Grade level attendance percentages will be published each week. The grade level with the highest attendance percentage will earn an extra recess to celebrate!! Let's work hard this year to ensure that EVERY DAY MATTERS!! Be at school on time every day! ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!!

We appreciate your help in making school a priority! Please plan all appointments and vacations during our many breaks throughout the school year. Please be ON TIME with NO EARLY RELEASES.

Attendance percentages for the week of 8/12/24

WHOLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PERCENTAGE

99.2%

GRADE LEVEL PERCENTAGES

Kindergarten

98.5%

1st Grade

100%

2nd Grade

99%

3rd Grade

97.6%

4th Grade

100%

5th Grade

100%

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 1st, 4th, and 5th GRADES FOR EARNING AN EXTRA RECESS THIS WEEK!!

At Plato, our goal is for everyone to have GREAT ATTENDANCE (less than 5 absences per student) for the entire school year. ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!! Let's work hard to have 0% that are chronically absent this year. Chronically absent means you miss more than 10% or 18 days of school in a school year.

1. Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.

2. Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.

3. Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.

4. Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.

5. Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.

Experts say there are many things that parents can do to help their children adjust to regular school attendance. Burch offered several suggestions in her post:

• Act quickly. “Missed schoolwork and social experiences snowball, making school avoidance a problem that grows larger and more difficult to control as it rolls along,” Burch wrote. “Be on the lookout for any difficulties your child might have around attending school on time and staying for the full day. If the problem lasts more than a day or two, step in.”
• Find the cause. If your child isn't getting along with others, falling behind academically, or having anxiety about classroom activities such as public speaking, that may be the reason they are avoiding school. Burch suggests a gentle conversation about what is making school feel difficult.
• Work with your school. Parents should speak with the school guidance counselor, psychologist or social worker to explain what you are seeing. Together, you can create a plan that addresses problems incrementally. “Let’s say fear about speaking in front of the class is a problem,” Burch wrote. “A child might be permitted to give speeches one-on-one to a teacher, then to his teacher and a few peers, and gradually work up to speaking in front of the class.”
• Be empathetic but firm. Explain to your child that you are confident they can face down fears and that any physical symptoms of anxiety often subside as the school days rolls along. “It’s important for anxious children and teens to learn that they can persevere,” Burch wrote.
• Eliminate temptation. Burch recommends making a day at home less appealing. For example, parents can collect screens and devices and have teachers send homework. As she wrote, “make staying home boring.”

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/what-to-do-when-your-kid-refuses-to-go-to-school

AUGUST

11 - Jana Rannberg's Birthday (2nd Grade)

29 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for July & August Birthdays

SEPTEMBER

2 - NO SCHOOL

2 - Jim Hardin's Birthday (Custodian)

4 - Safe & Healthy School Meeting @ 7:45 am in Counselor's Classroom

Pre-register to attend @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3317

6 - PTO Pop & Popcorn Day

Pre-register to volunteer @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3318

6 - Julie Lawson's Birthday (1st Grade)

9 - Fall Picture Day

10 - Last Day to Order School Shirts

11 - Hise 5th Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

Pre-register to attend @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3319

13 - Jana Gardner's Birthday (4th-5th ELA)

18 - Tanaka 5th Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

Pre-register to attend @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3320

19 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for September Birthdays

25 - Gardner 4th Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

Pre-register to attend @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3322

27 - Ashley Robison's Birthday (Kindergarten)

OCTOBER

2 - School Custodian Appreciation Day

3 - K-2nd Grandparent's Day at 9 am in the gym

Pre-register to attend @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3323

4 - 3rd-5th Grandparent's Day at 9 am in the gym

Pre-register to attend @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3324

4 - Elementary Football Game Night for Duncan-Plato @ 6:45pm at High School Stadium

4 - Misty Sweat's Birthday (Kindergarten)

7 - Picture Retake Day

If your child was absent or needs a retake please click the link to pre-register.

