Welcome Back Disney Families

Dear Disney Families,

Welcome to a brand-new school year! I hope you all had a restful, fun-filled summer and are as excited as I am to kick off another wonderful year of learning and growth at Disney Elementary.

This upcoming school year marks my 21st year in education. I spent 10 combined years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade in Branson and Rogersville. Upon coming to SPS, I served for 4 years as an instructional coach, followed by 7 years as an administrator. I am thrilled to be entering my second year as the principal here at Disney!

Outside of school, I am a proud wife and mother to three boys: Najem (15), Layth (14), and Jasim (11). They keep our family very busy with sports, swimming, and plenty of boy shenanigans! Whenever I find a little free time, I love getting in a workout, curling up with a good book, or cooking up something delicious in the kitchen.

I am truly honored to continue serving this fantastic school community. Together with our dedicated teachers and staff, I am committed to making this year an incredible experience for every student.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, ideas, or just want to say hello. Let’s make this school year our best one yet!

High Fives and Hugs,

Mrs. Melissa Agnew

I am honored to serve as the new Assistant Principal at Disney and I can't wait to start building relationships with your student!

Outside of school, I have been married to Travis for almost 30 years and a proud parent of three children (Jonathan, Logan, and Kaycee) and one grandchild (Arthur). I enjoy riding horses, being outdoors, movies, youth sports, and relaxing with my family and friends. I love traveling, seeking out new adventures, and attending concerts. These experiences shape who I am and influence the energy and enthusiasm I'll bring to Disney!

This year we have some new faces in the building...please welcome...

Paige Allman - Kindergarten

Katelyn Pierce - Kindergarten

Kelcey Meinhardt - 1st Grade

Dr. Naomi Dille - Assistant Principal

Stephanie Holden - Nurse

Crystal Elliott - Counselor

Telisha Ray - Attendance Secretary

Aaron Walker - Custodian

D'Ante Hall - Night Custodian

Kaden Woerner - Night Custodian

These staff members have moved on to other adventures this year:

Beth Sandbothe

Heather Moore

Connie Van-Wyhe

Liesl King

Jennifer Stuppy

Debbie Duet

Lennea Milton

Amanda Shouse

Tara Friga

Joe Strong

Sarah Cook

We are excited to have Ms. Crystal join us this year. Read her newsletter to find out more about her and the counseling program HERE.

August 7 - Teacher assignments visible in Home Access Center

August 11 - Clean Up Day - 8:00-11:00 *see flyer below

August 21st - Meet the Teacher *see flyer below

August 25th- First day of school! *see more details below

September 1st- We will have an all-school, all-drill walk-through starting at 9:45. This means we will practice our lock-down, storm drill, and fire drill on the same day for teaching purposes. We notify parents to allow for preparation of loud noise, and to reduce any fear or anxiety.

September 7th - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

September 23rd - Fall picture day - individual & class picture

September 24th - 4th grade music performance @ 6:30 - Doors open at 6:00

September 25th - Disney SPSU (open house) and Fall Fest - 5:30-7:30 * see flyer below

October 23rd - No school for students

October 26-October 30 - Parent teacher conference week

Future Dates: Mark Your Calendar!

Music Performances - Doors open at 6:00, performances start at 6:30

October 22nd - 3rd Grade

November 19th - 5th Grade

February 11th - 2nd Grade

March 11th - 1st Grade

April 15th - Kindergarten

Let's Keep the Den Stocked!

If you're able and would like to help, we're collecting snacks and drinks for our staff lounge. Donations are completely optional. Items are happily accepted at school or can be purchased from our Amazon Wish List, linked below.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1GA20XMSQHX7M/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Thank you for supporting our Disney Dolphins and the staff who love them every day.

Meet the Teacher:

Join us for:

-Popsicles with the Principals

-Dropping off school supplies

-Meeting your teacher

-Joining PTA & check out their dolphin gear

And More!

You can find out your student's teacher/classroom assignment two different ways.

1. Class lists will be posted on the main doors on campus starting August 7th.

2. You can view your student's teacher in Home Access Center (HAC) on August 14th.

Home Access Center (HAC) is the web-based portal where parents and guardians of SPS students can view student information online such as attendance, classwork, grades, and transportation. Parents can log in to HAC by visiting homeaccess.sps.org. If you do not already have an HAC account, please contact 417-523-3600 and Ms. Shayla, our administrative assistant will get you set up!

Dear 5th Grade Families,

We are excited to share an updating structure for our 5th-grade team this school year: departmentalization!

