Hello, Dove families!

What a great time we had at Movie Night Friday night! There is nothing like our school community and truly no place like Dove! As this is the last newsletter until after Thanksgiving, I wanted to share my unending gratitude to the families, volunteers, staff, and community that make Dove a wonderful place to learn and work. Thank you for giving your time, ideas, suggestions, talents, skills, and efforts to create a school that we can all be proud to belong to. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy time with your family over the week.

Proud to be your principal,

Heather Landrum

All visitors who wish to visit at Dove or be a part of events such as field trips, Friendship Day, class parties, Field Day, Book Fair shopping, the Fun Run, and more need to have a cleared background check every year.

We encourage ALL VISITORS to do this at the beginning of each school year to avoid any conflicts with attending events at our school!

More information about the process and the online application can be found HERE. Safety is everyone's responsibility, and we appreciate everyone taking time at the beginning of each year to complete the background check process!

ALL visitors must present a photo ID and sign in as a visitor in our Raptor system upon entering Dove EACH TIME THEY VISIT. Any visitor without a photo ID will not be allowed to sign in to our school. Safety is everyone's responsibility, and we thank you for keeping the safety of our students and staff a priority!

Each week, links to grade-level newsletters can be found here:

PreK

Kindergarten

1st grade

2nd grade

3rd grade

4th grade

5th grade

Total Enrollment: 398

Total Attendance Goal: 96.0%

Total Attendance Rate for the week: 97.3%

PK: 95.1%

Kinder: 96.0%

1st: 95.8%

2nd: 96.9%

3rd: 99.3%

4th: 99.3%

5th: 97.7%

Total Number of Tardies for the Week: 25 (Wednesday-Friday)

Attendance Matters! Thank you for having your child at school on time ON TIME AND READY TO LEARN!!!!!!!!

We welcome visitors during lunch!

Due to seating capacity, we only have space for a certain number of visitors during each grade level lunch. Please click on the Sign Up Genius below and scroll down to find your child's grade level and sign up on an open spot to ensure that you have a spot to sit at lunch! Once the slots on a particular grade level are filled, we won't have the space for additional visitors on that day during that grade level lunch.

The Dove Elementary Thanksgiving Food Drive continues this week through Thursday, November 16! Which grade level will donate the most? 1st grade is currently in the lead!

The Book Fair will be held December 4th-8th in the Learning Commons! If you would prefer to shop online, go to efairs.literati.com and search for Dove Elementary! You can also purchase gift cards for your child to shop cash free at the in person fair! There will be an opportunity for families to shop during Lunch with a Loved One on December 5th!

If you are an approved GCISD volunteer and would like to help, please sign up here! More information is coming soon!

Mark your calendars! Dove Elementary is hosting Lunch with a Loved One on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. All visitors that plan to attend Lunch with a Loved One and would like to skip the line at the kiosk, please RSVP by completing the form (one form for each visitor) by SUNDAY, December 3, so that we can create a Fast Pass for you! Please remember your ID when signing in! Please also look closely at lunch times for your student(s) as they may be different than the times your student(s) normally eat lunch.

Also, please make sure that you have completed a volunteer background check and are a cleared volunteer! The steps to become a cleared volunteer can be found HERE ---> https://www.gcisd.net/o/gcisd/page/volunteer-background-check

Additionally, our Book Fair will be open during lunches, if you would like to shop after eating.

We are SO EXCITED to offer extracurricular opportunities for our students after school! A HUGE THANK YOU to our staff members who are volunteering their time after school to provide these experiences for our students.

• Club Sponsors will email families on Sunday each week with Club reminders for the upcoming week.
• Parents, PLEASE check your email and the Dove Website calendar (scroll to the bottom of the home page) to be sure you know what days your student is staying after school for a club and what time you need to pick them up (clubs have different end times). All clubs will dismiss in the front of the building.

