See testing information...flyer in rooms!
Third Grade Families—please don’t forget to send in your letter tomorrow! We want every student to have the opportunity to receive well wishes from someone special on their testing days. Please place the letter in an envelope and tuck it into your child’s agenda. Thank you for your support!
Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Palisoc, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Runkles, Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Oxendine!
We are now just one week away from the start of state testing for many of our students. We ask that you partner with us by talking with your child about the importance of doing their best—and what that looks like. Encourage them to:
Take their time
Read and annotate passages and questions carefully
Make sure they are answering what is actually being asked
Go back into the text to find evidence rather than relying on memory
Use scratch paper to work through math problems
Remind them that it’s okay to take a quick brain break if they feel their focus slipping. After a short reset, they should return ready to work with strong, focused effort.
Career Fair Volunteers Needed:
We are still looking for 8 more volunteers to present at our upcoming Career Fair. If you’re interested, please see the attached flyer for more information.
Attendance & Punctuality Matter:
When students arrive late or are picked up early or late, it sends the message that punctuality is optional rather than an important life skill. Please help us reinforce the value of being on time—this sets the tone for both their day and their future.
Lost & Found:
Our lost and found will be cleaned out again soon. Please remind your child to check for any missing items.
Mustang Meadow Workday:
Join us as we prepare our garden for summer! See the attached flyer for details on how you can help this Saturday, April 25, or by sending in items on Wednesday, April 30.
Blended Learning Expectations:
Please ensure your child is meeting their weekly blended learning minutes on Amira, Lexia, and i-Ready. Your child’s first and most important teacher is you—set the expectation, and they will rise to the occasion and excel.
Dress Code Reminder:
Spring has sprung—please check your child’s clothing to ensure it meets dress code expectations. No backless shoes are permitted.
End-of-Year Reminder:
There will be no backpacks allowed during the last week of school. More information will be shared soon. In the meantime, please check your child’s backpack daily. Remind them that our number one priority is safety—their safety and the safety of others—and maintaining a safe learning environment for all. Encourage them to stay focused on their learning.
Awards Ceremonies:
Please see the attached awards schedule flyer for dates and times. These are typically short programs, so we encourage you to arrive on time to secure parking and not miss any part of the celebration. You will receive a letter closer to the date if your child will be receiving an award.
Student Devices:
We have noticed an increase in students using phones and smartwatches during the school day. Please remind your child that, per the Code of Conduct, devices must be turned off and put away. These devices are not only a distraction but could also result in a test invalidation during state testing.
Thank you for your continued support in helping our Mustangs grow and excel! 🐎
Dear Parents/Guardians,
A few weeks ago, an envelope was sent home with a request for parents of our 3rd grade students to write a surprise encouragement letter to their child. They will open this special surprise from their parent/guardian the morning of each FAST PM3 testing day- May 1 and May 6. The letter was due back today. If you could please take a few moments this weekend to write an encouragement letter and put it in an envelope for your child to open on testing morning, we would greatly appreciate it. Please place the envelope in your child's take home folder so I can collect it for your child on Monday.
Thank you so much!
Third grade team,
Campbell, Runkles, Roberts, Woods, Oxendine, Walker, Foster and Palisoc!
Last week, your child’s teacher sent home a request for a letter of encouragement to be shared with students before they begin their state assessment.
If you haven’t already, please send your letter in the sealed envelope with your child by tomorrow or Monday. These messages mean a great deal to our students and help boost their confidence as they prepare to do their best.
We would love for every 3rd grader to receive this surpise of a special note from a parent, guardian, or special family member or friend. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their growth this year and encourage them as they head into testing.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Thank you for your support!
Thanks
Reminder dismissal starts at 2:45 and ends promptly at 3:10. Please save time have your pikmy kid number visible. Thank you for all you do to support CTES!
We still have about 100 seats available, and we’d love for your family to join us for some free family fun!
✨ Students will plant a flower to take home
✨ Parents will learn tips on how to grow a reader
✨ Everyone will enjoy dinner together
Spots are filling quickly—be sure to RSVP before they’re gone! 🌱🍽️
Come grow with us… in more ways than one! 🐎💛
We want to help all of our Mustangs start the day on time and stress-free! While some families arrive early and wait for doors to open at 7:50, the car line moves very quickly right after. By around 8:00, there is little to no wait.
However, beginning around 7:20, the line starts to build and can become backed up. To avoid delays, we encourage families to plan for either an earlier arrival or allow extra time if arriving during this peak window.
Please remember, students must be in class by 8:30. Arrivals at 8:30 or later will be marked tardy.
Let’s work together to teach our Mustangs that punctuality matters—this is a life skill that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
Thank you for your help in ensuring a smooth and timely start to each school day!
Our 4th grade students will soon take their BEST State Writing Test, and we are excited for them to show all they have learned this year!
To help your child perform their very best, please support them with the following:
Arrive on time each day of testing (April 1)
Ensure a great night’s sleep
Start the day with a positive attitude and encouraging words
When students know it matters to you, it matters to them—and that makes a big difference!
