Hawk Talk

We are so excited to start the 2023-2024 school year, and thank you for the opportunity to work with your amazing children! The first day of school is such a special day. The students and staff are excited for all that a new school year brings. I love meeting students and families new to our school and catching up with those I knew from last year. I love to hear the stories of student's summer adventures--the camps they went to, family vacations, and the books they have read. A huge part of the first days of school is getting everyone accustomed to the routines and procedures. I want to thank all of you for your patience around drop-off and dismissal time--this is a routine that we all have to get accustomed to as a school community. Details regarding these times are listed below.

The next few weeks will be busy as we continue to help students understand the routines in their classrooms. Staff will be working to assess students in literacy and mathematics, so we can focus our instruction on accelerating each individual child. Parents often ask how they can set their child up for success at home. Establishing after morning, after school, and nightly routines is a great way to start. Setting aside time each day to complete homework or read a book will establish a habit that will help children throughout their school years. For most students, homework will consist of reading, practicing math facts, or completing short assignments. Setting a consistent bedtime is very important as well. I was surprised to learn that the American Academic of Pediatrics recommends children in elementary school get 9-12 hours of sleep a night! Finally, morning routines are important to ensure that students arrive to school on time and ready to learn. While it may not seem like a big deal to arrive a little late each morning, it does impact a child's ability to adjust and settle in for learning. For the child, it means having to catch up to a class that has already started. For the teacher and the class, a late child disrupts learning as the teacher has to stop teaching to get the student started. We appreciate all families trying their best to make sure that students arrive on time.

Thank you all for your continued support of the Duran School. Just like my staff, I look forward to what this year brings!

Melissa Davis, Ed.D.

Principal

Our annual Sneak-a-Peek is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30th. This is an opportunity for students to meet their teacher and see their classroom. We are also happy to announce that the Darling's Ice Cream Truck will be parked out front with sweet treats. The proceeds will benefit the Duran School's PTA. The times for Sneak-a-Peek are below:

AM PreK: 1:00-2:00

PM PreK: 2:00-3:00

Kindergarten-4th: 1:00-3:00

The first day of school for students in grades PreK and 1-4 is on August 31st. While families are not allowed to walk their child to class, please rest assured that we take an "all hands on deck" approach to making sure that all students get to the appropriate classroom, and that they feel comfortable and supported on the first day of school.

The first day of school for our Kindergarten students is on September 5. All kindergarten families should have received information about their child's kindergarten screening time. If you have questions, please reach out to the main office.

We encourage parents to pack an extra set of clean clothes in their child's backpacks daily. This ensures that if students get wet or messy, we're able to keep them comfortable. Water bottles are also super helpful for students to bring daily. We have water bottle fill stations in the school where students can get refills when necessary.

Just a friendly reminder about drop-offs. Our biggest priority is ensuring that all students are safe during drop-off, and that we are efficient. Addressing the following would be very helpful for us:

Bus Loop: Please do not park in the bus loop at any time. This ensure student safety and the ability for buses to enter and exit safely and efficiently.

Canopy: We understand that many parents want to drop their children off directly in front of the canopy, but this is not possible. By doing this, we are backing up traffic (sometimes out of the school and onto the road). There are staff available to ensure your child's safety along the sidewalk up to the canopy. We ask that you drop your child(ren) along the walk way and not wait for canopy access.

Parking: If your child need assistance exiting your vehicle, please park in the parking lot near the entrance of the school (to the right) and walk them across. This ensures safety and efficiency for all drop-off parents.

We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we refine the dismissal process this year. We have approximately 480 students exiting classrooms and heading to their after school destinations. It can be a very intense and busy time! Our top priority is ensuring that students arrive safely at the correct destination. We respectfully ask that transportation changes are make prior to 2:00. This allows office staff to ensure that students are heading to the right destinations.

The following information pertains to the different transportation locations:

Buses: The buses are called by grade level. Teachers will walk their class to the bus area and place their students on the appropriate bus.

Rec. Care: Students going to the Hermon Recreation Department’s After School Care are called in groups. Kindergarten is escorted by Rec. staff.

Lobby Dismissal: Parents are responsible for meeting their child in the lobby area on-time every day. We encourage PreK and Kindergarten parents to be near the front of the pick-up line- -this makes it easier for our littlest learners to see their parents. Parents should make eye contact or wave to the dismissing teacher before taking their child. Parents should be outside waiting for their child by 3:00.

Once you have your child, please leave the area quickly. If you are waiting for another child, please have that child stand with you. Please do not allow your child to run/play games, etc. in the pick-up area. This causes confusion and chaos for those teachers trying to ensure everyone gets matched appropriately and exits safely.

Pick-Up: Parents picking up a child on an occasional basis must send in a note for the teacher and the office.

Emergency Pick-Up: In the event you are picking up but your child does not have daily lobby or a note, you need to sign your child out at the office and they will be called down to the office individually.

We have a number of new staff and staff changing positions this year. Please join us in welcoming the following new members of the Duran School staff:

3rd Grade: Mrs. Rush (welcome back!)

3rd/4th Grade Interventionist: Lacey Guthrie

Ed. Tech: Katie Gardner

Ed. Tech: Tanya Fox

Food Services: Carol Rancourt