FORT DODGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Duncombe Elementary School

Newsletter TOGETHER WE RISE: Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap, Believing All Kids Do Well If They Can

December 2016

Dates to remember:

December 1st—Conferences 3:30– 8 pm

December 7th— Early out 1:10 pm

December 22nd— Early out 1:10 pm

December 23 thru January 2nd— No School

January 3rd 2017— classes resume

Special Olympics

On November 19th, at the Des Moines Bowl-a-Rama,

Noah Sample received a third place bronze medal in the State Special Olympics

Bowling competition.

Congratulations Noah! Author Visit

Julia Cook was the author who came to visit Dun-

combe kids this year. Julia shared a presentation and

her book collection. The students were able to ask

question and talk with her. After her presentation,

Julia passed out orders for the students to purchase her

books and even have them personalized with her auto-

graph. Julia has a collection of over 80 works.

Virtual Backpack

Please remember to visit: www.fdschools.org, to check out all the virtual backpack information on activities, groups, fundrais-er, etc. going on in the Fort Dodge community. There are new items added often, so make sure you check it frequently.

Winter Weather Wear

Now that cold weather is headed our way, we ask that you put the name of your student on ALL of his/her items. We have a full Lost and Found already and we will get plenty more. With the name on their clothing items, it is much easier to find the items’ owner.

Please remember that the kids go outside until the wind chill gets to zero or below, so they need to be dressed for cold and snow. Please send them in their boots and put shoes in bags or leave a pair in the locker at school.

Newsletter Duncombe Elementary

Dec. 2016 Page 2

From Mr. Reding

As much as I try to ignore it, the fact remains I am getting older! My hair is no longer dark, speckled with grey….it is pretty much grey, speckled with more grey! My endurance isn’t what it once was…..a long day of hunting leaves me much more tuckered out than it used to. And my vision……where, oh where have my “eagle eyes” gone? I recently made a dreaded trip to a local vision center and received news that I need stronger spectacles. They have made the world seem like a different place as I drive in the early morning or evening hours!

It seems fitting that I am seeing things more clearly just in time for the holiday season. We all need to slow down enough to take in some of the small miracles that surround us on a regular basis, especially at this time of year. The look on the face of a small child playing in the year’s first snowfall is beautiful beyond words. As is the reaction of a little boy or girl the first time they go down a hill on a sled, saucer or toboggan. A heartfelt smile or a kind “hello” can make the worst of days seem more endurable. A phone call from a loved one or a kind gesture toward a perfect stranger can make ones spirits soar! Letting a motorist get onto the busy road near Walmart will put a smile on their face…..and…..who knows…..that person just might do a kind deed for someone else!

Life, indeed, is full of simple pleasures. It is wonderful to receive gestures of kindness from others and it can be even more special to be the giver! It is my hope that you will all take time to remember the many ways you have been blessed! I also hope that you will spread joy and love to those around you, not only during the holiday season, but any time and any place that you are able to do so! I am very, very fortunate to be surrounded by such fantastic students, parents and staff members! I wish you all the very best!

GO DODGERS!

The Red Carpet

Each month we are honoring students in the area of academics and behavior, the students get to “walk the red carpet” in an assembly to cheer them on for their accomplishments. Here is a list of the students from October and November.

OCT: Tayden Taylor, Ayden Steding, Tucker Dreke, Shamar Edmondson, Holly Schaffer, Tre’Aana Brown, Austin Carmody, Branden Robinson, Allisyn Parker, Cal Reisner, Ida Simpson, Alex Dreke, Linnie Pratt, Niura Novencido, Duane Fliehe, Bridget Olson, Ryon Tran, Ellie Estlund, Isaiah Toro, Aden Shine, Jonathan Garcia, Ollie Vayding, Vayda Dreke, Chloe McAvinue, Cal Pederson, Kyran McCrady, David Cardenas, Jullian Cook, DeVonis Edmonson, Breeanna Kalvig, Jennifer Guillen, Sam Diego-Pineda, Ashlyn Gutierrez, Brooklyn Huen, Amelia Stephan, Rachel Jones, Jayla Hyde, Johanna Philbrook, Trysten Naylor, Sydney Novencido, Teagan Frank, Tayven Altman, Carlos Cervantes, Gracie Harvey, Alexis Scott, Jaelah Ewing, Dennis Prado, Jessenia Elias, Sam Trueblood, Chris Ceballos, Jabek Dunbar, Katie Mason, Jesus Hernandez, Arthur Lund, Michael Jones, Gabriella Castro, Paige Lewis, Janelle Long, Kegan Cote and Katie Dutcher.

NOV: Caidryk Grady, Gavin Ludwig, YoVani Morales, Mackenzie, Andres Barrera, Sami Hoversten, Harley Grove, Alijah Villalobos,Gage Hepp, Lindyn Schulte, Carlos Marquez, Allison Baade, Kameryn Norris, Malachi Harvey, Mariah Gonzalez, Elizabeth Brown, Nicole Beckwith, Keegan Trewin, Leah Mills, Avaiah Trevino, Fernando Ortega, Naomi Valles, Katelyn Gelhausen, Raythen Morsching, Greyson Chance, Liam Kelley, Saphira Rutherford, Taylor Cote, Elianna Napier-Garcia, Jayce Point, Lakota Akin, Carsten Grady, Christian Calles, Erik Larson, Jennifer Prado, Kate Parker, Domanick Norris, Alexis McMahon, Cristopher Merida Guillen, Olivia Wagner, Devon Newsom, Kelly Perez-Rodriguez, AJ De-Moss, Daisy Arellano, Caiden Fraher, Elizabeth Kelley, Angel Sandoval, Elizabeth Garcia, Jesus Castillo, Patrick Acosta, Aleah Urbina-Galvan, Wyatt Rutherford, Kiara Agnitsch, Teague Thompson, Emma Smith, Mylee Lofton, Tru Allen, Lucy Porter, Amarah Sweeney, and Johnny Valen-tine.

