2025-26 Hoffman Highlights

Tuition Programs - Full Day Drop-Off 8:15 AM & Pick-Up 4:00 PM

Tuition Programs - Half Day (AM) Drop-Off 8:15 AM & Pick-Up 11:15 AM

Tuition Programs - Half Day (PM) Drop-Off 11:15 AM & Pick-Up 4:00 PM

ADA Full Day Drop-Off 8:15 AM & Pick-Up 3:40 PM

ECSE AM Session - Drop-Off 8:15 AM & Pick-Up 11:15 AM

ECSE PM Session - Drop-Off 12:40 PM & Pick-Up 3:40 PM

At Doris Hoffman Early Learning Center, our motto, “Rooted in Heart, Driven by Purpose,” reminds us daily of why we are here. Being rooted in heart means leading with compassion, patience, and love in all that we do—whether it’s welcoming families at the door, comforting a child who needs reassurance, or celebrating a small success that means so much. Our foundation is built on genuine care for children, families, and one another.

Being driven by purpose reminds us to be intentional with our teaching, our routines, and the way we support each child’s growth. Every story read, every song sung, every moment of play is carefully chosen to build skills, confidence, and joy in learning. As we settle into the rhythm of a new school year, this motto serves as both our anchor and our guide—ensuring that love leads our work and purpose directs our steps.

Students are invited to wear red, white, and blue to school as a simple and age-appropriate way to celebrate unity and community.

MVR-III is excited to welcome Dental Safari, our new mobile dental provider, beginning in the 2025–2026 school year!

Dental Safari brings high-quality dental care right to school, offering a wide range of services including:

• Comprehensive oral evaluations

• Digital X-rays

• Cleanings

• Sealants

• Fluoride treatments

• In-class dental education

• On-site follow-up restorative care (if needed)

This convenient model allows students to receive dental care with minimal disruption to their learning—most students return to class quickly after their visit.

Parent consent is required for students to participate. Consent forms will be available at registration and online, and can be returned to your building nurse.

🦷 Doris Hoffman is scheduled for September 17, 2025.
We’re excited to partner with Dental Safari to help keep our students smiling and healthy!

A quick reminder from our family handbook: children should wear shoes that are safe and comfortable for active play at school. Since our preschoolers spend time running, climbing, and exploring both indoors and outdoors each day, we ask that students wear closed-toe shoes with a secure fit (such as tennis shoes). Flip-flops, sandals, boots or dress shoes can make it difficult for children to participate safely in activities and may increase the risk of falls. Thank you for helping us keep your child safe and ready to learn by sending them in appropriate footwear each day.

At Doris Hoffman Early Learning Center, we use our Core Values Matrix to help children learn positive behaviors and social skills across all parts of their day. The matrix highlights our four core values—Be Curious, Be Respectful, Be Patient, and Be Caring—and shows what each of these looks like in different settings, such as the hallway, playground, classroom, cafeteria, and even during rest time. By teaching and modeling these expectations consistently, we create a safe, supportive, and joyful environment where children can grow not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.

At the dinner table, before bedtime, or even during a car ride, take turns sharing your favorite part of the day. This simple routine helps children practice reflection, builds gratitude, and encourages conversation skills. It’s also a sweet way to connect as a family and celebrate the little joys each day brings!

It is the goal of the Meramec Valley R-III School District to provide a safe environment for students. The district recognizes that rules regarding dismissal of students are a necessary part of the district’s safety program. All visitors must enter the school through the office doors. Students who are going to be picked up before the end of the school day will be released through the office only. As a reminder, you will be asked to show your ID, so please make sure to bring it with you.

When you arrive at school:

• Please pull into the drop-off car lane. We will begin bringing students into the building at 8:15 am.
• Parents are responsible for helping their child out of the car.
• Staff will meet you at your car door to escort children into the building.
• If outside of normal drop-off time, you must announce your arrival via intercom/monitor and wait for a staff member to let you in. Please DO NOT allow others to enter as you leave.
• Parents who bring students after the starting time for each session must sign the child in at the main office.
• Always tell the teacher or staff assistant you are leaving thereby placing the child in his/her care.
• The use of cell phones is strongly discouraged during this time as they interfere with child/parent time.
• When exiting the parking lot, please be mindful of traffic and follow the arrows.

• Please pull into the pick-up car lane between 3:30pm - 3:40 pm.
• If your child attends our tuition program, they may attend until 4:00 pm. If you arrive prior to 3:30 pm or after 3:45 pm, please park and announce your arrival via intercom/monitor, sign your student out on the tablet, and wait for a staff member to bring your student to you.
• Staff will come to your car to scan your KID Account card or search your student's last name.
• Your child's teacher or classroom assistant will escort your child out of the building to you.
• Please step out of your car to receive your child to get them into your car.
• We are asking that cars do not begin exiting the carline until a staff member has released you.
• If the line begins to get too long, we may begin a second line. A staff member will direct you.
• When exiting the parking lot, please be mindful of traffic and follow the arrows.

