THIS WEEK:

Monday 03/03 5th grade parent night at ECMS,

Tuesday 03/04: 5th grade parent night at ECMS, Musical Theatre practice, Garden Club

Wednesday 03/05: Fun Run Kick Off

Thursday 03/06: Girls on the Run, Robotics grades 1-3 (2:30-3:30), Kindergarten "Signing" Day (registration)

Friday 03/07: Career Day, dress as real-life professionals

UPCOMING:

03/12: Fun Run Day (wear class shirt!)

03/13: Early Release students dismiss at 10:45

03/14: Teacher Workday, Students Out

03/17-03/21: Spring break

03/26: Spring Pictures

03/31: DEADLINE TO PURCHASE YEARBOOKS

Dune Lakes Elementary School was recently recognized by Governor Ron DeSantis as one of Florida's newest Purple Star Schools of Distinction. The Florida Purple Star School of Distinction Designation was established by the Florida legislature in 2021.

The purpose of the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation and Purple Star School District Program is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment. Dune Lakes is home to many military families.

As part of this distinction Dune Lakes maintains the following: 1) School Military Point of Contact (MPOC) 2) School webpage for military students and families 3) Student-led transition program 4) Staff professional development 5) Five (5) percent open enrollment seats for military students 6) Three (3) additional activities to support military families

This is another example of how our school encourages patriotism and service. We look forward to continuing to support our military active service members and their families.

Read across America Week is coming March 3 - March 7th. This year we're teaming with AVID to learn about different careers through reading. We will be having guest speakers and special presenters sharing about their jobs and careers. Dress up as your future career on Friday, March 7th!

To expedite check in for the upcoming Fun Run, we are encouraging you to pre-register for your visitor pass. ONLY parents who have already been scanned into the Raptor system previously with an ID will be able to do this. If you have not been scanned into our system, we will do that the day you visit. Once you arrive, we will have your badge ready, filed by your child's teacher's name. We appreciate your patience, and continued support helping us ensure the safety of your children!

IF YOU ARE CHECKING YOUR CHILD OUT EARLY FROM FUN RUN, YOU MUST SEE YOUR TEACHER FOR A CHECK OUT SLIP.

BREAKFAST:

GREEN EGGS & HAM(SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH DICED HAM)

GRINCH PILLOWS (BISCUIT)

LORAX PEACHES(PEACH CUP)

GRINCH JUICE(ASST. JUICE)

MR. BROWN'S MOO MILK

LUNCH:

ABC NUGGETS (CHICKEN NUGGETS)

HOP ON POP (CORN ON THE COB)

TRUFFULA TREES (FRESH BROCCOLI)RANCH DRESSING

SCHLOTTS KNOTS (SOFT PRETZEL)

WHO MASH (MASHED POTATOES)

THING ONE, THING TWO(CHOICE OF FRUIT SLUSHY OR JUICE RUSH)

SCHLOPP ON TOP (BROWNIE WITH WHIPPED CREAM AND CHERRY ON TOP)

MR. BROWN'S MOO MILK

Our 2nd grade musical was a BLAST! Thank you to our students, staff, and parents for making it a success. Thank you especially to our dedicated and talented music director Mrs. Winder for planning and orchestrating Journey Into Outer Space.

Please congratulate the 20 Sandpiper artists representing DLE in this year’s Music In Pictures art competition. This juried art competition asks students to create unique art pieces inspired by a classical music selection. Their framed artwork is on display through April 4th at four different locations in the community. Students will recognized on stage at the Music in Pictures Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 10th at 5pm at Freeport High School (all welcome). Special congratulations to first grader, Harper Bauman, and fifth grader, James Madison, who snagged Judges’ Awards out of a total of 384 submitted pieces from schools around Walton County. Please visit these locations to see our Sandpiper art on display:

Amavida Coffee Shop – 104 N. Barrett Square, Rosemary Beach

· Harper Bauman (1st grade) “Happy Landscape”

· James Madden (5th grade) “Tidal Wave”

Coastal Library – 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach

· Thiago Martinez-Sanchez (1st grade) “Land of Color”

· Mackenzie McDaniel (1st grade) “Northern Lights”

· Haley Goodrich (3rd grade) “Under the Moonlight”

· Peyton Patterson (3rd grade) “Disco Ducks”

· Matteo Alvarez (3rd grade) “Fish Swish”

· Sean Le (3rd grade) “New Year’s Eve”

· Marlowe Walker (5th grade) “The Passage of Time”

· Owen Moore (5th grade) “Lonely Wolf Calling Out”

Freeport Library – 76 State Highway 20, Freeport

· Tanner Newman (KG) “Hope and Happiness”

· Jaxon Gellinger (5th grade) “The Battle”

Sacred Heart Hospital – 7800 Highway 98 W, Miramar Beach

· Madeline Mitchell (KG) “Me”

· Adalyn Acevedo (1st grade) “Ballerina”

· Sailor Morris (3rd grade) “The Chase”

· Lainey Mann (5th grade) “Anxious”

· Vivien Bradley (5th grade) “Songbird on a Swing”

· Olivia Feagans (5th grade) “Open Arms”

· Paloma Howland (5th grade) “The Color Tree”

· Mary Allison Michie (5th grade) “Hide and Seek”

Dune Lakes Elementary Families!

