Monday 09/09:

Tuesday 09/10: S.T.A.R. reading test 2nd grade, Room parent meeting (see booster notes below)

Wednesday 09/11: S.T.A.R. reading test 1st grade, Progress reports go home, Patriot Day

Thursday 09/12: Robotics

Friday 09/13: S.T.A.R. Early literacy test Kindergarten

UPCOMING

Monday 09/16 South Walton Spirit Week

Friday 09/20 South Walton Homecoming Early Release Day

Parents,

Progress reports go home this week on Wednesday (Sept 11). Please take time to speak with your student about their classroom performance. Progress reports will be accompanied by FAST testing parent report data for students in grades 3-5.

Resources on interpreting FAST PM 1 have been shared in previous Sandpiper Scoops and are also available at https://flfast.org/families.html

Some questions for parents to consider when evaluating their student's performance:

• How is my child’s performance in various academic subjects?
• What are some subjects in which my child excels?
• What are the subjects in which my child could grow/improve?
• What are some specific strategies I can use at home to help my child?
• What are the specific resources I can use to help my student improve? Where can I access these?
• Are there specific books or series of books that my child can/should read at home?
• What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses within the classroom?

Please reach out to your student's teacher(s) with concerns.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, WCSD would like to encourage DLE students to participate in Florida’s art and essay contests based on this year’s theme: “Honoring Hispanic Contributions to Florida’s Success.” Students in grades K-3 are invited to participate in an art contest, while students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award.

About the Student Art Contest

The Hispanic Heritage Month art contest is open to all Kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year's theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 gift card for school supplies and a 1-year pass to Florida State Parks.

About the Student Essay Contest

The Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest is open to all students attending any Florida school in grades 4-12. Six winners will be selected: two elementary school students (grades 4-5), two middle school students (grades 6-8), and two high school students (grades 9-12). Each winner will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies.

Contestants must be Florida residents, attend school in Florida in grades 4-12 (including public, charter, private, home or virtual) and be able to provide a Social Security Number. Each student may enter only one essay, written in English, no longer than 500 words. The subject of the essay should be a Floridian.

About the Excellence in Education Award

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle, or high school in Florida. Four winners will be selected, and nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian, or student. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.

Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines

Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.

This week students in grade K-2 will participate in PM 1 testing. Students in grades 3-5 are assessed using the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) exams for progress monitoring. Students in grades K-2 use a different platform, STAR, for progress monitoring. This exam will provide similar feedback to parents regarding their student's learning and relation to grade-level peers. Please see the parent letters below for additional information.

Drop off time is 7:10 AM. Please do not drop your child off prior to that time. Students should never be left unattended and supervision of students is not available earlier. Also, if your child missed the bus and you drive them to school, please go to the designated car line. Students may not enter through the front desk unless tardy, and will need to be accompanied by a parent to sign them in.

The first weeks of school inevitably lead to some tummy bugs and sniffles. This is a reminder that parents are allowed to submit up to 10 excused notes themselves. These can be handwritten and sent in to your student's teacher, emailed to dleinfo@walton.k12.fl.us, or uploaded to Focus digitally.

Professional excuse notes from a doctors office or court are always accepted to excuse student absences.

BE ADVISED! Once a parent has used their 10 total excused notes, ONLY professional notes will excuse student absences and ALL other absences will be unexcused. Please refer to the school handbook for greater detail on attendance policies.

The Sandpiper News Network broadcast its first morning news segment this past week for students and staff. Students are involved in a variety of on camera and behind the scenes activities that include audio, video, and lighting! Another great opportunity for students to learn technical and presentation skills! Way to go Sandpipers!

Show your South Walton school spirit with homecoming dress up week September 16-20! Details below.

The 2024 South Walton Homecoming Parade will be held on September 20th at 1 PM. This is an early release day with students being dismissed at 10:45. Parade route will cover the area around South Walton High School. Please review the map below for parking and route details. We hope to see you there and at the homecoming game vs. Florida High @ 7 PM @ ECMS football field.

Students with perfect attendance for the month of September will receive a reward from our friends at Marco's Pizza!

Thank you to Marco's for supporting Dune Lakes Elementary!

BE ON THE LOOKOUT! Student shirts are in the process of being distributed. Each student is provided an initial school shirt at no cost. Your student will need this shirt for activities at school and field trip days. Extras can be purchased through Sandpiper Boosters.

Fresh salads, yogurts, fruit cups, and more are now available for lunch in the Sandpiper Cafe! Large salad entrees can be charged to student lunch accounts as a full lunch meal. Encourage your student to explore these healthy options.

Dune Lakes is offering a gardening club serving 3rd, 4th & 5th grade students.

