SCHOOL Monday, March 11 through Friday, March 15. We hope you'll have a great Spring Break! School will resume as usual Monday, March 18.
Heather Shorter
Principal
STEM Academy @ Donald Elementary
MARCH 2024
4 - 8 BOOK FAIR
7 OPEN HOUSE @ 6:00PM
8 EARLY RELEASE @ 11:45AM
11 - 15 SPRING BREAK
25 FIRST GRADE DONUTS WITH DOLPHINS @ 7:15AM
26 SPRING PICTURES
28 DONALD AFTER DARK
29 NO SCHOOL
APRIL 2024
1 NO SCHOOL
4 - 11 LITTLE LIGHTHOUSE
15 KINDER DONUTS WITH DOLPHINS @ 7:15AM
16 STAAR TEST: 3-5 READING
19 VOLUNTEER BREAKFAST
23 STAAR TEST: 5 SCIENCE
25 PTA MEETING @ 6:00PM
26 EARLY RELEASE @ 11:45AM
OPEN HOUSE IS THURSDAY, MARCH 7
All Donald families are invited to join us from 6PM to 7PM on Thursday, March 7 for Open House! Teachers will have classrooms open, and your students will have the opportunity to act as your tour guide while you peruse the awesome art they have created throughout the school year.
As a bonus, the PTA will be opening the Book Fair for shopping during Open House!
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE UPDATES
We have one final week to go in our Kids Heart Challenge Campaign, and we're inviting all the Dolphins to participate in some fun dress-up days to remind them of all the heart-healthy lessons we have had over the past couple weeks!
This week in PE, students will be learning hands on CPR and other important ways we can identify an emergency and get help quickly. We will also be doing our Kids Heart Challenge Jump Rope Celebration Stations. I’m looking for a few volunteers to help turn the long rope in my Kinder-2nd grade classes. You can sign up HERE.
Your donations to the AHA during our campaign allows for lifesaving community education and research. We're close to reaching out campus goal, but we're not there quite yet! It's not too late to register your student at www.heart.org/KHC or download the AHA Schools App.
BOOK FAIR BEGINS TOMORROW!
The PTA is still looking for a few volunteers to help with the Book Fair this week! Families can create eWallets with Scholastic at https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/donaldelementaryschool1 so you do not have to worry about your child bring cash to and from school. If you would like to volunteer to help during your child's time or during another class time, please CLICK HERE to sign up. Volunteers jobs can include helping students find books, helping students count money, or running the register. All volunteers must be VOLY approved!
If you are unable to volunteer, we still encourage you to visit during your student's class shopping time! Visitors are welcome to shop with students during their designated class time or between 7:30AM and 8:00AM each day. Visitors must bring their ID with them and be checked in through the front office in order to visit the Book Fair!
JOIN US FOR NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK!
The Child Nutrition Department wanted to reach out and make you all aware of a very special event happening this week!
March 4 though March 8 is National School Breakfast week. Throughout this week, all LISD elementary school cafeterias will have special promotions and student favorites served in the cafeteria for breakfast.
In addition to serving up a yummy breakfast each day, all Elementary Schools have been selected to participate in a special raffle! Any student who enjoys breakfast each day during National School Breakfast week will be automatically entered to win a free pair of beats wireless ear buds! Child Nutrition will randomly select one student elementary school student via a drawing to win. The winner will be announced the week we return from spring break!
MAKE SURE YOUR MEMORIES MAKE IT IN THE YEARBOOK!
Do you have a special photo from a Donald event that MUST make it into the yearbook? Mrs. Rosier has given access to allow anyone to submit a photo to be considered for the yearbook, and it can be done directly from your phone!
Enter project number #408585
Leave the upload code blank
Agree to the Terms & Conditions and start uploading!
PICTURE DAY IS TUESDAY, MARCH 26!
Set your alarms a little earlier on Tuesday, March 26 because it will be Spring Picture Day! Students will be taking individual pictures before their scheduled lunch and recess to make sure photographers can catch everyone looking their best.
SEND NO MONEY TODAY! A proof will be sent home from the school with information on how to order in 3-4 weeks from the time photos are taken. If you love the photos, you can order a portrait package using the information sent home with the proofs. If not, the proofs can be returned to school.
CAMP INVENTION WILL RETURN TO DONALD THIS SUMMER!
Register at INVENT.ORG/CAMP!
Grades: K - 6th
Location: Donald STEM Academy 2400 Forest Vista Drive, Flower Mound, TX 75028
Date: June 10 - June 14, 2024
Time & Cost: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM | $270
Register before March 27, and you can save $25 on your registration fee with code FUN25!
