Monday 08/12: First day of school! WELCOME BACK

Tears and Cheers @ Distillery 98 8-10 AM

Tuesday 08/13:

Wednesday 08/14:

Thursday 08/15:

Friday 08/16:

FUTURE EVENTS:

08/27: 5th grade F.A.S.T. Reading

08/28: 4th grade F.A.S.T. Reading

08/29: 3rd grade F.A.S.T. Reading

08/30: EARLY RELEASE FOR STUDENTS

Our school's theme this year is "Better Together". We believe that our school is best when students, teachers, staff, and parents collectively work together. We look forward to a positive school year collaborating with one another. Sandpipers are better together!

Dune Lakes Elementary School is proud to share that it has been designated as an "A+" school by the state of Florida following the release of the 2023-2024 school year assessment data! This achievement is due to the collective hard work and commitment of our students, teachers, staff, families, and community! Sandpipers are better together!

Parents may walk their students to class on the first day. Please be mindful of class start times (7:35) and transitions to ensure we start the day smoothly. Parents electing to do so MUST enter/exit through main entrance. Parents electing to do so are STRONGLY encouraged to use the east parking lot to minimize traffic up front. Parking on grass or curb is PROHIBITED. Please do not block flow of traffic in any capacity. We anticipate a busy arrival/ dismissal. Please carefully review the transportation map below.

Ensure your student knows their 1st day transportation method. Primary grades parents are asked to clearly communicate this with their child's teacher.

Classes are currently balanced and our office will be unable to consider any changes until all enrollments/withdrawals/and did not enrolls are processed.

Familiarize yourself with WCSD dress code policies and updates for the 24-25 SY.

Student packets were given at meet the teacher. If you were unable to attend, this will be sent home with your child on Monday. Please be sure to return the following as soon as possible.

• Yellow Emergency Card
• Code of Conduct Receipt Acknowledgement
• Permission to participate in extracurricular activities, assumption of risk waiver
• Internet use agreement
• Possession of wireless communications agreement
• Student handbook receipt acknowledgement
• Student residency questionnaire
• Free/Reduced meal application (please complete and submit this form even if you do not plan to use the benefits. Form submissions allow the school to qualify for additional federal funding and other student supports).

OPTIONAL OPT-OUT FORMS

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy ACT (FERPA) Opt-out (submission of this form with deny permission for your student's directory information/photos to be featured in school publications including yearbook, social media, class photos, and school website.)
• Technology opt-out (Submission of this form with deny permission for your student to access the internet through school-provided computers and other devices.)

Please see the map below for reference and familiarize yourself with these areas to ensure quick and easy transitions. REMINDER: Doors open @ 7:10 AM! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Please note, drop off and pick up lines have changed since last year!

ZONE 1 (GRADES 3-5): Parents of grades 3-5 students (+older siblings) must enter/exit from the access road west of the main campus. This road is only accessible off of Hwy 98. (marked with yellow arrow) Students will enter/dismiss from E Hall.

ZONE 2 (Kindergarten): Parents of kindergarten students (+older siblings) must enter/exit campus using the first entrance from MC Davis Blvd (marked with red arrow) and loop through parking lot. Students will enter/dismiss from the cafeteria.

ZONE 3 (GRADES 1-2): Parents of grades 1-2 students (+older siblings) must enter/exit campus using the last entrance from MC Davis Blvd (marked with blue arrow) Students will enter/dismiss from the gym.

ZONE 4 (Bus Riders and Walkers): Bus riders will unload/load in this area. Walkers will meet parents at the designated pick up area (marked with a X)

Walkers are approved by the Principal and will need a walker pass.

All bus rider students will receive letters this week regarding routes. Students will also receive bus tags for the back packs which support staff in quickly identifying the correct bus and parent. Please help us keep these securely fastened to your child's backpack.

ATTENTION Buffalo and Alligator bus riders! Some of these students may be held due to bus capacity limits. Students will be picked up later as bus returns from dropping off students in first wave.

You can track your student using the Here Comes the Bus Application. The Here Comes the Bus application provides the real-time location of your child’s bus on a map and gives scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for bus routes. It also provides push and email notifications when the bus is near. Sign up using the flyers below.