We're excited to introduce this year's main fundraiser, the Dune Lakes Fun Run. Our goal this year is to raise $80,000 for a covered outdoor pavilion to benefit ALL students at Dune Lakes Elementary.

We’re excited for this fundraising experience because it offers 3 important things to our school community: a user-friendly fundraising platform, a character enrichment program and a fitness-focused event that includes ALL of our students.

As a family, you will work together asking friends and family to donate on your student’s Donation Page at MyBooster.com. The best part is, you can still support our school just by SHARING about the fundraiser!

Students will also experience an amazing character enrichment program called “Castle Quest”, teaching students about how to be brave and live with character

Please remember to send your child in their DLE class color shirt. If you need to purchase a new shirt, please order through sandpiperboosters.org. Shirts will be delivered to the teacher after payment has processed.

Pre-K students from Bay School visited Dune Lakes to take in the sights and get excited for Kindergarten! Students had special 5th tour guides from members of our Safety Patrol.

Students currently enrolled at Dune Lakes Elementary School as part of Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) are subject to annual re-application as well as a student performance contract which includes attendance, academic, behavior components (below). This completed application for the upcoming school year MUST be received by MARCH 4, 2025. Applications received after this date will only be accepted if the requested school is not at capacity. Please contact our office at 850-622-5012 or email our data control specialist Julie Mason masonj@walton.k12.fl.us with any questions. Thank you!

SWHS SGA is sponsoring a Parents Night Out on Friday, March 28th from 5:30-8:30 PM at South Walton High School! Students will enjoy crafts, karaoke, movies, and food! Visit the link below to sign your student up.

Last day to purchase yearbook 03/31

$35 -See the flyer and link below! Use code 21432

Register now for Camp Invention! Camp dates June 2-June 6, 8:00-2:30 at DLE

We have many items that need to find their owners again! Please have your child check the lost and found, or parents may stop and check between 8:00-1:00. All items will be donated to charity over spring break in March.

Please remember to label all personal items, we try our best to get them back to your children, but we need your help finding them.

Please arrive promptly at 4:30 for introduction and presentation by Mr. Michie

All new kindergarten students must take a screening examination. The results of this screening provide valuable information about a child’s readiness for school, help teachers plan instruction to meet each child’s individual needs and offer useful information to parents. Please be on time to ensure that we remain on schedule for all students and families. Please also ensure that all required enrollment documentation has been submitted or is ready to submit. Select one of the available time slots below on June 23-24 or July 23-24 and click on the button to sign up. We look forward to meeting both you and your student! Thank you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D4EAAAB23A4F49-48094075-kindergarten

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!

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!

Week of 3/3 : Exploring Self-Awareness Through Ruby Bridges’ Story

This month, we’re focusing on self-awareness—understanding who we are, how we feel, and how our actions impact others. A great way to explore self-awareness is by reading I Am Ruby Bridges, which tells the inspiring story of a young girl who made history by standing strong in the face of adversity.

Ruby’s story teaches us how important it is to recognize our own strengths, values, and emotions. We encourage students to read I Am Ruby Bridges and think about how Ruby’s self-awareness helped her stay confident and true to herself.

What Parents Can Do at Home:
One way to help your child develop self-awareness is by sharing personal experiences. Talk to your child about a time when you had to compromise with someone. How did you work through the situation, and did it change how you interacted with that person? This helps children see how self-awareness impacts relationships and decision-making. Remember, we are BETTER TOGETHER!

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. PLEASE DO NOT EXIT FROM THE PATIO.

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

Encourage your student to explore the a la carte menus options in the Sandpiper Cafe! See the menu below.

All items including salads, yogurts, fruits, juices, and snacks may be charged to a student's lunch account with the exception of ice cream. This is to discourage students from emptying their school meal accounts on ice cream.

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.

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.

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!

UPDATE If your child is not an every day bus rider, but may ride home with a friend or use bus to reach another approved destination, WE MUST have a parent note documenting this request on file. Please send an email to dleinfo@walton.k12.fl.us. We can also add this transportation change option for you in Pikmykid, but you must first contact our office.

Students have received 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.

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.

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

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/

Teacher Luncheons – Is your family or business interested in sponsoring one of our Teacher and Staff Luncheons? If so, the available dates and sponsorship opportunities are located here : Sponsorships — Sandpiper Boosters

Spirit Shop – You can shop Sandpiper Merch year-round! Shop Here : Spirit Shop — Sandpiper Boosters

24-25 Boosters Board of Directors - Jamie Lynn, President | Ashley Templeton, Vice President | Liz Branch, Treasurer | Jessica Standley, Secretary |Amber Archer, Director | Amity Hoch, Director | Randi Doris, Director | Brittany Golden, Director | Emily Madden, Director | Ortal Shaya-Montoya, Director | Lindsey Rogers, Director | Kristen Sandoe, Director

For all things Boosters – Make sure to visit our website here : Sandpiper Boosters

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

Stay connected with Remind! We've created a new school Remind account for the 24-25 school year. All previous school accounts have been closed. Please rejoin our DLE Remind by texting our school code @dle2425 to 81010.

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