Students Attending EDP: EDP students attending any club or activity after school must be released directly to EDP immediately after dismissal, BEFORE reporting to their club or activity. Once they are checked in with EDP staff, they will be released to their next activity. After the activity ends, club sponsors will escort EDP students directly back to EDP. This process is to ensure all EDP students are safely accounted for at all times.

THIS WEEK:

Monday: Lego Club, Recycling Club, Kindness Club

Tuesday: Chess Club, Spirit Club, Basketball Club, Choir

Wednesday: Dove Dynamic Drummers; Cardio Club

The referral window for elementary students' Gifted and Talented services is from November 27 - December 15, 2023. (This referral window also applies to any current GT LEAD students interested in applying for the ASPIRE Academy). Parents interested in having their students assessed for GT services need to complete the form in Skyward by December 15th. There are directions on how to complete the parent inventory and permission to test form on the GCISD Advanced Academics website: https://sites.google.com/gcisd.net/gtpp/home. Campus GT specialists will administer any necessary testing from January 4 - 31, 2024. Parents will be notified through Skyward regarding results as soon as the district assessment process is completed.

Our District Assessment Calendar reflects the following grade-level assessments to open for classes to take! District assessment data can be found in your student’s Edugence and Ed: Your Friend in Learning App through Classlink on your student’s device! If you have questions about your student's performance on an assessment, please reach out to your child's teacher.

Nov. 13-17

Pre-K

• No assessments this week.

Kinder

• Math Unit 4 TEKS Check

1st

• ELA Module 4 Inventory

2nd

• ELA Custom Module 4 Assessment (shared in ED) & Inventory (on paper)

3rd

• ELA Module 4 Assessment (shared in Ed)

• Math Unit 3 TEKS Check

4th

• ELA Module 4 Assessment (shared in Ed)

• Math Unit 3 TEKS Check

• Science TEKS Check 2: Organisms & Environments

5th

• ELA Module 4 Assessment (shared in Ed)

Nov. 27-Dec. 1

Pre-K

• No assessments this week.

Kinder

• Math: Aimsweb Universal Screener

• ELA: mCLASS Universal Screener

1st

• Math: Aimsweb Universal Screener

• ELA: mCLASS Universal Screener

2nd

• Math: Aimsweb Universal Screener

• ELA: mCLASS Universal Screener

3rd

• Math: Aimsweb Universal Screener

• ELA: Aimsweb Universal Screener

4th

• Math: Aimsweb Universal Screener

• ELA: Aimsweb Universal Screener

5th

• Math: Aimsweb Universal Screener

• ELA: Aimsweb Universal Screener

Do you know a GCISD employee who is always putting their best foot forward for students? Someone who goes out of their way to make others feel special? A person who lights up the room the moment they walk in? Did you witness a particular moment you would like to highlight?

Please share your nomination for our Stars of GCISD – a program, sponsored by community partners, such as Wise Guys Pizzeria and EECU, to shine the light on the very people who make GCISD shine every day. Your nomination will be sent to the nominee, their supervisor, and entered into a monthly selection for the GCISD Star of the Month.

Thank you for helping us celebrate and recognize our incredible employees – the Stars of GCISD!

https://www.gcisd.net/page/stars-of-gcisd

As we do during the warmer months of the school year, recess while the temps are colder is also regulated, in order to keep our students and staff safe.

Per our Administrative Regulations, if the *feels like* temperature is below 36 degrees, we will not have recess. If the *feels like* temperature is between 36 and 45 degrees, outside recess will be limited to 15 minutes. Please make sure you send your student to school with the proper attire for outside recess. If weather and temperature allow, teachers will take students outside.

We do have a Lost and Found that is overflowing! If your student has lost their jacket, coat, lunchbox, hoodie, or gloves, please come check the Lost-and-Found before Thanksgiving break! We will donate any items left over the break!

