East Elementary School News

Parents are reminded to complete the online registration each year. This provides us with important information about your child. If you haven't updated this yet, please do so at your earliest convenience.

Final Forms https://dovercity-oh.finalforms.com/

📅 Event Details

• When: Tuesday, August 18, 2026

• Time: 4:45 PM – 6:45 PM

• Where: Kindly report directly to your child’s classroom

🎒 School Supply Drop-Off

• Bring Them Tonight: We encourage all students to bring their school supplies to place in their desk!

• EduKits: If you pre-ordered an EduKit, it will be waiting for your child right at their desk.

📝 Important Information

• 🛝 Playground Notice: Please note that the playground is off-limits during this event due to a lack of adult supervision. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe!

🍧 Sweet Treat

• Kona Ice will be available for purchase during the event!

Giving Trees will be hanging outside classroom doors on Meet the Teacher Night. Please take the apples and return them with the requested items. Thank you for your generosity.

8:40-Building open to students

8:55-Classes begin

11:30-Grade 2 lunch

12:05-Grade 3 lunch

12:40-Classes resume

3:25-Afternoon dismissal

In 2026-2027, all K-12 students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch at school. Per federal requirements, this applies to full meals only. There is a charge for students that pack their lunch and purchase a milk ($0.50). No further action is required to participate in this program. Please contact Angie Welch, Food Service Director, at 330-364-7103 with any questions.

Breakfast & Lunch Menus https://dovercity.healtheliving.net/

Dover City Schools has both two-hour delay and early dismissal schedules to ensure student safety during inclement weather or other emergencies. While we hope for a school year without disruptions, it's critical to be prepared for the possibility of these schedule changes as early as the start of the school year! We know these are not always ideal for families and work to minimize them. However, delays and early dismissals allow us to still connect and provide students access to services and meals on days that we might otherwise be closed.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with both schedules, which can be found in our handbook. Please take time now to make a plan with your family for how you will handle a two-hour delay OR an early dismissal. Having a plan in place ahead of time will help ensure the safest situation for all and reduce stress for everyone.

2-Hour Delay Schedule

Doors open at 10:40

School starts at 10:55

School will dismiss at 3:25

2-Hour Early Dismissal Schedule

School will dismiss at 1:25

The K-5 Elementary Handbook

https://www.dovertornadoes.com/Handbooks.aspx

East Elementary School utilizes ClassDojo, a platform designed to connect teachers, students, and families. It serves as both a communication and classroom management tool, allowing teachers to award points for positive behavior, share photos and videos of classroom activities, and send instant, auto-translated messages to parents. ClassDojo is completely FREE. For more information, please check your child's homework folder. You won’t want to miss the exciting photos and reminders that will be shared throughout the school year.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1D3YxzZT6QJCiWc6nj3D6tzn1Z4b98-dHXDO_kWdUFSU/edit?usp=drive_link

Bullying by any student in the Dover City School District is strictly prohibited, and such conduct will result in disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion from school. Examples of conduct that could constitute prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to the following: physical violence; threats; damage or stealing of possessions; spreading of rumors; posting slurs on websites or social networking sites; sending abusive or threatening e-mails or instant messages etc., to circulate gossip and rumors to other students; and use of cameras/phones to take embarrassing or unsolicited photographs or videos of students and distributing and/or posting the photos or videos online or in person. Students should report this behavior to their building principal.

District bullying policies are available on the district webpage under District- Dover City Schools Board Policy-Policy JFCF (Hazing and Bullying) and JFCF-R (Hazing and Bullying).

How to Report Your Child Absent

In compliance with the Missing Child Act and for the safety of our children, parents are requested to call East School (330-364-7114) before 8:30 AM to report the reason for your child's absence.

We encourage student attendance every day to ensure continuity of learning. However, if your child is absent, please send a note following the return of your child to verify his/her absence. If the absence is due to a medical, dental, or legal appointment, please provide a verification note on the provider’s stationery upon return to school. If no call or note is received, the absence(s) will be marked as unexcused.

