Dear DuVall Families,

On Thursday we will host Donuts & Grown-Ups. All students and their favorite grown-up are invited to the cafeteria for a donut and milk at 8:35. Students may also have a regular school breakfast.

Sign up TODAY for the DUVALL SHAMROCK SHUFFLE! Make sure you turn in your pledge sheet tomorrow! If you sign up after Monday we can’t guarantee shirts/sizes. Participation fee of $10 guarantees shamrock cookie, water, tattoos, brag tags, a good color blasting, music and fun!. But many amazing prizes are available if you raise more money for the school- limited edition leprechaun Leo the Penguin DuVall T-shirt and water bottle, pizza party and chances to win a NINTENDO SWITCH! Wear your green- we will also have awesome prizes for best costume and best family costumes! This is such a fun event and is back by popular demand! Call the office with questions. We can’t wait until Saturday, the weather is supposed to cooperate and we will be color blasting our favorite penguin runners and walkers!

Our 5th graders will be having a bake sale on Election Day, which is Tuesday. Money earned will help with the costs for their promotion ceremony and their after party. To volunteer or donate, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B4AACAF23A3FB6-47833201-election

Operating Millage Renewal voting closes Tuesday

A recap for everyone:

• This is an Operating Millage Renewal.  It is NOT a new tax. In fact, the maximum tax homeowners would have to pay would decline from 6.17 mills to 4 mills.  So voters do not have to choose between lowering their personal taxes and supporting the schools!  By the way, the district’s bond taxes have also dropped by more than 3 mills in the last few years, so tax rates are already down.
• Non-homestead properties would continue to pay 18 mills.  The 18 mills on businesses started when Proposal A passed.  This revenue is considered part of our base per pupil funding.  So if the millage fails, the district would receive much less than the state’s minimum per pupil allowance. This is explained in more detail in a First Bell article on per pupil funding.
• The Operating Millage generates $41 million each year for the district, with $34 million of that coming from those non-homestead properties.  This money makes up 16 percent of the general fund, which pays every day expenses like salaries and benefits, classroom supplies and busing. This is NOT a bond.  This money is not for new construction, big renovations and other bond type expenses.

Find more details on the Operating Millage Renewal page.

This week’s notes:

• Teach of the Year nominations are open. Students should click here to nominate their favorite teacher. Each student can nominate two teachers. I am asking every student to nominate at least one teacher. Everyone of our teachers deserves to be nominated.
• Music Club is canceled this week.
• Mrs. Moon’s class, correction from last week’s email. Ms. Hardey is with us until April 19th.
• Kids Club & Developmental Preschool Open House, March 7, 4:30-6:30: 4 year olds Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 3 year olds on Tuesday and Thursdays  DuVall is at 22561 Beech, Dearborn.  The program is in room 107.
• Free Parent University sessions, click here for more information: https://superintendent.dearbornschools.org/2024/02/23/press-release-31-free-parent-university-sessions-return-for-very-young-children-and-their-caregivers/
• The first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year will be August 26, 2024. It will be a half day.
• Our Eid Holiday Shop will be April 4th, 8:00-4:00.
• Every week we have at least 3 students in the office that need to call home for a change of clothes. PLEASE put a change of clothes in your child’s backpack. This time of year our playground gets very muddy and wet. We have some clothes in the office but not all sizes and currently we do not have any pants. If your child has out grown any, especially sweatpants, that you are willing to donate, please send them in.
• On Wednesday, Kids Club will be in room 105 after school. Pick-up will be from door 2.

Notes that bear repeating:

• There is a district Special Education PTA Meeting on February 26 at 6:30. The meeting will be held on Zoom. Click here to view the invitation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19AYZYHS5SSONmX7YKROiHaHD0PlWfPDc/view?usp=sharing
• 5th Grade parents, mark your calendars, O.L. Smith Middle School orientation will be May 9 at 6:00.
• We are looking to borrow a few Wii Systems with Wii Sports Bowling added to it. We need this for April 19th for a Father/Son event. Please let me know if you have this system and would be willing to loan it to our PTA.
• We are in need of Ice Cream Social donations. at one that is willing to donate a gift card or items, it would be greatly appreciated. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we need as much help as possible. If you own a business or work Please see the attached letter to take to businesses to help explain our need. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lhmifUQIbGIO-UctLrqcUyYNAxLB9e39/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104780840291113704430&rtpof=true&sd=true
• 2024 Martian Marathon – 12:00 pm ~ April 13, 2024 @ Ford Field, Dearborn Group Registration Instructions: LINK: https://runningfitevents.redpodium.com/2024-martian-invasion-of-races Select “I am here to register as a group participant” TEAM NAME: DuVall – Blue Wave 12:00 TEAM PASSWORD:  PENGUINS24 Continue on with registration. You must select team name and enter password. The kids’ race is already discounted to $23 (thru March 4) so no coupon code is needed. If you would like to extend the invitation to your school community we are offering a school discount code. March 5 the price goes up to $26. Please note there are processing fees.
• We are still in need of noon hour supervisors. This is a paid position. If you are interested, please contact the office.
• To purchase a yearbook, go to: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/order/Lookupjob?jobnumber=14536124 The cost is $13.00.
• We still have class shirts available. The cost is $7.25 and are available in the office.

Date	This Week’s Schedule	Lunch First Choice	Lunch Second Choice	Watch D.O.G.S.
Monday	6:30 District Parent Special Ed. Meeting, Zoom District Spelling Bee, Fordson 5:00 3rd grade 6:15 4th grade 7:30 5th grade	Chicken Nuggets	Peach Parfait
Tuesday	No school for students – Election Day	No School for students
Wednesday	8:00 Penguin Players, Room 204 3:20 Ambassadors 4:10 Chess match at Oakman	Scrambled Eggs & Pancakes	Sunbutter & Jelly
Thursday	Mobile Dentist (Media Center) 8:00 Chess Club8:30 Donuts & Grown-Ups	Pizza	Chicken Wrap
Friday	7:45 Running Club 4:00 Doodle Club	Fish Sticks	Veggie Wrap
Saturday	Shamrock Shuffle, Summer Stephens Park

Upcoming Dates: 

March 5: Parent Education Meeting, Student Health

March 13: PTA Meeting 6:30, Media Center and Zoom

March 18-22: Book Fair

March 22: Literacy Day

March 25-29, No school – Spring Break 

Have a great week!

Mary Timpf