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HAPPY SPRING BREAK!

 

Good Morning Cavalier Families,

    I hope this newsletter finds your family enjoying a restful and joyful Spring Break! Thank you once again for your participation in last week’s student-led conferences! Your engagement and partnership play a major role in empowering & supporting our Cavaliers’  growth and success.

   We look forward to welcoming students back, refreshed and ready to learn, on Monday, March 23rd. As we return, we will continue building strong learning habits and maintaining focus, especially over the next two weeks, as our intermediate students prepare for state assessments beginning April 6. Our primary students will continue strengthening their foundational reading and numeracy skills as they work toward achieving the goals they have set for the end-of-the-year district assessments.

Leader in Me MRA Survey 

Help us capture the full impact of Leader in Me at Dayton Creek! Your feedback helps us celebrate successes and strengthen areas for growth.

The parent survey takes about 12 minutes and is completely voluntary, but we hope every household participates.

Parent Survey: https://www.leaderinme.com/s/dayton-creek-elementary/families

Important Dates:  

Week of March 23-27, 2026, A Tornado Safety Drill will be conducted this week. 

- Monday, March 23: Internet Safety Lesson: 4th Grade  (Rutherford)

-Tuesday, March 24: Internet Safety Lesson: 4th Grade (Love) and 5th Grade (Broers)

- Wednesday, March 25: PLC DAY (1 Hour Late Start)

          Internet Safety Lesson: 5th Grade (Kaechele)

- Thursday, March 26:

          4th Grade BizTown Field Trip

          4th Grade Music Program (6:30 PM)

- Friday, March 27: PTO Launches Read-A-Thon

          Internet Safety Lesson: 4th Grade (Martinez)     

 
  • March 30: Leader in Me Family Night (5:30-6:30 PM)This year’s event will feature a fun sports theme! Our Student Lighthouse Team has been working hard to plan and prepare a variety of engaging stations for families to enjoy. We look forward to seeing our families for an exciting evening of connection, leadership, and fun!
  • March 30: Book Fair Family Night  (5:30-6:30 PM)
  • March 30-April 3: Literati Book Fair
 

April 6-10: KANSAS STATE ASSESSMENT WEEK for Grades 3-5

  • APRIL 
    • April 2: 1st Grade Music Program (6:30 PM)
    • April 3: NO SCHOOL, Professional Development Day
    • April 6-9: ELA & MATH KANSAS STATE ASSESSMENT DAYS for Grades 3-5
      • We kindly ask 3rd-5th Grade parents and guardians to avoid scheduling appointments or planning trips on designated testing days whenever possible.
      • As students return from a long weekend prior to testing, we encourage families to help students come back well-rested and ready to focus.Thank you for your support in helping your child feel prepared and confident!
      • What are the tests like? KAP tests are taken online through Kite Student Portal. If you would like to see Student Portal in action, Practice Tests are available online. Try Kite Practice Tests together to help your child feel confident and ready. Refer to the Kite Practice Test Guide for information about accessing these Practice Tests.
      • Click these links for KAP Summative Parent Guide to Reports (pdf) & More Practice Tests
    • April 8: PTO Meeting (6:30 PM)
    • April 10: Kindergarten Round-Up (NO SCHOOL for Kindergarten)
    • April10: PTO Bingo Night (6:30 PM)
    • April 13-14: SCIENCE KANSAS STATE ASSESSMENT DAYS for 5th Grade
    • April 17: PTO Foam Party Reward (5:00 PM)
    • April 30: Kindergarten Music Program (6:30 PM)
  • MAY
    • May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
    • May 7: 5th Grade Day at the K
    • May 11: PTO Muffins with Moms (7:30 AM)
    • May 15: Field Day
    • May 21: Last Day of School 
 

Handbook Highlights

EMERGENCY DRILLS (BOE Policy JGEAA)
The four fire drills and three crisis drills required by law may be scheduled at any time during the school year. However, two tornado drills required shall be conducted in September and March. All these drills must be conducted by each school during school hours and cannot be made part of regular dismissal at the close of the school day. The building principal may conduct a surprise drill(s). Other drills shall be held at times determined by the building principal.

Kindly review our  Elementary Handbook 2025-2026 for more information on Academics, Activities, Attendance, Code of Conduct, Health, Nutrition, Transportation, Safety & Security.    

 

Standing Ovation for Staff

We hope that you’ve experienced a DCES staff member going above and beyond to serve our students and school community. Please help us recognize that employee by completing the short nomination form for Standing Ovation Awards 

 

Important Links

 

  • NEW! MARCH PTO Newsletter

  • Sign-up Form: Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) & M.O.M.S. (Moms of Marvelous Students)

  • DCES Community Feedback Form: We value your feedback so please  share your thoughts on how we're doing through this form.

  • 2025–2026 School Calendar

  • Breakfast and Lunch Menu

  • Volunteer Registration

  • DCES 2028 Strategic Plan

  • Elementary Handbook 2025-2026

Click this link to access all active sign-up opportunities in DCES!
 

Check out our Cavalier feature for this week:

Empowered to LEAD: Students leading the first part of the conferences with confidence, ownership, and pride in sharing their learning experiences. 

 

 
 
 
 

Empowered To Engage: Our 3rd Graders collaborating and problem-solving as they construct their cardboard arcade games for STEM.

 

Empowered To Engage & Serve: Our 4th graders bring creativity and care to their community with Bag It Forward, transforming old t-shirts into reusable tote bags for neighbors visiting Harvesters’ partner agencies.

 

 
 

Empowered To Achieve: Mrs. Pana’s class celebrated their February Reading Log readers with a fun twist on their favorite drink from Starbucks, DutchBros, and 7Bros, brewing up excitement for reading and celebrating every cup of success!

 

Empowered To Discover: Our Cavaliers were empowered to pursue their passions and presented their Genius Hour projects, exploring new ideas, showcasing creativity, and taking ownership of their learning!

 

Empowered To LEAD: Girls on the Run kicked off their first session with enthusiasm, teamwork, and a focus on health, confidence, and goal-setting!

 

Thank you so much for your continued support for our school! If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, don't hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to listen!

Wishing you and your family a restful and relaxing Spring Break!

 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Miller 

Office: 913-592-7266 or 913-592-7162

E-mail: millerthe@usd230.org

 
DCES Mission and Vision