Dear DuVall Families,
Thank to everyone who supported our Little Caesar’s and Buffalo Wild Wings fundraisers! Every little bit helps so we can provide our students and staff with assemblies, instructional needs, materials, and more.
It is with great sadness that I announce Ms. Kim Ismail, our office secretary, has been offered another position in the district. Ms. Kim will be moving to a 12 month position at ASC where our district offices are located. She will be working in the Early Childhood Department so those of you who have students in Kids Club or little ones in Mrs. Bazzi and Mrs. Lackey’s preschool may still work with her on occasion. We wish Ms. Kim all the luck and happiness in the world! Her last day at DuVall will be Friday, March 17th. A posting of our DuVall secretary position will be sent to district employees with the requirements of the position. Those interested, that qualify, can apply. We will then hold interviews.
I have received many questions about STEM Middle School. Fourth and Fifth grade parents should read the criteria which is listed below.
- Fifth graders interested in STEM: Students will be extended an invitation to enter the lottery to attend STEM, if they meet the criteria.
- 5th grade spring NWEA Scores in the 80th percentile or higher in reading and math and proficient or higher on 4th grade M-Step
- In the absence of standardized test scores, Dearborn Public School students will be invited to enter the lottery with report card grades of 1 in reading and math, teacher and principal recommendations and a proficient score or higher on the STEM admission writing prompt.
M-Step is a Michigan assessment given to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at the elementary level. It is an important assessment for our school and we need our students to take it seriously and do their best. As you can see above it is also part of the STEM admission criteria. If your child would like to practice at home to become familiar with the online tools and format of the reading and math questions they can visit the sample assessment at: https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/ott1?displayOTT=M-STEP+-+OTTS&display=M-STEP&adminId=523377&index=1&audioConfiguration=%7B%22onDemandTTS%22%3A%7B%22playTestDirectionsView%22%3Atrue%7D%7D As parents, you may also want to take a look at what is expected of your children. Teachers will do a little practicing in class, to make sure students are familiar with the online tools. The M-Step window opens April 10th. We will be holding a parent meeting to share more information. We are scheduling as much of the testing as we can after Ramadan to make it easier on our students. Unfortunately, there isn’t time to complete all of it after April 24th so some will be during Ramadan. Once we finalize the schedule we will share it with parents. If you have any questions please let me know.
This week’s notes:
- Please make sure your children are reading at home. Increase their time reading at one time. We are noticing, even our best readers, do not have the stamina to read lengthy passages.
- Please check your child’s folder nightly. Remove and read all notes from the office and the teacher. The folder should be returned each day with any homework and notes from you. Some students have folders with notes dating back months ago. This is an indication that parents are not reading what is being sent home. Please keep communication open by reading what is sent home.
- Fourth graders that believe they may be interested in STEM for middle school should be aware their M-Step score for this year is used as part of the criteria.
- The University of Michigan is hosting a STEM Day for 4th & 5th graders, focused for girls but everyone is welcome. This is a free event but you must register. Link to the flier with a QR code registration link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xb2JfzwTojeNemJ-mQj_Cl1UJIZx20Uj/view?usp=sharing Hard copy registration: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XU3obQ3leLmhfhWeQ0b0Xxkkl8dhL15l/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104780840291113704430&rtpof=true&sd=true Please turn in the registration directly to U-M.
- For all school events Doors 5 and 8 will be unlocked. Door 5 in on Francis at the back of school. Door 8 is off of the playground.
- Happy National School Social Worker Week to Ms. Makled! DuVall is so lucky to have her. Mrs. Makled works with almost a quarter of our students, does whole group lessons in classrooms, works with small groups in and out of the classroom, meets with parents, completes required paperwork, and so much more!! She is truly amazing. If you see her this week please thank her for all that she does for our school.
- Wayne State is holding a Future Docs day on March 11 for children ages 6-12. There is a cost involved when registering. Check it out here: https://today.wayne.edu/medicine/news/2023/02/06/medical-students-share-memories-of-attending-future-docs-now-open-for-registration-50446
- For the Parent Book Club on Zoom and the PTA meeting on Zoom, click on the work Zoom below. The link is embedded in the word.
Have a great week!
Mary Timpf
| Day | Activities | 1st Choice | 2nd Choice | Watch DOGS |
| Monday | Read a joke today. Bring it to school to share Wear your DuVall shirt | Mac & Cheese | Sunbutter & Jelly | |
| Tuesday | National Cereal Day – Read a book about food 8:00 Math Club, 4th Grade, Room 202 8:40 Safety Meeting, Room 202 9:25 Smith visit, 5th grade 12:20 Edsel Ford Concert, 3rd, 4th, 5th 4:00 Chess Match vs. Howe, DuVall cafeteria | Cinnamon French Toast | Blueberry Parfait | |
| Wednesday | Super Hero Day – Read a book about your favorite SuperHero Late Start, first bell is at 9:55 10:10 Parent Book Club, Cafeteria 4:00 5th Grade DuVall Depot 4:00 Butterfly & Garden Club 4:00 Chess Match vs. Snow, DuVall cafeteria 5:30 Parent Book Club, Zoom 6:30 PTA Meeting, cafeteria (enter through doors 5 or 8) or Zoom 10:00-6:00 Henry Ford Centennial Book & Media Sale | Pretzel Rod & Cheese | Veggie Wrap | |
| Thursday | National Popcorn Day, Free popcorn if you met your goal. Eat popcorn & read your favorite book 8:00 Chess Club, Room 202 Lunch, School Store | Cheese Pizza | Sunbutter & Jelly | |
| Friday | Read a book by your favorite author Kindergarten Field Trip, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum 6:00 Book Bingo (enter through doors 5 or 8) | Baja Fish Taco | Turkey Wrap |
Upcoming Dates:
March 16: Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:00 p.m. (moved from April 12, 2023)
March 17, Half day – All students a.m., dismissal 12:05; Professional development day p.m.
March 17: Literacy Day
March 18: Shamrock Shuffle
March 20-24: Book Fair
March 27- 31, No school – Spring Break
April 7, No school – Good Friday