We would hope parents would make every effort to take their vacation during the summer; however, if the family plans a vacation during regularly scheduled school time, the following will be expected:

1. Parents should notify the principal in writing prior to two school days in advance of the vacation. Assignments may be given to the student before leaving. Assignments are expected to be completed and turned in upon return. Tests may be spread over several days upon arrangements with the teacher.

2. If no assignments are obtained prior to the excused vacation days, it is the student's responsibility to obtain all missed work the day he/she returns. This work should be due within a week.

3. When the student returns to classes, he/she will not be excused from assuming full responsibilities on current work.

4. A parent, grandparent, or guardian must accompany the student on the vacation

Thank you for your cooperation in preparing your child for school every day.

*Please be sure to review Dover City Schools Elementary Handbook, located under the "Parent" tab on the district's webpage, for more specific information regarding attendance policies and procedures.

This includes all exterior areas including sidewalks immediately surrounding the schools during drop-off and pick-up times. This policy is for the safety of all, and with respect to allergies and/or health issues of all students.

Students who bring cell phones, “smartwatches,” or electronic devices are to leave them turned off and in their lockers during the school day.

Workbook fees are due by Friday, September 25, 2026.

The following is a list of student costs for the upcoming school year:

Grades 2-3 workbook fees: $25.00

Please make checks payable to Dover City Schools.

*Separate Checks Needed: Due to the State of Ohio auditing procedures, we cannot accept lump-sum checks for several items on one check (i.e. workbooks, lunches, yearbooks, book fair orders, etc.). They need to be separate for each item. However, you can pay for more than one child per check for that specific item.

***We kindly request that all workbook fees ($25) be paid on time. Failure to settle all fees/charges will result in withholding of the students' report card.

Since all students are eligible for free meals in 2026-2027, there is no necessary form. However, if you meet the federal income guidelines, you are eligible for academic fee waivers, but you must submit the Household Income Survey for review. It is available here https://www.dovertornadoes.com/Downloads/Ohio%20Household%20Income%20Form%202025-2026%20combined.pdf or online in your PaySchools account.

What should I do if my child needs medicine at school?

In accordance with state and board policies, we are NOT permitted to dispense medication without directions and signatures of both the physician and the parent. If it is essential that a child takes medicine during the school day, medication forms are available on our district website or you may stop in the office.

If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse.

October 12-16, 2026

Students will undergo health screenings as mandated by state law and in accordance with Ohio Department of Health guidelines. These screenings may cover vision, hearing, growth (height, weight, BMI), and lice. Please advise your child to wear glasses or contacts if they use them on screening days. Follow-up checks will be conducted several weeks after the initial screenings to ensure that referrals are followed through. If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse.

Bringing treats for classmates on your birthday is a common practice in many schools. This practice is voluntary, and participation is optional. Normally treats are brought on the child’s birthday or the day that school is in session close to the child’s birthday. Parents are asked to notify the teacher at least one day prior to bringing treats.

Guidelines for Treats:

- Treats must be store-bought and individually wrapped.

- Students should bring enough treats so that each student in the class and the teacher receives a treat.

- Treats will be distributed as directed by the classroom teacher.

Please review the following drop-off and pick-up procedures to help keep our students safe!

⏰ Important Times to Remember

• 8:40 AM: Adult supervision begins. Students are not permitted to enter the school and should not be dropped off before this time.
  8:55 AM: Parents must sign their child in at the office if arriving after this time.

🚗 Car Riders: Drop-Off & Pick-Up

• The front lane is an auto lane only for drop-off.

• Enter heading NORTH on Betscher Avenue (you may need to approach from Second Street or Front Street).

• Pull into the auto lane in a parallel parking position and wait until you are in the "Drop Off Zone" before your child exits.

• Students must exit on the passenger side (the sidewalk side) of the vehicle.

• Keep moving forward and avoid leaving large spaces in the car line.

• School employees will be outside to assist your child if needed.

Morning Entry & Afternoon Dismissal

• Second and third-grade students who do not ride a bus must enter through the main doors and report directly to their classrooms.

• Afternoon pick-up follows the same auto lane procedures.