Do you know a SUPER Dove student who is always putting their best foot forward? A SUPER student who goes out of their way to treat others with kindness or respect? A SUPER student who worked really hard to reach a goal? Did you witness a particular moment you would like to highlight? We want to hear about it! Please nominate a SUPER student today!

It is that time of year when World Wear Project offers an incentive of $100 to each and every school that is able to collect 2,500 lbs. or more of shoes, clothing and other items we accept during the month of November in conjunction with American/Texas Recycles Month.

Dove Elementary is proud to partner with World Wear, and you can find the World Wear Bin behind Dove, next to the Dove Dads shed. So, clean out those closets, donate to the World Wear Bin in November, and help our school earn an additional $100!!

Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s learning and educational experiences. Parents and students are encouraged to avoid unnecessary absences. Two important state laws govern attendance. In efforts to promote student attendance and learning, please note the following reminders and updates to GCISD attendance requirements:

• Students enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten are required to attend school and are subject to the compulsory attendance requirements as long as they remain enrolled at a campus.
  
• Students/families who do not meet compulsory attendance will be referred to the GCISD Attendance Review Board and/or referred to Tarrant County Court for truancy.
  
• To receive credit or a final grade in a class, a student in kindergarten–grade 12 must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered.
  
• Up to 8 days per year (4 per semester) may be excused by a parent note for missed attendance beyond medical, approved excused, and statutorily exemptions.
  
• Vacations taken during the school year will be coded as unexcused absences.
  
• A parent must provide an explanation for any absence upon the student’s arrival or return to school. The student must submit a note signed by the parent. The campus will document in its attendance records whether the absence is excused or unexcused.
  
• All absences whether excused or unexcused count toward the 90% rule.
  

Read more about the Laws Governing School Attendance HERE.

Celebrate your Dolphin’s birthday in a BIG way by having their name and birthday flash on our marquee (Pro Tip- this is a great photo opp)!! Fill out the form below and drop your money by the front office! As a reminder, if you wish to celebrate your child's birthday at school, you are welcome to send small birthday favors for the class. Please do not send/ bring food items for other students. Thank you!

Happy Birthday to all our Dolphins!

We had a GREAT turnout for Movie Night on Friday night! Thank you to all the families who came out! Also, a HUGE thank you to the volunteers who helped set up, sell concessions, cook, clean up, and all the things it takes to make a school event like this possible!

¡Bienvenidos a Dove! will meet this Wednesday, November 15th at Dove Park at 4pm. This is a group created for our Spanish speaking families to connect more with each other. Look for Daniela Ordoñez at the Pavillion.

By popular demand, Dove PTA is putting together a student directory to help our families and students better connect! All families will have access to the digital version - and PTA members will receive a printed copy!

We are asking that all families complete the form on our website for each child to let us know whether you want to be included! https://www.dovepta.org/student-directory

Dove Grandparent Group is meeting Wednesday, November 15th at LaMadeleine at 10am. Parents, please share with your dolphin's local grandparents so we can help them get connected.

Nutrition Services is thrilled to announce the inaugural Literary Lunch event for the 2023-2024 school year, scheduled for November 14, 2023. This exciting event will be hosted in all GCISD elementary schools and will feature a beloved children's book titled "If You Give a Moose a Muffin," part of the well-loved "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" series.

To make this day even more special, Nutrition Services will provide a complimentary whole grain muffin to every student who chooses a plate lunch. Additionally, one lucky student from each grade level (PK-5) who opts for a plate lunch will be selected at random to receive a free copy of the featured book. Furthermore, a copy of the book will be donated to the school library, enriching the reading resources available to students.

This event exemplifies how GCISD Nutrition Services is strengthening the connection between the cafeteria and the classroom, enhancing student learning and engagement in a delightful way!

GCISD’s Nutrition Services is pleased to announce that parents can now download the MySchoolBucks app to make online prepayments on their child’s school meal account and view transactions. There is a $2.75 processing fee for each transaction.

After downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play on their mobile device, parents will need the following to establish an account:

• Visa, Mastercard or Discover credit cards

• Child’s six- or seven-digit student ID number

Transactions made prior to 10 a.m. will be posted to the meal account the same day. Prepayments made after 10 a.m. will be posted the next school day.

Although the online option is available, parents will still continue to have the option to pay at their child’s school using cash or via check. There is no processing fee for payments at school.

If you need assistance with the meal account, please call GCISD Nutrition Services at 817-251-5617 or send an email to child.nutrition@gcisd.net.

Los padres pueden pagar en línea por las comidas escolares de su hijo a través de la aplicaciíon MySchoolBucks

Servicios de Nutrición de GCISD se complace en anunciar que los padres ahora pueden descargar la aplicación MySchoolBucks para hacer pagos por adelantado en línea en la cuenta de comida escolar de su hijo y ver las transacciones. Hay un cargo de procesamiento de $2.75 por cada transacción.

Después de descargar la aplicación en la tienda App Store o Google Play en su dispositivo móvil, los padres necesitarán lo siguiente para establecer una cuenta:

• Tarjetas de crédito Visa, Mastercard o Discover

• El número de identificación estudiantil de seis o siete dígitos

Las transacciones realizadas antes de las 10 a.m. se acreditarán a la cuenta de comidas el mismo día. Los pagos realizados después de las 10.00 a.m. se acreditarán el siguiente día escolar.

Aunque la opción de pago en línea está disponible, los padres aún tendrán la opción de pagar en la escuela de sus hijos en efectivo o con cheque.No hay cargo de procesamiento para pagos hechos en la escuela.

Si necesita ayuda con la cuenta de comida, por favor llame a Servicios de Nutrición GCISD al 817-251-5617 o envíe un correo electrónico a child.nutrition@gcisd.net.

Free and Reduced-Priced Meal Applications Are Still Accepted

Every dollar counts and if you qualify for free and reduced meals for your child, there is still time to complete an application. Applications are available at www.schoollunchapp.com and can be completed at any time during the school year. The sooner the application is completed and if you qualify, the sooner your child can begin to receive meals at the free or reduced price.

Todavía se aceptan solicitudes de comidas gratuitas y a precio reducido

Every dollar counts and if you qualify for free and reduced meals for your child, there is still time to complete an application. Applications are available at www.schoollunchapp.com and can be completed at any time during the school year. The sooner the application is completed and if you qualify, the sooner your child can begin to receive meals at the free or reduced price.

GCISD has a process called Child Find to locate, identify, and evaluate children with disabilities from birth through age 21 who may require early intervention or special education services. Anyone can start the process: a parent/guardian, doctor, teacher, or relative by calling Child Find. Learn more: https://www.gcisd.net/page/child-find

November 17: All School Assembly (Mrs. Landrum is going to become a Sundae!!)

November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break

December 1: AttenDANCE Celebrating Perfect Attendance in November!

December 4-8: Book Fair at Dove!

December 5: Lunch with a Loved One (RSVP for a Fast Pass; different lunch times)

December 7: Spelling Bee

December 14:

• All School Assembly
• Polar Express Day: Wear PJs to school!! (Lunch, Recess, and Specials will be different times so we can all watch The Polar Express in the afternoon)

December 15:

• All School Sing Along 8:300-9:30 (staff and students only)
• Holiday Parties in classrooms 9:30-10:30
• Early Release 11:45am

WINTER HOLIDAY December 18-January 3

Students Return January 4

The mission of Dove Elementary:

In a partnership with parents, students, teachers, and community, Dove Elementary provides a safe and supportive environment in which students develop an understanding and respect for self and others. We cultivate learning through encouragement of inquiry and empower students to make a difference in our ever-changing world.

Follow our story on Twitter at #DESisBEST

Email: des.info@gcisd.net
Website: des.gcisd.net
Location: 1932 Dove Road, Grapevine, TX, United States
Phone: 817.251.5700
Twitter: #DESisBEST