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Dolphin News You Can Use
Volume 1: August Newsletter
2023- 2024 SCHOOL THEME
Principal's Message
As we begin a new academic year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you. It gives me great pleasure to introduce myself as the principal of Dickinson Elementary. I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful community of educators, students, and parents. This is my second year as principal here and I love every minute of it!
At Dickinson Elementary, we believe that every student has the potential to succeed, and our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where each child can thrive. Our dedicated team of teachers and staff is committed to supporting your child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.
We understand that the success of your child’s education is a partnership between the school and home. We encourage open communication between parents, teachers, and administration. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the year.
I will be sending out newsletters monthly throughout the year to keep you informed and up-to-date about campus happenings. The structure of the newsletter will remain consistent. If I have new information to share, it will go in the "New Information" section near the top of the newsletter, followed by repeated information.
As a campus we post lots of pictures on our Dickinson Elementary Facebook Page. If you have not liked our page, I encourage you to do so.
I want to give a huge shout out to our PTO and River Pointe Church volunteers. They were a huge help getting the school ready to welcome back our dolphins. I also want to thank the PTO for providing breakfast and lunch to our staff during professional development.
We look forward to a successful and rewarding academic year, and we thank you for entrusting your child’s education to us.
Kindly,
Channon Almendarez
#dolphinproud
New Information
Beginning of Year Forms
For the 2023-2024 school year, all required Lamar Consolidated ISD beginning-of-year forms must be completed online through the Skyward Family Access Center. Offering these forms digitally allows you the convenience of only updating information that has changed from last school year, while also helping us maintain accurate information in our student information system. Instructions, important dates and technical assistance regarding the online forms can be found by clicking https://www.lcisd.org/students-parents/family-access/beginning-of-year-forms. Included on this page is a link to reset your Family Access username/password if you have forgotten it. Your student’s schedule will not be available online through the Family Access Center until all of the beginning-of-year forms are completed for your student and after the campus has released schedules.
For those who need access to a computer or the Internet, please call 832-223-1400 to set up an appointment to use one of our computers.
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.
Meet Mrs. Katy Meinhardt (Early Childhood Special Education Teacher)ECSE Teacher
Please welcome Katy Meinhardt who will be our Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. She has been married for 2 years to a wonderful gentleman who supports her in every way, and has two beautiful daughters, Alessia and Isabella who are 9 and 7 years old.
Their family loves taking road trips together as a family. They also enjoy a relaxing time at the beach, watching some movies or TV shows, going out for dinner and workout.
She is excited to start a new chapter of her professional life at Dickinson Elementary and looks forward to becoming part of the ECSE/Pegasus team. She is thrilled to continue her passion in Special Education and feels blessed to have the opportunity to be part of our amazing children’s learning experiences. #dolphinproud
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.
Please feel free to join us for a Volunteer Meeting on August 23rd at 7:45 in the library to see how you can become connected as a volunteer.
Thank you for giving the gift of time for the success of our campus! What you value, you give your time to! - Channon Almendarez
Repeated Information
New Staff Added to the Dickinson Family
Meet Darline Weist...Administrative Assistant
Hi Dickinson Dolphins. My name is Darline Weist, and I am excited to be rejoining the Dickinson Staff as the new Administrative Assistant. I was here as Cafeteria Manager, and I have not forgotten the wonderful staff and students at Dickinson. This will be my 11th year with the district. My husband and I have been married for 42 years, we have a son, 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren. In my spare time I enjoy baking, sewing, reading, and spending time with family. I am super excited to start this new school year with everyone at Dickinson.
Counselor
Reading Interventionist
Hello Everyone!
My name is Leslie Norra. I am excited to be joining the Dickinson family next year as your new Reading Interventionist! Here is a little bit about me:
I graduated from HBU with degrees in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I began teaching back in 1994 in Fort Bend ISD. Throughout my 24 year teaching career in FBISD, I have had many roles: 1st & 2nd grade classroom teacher, K-2 Literacy Coach, K-5 Literacy Interventionist and K-5 ESL Coach/Specialist. I joined the Lamar CISD family five years ago at Adolphus Elementary. I served as the ESL Coach/Co-CTC for 3 years and the Literacy Coach for 1 year. This school year, I went back in the classroom to teach first grade, and I have enjoyed watching my students grow as readers! Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with family & friends, hiking and of course reading!
I look forward to meeting all of you! Go Dolphins!
3rd Grade ELA Teacher
My name is Chelsea Thompson and I am thrilled to be one of your 3rd grade teachers! I love teaching and feel so honored to be a part of the Dolphin Family!
I am Excited for you to get to know my little family as well! I am happily married to my husband BJ, and together we have our little blessing, Maverick! Maverick is 16 months old and keeps us on our toes! All 3 of us enjoy playing golf, being outdoors, trying new foods, and family time!
I am looking forward to the new school year and I cannot wait to meet all of you and your students very soon!
Summer Building Updates for Dickinson
- Fencing around our playground area. Community will still have access during non-school hours.
- Lighting Updates inside the Building
- Front Row Speaker Systems for our Classrooms
- $750.00 Donation for our Butterfly Garden
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Channon Almendarez, campus principal.
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.
Dickinson PTO is a group of parents working in partnership with school staff to help keep families informed and involved. Each family is encouraged to join!
The PTO supports activities that are beneficial to all students, such as field trips and instructional supplies. PTO also provides special programs, events and much more to benefit your children and teachers.
For more information about our PTO, please click the link below.
- Aug. 14: First day of school (Parents may walk students to class.)
- Aug. 15: Second day of school (Parents may walk students to class.)
- Aug. 16: Third day of school (Students walk independently to class.)
- Aug. 16: 2023 STAAR scores released in Family Access
- Aug. 23: Volunteer Meeting in the Library at 7:45 (new time)
- Sept. 4: Student Holiday for Labor Day
- Sept. 7: Dolphin Dive (Curriculum Night) Two Sessions (5:00-5:45) & (6:00-6:45)
- Sept. 29: Student Holiday for Fort Bend County Fair Day