Resources for Families

This newsletter is your "one-stop shop" for basic information about school. I hope you find it to be of value. Please let us know how we can make it better!

JoAnna Collida

903-583-7585, ext. 216

jcollida@doddcityisd.com

My door is always open!

Stefanie Walker

903-583-7585, ext. 215

stefanie.walker@doddcityisd.com

Angie Freeman

903-583-7585, ext. 220

afreeman@doddcityisd.com

Arriving before 7:30? Please go to the cafeteria.

Arriving after 7:30? Please go straight to class.

Junior High/High School students go to the old gym in the morning and wait for the bell to go to class.

The Tardy bell rings at 7:50. Students who are not in the classroom at 7:50 are considered tardy.

Dismissal is at 3:25.

Junior High and/or High School siblings will dismiss from the back door on the north side of the building, they are not to dismiss with the elementary students in the car circle. If you have a child on both campuses, pick up from the elementary first, then drive around. Thank you for not asking your secondary child to come to the circle drive at dismissal. This holds up the line for everyone.

Because your child's safety is important to us, we have developed these guidelines for drop-off and pick-up.

Morning:

You may drop your child off in the circle drive, or walk your child to their classroom.

If walking in:

*Park in the parking lot and use the crosswalk. Do not park in the circle drive.

*Thank you for remembering that this is a busy time. Please schedule a conference should you need to speak to your child's teacher other than a quick greeting. Their priority in the mornings is to welcome all students in a safe and efficient manner.

If dropping off in the circle drive:

*Please do not exit your vehicle for any reason.

*You will be directed to pull forward as far as possible to allow for multiple students to exit vehicles at once.

*If you have JH/HS students as well, please have everyone exit the vehicle together. This eliminates making two stops in the car circle.

*Thank you for keeping our car line moving! Our drop off is so efficient because our students are ready to exit the vehicle quickly.

Afternoon:

1) The car line may be long, but again, thank you for keeping it moving as quickly as possible.

2) We are appreciative of those who do not drive around, or "skip", other cars in line.

3) If you are walking up to pick up, please please please use the crosswalk ONLY. You will be stopped if attempting to cross the car circle on foot. DO NOT walk between cars!

4) If walking up, please wait on the sidewalk next to the building. Your child's teacher will allow your child to come to you. Please do not approach the benches. Staff is available to bring your child to you.

More information is available on the district website.

Being on time to school helps your child and teacher begin their day in a positive manner.

1) Students are tardy if not in their classrooms at 7:50 when the tardy bell rings.

2) Please do not drop off students who are tardy in the car circle. Please park and walk them into the building.

3) After 3 tardies, a note will be sent home.

4) After 6 tardies, a conference will be requested.

We must have a note on file in order to excuse any absence. Please send the note the day your child returns to school.

If a pattern of absences develops, documentation will be kept, and truancy proceedings may begin. State law governs the number of absences required in order to receive credit for the school year. Please refer to the Student Handbook for more information.

Please call the office if your child must leave school early. When you arrive, buzz in at the front door. You will be able to sign your child out at that time.

The school understands that there are times when necessary appointments must be made during the school day. We ask, however, that these be made as late in the day as possible and kept at a minimum.

Our teachers plan instruction from bell-to-bell, and we believe that the best instructional opportunities occur when experienced in class. Makeup up work cannot replace "real-time instruction.

A note will be sent home, or a conference requested, should a pattern of leaving early develop.

If there will be a change in your child's end-of-day transportation, please call the office before 2:30, if at all possible.

Please do not message (email, text) your child's teacher with a transportation change. Call the front office only.

Please contact the front office immediately should the following change:

*phone number

*address

*emergency contact list

*custody arrangements (must have legal documentation on file with principal)

The Dodd City ISD student dress code is found in the Student Handbook (found online at www.doddcityisd.org). Each parent/guardian is expected to read it carefully.

Pay particular attention to length of shorts and policies concerning leggings and tights. There have been some additions this year.

We consider it a privilege to attend Dodd City Schools. As such, students living outside of our district boundaries must meet or exceed the high standards we expect of a Dodd City Hornet.

Each year, students who live outside of our district's geographic boundaries will be required to complete a transfer application. Administration will review each application on the following basis:

*Academic record (passing all courses, state assessments)

*Attendance record (95% attendance/no pattern of tardiness)

*Behavior record (no major violations, no pattern of violations of any manner - including dress code)

After review, notice will be sent home regarding the student's transfer status.

Please follow these steps should your child need to take medication at school:

*Bring the medication to the front office (in it's original container).

*Complete the necessary paperwork granting the school permission to dispense medication

The school cannot give students any type of medication without parent/guardian permission.

Additional information may be found in the Student Handbook.

A Hornet Pride Rally is held at the end of each grading period. The following awards shall be given:

*Reading Achievement Awards

*Super Scientist

*Mighty Mathematician

*Dodd City Way award: For students exhibiting Dodd City Way traits of being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready

*Super Stinger award: For students who show exceptional effort, grit, and perseverance in academics

*Perfect Attendance: Official attendance record that is reported to the state at the official attendance-taking time (may have tardies/early sign-outs).

