Message from the Principal
Dear Dragon Families,
Hope you had a restful weekend!
We have a new member as part of our Dragon family. Please help me and welcome Ms. Veronica Esparza, our new Assistant Principal. Ms. Esparza has over 20 years in the education field. She has served multiple districts in El Paso and a variety of positions from English HS teacher to curriculum coach to Assistant principal. She will be in charge of 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades. If you have any questions, please let us know. Ms. Esparza's email is vestra10@sisd.net and her direct line is 915-937-6806.
Tutoring will begin on Monday, Jan 8th. If your child needs tutoring, his/her teacher should have communicated with you last week.
Class pictures for PK-5th grade will be on Friday, January 12th. Students will BE IN UNIFORM DRESS. Class pictures flyers will be going out on Monday, January 8th with more details on price and packets available.
Latino Literacy Nights will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-4:30pm for the month of January and February. It will be held in the Counseling Suite. The class is for parents. We will offer homework lab for school age students and child care for students of parents that attend. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Ramirez (PK), Ms. Sloan (K), Ms. Sandoval (1st), or Ms. Mercado (Admin).
After School Basketball Program (ASBP)
Try-Outs - Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 6:00pm for 4/5th and 6th grade boys
Bring appropriate gym clothes, gym shoes, water bottle and their basketball (must be 29.5 inch ball) Be ready to receive further information and to tryout.
Try-Outs - Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 6:00pm for 4/5th and 6th grade girls
Bring appropriate gym clothes, gym shoes, water bottle and their basketball (must be 28.5 inches)
Don't forget your basketball!
If anyone has any questions please do not hesitate to contact Coach Jeffrey J. Hernandez at 915.861.0115. Hope to see you there locked and motivated.
Please review calendar for important events such as Parent Cafe on 1/16 and Coffee and Pizza with the Principal on 1/24.
Our teachers will continue to communicate individually by class but will mute conversations. If you need any information, please message teacher individually.
We continue FREE DRESS Mondays. In order to earn FREE DRESS on Monday, student needs to comply with the following during the previous week:
1. NO Absences
2. NO Tardies
3. NO Discipline Referrals
Students need to continue to follow DRESS CODE policy (below with more details). First period teacher will check students for eligibility.
This month, we ask for your support to help our scholars with the following:
- read daily for 20 minutes (anything of interest to child);
- practice addition & subtraction facts (these bring confidence);
- practice multiplication & division facts (upper grades need for problem solving);
- go to bed early enough to be ready to learn the next day; &
- continue to communicate with classroom teachers
Arrival & Dismissal
Arrival and Dismissal will be our greatest challenges. Please be patient and kind. We will have all staff on duty to assist and create a system that is safe and efficient.
NEW - If you your child will have to cross to the passenger seat, an adult will escort him/her to the other side of the vehicle. You will receive a neon sign with this instructions as it is a new procedure to keep all our Dragons safe at all time.
For Dismissal, we do ask families to ensure their SIGN with child's name in posted in the front windshield so that we can read & call out the name.
Attendance
If your child is absent, we must have a doctor's note or a personal note explaining why they were absent upon their arrival. NEW: This year, district policy indicates parents/guardians have 72 hours to submit excuse notes justifying child's absence.
Attendance is vital to our scholars success. Every absence, scholars lose 7 hours of skills, strategies and support for learning.
We track attendance daily and will communicate with families when children have 5 absences & tardies to establish a Loss of Credit Contract. Our goal is for your child to be healthy and at school without losing credit.
COVID & Absences
If a student tests positive with COVID, child must see a doctor to get a test and be diagnosed with COVID. If parents submit a home COVID test, it will NOT qualify for the Q code of Quarantined. Therefore, these absences will count towards Loss of Credit. Ensure your child is seen by a doctor and diagnosis is sent as an excuse for absences to qualify for Q code.
Reporting Absences
If you need to report an absence, our PEIMS Clerk will be able to assist you. Our team will be receiving the email to help assist you. I will forward all of your messages to the classroom teachers so they are aware of the absence.
Email: attendancejohndrugan@sisd.net
Please include as much detail as possible:
- Child's name
- Grade
- Teacher
- Student ID
- Reason for the absence
All notes will be collected via the attendance email as well. Be sure to include details in the note as the child returns to class.
Breakfast in the Classroom
Our district will continue to provide breakfast in the classroom for ALL scholars. Breakfast in the Classroom, BIC, will be served daily from 7:30 AM to 7:45 AM. Please be on time to take advantage of the most important meal of the day.
Water Bottles
Please continue to send your children with water bottles. This will help them stay safe & hydrated. They can refill them in from the water fountains.
Safety
The building will be cleaned throughout the day in high traffic areas to ensure safety. We will have hand sanitizing stations at all classrooms, restrooms, cafeteria and playground. If you wish for your child to wear a mask, please send them with a mask that fits them comfortably.
Thank you for your continued support! We are blessed with an amazing learning community!
Together, we are better!
Respectfully,
Frenda Serda-Gerardo
Proud Principal of John Drugan School
Office Number: 915-937-6802
School Nurse
Our school Nurse, Susana Dorado, will continue to serve our learning community. She loves our scholars and working with our parents.
Time: 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Phone: 915-937-6896
Email: sdorado@sisd.net
Frenda Serda-Gerardo
Email: fserda@sisd.net
Website: https://www.sisd.net/o/johndrugan
Location: 12451 Pellicano Dr, El Paso, TX 79928, USA
Phone: (915) 937-6802
Twitter: @JDrugan_K8
