WEEK A

Red Ribbon Week -see themes on flier below

Monday 10/21: 5th grade field trip Butter and Egg Adventures

Tuesday 10/22: 5th grade field trip Butter and Egg Adventures, Sandpiper Singers, Garden Club, Girls on the Run

Wednesday 10/23: 50th day of school, School Advisory Council meeting at 2:45 in media center

Thursday 10/24, Robotics, Girls on the Run

Friday 10/25

UPCOMING:

10/28-11/08: Kids Heart Challenge

11/08: 4th & 5th Grade Veteran's Day Program 8:30 am

Parents,

It's no secret that school looks different than it did 20 years ago. This may lead some parents to worry about how they can help their students at home themselves. One of the easiest things that parents can do with their students to help their learning is read together.

You may have noticed our own recent efforts to incentivize and bring attention to the importance of reading! All of our students visited the book fair this past week! We also rolled out new rewards for Accelerated Reader! Every student has an opportunity to earn coins to visit our book vending machine. 2nd grade students completed a fall-themed reading project with their families.

While not every reader will master A Tale of Two Cities or earn 500 AR points, you can begin working with your student to set a goal together. Can your student work to earn 50 points by the end of the year? Can they work to finish a favorite series of books? You can create your own goals or incentives at home!

Research shows that reading 20 minutes a day can have many benefits, including:

• Vocabulary: Reading 20 minutes a day exposes readers to 1.8 million words per year.
• Empathy: Reading exposes readers to different cultures and ideas, and helps them understand the thoughts and emotions of others.
• Critical thinking: Reading helps improve critical thinking skills.
• Writing skills: Reading helps readers internalize grammatical and syntax patterns, and understand how authors use conventions to convey their message.
• Standardized test scores: Students who read 20 minutes a day score higher on standardized tests, such as the SAT.
• Mental and physical health: Reading can positively affect mental and physical health.
• Relaxation: Reading with a child or having them read before bed can help them relax and wind down.

We love having your students in class and at school each day. Thank you for your partnership.

Check out the activities and resources from Florida State University's Florida Center for Reading Research.

Ahoy, mateys! National School Lunch Week kicks off THIS WEEK! Time to get ready for a week full of treasure hunts and tasty meals. Captain Saronda and her crew are always excited to cook up some healthy grub in the galley for your little sailor! To help encourage school lunch participation this week we will be having a special menu and be giving out prizes to lucky school lunch participants! Dunes Lake Elementary will award prizes on Wednesday 10/23. Give school lunch a try this week!

Gourd-eous work! 2nd grade students showcased their creativity while discussing setting, characters, plot, and theme as part of a pumpkin-themed book report project. 2nd grade families decorated a pumpkin to resemble one of the characters from a chosen story. Pumpkins line our hallways to show students the importance and fun of reading. Great work 2nd grade students, parents, and teachers!

Check your student's binders and folders for fall school picture proof and order slips from Jim Owen photography.

• Go to jimowenstudios.com
• Click on the "view and order" tab
• Click on "school"
• Enter your personal login code shown on your students proof slip
• Follow the prompts to complete your order
• Print receipt and keep for your records

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This year, Dune Lakes Elementary will be using the MBF Child Safety Matters® program from the Monique Burr Foundation for Children. This will be facilitated in your child's classroom by a member from the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center. The goal of the program is to help keep your child safe.

The program empowers children to spot and respond to bullying, cyberbullying, child abuse, and digital dangers. Most importantly, it teaches that adults are responsible for their safety but there are things they can do to help adults keep them safe. The program is based on the latest research and has been reviewed and endorsed by national experts.

How many points can you earn? 50? 100? More? Help incentivize your student to read more this school year! We are creating AR point clubs and will reward them quarterly with the first recognition coming next week! Student names will also be displayed in the hall for visible recognition. You can encourage your student to read AND take an AR test on the book. Students can test at school and at home. See the media center section of the newsletter below for more information.