*Jumping for George: To qualify, a student must have perfect attendance (no tardies/early sign-outs) and outstanding conduct (95%)

Additional awards may be given depending upon the time of year, etc.

Progress Reports shall be sent home following approximately four weeks of instruction.

*The progress report MUST be signed and returned to school if your child has an average grade of 75 or below in any subject.

Report Cards shall be sent home following each nine week grading period.

*The report card MUST be signed and returned to school if your child has an average grade of 75 or below in any subject.

In addition, a weekly progress report shall be sent home for any student with an average of 75 or below in any subject.

Look for information about the following fun events! We will be reaching out for volunteers for many of these. The more the merrier!

*Meet the Teacher

*Boo Hoo's and Ya Hoo's (for new PreK parents)

*Dodd City Education Foundation Gala

*Fall Festival

*PTO meetings

*Career Day

*Meet the Author

*Fire Prevention Programs

*Kindergarten Elegant Party

*Thanksgiving Feast

*Scholastic Book Fairs

*Basketball Tournament

*Santa Store

*Christmas Parties

*Hornet Pride Rallies

*UIL Competition (grades 2-5)

*Muffins with Moms

*Donuts with Dads

*Sky Ranch (5th grade)

*Movie Nights

*Field Day

*Teacher Appreciation Week

*Kindergarten Graduation

We reserve a table in our cafeteria for family members who wish to eat lunch with their child.

The cost for breakfast is $1.25 and the cost for lunch is $2.50. Payment may be made in the cafeteria, to your child's teacher, or in the front office.

Microwaves are available for heating simple foods, but students must be able to do this independently. We do not have enough staff to dedicate to this.

Sharing of food between students is not allowed.

We welcome birthday celebrations at school. To protect instructional time, we request that these take place right after the student's lunchtime, at the picnic tables on what we call "The Porch." Simply notify your child's teacher in advance so she can plan for this.

Any items brought for celebrations will be brought to the front office. The campus secretary will take them to the student's class.

After-School Care is provided for students in grades PK-5. The cost is $5 per day, per child.

All students must be picked up by 5:45. A late fee of $1 per minute, per child will be assessed for late pick-ups. A good phone number must be on file before any student can stay in day care.

Pick-ups are through the playground gate to the door marked "Day Care." Each student must be signed out.

A sign-up table will be available during Meet the Teacher for this service, however, you may call the front office at any time if you need your child to stay at day care.

Payment is preferably made in advance, but may be paid by the day as well. Accounts will be kept, and notice will be sent home should a balance reach $100. Your child will not be allowed to stay in day care should balances not be paid.

Behavior expectations during day care are high. Only students who make positive behavior choices will be allowed to utilize day care.

Electronics (phones, tablets, etc.) and toys from home are not allowed in day care and will be kept in backpacks.

We believe that Dodd City ISD provides an educational opportunity unmatched by any surrounding school. Our teachers diligently prepare thoughtful, engaging, and research-based instruction daily.

Please encourage your child to come to school ready to learn each day. The following are some "tried-and-true" ways to help support your child's learning:

*Read with your child every day.

*Check the backpack every day.

*Return all forms, letters, etc. the next day.

*Reach out to the teacher should you have any questions or concerns about any school-related matter.

Please reach out to your child's teacher if, at any time, you feel that your child is struggling to be successful.

In addition to typical academic tests in class, students at Dodd City Elementary also participate in these assessments:

*MAP - Grades 1-8 - 3 times per year in the areas of Language Arts, Math, Science

*CLI Engage - PreK - Beginning and end of the school year in the areas of reading, math, and social/emotional health.

*TxKEA - Kindergarten - Beginning and end of the school year in the areas surrounding Kindergarten readiness.

*STAR Reading and STAR Math - Grades 1-8 - Given at least every 6 weeks for progress monitoring.

*Dyslexia screening - Kindergarten - end of the year

*Dyslexia screening - 1st grade - No later than January 31 each year

*STAAR - State assessments - Grades 3-8 - Reading, Math, Science - Spring

Your child's teacher will share the results of these assessments with each family. We will reach out if we feel your child is at risk in any academic area.

The HP folders will come home each Tuesday. This folder is where you will find notes, graded papers, report cards, progress reports, etc. It should be signed and returned the following day.

Please do not allow your child to bring toys, or other items not needed for the school day, to school.

*We do not provide space to house additional items.

*We do not provide additional time to retrieve and put them away.

Multiple forms of communication exist for families to stay informed about school events. These include:

*District website: www.doddcityisd.org

*Social media: Facebook and Twitter

*Seesaw: Reach out to your child's teacher if you are not able to connect.

*E-Note: Sign up on the district website

*Newsletters...like the ones found on the Elementary webpage

*Email

*Phone

YOU are what makes Dodd City so great! Working together is how we keep our outstanding culture of excellence alive and well. Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have questions or concerns about an item in this newsletter, or for anything else.

I am here for your child, you, and our entire community.

The Dodd City Way: Respectful, Responsible, Ready