Welcome Back DKES!
August 20,2025
Welcome Back DKES!
Dear DKES Students and Families,
Welcome back to Delton Kellogg Elementary School! We are so excited to begin the 2026–2027 school year with all of our returning students and to welcome the new students and families joining our DKES community. At DKES, we believe a small-school atmosphere can provide big opportunities! This year will be filled with learning, growing, making new friends, trying new things, and celebrating all of the amazing accomplishments our students will achieve. Our teachers and staff are here to help every student learn, feel supported, and be successful. We also want DKES to be a place where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and respected. Throughout the year, we will continue following our SKRR expectations:
Safety • Kindness • Respect • Responsibility
When we all work together and practice SKRR each day, we make DKES an even better place to learn and grow! We cannot wait to see our hallways and classrooms filled with smiling faces again. Get ready for another wonderful year of learning, friendships, Panther pride, and fun!
Important Beginning-of-the-Year Dates:
- First Day of School – August 31. This will be a half day, with students dismissed at 11:30 AM. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
- Fall District Testing – September 9 & 10. Students will complete the STAR Reading and Math Assessments.
- Fall Pictures – September 9 & 10
- Fall Picture Retakes – October 22
We are looking forward to a fantastic year together. Welcome back, Panthers!
Let’s make 2026–2027 a great year at DKES!
Mr. Bobby Tillman
K-8 Principal
Mrs. Sarah Knash
K-8 Assistant Principal
Elementary Office Hours
Office phones turn on at 7:30 am
Front office doors open at 7:55 am for late arrivals.
Office closes at 3:30pm
Phone: (269) 623-1530
August and September Lunch Menus!
August Lunch Menu
September Lunch Menu
There have been changes that have been made to the student handbook.
The complete 2026/2027 DKES Student Handbook can be found on our district website: https://www.dkschools.org/page/board-of-education-bylaws-and-policies under HANDBOOKS.
Please reach out to our elementary school office at (269) 623-1530 during office hours (7:30 am to 3:30 pm) or to me via email at bobby.tillman@dkschools.org if you have further questions.
I would like to thank our students, staff, families, and community in advance for all of their hard work and support in helping our students have a successful 2026-2027 school year!
School Day Start and End Times
Arrival : 7:30am -7:55am
After 7:55am your student is late and will need to be signed in at the front office
School dismissed: 2:50pm (full day) 11:30am (half day)
Student end of the day plans
Student safety is our top priority. In order to assure we get your student(s) to the correct spot at the end of each school day please CLICK HERE to complete a short survey. If you have more than one student please complete a new survey for each student.
Please note:
If your student has varying end of the day plans, please specify the day and mode of transportation. Ex, Mon/Tues - Parent Pick Up; Wed/Th/Fri - Bus.
If your student will be riding the bus, going to Panther Clubhouse daycare, or being picked up, please note that on the survey.
During the school year, if you need to change your students end of the day transportation plans contact the elementary office at 269-623-1530 or email Laci Watson - laci.watson@dkschools.org or Kristin Liceaga - kristin.liceaga@dkschools.org.
Please make sure to contact the office staff no later than 2 PM on full days or 10 AM on half days.
Arrival procedures
- The elementary doors will open for students at 7:30 a.m and drop off will be staffed from 7:30am-7:55am. After 7:55 am your student is late and will need to be signed in at the front office, the office doors open to students/parents at 7:55am daily.
- All drop offs must take place in the drop off line located in between the elementary and middle school. You can enter the drop off line from Delton road, or M-43. Please see the diagram below.
DK Staff will be in place at our student entrance to ensure the safety of all students. Staff will also be available to make sure students get to their classrooms safely.
Parents will utilize the drop off line if students are not riding the bus to school.
Do NOT drop off students without staff present
Parents will stay in their vehicle, forming a single line
Staff will be stationed on the curb to open the vehicle doors for students to exit their cars.
Once students have exited the vehicle, parents will continue through the loop to exit onto Delton road.
Staff will be at the bus drop off to greet students upon exiting the bus and usher them to the student entrance.
Afternoon pick up procedures
Each family will receive two dashboard pickup identification tags for those who are pick up, more will be available upon request. These tags can be shared with family members or others who parents designate as being able to pick up their child.
These tags will have a number that coordinates to your student(s). The person making the pick up should place the tag in a visible area on the passenger side when picking up the child. A staff member will check the number on the tag with the identification on the child’s backpack. This process is being used to ensure the safety of all students. You MUST have a proper tag to pick up any student. We CANNOT release any student to a parent without this proper identification.
Numbers will be given out to families at the open house Wednesday, August 26th if the form was filled out. If you cannot make it to the open house, please contact our main office for assistance.
We ask you to PLEASE comply with the times you are picking students up. If everyone tries to get here early, it’s only going to cause more congestion, frustration and potentially dangerous situations. We must work together to make this work as smoothly as possible for everyone.
