Cardinal Community Newsletter

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1. Elementary
   
2. Preschool Happenings
3. Special Education Update
4. Secondary News
5. Activities Update

We're proud to announce that Kendra Stratton has been selected by the University of Nebraska's Department of Math, Science, and Computer Technology for 15 hours of specialized professional development focused on increasing math proficiency across the state. This exciting opportunity will help guide improvements to our math instruction systems.

We also welcome Lucero Lozano to our para-educator team! Ms. Lozano has already proven to be an invaluable addition, showing tremendous dedication to working with our students.

Our morning routines are coming together beautifully! As we continue to enhance these programs, we're seeking donations of LEGO blocks and building bricks. If you have any to donate or know someone looking to pass along their collection, please contact the school office.

We're pleased to report that all elementary testing for this window has been completed successfully.

Several staff members will be attending the MTSS Roadtrip conference on October 9th and 10th to strengthen our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) systems and improve our Multi-Tiered System of Supports, with a particular focus on literacy development.

• September 16 - Safety Drill

• September 17 - 5th Grade Field Trip to Water Jamboree

• September 18 - Early Dismissal at 1:30 PM for Staff Professional Development

• September 23-24 - Family/Teacher Conferences

• September 25 - 6th Grade Field Trip to Prairie Loft & Hastings Museum

For questions about any of these updates or events, please contact the elementary school office. We appreciate your continued support of our students and programs!

Congratulations to our August students of the month! These students were safe, respectful, and responsible at DT! We are so proud of you all! Keep up the great work.
Preschool: Evelyn Spencer, Kash Belville, Emma Steinfeld
K: Lennon Lauer & Kazden Hatt
1: Paxton Kreutz & Theo Heinemann
2: Klayton Fischer & Micah Harwood
3: Beckett Elsbury & Ellistyn Buhr
4: Avery Gohner & Drake Krueger
5: Leom Deepe & Kennidy Gehle
6: Skyllie Hansen & Weston White

Way to start the school year off right

Looking to get rid of your old Legos, blocks or other toy building materials? Consider dropping them off at the elementary office to beneift our morning routines! #TheCardinalWay

Mrs. Barnett is our August teacher of the month! Mrs. Barnett teaches 6th grade and has a heart of gold. She goes above and beyond to build positive relationships with her students. She provides a calm learning environment where students love to be. She is a wonderful coworker and we are so lucky to have her at DT. Congrats Mrs. Barnett!

Open House Success - Thank you to all the families who attended our recent Open House! We had fantastic attendance and loved meeting so many parents, guardians, and family members. It was wonderful to see the excitement on everyone's faces as they explored our classroom spaces and learning centers.

Daily Routine: Children are learning the sequence of activities throughout their school day, helping them feel secure and prepared for what comes next.

• People in the Building: Students are getting to know the important adults who work in our school, from teachers and administrators to support staff, creating a sense of community and belonging.
• Following Directions: We're practicing listening skills and following simple, clear directions to help children succeed in group activities and independent tasks.
• Recognizing Colors: Through songs, games, and hands-on activities, children are identifying and naming different colors in their environment.
• Identifying Feelings: We're helping children recognize and express their emotions in healthy ways, building important social-emotional skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

These foundational skills are setting the stage for a successful and enriching preschool experience. We're so proud of how well our students are embracing their learning journey

Welcome to Our Team!

We are excited to announce that Lucero Lozona has joined our Special Education team as a paraprofessional educator. Lucero brings enthusiasm and dedication to supporting our students, and we're thrilled to have her as part of our educational family. Please join us in welcoming Lucero when you see her in the halls!

We're pleased to share that Cardinal Warehouse has expanded their offerings with new printing capabilities that can benefit our special education programs and school community:

New Poster Printer Services Available:

• Athletic Posters (24" size) - Perfect for celebrating our student athletes and promoting upcoming games

• Window Clings (36" size) - Great for classroom decorations and awareness campaigns

• Vinyl Banners (2' x 8') - Ideal for special events, celebrations, and program announcements

• Birthday Banners (36" size) - Help make our students' special days even more memorable

• Custom Magnets (18" size) - Useful for classroom organization and student recognition

These new printing services open up exciting possibilities for enhancing our learning environments, celebrating student achievements, and strengthening our school community connections.

If you know of a child who lives within the boundaries of the Doniphan-Trumbull Public School District, who may have a disability, and may need but is not receiving Special Education or 504 services, please contact Nancy Niles, PO Box 300, Doniphan, NE 68832 (402-845-2730).

Beginning September 2nd, Cardinal Warehouse will be open on Tuesdays from 3:45pm-5:30pm. This student led store offers clothing, rugs, home decor, kitchen items, cookies, and gently used clothing. Many items are made by students and can be personalized to meet your needs. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays at 108 E Plum in Doniphan, NE!

We're excited to announce the launch of our Cardinal Cup—a new school-wide competition that's part of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system! Each grade level is competing for points throughout the year in five key areas:

• Attendance (percentage present and fewest tardies)

• Participation (activities, athletics, and CTSOs)

• Academic Growth (improvement on NWEA tests)

• Recognition (#thecardinalway award nominations)

• School Spirit (Homecoming and other events)

The winning class will celebrate with a fun field trip at the end of the school year. We kicked off this exciting initiative with our first-ever PBIS Pep Rally on September 5th, where the Juniors and Mr. Barth's MAP class earned extra points for bringing the most "Cardinal Power" to the cheer-off!