Pre-register @ https://forms.gle/aku1Assbtyc591tA6

9 - McCaslin 4th Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

Pre-register to attend @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3325

10 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for October Birthdays

11 - PTO Pop & Popcorn Day

Pre-register to volunteer @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3327

14 - Conferences from 3:45-7:00 pm

15 - Conferences from 3:45-7:00 pm

16 - Dunlap 3rd Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

Pre-register to attend @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3328

16 - 1st 9 Weeks Reading Rewards DUE

17 - NO SCHOOL

18 - NO SCHOOL

21 - NO SCHOOL

22 - NO SCHOOL

24 - 1st 9 Weeks PTO Reading Reward Party

Pre-register to volunteer @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3329

28 - Red Ribbon Week: Keep Your BRIGHT FUTURE in FOCUS! Wear sunglasses & bright clothes.

29 - Red Ribbon Week: Exercise & Make Healthy Choices - Wear Workout Clothes

30 - Nease 3rd Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

Pre-register to attend @ https://www.schoolsafeid.com/event/3330

30 - Red Ribbon Week: Show that you are WILD about Kindness - Wear Animal Print or Western

31 - Red Ribbon Week: Say BOO to Unhealthy Choices. Wear a school-friendly Halloween costume.

NOVEMBER

1 - PTO Pop & Popcorn Day

1 - Red Ribbon Week: TEAM​ ​UP​ ​Against​ ​CRAZY ​Decisions​! Wear ​Duncan​ ​​Spirit​ ​Gear​ ​&​ ​Crazy​ Socks​ ​

6 - Burton 2nd Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

6 - STARBASE for 5th Grade

7 - STARBASE for 5th Grade

8 - STARBASE for 5th Grade

11 - Elizabeth Dysart's Birthday (1st Grade)

12 - STARBASE for 5th Grade

13 - Rannberg 2nd Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

13 - STARBASE for 5th Grade

15 - Kristina Abel's Birthday (Attendance Clerk)

20 - Dysart 1st Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

21 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for November Birthdays

22 - Alayna Howard's Birthday (SpEd Paraprofessional)

22 - Sandra Mitchell's Birthday (SpEd Teacher)

25 - NO SCHOOL

26 - NO SCHOOL

27 - NO SCHOOL

28 - NO SCHOOL

29 - NO SCHOOL

DECEMBER

1 - Brandy Peters Birthday (Principal)

4 - Lawson 1st Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

4 - Safe & Healthy School Meeting @ 7:45 am in Counselor's Classroom

5 - PTO Santa Pictures (PJ Day)

6 - PTO Pop & Popcorn Day

11 - Robison Kindergarten Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

12 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for December Birthdays

12 - Samantha Sparks Birthday (SpEd Paraprofessional)

13 - Krista Tanaka's Birthday (4th-5th Math)

17 - Brooke Evans Birthday (Counselor)

17 - Stephanie Stephens (Music)

18 - Casie Parmenter's Birthday (Library Assistant)

18 - Sweat Kindergarten Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

19 - 2nd 9 Weeks Reading Rewards DUE

20 - NO SCHOOL

23 - NO SCHOOL

24 - NO SCHOOL

25 - NO SCHOOL

26 - NO SCHOOL

27 - NO SCHOOL

30 - NO SCHOOL

31 - NO SCHOOL

JANUARY

1 - NO SCHOOL

2 - NO SCHOOL

3 - NO SCHOOL

6 - NO SCHOOL

9 - 2nd 9 Weeks PTO Reading Rewards Party

10 - PTO Pop & Popcorn Day

15 - Tanaka 5th Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

16 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for January Birthdays

20 - NO SCHOOL

22 - Hise 5th Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

29 - Melody Woods Birthday (Cafeteria)

29 - McCaslin 4th Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

FEBRUARY

3 - Spring Individual and Group Photos

5 - Gardner 4th Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

7 - Heather Coulston's Birthday (SpEd Paraprofessional)

