Parent News 8/31/22

August 30, 2022

Dear Dimond Families:

We are excited about families coming to Open House-Back-to-School Night this Thursday, September 1st.  Remember, families will join us in the auditeria at 5:30 PM.  After some brief introductory remarks, families will use their student's schedule to travel around the building, meeting teachers and learning about their class expectations and goals.  The night will conclude at 7:30 PM.

Back-To-School Night is meant to be an informal opportunity to meet with teachers and staff.  Families will need your student’s schedule for where to go throughout the building.  Your student’s schedule can be accessed through ParentConnection.  Unlike Parent-Teacher Conferences, teachers and staff will speak generally about their classroom expectations and programs, and they will enjoy meeting anyone that can make it to this great event, but individualized conferences would need to be scheduled for another time.

See you on Thursday!

TRAFFIC UPDATE:

Thank you to all of our families for continuing to follow the traffic patterns during drop off and pick up, the lines are moving much more quickly, and we’ve noticed a lot of carpooling - thank you!

We wanted to highlight a few safety concerns because we had some close calls this past week.

• The access road traffic flows one way only. Please do not turn around on the access road; the exit for everyone is on Arlene.

• Please remind children to wear helmets and reflective gear if they are walking or biking to school, and use the crosswalks so drivers are more likely to see them.

• Drivers, please stay alert and watch out for bikers and pedestrians, especially as the mornings get darker.

• Please pull as far forward as you can along the sidewalk so that we can allow for the maximum number of cars (and students) to exit or enter safely from the sidewalk. 

• There is no parking along the left side of the access road, nor in the middle of Zone 1. Please follow the signage.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to make the process as safe and efficient as possible!

Student drivers, please remember to register for a parking permit with Karen Pritchard in the front office - it’s free!!

PARKING PERMITS:

This is an important notice for all student drivers. This fall we are suspending the fee for parking permits. However, students planning on driving to school will still need to go through the process of Requesting a Parking Permit. All parking permit requests require proof of insurance, a valid driver's license, and BOTH student and parent/guardian signatures. If you have already purchased a parking permit, we are currently processing refunds.  Student drivers must adhere to the rules and regulations of driving on campus and parking in the student parking lot.  Lynx Lair designated parking spots are for PTSA parent volunteers.  Students are not permitted to use these spots and are subject to a fine.   

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GAS CARDS

If your student usually rides a bus, you are eligible for one gas card per household.  Please come to the Activities office to pick one up.  Office hours are 6:30 AM to 2:45 PM, closed from 12 to 12:30 PM.  

The Activities office will be open during the open house on Sept. 1 for gas card pick up as well. 

UPDATES FROM STUDENT SERVICES:

We’ve already been in school for seven days! Students are building strong habits and learning the routines it will take to be successful. Thank you, parents and guardians, for supporting us in our mission of achievement and excellence.

Attendance is one of the most important factors for student success and it starts with being on time to class. Additionally, absences have an impact on academic performance and high school graduation. Attendance Works (www.attendanceworks.org) notes that “by 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores,” and “missing 10%, or 2 days a month, over the course of the school year, can affect a student’s academic success.” Please consider having a conversation with your child about being on time to class and the impact attendance has on student achievement. We are now recording tardies and will be contacting students and families once a student has had 5 tardies. Please help your child strategize ways to be on time to class.

BACKPACK POLICY:

**A note about backpacks and book bags: Students are allowed to bring backpacks to school, but they are expected to be stored in their lockers from arrival at school until final dismissal. Backpacks are not permitted in classrooms. Students may use small, simple bags with minimal compartments to carry necessary classroom supplies (as listed above). Acceptable bags include string backpacks, small messenger bags, small tote bags, small purses, fanny packs, or small kettle bags (loaded from the top). Students who do not comply with the book bag policy may be subject to having their bag confiscated, searched, parent notification/pickup, and/or disciplinary consequences.

SCHOOL PICTURES:

School pictures will be taken August 30th and 31st.  Freshman and Seniors will have theirs taken on the 30th and Sophomores and Juniors will have thiers on the 31st.  Pictures will be taken during their social studies class.

IMPORTANT!  School pictures are how your student obtains a student ID.   If you have purchased an activity sticker for your student, this will be placed on the ID at time of production.  Activity stickers are available for purchase through Parent Connect.

UPCOMING SPORTS START DATES AND SIGNUPS:

Football Cheer is doing a fundraiser at Raising Canes this Wednesday, 8/31, from 6-10pm.

Just mention Dimond Football Cheer at the register and we will receive 15% of sales!

Please make sure to complete all forms on Planeths.com before the start date of the sport you are interested in.  If you have any questions, please contact Chelsea Hunt in the Activities office at 742-7005.  Office hours are & 7 AM to 3 PM with a closure at 12 PM for 30 mins.  

Please make sure to have your student check in with Chelsea Hunt in the Activities office to receive an eligibility slip before they are eligible to participate in the sport.

Payments

Each sport costs $200.00, there is now a student cap of $400.00 per year.  Once you have reached this amount all other sports will be free for the current school year.  If your family is interested in a waiver, you will need to apply and be approved for the free and reduced lunch program. You can find this on the Student Nutrition website. 

Activity Stickers

Activity Stickers are available for purchase on ParentConnect.  The cost is $50.00 for the school year.  This will get your student into any home or away game during the school year.  Your student will receive a label on their Student ID they will need to present at the games. 

Start Dates:   

Sept. 26

Bowling

Please make sure to complete all forms on Planeths.com before the start date of the sport you are interested in.  If you have any questions, please contact Chelsea Hunt in the Activities office at 742-7005.  Office hours are & 7 AM to 3 PM with a closure at 12 PM for 30 mins.  

Please make sure to have your student check in with Chelsea Hunt in the Activities office to receive an eligibility slip before they are eligible to participate in the sport. 

YEARBOOKS

Yearbooks for the 2022-23 school year are available at the fall sale price of $65 at yearbookforever.com.

Yearbook Price throughout the Year:

Until Nov 1st - $65

Until Mar 1st - $75

Until Sold - $85

Direct shipping to your home or college dorm is available for $8 on all yearbook purchases.

Senior Ads are available at the fall sale prices of:

(please note you must create/upload your ad at the time of payment)

Full page - $280

Half page - $140

Quarter page - $70

Senior ads after November 1st:

Full page - $300

Half page - $150

Quarter page - $75

All senior ads are due March 1, 2023

Senior portraits and quotes are due December 31, 2022

Email any questions, portraits, or quotes to: dimondLynxYB@gmail.com

PTSA OPPORTUNITY:

“The Dimond PTSA is getting organized for the upcoming 2022-2023 School year!   Dimond PTSA is solely funded by school store income and spirit wear sales.  If you would like to volunteer at the school store or are interested in helping at special events, please email dimondptsaboard@gmail.com for more information.”

Volunteerism is extremely important to the availability of the Lynx Lair coffee shop.  Please consider volunteering for these positions.

Warm Regards,

Principal Johnson-Harris