What This Means for Your Student

Each morning, your child will report to their designated homeroom teacher, who will serve as their primary anchor for daily morning routines, attendance, and overall support. Throughout the day, however, students will rotate to learn from all three teachers on our 5th-grade team. Each teacher will specialize in specific content areas, allowing your child to experience different teaching styles and classroom environments each day while staying fully supported.

The "Why" Behind Departmentalizing

We have intentionally designed this model to give our 5th graders the best possible academic and personal growth experience before they move on to middle school. Here is why we are so passionate about this approach:

• Middle School Readiness: Moving between classes, managing materials for different subjects, and adapting to multiple teaching styles builds independence, time management, and organizational skills in a supportive, familiar elementary setting.

• Deep Teacher Expertise: When teachers focus on fewer subject areas, they can dive deeper into curriculum design, hone specialized teaching strategies, and bring maximum passion and mastery to every lesson.

• Balanced Insights: Having a team of three teachers observe and support your child gives us a well-rounded, collective view of their social and academic progress.

We are confident this structure will foster a dynamic, engaging, and smooth final year of elementary school for our 5th graders. Please feel free to reach out to any of us on the team if you have questions!

Click HERE for FAQs.

August 25th - First Day of School! Kindergarten parents ONLY are welcome to walk their students in on the first day of school.

Kindergarten parents who are walking their student in on the first day will need to park in the south parking lot, enter through the main office doors (Door 1) to check in and get a visitor's pass. Please make sure you have your state issued ID. Then you will head down to the gym (between 7:00-7:10) or head straight to their student's classroom (7:10 - 7:20).

At the bell, please exit the building near the music classroom to the parking lot. One of our goals is to empower our students to feel safe in our building and build courage, connection and independence. Parents will have lots of tears as well as the Kindergarten students. Remember, children will model your emotions! Be brave mommas and poppas. You can handle hard things.

On day 2, you must use the car line.

Read more about arrival and dismissal below!

Here you will find the school supply list by grade level. Don't forget to pack a water bottle!

If you ordered your supplies through PTA, they have already arrived at school and you do not need to send your students with anything except a backpack and water bottle. Please see water bottle guidelines below.

• All medication must be turned into the nurse by a parent/guardian. At that time, Nurse Stephanie will have parents/guardians sign the medication into the school. Medication may not be dropped off by a student.
• Nurse Stephanie will be in the building starting on August 18th. She will be here on August 21st for Meet the Teacher. Please make other arrangements to drop off medication before school starts if you cannot come to this event.
• Please make sure all medication is properly labeled and is not expired.
• Please bring in any paperwork for dietary restrictions as well as any other health concerns.

All students will be charged for breakfast and/or lunch, unless your student qualifies for the free meal program.

Student

Breakfast: Full: $2:25, Reduced: $0.30

Lunch: Full: $3.65 Reduced: $0.40

Adult

Breakfast $3.00

Lunch: $5.10

Free and Reduced Meals

Click HERE to complete the free and reduced lunch form. If you qualified last year, you must reapply every year.

Meal Payment

Cash/Check: You can send in meal payments in an envelope, labeled with your student's name, in their Take Home Folder.

Online Payment: You can pay online HERE

Lunch Menus

The lunch menu link will be included in my weekly newsletter. You can find it HERE.

Snacks

Snacks are sold only on Fridays. Students may only buy snacks if they have money in their GENERAL account. This account is for a la carte items, such as snacks, juice, or milk. A student's meal account is only for ENTIRE meals.

If you send in cash or checks, this will be automatically put in the general account, unless you specify. When you pay online, you may determine which account you want the funds to be distributed to.

Eating Lunch with your Student

Disney is fortunate enough to have a few extra tables in the Diner. Families are welcome to eat lunch with their student any day of the week. All visitors must check in at the front office first (Door #1). Parents will only be permitted to eat with their child.

Read more information about district lunch procedures HERE.

• Doors open at 7:00 am.

• K-1 students (and siblings) will be dropped at the east entrance (door 13 - gym). SEE ARRIVAL MAP BELOW.
• 7:00-7:10 - K-2 students will stay in the gym, unless they need breakfast. If they need breakfast, they will go eat in the Diner. 3-5 students (the siblings) will head to the diner.
• 7:10-7:20 - Students will go straight to their classrooms. If students need breakfast, they will pick it up from a grab and go station in the Diner.

