Dear DES Families,
Next week begins our American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge! By participating in the Kids Heart Challenge, your child will raise funds to help kids with special hearts and make our community healthier. They’ll also learn about taking care of their heart and participate in cardio-pumping challenges. This year we will have special theme days for the two-week challenge:
Monday, Mar. 1 - Hat Day
Tuesday, Mar. 2 - Favorite Color Day - wear as much of your favorite color
Wednesday, Mar. 3 - Twin Day - find a friend (or your twin) and dress alike
Thursday, Mar. 4 - Crazy Hair Day
Mon., Mar. 8 - Fri., Mar. 12 - Spring Break
Monday, Mar. 15 - Favorite Team Day
Tuesday, Mar. 16 - Disney or Superhero Day - dress like you favorite character
Wednesday, Mar. 17 - Go Green - wear as much green as possible!
Thursday, Mar. 18 - Patriotic Day - Wear red, white and blue
It’s with heavy heart I write the news to all the parents of students here at Du Quoin Elementary. By now you have received an email or seen the news of my taking a new position within the District. While I will still be involved in the school, it will be from a district level when school resumes for the 2021-2022 school year. I am so excited to return full time to the curriculum director role for our schools, but I have to admit the feeling is bittersweet.
When I was appointed principal in 2014, I had so many ideas and dreams for our school, students and community, and am happy to say I have seen them realized. Prior to writing this message, I reviewed the my newsletters over the years. I have been honored to serve this community as the elementary principal "supporting our students to do well in school and in their lives at the center of our work"(Papoose News, Aug. 2014). During all our hard work, little did I know, how I would fall in love with leading the Papoose family of the District.
Know that I am committed to this year as your child's principal with the same dedication, determination and ambition for each student to realize success. My heart will forever hold your child close and special! I do love all the Papooses and will continue to do whatever I can to support each of them and you! I am so grateful for the past seven years at DES and for the integral role you have played in my success. For that I say "thank you!"
Lastly as a reminder, tomorrow (Feb. 25) is spring pictures at DES! Students just bring those great smiles and in a few weeks, you will receive proofs from which to order portraits packages and prints. You do not need to send money for spring pictures.
Diana Rea, Principal