Week of May 12th
Dear Duval Families!
Happy Mother's Day! 🌷
Just five weeks to go before summer. People who don't know elementary schools often say, "so, are you winding down?" At Duval, like other schools, it's just the opposite. Big events, field trips, celebrations, all begin now and take us, spinning like tops, to June 13th! As my former colleague, a brilliant Principal, used to say around now, "Giddy Up!"
With Spring and warm weather can also come some interpersonal difficulties. We've had a couple of calls with concerns about children or families. While both were anonymous, please know that we always welcome any information that would help us help children and families.
This week, we have 3rd grade Math MCAS, 5th Grade Science, and a brand new event, the Arts Night on Thursday where children's artwork and chorus and band performances will be shared.
We also have an important PTO meeting on Tuesday. The Duval PTO is not a group of those people over there but YOU! With the small lift from your hands, Duval is enriched by projects like our beautiful mural, playground equipment, cool assemblies, and Family Nights. PLEASE, consider being part of the PTO Leadership or let them know you are ready to help!
Finally, a reminder that the Whitman annual election/voting will be this Saturday, May 17th from 9-5. Please get out and VOTE!
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Dr. Marcus and Ms. Craig
Duval Game Day - May 22
On May 22, Duval will host its first ever Duval Game Day. This is a school specific, Special Olympics type event. Game Day brings together students with and without disabilities through sports. This amazing inclusion program teaches all students teamwork, a mutual respect for those who bring different talents and abilities to a team, and helps foster a spirit of acceptance and inclusion within the school. Students will train alongside each other as equals and teammates, and then compete in the long jump, ball throw, and relay races. They will compete as a partnership to bring home a medal! We are very excited for our first year trying out this event at Duval!
FUN DAY! June 5th!
Fun Day this year is a joint project with the staff Theme Team and the PTO. Students will be participating in over 30 different events for which they'll earn tickets to see which Pod will win the Gold Medal! New events like Monster Truck rally, Drip Drip Drop, Stomp Rockets, and Knock Hockey will be added to favorites like the inflatable obstacle course and dunk tank.
To make it truly awesome, we're going to need lots of volunteers! Even if you can only do an hour or so, we'd love to have you, and your kids would LOVE to see you there! Sign ups coming soon!
Safety and Traffic Notes
We've put up some additional signs recently, but as a reminder, there is NO PASSING during drop-off and pick-up, and the back of the building is only for kids and school staff during the day.
With warmer weather, a reminder that all students commuting on wheels MUST have a helmet on as per Mass General Laws. Also, no e-scooters please.
If kids want to come back to play, they MUST wait until 3:30pm, AFTER dismissal is fully over.
Dolphin TV
Dolphin TV Channel is HERE to see all broadcasts.
Please click on Subscribe so our livestreams can be seen by more people!
PTO NEWS!
Hey Dolphins!
This Tuesday at 7 PM is our final meeting of the year! There are two MAJOR things we'll be discussing so please join us if at all possible. Childcare provided by the NHS students of Whitman-Hanson.
First, we will be electing the members of next year's PTO Board: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. My time at Duval is coming to an end in just one month, and two other long-time board members only have one and two more years each after that. The traditions that make Duval special will be in need of people to foster them and make them their own. Please consider joining the Board to ensure an incredible 2025-26 school year and beyond!
Second, we will be going over this year's new look Fun Day! We will discuss the changes and what those will require from you, our amazing volunteers. This will be your first chance to find the right spot for you on Fun Day.
In other news, Book Fair is one week away, and with it, our annual Spring Family Night. Sign-Ups for Book Fair and Family Night Volunteers here:
Book Fair: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849A8AC2EA5FA7-56825343-may2025
Family Night: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849A8AC2EA5FA7-56825580-family#/
As an incentive, remember that all folks who have volunteered throughout the year will have advanced access to the Fun Day sign-ups!
Thank you and have a great week,
Marshall Ottina
President, Duval PTO
PS: DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON SATURDAY AT WHITMAN TOWN HALL!
About Us
John H. Duval Elementary provides a safe, supportive environment where children are able to reach for the stars!
Email: john.marcus@whrsd.org
Website: https://whd.whrsd.org
Location: 60 Regal Street, Whitman, MA 02382
Phone: 781-618-7055
Twitter: @DuvalElementary