April 2025 DILLON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
TEACHING EFFECTIVELY-LEARNING SUCCESSFULLY
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE: RANDY SHIPMAN
Hello from the district office here in School District #10! The weather is getting warmer, and it is finally starting to look like spring outside now that it is April. The school year continues to fly by, and we will be out of school for the summer before we know it. Also, just a reminder that we will have an early out on Thursday, April 17th and no school on Friday, April 18th and Monday, April 21st for spring break. Please mark your calendar with these important dates.
In honor of Administrative Professionals Day on April 23rd, I would like to ask you to join me in saying thanks to the administrative professional staff that we have in the district. These individuals are the first people to greet the public, they work extremely hard to support our instructional staff, and they are often the first line of defense in security situations. These people perform an exceptionally vital role in the district, and I am very appreciative of the work they do on behalf of all of us. When you get the chance, please express your thanks for all they do.
We have an important district-wide event taking place on Thursday, April 24th at 5:00 p.m. in the Parkview gym. This event is our Celebration of Excellence and will showcase student work from all classes. The student work will be displayed in the Parkview gym as we celebrate the academic successes of our students. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this event to see what great things your child and their teachers are doing. We have excellent staff members and a great student body, and we are excited to showcase their work.
As I begin the planning process for the next school year with the staff and trustees, I will be looking at and analyzing our projected enrollment numbers, staffing, programs and curriculum, facility needs, maintenance projects and technology, all to balance the budget and do the best we can for our students. I appreciate all the time and money the public contributes to our district and I work hard to be a worthy and responsible steward with the money entrusted to us. If you have any questions about our budget or planning process for next school year, please let me know.
Don’t forget that you can stay informed about what is happening at your child’s school by accessing our website at www.dillonschools.org. Academic information such as teacher lesson plans, grades and sports schedules can be located on this website. In addition, this site contains the lunch menu, student handbook, our district policy manual, board meeting agendas and the school calendar.
Finally, I would once again like to express how excited and honored I am to be your Superintendent in School District #10 and a part of such a great community. I would like to thank everyone in advance for working with us to make our district a success. If there is any way that I may be of assistance to you, please stop in or call the district office at 683-4311, option #3.
PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY NEWS: GREG FITZGERALD
It’s amazing to think that spring is here, and we only have two months of school left this year. We still have a great deal to accomplish, and I know that our students will continue to do their best.
If you have messages, you would like delivered to your student, please make sure you make calls prior to 3:00 pm Monday-Thursday and by 2:00 pm on Friday so that we are able to deliver messages to students before they exit the school at the end of the day.
Typically in April the sun starts to come out and we have more students riding bikes to school. When it starts to warm up, I thought this would be a great opportunity to remind all our students of some bike safety tips that will help keep them safe when traveling to and from school.
Obey traffic signs and signals - Bicycles must follow the rules of the road like other vehicles.
Wear a helmet and never ride with headphones - Always wear a helmet. Never wear a headphone while riding a bike.
Use hand signals - Hand signals tell motorists and pedestrians what you intend to do.
Make eye contact with drivers - Assume that other drivers don't see you.
Look out for road hazards - Watch out for gravel, ice, sand or debris. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.
Keep your bike in good repair - Adjust your bike to fit you and keep it working properly. Check brakes and tires regularly.
Please join us for the Celebration of Excellence on Thursday, April 24th from 5:00-7:00 pm in the Parkview Gym. This is an excellent opportunity to see some of the great projects completed by Parkview Elementary Students.
Our lost and found items continue to grow day after day. Please schedule a time to come and look through our lost and found items with the office. We will be donating these items to Goodwill on Thursday, April 17th.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS: JOEL ROGERS
Hello from the DMS office for the month of April 2025. April brings the start of the fourth quarter and the downhill slide through the end of the school year. Third quarter report cards were sent home on Friday, March 28th. If you did not receive one, please let the DMS office know.
On Friday, February 28th, a letter was sent home to all 8th grade parents/guardians. The letter invited parents/guardians to attend our 8th grade promotion this year. Our 8th grade promotion is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27th at 7:00 pm in the B.W. Lodge at Beaverhead County High School. Leading up to the start of the promotion, students will take a group picture at 6:30 pm sharp on May 30th in the B.W. Lodge. If students/parents/guardians want a copy of the group picture, they will be $15.00 and must be paid for that night. In addition to our group photo on the night of 8th grade promotion, we will also be having individual 8th grade pictures at DMS on April 11th. For individual promotion pictures, group photos, and the promotion ceremony, students must dress up. Students are not allowed to wear any type of lei necklace during the ceremony. Gentlemen may wear non-blue jeans, a polo shirt, or a collared shirt (with or without a tie). For the ladies, you may wear a nice dress (no prom type dresses), non-blue jeaned pants, a nice blouse, or a nice shirt. For individual photos, caps and gowns will be available if students are interested in wearing them. Students will not be allowed to participate in the promotion ceremony on May 28th if they wear blue jeans or a T-shirt.
In addition to preparing for our 8th grade promotion, the month of April is full of important happenings that I would like to make parents/guardians and community members aware of.
· First, the track season begins at DMS for 7th and 8th graders on Tuesday, April 1st after school. There is a parent meeting on the same night at 5:30 pm in the DMS gym. We ask that at least one parent attend.
· Second, we have a Noon Early Release on Thursday, April 17th for students and staff. This is followed up by our Spring Break where there is No School April 18th-April 2nd. School resumes for students and staff on Tuesday, April 22nd.
· Third, the annual Celebration of Excellence night is scheduled for Thursday, April 24th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Come join our district as our students showcase their work to the public.
In closing, on behalf of the DMS students and staff, I would like to express my gratitude for the continual support from parents and community members throughout this school year. Please feel free to call me or stop by anytime at the DMS office if I can help in answering any questions you may have.
Very Respectfully,
Mr. Rogers
April Calendar
1st 3:45 pm-Track Starts
1st –5:30 pm-Parent Track Meeting
8th –9:00 am-Track at Belgrade
8th –7:00 pm – School Board Meeting.
11th – 8:30 am – 8th grade individual promotion pictures
11th – 2:45 pm – Track pictures
17th – 12:00 pm – Noon Early Release for Students and Staff
18th – 21st – Spring Break
24th – 5:00 – Celebration of Excellence.