Camp Director: Kathy Hoffman hoffmank@lisd.net
BE WARM-WEATHER READY!
Can you believe the warmer weather we have been having? It makes recess much more enjoyable, and the kids love it. With the warmer weather let's review what parents can do at home to help kids with their hygiene.
- Bathe daily. Wash your child's hair 1-2 times a week. If their hair is oily, it may require more frequent washing.
- Wear clean clothes each day. This includes socks and underwear. Allow shoes to air out overnight.
- Brush teeth twice a day and floss. (Last week they had an informative dental talk. Ask them what they learned!)
Apply deodorant or antiperspirant/deodorant. Did you know there is a difference? Kids can wear either to help with body odor. Here is a short, informative article that addresses deodorant in kids and offers natural alternatives as well. https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/deodorant-for-kids#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1
Make sure your child comes to school each day with a clean, filled water bottle. HYDRATION is important to our health.
JOIN THE FMHS VOLLEYBALL CLINIC & HELP AN LISD FAMILY
The Flower Mound High School Volleyball team had a great season! They finished the season in the Top 10 in the state in class 6A, and they are nationally ranked. Now, the Jags are excited to continue to grow the game with their first Jaguar Volleyball Mini Clinic of the spring! Their goal is to encourage young, strong athletes to develop a love of the sport and to have some fun while doing so! Visit https://form.jotform.com/230943901970155 to register! For questions, contact Jamie Siegel, Flower Mound Head Volleyball Coach/Camp Director, at (817)676-4259.
WHO: Students in Kindergarten - 6th Grade
WHEN: March 5 - 7 from 5:00PM - 6:15PM
WHERE: FMHS
COST: $85 FOR ALL DAYS or $30 PER SESSION
Recently, a member of the volleyball community on another LISD campus was in an accident, which led to brain injury. To support this family, the FMHS Volleyball team will be donating $10 per paid attendee to them to help with medical bills. The FMHS Jags appreciate your support!
REMINDER: CHILDREN MUST BE 5 YEARS OF AGE ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 IN ORDER TO REGISTER FOR KINDERGARTEN
ARE YOU MOVING?
Parents,
It’s once again the time of year when we need to find out if your family will not be returning to Donald for the upcoming school year. If your child(ren) will not be returning to Donald for the 2024/2025 school year for any reason, please email our campus registrar, Julie Walters, at waltersj@lisd.net with the name of the school/district they will be attending.
Thank you!
Julie Walters
Phone (469)948-2401
Fax (972)350-9510
MEET DEVOTED PEYTON SEELEY
My name is Peyton Seeley.
I am in 7th grade at Forestwood Middle School.
I attended Donald when I was in kindergarten all the way through 5th grade. Donald is the only Elementary School I’ve gone to.
My favorite memory from Donald was the 3rd grade wax museum. I liked dressing up as Laura Ingalls Wilder and saying my speech to whoever wanted to hear it.
I am currently helping Mrs. Bunkley with her sweet Kindergartners. She was my Kindergarten teacher too.
I wanted to be a Devoted Dolphin because I’ve always loved hanging around young children and love Donald. I thought being a Devoted Dolphin would allow me to do both every week.
Advice for the 5th graders, I just want to say, you will love 5th grade! Just pay attention, do your best, do your homework, turn things in on time, study hard, and just have fun!
Check out all things Donald PTA by viewing the latest PTA Newsletter!
We would love to have you volunteer in our classrooms and at extracurricular events! To get started, JOIN the Donald PTA, and then complete your yearly VOLY Background Check. All volunteers must have a current VOLY Background Check, so if it has been a while since you completed this process, check in with the Donald Office Staff to see if you're approved!
HELP US PROVIDE TREATS FOR STAFF FRIDAY, MARCH 8!
The PTA has coordinated lunch for our awesome staff on Friday 3/8. We also want to boost them to get through the last week of the term. We need snacks, treats, and drinks to go with their Friday lunch. Please drop off any donations to the front office by Wednesday 3/6 and thank you for always supporting our amazing teachers. https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/4090C4CADA72EA6F49-48310415-teachers
DOLPHIN DADS
It's not too late to join this amazing team of men making an impact at our school! If you’re a Donald Dad or Grandad and are interested in joining the Dolphin Dads, make sure you have completed VOLY this year, and CLICK HERE to fill out the interest form!
DONALD NIGHT OUT @ CRAFT PIES
The LISD Recognize SomeONE program gives our staff and community members the opportunity to highlight the exceptional work the do. If a Donald staff member has made an impact on your student or family this week, please take a moment to Recognize SomeONE and let them know how much they mean!