DRE Weekly News August 24, 2026

Independence Day will be observed next Monday, August 31, when students will proceed to their classrooms with the support of staff on morning duty. Siblings should say their goodbyes at the top of each hallway to ensure that everyone arrives at their classrooms on time. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to celebrating the growth of our STARS in just one short week!

One of the many qualities that makes DRE a special place is our community spirit. Please be considerate neighbors and refrain from parking in nearby neighborhoods when dropping off or picking up your children who are walkers. When reporting that your child(ren) will be walking, please note that they are expected to walk, bike, or ride a scooter home and are generally not eligible for bus transportation. Thank you for your support!

We are seeking Picture Day Volunteers for picture day, this Thursday! If you are a cleared volunteer or current WSD substitute, and are intersted in assisting with picture day, please contact Mrs. Jessica Carpenter or Mrs. Emily Penn to be scheduled.

Picture Day is almost here! This is your opportunity to capture a special school memory of your child and receive high-quality portraits you’ll treasure for years to come.

Discovery Ridge Elementary

Thursday, August 27, 2026
Pre-Order Online: www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com
Pre-Order Password: 4B2V7W3Q

To ensure your child is photographed and included in these school resources:

• Pre-order online using the link and password above
• Send your child ready for photos on Picture Day

If you are interested in volunteering on picture day, please submit your 2026-2027 Volunteer Registration to Mrs. Jessica Carpenter this week to ensure you are an approved volunteer by August 27, 2026.

Kindergarten-11:10 am

1st Grade-11:25 am

2nd Grade-10:50 am

3rd Grade-12:30 pm

4th Grade-12:10 pm

5th Grade-11:50 am

Lunch periods for students last 20 minutes, providing additional time for clean-up and transitioning to outdoor recess. We have designated seating for guests, and when you join us for lunch, this time is meant exclusively for you and your child. Please do not bring food or treats for other students. Your child's friends and classmates must stay seated with their assigned class.

August 24

First Day of School

(Parents may walk students to class during the first week of school)

August 27

Picture Day

DRE Horizons Open House, Boone Trail Elementary, 6:00-7:00 pm

August 28

Kona Pass Final Purchase Day, $15

September 1

DRE Liberty High School Eagles Soccer Night, 6:45 pm

September 2

DRE 1st Quarter PTO & Room Parent Meeting, Library 6:00 pm

September 4

Focus Online Registration Closes

September 7

No School: Labor Day

September 8

5th Grade Camp

Fall Mum Orders Due, $12 each

Chick-Fil-A Dine Out, 4-8 pm

September 9

5th Grade Camp

September 11

Patriot Day

September 16

Early Release, Dismissal 1:35 pm (Register for Early Release Supervision by September 6 in Focus)

Fall Mum Order Pick Up

Kona Ice Day, Lunch Recess

September 17

WSD BOE Meeting, 6:30 pm

September 25

DRE PTO Family Outdoor Movie Night, Arrival, 6:30 pm, Movie begins at 7 pm

We are excited to offer Kona during lunch recess this school year. A Kona Pass, priced at $15, includes five Kona Days on the following early release dates during lunch recess:

September 16

November 18

January 13

February 10

March 10

Kona Passes are available to purchase through August 28.

Whether you’re a first-time member or a returning volunteer, your time, energy, and ideas are incredibly valuable. Together, we help make DRE a vibrant and welcoming place for all of our children to grow and thrive.

Here’s what to expect as a new member:

• Quarterly Meetings: Stay informed and share your voice. Our first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2 6 pm in the library
• Volunteer Opportunities: From classroom support to school events, there’s something for everyone. We’ll send out sign-ups and information.
• Community Connection: PTO is a great way to meet other families, build relationships, and have fun while making a difference.

Be on the lookout for our PTO event updates. In the meantime, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to get involved right away.

