DFS Dolphin Weekly Update
November 16, 2026
“Gratitude, help us to see what is there instead of what isn't.”
- Annette Bridges, Cattle Rancher, Magazine Columnist and Owner of Ranch House Gift Shop
Our school is excited to launch this year’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) adventure. As in the past, students will continue to earn passport stamps for showing the behaviors in our SWIM acronym:
S – Show Respect
W – Work Hard
I – Include Everyone
M – Make Good Choices
This year, there are even more islands to travel between and we are connecting them to the Vision of the Graduate standards which are part of the report card. As the students earn more and more stamps, each grade level will move closer to visiting the different islands on our school-wide behavior map: Teamwork Tropical (Communication/Collaboration); Bright Idea Beach (Innovation); Keep-Trying Key (Growth Mindset); I Believe Island (Self-Efficacy); Calm Waters Sandbar (Emotional Regulation); Puzzle-Solver Point (Problem Solving); and True North Coast (Integrity/Making Good Choices).
We will continue this journey as a cooperative effort! Once the first grade level earns the 50 stamps needed to land on Teamwork Tropical, they will have the opportunity to keep earning stamps to throw out as “life preservers" to other grade levels who are also continuing to work to earn their own stamps. No one grade level can move onto the next island until all the grade levels have landed on the shores of the current island.
This year’s plan was revealed on the episode of What’s Up Dolphins which aired on 11/13/26. Next time you are in the building, stop by the bulletin board by the media center to see everyone’s progress. We are so excited to see how everyone will support one another along the way as Daniels Farm travels the world this year!
Thank you for encouraging your child to SWIM every day. Together, we’re building a positive, respectful, and safe school community!
Morphology Series, Part I
You already know!
Morphology is the study of the smallest units of meaning in words:
Prefixes (un-, re-, pre-)
Suffixes (-ing, -ed, -less)
Base words (help, kind)
Roots (scrib, port, dict)
Why Does Morphology Matter?
This connects vocabulary instruction to reading comprehension and academic success.
When students understand how words are built, they become word detectives! Instead of memorizing every unfamiliar word, students can use their knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and roots to unlock meaning.
Understanding Word Parts Helps Students
Figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Build connections between related words.
Develop a stronger academic vocabulary.
Improve reading comprehension across all subject areas.
Interesting Fact!
Teaching 1 Latin root unlocks meaning for 20+ academic words in literature and social studies.
Grades 3-5 are participating in Mystery Word of the Week - Discuss the words and the roots posted in the Google Classroom.
Here are some common Latin roots!
Viewers love the "Staff Shout Out" feature on our What’s Up Dolphins news and entertainment show. This is an opportunity for anyone (staff, student, parent) to give a “shout out” to any staff member who may have gone above and beyond in some way. If you would like to nominate a staff member please use the link below; your nomination may be read on an upcoming episode!
We are excited to share that Trumbull Public Schools (elementary level) are rejoining the Math in Action Challenge Program, a free enrichment opportunity for all that helps students build problem-solving skills in fun and engaging ways.
Each challenge includes creative problems that go beyond the classroom, encouraging students to use strategies such as drawing models, looking for patterns, and thinking logically.
General Information
Free program — no sign-up necessary.
Open to all students in Grades K–5.
Refer to the calendar at the link below for the release dates of challenges and due dates of solutions.
Solutions for the Challenge can be found on the website the day after it is due. Be sure to go back and correct your work.
During PM carpool dismissal, parents enter their child's carpool number once they are in line along Daniels Farm Road using the link below. The link allows daily access to a Google Form as follows:
- Open the form (LINK: https://forms.gle/CDjvEC31yvPabfqL6 or use the QR code on the right)
- Enter your child's carpool number when you arrive at DFS.
- Hit "submit".
- Repeat this process for each child you are picking up that day.
This must be done each day you are picking up a student. Please DO NOT enter your number until you are in the carpool line or there will be too many students in the waiting area. If you bookmark the form on your phone, it will be easy to access on the days you need it. Below you will find a short video demonstrating the process.
Instructional Video Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LzaVbMQwYjYZ17V__qhjQYDQQUILLXJc/view?usp=sharing
Daniels Farm Elementary School
710 Daniels Farm Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611
203-452-4388
Regular School Hours
Doors open at 8:20 AM
Regular School Hours: 8:35 AM - 3:20 PM
Early Dismissal Hours: 8:35 AM - 1:00 PM
Delayed Opening Hours
1 ½ hour Delay: 10: 05 AM – 3:20 PM (doors open at 9:50 AM)
2 hour Delay: 10:35 AM – 3:20 PM (doors open at 10:20 AM)
2 ½ hour Delay: 11:05 AM – 3:20 PM (doors open at 10:50 AM)
2026- 2027 Trumbull Public Schools Calendar
*Tier 2 volunteer forms are only necessary if you will be working unsupervised with stud