Students in the 50 point club during quarter 1 enjoyed an extra recess. Student Nicolas Gil is the first member of the 250 point club which earned him a catered lunch on stage! Encourage your student to read a book and complete an AR test to be included in the next celebration at the end of quarter 2 in December! Students in all grade levels can earn coins for the book vending machine by taking AR test and earning points!

Thank you to everyone who shopped and donated to our Fall Book Fair! It's really special for me to watch the kids' excitement when Book Fair arrives. This is our main source of funding for our library. The proceeds from Book Fair allow me to purchase new books for our school library and the vending machine and support our students through AR and our Literacy Nights. The best part of my job is being able to get the kids books they want, and then share them with everyone else.

If you created an e-Wallet this year, please log in and check your balance. You can move this money to "Share the Fair", and I can use it for library books, you can use it shop the Book Fair online or if you remember when the Spring Fair comes, you can move it over to a new e-Wallet. It does not automatically shift over. You have to log in and move it. Don't let it go to waste! Even if you only have a few cents. It adds up! We have over $3,000 worth of unspent money from the last two Book Fairs.

Lastly, a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers that helped with our book fair. I truly could not have done this without you!

Gratefully,

Ms. Carroll

The Super Sandpiper is awarded quarterly to students who exemplify the core school character values of helpfulness, respect, focus, inclusion and problem solving. Congratulations to our 1st quarter winners!

KINDERGARTEN: Grant Eberhart & Charlotte Hester

FIRST GRADE: Theodore Brewer & Ramona Safier

SECOND GRADE: Jack Morris & Emilia Hazen

THIRD GRADE: Liam Harp & Arianna Harriott

FOURTH GRADE: Alton Maynard & Sybil Reed

FIFTH GRADE: Eden Lewis & Sebastian Goode

Hello Dune Lakes Families,

The Kid's Heart Challenge officially kicks off on October 28th with the American Heart Association, and we need your help! Over the next few weeks students will be learning about heart health and raising awareness for the American Heart Association.

Our school's goal is for every student and family to know Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of a stroke by signing up online and completing Finn’s Mission!

PARENTS – HERE’S HOW TO GET STARTED

Step 1. Sign up online! Visit our school’s Kids Heart Challenge page: www.heart.org/schools OR download the AHA Schools app for iPhone or Android to search for our school and sign up!

Step 2. Complete Finn’s Mission!

Why we support the American Heart Association: When cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital, bystanders only respond 40% of the time. 75% of cardiac arrests occur in the home. Providing Hands-Only CPR immediately can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

Thank you for joining us and helping our community become lifesavers!

Drew Farris

Physical Education Teacher

Does your student know the AVID word of the week? Join us in promoting a robust vocabulary at home by using it with your student!

1. Go to https://launchpad.classlink.com/walton
2. Click Renaissance Place
3. Log in and Test!

For additional questions please contact Ms. Carroll mailto:rachel.gonzalez@walton.k12.fl.us

Congratulations to Manuela Devia Gallo, 3rd Grade

Parents visiting on Monday and Friday are allowed to visit at the designated lunch time for their student. If you have more than one student, you are welcome to have lunch with them at their designated time. Students will not be pulled to eat with their siblings. Parents are to wait for their child's class to enter the "A" hallway, and may proceed to the cafeteria only. Visiting other classrooms is prohibited. Lunch visitors are to eat in the patio, and check out at the front office when leaving. PLEASE DO NOT EXIT FROM THE PATIO.

For your convenience, sign up for EZ school pay https://www.ezschoolpay.com/Login.aspx

Encourage your student to explore the a la carte menus options in the Sandpiper Cafe! See the menu below. Cash only.

Great things are cooking this month in the Sandpiper Cafe!

Please take the time to put your child's name on their backpacks, water bottles, coats, etc. Items will be collected and displayed outside cafeteria.

Please check your child's backpack for returned incomplete emergency cards. We need your help in getting these back to us ASAP before the Department of Health Audit. If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Vanessa or Nurse Amber at 850-622-5012 x2715

Medication at school:

The front desk cannot intake medications. Please call ahead to meet with the nurse who can assist with this.

