Chimney Lakes Chat

Parent/Guardian(s),

Hello all! It's amazing that we've almost been in school for a full month of school already!

First and foremost, I want to assure you of our continued commitment to academics, health and safety. As a parent and an educator, I want nothing more than to see our children in our school building learning and growing. We know that we must do this in a very intentional and thoughtful way to ensure that every child and adult that walks into our school is protected. As you will see outlined below, some of our procedures have changed. The biggest way our parents and families can support CLE this year is by following these procedures to help us have a smooth opening of school.

Please take a few minutes to review and complete the paperwork for registration, as well as update your FOCUS account to ensure you have access to your child’s information. These forms must be returned to ensure we have continuous communication throughout the school year. All forms should be returned to your child’s teacher as soon as possible but no later than Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

We would love for you to get involved at CLE this year. We are excited to share that we will have a PTA Program this year. I will share more information very soon. You are encouraged to join our School Advisory Council (SAC). These organizations do a great deal to support us, and we appreciate your support now more than ever. If you plan to volunteer during the 2026-2027 school year, you must complete the volunteer application which is found online at http://www.duvalschools.org (Community/Volunteer section). This includes parents who wish to eat lunch with their child(ren) and/or chaperone field trips.

• Volunteers are needed in every aspect. You will need a current DCPS volunteer application completed before you can volunteer. You will need to communicate with your child’s teacher to schedule a time to volunteer. All volunteers must check in with the front office before going to the classroom. Parents wishing to eat lunch with their child will also need to check in at the front office. Remember that you are only eating lunch with your child. Classmates are not allowed to sit outside of the cafeteria.

• Students will be allowed in the building beginning at 8:00am

• Birthday celebrations will take place in the cafeteria during lunch. Please make sure to check the lunch schedule to ensure the cupcakes arrive at least 10 minutes before lunch time. No balloons are allowed.

• For dismissal, please try to keep your child’s way home consistent. We know emergencies arise, but it is especially important that children leave the same way daily. If your child rides a bus, please make sure you have registered them in FOCUS for a bus route. All car riders (K-5) will need to use the main car loop for dismissal. Walkers will be dismissed from the side gate. Please be patient with us for the first few weeks. As always, dismissal will get faster and easier with time. We appreciate your support!

• We will be using PikMyKid for dismissal. This app will help us have a smooth and safe dismissal. If you have not already, please download the app. You will be able to make dismissal changes for your student before 2:15pm using the PikMyKid app only. Dismissal changes are not accepted by email or telephone. You must have a DCPS Oneview login (same email address and phone number in FOCUS) to connect to our school.

• Rooms will be our number one form of communication. Please download the DCPS app and enroll. We don’t want you to miss a single moment at Chimney Lakes. Teachers take their time to post important information. Please make sure you check Rooms at least once to twice per week!

• Students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch this year. Ala carte items may be purchased separately.

• We will not be able to check out students after 2:15 P.M. This is a state law AND district policy. For any checkouts, please come to the black buzzer with your government issued ID.

• To drop off medication, come to the front office and speak with one of our staff members to help you. You will need medical documentation signed by a doctor for us to administer medication on campus.

• Please follow us on Facebook (@ChimneyLakesElementary) and check our school website for school updates, event reminders and to stay informed on what is happening at CLE!

Open House is September 10th for K-2nd grade at 5:00pm and 6:30 pm for grades 3-5. Our Book Fair will also be open during this night. So, take advantage of this opportunity to get some great books. We look forward to seeing you at Open House and partnering with you throughout the year!

Yours in education,

Marianne G. Lee

Principal

All parents will need a linked FOCUS/OneView account. Click on the button below and follow these steps to ensure your account is linked. Without a linked account, you won't have access to the DCPS App, Rooms communication, student grades, report cards or attendance!

Make sure you purchase your Chimney Lakes 26-27 School T-shirt by Friday, September 11th! Once they're gone, they're gone! You can click on the photo below to order online!

