Dear DuVall Families,
We have a busy week ahead of us. Tuesday is conferences, Wednesday is our monthly PTA meeting, and Friday is our Iftar dinner. Thank you in advance to everyone who is assisting, facilitating, donating, or volunteering in any of these events. Please see the notes blow for links associated with these events.
The M-Step begins Monday, April 8th. However, at DuVall we will begin our testing on Tuesday, April 16th. Testing on Mondays is something we try to avoid and waiting the extra week allows us to avoid testing during Ramadan and while some students are fasting. Every student testing will receive a written note from a staff member letting them know we believe they will do well and encouraging them to do their best. If parents are interested in writing their child an encouraging note, we have additional note cards in the office or you my use a card you have at home and send it in for us to deliver the day they begin testing.
We also have notes in the office where you can write a quick message to your child, any grade, or staff member letting them know you support them. I love seeing so many students receiving notes in their lunch boxes from their parents. A small gesture can make a difference, help your chil make the right choices, and help them have a good day.
This week’s notes:
- Park and Pool will be Monday, June 3rd.
- Running is canceled this week.
- Conferences will be 2:30-5:30. Teachers have contacted parents they would like to meet with. If you have not been contacted to meet and would like to speak to the teacher please email her. Special area and support staff will also be available to meet. In some cases these teachers are shared with another school so there is a possibility they will be at the other school during the 2:30-5:30 time. If they are not at DuVall when you are, please email them to schedule a phone conference or meeting.
- Fifth grade parents, please expect an email from me this week regarding your child’s middle school electives selection.
- Iftar dinner donation and volunteer sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DA9A629AAFAC52-48469828-duvall
- PTA meeting, Wednesday at 6:30 in the Media Center or Zoom. Click here for the Zoom link: https://dearbornschools-org.zoom.us/j/84668662958?pwd=cGFDWDNJRE5ERW02czJrL2U1bTkxQT09
- Thank you to the parents who have been able to attend our parent education meetings. Our next meeting is April 2 at 9:10 and the topic is M-Step. This is primarily for 3rd through 5th grade parents.
- Students, 3rd-5th, will be required to use headphones for M-Step. We provide headphones, however, if your child wants to use their own please make sure they are in working order and are at school school before testing begins.
- DEvelopmental Preschool and Kids Club held their Open House last week. For more pricing and other details, see the Kids Club flier or the Developmental Preschool flier. Fall 2024 enrollment for preschool opens March 11 to returning families. On March 25 new preschool students and all Kids Club students can begin registering for next year. To register, visit the Early Childhood online registration.
- For parents interested in summer childcare, registration for the district’s Summer Adventure Club opens March 18 for returning families and April 1 for new families. That program will run from June 17 to Aug. 16 at Henry Ford Elementary School, 16140 Driscoll Ave., Dearborn. Child care is available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The program includes fun weekly activities, field trips, indoor and outdoor activities, STEM activities and swimming. District employees get a 20 percent discount, and there is a 10 percent discount for siblings. Watch for more information about Summer Adventure Club coming to the online registration.
- Edsel Ford’s Theater Department will present its spring musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! on April 11, 12, 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are available online. General admission is $12 and students and seniors 65 or older are $10 each. At least two DuVall alumni are in this show.
- Grades 1-8, Basketball Camp during spring break. Click here for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iEtStnxyq7L2K7YS26Z41vYenMcgZSnd/view
- Nankin Mills in Westland(Wayne County Parks) is offering two programs during spring break, Reptile Encounter March 26, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM and Easter Bunnies March 27, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM. Both are $5.00 per person. Registration: https://wayneco.recpro-iframe.com/CourseActivities.aspx?id=30 Click on Nankin Mills at the very bottom of this page to register.