• 2-5 students will be dropped off at the south entrance (door 19 - Diner) and stay in the Diner until 7:10.
• 7:00-7:10 - Students stay in the Diner. If they need breakfast, they will eat it in the Diner
• 7:10-7:20 - Students will go straight to their classrooms. If students need breakfast, they will pick up a grab and go breakfast from the Diner and eat in their classroom.

Door #1 is at our main entrance. This door is accessed by our circle drive. The bus lane and corresponding parking lot (Fremont side of building) are for buses only until 7:20. Do not drop students off at this door between 7:00 and 7:20.

1. The tardy bell rings at 7:20.

2. Breakfast ends at 7:20.

**Going to be late or absent? Call the office (417-523-3600).

If your student arrives after 7:20, please walk them into the building (enter at Door 1 - west side of building) to sign them in. If you are late, you may park in the circle drive while walking students into the building.

Riding a Bike: With permission, students in grades 3-5 are allowed to ride their bikes to school without an adult. Please wear helmets. Bike riders must walk bikes on/off school grounds and have a way to lock their bikes to the racks. Scooters, skates, or skateboards are not allowed on school property. Due to safety concerns, students in grade K-2 are not allowed to ride their bikes to school without an adult present.

Walkers: Should arrive through door #13 and walk through the gym to head to their destination. Walkers should avoid arriving before 7:00. There is no staff supervision before 7:00.

Car Riders: Students should remain in cars until the doors open at 7:00. Please do not let your student out of the car until a staff member is present. Students may open and close their own doors in an effort to make the car line run more smoothly.

Walkers exit the building out door #12 . Please make sure your child knows where to exit. Students are responsible for leaving school property and heading straight to their destination.

Walkers are dismissed by 2:22

Car Riders (SEE DISMISSAL MAP BELOW)

3-5 students are dismissed out Door 19 (south parking lot), unless they have a K-2 sibling.

K-2 students (and any 3-5 siblings) are dismissed out door #13 on the east side of the building near the playground.

Car Riders are dismissed at 2:20

Please help us make car lines go smoothly AND keep it safe:

1. Always display your car tag. Please pick one of these up at our Meet the Teacher event.

2. Always stay in your car. Staff members will load students into cars. If your student still struggles to buckle themselves, please pull over into the parking lot to help them.

3. Never pull in to the circle drive during dismissal. This is for buses only during this time

5. Please be patient.

Car Tags

Each family will start the year with 2 car tags. Should families need another car tag, each tag will cost $3.Additional tags may be paid for via My School Bucks and will be sent home in daily folders.

K-1 (and siblings) Arrival & Dismissal.

HERE is a copy of the map. Please take a picture of it with your phone or print it off.

2-5 Arrival & Dismissal

HERE is a copy of the map. Please take a picture of it with your phone or print it off.

To help maintain a safe and respectful carline for all students and families, we appreciate everyone’s cooperation in following the established routines and procedures. If concerns arise, a member of the building administration may reach out to individuals by email or phone to offer support and clarification. In rare situations, continued difficulty following procedures—including unsafe or aggressive driving behaviors—may require additional involvement from district administration. This could result in a “no trespass” letter, which would limit an individual’s access to school grounds for the remainder of the school year.

Please follow traffic patterns. This helps us avoid congestion between our two carlines.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure a safe and positive carline experience for everyone.

If your child is riding the bus, please be sure to request Transportation Services by clicking HERE. You may also go to sps.org. Click on Parents/Guardians and choose Transportation from the heading dropdown menu. Scroll down to the right side menu and choose Bus Enrollment Form.

Communication regarding routing should begin in the future weeks. It is imperative that you communicate directly with the Transportation Department regarding changes or needs in Transportation.

Where's The Bus

Where's the Bus is a mobile app that allows parents to see where their student's bus is in real-time. On the app, parents can see where their child's bus is, get accurate arrival and departure times, be notified when their child scans on or off their bus and more. Where's The Bus reduces the morning and afternoon uncertainty of when the bus will arrive and connects parents with their child's transportation. For more information go to https://www.sps.org/wheresthebus

Bus Delay Tracking

Please expect delays during the first few days of school. If you are concerned about a bus delay, please utilize the Bus Delays link on Transportation's website. You can find it HERE. The Transportation Department contact is 417-523-0500.

Bus Tags

Students will receive tags on the first day of school to help them check their bus number/color to ensure they are getting on the proper bus. Encourage your child to know their bus number for arrival and departure. It is helpful to write it on a luggage tag to attach to their backpack as well, if you would like to be proactive.

Families currently utilize the three options below for after school care.

1. Y Academy (formerly Primetime): through the YMCA and on-site. For enrollment and pricing information check out how to enroll HERE. This program has AFTER SCHOOL care and runs from 2:20 pm- 6:30 pm.

2. A Creative Start Learning Center: This is an offsite daycare center that picks students up at Disney upon dismissal.

3. A Touch of Nature: This is an offsite daycare center that picks students up at Disney upon dismissal. 417-881-1111

Students, parents, and patrons must ENTER THE SCHOOL THROUGH THE DESIGNATED FRONT DOOR by the office (door #1) once school has started. All other outside doors will remain locked, including the door adjacent to the cafeteria. Please enter through the door that has the red #1 sticker on it. Push the buzzer outside of the secretary's office to alert the secretary. Have your ID ready.

Visitors

During school hours, all visitors and volunteers must check-in and checkout at the office. If visitors are entering the building they will check-in using our Hall Pass system and will need their ID.

Visitor vs. Volunteer

For more details regarding the difference between being a visitor and being a volunteer click HERE. If you are interested in being a volunteer, we highly suggest to get this process started quickly, to avoid missing any potential opportunities (field trips, events, etc.). Approvals can take quite a bit of time.

Pets:

Animals are not allowed on district property, except in accordance to district policy. Read more about the district's policy HERE.

Birthdays:

Food - Per the district wellness policy, students may bring non-food items (stickers, pencils, etc.) to celebrate with classmates.

Invitations - Birthday party invitations will only be handed out, if the entire class is invited. Staff cannot provide parents with any directory information.

Balloons:

Balloons, particularly latex balloons, are not allowed in the classrooms due to potential allergies. Balloons and flowers, if delivered to school, will be held in the office until the end of the school day. Balloons and flowers may not be taken on the school bus.

Dress Code:

Policy JFCA and the Student Handbook outlines the Student Attire and Health and Safety Standards. Included in that policy are some of the following:

1. Hats, including beanies, animal ears, and hoods are not to be worn in the school building unless approved by building administration. Religious exemptions allowing head coverings should be directed to the building administration.

2. Shoes must be worn at all times. Slippers or heelys are not appropriate footwear.

3. Coats or jackets shall not be worn/used in a disruptive manner by students.

4. T-shirts and/or other apparel will not contain profanity, obscenities, suggestive, or provocative statements, statements that cause disruption and uncivil conduct in school, drug, alcohol symbols, advertisements, or gang dress symbols are not to be worn.

5. Clothing that promotes disruptive behavior of other students are not allowed.

6. Sunglasses are not to be worn in the school building.

7. Any part of a costume should not be worn in the school building (masks, tails, etc.)

8. Chains attached to wallets or used as a fashion accessory are not to be worn in the school building or on school grounds.

9. Strapless, backless, and revealing tops, or clothing that is revealing are not to be worn in the school building.

10. Visibly showing your underwear and/or undergarments is not allowed in the building.

11. Wearing tops that show the bare midriff are not to be worn in the school building.

12. Overly bulky or overly loose clothing including coats that may conceal a weapon or have been used to establish affiliation with groups or gangs whose activities are believed to involve intimidation, violence, or other illegal activities will not be permitted

Class Parties:

Disney hosts two class parties each year—one in the winter and one for Valentine’s Day. The PTA may request parent support through volunteer participation or donations. If parents attend, please note that siblings are not allowed.

PBIS

At Disney, we focus on ways to be our Dolphin BEST which means to Be Safe, Engage in Learning, Show Respect to Self and Others, and Take Responsibility. At school, students will learn the expectations of their behavior in the hallways, lunch, recess, and more. Teachers and students will engage in activities to practice these expectations. Teachers will give out "I Did It" Tickets and Dolphin Dots when students are caught following the expectations. Students are divided into 4 dolphin pods. Each pod will collect points over time through the tickets. The pod with the most points will win a Pod Party at the end of each quarter. Each Friday, 5 tickets from each grade level will be drawn in the diner for a coupon of choice.

Behavior/Attendance Quarterly Celebrations

Each quarter, students who have 95% or above attendance and no office referrals, for that quarter, will get to celebrate their hard work!

Conscious Discipline

In addition to PBIS, Disney also utilizes Conscious Discipline. Conscious Discipline is a caregiving philosophy that teaches adults to regulate their emotions so that they can help kids to do the same. Some routines & rituals you might hear your student talking about are our breathing techniques, our wish well ritual, classroom jobs, friends and family board, and safe place. To learn more about Conscious Discipline, reach out to our school counselor, Mrs. Crystal.

