DeKeyser News!

Email: officedekeyser@uticak12.org
Website: DeKeyser Elementary / Homepage (uticak12.org)

Location: 39600 Atkinson, Sterling Hgts., MI 48313

Phone: (586) 797-4400

School Hours: 9:05 AM - 3:55 PM (full days) and 9:05 AM -12:09 PM (half days)

Breakfast Hours: 8:45 - 9:05
Facebook: DeKeyser Elementary School

Principal: Mrs. Shannon Hathcock

Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Lisa Russo

Clerk: Mrs. Heather Mansour

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Office Phone Number: (586)797-4400

24 Hr Attendance Line (586)797-4499

Fax (586)797-4401

Email officedekeyser@uticak12.org

Dear DeKeyser Families,

The excitement is building at DeKeyser Elementary! As we enter the week of August 24–28, our staff is busy preparing classrooms, organizing learning spaces, and putting the finishing touches on everything needed to welcome our Dolphins back for an amazing 2026–2027 school year.

There is something special about this time of year. Our hallways will soon be filled with smiling faces, new friendships, familiar routines, and the excitement that comes with a fresh start. Whether your child is beginning their very first year at DeKeyser or returning for another year as a Dolphin, our entire staff is looking forward to welcoming them and helping them feel comfortable, confident, and excited about the year ahead.

Dolphin Days – Sneak Peek AND Title I Open House

We are especially excited to welcome our families to Dolphin Days – Sneak Peek AND our Title I Open House on Thursday, August 27th from 5:00–6:30 p.m.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to:

• Meet their teacher and visit their classroom
• Explore our school and learning spaces
• Reconnect with friends and meet new classmates
• Become familiar with the building before the first day
• Celebrate the beginning of another exciting year at DeKeyser!

We know that the start of a new school year can bring a combination of excitement and nervousness for children, and sometimes for parents, too! Dolphin Days is designed to help make that transition a little easier by giving students an opportunity to walk through our doors, see their classroom, meet their teacher, and begin feeling at home.

As we prepare for the first day of school, I encourage families to review all back-to-school information, including arrival and dismissal procedures, and begin establishing school-year routines at home. Consistent bedtime and morning routines can make those first few days much smoother for our students.

Most importantly, please remind your child that they are surrounded by adults at DeKeyser who are excited to see them, support them, and help them succeed. Our teachers and staff have been working incredibly hard to prepare for their arrival, and we cannot wait to see our classrooms come alive with learning once again.

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and trust. It truly takes all of us working together to create the positive, welcoming school community that makes DeKeyser such a special place.

Enjoy these final days of summer, and we look forward to seeing everyone at Dolphin Days – Sneak Peek AND Title I Open House on Thursday evening!

The Dolphins are ready for another great adventure!

With Dolphin Pride,

Mrs. Shannon Hathcock
Principal
DeKeyser Elementary School

AUGUST 2026

• 24 - Bus Stops Emailed
• 26 - Teacher Notification after 3pm
• 27 - Dolphin Day - Meet the Teachers! AND Title I Open House - 5:00 - 6:30 @ DeKeyser
• 31 - First Day of School for Students - 1/2 Day - 12:09 Dismissal (Breakfast Served)

September 2026

VIP Parking: Lisa Dicker

• 1 - Full Day - (Lunch Served)
• 3 - All back to school paperwork due
• 4 - NO SCHOOL - FINAL DAY to purchase device insurance
• 7 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
• 8 - PTCG Meeting 6pm
• 9 - First LEGO League - Season Kickoff Meeting - Eppler Jr. High - 5:30 - 6:30
• 16 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Professional Development
• 19 - Family Wellness Fair @ Henry Ford High School 10:00 - 1:00
• 30 - Picture Day

The classroom teachers, learning center teachers, and the admin team collaborated to place your children in the most cohesive classroom. Our Kindergarten and preschool teams screened many of the incoming students and made initial placement. As students are placed together in classroom groups, we look at many factors such as general academics, reading abilities, and sociability to create a well-balanced classroom. Once classroom groups are designed, that is when a teacher is assigned to that group of students.