Parents should NOT park in the lot, but stay in the pickup line. The traffic flow should continue around the parking lot as children are brought to the vehicles
Parents do NOT use the bus loop to pick up students.
Families picking up multiple students in different buildings should use the elementary pick up line, older students can meet up with the younger siblings. If your older students are not there when you pick up your younger student, please park in the parking lot for your other students to meet you.
Please Be Patient, the safety of all our students is the most important part of our plans. We want everyone to remain safe getting to and from school and we are asking all drivers to be extremely vigilant and watchful as they enter and leave the parking lots.
During the first couple of weeks, we know it will take a bit longer until everyone understands how the system works. We will make adjustments as needed, but we are asking for an abundance of patience from everyone.
Food Service Updates for 2026-2027 School Year
All students K-12 attending Delton Kellogg Schools are eligible for free breakfasts and lunches during the 2026-2027 school year. This is due to a “Free Meals for All” legislation passed by the state. Although all meals are FREE any student who would like to purchase milk to add with a cold lunch would need to have funds loaded on their accounts. Parents have on-line access to view student balances, histories, and make bankcard deposits. Even though breakfasts and lunches are free, families are required to complete the EBF (Educational Benefit Forms) since other funding and grant eligibility for the district are tied to these applications. This application also applies to pay-to-participate for student-athletes for qualifying families and chromebooks to be able to take home for after-school enrichment opportunities. A new Educational Benefit form IS REQUIRED each school year (one application per family, not per student). So even if you applied a year ago, a new application must be submitted for the 2026-2027 school year.
We are asking families to please head to the following site to complete the EBF application deltonkellogg.familyportal.cloud or scan the QR code below
You will need your students ID# that will be emailed to each family.
If your student requires dietary accommodations, please fill this form out and return to the elementary office. If you have any questions please contact the Food Service Director, Tiffany Haines at Tiffany.Haines@dkschools.org or call 269-623-1223 for additional assistance.
At DKES, We’re Capturing Kids’ Hearts 💞
Volunteers
Classroom volunteers are at the discretion of the teacher
Our PTO is always looking for volunteers for special events.
We are looking forward to having visitors for many special events (field trips, classroom parties, field day, etc) this year, we will communicate procedures as these come up.
Does your student need to take medications at school?
From our school nurse, Rhonda Lundquist - she will be available at our open house Wednesday, August 26 from 4:30-5:30 to answer any questions and to take in student medications with proper documentation.
Welcome back to school, DK families! Please review the key requirements below to ensure your child’s health needs and medications are safely managed at school.
General Medication Policy
Every medication (prescription or over-the-counter) requires a completed Medication Authorization Form signed by both a parent and a licensed healthcare prescriber. New forms are required each school year.
Download the 5703 - 2026 medication authorization form DKS.
Adult Delivery Required: All medications must be brought directly to the school office by an adult in their original container.
Self-Carry Emergency Medications: Students carrying emergency medications (such as inhalers, EpiPens, or diabetes supplies) must have explicit permission checked on the form by both parent and physician. Alternatively, emergency medications may be stored in the main office.
Student Registration: Please complete online registration prior to the first day of school, ensuring medical concerns, emergency contacts, and physician information are fully updated.
Requirements by Health Condition
Severe Allergies
Medication Authorization Form (one for each medication, e.g., Epi, oral antihistamines)
Allergy Action Plan signed by physician
For special dietary needs or food allergies, submit the SNP_Special_Dietary_Accommodations_Form__92018.pdf signed by parent/guardian and physician.
Asthma
Medication Authorization Form for inhaler(s)
Asthma Action Plan signed by physician
Seizures
Medication Authorization Form for emergency medications
Seizure Action Plan signed by physician
Diabetes
Diabetes Medical Management Plan signed by physician and parent
Medication Authorization Form for emergency medications
Other Life-Threatening Conditions (e.g., Bleeding Disorders)
Action Plan signed by physician
Medication Authorization Form for any required medications
Overnight Field Trips
For all overnight field trips (e.g., Mackinac, 5th grade camp, band, FFA, HOSA, ect.), please ensure the following safety protocols are followed:
Authorization Required: All medications—both prescription and over-the-counter (including Tylenol, Motrin, etc.)—must have a completed Medication Authorization Form on file prior to departure. School staff are not authorized to administer any medication to students without this form. Parental Supervision: Documentation is not required if a parent personally manages and transports their child's medication during the trip.
No Unapproved Carry: Students are strictly prohibited from carrying medications (including ADHD medications or over-the-counter pain relievers) on their person or in their luggage. All medications must be given to designated staff prior to departure.
Self-Carry Exception: The only exception is for emergency medications (e.g., EpiPens, inhalers, diabetes medications) explicitly authorized for self-carry on the Medication Authorization Form by both a parent and a physician.
Original Packaging: All medications must be provided in their original container.
Please reach out with any questions. We look forward to a great school year!
Rhonda Lundquist, BSN, RN
District Nurse, Delton Kellogg Schools
BISD/Corewell Health Pennock
Phone: 616-240-5636