Please refer to your new student packet for instructions for Pikmykid app. We will process ALL transportation changes through Pikmykid. Parents may call the office for a change in an emergency or for help with the Pikmykid platform. Please see the resources and video tutorials below. Pikmykid is also available by phone to support users and parents.

Celebrate and join us on August 12th from 8a - 10a Distillery 98 for breakfast, raffle prizes and some good laughs after finally dropping your kids off at school again. Enjoy delicious lite bites from Swiftly Catered All current Dune Lakes Elementary parents are welcome! 🎉☕️🍾🥳

Want to be part of the announcements crew? This school year Dune Lakes Elementary will be featuring a LIVE news broadcast staffed and produced by students. Sign up your student using the application below.

Do you love to build things? Can you think quickly on your feet? Are you a little dramatic? Then Dune Lakes Elementary needs you as a member of our after school Odyssey of the Mind team to represent our school in the 2025 Emerald Coast Regional Tournament. Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program which promotes lifelong friendships as you develop your skills. Each week you will work with your fellow team members to learn how to become a spontaneous problem solver as you have fun building your skills.

If selected, you will work with your team to choose a long-term problem to prepare for presentation during the tournaments. You must be willing to work hard and share your creative ideas with others to be successful. At the tournaments, you will be expected to present your long-term project to the judges and participate in the solution of a top-secret spontaneous problem for scoring to move on to the state competition. Each team will include 5 to 7 creative minds working together towards their selected goal.

If you are in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade and would like to join this exciting team, please complete the application at https://forms.gle/PvshLtJJ42gN7sHh9 by Friday, August 30th. Team members will be announced by Tuesday, September 3rd.

Does your student know the AVID word of the week? Join us in promoting a robust vocabulary at home by using it with your student!

Stay connected with Remind! We've created a new school Remind account for the 23-24 school year. All previous school accounts have been closed. Please rejoin our DLE Remind by texting our school code @dle2324 to 81010.

Track your student's grades, attendance, and more with Focus. Sign up using the information below. The school can provide you with your student's unique PIN upon request.

Did you know the over 20% of Dune Lakes students missed GREATER than 10 days of school last year?

We are learning every day! Help make sure your student stays on track by encouraging consistent attendance!

We are beginning to think creatively of ways to celebrate students with perfect and exemplary attendance! Don't miss out!

Parents are encouraged to either read with or encourage their student to read for 20 minutes a day! Reading daily improves student standardized testing performance, spelling, writing, grammar, and vocabulary!

1. Go to https://launchpad.classlink.com/walton
2. Click Renaissance Place
3. Log in and Test!

For additional questions please contact Ms. Carroll mailto:rachel.gonzalez@walton.k12.fl.us

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.

.https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fortifyfl-tip-reporting/id1435824190

***PARENT LUNCH VISITORS WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY, AUGUST 26th, no parent lunch visitors the first week of school***

Parents visiting on Monday and Friday are allowed to visit at the designated lunch time for their student. If you have more than one student, you are welcome to have lunch with them at their designated time. Students will not be pulled to eat with their siblings. Parents are to wait for their child's class to enter the "A" hallway, and may proceed to the cafeteria only. Visiting other classrooms is prohibited. Lunch visitors are to eat in the patio, and check out at the front office when leaving.

For your convenience, sign up for EZ school pay https://www.ezschoolpay.com/Login.aspx

A La Carte items will resume on August 26th

Encourage your student to explore the new a la carte menus options in the Sandpiper Cafe! In addition to the many new healthy single options, students may also choose from fresh grab n' go salad options. See the menu below. Cash only.

Great things are cooking this month in the Sandpiper Cafe!

Please take the time to put your child's name on their backpacks, water bottles, coats, etc. Items will be collected and displayed outside cafeteria.

Medication at school:

The front desk cannot intake medications. Please call ahead to meet with the nurse who can assist with this.

Fever Reminders:

A fever is a temperature of 100 degrees or more. Students must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications before they can return to school.

Donations needed:

Our clinic is always in the need for spare clothing. Boys and girls clothing (shorts, new underwear, shirts, etc). We appreciate your donations!