7 - PTO Pop & Popcorn Day

12 - Nease 3rd Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

14 - NO SCHOOL

17 - NO SCHOOL

19 - Dunlap 3rd Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

20 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for February Birthdays

26 - Rannberg 2nd Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

MARCH

5 - Burton 2nd Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

5 - Safe and Healthy School Meeting @ 7:45 in the Counselor's Classroom

7 - PTO Pop & Popcorn Day

10 - Conferences from 3:45-7:00 pm

11 - Conferences from 3:45-7:00 pm

12 - Lawson's 1st Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

13 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for March Birthdays

13 - 3rd 9 Weeks Reading Rewards DUE

14 - NO SCHOOL

17 - NO SCHOOL

18 - NO SCHOOL

19 - NO SCHOOL

20 - NO SCHOOL

21 - NO SCHOOL

27 - 3rd 9 Weeks PTO Reading Reward Party

APRIL

2 - Dysart's 1st Grade Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

2 - Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

3 - PTO Pop & Popcorn Day

4 - NO SCHOOL

6 - Marcella Tarpley's Birthday (SpEd Resource Teacher)

6 - Lisa Thacker's Birthday (Classroom Assistant)

7 - Trisha Jarrett's Birthday (Financial Clerk)

7 - April Templer's Birthday (Library Assistant)

9 - Sweat's Kindergarten Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

10 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for April Birthdays

10 - Charmen McCaslin's Birthday (4th-5th Writing)

11 - NO SCHOOL

15 - Melinda Caldwell's Birthday (SpEd Paraprofessional)

15 - 3rd-5th Grade ELA OSTP Part 1

16 - Robison Kindergarten Call to Excellence Showcase @ 8:15 in the Gym

16 - 3rd-5th Grade ELA OSTP Part 2

17 - 5th Grade Writing OSTP

18 - NO SCHOOL

22 - 3rd-5th Grade Math Part 1

22 - Emily Havens Birthday (Cafeteria)

23 - 3rd-5th Grade Math Part 2

25 - NO SCHOOL

29 - 5th Grade Science OSTP Part 1

30 - 5th Grade Science OSTP Part 2

MAY

1 - Freeland Hise's Birthday (4th-5th Science/Social Studies)

1 - PTO Pop & Popcorn Day

2 - School Lunch Hero Day

2 - NO SCHOOL

5 - Teacher Appreciation

6 - Teacher Appreciation

7 - Teacher Appreciation

7 - School Nurse Appreciation Day

8 - BEAUTIFUL DAY for May & June Birthdays

8 - Teacher Appreciation

8 - 4th 9 Weeks Reading Rewards DUE

9 - NO SCHOOL

12 - Talent Showcase Part 1 @ 2pm in the Gym

13 - Talent Showcase Part 2 @ 2pm in the Gym

14 - 4th 9 Weeks PTO Reading Reward Party

15 - Field Day

16 - NO SCHOOL

20 - Jadyn Shilling's Birthday (Classroom Assistant)

20 - Kindergarten & 1st Grade End of Year Assembly

21 - 2nd & 3rd Grade End of Year Assembly

22 - 4th & 5th End of Year Assembly

22 - 5th Grade Promotion

22 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

JUNE

14 - Allison Garrett's Birthday (speech)

20 - Amara Burton's Birthday (2nd)

20 - Ginger Hardin's Birthday (custodian)

22 - Emma Hamilton's Birthday (SpEd Paraprofessional)

29 - Melissa Bates' Birthday (Intervention Assistant)

JULY

3 - Megan McCord's Birthday (nurse)

6 - Mary Kyle Nease's Birthday (3rd)

18 - Madison Dunlap's Birthday (3rd)

28 - Josh Harris' Birthday (PE)

plato.yearbook@duncanps.org

Thank you!!

Email: plato.elementary@duncanps.org
Website: https://www.duncanps.org/o/plato
Phone: (580)255-6167
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlatoElementaryDPS