DGS Royal Decree
DGS Parent Newsletter
DGS Royal Decree: February 2024 Parent Newsletter
Upcoming Events
February 1
- Kindergarten Pre-Registration Begins
- 100th Day of School
February 2
- DGS Spirit Day/Popcorn at Lunch
- Carnival Kick-Off
February 5
- CogAT Testing (Feb. 5-9)
- National Counseling Week (Feb. 5-9)
February 6
- DGS Parents Club Meeting (7:00 pm)
February 7
- Global Play Day (Teacher will communicate classroom plans)
February 8
- World Read Aloud Day (More info. to come!)
February 9
- DGS 5th Grade Bowling Field Trip
February 12
- Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 12-16)
February 14
- Valentine's Day Classroom Parties
February 15
- School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
- Board of Education Meeting (6:00 pm)
February 16
- Progress Reports Issued
- School Improvement Day (Dismissal at 11:15 am)
- ECE Family Fun Day
February 19
- Presidents Day - No School
February 24
- DGS Carnival (3:00-7:00 pm)
February 27
- DGS 2nd Grade Music Program (6:00 pm)
- DGS 3rd Grade Music Program (7:00 pm)
February Staff Birthdays
February 2 - Mrs. Batton
2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration Information
On Thursday, February 1, 2024, the Kindergarten Pre-Registration Link will go live, allowing families to complete the initial steps of the registration process. To be eligible for kindergarten, students must be five years of age by September 1, 2024. During the pre-registration process, families will have to provide the following information:
- Required Information
- Student’s First, Middle, and Last Name
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Home Address
- Parent(s)/Guardian(s)’ Contact Information
- Documentation
- Three Proofs of Residency
- For more information on what is required, click here. Families must live within district boundaries in order to register.
- Copy of the Official Student Birth Certificate
- Medical Records*
- Physical dated on or after 08/14/2023
- Immunization Record
- Vision Exam dated on or after 08/14/2023
- Dental Exam dated on or after 11/15/2023
- Three Proofs of Residency
*Medical forms are not required to complete the registration process but will be required before your student can begin school in August.
Please note that if you upload all required documentation, you DO NOT need to attend in-person Kindergarten Registration Extended Office Hours on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at your student’s home school. This date is simply to collect the required documentation; kindergarten teachers and building tours will NOT be available at this event.
If you are unsure which building would be your student’s home school, please view the School Boundary Information page of our website.
Once all pre-registration information and documentation have been received, families will be sent a snapcode to finish the registration process for the 2024-25 school year. A copy of next year’s school calendar can be found on the District Calendar page.
While we do our best to ensure students are placed at their home school, completion of the Kindergarten Pre-Registration Form does not guarantee school placement or prioritize one family over the other. Final school placement is based on enrollment numbers; should a family have to attend a building other than their regular home building, they will be notified via their provided contact information before school begins in August.
Attendance
On time attendance is important and necessary for learning. If your child will be absent due to an appointment or is ill, please notify the office by 8:00 a.m. each day.
You can call the office or email your absence to: lkamin@dunlapcusd.net or msullivan@dunlapcusd.net
School hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 7:39 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Wednesday - 7:39 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Spring Semester Assessments
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) - Week of February 5
- 2nd and 4th grade students (as well as new 3rd and 5th graders)
- Want to practice? Here are some practice tests if interested.
Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR) - March 11 - 19
- 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades
Illinois Science Assessment - Week of April 8
- 5th grade only
CogAT Testing
Each year, elementary students in second and fourth grades take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) during the first or second week of February; this year, students will take the CogAT during the week of February 5-9, 2024.
For those new to the district, the CogAT is used as one of three measures to determine qualification for our Elementary Enrichment Eagles after-school program as well as placement in Middle School Enrichment courses (more information about the qualification process can be found on the Dunlap District website here under “Elementary Enrichment Eagles Program” or “Middle School Enrichment Services”). As Dunlap is devoted to “preparing every student to succeed each day,” we want to ensure that students are supported based on individual need. While the CogAT is used for enrichment identification purposes, it does allow Dunlap staff to have a complete data profile of each student and provide more information about areas of students’ strengths and areas in need of growth. More information about the CogAT can also be found on the Curriculum Department website linked above under “Elementary Enrichment Eagles Program.”
Starting on Monday, February 5, testing will begin across the district. As students will be taking the assessment on their Chromebooks, teachers have flexibility in planning testing within the instructional day, as the tests can be taken over a few days if necessary.
Finally, more information about all academic assessments administered throughout the school year can be found on the Curriculum Department page under “District Assessments.”
