Denham Oaks Elementary
Dragon Digest
Dear Dragon Families,
Our school year is off to an incredible start, and we could not be more proud of our Dragons! From the moment students walked through our doors, they have brought enthusiasm, curiosity, and excitement for learning. Classrooms are already buzzing with meaningful activities, engaging lessons, and opportunities for students to grow each day.
It has been amazing to see friendships forming, routines being established, and students embracing new challenges with confidence. So much learning is already happening across our campus, and our teachers are working hard to create fun, supportive environments where every child can thrive.
Most importantly, we are having a wonderful time with our Dragons every day! Their smiles, energy, and love of learning make our school such a special place. Thank you to our families for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are setting the stage for a fantastic year filled with learning, growth, and success.
We look forward to all the exciting adventures ahead!
With Dragon Pride,
Mrs. Vento, Principal & Mrs. Barber, Assistant Principal
We Are DRAGONS! 🐉💚💙
#everydragoneveryday
We are thrilled to share that we have secured a sponsorship for our school shirts! This generous partnership will help strengthen our school community and provide an exciting opportunity for our students and staff.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel for their incredible support and commitment to education. Their generosity and investment in our students are truly appreciated, and we are honored to partner with an organization that shares our dedication to helping children thrive.
We are beyond excited about this new business partnership and the positive impact it will have on our school. Community partnerships like this play an important role in enhancing opportunities for our students and helping us continue to build a strong and supportive Dragon family.
We know everyone is eager to receive their new school shirts, and we will continue to provide updates as production and delivery timelines are finalized. We look forward to sharing more information soon and can't wait to see our Dragons proudly wearing their new shirts!
Thank you, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, for your generosity, partnership, and support of our school community.
Car Line Information
Car line is getting quicker everyday, except when it rains lol!
We kindly ask that you:
- After your car tag has been scanned, please hang it from the rear view mirror until your child/children have been loaded in the car.
- enter the carline from Oak Grove Blvd (please do not enter from side streets because I keep getting phone calls and emails).
- do not block driveways in the neighborhood (because I keep getting phone calls and emails).
- do not make U-turns in front of the school or cut in line (because I keep getting phone calls and emails).
- do not use your phone in the carline (because it is not safe).
- the parent, do not exit the vehicle (if you need to get out, please pull forward and park in a parking spot because it is not safe for you or the student).
- make sure your child enters and exits the car on the passenger side (because it is not safe).
- for morning drop off, make sure your child has his/her belongings and is ready to get out when we open the car door.
- for afternoon pickup, make sure your child can buckle themselves (if your child needs assistance, please pull into the handicapped spaces to assist. This will ensure the carline keeps moving and everyone remains safe).
Please read this again because it is still happening...
We’ve consistently receive calls and emails regarding traffic concerns during dismissal, particularly with cars entering the carline from side streets such as Laurel Ridge Road. Residents in the neighborhood are understandably frustrated, as driveways are being blocked and the flow of traffic is being disrupted. When cars attempt to exit the neighborhood, they’re often met with a line of vehicles waiting to enter the carline, creating unsafe conditions—including head-on situations when drivers try to navigate around the congestion.
Additionally, we’ve heard from parents who are concerned about others cutting into the carline rather than following the designated route. This not only causes delays but also undermines the fairness and safety of our dismissal process.
We kindly ask that all families enter the carline from Oak Grove Blvd and proceed to the end of the line. Your cooperation helps ensure a smoother, safer experience for everyone, students, staff, families, and our neighbors.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping us maintain a respectful and safe school environment.
Communication
Strong communication between home and school is key to student success. At Denham Oaks, we’re committed to keeping families informed through clear and timely updates. This year, we’ll continue to share important information via Pasco One, email (look for our school name in the subject line), Tuesday folders, phone messages, progress reports, report cards, our school website, and social media. In addition, teachers will send home weekly newsletters with grade-level updates and classroom-specific information.
Please ensure your email and phone number are current in Pasco One, as all communication tools are linked to that contact information.
myStudent App will Launch as PascoOne
We will be launching the communication districtwide, but as you communicate this change with your school communities, please emphasize the following:
No applications or services have been removed. Existing resources have simply been reorganized, simplified, and redesigned for easier navigation and streamlined access.
All parent and guardian services will now be accessible through one platform, reducing the need to search across multiple websites, emails, and applications.