Mark your calendars! We'll be celebrating Constitution Day on September 17th in our Social Studies classrooms. Mr. Kerr and Mr. Fischer have planned engaging activities to help students connect with this important civic milestone.

Our student drug testing program continues to operate effectively, with the first round completed on August 26th. This program serves all students participating in extracurricular activities, including athletics, fine arts, and student organizations. The random testing process helps maintain a safe and healthy environment for all our student participants.

Congratulations Gracelyn Anderson-Jones, Drake Hohlen, and Mason Bressler for your award!

Last Monday students had the opportunity to learn from the future Dr.Graff and got hands-on learning experience on how to make surgical knots and do sutures.

#HealthSciences #TheCardinalWay

We had a blast playing at the Nebaraska State Fair!

Great crowd, amazing energy, and a day full of music and fun. Thanks to everyone who came out!

From D-T Journalism Student. Sophomore Sevyn Russell takes you inside the Cross Country season preview, highlighting key runners, team goals, and what to watch for as the Cardinals hit the course this fall. Don’t miss it—read the full article here.

Stay connected with DT Activities through Bound for the latest schedules, results, and announcements throughout the fall season.

1. Safety First: September Drill Schedule & Updates
2. Safety Drill: Lockdown Information
3. Internet Safety Presentation Provided
4. Internet Safety Webinar for Parents
5. Upcoming Dates
6. 2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Our Commitment to Safety

At Doniphan-Trumbull Public School, student and staff safety remains our top priority. Throughout the year, we maintain comprehensive safety protocols through regular drills and continuous preparation. Our safety program includes:

• Monthly fire drills (with two additional drills in the first two weeks of school)
• Bi-annual emergency drills for tornado, lockdown, secure, and hold scenarios
• Monthly safety team meetings to review and enhance our procedures

Over the next few weeks, we'll be conducting our first round of emergency safety drills following the Standard Response Protocol. Each drill will be preceded by age-appropriate instruction from our administration, counselors, and staff to ensure students understand the procedures and feel prepared.

Scheduled Drills:

• HOLD Drill
• SECURE Drill
• LOCKDOWN Drill

All drill communications will clearly indicate that these are practice exercises. Emergency messaging will be sent through Infinite Campus, so please verify your contact information is current to receive these important updates.

Standard Response Protocol

Our drills align with nationally recognized safety standards. For comprehensive information about the Standard Response Protocol we follow, visit: https://iloveuguys.org/

Talk to Your Children: We encourage families to discuss these upcoming drills at home. Help your children understand that these practices are important for everyone's safety and preparedness.

Stay Connected: Ensure your contact information in Infinite Campus is up to date so you receive all emergency communications.

Questions or Concerns?

Our school office is always available to address any questions or concerns you may have about our safety procedures. Don't hesitate to reach out.

In accordance with Nebraska state law, all schools are required to conduct an annual lockdown safety drill. Much like fire and tornado drills, these safety exercises are designed to protect students and staff by preparing them to respond calmly and effectively in the event of a real emergency.

What is a lockdown?

A school lockdown is a safety procedure where students, staff, and authorized visitors move into classrooms or other secure areas, lock doors and windows, turn off lights, remain out of sight, and stay quiet until the situation is resolved.

Why do schools conduct lockdowns?

Lockdowns are intended to provide safety, security, and protection for students and staff in the event of an intruder or other potential threat inside the school.

What happens during a lockdown?

Students and adults immediately clear hallways and open spaces, moving to the nearest classroom or secure area. Teachers and staff lock doors and windows, turn off lights, and ensure everyone stays out of sight. Students are expected to remain calm, quiet, and follow staff directions.

How has the school prepared for lockdowns?

• School administrators, teachers, and staff have received training and detailed instructions.

• Teachers have explained lockdown procedures to students using age-appropriate language to avoid unnecessary fear.

• All students, teachers, and staff will participate in an annual lockdown drill, as required by Nebraska law.

What can parents do?

Parents play an important role in emergency preparedness. Please talk with your child about the purpose of safety drills and encourage them to take the process seriously. If you have questions about the drill or would like tips for talking with younger children, please contact the school office. Please consider going over the attached social story with your child for a greater understanding of the drill.

How will parents be notified in the event of a real lockdown?

If a real lockdown or other emergency occurs, the school will use one or more forms of communication depending on the situation. This may include:

• Infinite Campus automated phone calls or text alerts

• Updates on the district website

Please make sure the school has your most current phone numbers and contact information at all times.

What is the school doing to prevent intruders?

• All visitors are required to use a designated entrance.

• All other doors remain locked during the school day.

Staff and students are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious persons, concerning behavior, or potential threats to school administrators.

On August 28th, our 5th–12th grade students had the opportunity to hear from Bobby Truhe of KSB School Law. He shared valuable insights about internet safety and helped students understand the potential risks and consequences of unsafe or inappropriate online behavior. We are grateful for his time and expertise in helping our students make smart and responsible choices online.

• Sept 19 - 1:30 PM Dismissal - Prof Development
• Sept 23 - 1:30 PM Dismissal - PT Conferences
• Sept 24 - 1:30 PM Dismissal - PT Conferences
• Sept 26 - No School
• Oct 15 - End of the 1st Quarter
• Oct 24 - No School - Fall Break

The Board of Education approved the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar at their most recent board meeting. Dates of note are included below:

🚨Aug 14 - First Day of School

⛄Dec 22-Jan 5 - Winter Break

🎓May 9 - Senior Graduation

😎May 19 - Last Day of School

The full calendar is linked here: https://www.dtcardinals.org/page/calendar-year-at-a-glance