Duval Dispatch

Dear Duval Families-

Last week we held a POD meeting and talked about the importance of Kindness.

This week will be a fun-filled week as we enter into our second week of the New Year. This week, our Artist program begins. Beth Bailey will be working with art classes to create cards for our community. More details are further down the newsletter.

The Whitman Police Association is also conducting a fundraiser supporting the Special Olympics! This event is open to everyone—not just first responders. You can participate individually, create a team, or even have fun with costumes. It’s a wonderful way to start the year while supporting a great cause. Let’s get moving and make a difference! More details are below.

Students will continue reviewing routines and expectations this week as well as continuing with their midyear benchmark assessments.The weather also looks nice for recess so please remember that kids will need boots, hats, and gloves for recess.

Have a wonderful week!

Ms. Craig

This Week's Weather: Warming Trend

- Students MUST come to school prepared to go outside which includes a winter coat, and gloves, hat and boots on really cold or snowy days. Kids MUST have boots to play IN the snow. Please email Ms. Craig if you need help getting winter gear.

- Traffic around Duval is ONE WAY. Toward South Ave both in front and behind the school. There is NO PASSING during Drop Off or Pick Up. Please remember your yellow placard on your dashboard.

- There is also no public access behind the building during school hours. Even if the cones aren't up, please don't drive around the building 9:20am-3pm.

- Please don't rely on a phone call or email during the day for dismissal changes. Unless it is an emergency, please send a note.

Keeping the tradition of an annual large-scale artist experience going, we are fortunate to have partnered with Beth Bailey, Duval parent and artist activist, who put together a project proposal and helped us write a grant to the Mass Cultural Council for a program this year. We are pleased that Duval has received $5000 from the MCC and the Arts Program is set to begin in a couple weeks. Check out the SNEAK PEEK below that Mrs. Bailey put together. We think kids will have a fantastic time. Thanks as well to Mrs. Brown for collaborating on this cool experience for our Dolphins!

Here is the January News from Nurse Andersen. Please check it out HERE.

Please note that any student who has a fever or has thrown up must be out for 24 hours per our policy.

Note that Mrs. Andersen has put out a couple of boxes with spare coats to borrow if students don't have one for recess.

Thank you.

Hello Duval families!

We have 2 January events beginning this week and we will need volunteers to make them successful. As a general reminder, an active CORI is required to help at any event. If you are unsure if you have one please contact Mrs. Brandon at the Duval office. If you don’t have one yet please bring your license to the office and complete the paperwork. Once approved you will be able to volunteer for all events for 2 years. We rely on the help of parents to make our events successful and the students love to see you!

Our January Book Fair setup is this Friday 1/16. We will need some volunteers to help with setup as well as to help classes next week. We are running on a shorter week this year with a day off and a half day so we appreciate any extra help to ensure every student gets to visit. Some classes have been moved to an alternate day, please check the attached schedule and send your student on their assigned day with cash, check, venmo or e-wallet. The PTO receives a portion of the funds which we use to stock classrooms and the Duval library with new books- this event is always very successful!

We will also have a Bingo Family Night on 1/21 from 430-6pm. Families can visit the book fair and have a fun night at Duval- there is no entry fee for this event and it’s open to all Duval families! We will need assistance running the book fair during this event while students shop and play bingo.

If you have an active CORI please consider signing up to volunteer- these events are dependent on lots of hands and many of our classes still have no volunteers.

Sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849A8AC2EA5FA7-61391208-january#/

E-Wallet setup:

Scholastic Book Fair eWallet: A Safe, Cashless Way to Shop

We are also very excited that our own local artist and Duval parent Beth Bailey will begin a visiting art project this week at Duval. Beth is looking for 1 parent to assist in classes (must have an active CORI) and is looking for help during the family night portion on 1/29.

Signup here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849A8

Our January PTO meeting is this Tuesday, 1/13 @ 7p in the Duval library. Childcare for Duval students is provided by NHS. Join us to discuss all our upcoming events and to learn more about becoming involved with the PTO!

We have also finalized the date for our Annual Talent Show- this is one of our most loved Duval events and we can’t wait to see our students shine! The Talent Show will be held on 3/19 at WHRHS. Signup via Google form (https://forms.gle/mefvAG85Et9R83vc8) or the attached paper form, no need to do both.

If you’re not currently following the Duval PTO Facebook page please join us as it’s the easiest place to get updates in real time- https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1a2aDR9mMx/?mibextid=WC7FNe

We are always available for any questions or to provide more info at duvalpto@gmail.com.

Important upcoming dates:

1/13: January PTO meeting 6p

1/12-29: Beth Bailey art program

1/16-23: January Book Fair

1/21: Bingo Family Night 4:30-6p

~Duval PTO

Dolphin TV is on Youtube for YOU to see!!

Our Channel is HERE to see all broadcasts.

Please click on Subscribe so our livestreams can be seen by more people!

Jan. 20-23: January Book Fair

Jan. 19: MLK Day - No School

Jan. 21: BINGO Family Night - 4:30-6pm

Jan. 23: Early Release Day

Jan. 29: Family Card Night (Artist in Residency Celebration) - 5-7pm

..................

Calendar Items for the Year. Click HERE.

Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Location: Whitman-Hanson Regional High School

Tickets: https://fs17.formsite.com/WHathletics/xqqvxiezik/index

All proceeds benefit Whitman-Hanson athletics programs

Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear a living legend whose life story is as inspiring as his voice is unforgettable.

For more information, contact Bob Rodgers at robert.rodgers@whrsd.org

• WH Elementary Handbook

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• Infinite Campus Log In for grades, class info. Need help? Contact Tech: 781-618-8100

• School Status (emails, texts from WH or Duval)

• YMCA Before/After School Care Information

• The WHRSD and Duval School PTO Facebook pages.

• Anonymous Bullying or Harassment reporting: call 781-618-7086

John H. Duval Elementary provides a safe, supportive environment where children are able to reach for the stars!

Email: ashley.craig@whrsd.org
Website: https://whd.whrsd.org
Location: 60 Regal Street, Whitman, MA 02382
Phone: 781-618-7055
Twitter: @DuvalElementary