This will be a SSO platform for families, as they previously had to navigate and log into each app separately.
School payments, including lunch account deposits, will now be processed through Rycor via the "ONE Wallet" link within the Pasco ONE app. This change helps streamline where families manage student-related payments and fees.
Additional quick-access links have been added, including district and school communication channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and other commonly used resources, making it easier for families to stay informed and connected.
The goal is to provide families with one convenient location for the tools, resources, information, and updates they rely on throughout the school year.
Free & Reduced Lunch
It is important that ALL families complete the free and reduced lunch application even if you do not think you will qualify. Denham Oaks Elementary may qualify for additional funding based on the number of applications.
A new application must be completed each year: https://connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us/do/fns/freereduced/
For more information about school meals, visit our website. https://connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us/do/fns/
Lunch Money
Lunch money can be sent in with your child or paid through the ONE Wallet app. Click on the picture for more information.
Excused Absence Reporting
Consistent, on-time attendance is essential to your child’s academic success. Every moment of the school day is valuable, and we ask for your partnership in ensuring students are present and ready to learn each day.
Please make every effort to avoid scheduling vacations or out-of-town trips during the school year, as these can significantly disrupt your child’s learning. Be sure to consult the school calendar when planning any time away. If no reason is provided for an absence, it will automatically be marked as unexcused.
It is very important that students attend school regularly and BE ON TIME.
All students who are absent will be marked “unexcused” (U) until the parent/guardian notifies the school via link above or on our school website.
- Failure to do so within three (3) school days will cause the absence to be recorded as “unexcused”.
- In the case of excessive or extended absences, which are claimed to be due to illness, upon request of the principal or designee, a parent must provide documentation (doctor’s statement) of a student’s illness.
- Excessive or extended absences are considered five (5) in one calendar month or ten (10) in one semester, or a history of excessive absences per period as defined below under Student Consequences for Unexcused Absences.
- Absences that meet this threshold as defined above will require a doctor’s note. If doctor’s notes are not provided, absences will be marked as unexcused (Source: Portion from District School Board of Pasco County Student Code of Conduct).
How to Report an Absence
From a Web Browser
- Log in to Pasco One
- Go to Forms from your menu on the left or top.
- Select Absence Reporting
From the Pasco One app
- Tap Open Focus in the District Announcement message or Absence Reporting from your links page to log in through your browser.
- Android: Tap the three dots in the top-right, then select Open in Chrome.
- iOS: Tap the share icon at the bottom, then select Open in Chrome or Safari.
- Once in your browser, follow the web browser steps above.
Completing the Absence Report
- Choose your child from the dropdown — this auto-fills their school, your parent account, and your email.
- Enter a valid phone number if one is not listed
- Select the start date of the absence, and end date if it spans multiple days.
- Pick the appropriate reason for the absence. If “Other,” explain in the text box.
- (Optional) Add details in the Brief Description field.
- Check the acknowledgment box.
- Upload any supporting documents if needed.
- Click Submit Request after reviewing for accuracy.
For more details, visit: https://pasco.k12.fl.us/attendance
Birthday Celebrations
Birthdays are a special time, especially for children. It is important for you to make arrangements PRIOR to your child’s special day with your child’s teacher. All food provided in school for birthdays must be purchased from our school cafeteria- you MAY NOT send in store bought food or treat bags for students.
You can contact our Cafeteria Manager at 813-794-1678 to purchase birthday snacks, this must be done 2 weeks prior to the day you are requesting it for. You can also download the order form from our webpage: does.pasco.k12.fl.us.
While every teacher/classroom has a different way to recognize birthdays, it is important to remember that school is NOT a place to hold your child’s party. Party favors/gift bags will not be given out and presents should not be brought to school for a child to open. Please do not have gifts or flowers delivered to school for your child. They will be held in the front office until the end of the day.
Volunteer Information
Our volunteers are an invaluable part of our school community. By giving their time and talents, they help build strong partnerships among schools, families, community members, and local businesses while enhancing learning opportunities for students. We are truly grateful for the positive impact our volunteers make each day. All volunteers must be approved through the District School Board of Pasco County. Volunteer applications must be submitted annually on or after July 1 for each school year. Fingerprint clearances are valid for five years, as long as volunteers continue to complete the required annual application and submit it before October 1, 2026. Click the picture to start your application today!