PTO Board Members: Mindy Meinert, Kari McDonnell, Victoria Dailey

⬜ Complete the required annual registration forms in Focus School Software Portal by the start of school to ensure your student has access to District technology resources, including Chromebooks and/or iPad (based on grade level), on their first day. These forms include acceptable use policy and many more. The first parent listed in Focus (i.e. Parent Priority #1) can complete the eforms. To change which person is Parent Priority #1 in Focus, contact your child’s school. Read about Focus improvements below in the "What's New This Year" section.

⬜Students entering Kdg, 6th, and 9th grade must complete Proof of Residency forms in Focus. These are the enrollment documents required to be uploaded to the Focus School Software Portal.

⬜ New Families! Please note that Stopfinder will be the sole source of late bus notifications. In August, you will receive an email invitation with a link to activate the account and create a Stopfinder password. After you receive the email, you should download the Stopfinder App for late bus notifications to receive real-time geo-alerts with ETA. Transportation route information will be emailed to families on Aug. 14 or at a later date. Transportation information can be viewed when you log into your Focus account.

Returning Families! If you have a new email address in Focus, please complete the Transportation Assistance Form to request an updated Stopfinder invitation. Transportation information can be viewed when you log into your Focus account.

⬜ Does your student take over-the-counter or prescription medication? If so, get updated medication orders from their physician that include the name of the student, name of drug, dosage, frequency of administration, route of administration, and the prescriber's name. Drop both the physician orders and medication off at your child’s school for the nurse prior to the start of school

⬜ Check updated meal prices and fee balances and add funds to your child(ren)’s meal account in the Focus Portal.

⬜ Need assistance? Applications for free & reduced-price meals are available on the website or at any school office. In an effort to assist families as we transition back to paid meals, the USDA has increased the income guidelines used to determine eligibility. View the income guidelines. If you believe your family would qualify for this program, please fill out an application.

Applications can be returned by the following methods:

• Returned to your child's school
• Scan & email - marysanzottera@wsdr4.org
• Fax - 636-327-3961
• Mail - Child Nutrition Services, 101 Support Service Dr., Wentzville, MO 63385

⬜ Consider joining the PTO or the Parent Club organization for your child’s school.

⬜ If you would like to volunteer in your child’s school or attend a field trip this year, complete the required volunteer registration forms A and B and turn them into your child’s school office (new forms are required each school year). Turn in forms A and B at the beginning of the school year to avoid delays in the approval process. See the District website for complete information.

⬜ Review your child’s MAP scores. The District has received 2025-26 MAP and EOC scores. Students who took MAP or EOC last year will receive their Individual Score Reports this fall in Focus. More information regarding MAP reports can be found in the link for parent information regarding MAP test results.

⬜ Familiarize yourself with what’s new in the WSD this year by reading the updates listed below.

⬜ Review public notices, including FERPA information and options for opting out of directory information and limited directory information disclosures.

This year, monthly Late Start Mondays will be replaced with monthly All-District Early Release Wednesdays.

In addition to the monthly 120-minute All-District Early Release Wednesdays, the District will introduce weekly 68-minute Secondary Early Release Wednesdays on full school weeks.

Read the “why” behind this change.

In coordination with neighboring St. Charles County districts, WSD is implementing new bag guidelines to help enhance safety and security at ticketed high school athletic events.

Beginning in August 2026, guests will be asked to follow the District’s new clear-bag guidelines.

Starting in the 2026-27 school year, WSD libraries are using Insignia as our library management system. This change from Destiny allows the district to conserve funds and utilize an updated system. Librarians are working hard to learn the nuances of the new system, and families should expect additional resources to support the transition in the fall.

All students in Grades K-6 will transition to a unified iPad experience, replacing aging Chromebooks and older iPad models with new iPads. This shift is designed to streamline the educational experience for students while improving technical efficiency for teachers and staff.

The transition introduces enhanced classroom capabilities through tools like Apple Classroom and Mosyle Class Manager. These resources allow educators to launch specific apps, pause iPad use, and lock iPads into a single app for a focused mode.

