Sandpiper Scoop
May 11- May 16
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!
WEEK B
Monday 05/11: Make up FAST testing, 2nd grade field trip
Tuesday 05/12: 4th grade FAST math testing, Dune Lakes Dines @ Pizza by the sea
Wednesday 5/13: 5th grade FAST reading testing, FCA
Thursday 05/14: School Advisory Council Meeting 2:30 media center (open to public)
Friday 05/15: Make up FAST testing, LAST DAY FOR PARENT LUNCH VISITORS
Coming Soon:
05/21: Kindergarten end of year ceremony 8:00 a.m.
05/22: 5th grade end of year ceremony 8:00 a.m.
05/25: No school
05/26 & 05/27: 5th grade field trip
05/27: 3rd grade awards 8:00 a.m., 4th grade awards 9:00 a.m.
05/29: Last day of School
CHECK OUT THE SUMMER FUN 2026 EDITION OF THE SANDPIPER SCOOP
FROM THE PRINCIPAL VIDEO
BREE O'DONNELL FLORIDA TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST
SARONDA LEWIS FLORIDA DIVISION OF FOOD, NUTRITION AND WELLNESS SCHOOL LUNCH HERO
THANK YOU T'S CATCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
3RD GRADE GETS READY FOR FAST WITH MATH OLYMPICS!
JOIN THE SANDPIPER NEWSTEAM FOR THE 26-27 SCHOOL YEAR!
FAST TESTING PM3 INFORMATION AND TESTING CALENDAR
he Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is a progress monitoring test that is administered three times per year to track your student’s progress in learning the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards. Your student will participate in the third administration (PM3) with the schedule below. The results from PM3 will show how well your student has mastered the grade level content standards.
FAST assessments are computer-adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. The questions get easier or more difficult depending on how your student responds, and each student will see different questions from a common item bank.
For more information about the test design, please visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/best/. You or your student can practice using the online testing platform or review sample items at home at https://flfast.org/families.html.
MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
HELP US COMPLETE OUR 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR PARENT SURVEY
SUMMER BRIDGE JUNE 9 - JULY 9
If your student has been identified as a candidate benefitting from extra help and support this summer, a letter will be sent home. You may also sign up your students using the survey link below.
8:00AM -1:00 PM
Monday- Thursday (except Week 1)
Week 1 - June 9-11
Week 2 - June 15-18
Week 3 - June 22-25
Week 4 - July 6-9
Transportation available. Lunch available.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 14
LAST DAY FOR PARENT LUNCH VISITORS MAY 15th
We hope you have enjoyed dining with your Sandpiper on Monday's and Fridays! The last day for parent lunch visitors for the 2025-2026 school year will be Friday, May 15th. We look forward to welcoming you back next school year!
MEDICATION PICK UP BY LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
BOOK IT! SUMMER OF STORIES
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SOUTH WALTON SPRING BASH
ALL LIBRARY BOOKS DUE MAY 13
PRE-ORDER SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR 2026-2027!
DUNE LAKES ELEMENTARY families,
Our 1st Day School Supplies store is offically live! This is the easiest way to order the exact supplies teachers requested for next year. No searching multiple stores. No guessing brands. No wondering if you selected the right version. In just a few minutes, you can select our school, choose your child’s grade, and check school supplies off your list early and stress-free. Each grade level will have a school supply list that have the option of purchasing headphones. These are required, however if you already have headphones or want to order elsewhere, you may. Just choose the add on option if you want with your supply box. We also have a "wish" list for the classroom that is always a great help your teacher out with supplies!
AVID WORD OF THE WEEK: VERSATILE
FROM THE COUNSELOR
Hello and welcome Sandpipers! My name is Meghan Turner, and I am your School Counselor at Dune Lakes Elementary. My role is to provide support to students, families, and teachers to ensure student success by promoting positive changes in student behavior, perceptions and learning.
Parents, please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding your child’s social, emotional, or academic needs.
850-622-5012 X 2712 or Meghan.turner@walton.k12.fl.us
Here’s to a great year!
RESPONSIBLE DECISION MAKING
This month, the resilience trait of the month is responsible decision-making!
Responsible Decision-Making means thinking about all options and outcomes to make the best choice. When we use our responsible decision-making skills, we are making good choices and building good character!”
Mrs. Turners Reading- What Do You Do With An Idea? By Kobi Yamada
Resiliency Florida- May- When The Beat Was Born By Laban Carrick Hill
Other Resources
What Should Danny Do? Adir Levy and Ganit Levy
Each month, Resiliency Florida features one of the 11 key Resiliency Characteristics as the Characteristic of the Month. Resiliency Florida is proud to provide resources for parents and teachers to start the conversation about overcoming life's inevitable challenges with their students. Help your student become resilient, go to BuildResiliency.org today!
MAY MENU
Great things are cooking this month in the Sandpiper Cafe! https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/DuneLakesElementary
LUNCH ACCOUNTS
For your convenience, sign up for EZ school pay https://www.ezschoolpay.com/Login.aspx
A LA CARTE OPTIONS
LOST AND FOUND
NURSE AND CLINIC REMINDERS
Please see these reminders from Nurse Ward.
Medication at school:
The front desk cannot intake medications. Prescription and OTC medications must be checked in with nurse.
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
SANDPIPER BOOSTER NEWS
Teacher Appreciation Week! We are still in need of volunteers for this week. Help spoil our amazing teacher and staff! Volunteer Here : https://www.sandpiperboosters.org/volunteer
May Dune Lakes Dines - May 12 at Pizza by the Sea - Watercolor and Secrest locations only. The Boosters will receive 10% back in sales from the day!
Spirit Shop – You can shop Sandpiper Merch year-round! Shop Here : Spirit Shop — Sandpiper Boosters
Follow Us on Social Media – Instagram and Facebook
For all things Boosters – Make sure to visit our website here : Sandpiper Boosters
25-26 Boosters Board of Directors - Jamie Lynn, President | Jessica Standley, Vice President | Liz Branch, Treasurer | Adrienne Seaborn, Secretary | Amity Hoch, Director | Randi Doris, Director | Ellen Gleason, Director ellaci, Director| Brittany Golden, Director | Emily Madden, Director | Ashlee Mitchell, Director | Ortal Shaya-Montoya, Director | Lindsey Rogers, Director | Kristen Sandoe, Director
CONTINUOUS REMINDERS
- 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.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS!
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!
BUS RIDERS AND TRANSPORTATION
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.
PIKMYKID
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.
SEE SOMETHING; SAY SOMETHING
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
FOCUS
FOCUS Parent Portal
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/
The following information is required to setup a Focus Parent Portal Account.
- Child’s student identifier (10 digit number beginning with 66 assigned by the district).
- Student’s date of birth.
- 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/
LET'S TALK
Have questions? Contact us via Let's Talk!
WCSD APP
Stay connected with Rooms
Dune Lakes Elementary School
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