Classroom placement is an extremely long and arduous process each year that is well thought out by our team and other staff. As it is difficult for me to honor specific teacher requests, I am confident that the team will place all children in an environment where they can be most successful as I whole heartedly trust my teams. Therefore, I am unable to make changes to classroom placements.

We thank you in advance for support and trust in this area as classroom teacher changes will not be made. Communications will go out at the end of the day on Wednesday, August 26th.

All UCS families are asked to complete the Education Benefits form Here - enter "Utica Community Schools" and follow the prompts.

• These forms help maintain our Title 1 funding as well as other essential funding for our schools. It can also help reduce fees for pay-to-play sports, lower internet costs, reduced AP/college application fees and more!
• Most online forms are processed within two (2) working days compared to 10 using paper applications.
• Paper copies of these forms are distributed to all student households or are available at your child’s school.
• Complete the forms and return them to your child’s school or mail them to Utica Community Schools, Food & Nutrition Services, 11303 Greendale, Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Education Benefits Form

Please take a moment to read the following regarding cell phones, smart watches, and other personal devices. Our district policy says: "The personal use of non-school issued cell phones or other electronic communication devices (ECDs) by students is prohibited at any time while in school or in a district vehicle." It also states: "Elementary students may bring a device to school, but the device must remain in their backpacks or locker area."

Here’s the plan:

• Students should keep cell phones and smart watches at home.
• If your child needs phone for after-school safety (like walking home), the phone must be:
1. Stored out of sight in their backpack.
2. On silent and not used at all during the school day

By following Board Policy and our Student Code of Conduct, the implementation of this will allow our school to be a place where kids can focus, connect face-to-face, and enjoy a much-needed break from constant notifications.

If you need to get a message to your child during the school day, please call our office at (586) 797-4400, and we will be sure they get it.

Our Dolphins have plenty of screen time in their lives. Let’s work together to protect their learning space and give them the gift of being fully present during the school day.

Thank you!

1. Please press the buzzer to speak with someone in the office
2. You will be asked to state your name and reason for visiting
3. You will be asked to show your photo id into the security camera
4. Office staff will buzz the door for you to enter the building
5. Please pass through the lobby and enter the office
6. Office staff will help you with your request

In addition, we are asking you do not let any visitors in the door as you enter (as they come up behind you) or as you exit the building.

The teachers and staff are committed to student safety and security, and we would like to thank you for your assistance in helping keep the students of DeKeyser safe.

Safety remains a priority for our school. DeKeyser Elementary will be providing training to our students on our safety protocols. The protocols identify actions that students may be asked to take in the event of a potential incident: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate and shelter.

The training is provided through a short, animated video. In the video, the teacher – Mrs. Appleton – and her students walk through the different responses in a very relaxed and engaging way for younger children.

The protocols will continue to be part of the training while practicing our regular school safety drills, such as fire drills, security drills, tornado drills, evacuation procedures, etc.

The video is available for you to review at this link: UCS School Safety: Standard Response Protocol - Elementary - YouTube If you have any questions, please contact our office.

Utica Community Schools are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for each of our students. A health plan is required to be completed at the beginning of every school year. For your child's safety we ask that all health forms are turned in prior to the first day of school, August 31st 2026.

Health plans should be completed for any condition that may involve special dietary considerations, activity levels, medications, or treatment of urgent problems. Completion of health plans allows our staff to take the best possible care of your child.

A physician's signature is required on all health plans. Any medications that are to be distributed by school staff or used by student at school must have an Authorization for Medication Form completed and signed by a physician, including any over-the-counter medications.

• We still need families to fill out Educational Benefit Forms (EBF) to help maintain our Title 1 funding. Paper forms are coming to the schools soon for the oldest/youngest household members. Or they can go to https://utica.familyportal.cloud to apply online. This process is quicker than paper.

