The Latest Gator Blast

 Calendar:

This Week:
Wednesday, 3/29: Unity Day and 2-Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, 3/30: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, 3/31: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
A look ahead:
Monday, 4/3- Monday, 4/10- Schools Closed for Spring Break
Tuesday, 4/11: PTO General Membership Meeting at 7 pm
Friday, 4/21: School Closed
Friday, 4/28: DES Dance

The News:

Book Fair
The DES Spring 2023 Book Fair continues through the week. If you would like to shop with your student during their recess, below are the recess/shopping times for each grade. Please note that this week has several early dismissal days, and shopping schedules will change on those days. Be sure to check the correct schedule when planning your visit. Shopping times are shorter on early dismissal days as well.

Full-Day Recess Schedules: Monday and Tuesday
Kindergarten  11:20-11:50
1st Grade  12:20-12:50
2nd Grade  1:20-1:50
3rd Grade  10:25-10:55
4th Grade  11:50-12:20
5th Grade  12:50-1:20

Early Dismissal Shopping Schedules: Wednesday-Friday
Kindergarten  9:30-9:50
1st Grade  11:05-11:25
2nd Grade 11:55-12:15
3rd Grade 11:30-11:50
4th Grade  10:40-11:00
5th Grade  10:15-10:35

Attention Parents of 5th-Grade Holiday Shoppe Elves
If your student was an elf during the Holiday Shoppe, they will have a $10 Book Fair credit. In order to redeem this, all they need to do is give their name to the cashier and let them know they would like to redeem their Elf Book Fair Credit.

Registration is Still Open for the DES Talent Show!
We are still looking for additional acts for DES’s annual talent show, so we are extending the registration deadline until April 14 (or until we get 50 acts, whichever comes first)!  This is a fun event for all DES students in all grades! In the past, we’ve had many different types of acts- dance, vocalists, instrumentals, hula hooping, and much more! Be creative, and come show off your favorite hobby or talent! Grab a group of friends and plan a dance, sing a song, or impress us with some other amazing act! Students who wish to participate must submit an online registration form/permission slip by April 14, 2023, which is available by clicking here. Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you are interested in volunteering on the Talent Show Committee, please email cathymanofsky@gmail.com. DES Talent Show Form 2023

PTO General Membership Meeting
The PTO will have a General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 7 pm in the DES Media Center. We will be going over upcoming events, discussing potential open Board Positions for the 2023-2024 year, and going over our new upcoming platform for our website and email blasts.Readathon Update
Prizes: We anticipate that prizes for the Read-A-Thon will be distributed the week after spring break.
Amount Fundraised: DES students raised $20,275 for the DES PTO with their love of reading. Thank you to our fabulous DES students.

Gator Gallop
The Gator Gallop is back! Be sure to mark your calendars for May 13th. There will be a 5k run/walk, a 1-mile run for kids, and a fun run for the littlest ones. The Gator Gallop needs lots of volunteers. Please email Cathy Rutkowski if you’re interested in being on the committee or volunteering on race day! See the attached flyer for more information. DES GATOR GALLOP 2023

Lego Club
The Lego Club has been creating some great builds and would like to share them with you. Please click here to check out what has been happening in the Lego Club. Builds are also displayed in the DES Media center.

Community:

Skate Zone
Looking for something to do during Spring Break? Why not head to Skate Zone in Crofton? Skate Zone has provided our DES families with some digital coupons if you are interested.

Hippity Hop with a Cop
The Anne Arundel Police Department Southern District will be hosting Hippity Hop with a Cop, an Easter-themed event, on April 1st from 3-5 pm. Bring a basket to collect candy and get a picture with the Easter Bunny. See the attached flyer for more information, available in English and Spanish.