DES Principal's Corner - April 2025
Dear Dardenne Families,
As we step into the heart of spring and the start of the 4th quarter, we are excited to celebrate the growth and achievements of our students this year. With the season bringing a fresh burst of energy, we have many exciting activities and learning opportunities ahead. Be sure to read on for upcoming events, important reminders, and highlights from our engaged school community.
Staffing Update
At the March Board Meeting, Mrs. Jacilyn Hofman was officially approved as the next Assistant Principal of Dardenne Elementary. We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Hofman to our Dardenne school community! She will be attending the April PTC Meeting on April 3rd, where she'll have the opportunity to meet some of our families.
Meet Mrs. Hofman - Dardenne’s New Assistant Principal 2025-2026
Attendance
In the fall, we set a goal of achieving 90% attendance for all of our students. We have been consistently tracking the overall attendance for each grade level every week, as well as the building’s overall attendance each month. As of the end of March, our overall attendance was 92.6%, which was a huge improvement from our February overall attendance. Way to go Knights! Consistent attendance plays a crucial role in your child’s academic growth. When students are present regularly, they can fully participate in lessons, strengthen their understanding of key concepts, and develop meaningful connections with classmates and teachers. Together, let’s make sure every day of learning counts!
Walk-A-Thon Update
Dardenne families, we did it! Not only did we meet our school-wide goal of $15,000, but we surpassed it—raising an incredible $17,519! This is the largest amount we've ever raised for a fundraiser at Dardenne, and we couldn't have done it without your amazing support. Thank you for your dedication to our school and students.
So, what does this mean? Phase 1 of our new playground will be purchased and installed in the Fall of 2025! We are beyond excited to begin the ordering process and will keep you updated every step of the way.
Here are a few important reminders as we move into April:
Family MRA Survey - Starting March 31, our school will administer the Measurable Results Assessment (MRA), a survey and reporting system designed to provide insights into our school's progress. We hope you will participate so we can use the feedback to make our school an even better place for students and families. If you have any questions about the surveys, please contact the school’s front office at 636-978-4001.
Class Placement Parent Input Survey - As we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, we value your input regarding your child’s classroom placement. To better understand your child’s learning style and needs, we’ve created a brief survey. Your responses will help us make the best possible placement for your child next year.
Something New for Next Year: Our 4th and 5th grade teams will be departmentalizing. This means students will have a homeroom teacher but will switch classes throughout the day for different subjects. This structure allows our teachers to specialize in one content area and provides students with a more focused learning experience.
DES Art Show and Book Fair - We are excited to invite our families to join us at Dardenne for our Art Show and Book Fair on Wednesday, April 23, and Thursday, April 24. This is a wonderful opportunity to admire the incredible artwork our students have created throughout the year, and Ms. Prinster is looking forward to sharing these masterpieces with you. While you're here, be sure to visit the Scholastic Book Fair, where you can purchase books to inspire your students' love for reading!
MAP Testing - Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Testing begins Monday, April 28, for students in grades 3-5. We kindly ask that you try to avoid scheduling doctor appointments on testing days to help ensure your child is present for their assessments.
MAP Testing Schedule
Important Dates in April:
Wednesday, April 2 - Early Release Day, Students dismiss at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 3 - DES PTC Meeting, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8 - No School for Students, FZSD Professional Development Day
Thursday, April 17 - 2nd Grade Musical Performance at West High, 7:00-7:45 p.m.
Friday, April 18 - No School
Monday, April 21 - No School
Wednesday & Thursday, April 23 & 24 - DES Art Show & Book Fair, 6-7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 28 - MAP Testing begins - Grades 3-5 only
Tuesday, April 29 - D.A.R.E. Graduation at West High School, 6:30 p.m.
As we enter the fourth quarter, I am truly inspired by the academic and social-emotional growth our students have achieved. I am incredibly grateful for the dedication of our DES staff and the continued support of our DES families. Together, we are setting the stage for a strong finish to the year!
#WeAreDES #ItsAKnightThing
Dr. Beth Allen, Principal