Fever Reminders:

A fever is a temperature of 100 degrees or more. Students must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications before they can return to school.

Lice reminders:

Students showing visible signs and symptoms will be sent to nurse and parents will be notified. Any affected student must provide front office with signed proof indicating treatment. Additional information is available on the WCSD Health Services at https://www.walton.k12.fl.us/page/school-health-services

Welcome Sandpipers! My name is Mrs. Rudd and I am thrilled to welcome you and your child to the new school year! As the school counselor, my role is to support your child's social, emotional, and academic development. I am committed to creating a safe and supportive environment that fosters growth, resilience, and success. If your child is facing challenges at home or in the classroom, please know that my door is always open. I am here to listen, offer guidance, and connect you with resources to support your child's well-being. Let's work together to make this year an amazing one for our students!

Week 11

We are celebrating grit! Recognize the effort your child has put into sticking with something difficult. Whether it’s reading a new book, practicing multiplication, or making new friends, grit is the determination that helps them succeed. Encourage your child to share how they’ve demonstrated grit, and help them see that the journey is just as important as the goal!

Tip for Parents:
Take a moment to praise your child for their efforts, not just their successes. Acknowledge their grit and remind them that hard work and persistence pay off in the end.

Purpose of Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch aims to support students in developing healthy coping skills and self-regulation strategies to manage various challenges, such as:

· Anxiety, stress, or feeling overwhelmed

· Difficulty with self-control or impulsivity

· Struggles with friendships or social relationships

· Coping with change, loss, or adversity

· Building resilience and confidence

How to Join

Every student will receive a Lunch Bunch permission form. Be looking for these to be sent home later this week. If you think your child would benefit from this program, please fill out and return the form, sharing specific details on why your child would benefit and any relevant information about their current challenges or concerns. This will help me understand your child's needs and prioritize those students. While I'd love to be able to have every student in LB, that just isn't feasible. It is very important to me, however, that students that could truly use the extra support are able to receive it.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

• Volunteers, please be sure to check out by 1:15.
• When turning in a doctor's note for your child's absence, we ask that you please send us the original note from the physician's office. Notes should include student name, date they were seen and what days they are excused for. Doctor notes are excused absences. Altered notes will not be accepted. Notes need to be submitted within 3 days of the absence. For your convenience, notes may be emailed to mailto:dleinfo@walton.k12.fl.us
• If you would like notification that your child has checked out a library book, please log into FOCUS and make this change. This must be done each year.
• All transportation changes must be received by 1:30 p.m. through Pikmykid.
  
• 🚩 NO EARLY CHECK-OUTS ARE ALLOWED AFTER 1:45 P.M., please arrive prior to this for any appointments. You will be asked to go to the car line and wait for your student after this time.
• Walkers: All walkers must have a walker waiver on file at the front office. Parents picking up their walkers are required to have the walker pass issued by the front office. We will not release any student to parents at the walker exit without this pass. Please call the office for specific walker guidelines 850-622-5012.

Did you know the over 20% of Dune Lakes students missed GREATER than 10 days of school last year?

We are learning every day! Help make sure your student stays on track by encouraging consistent attendance!

UPDATE If your child is not an every day bus rider, but may ride home with a friend or use bus to reach another approved destination, WE MUST have a parent note documenting this request on file. Please send an email to dleinfo@walton.k12.fl.us. We can also add this transportation change option for you in Pikmykid, but you must first contact our office.

Students have received bus tags for the back packs which support staff in quickly identifying the correct bus and parent. Please help us keep these securely fastened to your child's backpack.

You can track your student using the Here Comes the Bus Application. The Here Comes the Bus application provides the real-time location of your child’s bus on a map and gives scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for bus routes. It also provides push and email notifications when the bus is near. Sign up using the flyers below.

Please refer to your new student packet for instructions for Pikmykid app. We will process ALL transportation changes through Pikmykid. Parents may call the office for a change in an emergency or for help with the Pikmykid platform. Please see the resources and video tutorials below. Pikmykid is also available by phone to support users and parents.