The 2024-2025 Garden Club is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn the art of gardening, agriculture, and how to cultivate healthy lifestyle choices. Students learn social and team building skills while creating a beautiful learning space for all grade levels to enjoy during the school year. Students will have the opportunity to learn from members in the community on different skills and careers associated with garden activities.

Students will meet every Tuesday from 2:15-3:45 p.m. beginning September 24, 2024. Families are responsible for picking up their children PROMPTLY after each club meeting.

Space is limited and not all applicants may be accepted. Students not accepted will be put on a waitlist until an opening is available. Parents will be notified by email if their student is accepted for the 2024-2025 Garden Club.

Apply using the link below!

Do you love to build things? Can you think quickly on your feet? Are you a little dramatic? Then Dune Lakes Elementary needs you as a member of our after school Odyssey of the Mind team to represent our school in the 2025 Emerald Coast Regional Tournament. Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program which promotes lifelong friendships as you develop your skills. Each week you will work with your fellow team members to learn how to become a spontaneous problem solver as you have fun building your skills.

If selected, you will work with your team to choose a long-term problem to prepare for presentation during the tournaments. You must be willing to work hard and share your creative ideas with others to be successful. At the tournaments, you will be expected to present your long-term project to the judges and participate in the solution of a top-secret spontaneous problem for scoring to move on to the state competition. Each team will include 5 to 7 creative minds working together towards their selected goal.

If you are in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade and would like to join this exciting team, please complete the application at https://forms.gle/PvshLtJJ42gN7sHh9

Does your student know the AVID word of the week? Join us in promoting a robust vocabulary at home by using it with your student!

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!

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.

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.

Ms. Carroll is looking for volunteers in the library. Please contact Mrs. Isolano to schedule a 30 minute training with Ms. Carroll, then sign up for days to help. michelle.isolano@walton.k12.fl.us

1. Go to https://launchpad.classlink.com/walton
2. Click Renaissance Place
3. Log in and Test!

For additional questions please contact Ms. Carroll mailto:rachel.gonzalez@walton.k12.fl.us

The beloved Flutterby Festival, produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, celebrates its 32nd year of the migration of the Monarch Butterfly through our area with kid's art activities, live performances, lawn games, a student art exhibit, curated professional artist market, a butterfly parade, science station, book nook and so much more! The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at The Pavilion at Watersound Town Center.

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Admission to the Flutterby Festival is free and open to the public, and some activities require tickets, which can be purchased at the CAA welcome and information tents within the Festival. Parking, including accessible parking, will be available on-site as well.

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

Parents visiting on Monday and Friday are allowed to visit at the designated lunch time for their student. If you have more than one student, you are welcome to have lunch with them at their designated time. Students will not be pulled to eat with their siblings. Parents are to wait for their child's class to enter the "A" hallway, and may proceed to the cafeteria only. Visiting other classrooms is prohibited. Lunch visitors are to eat in the patio, and check out at the front office when leaving. PLEASE DO NOT EXIT FROM THE PATIO.

For your convenience, sign up for EZ school pay https://www.ezschoolpay.com/Login.aspx

Encourage your student to explore the a la carte menus options in the Sandpiper Cafe! See the menu below. Cash only.

Great things are cooking this month in the Sandpiper Cafe!

Please take the time to put your child's name on their backpacks, water bottles, coats, etc. Items will be collected and displayed outside cafeteria.

Returning to school is a hectic time for parents. It’s exciting to watch your child grow, make new friends and meet a new teacher. But the back-to-school season can also be a time of concern for parents, as a return to the classroom may mean exposure to common childhood illnesses.

You can help your student avoid these back-to-school bugs by encouraging the following:

• Teach your child to avoid putting their hands in their mouth or eyes.
• Teach them to cough or sneeze into a clean tissue and dispose of it properly. If they don’t have a tissue, they can cough or sneeze into the crook of their sleeve rather than their hands.
• After coughing or sneezing – or touching a surface another child may have infected – teach your child to always wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and their hands are not visibly soiled, they may use hand sanitizer under an adult’s supervision.
• As a courtesy to others, keep your child home when they are sick, especially if they have a fever or vomiting.

Medication at school:

The front desk cannot intake medications. Please call ahead to meet with the nurse who can assist with this.

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.

Donations needed:

Our clinic is always in the need for spare boys and girls clothing. Currently our biggest need is:

• XS shirts, shorts and pants
• Small pants
• Medium shorts and pants
• Large shirts, shorts, pants
• Donations of new boys and girls underwear XS, S, M

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

Our SPICE program is at capacity. Our director, Lisa Dick has a waitlist for interested families. SPICE enrollment is based on staff to student ratio. We understand that after school care is complicated for many parents, however we accept students when spaces open up. For inquiries, please contact Ms. Lisa at lisa.dick@walton.k12.fl.us

• 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.

