Samuelson Family Fun Night is a night of carnival games and food for the kids and families to enjoy. It also helps to raise funds for necessary improvements to the school. This year's goal is new books for the school library. We are looking for as many volunteers as we can get to make sure this amazing night of food, games and fun takes place. If you are interested in one of these opportunities, please sign up here: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F084AAFA828A7F58-samuelson1.

The new hours essentially flip the current hours, so elementary students begin the day a little earlier while middle and high school students would start a little later. This change is being made to better meet the needs of our students. Much research points to how this helps students as it better matches up with the sleep patterns of children at different ages, along with many other factors that will contribute to the success of students. With this change, Samuelson school hours will be 7:30 - 2:25.

Des Moines Public Schools realizes that this is a change that would affect nearly everyone in the school district, from students and their families to our teachers and staff, and appreciates the support to do the right thing for education.

We have had a lot of safety issues regarding child pick-up/drop-off. We want to remind you of our arrival and dismissal procedures. Our procedure helps keep your children safe. Please remind your children to cross at the designated crosswalks. Do not drop your child off in the middle of the street.

If you are dropping off your child in a car, please enter on Lindlavista Way. You can drop off along the sidewalk at the side of the school. The area in front of Samuelson, along Bel-Aire Road, is reserved for buses and day care vans only. Stay on the right side of the road as you drive along Bel-Aire. For the safety of your children and other drivers, do not make u-turns in front of the school. This will help traffic move as quickly and smoothly as possible.

If you are picking up your child in a car, enter on Lindlavista Way or Crestmoor Place. Stay in your car in the car line. The children will line up on the sidewalk at the side of the school. When it is your turn, a teacher will place your child (children) in your car. You may then pull forward or around as directed. You must turn right on Bel-Aire Road at dismissal time. The area in front of Samuelson, along Bel-Aire Road is reserved for buses and day care vans only.

Please do not park along Lindlavista Way. One lane must stay open on Lindlavista Way for the car line and emergency vehicles. If you need to park and leave your car, you may park on Bel Aire Road or Crestmoor Place. Be kind to our neighbors and do not block their driveways.

Please remember per the DMPS Parent Handbook, bike riders must be in 4th or 5th grade.

There are a lot of fun things happening in the music room coming up in the next few months:

• Samuelson Singers have begun rehearsing for their concert on March 6. Students in grades 3, 4, & 5, who enjoy singing, are welcome to participate.

• "Connecting Kids with Culture" is a special grant given to schools, so that students can have the opportunity to engage in arts activities. In the past, we've brought guest artists into the school to work with the students. This year we are able to use the funds to pay for students to attend some performances at the Civic Center. K-2 students will attend "Creole for Kidz: A History of Zydeco Music" in February. Students in 3rd-5th will attend "Feathers and Fire: A Persian Folk Tale" in April.

• Additionally, 5th graders will be taking their annual trip to the Civic Center to hear the Des Moines Symphony on March 20.

• The last school concert of the year, will feature all K-2 students, on March 27. Kindergarteners will perform at 1:15, 1st graders will perform at 2:00, and 2nd graders will perform at 2:45. We invite all friends and family to join us, as we celebrate their learning with a musical performance.

If you have any questions, please contact me at Michael.jones@dmschools.org, or 242-8441.

Email: samuelson@dmschools.org
Website: https://samuelson.dmschools.org/
Location: 3929 Bel Aire Road, Des Moines, IA, United States
Phone: (515) 242-8441
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuelsondmps/
Twitter: @samuelsonDMPS