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.

.https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fortifyfl-tip-reporting/id1435824190

The Walton County School District is now offering parents access to their children’s information. Your connection to students’ education/academic information is now available online. You will be able to view your children’s data in these areas: student grades, daily attendance, teacher email account for each class, school messages and upcoming events, and more. Use the QR code or follow the instructions below.

Step 1

• To register or reset your password for the Parent Portal please visit the following link:
  https://walton.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/auth/

Step 2

• The following information is required to setup a Focus Parent Portal Account.

  1. Child’s student identifier (10 digit number beginning with 66 assigned by the district).
  2. Student’s date of birth.
  3. Parent Portal Registration PIN. If your child has a portal account, they can provide you with the PIN by viewing the General tab under My Information. Or you can obtain your PIN from the school office.

  Once your account has been created you will have access to the Parent Portal at the following site: https://walton.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/

Moms and Monsters Recap – Thank you to all of our moms and sons who came out to our Third Annual Moms and Monsters Event! Thank you to our Boosters, sponsors, staff volunteers, parents and students and vendors for another great event! Proceeds made from this event will be going towards purchasing cursive writing workbooks and curriculum for the entire 3rd grade as requested by the school! Thank to everyone again!

Red Ribbon Week – Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free! – October 21 – 25! Make sure to tag the Boosters in your pictures throughout the week!

October Dune Lakes Dines – October 30 – Nigel’s Bananas (Watersound location)! The Sandpiper Boosters will receive 20% of sales from 2:30p-8p. Please mention DLE!

Sandpiper Holiday Greenery Sale – Spread holiday cheer this season while supporting Dune Lakes Elementary! All greenery ships direct to any address in the contiguous 48 states. Due date for orders is midnight on November 2, 2024. Share with friends and family as anyone can order!! Orders begin arriving the week of Thanksgiving. Order Here: https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/dle

Veteran’s Day Flags – Help the Boosters place flags around the entire school and decorate the cafeteria on November 10th! Volunteer Here : Volunteer — Sandpiper Boosters

Teacher Luncheons – Is your family or business interested in sponsoring one of our Teacher and Staff Luncheons? If so, the available dates and sponsorship opportunities are located here : Sponsorships — Sandpiper Boosters

Spirit Shop – You can shop Sandpiper Merch year-round! Shop Here : Spirit Shop — Sandpiper Boosters

24-25 Boosters Board of Directors - Jamie Lynn, President | Ashley Templeton, Vice President | Liz Branch, Treasurer | Jessica Standley, Secretary |Amber Archer, Director | Amity Hoch, Director | Randi Doris, Director | Brittany Golden, Director | Emily Madden, Director | Ortal Shaya-Montoya, Director | Lindsey Rogers, Director | Kristen Sandoe, Direc

tor

For all things Boosters – Make sure to visit our website here : Sandpiper Boosters

Sandpiper Holiday Greenery Sale – Spread holiday cheer this season while supporting Dune Lakes Elementary! All greenery ships direct to any address in the contiguous 48 states. Due date for orders is midnight on November 2, 2024. Share with friends and family as anyone can order!! Orders begin arriving the week of Thanksgiving. See other items and order Here: https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/dle

If you have questions, concerns or comments, you can contact us through Let's Talk. Simply click here and reach out to us.

Stay connected with Remind! We've created a new school Remind account for the 24-25 school year. All previous school accounts have been closed. Please rejoin our DLE Remind by texting our school code @dle2425 to 81010.

Mission Statement: By living our character pledge, we will educate with passion, inspire pride of self and cultivate meaningful relationships with our students and families, staff and community.

Vision Statement: To inspire personal responsibility, civic duty and a passion for lifelong learning

Email: DLEinfo@walton.k12.fl.us
Website: https://dle.walton.k12.fl.us/
Location: 6565 U.S. 98 E, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, USA
Phone: 850-622-5012
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DuneLakesSandpipers