Welcome Sandpipers! My name is Mrs. Rudd and I am thrilled to welcome you and your child to the new school year! As the school counselor, my role is to support your child's social, emotional, and academic development. I am committed to creating a safe and supportive environment that fosters growth, resilience, and success. If your child is facing challenges at home or in the classroom, please know that my door is always open. I am here to listen, offer guidance, and connect you with resources to support your child's well-being. Let's work together to make this year an amazing one for our students!

Week 5

This week, we begin STAR testing for ELA in grades K-2, and I encourage you to remind your children of a few important things: getting plenty of rest the night before and giving their best effort during the test. Testing can sometimes make students feel nervous, but with positive reinforcement and preparation, they can approach it with confidence. Remind them to take their time and do their best!

This month’s resiliency word is Perseverance, and we are focusing on stories that highlight the power of not giving up. I’ll start visiting kindergarten classrooms this week to read The Little Engine That Could, which is a wonderful example of perseverance. The story teaches children that even when something seems difficult, they can succeed if they believe in themselves and keep trying.

For the other grades, I will be sharing a video on the power of perseverance featuring the story of Michael Jordan, who is a fantastic role model for overcoming challenges. Michael Jordan faced many setbacks early in his career, including not making his high school varsity basketball team, but his perseverance led him to become one of the greatest athletes of all time. Sharing stories like his can help inspire students to keep going when they face their own difficulties.

At home, you can continue these discussions by talking about famous individuals like Thomas Edison, who had numerous failures before inventing the lightbulb, or J.K. Rowling, who overcame many rejections before finding success with the Harry Potter series. These examples show the value of persistence and determination.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students grow both academically and emotionally, because we are BETTER TOGETHER!

Purpose of Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch aims to support students in developing healthy coping skills and self-regulation strategies to manage various challenges, such as:

· Anxiety, stress, or feeling overwhelmed

· Difficulty with self-control or impulsivity

· Struggles with friendships or social relationships

· Coping with change, loss, or adversity

· Building resilience and confidence

How to Join

Every student will receive a Lunch Bunch permission form. Be looking for these to be sent home later this week. If you think your child would benefit from this program, please fill out and return the form, sharing specific details on why your child would benefit and any relevant information about their current challenges or concerns. This will help me understand your child's needs and prioritize those students. While I'd love to be able to have every student in LB, that just isn't feasible. It is very important to me, however, that students that could truly use the extra support are able to receive it.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Sandpiper Boosters Room Parent Meeting - September 10 – 8-9AM in the cafeteria. This is only for Parents who were selected to be room parents. Please visit our website to check for your name here : Room Parents — Sandpiper Boosters

SWHS Homecoming Float – Help the Boosters Sink the Seminoles and decorate our float. Sponsor Here : Sponsorships — Sandpiper Boosters

September Dune Lakes Dines – September 26 – Idyll Hound Proper! The Sandpiper Boosters will receive 10% of sales from the day!

Moms and Monsters – SAVE THE DATE – Saturday, October 12 from 5-7P. Stay tuned for ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities.

Teacher Luncheons – Is your family or business interested in sponsoring one of our Teacher and Staff Luncheons? If so, the available dates and sponsorship opportunities are located here : Sponsorships — Sandpiper Boosters

24-25 Boosters Board of Directors - Jamie Lynn, President | Ashley Templeton, Vice President | Liz Branch, Treasurer | Jessica Standley, Secretary |Amber Archer, Director | Amity Hoch, Director | Randi Doris, Director | Brittany Golden, Director | Emily Madden, Director | Ortal Shaya-Montoya, Director | Lindsey Rogers, Director | Kristen Sandoe, Director

For all things Boosters – Make sure to visit our website here : Sandpiper Boosters

Spirit Shop – You can shop Sandpiper Merch year-round! We will have more sweatshirts and new t-shirts coming soon as well! Shop Here : Spirit Shop — Sandpiper Boosters

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/

Step 2

• The following information is required to setup a Focus Parent Portal Account.

  1. Child’s student identifier (10 digit number beginning with 66 assigned by the district).
  2. Student’s date of birth.
  3. 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/

If you have questions, concerns or comments, you can contact us through Let's Talk. Simply click here and reach out to us.

Stay connected with Remind! We've created a new school Remind account for the 24-25 school year. All previous school accounts have been closed. Please rejoin our DLE Remind by texting our school code @dle2425 to 81010.

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