Food Allergies

We take food allergies and student safety very seriously. If your student has any food allergies, please have your physician fill out the MDE Dietary Needs Form and return it to the food service office. MDE Special Diet Form. Please scan and email this form to foodservice@uticak12.org or turn it in to your school's main office.

1. You must fill out a physician-signed MDE Special Needs Accommodation form and send it to the Food Service office. Without this, we cannot make any accommodations. Please make sure to be specific with regard to the allergy (Example: all dairy or just fluid milk intolerance, etc.)
2. Because allergies can change, you MUST fill out a new form EVERY YEAR.
3. You must indicate to your child's school which days and which menu item you would like at least 48 hours in advance. We will not automatically have these available if we do not hear from parents in advance.
4. A vegetarian and nut-free options are available every day, so please see the regular menu.
5. Juice or water are not acceptable substitutes per USDA guidelines. At this time, we have Kikkoman Soy milk as a substitute. You're welcome to send in your own milk with your child if they don't like it.
6. We will do the best we can to accommodate other requests, but there may be some limitations. For questions, please call our food service office at 586-797-1180

Families that wish to put money in their students’ Meal Magic account(s) via credit card will need to create a Family Portal account. Please go to https://utica.familyportal.cloud to create the account. This is also where parents can fill out the Educational Benefit Forms (EBF). Menus can still be found online at https://uticak12.nutrislice.com.

#2 Update PowerSchool Forms

#3 Complete Medical Paperwork, if needed

Click here for the forms.

#4 Review the UCS Handbook

Click here for the Parent-Student Handbook.

#5 Create a Parent PowerSchool Account

Stay connected! Use the PowerSchool app to view your child’s grades, absences, and other important updates. Any school-related fees (such as lost books or materials) can be viewed and paid online through the web version of PowerSchool.

General Information

• All students enter through Door #1 (front entrance) each morning.

• Students will NOT enter through exterior classroom doors, except for kindergarten students (see below).

• DeKeyser staff will greet all students upon arrival.

• Students purchasing breakfast go directly to the cafeteria upon arrival at 8:45.

• Students not purchasing breakfast enter Door #1 (front entrance) at 8:55 and go directly to the gymnasium where they will line up with their class until escorted to their classroom by the classroom teacher.

Arrival Exception – Kindergarten Students Only

• Kindergarten students accompanied by a parent may enter through their classroom’s exterior door at 8:55.

• Kindergarten students requesting breakfast my be dropped off by a parent at Door #1 (front entrance) at 8:45.

• We are allowing our Kindergarten students to have direct door access to help them feel comfortable with their new setting. This also helps with the separation anxiety that these students often feel the first few weeks of school.

Morning Arrival

Door #1 opens at 8:45 a.m. for students receiving breakfast

Door #1 opens at 8:55 a.m. for students NOT receiving breakfast

Parent Drop-Off –

· Enter at the BLUE Parent Drop-Off

· Parents must pull all the way forward.

· Parking is not permitted in this lane.

· This lane is intended for parents who wish to drop their 1st – 6th grade student off at the front of the building.

· Keep the line moving and crosswalks clear.

· Students must be able to exit the car on the passenger side of the vehicle independently. Parents are not permitted to get out of the car in this lane.

· Students unable to exit independently from the passenger side of the vehicle are not permitted to use this lane. Student safety is our priority. Students exiting the vehicle on the driver’s side is not permitted in this lane.

· Parents wishing to provide students with additional help such as unbuckling children, getting backpack out of back of car, etc. will need to park the car and walk the student to the front door for arrival.

· Students will be allowed to exit vehicles at 8:45 for breakfast when using this lane.

· Students will be allowed to exit vehicles at 8:55 for arrival if not eating breakfast when using this lane.

Walkers

· PLEASE -Do not arrive before 8:45 a.m. (no supervision is available).

· Enter through Door #1.

Bus Riders

· Buses arrive through the back of the building using a dedicated bus loop.

· Students getting breakfast will exit the bus at 8:45 or upon arrival and enter through Door #1.

· Students not wishing to receive breakfast will remain on the bus until 8:55.

