Lyons Farm Principal Update #117

Welcome to August!

My plan is to send a monthly update throughout the year to help keep families informed and connected. Teachers will also share weekly "At a Glance" updates with learning objectives, conversation starters, reminders, and more.

Tuesday, September 1---Thursday, October 1

Sunday, November 1---Tuesday, December 1

Friday, January 1---Monday, February 1

Monday, March 1---Thursday, April 1

Saturday, May 1---Tuesday, June 1

*Each Newsletter Will Be Updated As New Information Becomes Available

Please check back throughout the month. As I receive new information or schedules change, this newsletter will be updated so it always reflects the most current information available.

Here's what we've already put into action:

1. More Time for Lunch -- Beginning this school year, every grade level will receive 5 additional minutes for lunch -- one of the most common requests from students.

2. More Time Outside -- We are transitioning to a Full Scale Outdoor Specials class for all students which will involve more dedicated time outside. Mr. Gaspar, our new teacher has Big Dreams!

3.Protecting Brain Breaks -- Students told us that short opportunities to reset can help them learn. We will continue encouraging teachers to build intentional brain breaks into the school day.

We know many families like to shop early (!)

To help with planning, we've posted the most recent supply lists for each grade level below. As teachers finish preparing for the new school year, they will communicate any minor additions or adjustments if needed. We don't expect significant changes from these lists.

• Pre-K through 2nd Graders should be dropped off in front of School (Purple Route)
• 3rd, 4th, or 5th should be dropped off near the big field (Orange Route)
• 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders may get out in front with their Pre-K to 2nd Grade Sibling

Transportation Information:

1. Downloads: Apple App Store or Google Play Store
2. Help with Edulog
3. DPS Family Responsibility Zone Information

Families are free to download the application. If not downloaded messages can still be shared to parents (SMS). Teachers will plan to send out invites after Open House. Stand by for a TalkingPoints invitation... or another form of communication from your child's teacher. Click below for additional TalkingPoints information.

Please share the information below with families of rising Kindergarten students:

Your child will attend one assessment session based on their last name.

• Monday, August 24

Last Names A–F: 8:15–10:30 AM

Last Names G–L: 11:15 AM–1:30 PM

Students should not bring backpacks or school supplies.

• Tuesday, August 25

Last Names M–R: 8:15–10:30 AM

Last Names S–Z: 11:15 AM–1:30 PM

Students should not bring backpacks or school supplies.

• Wednesday, August 26

Last Names A–M: 4:45–5:30 PM

Last Names N–Z: 6:00–6:45 PM

• Thursday, August 27

Kindergarten School Hours: 8:30–11:30 AM

**If able, students should Bring Backpacks, Supplies & Materials

• Parents are welcome to walk their child into the building this day

• Please do not arrive on campus before 8:10 AM.

• Teachers will plan to meet students at their classroom door beginning at 8:30 AM
• Staff will be available as families walk in to assist starting at 8:15AM

• Kindergarten bus transportation begins Friday, August 28.

• Friday, August 28

School Hours: 7:45 AM–2:15 PM

We look forward to welcoming our rising kindergarteners to Lyons Farm!

This 5 minute adjustment allows all staff members to be in place and fully prepared before students begin entering the building, helping us ensure a safe, smooth, and Welcoming start to each school day.

Please plan for your child to exit their car right at 7:20 AM--if you are using the morning carpool line.

In response to a 4-year trend in family and community feedback, we are hosting two Community Conversations focused on what families can expect regarding communication, technology, and learning at Lyons Farm.

Rising kindergarten families are welcome to come and connect with other parents, students, and school leadership over Juice boxes and Music!

In response to a 4-year trend in family and community feedback, we are hosting two Community Conversations focused on what families can expect regarding communication, technology, and learning at Lyons Farm.

What To Expect:

• Class lists (Posted outside of each classroom)
• Meet your child's teachers.
• Bus Assignments (Posted throughout the building)
• Afterschool Information Table
• Student Registration Table
• Bus Inquiry Table
• Carpool Tag Registration Table

***This is an Adult Only Bike Ride***

All Lyons Farm moms, dads, parents, parent figures interested in participating should meet at Herndon Park (511 Scott King Rd, Durham, NC 27713) at 8:00AM. Please bring a helmet! We plan to ride the American Tobacco Trail, stop at RISE Biscuits, and head back to the park around 9:30/10:00AM. NO RSVP required.

4:45 - 5:30PM Student Last Names: A - M

6:00 - 6:45PM Student Last Names: N - Z

In short, our students will request donations from friends and family while paying it forward through acts of kindness that reflect our core values of Exploration, Joy, Rigor, Justice, and Growth.

It’s completely online, takes just minutes to set up and Best of All: 95% of the money raised goes directly back to our school for ALL the needs we currently have--and will continue to have given our ever-growing Community. No selling, no collecting money. More Details to come!

What to Expect:

• An overview of academic curriculum & school day
• General academic & behavior expectations
• Overview of our CharacterStrong Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program

Connecting with Threads invites you to join us following curriculum night and help us sew a quilt that matches a book. These quilts -- and their matching books -- will be given to children being served by Transitions Hospice in hopes that they can share some time with family and friends reading the book while snuggling with the quilt! No sewing experience is required! Click Image or Link Below:

Summer 2026:

Book: The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek

Podcast: Science Vs

T.V. Show: The Bear--Season 5, FX

Movie: Sinners (...and the soundtrack!), Warner Bros

Summer 2025:

Book: Beartown, Book #2: Us Against You

Podcast: Code Switch, NPR: Race, Identity, Culture

T.V. Show: Shogun, FX

Movie: The Bad Guys 2 (in 3D!), DreamWorks Animation

Summer 2024:

Book: Everything is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer

Podcast: 40 Acres And A Lie, Reveal: The Center for Public Integrity

T.V. Show: The Bear, Hulu

Movie: American Fiction, Amazon/MGM

Summer 2023:

Book: Outliers, Malcom Gladwell (4X! & All Time Favorite Book)

Podcast: Revisionist History, Malcom Gladwell, S6

T.V. Show: Chernobyl, HBO (Limited Series)

Movie: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Paramount

Summer 2022:

Book: The Listening Leader, Shane Safir

Podcast: Revisionist History, Malcom Gladwell, S1&3

T.V. Show: Succession, HBO

Movie: The Batman, Warner Bros.

All families who live in the Lyons Farm Attendance Zone or have been admitted to our Kindergarten Dual Language Program must provide the following items for enrollment:

• Enrollment Application: Complete the application on the DPS website Click on "Enroll" and scroll down to the “Enroll your Student Here” tab.

• Child’s Birth Certificate

• Immunization Records

• North Carolina Health Assessment Form

• Proof of Residency (Accepted documents: lease, deed, or a current utility bill)

• Parent/Legal Guardian Photo ID

• Please ensure all documents are submitted promptly to secure your child's enrollment.

How to Submit Documents:
All documentation can be submitted in one of the following ways:

• Uploaded directly with the online application
• Emailed
• Delivered in person

Need Help or Have Questions?
Please contact Shekera "Asia" Pope at: shekera_pope@dpsnc.net

Email: james_hopkins@dpsnc.net
Website: https://www.dpsnc.net/o/lyonsfarmelementary

Location: 906 Scott King Road, Durham, NC, USA
Phone: 919-560-9449
X: @principaljhop