Sunday Snapshot

Dear Viking Families,

We have had a wonderful first full week of school! Our students are settling in beautifully, learning classroom and school routines, and showing us each day what it means to be respectful, take ownership, and make wise choices. It has been a joy to walk through classrooms and see students engaged, building relationships, and working hard to meet expectations.

I want to take a moment to thank you for your support in helping us start the year so smoothly. The partnership between home and school makes a world of difference in helping our Vikings grow and succeed. From morning drop-off to after-school pick-up, and everything in between, your encouragement and communication are key in building a positive learning environment for all.

As we look ahead, we are excited for the many opportunities this school year will bring. Thank you again for trusting us with your children each day—we are grateful to work together to make this year the best it can be.

Wishing you a restful weekend and a great start to next week!

With Viking Pride,

Mrs. Love

shana.love@dundeeschools.org

• Monday:
• 9/15 Read Alouds from Mrs. Love & Mr. Briggs
• 9/15 PBIS prizes
• Tuesday:
• 9/16 Constitution Day
• 9/16 PTO Meeting in Mrs. Love's Office 4:00 pm
• Wednesday:
• 9/17 Crazy Sock Day
• Thursday:
• 9/18 School Safety Drill
• Friday:
• 9/19 PTO Read-a-Thon Kick Off with Popcorn & Books
• Later this Month:
• 9/24 Favorite T-Shirt Day
• 9/24 TLC banking Kick Off
• 9/29 PBIS Reward: Pie the Principal

Viking Value of the Trimester: RESPECT
Our first Viking Value for the school year is RESPECT. We will focus on this Viking Value in all areas of the building.

Celebrating Success
We are excited to begin recognizing students who demonstrate our Viking Values! Every student will have the chance to be nominated throughout the year, and we can’t wait to see how our Vikings grow!

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at jay.briggs@dundeeschools.org or by calling (734)-529-2350 EXT. 12005

This newsletter provides parents and families with essential information for helping elementary-aged students navigate difficult emotions and build resiliency.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and while this is a difficult topic, it’s an important time to remind our community about the value of mental health, kindness, and connection.

Our focus is on helping children build strong social-emotional skills, knowing how to talk about their feelings, and recognizing when they or someone else needs help. We encourage:

• Talking about feelings openly – Teach children that all emotions are okay and it’s safe to share them.

• Practicing kindness and empathy – Small acts of kindness help everyone feel included and cared for.

• Noticing changes – If your child seems more withdrawn, sad, or overwhelmed than usual, check in with them.

• Building connections – Strong friendships, supportive teachers, and positive family time are protective factors.

• Model healthy behavior – Children learn from what they see. When you feel stressed, model healthy ways to cope, like talking about your feelings or engaging in a relaxing activity.

If you are worried about your child’s mental health, please reach out to us. You can also find support here:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 (available 24/7)
Care Solace: www.caresolace.com
Monroe County Family Resource Guide: Click Here

The most important thing children can learn is that they are never alone. Together, as a school and family community, we can help every child feel valued, supported, and safe.

Brandy Raymer, LLMSW
General Education Social Worker
brandy.raymer@dundeeschools.org

Katie Carter, LMSW
Special Education Social Worker
katie.carter@monroeisd.us

Welcome back! As we kick off a new school year, it’s a great time to remind everyone how to keep germs at bay. Encourage your child to wash their hands often with soap and warm water—especially before eating and after using the restroom. Teach them to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow, and to avoid sharing drinks, utensils, or hats. A balanced diet, regular sleep, and plenty of outdoor activity also help boost the immune system and keep students feeling their best.

Another important way to protect our school community is by keeping immunization records up to date. If your child received vaccines over the summer, please send a copy of the updated record to the school office or health room as soon as possible. Current records ensure that we can respond quickly if there’s an outbreak of preventable illness and help every student stay safe and healthy. Thank you for partnering with us to make this a strong, healthy start to the year!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Rachel Palmer, RN

District Nurse

rachel.palmer@dundeeschools.org

To start the school year, all DES students will receive FREE breakfast and lunch through September 30th when we hope to have more information on the state's budget. More information will be shared to families as we receive it from the state.

It is still very important to complete the free and reduced application forms in your back to school paperwork, regardless of your qualification status. This application process is essential for the district as it helps secure vital funding from the state and federal sources. Regardless of your income, please fill out this application. Thank you for your help with this matter!

Our PTO has many fun events planned for our students and staff this year! We hope you'll find an opportunity to help support them in their good work!

• First PTO Meeting is September 16th at 4:00 pm in Mrs. Love's Office
• PTO Read-a-Thon September 19th-October 10th
• PTO Fall Book Fair November 3rd-6th
• PTO Holiday Shop December 8th-12th
• PTO Spring Book Fair March 23rd-26th

DES Full School Day Hours:

• The school day begins at 8:35 am and ends at 3:40 pm
• Our staff begins monitoring students at 8:15 am. Please do not drop off students prior to 8:15 am as there will not be any DES staff available to supervise them. Students dropped off from 8:15-8:25 will go to the playground with our supervisors and will then be dismissed to their classrooms. Students who purchase school breakfast will go to the cafeteria when they arrive unless they are in Y5 or kindergarten (their breakfast is served in the classroom).

Elementary School Handbook:

Link

Dundee Community Schools Calendar:

Click for the District Calendar

Infinite Campus Parent Portal, Care Solace, OK2Say Links:

https://dundeemi.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/dundee.jsp

School Meal Payments:

At this time, breakfast and lunch are FREE for ALL students through September 30th, until we know plans for the state's budget. More information will come regarding next steps. We ask that all families please fill out the free/reduced meal form on our website, even if you don't normally qualify as this helps with important at-risk funding for the district.

Link to Food Service Department:

https://dundeecommunityschools.nutrislice.com/menu/dundee-elementary-school-k-5/lunch/2022-08-28

DES Facebook Page:

Dundee Elementary Facebook

For reporting a student absent:

734-529-7044 Press 1

School Nurse: Rachel Palmer

734-529-2350 ext. 11013

Vision Statement

“Students First” – Inspire, Educate, Innovate, Celebrate

Mission Statement

Dundee Community Schools is setting a course for student success. We will challenge and inspire every student, every day, in every class through innovation and dedication ‐ promoting knowledgeable, responsible, and caring citizens.

420 Ypsilanti Dr.

Dundee, MI 48131

School Phone: 734-529-7044

School Fax: 734-529-3741

Principal: Mrs. Love shana.love@dundeeschools.org

Assistant Principal: Mr. Briggs jay.briggs@dundeeschools.org