Full Day Dismissal: 3:55 p.m.
Half-Day Dismissal: 12:09 p.m.

Parent Pick-Up

· All parent pick-up will be at classroom doors at 3:55 (full day dismissal) or 12:09 (half day dismissal)

Parent Pick Up Procedure

· Park and walk to your child’s classroom exterior door.

· Students exit classroom doors at 3:55 (full day dismissal) or 12:09 (half day dismissal)

· Teachers ensure students are released to a parent or prearranged family member.

· A transportation survey will be sent by each teacher before school starts.

Walkers

• Grades K–1: Must be picked up by a parent at the classroom door (students may not walk home alone).
• Grades 2–6: May walk home if prearranged with the teacher via the transportation survey.

· Walkers exit through their classroom doors at 3:55 (full day dismissal) or 12:09 (half day dismissal)

Bus Riders

• Students walk through the inside of the building to the gymnasium and line up in a designated area for each bus color.
• Staff will assure students are in the correct colored area; students will be called to enter the buses one bus at a time.

• Buses are identified by color — ensure your child knows their bus color.

• Students receive a colored bus tag for their backpack during the first week of school.

• Kindergarten and 1st grade students have bus helpers to guide them to the correct bus each day.

• Please try to complete all early dismissals prior to 3:30 pm (full days) or 11:45 am (half days)
• Early dismissals are difficult to accommodate between 3:30 p.m. and 3:55 p.m. due to recess, transitions, and end of day classroom procedures.

Breakfast will be served daily from 8:45 - 9:05 am daily. If your child would like to eat breakfast, they will enter the main door at the front of the building. Students will give their name to the cashier, select their breakfast, and then sit at a cafeteria table. Students will remain in the cafeteria until they are released to their classroom between 8:55 - 9:05.

While we understand the appeal of having fast food delivered to school, we prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of our entire student body. Allowing outside food deliveries creates logistical challenges, disrupts the school environment, and can lead to unfair advantages for some students. For these reasons, fast food deliveries during school hours will not be permitted. We encourage all students to either bring a packed lunch or enjoy the meals provided in our cafeteria.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Students will have the opportunity to go outside with their classmates during designated times throughout the day. Recess helps to promote social and emotional learning and development for all children. Allowing time for our students to engage in peer interactions allows them to role play essential social skills. Recess also benefits our students by increasing their level of physical activity improving their memory, attention, and concentration. Each class will have a recess attached to the lunch program. We go outside whenever possible and stay inside if it is raining or the temperatures are below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Students will have an optional second recess each day with their classroom teacher. Please have children dress for the weather.

Utica Community Schools is pleased to provide an opportunity for School Age Child Care (SACC)!

DeKeyser Options are as follows:

Morning SACC: Monday - Friday 6: 45 am - 9:05 am

Afternoon SACC: Tuesday - Thursday 3:55 pm – 6:00 pm at Oakbrook Elementary

Students will be bussed to this location after school.

Please click on the link below for more information and the opportunity to register your child for SACC.

We are asking for your support to help keep our students safe. If you plan to volunteer in our classrooms, work directly with a student and/or chaperone a field trip, etc. you will need to have a volunteer background check on file. The new volunteer application form is located at this link: www.uticak12.org/volunteer. The background check involves multiple state and federal law enforcement databases. We greatly appreciate the involvement of our families and the difference you make at DeKeyser Elementary. Thank you for your partnership with this extra step that will improve safety in our school.

Volunteer applications need to be renewed annually. If you submitted a volunteer application in November, you do not need to submit a new application at this time. Raptor will automatically send a renewal application when their current volunteer approval is approaching its expiration date.

A few reminders:

• Please have all required documentation ready before you begin.
• The application must be completed in one sitting.
• One application can be used for multiple schools
• Once approved, you will be cleared to volunteer in UCS schools

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the DeKeyser Office: OfficeDeKeyser@uticak12.org or 586-797-4400.

Thank you for supporting our students and school community through volunteering!