Duval Dispatch

Dear Duval Families-

Friday was a tough day at Duval. We sadly said goodbye to Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. Hewitt, Ms. Saccardo, Mrs. Tileston, Mrs. Saccone, Mr. McCleary, and Ms. Mei. This week, Kindergarten will be down to two paras across the four rooms as Mrs. Leary and Mrs. Gavin transition to special ed roles. Math and Reading Intervention will be gone and reduced respectively, as Mrs. Witteman moves to special education (all at Duval). Because of the reductions, WIN groups will be eliminated, and Chorus will be reduced to just 5th grade (restarting in early Spring). We do warmly welcome Mrs. Cushing back to 4th grade at Duval!

As mentioned last week, we MUST move on and work hard to make the experience for each child a fun, exciting, challenging, and growing one! We have tremendous staff and wonderful parents/guardians who, we know, will keep Duval an amazing school. This is our children's only shot at their moment in elementary education, and we are all committed to keeping our Pods swimming forward!

We were grateful to end last week and our 60s Decade with an absolutely wonderful Assembly led by Third Grade on Thursday! We learned about all kinds of local history in M-A-SS-A CH-U S-E-TT-S, heard some great music, and saw a giant light-up chocolate chip cookie! We are now in the 70s, and we welcome ANYONE and EVERYONE who has a connection to Regal/Duval from the 70s to join in this month's experience!

Have a good couple of days, and then a Healthy, Happy Thanksgiving!

💙

Dr. Marcus and Ms. Craig

This Week's Weather:

Please support this special event and order SIGNED books HERE. Use code "JOHNDUVAL" for savings. Many thanks to our PTO for sponsoring this once in a lifetime event!

World renowned author and illustrator, Peter Reynolds, is coming to Duval on Dec. 11th. Peter will read from one of his books, do a drawing demo, and have kids try out their own skills.

- The Food Pantry program is still going! We sent home food almost 30 different times to 15 different families. If you need help, please email Ms. Craig.

- Duval School Council met on Thursday evening to discuss the budget cuts and plan for supports moving forward. Many thanks to parents Mrs. R Sullivan, Mrs. Fernandes, Mrs. G Sullivan, community member Mrs. Crowley, and teachers Ms. Witteman and Mrs. Hewitt for their service.

- Mr. Dembowski and Mr. and Mrs. Lyons continued their amazing volunteering as Recess Coaches! The kids LOVE having parents ref and coach the games, and we'd love to have more recesses covered. If you are able to help out anytime between 11:30 and 1:30, please email Dr. Marcus.

Here is the November News from Nurse Andersen. Please check it out HERE.

Thank you.

Hello Duval Families!

As we begin Thanksgiving week, we just have to say how incredibly grateful we are for all of you! Thank you for supporting our Basket Raffle by sending items for raffles, participating in our library raffle sales and especially for attending the event Friday night. We were blown away by the support from all of our Duval families and the community as a whole. Basket Raffle is always one of our favorite Duval events but this year felt even more special with so many Duval students and friends showing up to show how much we love Duval! With your help and the help of everyone you shared this event with we were able to far surpass our goal of $15,000 and bring over $21,000 directly back to our school! These funds will be used to support classrooms, teachers, students, enrichment, supplies, activities and more. We could not do this without all of you and we appreciate you all! Our event may be over but we will continue to see the positive impact throughout the year as well as seeing students participate in so many exciting auction experiences. Thank you Duval!

As December begins we have several important dates coming up. Please see dates and flyers below for more info. We have our annual Food Drive, RaiseRight gift card, Deag’s partnership, holiday shop and Brain Show coming up! If you’re not currently following the Duval PTO Facebook page please join us as it’s the easiest place to get updates in real time- https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1a2aDR9mMx/?mibextid=WC7FNe

We are also always available by email for questions or more info- duvalpto@gmail.com.

Dates to remember-

Food drive: 12/1-16 (flyer)

RaiseRight: Due 12/1 and 12/12 (flyer)

Deag’s partnership: 12/2 & 12/3 (flyer)

Holiday shop: 12/8-12 (signup coming soon when schedule is finalized)

December PTO: 12/9 7-8p

Brain Show evening family event: 12/12 630pm

Happy Thanksgiving Duval!

Jen Chester

President, Duval PTO

Dolphin TV is on Youtube for YOU to see!!

Our Channel is HERE to see all broadcasts.

Please click on Subscribe so our livestreams can be seen by more people!

Nov. 25- Gratitude Walk outside

Nov. 26-30- Thanksgiving Break

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Calendar Items for the Year. Click HERE.

• WH Elementary Handbook

• School Lunch Menus

• Infinite Campus Log In for grades, class info. Need help? Contact Tech: 781-618-8100

• School Status (emails, texts from WH or Duval)

• YMCA Before/After School Care Information

• The WHRSD and Duval School PTO Facebook pages.

• Anonymous Bullying or Harassment reporting: call 781-618-7086

John H. Duval Elementary provides a safe, supportive environment where children are able to reach for the stars!

Email: john.marcus@whrsd.org
Website: https://whd.whrsd.org
Location: 60 Regal Street, Whitman, MA 02382
Phone: 781-618-7055
Twitter: @DuvalElementary