BIST Parent Resources
Have you ever had questions about BIST at DGS and how it can be applied at home? Check out this link: BIST Home to School Connections for Parents. It is full of great information on the following topics:
- Household expectations
- Caring confrontation
- Protective planning
- Outlasting the 'acting out'
- De-escalating behaviors
- Avoid power struggles
- ...and more!
Updated Calendar
Due to the use of four snow days so far this winter, our 2023-2024 School Calendar has changed.
We now have school on April 1, May 10, May 17, and May 24. Please see the Updated School Calendar below.
E-Learning Day
In the event that school is canceled due to inclement weather, our 5th day will be an E-Learning Day. Teachers have prepared a choice board for students K-5 that will be sent home Friday, January 26. Please put this in a safe place in the event that it may be needed. Activities are varied between the use of technology and hands on learning. Teachers will send out a copy of the plan electronically on the actual day if it is to occur.
Cuddles with Kindness
Cuddles with Kindness® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing comfort to kids in need. Our mission is to provide comfort to children facing traumatic situations while amplifying our goal to inspire kindness and compassion, no matter your age. We do this by providing cuddly stuffed animals for them to hold on to. Founder, Taylor Larson spent 9 days in the OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois when she was a child. During her stay she received a bear on Valentine's Day. It changed her forever. Today, Taylor and the Cuddles with Kindness® organization delivers thousands of stuffed friends to children each year. Help us in our mission of "kindness."
DGS will be collecting new stuffed animals until February 8th. Please drop off your donation in the office.
Valentine's Day Celebrations
Dunlap Grade School will observe Valentine's Day with celebrations planned in each classroom. The Parents Club will provide a drink, snack, special treat, and activity for each classroom.
Students are able to share valentine's in their classrooms. If your child participates, they will be asked to be inclusive of all students and bring a card for each child in their class. Teachers will communicate additional information regarding the class lists in the coming days. Furthermore, your child's teacher will communicate if your child should bring a Valentine's Day box or if they will be made in their individual classroom.
Many Valentine's Day Cards are accompanied with a sweet treat or simple toy. Whereas students can exchange these in the classroom, they will be brought home and not consumed in the classroom.
What's for Lunch?
Click here for the February Lunch Menu.
Birthday Treats
To promote a positive, safe, and healthy lifestyle and classroom learning community; birthday celebrations at school will not include treats or favors from home. Teachers will choose to celebrate students in their classroom in grade and age appropriate ways.
DGS Spirit Days
February 2 - DGS School Spirit and Popcorn Day! Wear blue or yellow or your school spirit wear. Popcorn will be served during lunch.
Recess
Please make sure your child is prepared and dressed appropriately for outside recess. Students will go outside for recess anytime the temperature is 15 degrees or above (including wind chill). If your family or child is in need of winter coats or warm clothing, please let us know, and we can assist you.
Parents cannot request that students stay inside based solely on the temperature. It is important for the students to get outside and play when possible during the winter months.
Any child who is exempt from physical education for medical reasons will not be allowed to participate in outdoor recess activities. Re-injury on the playground could occur. Arrangements for indoor recess in the main office or a supervised classroom will be made.
Delayed Start
There may be times when the weather is such that delaying the start of school by two hours would provide for a safer environment for our students and staff. This decision will be announced no later than 6:30 am on the day of the delayed start via School Messenger system as well as local TV stations.
On these days, buses will run and morning pick up times will be two hours later than normal. Classes will begin two hours later than their regularly scheduled time. There will be no morning Early Childhood or Bright Futures classes, but the afternoon classes will run at the normal time. School will still dismiss at the regular time. If the district decides to implement a delayed start for the school day, all notifications will be sent in the same manner as the closing of school.
ESL ACCESS Testing
ACCESS test is the assessment that measures the proficiency of English Learners (ELs) in reading, writing, speaking and listening. This year’s testing window will be January 17-March 5, 2024. All ELs will take the test at school within that testing window. Kindly note that if your child is waivered, he/she will still take the ACCESS test until he/she scores high enough to officially exit the ESL program.
ACCESS test will be group administered online for grades 1-12, and a one-on-one teacher directed paper test for kindergartners. The results of the test will be used to determine whether or not your child has reached a high enough proficiency level in English to exit the ESL program for the 2024-2025 school year. You will receive your child’s official ACCESS test scores through the mail in the fall (August 2024).
In preparation for the test, your child will watch online tutorials about ACCESS and will participate in a couple of in class practice tests prior to testing. We can’t emphasize how important regular attendance is during practice and during the testing window (January 17 – March 5). Please contact your child's ESL teacher if he/she will be absent during these dates. This will allow the ESL teachers to plan testing sessions and try to make the necessary arrangements for your child not to miss the test. If you are interested in learning more about the ACCESS test or wish to view the practice materials, please visit the following website:
Parents Club Meeting
DGS Parents--WELCOME TO THE CLUB! The DGS Parents Club wants your help!