District Discipline

At times, discipline may occur when a behavior incident arises. Mrs. Agnew and Dr. Dille refer to the district scope and sequence for discipline. This is located in the Student Handbook starting on page 56. This year, all grown-ups will receive a paper copy of the student handbook along with a document to sign and return stating that the handbook has been read by a parent/guardian.

At Disney we have four pods. If your student is a returning to Disney this year, they will be in the same pod they were in last year. If your student is new to Disney, they will find out which pod they are in on reveal day.

Red - Irrawaddy

Yellow - La Plata

Blue - Rissos

Green - Dusky

Students work to get their pod points by earning "I Did It" Tickets for following the Dolphin BEST. The pod with the most points at the end of the quarter will get to come to the Pod Party. Pods also sit together during assemblies and once a week at lunch.

Our goal is for your student's attendance rate to be 95% or higher. Our building goal is to have our attendance rate 95% or higher at all times. We understand that things come up, but please make every effort to have students to school on time. With an early dismissal time, please try to make appointments after 2:20. In order for your student to be most successful, they need to be at school, all day and on time. Please let us know how we can help!

When your student does have to be absent, call Mrs.Telisha or Mrs. Shayla in the office before 7:30 am each day your student is absent to let us know why they are not present at school.

Transfer Policy:

If you are at Disney on a transfer, please remember that in order to stay on transfer, your student needs to:

*Keep their attendance rate higher than 90%

*Have no more than 3 discipline referrals that result in ISS or OSS

In the event that either of these actions occur, you will be issued a warning letter to keep you informed of the situation. Transfer is a privilege and we want to hold ALL students to high expectations.

State law now prohibits all students in Missouri from using or displaying any personal electronic communication devices during the school day. Students in all SPS schools are prohibited from using cell phones and other devices at school.

This policy includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, wireless earbuds or any similar device capable of initiating, receiving, storing or viewing communication, information, images or data electronically.

Please review this informational flyer and these frequently asked questions for more information. The full policy can be found on page 26 of the Student Handbook.

Thank you for partnering with us as this policy is implemented. We look forward to a great school year.

If you need to provide a message to your student during school, please call the office.

Our goal is to provide clear and consistent communication. We will send out the Disney Digest twice a month, on the first day of the week. Included in the Digest will be information that will help the school year run smoothly. It will be sent out on SeeSaw, posted on Facebook, and sent out in a text. If you need to receive a paper copy of the Disney Digest, please contact your child’s teacher.

Please make sure to call the office when you have an email, phone number, or address change. We will be using a text/email system called Blackboard Connect. In order to receive timely information, please make sure your contact information is up-to-date and that you are signed up to receive these texts. Here are the directions on how to do that.

If at anytime a problem should arise, please contact your child’s teacher first. Teachers will communicate with parents via SeeSaw, phone, and email. If you wish to speak to your student's teacher, please call 417-523-3600 during school hours. If the teacher is available, the office staff will put your through, or if it is an instructional time, they will put you through to their voicemail.

Feel free to contact the office through SeeSaw, phone or email.

School—417.523.3600

Mrs. Agnew (Principal)—mragnew@spsmail.org

Dr. Dille (Assistant Principal)-nldille@spsmail.org

Mrs. Shayla (Administrative Assistant) - slsleeth@spsmail.org

Mrs. Telisha (Attendance Secretary)- tfray@spsmail.org

The office is open from 6:45-2:45 each day.

**The office reviews emails and SeeSaw messages from 6:30am-3:00 pm as quickly as possible.** Other hours are reserved for family time and rest. We appreciate your understanding.

Check out PTA's table at Meet the Teacher! Join the PTA and purchase your Dolphin Spirit Wear!

This year's officers are:

President: Natalya Brooks

Vice President: Jessie Slezak

Secretary: Mandy Hegg

Treasurer: Joe Peck

Join or renew your PTA membership, read our latest newsletter, and sign up for our volunteer GroupMe to stay in the loop about opportunities throughout the year.

Newsletter:
https://www.givebacks.com/communication/newsletters/148ceaa7-5aa1-4609-a003-ff6b12c727b6

Volunteer GroupMe:
https://groupme.com/join_group/116051074/G9Y92hrG

Have questions about PTA? email them at president@disneypta.com

Email: mragnew@spsmail.org
Location: 4100 S. Fremont, Springfield, MO, USA
Phone: 417-523-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyDolphins417/

Email: nldille@spsmail.org

Location: 4100 S. Fremont, Springfield, MO, USA
Phone: 417-523-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyDolphins417/