Congratulations to you all!!!!!!

Newsletter Duncombe Elementary

Dec. 2016 Page 3

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

If school must be cancelled, delayed or dismissed early due to weather conditions, announcements

will be made via:

Infinite Campus Phone Calls & Texts

Facebook and Twitter

www.fdschools.org

FDCSD Hotline

TV Stations: WHO, KCCI & WOI

Radio Stations: KWMT, KKEZ, KXFT, KZLB, KIAQ, KVFD, KTLB

Fort Dodge Press

Preschool registration for the 2017-18 school year begins

December 1. To be eligible to attend preschool in the fall of

2017, children must be four years old by September 15, 2017.

To register a child for preschool at Riverside Early Learning

Center, please visit the Central Administration Building, 104

South 17th Street, or call 574.5679. A completed registration

form and $50 non-refundable deposit are required to hold a

child’s spot in the program.

District Policy

It is the policy of the Fort Dodge Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation,

gender identity, national origin, disability, physical attributes, religion, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, veteran’s status, actual or

potential parental, family or marital status, in its programs, services, and employment practices. If you have questions or grievances related to this policy, please

contact Marcy Harms, Director of Student Services, Central Administration Office, 104 South 17th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501, (574-5678) or contact the

Civil Rights Midwestern Division for U. S. Department of Education Office, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-4544. (Alternate for Section

504 is Lis Ristau, Director of Special Needs, 515-574-5675).

The District’s Compliance Coordinator for Affirmative Action is Robert Hughes, Assistant Superintendent, who can be reached at 574-5657 or 104 South 17th

Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

The District’s Designated Investigator of Physical/Sexual Abuse of Students by School Employees is Marcy Harms. She can be reached at 574-5678 or 104 South

17th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. The alternate is Corey Moody. He can be reached at 574-5469 or 819 North 25th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

The District’s Officer for Harassment Complaints and Allegations is Marcy Harms, Director of Student Services. She can be reached at 574-5678

DODGER ACADEMY

*Dodger Academy will be closed on November 29th and December 1st for staff to be available for Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Investigating the Colors of Leaves Through S.T.E.A.M.(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math)

Kindergarten through 2nd grade students had the opportunity through several learning stations to inquire, explore, investigate, prob-lem solve and work together as a team. They learned about nature and leaf biology. They conducted a chromatography experiment

along with the 3rd and 4th graders to learn why leaves change color.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: (Dodger Academy Scheduled Closings)

December 7th – Early Dismissal – Professional Development

December 22nd – Early Dismissal – Professional Development

December 23rd – January 2nd – Winter Break

S.T.E.M. AND THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

Students were read the story of the The Three Little Pigs. Next, they chose a table to sit at, not knowing why they were sitting there. They were given either straws, sticks or bricks to build their homes. Once they had the supplies they planned their project,

created it, and tested it against the Big Bad Wolf, the fan.

LEGOS PROJECTS

PROJECTS IN DECEMBER:

- 3rd and 4th graders created their own board games, and soon will be playing them at Dodger Academy.

- Kiwanis Kids’ Club will volunteer on December 3rd at Feed My Starting Children

- New Enrichment for creative minds and problem solvers will start in December

- Students will learn to play games and how to cook foods from other countries.

Fort Dodge Community School District Food Service News

Breakfast & Lunch Prices 2016-2017

Breakfast (PK-12) $1.55

Reduced Breakfast $.30

Adult Breakfast $2.00

Lunch Prices (PK-4) $2.45

Lunch (5-12) $2.55

Reduced Lunch $.40

Adult $3.50

FDCSD SCHOOL DINING CHARGING PROCEDURE

We use several communication tools to send out daily reminders to parents that their dining account is getting low: email, text message, letter and voice message. If you are not receiving low balance notifications, and would like to please contact the Food Service Department at 515-574-5677.

Upon reaching the $20 charge limit per family, the following rules will apply:

Students will not be able to purchase breakfast.

Students in grades 9-12 will not be allowed to eat school lunch.

When a family’s account balance is zero, students will not be able to charge ala carte items; this includes milk that would be purchased if a student brought their own lunch from home.

We feel that every child should have the opportunity to have school lunches. If you have a student(s), and are making no attempt to pay a negative balance, the Fort Dodge Community School District reserves the right to interrupt your child’s meal service. If interruption should happen, a letter will be sent to the home address, requesting you to pro-vide a "sack" lunch for your student. To ensure your child does not have interruption in their meal services please call Food Services to make arrangements to bring your account up to date.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

No money is accepted during lunch service. Money must be in the kitchen area by 9:15 a.m. to be deposited into the family account for that day.

Send money to school with your child. If sending money to an elementary school please put the cash/check in an envelope with the child's name on it.

Mail money directly to our office at 104 S 17th Street, Fort Dodge

Pay online using Infinite Campus at: https://campus.fort-dodge.k12.ia.us/campus/portal/ftdodge.jsp

Please keep an eye on your family dining account. Once the family dining account reaches a -$20.00, interruption of meal service is possible. If you are having difficulties in paying for school meals, please stop by or call 574-5677.