While the on-screen keyboard is the preferred input method for students, external keyboards will remain available for specific instructional needs or accessibility requirements.

6th Grade students are expected to bring their iPads charged to school daily and keep the iPad in its protective case at all times.

Throughout this transition, the district remains committed to a balanced instructional model where technology serves as a purposeful tool to enhance, rather than replace, the vital role of the educator in the classroom.

Learn more about using and maintaining District devices.

For the safety of all students, staff, and visitors, electric bikes, motorbikes, scooters, and similar non-licensed motorized vehicles may no longer be ridden on school property.

Students who arrive on campus using one of these vehicles should dismount when they reach school grounds and walk it to the designated parking area. Riding any non-licensed motorized vehicle on campus is not permitted.

This change is being implemented to help ensure a safe environment for everyone during arrival, dismissal, and throughout the school day. Please take a moment to review this expectation with your child. Thank you for your partnership and support. As a reminder, all students are expected to follow school policies while on school property.

Logging into Focus is now easier for parents. If the email address associated with your Focus account is a Google or Apple account, you can simply use the corresponding “Sign in with” button to access your account.

Also, the "Wentzville Schools" Focus app has recently been refreshed to provide a cleaner, more streamlined user experience for both parents and students.

• Enrollment

• Wentzville Schools Focus Login

• Canvas Learning Management System

• 2026-27 Student Academic Calendar

• Start and End Times Schedule

Dear Discovery Ridge Elementary Family,

Throughout the academic year, the Wentzville School District partners with community agencies that specialize in providing students, families, and educators with preventive education. Agency presenters are credentialed, coordinated through the District, and under the supervision of building administrators. Presentation topics are targeted toward specific grade levels. All students will participate in each program unless you choose to opt your child out of the lesson(s). If you are interested in opting your student(s) out of the presentation(s), please click the appropriate link(s) below.

Kindergarten Opt-Out Form

First Grade Opt-Out Form

Second Grade Opt-Out Form

Third Grade Opt-Out Form

Fourth Grade Opt-Out Form

Fifth Grade Opt-Out Form

If you have additional questions, please reach out directly to your student’s guidance counselor.

Thank you,

Mrs. Kelly Stratman, Principal

Mr. Ben Tracy, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Stacy Browning, Guidance Counselor (Grades 2-4)

Mrs. Jane Douglas, Guidance Counselor (Grades K-1, 5)

Mrs. Sarah Holcomb, Education Support Counselor

Each new school year brings opportunities for academic growth and growth in all areas of development. Although children must be knowledgeable when they graduate, they must also be healthy, engaged, responsible, and caring people.

We’re grateful you’re here at our school and we’re excited to partner with you and your child. As a Leader in Me School, we believe that every member of your family has greatness and we can’t wait to learn and grow from you! Leader in Me (LiM) is an evidence-based, comprehensive school-improvement model—developed in partnership with educators and FranklinCovey—that empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in a global community.

Our school has chosen to operate through a uniquely different lens. Leader in Me is about empowering your child to reach their full potential while ultimately finding their voice. As a school, the staff in this building have made five core commitments to your child. We call these our Core Paradigms. In these paradigms you will find the belief and way we view all students. At this school we see that:

• Everyone is a leader.
• Everyone has genius.
• Change starts with me.
• We empower students to lead their own learning.
• Educators and families partner to develop the whole person.

Not only do these paradigms apply to your student, they apply to all of us!

Leader in Me provides our school with the vision and language to lead the school in a way that addresses all areas of development. As each child discovers and develops their unique gifts and talents, they are given opportunities to lead.

As leaders, they become active, engaged partners in their own education, and their self-confidence, responsibility, and initiative grows. The children quickly understand the benefits of different gifts and talents; they learn to listen to new ideas, work together to achieve results, and motivate one another to be the best.

We hope your school enjoys sharing these new opportunities. Together, we will see each child grow throughout the year.

Mrs. Kelly J. Stratman, Principal

Mr. Ben Tracy, Assistant Principal