• Walkers/Car Pick-Up Dismissal Doors:

Parking on Side Streets

• If you choose to park on a side street to walk your child in or pick them up, you must walk with them to the crossing guard and cross at the crosswalk.
  PLEASE DO NOT CROSS THE STREET WITHOUT USING THE CROSSWALK. This is critical for student safety due to heavy traffic during this time.

🚌 Bus Riders

• Buses will line up in the back of the playground area.

• Buses enter from the 4th Street side and exit on the 3rd Street side.

• Morning: Students will enter through the back doors of the school and go directly to their classroom.

• Afternoon: Students will wait in their classroom and/or the gym until their bus arrives at East School.

🛑 Safety Reminder

• The East School playground is CLOSED during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal for safety reasons.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND YOUR COOPERATION IN MAKING OUR DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP TIMES SAFE FOR ALL STUDENTS!

Bus routes will soon be posted on our district website- https://www.dovertornadoes.com/TransportationServices.aspx

If you have a child new to Dover or who was not on a bus last year, please call the Transportation Office at 330-602-3315 as soon as possible.

Dover City Schools Transportation is excited to introduce a new parent app called Stopfinder. This user-friendly, all-in-one app provides you with the most accurate information about your student’s daily bus schedule, accessible anytime and from anywhere.

In addition to displaying transportation details, Stopfinder includes a private messaging feature that enables direct communication with the Dover City Schools Transportation Department. You can also set up GeoAlerts for your student, which will notify you when the bus arrives or departs from any location on their route, including their assigned bus stop and school. Furthermore, you can customize Alert Zones for individual students based on their specific bus routes.

Click on the link for additional information---

https://www.dovertornadoes.com/Downloads/StopFinder%20Letter.pdf

Second and third-grade students are not permitted to ride bicycles or scooters to school.

Throughout the school year, we hold several safety drills. These drills are required and also help our students and staff understand what to do in an emergency. The drills include fire, evacuation, intruder, reverse evacuation, and tornado drills. Teachers review these procedures with students before conducting the drills. Our local police department and first responders are involved in conducting these drills as well. If you have any questions about these required drills, please feel free to contact the school for more information.

If there are any changes in your child's end-of-the-school day transportation procedures, please be sure to send a note to your child's teacher. If the teacher does not receive a note from you, your child will be sent home using their normal routine. Please do not send transportation changes through email or ClassDojo, as it may not be received in a timely manner. You are encouraged to call the school office with any last-minute changes by 2:30 pm.

Dover’s Title I Schoolwide Program is designed to serve the academic needs of all students with a focus on developing reading skills. Every student in grades K-3 has access to Title I services, with Title teachers spending time in each classroom. Reading interventions are data-driven and meet the needs of each learner. Students learn in small groups that are flexible and based on their instructional needs. The Title teacher and the general education teacher work together to plan and deliver instruction. Student progress is monitored regularly.

Parents are invited to meet with Title teachers during Meet the Teacher Night on August 18 from 4:45-6:45 PM in the library. The Title teachers will be available to provide information and accept feedback about the Schoolwide Title I program and activities at Dover City Schools.

Effective reading incorporates five components: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. These five components of reading are all linked. Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency and vocabulary all build up to reading comprehension, which is the goal of reading. This collection of resources will help reinforce skills in each component of reading.

Literacy Video Links - English

In this collection of videos, our teachers demonstrate the same strategies and terminology that we use in the classroom every day so you can mirror those techniques during your reading time at home. Together, we can build a strong foundation for reading success!

Literacy Video Links - Spanish

En esta colección de videos, nuestros maestros demuestran las mismas estrategias y terminología que utilizamos a diario en el aula, para que usted pueda replicar esas técnicas durante el tiempo de lectura en casa. ¡Juntos, podemos construir una base sólida para el éxito en la lectura!

Be a part of the group!

One of the biggest assets of our school is the PTG. Services such as volunteering time, helping with programs, and providing financial assistance for equipment and activities are vital functions of the PTG and are greatly appreciated by our school community.

The PTG spends money on student incentives and building items for the betterment of the school. We encourage parent involvement with our school and PTG.

We are truly thankful for our tremendous PTG! The first meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2026 (6:00 PM) at East Elementary School.