Important Reminders:
Please have students leave all electronics at home whenever possible
If brought to school, cell phones and smart watches must be powered off and stored away during testing
A testing procedures reminder letter was sent home today—please review it so you are familiar with all testing protocols
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our Mustangs. Let’s help them shine!
With Mustang Pride,
We are heading into another important week of learning, with just 8 weeks remaining in the school year. Every day, every minute counts, and we need your partnership to ensure our students finish strong.
⏰ Attendance & Punctuality Matter
School hours are 8:30 AM – 3:10 PM.
Doors open at 7:50 AM.
Students who arrive even 10 minutes late are missing critical intervention and small group instruction that directly impacts their success.
The car line is typically smooth from 7:00–7:15 AM, but begins to back up around 7:20 AM. Please plan accordingly and arrive early so students are in class on time.
Simply put: Don’t let tardiness be the reason your child falls behind.
🚗 Dismissal Expectations
There are NO late pick-ups. No exceptions.
Dismissal is at 3:10 PM. Please make arrangements now to ensure your child is picked up on time.
👕 Dress Code Reminder
As temperatures rise, please ensure students are dressed appropriately.
Clothing that fit in October may not meet expectations now.
Follow dress code guidelines:
Shirts and shorts appropriately fitted
Shoes must have backs (no slides/crocs without straps)
💻 Morning Academic Support Opportunity
We are opening the computer lab for targeted student groups in the morning.
Students may arrive as early as 7:50 AM to receive up to 40 extra minutes of academic support.
Take advantage of this opportunity—punctuality creates opportunity.
✍️ FAST Writing Assessment
Testing will take place Wednesday and Thursday this week.
ALL electronics must be OFF and put away (or left at home).
Devices that are on can:
Impact your child’s test
Potentially invalidate the entire classroom’s test
Please reinforce the importance of following testing expectations.
📱 Student Behavior & Social Media
Please review the Code of Conduct with your child.
Threats of violence are taken seriously and will result in immediate consequences.
Students who encourage or participate in inappropriate behavior will also be held accountable.
Monitor your child’s social media and texting: If issues spill into school and disrupt learning, they will result in a discipline referral
🚌 Bus Expectations
Riding the bus is a privilege.
Students must follow all expectations to maintain bus transportation.
📚 At-Home Support
We need your partnership now more than ever:
Ensure students are reading daily
Completing homework
Engaging in blended learning (Lexia, Amira, i-Ready, etc.)
Together, we can ensure every Mustang finishes the year strong. Thank you for doing your part to support your child’s success.
Congratulations to Faye Hunt, Kelly Maxwell and Christine Oxendine for being selected for the Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellowship grant. The Edelman Excellence in Teaching program launched in 2019, the Fellowship is intended to identify and reward excellence in teaching and support a program of professional development or research. We are so excited about the work they have already completed and will complete in the future!
Summer is just around the corner — and UNF has a wonderful opportunity to share with our students and their families.
Skybound is their signature series of creative summer camps for students ages 9–17, designed to build confidence, spark imagination, and develop real artistic skills in a fun, hands-on environment at UNF. This summer’s camps include:
• Comics Capers – Students will create original superheroes and craft their own comic book stories
• Sketch to Stitch – Students will design runway-ready fashion from concept to creation
• Watercolor Wonders – Students will discover the beauty and versatility of watercolor painting
• Sew Cool! – Students will master sewing fundamentals and bring their fashion designs to life
For full details and registration, visit: https://www.unf.edu/pll/skybound.html
REGISTER FOR A BUS TODAY - Bus registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open. All students who plan to ride a school bus next year must be registered in advance, including students enrolled in self-contained ESE programs. Families are encouraged to register as early as possible to help ensure a smooth start to the school year. Registration forms are available in Focus. For step-by-step instructions on how to complete the process, visit: www.duvalschools.org/busregistration
We are excited to welcome all of our Mustangs back tomorrow! We hope you had a wonderful and restful spring break. As we return, we have 9 weeks remaining in this school year, and every day truly counts.
We ask for your continued partnership in helping us finish strong by supporting your child with:
On-time arrival and dismissal
Daily attendance
Weekly blended learning and homework completion
Nightly conversations about what they are learning in class
While warmer weather is here, please remember that we still have a great deal of learning ahead, and maintaining strong routines will help our students reach their goals.
As temperatures rise, we often begin to see an increase in dress code violations. Please take a moment to review your child’s attire to ensure it is appropriate for school.
We also ask that families continue to monitor cell phone use and social media activity. Group chats and online interactions sometimes lead to behaviors that are not age-appropriate. Please discuss with your child that responsible use of technology is essential for their safety and well-being.
Lastly, please take time to confirm your child’s dismissal plan for the week. Last-minute changes can be confusing to students. If the role of dismissal pick up is shared among family members, please ensure all individuals:
Arrive before 3:10 PM
Have a car tag displayed or are actively using PikMyKid
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success and maintaining a safe, smooth school environment.
We are looking forward to a strong finish to the school year!
With Mustang Pride!