Picture Day is coming on Tuesday, September 29th. Please have your child camera ready to take individual photos. You can purchase your package online by clicking on the photo below. Use the code C701964.

Make sure you check out the links in this flyer. You will find how to set up your E-Wallet for setting limits for students and making sure they don't lose their money, seeing what types of books are available for purchase, and donating books for students who can't afford them through the "Share the Fair" program.

Students may be checked to an adult that the parent/guardian has designated for pick up permission. Anyone under the age of 18 years is not allowed to sign students out. Please make sure you bring your ID with you so we can identify the individual picking up the student. Remember, students will not be released after 2:15 pm per state and DCPS policy. We understand that appointments and emergencies come up at times, but please ensure your child is in school the entire day when possible.

Breakfast and lunch is available for all students at no cost to them. Breakfast will be served from 8:30-8:40 am.

Please be mindful of our Elementary School Dress Code. Students must have shoes that have backs on them daily. Anything showing the midriff is not allowed. Shirts with 2 fingers width straps are required. Shorts must be at least the length of the longest fingertip when placed straight down the side. Finally, head coverings are not allowed inside the building. Finally, the school administration has the final judgement call as to whether any apparel is appropriate and not disruptive to the learning environment.

• Avoid distractions
• Obey Traffic Rules
• Look Left, Right, Left
• Make Eye Contact
• Walk, Don't Run
• See and Be Seen

We will use PikMyKid again this year for dismissal. ALL families should download the PIKMYKID app. This will allow you to change your child's dismissal, who is allowed to pick up and see when your child is dismissed from school. All changes must be completed by 2 pm daily. Due to safety considerations, we will not take any dismissal changes by phone throughout the day!

Arrival will begin at 8:00 am daily. Dismissal begins at 2:45 pm daily. As a reminder, the car rider line/gate will close at 3:10 pm daily. Please make sure you are in line by 3:00 pm to help us get all students dismissed on time. We appreciate your patience as we ensure the safe arrival and dismissal of all students.

Car riders will be dropped off and picked up in the car circle. Please do not drop children off on Staples Mill Drive.

Walkers: In the morning, walkers should be escorted to the gate by a parent or guardian. Only students will be allowed to come in through the walker gate. Students who are Independent Walkers at dismissal will be released at the walker gate at 3:00 pm daily. Students who are Park and Pick Up will be called as parents check in at the gate, starting at 2:45 pm.

Bus Riders: Please make sure your child knows their bus number and bus stop location. We have tagged all of our students with their transportation mode that was provided by the parent. All Kindergarten bus riders MUST have a KG Bus Form filled out and on file in the office. KG students will not be allowed to ride the bus without this completed form.

Classroom volunteers can come in on an as needed basis. If the teacher needs a volunteer, he/she will reach out to families. Volunteers may not bring younger siblings to CLE when they volunteer. If you would like to volunteer in our school when needed, please make sure you have completed the volunteer application. Remember, Level 1 volunteers are general volunteerism, while Level 2 volunteers are for field trip chaperones. Click the icon below to get started today!

A volunteer application is good for two years. We encourage any parents, grandparents, or other family members who may want to get involved at Chimney Lakes to fill out this application as early as possible in the school year. Applications can take up to a few weeks to be approved!

We would love for you to get involved in CLE this year. You are encouraged to join our School Advisory Council (SAC). These organizations do a great deal to support us, and we appreciate your support now more than ever.

Memberships are good for one year and help with funding the PTA programs and events. Single memberships are $10 each. Join Today!

Our September SAC Meeting is on Tuesday, September 15th @ 4:30 pm. Hope to see you there!

FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials. Click on the picture to submit a tip or download the app.

Chimney Lakes Elementary School #232

9353 Staples Mill Drive

Jacksonville, Fl 32244

School Phone: (904) 573-1100

Grades VPK-5th

School Hours: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Extended Day Hours: 7:00 am - 7:50 am & 3:00 pm-6:00 pm