Through various fundraisers, the Parents Club put $20,000 back into our school last year.
We are always looking for fresh ideas and new faces to help us do even more! We need
your help to keep our events and programs going! If you are interested in being involved,
please email us at: dunlapparentsclub@gmail.com
Thank you to all our DGS Royal families for your support of the DGS Parents Club through
volunteering, attending events, and participating in our fundraisers. We appreciate all of
you!
We hope all our DGS Royal families are staying healthy, and warm!
Thanks,
Annalee Huntington
DGS Parents Club President
The next Parents Club meeting will be on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 7:00 pm in the DGS
Café. All parents and guardians of DGS Royals and DGS staff are welcome! We hope you
can join us!
Parents Club Website
The new DGS Parents Club website has launched! Please check it out and take a look
around. We’ve tried to make it a one stop location to find Sign Up Genius links, ways to
donate, forms, and anything you need to know about the Parents Club.
Check it out here: https://dunlapparentsclub.wixsite.com/dgspc/home-1
You can also access it from the Dunlap Grade School website under the Parents Club Tab.
DGS Royal Remix Carnival
It’s that time of year! The Parents’ Club will be hosting the fun and exciting Royal Remix Carnival on Saturday, February 24 from 3:00-7:00 pm. Please plan to join us for delicious food, fresh new carnival games (and old favorites), inflatables, balloons, face painting, a cake walk, and more, including our big raffle prizes, general raffle prizes, etc. Raffle tickets and more details will be sent home on Friday, February 2.
Check out the carnival web page and the DGS FB page for all the amazing businesses that have already provided donations or sponsored activities for our carnival. More fun prizes are added each week! We are always looking for any families or businesses who would like to make a monetary, in-kind, or experience donation to our biggest fundraiser of the year. All funds raised benefit the
educational and recreational needs of the DGS Royal Students and Staff! If you have any
questions about donating, please contact me at dunlapparentsclub@gmail.com. Donations
can be mailed to DGS or dropped off in the school office.
We Need You!
Get to know other parents, your child's teacher, and the entire staff at DGS by volunteering
with the Parents’ Club. In order to make our Carnival a success, we depend upon
volunteers. Please consider volunteering for a shift before or during the carnival! Please
follow the Sign Up Genius link.
We Need Baked Goods!
We are looking for volunteers to provide baked goods for this year's Cake Walk game at
DGS's Royal Remix Carnival.. Items can be HOMEMADE or STORE BOUGHT such as cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, candy bouquets, and bars.
If you are able to provide a baked item, please follow the Sign Up Genius
link. This game is always a BIG hit, but we need lots of baked good donations to make it a
success. So, thanks in advance for your help!
Rent the Royal Rock
Just a reminder about the “Royal Rock”. The Royal Rock which weighs in at just over a 1/2
ton (1002 lbs) was donated by Kickapoo Sand and Gravel, can be rented by Dunlap Grade
families. It is an opportunity to share exciting events with our school community by painting
your own message. Parents, students, and staff may rent the Royal Rock for a week long
period to recognize birthdays, show school spirit, wish a team good luck, thank a teacher,
congratulate events, etc. It is a great way to spread positive messages!
If you are interested in Renting the Royal Rock, please visit this link for more information on
how to rent the rock.
Save the Date - Spring Book Fair
The Spring Book Fair will take place on Friday, April 26 with themed activities throughout
the week. More details will be forthcoming!
Dunlap Shine Award
The Dunlap School District Shine Award honors employees who go above and beyond for the students and schools in our community. Honorees positively influence, inspire, and leave a lasting impact in the work that they do every day, helping to fulfill the overall District mission to empower all students to reach their individual potential.
Nominations can be submitted by students, parents, District employees, business, or community members by completing the following nomination form. District employees will be selected and honored throughout the school year to receive this prestigious honor.
Selected nominees will receive a crystal apple in recognition of their exemplary efforts, provided by Horace Mann. Additionally, Peoria Prints & Graphic Designs will provide yard signs for staff to celebrate their achievement at home!
Please provide your email in the field below so that a copy of your nomination will be sent to your email address and so that we can contact you with any additional questions.
Dunlap Gives Back
It is our mission to serve Every Student, Each Day!
Dunlap Gives Back serves to supply students and families with resources to meet their basic needs to ensure that all children are equipped with the resources they need to be prepared to learn.
If you are a staff member, family member, or student, please use this form to request resources. Items that can be requested include, but are not limited to food, clothing, school supplies, hygiene supplies, ect. If further support or resources are required, please email Director of Student Services, Mandy Ellis, at mellis@dunlapcusd.net
All requests will be confidential and protect the privacy of the student and family.