- We have many students that have pieces in this year’s art show. Congratulations to Nico SalgadoGonzalez, Evelyn Pinon, Antonia Ross, Fatima Bazzi, Kelsey Smith, Isla Dowhan, Tia Yassine, Jordan Batha, Malak AlSaaedy, Tuck Dowgiallo, Minerva Jedele, Leenah AlBahiya, and Eleanora Deller. The opening of the show where students will be recognized will be April 3rd, 4:30-&;00 at the Padzieski Gallery in the Ford & Community Performing Arts Center on Michigan Ave. All are invited. Click here for the flier:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-jfaDvefXBVpvYOFKb9Si3q-rj_trD2O/view?usp=sharing and https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D8Qm28QDTK-8q5p8CSg3-VfYh8PAfmiC/view?usp=sharing
Important Notes from previous weeks:
- Parent University will be held this year on three Fridays: March 8, April 26 and May 17. The free, one-hour sessions are open to parents or other caregivers and their children ages 6 months to preschool. The classes will be offered at four locations on each of the Fridays. Cotter Early Childhood Center, Henry Ford Elementary and River Oaks Elementary will hold sessions from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Salina Elementary will host its sessions from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Each event will offer every child a free snack, craft, and book. Staff will sing, play and engage in educational activities that help young children build the skills they need to become strong students. Parents are asked to reserve their child’s spot so staff can bring enough materials for all the children. Register for free Parent University with this link, email kubitzv@dearbornschools.org, or call the Parent University registration number at 313-827-6172 (please leave a voicemail). Each session will have its own theme. March 8 is birthday party. April 26 is spring celebration, and May 17 is field day.
- DuVall’s Penguin Players presents: The Magic Bookshelf, Thursday, March 21st. There will be two performances, 10:00 and 10:30 both in the gym.
- Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Dearborn is hosting Read to Rover to celebrate March is Reading Month. Read to Rover allows children to gain confidence, help with fluency, and enhance their reading skills while comforting and socializing shelter animals. During the half-hour session, readers will work in a private meet-and-greet room with an adult staff member, the parent/guardian, and your choice of either working with a cat or dog. The 30-minute session is $10 and is open to children of all reading levels. To sign up click here: https://www.metrodetroitanimals.org/read-to-rover/ Click here to view a Channel 4 story on this program: https://www.clickondetroit.com/live-in-the-d/2023/03/01/helping-kids-improve-literacy-while-comforting-animals/?fbclid=IwAR3TAhoAygAckPfadMKg9WqQ2v6xI-8t7xnj-s9O76vp7O5bfVc3UZ9xRw4
- 5th Grade parents, mark your calendars, O.L. Smith Middle School orientation will be May 9 at 6:00.
- We are in need of Ice Cream Social donations. Anyone 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 cost is $26.
- 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.
| Date | This Week’s Schedule | Lunch First Choice | Lunch Second Choice | Watch D.O.G.S. |
| Monday | 8:00 Art Club | Chicken Nuggets | Turkey & Cheese Sandwich | |
| Tuesday | 8:00 Math Club 2:30-5:30 Conferences | Hotdog | Sunbutter & Jelly | Bob & Grace Ryan |
| Wednesday | 8:00 Penguin Players, Room 204 8:00 Green Club, room 105 1:30 Tornado Drill 3:20 Ambassadors 6:30 PTA Meeting, Media Center and Zoom | Cheeseburger | Tuna w/Pita | |
| Thursday | 8:00 Chess Club | Cheese Pizza | Blueberry Parfait | |
| Friday | First Grade Healthy Living 7:00pm Iftar Dinner | Pretzel & Cheese | Veggie Ranch Wrap |
Upcoming Dates:
March 18-22: Book Fair
March 22: Literacy Day
March 25-29, No school – Spring Break
April 2: Parent Education Meeting M-Step
April 2-5: Change Challenge
April 9-10: No school, Eid break
April 15: Kindergarten Roundup 6:00
April 17: PTA Meeting 6:30, Media Center and Zoom
April 19: Father / Son Game Night
April 25: Book Bingo
April 30: Parent Education Meeting, How to help my child at home
Have a great week,
Mary Timpf