MVR-III uses the BusRight Parent App to communicate bus routes and times with parents. BusRight is a FREE parent app to allow parents to, in real-time, follow their child’s bus route to and from school, receive notifications when the bus begins and ends its route, view the expected arrival time at your child’s designated bus stop, and receive communication from the Transportation Department.

To access BusRight, please follow these simple steps:

1. Download the App: Download the BusRight app from your mobile device's app store.

2. Create an Account: Use your Infinite Campus email address to create a login.

3. Track Your Student: Begin tracking your child's bus routes immediately.

If you have issues creating your account, you will need to verify with your school building office that you are listed as the primary guardian in Infinite Campus. Find out more on BusRight on the District website under Transportation.

SACC is our before and after school care program.

If your child needs morning childcare before 8:15 am, contact the school office at 636-271-1464

or visit the School Age Child Care Program website to register.

For more information please see the flyer below:

Our goals as a community will be obtained with strong partnerships between the home and school. Please check out our website, download the free MVR3 App, and like us on Facebook.

If you did NOT receive a text and call from the district on Tuesday, please contact our school secretary to ensure your information is in our system correctly.

Our Doris Hoffman parent newsletter, called The Hoffman Highlights, will be sent out on Thursday each week. This is intended to help your family best prepare for the week ahead so you have plenty of time to know about the 'next' thing going on!

In the case of inclement weather or other emergency situations, an announcement of changes will be made through our Communication Notification System. MVR-III utilizes this tool to enhance ongoing communication with parents and staff through voice call, text, mobile app notifications, social media, and the district website live feed. In cases of school cancelation, news channels 2, 4, and 5 will also have the information.

This system allows school administrators to keep parents updated quickly and efficiently with personalized messages that help them stay actively involved in their child’s education. Patrons can use the free mobile app to get rapid notifications and access a variety of school-related information.

Be sure to:

• ALLOW Notifications

• Select SETTINGS to choose the school(s) you want to follow

School district meal prices will remain the same for the 2025 school year. Families are highly encouraged to complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application for possible qualification. Paper applications will be available at Open House events.

The Free/Reduced Meal Program not only helps families, it gives the district a more accurate picture of student needs as the percentage of students qualifying for free/reduced price meals is a national measure of poverty. The annual rate is used to determine how much federal funding will flow to school districts and how much extra support- primarily staffing like Reading Specialist and additional teaching staff for schools with the highest free/reduced percentages. Additionally, these rates help districts qualify for free meal waivers for MVR-III which benefit all students.

Contact Michelle Dawson at 636-271-1428 or email at mailto:mdawson@mvr3.k12.mo.us. Find Food Service Department information here.

Lunch is included in the tuition price for tuition paying students, so this information does not apply to your family.

As the 2025 school year kicks off, MVR-III is excited to offer a nutritious and energizing start to every student's day—FREE breakfast for all! This incredible opportunity is made possible by Provision 2 under the National School Breakfast Program, and it’s designed with one simple goal in mind: ensuring that our students have the energy they need for a successful day of learning.

However, to keep programs like these available, it’s crucial for families to complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application. By doing so, you help the District qualify for vital funding that supports all students. Your participation ensures that every child continues to receive the benefits of nutritious meals, which are key to their academic and personal growth.

If you plan to volunteer, attend field trips, or help at school events, you will first need to complete the background check process. Two background checks are now required, and the process takes up to 10 days to complete.

We suggest families plan ahead and complete the process prior to the start of each school year or 10 days prior to an off campus field trips. Volunteers should review the links below. Please contact your child's school office if you have any questions.

• Volunteer Process

• Volunteer Handbook

September 11th - Red, White & Blue Day

September 17th - Dental Safari

September 19th - Professional Development for Staff - No School

September 26th - Johnny Appleseed Day

October 10th - Full Day Field Trip

October 13th - No School for Students

October 14th - Fire Station Walking Field Trip

October 15th - Picture Retakes

October 17th - Homecoming Parade (1/2 day for students)

October 21st - KidSight Vision Screenings

October 23rd - DHELC Trunk or Treat

October 30th - DHELC Halloween Parade

As we wrap up our third week of school, I am so proud of the growth we are already seeing in our classrooms. Our students are settling into routines with greater independence, and each day they are showing us their curiosity, kindness, and resilience. These small steps add up to big milestones, and it is such a gift to witness their progress.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being such dedicated partners in their learning journey. Together, rooted in heart and driven by purpose, we are creating a joyful and supportive school community where every child can thrive.

With appreciation,
Mrs. Amy Huson

If you have any questions concerning the 2025-2026 school year, please contact me at 636-271-1464

or email me at ahuson@mvr3.k12.mo.us.