Dover Elementary PTG- https://doverelementaryptg.com/

East Elementary Board Members

President-Sharon Yoder

Vice President-Kelly Bott

Secretary-Kayce Hamlin

Treasurer- Tori Kurtz

Dover Elementary Executive Board Members

President-Erika Koffa

Vice President-Miranda Malarik

Secretary-Lacey Smith

Treasurer-Jessica Karl-West

PTG Meeting Dates

September 10, 2026

October 8, 2026

November 12, 2026

December 10, 2026

January 14, 2027

February 4, 2027

March 11, 2027

April 8, 2027

*Location-East Elementary School

*Time-6:00 PM

Click on the link to order your shirt- https://doverelementaryptg.com/spiritwear/p/pencil-plant-rlfse

EAST SCHOOL SPIRIT DAYS

November 6, January 14, February 5, March 5, April 2, April 30 , & May 20 (Field Day)

Let's stay connected! 🤝 We're here for you and want to make sure communication flows smoothly between home and school. Feel free to reach out anytime with questions or concerns—we're always happy to chat.

But there's more than one way to stay in the loop! 📡 Our district website hosts monthly East School newsletters packed with updates. Dover City Schools also uses a phone notification system for emergencies and important announcements, so make sure your primary phone number is current (you can add up to three backup numbers through the online portal on our school website). If your phone number changes, just give us a quick heads-up! 📱

Want to track your student's progress? 📊 New families will receive Progress Book access information, and returning families can use their existing login. Check in as often as you'd like to see grades and progress updates. Having trouble setting up your account? We're here to help!

And here's a fun bonus: follow Dover City Schools on Facebook 👍 for a peek at all the amazing things happening in our schools. We can't wait to share this journey with you!

Would you like to receive text messages from Dover City Schools?

If so...please click on the attached link to opt-in. https://target.brightarrow.com/msg.aspx?a=g-#%23%23%23

This link is also located on our webpage under Parents-Parent Text Notifications "Opt-in"

Dover City Schools will be using the Raptor Visitor Management System in all of our schools to strengthen school safety for students and faculty. Part of keeping students and faculty safe includes knowing who is in our buildings at all times, and the Raptor system allows us to do that. The Raptor system will better allow us to screen visitors, workers, and volunteers in our schools and provide us with a safer environment for all.

Upon entering a district building, visitors will be asked to present a US government-issued ID such as a Driver’s License, which can be scanned or manually entered into the system. If a parent or guardian does not have a scannable ID, the school staff member can use any form of government identification that includes a photo to manually enter the person’s information into the Raptor system.

The Raptor system checks the visitor's name and date of birth for comparison with a public state and national databases of registered sex offenders. The registered sex offender database is the only official database checked by the Raptor system. No other data from the ID is gathered or recorded and the information is not shared with any outside agency.

Upon approval, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit. If anyone other than a parent or guardian is signing a child out from school, he or she may be asked to present identification, as well. A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who are not going past the main office but are simply dropping off an item in the office or picking up paperwork.

The safety of our students is our highest priority. The Raptor visitor management system allows us to quickly identify those who may present a danger to our students. Thank you in advance for your understanding and your support in enhancing school safety procedures in our district.

All-Year Student Pass—A year-long student pass costs $38. This is a great choice for students who attend home 7-12 athletic events all year long.

2026-2027 ALL-YEAR STUDENT PASS https://www.dovertornadoes.com/Tickets.aspx

August

18 Meet the Teacher Night & Kona Ice (4:45-6:45)

19 First Day of School

September

4 Summer Reading Ice Cream Party

7 Labor Day-NO SCHOOL

10 PTG Meeting

28 Teacher In-Service Day-NO SCHOOL

29 Picture Day

October

5-9 Book Fair Week

8 PTG Meeting

9 Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day (2:15-3:00)

19-23 Dover-Phila Week---GO DOVER!

21-22 Spirit Shop

23 End of Nine Weeks

26 Teacher In-Service Day-NO SCHOOL

28-29 Grade 3 Ohio's State Test (ELA)

30 Report cards

AR will begin soon!

AR Login Information

AR Website - https://global-zone52.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/109380

Click on I’m a Student icon

Enter User Name & Password

*If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.