My lovely blank newsletter

Greetings DES Families & Caregivers,

Happy Friday, and welcome to the last official weekend of Summer Vacation 2026. We are so READY and EXCITED to welcome the Top Dogs back to school on Tuesday, September 1st. We have lots of information to share as we gear up for the 2026-2027 school year. Here is our Dudley El Peek at Next Week…

Open House & Chalk the Walk Event

Please join us for Dudley Elementary School’s Open House on Monday, August 31st from 3:30-4:30. Come meet our amazing staff, and check out our learning spaces before the first day of school on Tuesday, September 1st. The children will be able to “chalk the walk” on our front sidewalk with art and welcome messages as we gear up for day one.

Arrival/ Dismissal Procedures

All student drop-off and pick-up will be at the back of the school. Please remember to STOP at the stop sign at the far corner of the building. Buses exiting have the right of way. For the safety of our students, parents dropping off or picking up students should not use the front parking lot. If you drop your child off in the morning, please do not do so before 8:30 am, as there will be no supervision (outside of the Champions Program). Our school hours are from 8:30-3:00 pm. Please be patient with us as we learn the faces of new families and become adjusted to the school year.

Walker Dismissal

For families within walking distance of Dudley El who prefer to pick up children on foot without a vehicle: Please pick up from the front door of the school by the main office. Please send in a note or call the school if you prefer to pick up by foot, and we will have your child(ren) ready for dismissal at 2:55. Thank you for your cooperation.

Transportation Form

Please complete this Transportation Form to note any upcoming changes to your child’s transportation plan.

• If your child is attending the Webster Dudley Boys and Girls Club after school program, please complete the form.

• If your child does not ride the bus home every morning or afternoon, please complete the form.

Labor Day & Half Day of School Reminder

Just a reminder that Friday, September 4th will be a half day of school with student dismissal after lunch at 12:00. In addition, there will be no school on Monday, September 7th in celebration of Labor Day.

Take Home Tuesday/ Opening Day Packets

We typically communicate electronically with school-based communications. If we have to send paper communications, we utilize Take Home Tuesday as much as possible. Your child will be issued a red vinyl communications folder for two-way, paper-based communications from classroom to home. The folder should be checked daily, but look out for communications from the Main Office on Tuesdays. You should receive two opening day packets on the first day of school. The white packet should remain at home for your reference. The colored packet should be completed by parents and caregivers as soon as possible, and returned to school via the vinyl communications folder. Thank you for your cooperation.

Questions & Contact Information- Chain of Command

Classroom teachers are primary contacts for parents and caregivers. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your classroom teacher directly. If the classroom teacher is unable to address any questions or concerns, then please reach out to me directly. Thank you for following the “chain of command” when issues pop up during the school year.

Elementary School Student Handbook

Here is our Elementary School Student Handbook for the 2026-2027 school year. It contains important district-wide policies and procedures. Please review it to set your family up for a successful year.

School Supplies Lists

Here are School Supplies Lists for the new school year. Please note that purchasing all supplies are optional. The school will make sure that all children have the necessary supplies for a successful school year.

Champions Before & After School Care

Registration is now open for before and after school care for the 2026-2027 school year with Champions.

Supplemental Email Peek Sign Up

If you have any additional email addresses that you would like to receive the DES Peek at Next Week, please complete this quick form.

Save the Date- First PTO Meeting of 2026-2027

The Dudley PTO will hold their first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 8th at 6:00 in the Dudley El Library. Please join us as we kick off the new year!

Save the Date- Tuesday, September 15th is Picture Day

Picture Day is coming on Tuesday, September 15th! Order forms will be sent home on the first day of school. You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID:EVT944MK7. Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

Save the Date- Fall Festival

The PTO is hosting our annual Fall Festival at Shepherd Hill Regional High School on Sunday, October 18th from 11:30-2:30. See all the details in the flyer below.

I am super excited to start the 2026-2027 school year! Please let me know how I can support you and the Dudley El community. Please reach out anytime if you have any questions or concerns. As your principal, my door is always open.

All the best,

Chris Audette