Lice reminders:

Students showing visible signs and symptoms will be sent to nurse and parents will be notified. Any affected student must provide front office with signed proof indicating treatment. Additional information is available on the WCSD Health Services at https://www.walton.k12.fl.us/page/school-health-services

• Volunteers, please be sure to check out by 1:15.
• When turning in a doctor's note for your child's absence, we ask that you please send us the original note from the physician's office. Notes should include student name, date they were seen and what days they are excused for. Doctor notes are excused absences. Altered notes will not be accepted. Notes need to be submitted within 3 days of the absence. For your convenience, notes may be emailed to mailto:dleinfo@walton.k12.fl.us
• If you would like notification that your child has checked out a library book, please log into FOCUS and make this change. This must be done each year.
• All transportation changes must be received by 1:30 p.m. through Pikmykid.
  
• 🚩 NO EARLY CHECK-OUTS ARE ALLOWED AFTER 1:45 P.M., please arrive prior to this for any appointments. You will be asked to go to the car line and wait for your student after this time.
• Walkers: All walkers must have a walker waiver on file at the front office. Parents picking up their walkers are required to have the walker pass issued by the front office. We will not release any student to parents at the walker exit without this pass. Please call the office for specific walker guidelines 850-622-5012.

Welcome Sandpipers! My name is Mrs. Rudd and I am thrilled to welcome you and your child to the new school year! As the school counselor, my role is to support your child's social, emotional, and academic development. I am committed to creating a safe and supportive environment that fosters growth, resilience, and success. If your child is facing challenges at home or in the classroom, please know that my door is always open. I am here to listen, offer guidance, and connect you with resources to support your child's well-being. Let's work together to make this year an amazing one for our students!

All 2023-2024 volunteer applications have expired. Please be sure to renew your application online, print the affidavit, bring to the front office for notary and admin signature. Once that is complete, Ms. Isolano will send to the district volunteer coordinator for processing.

1. Fill out a volunteer affidavit. This will need to be notarized and signed by a DLE administrator.

2. Complete online application, upload affidavit or leave with school secretary to attach.

3. Schedule background check and *fingerprints, $75 at the district office for chaperone permission.

*WCSD currently does not accept fingerprints from outside agencies. To schedule background and fingerprints, please call 850-892-1100 x1154. Background and fingerprints are good for 5 years, however steps 1 and 2 are to be renewed annually.

**You must have a background check to be a designated chaperone.

https://dle.walton.k12.fl.us/o/wcsd/page/volunteer-information

Stay up to date on the latest at https://www.facebook.com/sandpiperboosters

Sandpiper Boosters Spirit Shop – Shop all things Sandpipers Here : https://www.sandpiperboosters.org/spiritshop

Coast Hippie x Sandpiper – Ongoing Fundraiser – They introduced new colors for the Youth Hoodies last week! Check them out here ::https://coasthippie.com/collections/do-good

Faculty Favorites

https://www.sandpiperboosters.org/faculty-favorites

Stay connected with Remind! We've created a new school Remind account for the 23-24 school year. All previous school accounts have been closed. Please rejoin our DLE Remind by texting our school code @dle2324 to 81010.

If you have questions, concerns or comments, you can contact us through Let's Talk. Simply click here and reach out to us.

The Walton County School District is now offering parents access to their children’s information. Your connection to students’ education/academic information is now available online. You will be able to view your children’s data in these areas: student grades, daily attendance, teacher email account for each class, school messages and upcoming events, and more. Use the QR code or follow the instructions below.

Step 1

• To register or reset your password for the Parent Portal please visit the following link:
  https://walton.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/auth/

Step 2

• The following information is required to setup a Focus Parent Portal Account.

  1. Child’s student identifier (10 digit number beginning with 66 assigned by the district).
  2. Student’s date of birth.
  3. Parent Portal Registration PIN. If your child has a portal account, they can provide you with the PIN by viewing the General tab under My Information. Or you can obtain your PIN from the school office.

  Once your account has been created you will have access to the Parent Portal at the following site: https://walton.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/

Mission Statement: By living our character pledge, we will educate with passion, inspire pride of self and cultivate meaningful relationships with our students and families, staff and community.

Vision Statement: To inspire personal responsibility, civic duty and a passion for lifelong learning

Email: DLEinfo@walton.k12.fl.us
Website: https://dle.walton.k12.fl.us/
Location: 6565 U.S. 98 E, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, USA
Phone: 850-622-5012
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DuneLakesSandpipers