DFS Dolphin Weekly Update
October 12, 2026
“Confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong.”
-Peter McIntyre (1910-1995), New Zealand Artist and Author
We have been in school for a few weeks now, and it has been wonderful watching our students settle into their new classrooms! As the initial excitement of the first few days transitions into our normal weekly routines, it is common for children to experience a mix of big feelings.
While students are building stamina for the school day, they may still be navigating some back-to-school worry or feelings of fatigue. Our priority remains focused on making sure every child feels safe, valued, and connected.
Below, we share how we are cultivating a supportive community at school, along with some suggestions and tips for how you can support your child's emotional wellness at home!
Transitions can be exhausting! You might notice your child is more irritable, emotional, or clingy than usual after school. Kids work so hard to follow rules and hold their emotions together all day that they finally let it all out when they return to their safe space (with you).
Here are a few simple ways to help them process their day, decompress, and regulate their emotions:
- Offer a quiet snack buffer: Avoid asking questions the second your child gets in the car or walks through the door. Give them a healthy snack and 15–20 minutes of quiet time or free play to decompress first.
- Create predictable routines: Keep morning and bedtime routines highly consistent. When children know exactly what comes next at home, it provides a strong sense of comfort and safety that balances out the energy of the school day.
- Reframe the after-school questions: Instead of asking "How was your day?" (which usually gets a one-word answer), try specific, positive prompts once they've had their snack:
- "What is something that made you laugh today?"
- "Who did you sit next to at lunch or play with at recess?"
- "What was the most peaceful part of your day?"
- Designate a calm-down corner: Create a small, cozy space at home with pillows, favorite books, or stuffed animals. Teach your child that this isn't a place for punishment (like a time-out), but a safe spot they can choose to visit when they feel overwhelmed.
- Practice ‘Take 5’ breathing: Teach your child to stretch out their hand like a star. Trace up the outside of their thumb while breathing in deeply through their nose, and down the other side while breathing out slowly through their mouth. Repeat for all five fingers to quickly calm a racing mind.
- Establish a special goodbye ritual: If drop-offs are still tough, create a short, predictable goodbye routine (like a special handshake, a hug and a kiss on the palm, or a phrase like "I love you, see you at 3!"). Keep the departure quick, as lingering often increases discomfort.
HEARING & VISION SCREENINGS
The State of CT mandates that the vision and hearing of all students in Grades Kindergarten, 1, 3, 4, and 5 be checked yearly. A team of Town of Trumbull school nurses will conduct the hearing and vision screenings at Daniels Farm on October 20, 21, and 22. Each child’s screening takes approximately 3-5 minutes. If your child wears eyeglasses it is important to have them prepared with their glasses on the days of the screenings.
If you should choose not to have your child’s hearing and vision checked, please email Mrs. Ely at mely@trumbullps.org and state your wishes in the email. You will be responsible for providing documentation to the nurse, from your child’s healthcare provider that your child’s hearing and vision have been checked at least yearly.
CHANGE of CLOTHING
It would be helpful to have you keep a simple change of clothing (pants/tights, underpants, and tee shirt) in an extra pocket of your child’s backpack.
Accidents happen, and it helps and comforts your child to be prepared.
ORTHOPAEDIC INJURIES and EQUIPMENT
Parents of children who require orthopaedic equipment (braces, crutches, slings, etc.) during the school day must provide a note from a qualified medical provider stating the reason for the device and giving school staff guidance regarding activity restrictions and the need for any special assistance. Any change in the written treatment plan at each visit with the provider requires a new written note from the medical provider. This includes a note at the end of treatment stating your child may resume their normal activities. These requirements were established to ensure your child’s safety during the school day.
During PM carpool dismissal, parents enter their child's carpool number once they are in line along Daniels Farm Road using the link below. The link allows daily access to a Google Form as follows:
- Open the form (LINK: https://forms.gle/CDjvEC31yvPabfqL6 or use the QR code on the right)
- Enter your child's carpool number when you arrive at DFS.
- Hit "submit".
- Repeat this process for each child you are picking up that day.
This must be done each day you are picking up a student. Please DO NOT enter your number until you are in the carpool line or there will be too many students in the waiting area. If you bookmark the form on your phone, it will be easy to access on the days you need it. Below you will find a short video demonstrating the process.
Instructional Video Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LzaVbMQwYjYZ17V__qhjQYDQQUILLXJc/view?usp=sharing
Daniels Farm Elementary School
710 Daniels Farm Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611
203-452-4388
Regular School Hours
Doors open at 8:20 AM
Regular School Hours: 8:35 AM - 3:20 PM
Early Dismissal Hours: 8:35 AM - 1:00 PM
Delayed Opening Hours
1 ½ hour Delay: 10: 05 AM – 3:20 PM (doors open at 9:50 AM)
2 hour Delay: 10:35 AM – 3:20 PM (doors open at 10:20 AM)
2 ½ hour Delay: 11:05 AM – 3:20 PM (doors open at 10:50 AM)
2026- 2027 Trumbull Public Schools Calendar
*Tier 2 volunteer forms are only necessary if you will be working unsupervised with stud