DFS Dolphin Weekly Update
November 9, 2026
Welcome to the DFS Dolphin Weekly Update!
Upcoming Events
*Bold Items are new or singular events.
*If a day of the week is not listed below, it is because there were no major events to detail.
Monday, November 9
- Early Morning Strings Rehearsal (7:20 - 7:30AM Check-In @ DFS Front Doors)
- Strings Instruction
- Grade 2 In-School Field Trip - What's the Matter?!
Tuesday, November 10
- Band Instruction
- TPS BOE Meeting (7:00PM @ Long Hill Administration Building)
Wednesday, November 11
- Veterans Day - Schools OPEN
- Grade 5 Intramural Volleyball - Teams 1, 2, 3, & 5 (3:35 - 4:15PM) (Pickup in Front of DFS)
Thursday, November 12
- Early Morning Band Rehearsal (7:20 - 7:30AM Check-In @ DFS Front Doors)
- Full DFS Student Council Meeting (3:35 - 4:15PM @ Learning Commons)
Friday, November 13
- Dolphins for Turkeys! Donate and Wear Your Pajamas!
November Breakfast & Lunch Menu Links
Quote of the Week
“The things that we share in our world are far more valuable than those which divide us.”
-Donald E. Williams (born 1942), Astronaut
Photos of the Week
Students enjoyed our first DFS Play Day of the 2026-27 school year playing lots of old-school games and new-school versions of classics.
Why not institute a family game night or two in your own home?
Weekly Attendance Data
With only 181 days to learn each school year, every day truly does matter. If your child is not ill, the best place for them is DFS! Please take a look at the week's attendance data and help us ensure all students maximize learning this year.
Daily Attendance
Monday: 95.4%
Tuesday: Schools Closed
Wednesday: 97.2%
Thursday: 97.4%
Friday: 95.7%
August/September Daily Attendance Average: 98.2%
October Daily Attendance Average: 97.5%
November Daily Attendance Average: 96.4%
Year-To-Date Daily Attendance Average - Kindergarten: 97.4%
Year-To-Date Daily Attendance Average - Grade One: 97.2%
Year-To-Date Daily Attendance Average - Grade Two: 98.0%
Year-To-Date Daily Attendance Average - Grade Three: 97.8%
Year-To-Date Daily Attendance Average - Grade Four: 98.1%
Year-To-Date Daily Attendance Average - Grade Five: 97.8%
Year-To-Date Daily Attendance Average - All Grades: 97.7%
Dolphins for Turkeys - November 13
Linked - Autism Safety Project
The Trumbull Police Department recently partnered with Linked - Autism Safety Project. Linked is a group that works with over 40 police departments throughout the state. It is a way for loved ones to register those with special needs in a secure system. This provides the Police Department with more information about those in the household prior to responding. A notification is added to the residence giving officers quick information, whether it is as simple as "7 year-old boy, nonverbal, afraid of dogs, overstimulated by flashing lights" or as in depth to detail elopement destinations and photos of the individual in case they leave the residence.
When families share how best to respond to their residence it allows first responders to help in the most effective way possible without adding more chaos to the situation. Whether it's for a simple fire alarm or a dog barking, it is a great resource to help facilitate a positive interaction.
Please use the following link for more information and to sign up: https://www.trumbull-ct.gov/1259/Sensory-Awareness-System
DFS Staff Shout Outs!
Viewers love the "Staff Shout Out" feature on our What’s Up Dolphins news and entertainment show. This is an opportunity for anyone (staff, student, parent) to give a “shout out” to any staff member who may have gone above and beyond in some way. If you would like to nominate a staff member please use the link below; your nomination may be read on an upcoming episode!
Math in Action Challenge Program
We are excited to share that Trumbull Public Schools (elementary level) are rejoining the Math in Action Challenge Program, a free enrichment opportunity for all that helps students build problem-solving skills in fun and engaging ways.
Each challenge includes creative problems that go beyond the classroom, encouraging students to use strategies such as drawing models, looking for patterns, and thinking logically.
General Information
Free program — no sign-up necessary.
Open to all students in Grades K–5.
Refer to the calendar at the link below for the release dates of challenges and due dates of solutions.
Solutions for the Challenge can be found on the website the day after it is due. Be sure to go back and correct your work.
DFS November PTA Meeting
DFS PTA Casual Parents Night Out - Tickets On Sale Now!
2026-27 PTA Reflections Contest
PTA Reflections Digital Entry Link
Carpool Pick-Up Number Entry Form Directions
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
Carpool Procedures
Please read and follow these important rules to keep all our students, families, and staff safe.
We do not sacrifice safety for convenience.
Parents must stay in their vehicle. Students should be able to exit the vehicle during AM carpool drop off without parental help. This allows for a smooth flow of traffic so that students can be in class on time.
Please pull up all the way to the top of the drop-off and pick-up zone.
Students may enter and exit the car only when the car has entered the single lane of the drop-off and pick-up zone.
Students may not enter and exit the car when the vehicle is in the two-lane area of traffic flow.
All students must enter and exit on the driver side of the car. This is different than last year as the traffic pattern has changed due to our new parking lot layout.
Cars must stay in line and not pass any other vehicles when exiting the drop-off and pick-up zone. There are two lanes for exiting DFS.
Morning drop-off begins at 8:20AM and ends at 8:35AM. Students may not exit their vehicle until 8:20AM during carpool drop off. Staff is on duty at 8:20AM each morning, with no supervision prior to this time. Allowing your child out of the vehicle early places her/him in a potentially dangerous situation.
Afternoon pickup begins at 3:15PM and ends at 3:35PM. Students in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade should be picked up from 3:15 to 3:25 PM. Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade should be picked up from 3:25 - 3:35PM. After this time, students are brought to the front office.
Parents choosing to walk their children to carpool may enter the area from the front or rear of the property. You may not walk through the bus area on the side of the school. You may not park in the staff lot and walk your child to carpool to avoid waiting in line.
Procedure for Reporting Early/Change of Dismissal & After-School Participation
In order to maximize the safety and efficiency of our early dismissal, change of dismissal, and after-school participation reporting from home to school, we utilize to an electronic system. We do not accept paper notes.
We use a Google Form to collect this information on a daily basis. We DO NOT review any form entries submitted after 12:00PM. If after-school plans change after 12:00PM, you must call the front office to report the change, otherwise the classroom teacher will follow the regularly scheduled dismissal instructions.
The form can be accessed via a computer using the link below, or a phone using the QR Code below.
LINK: https://forms.gle/3iPmqMEUYMuZexVw9
If you have any questions, please contact us directly.
Thank you!
Remember to SWIM!
Summer is a great time to reinforce our DFS SWIM mantra! It's amazing how following a few simple-to-do mindsets can make a world of difference in yourself and the people around you. Be a positive force!
Important Information & Links
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