Spring Reminders from Dowling School

Weekly Newsletter

Every week, a newsletter containing upcoming Dowling events and other important information is emailed to families. Please notify the office if you are not receiving these emails. It is the expectation that caregivers read the emails to stay informed!

Dismissal Changes

Before 12:00 pm, please contact the main office and your student's teacher. Talking Points are a great way to let us know about dismissal changes. 

After 12:00 pm, please call or send a Talking Points to the main office, and we will relay the message to your student's teacher. Please do your best to call before 3:00 PM. 

After 3:45 pm, no early pick ups after this time unless it’s an emergency. Students can be picked up at parent pick up in the Auditorium at 4:05 PM

Please note: We MUST hear from an adult with dismissal changes. If we do not hear from an adult, your student will be dismissed as usual.

Keychain

Reminder: You MUST park your car and meet your student on the lawn. Students must be picked up by 4:10 PM. Three late pickups will result in students moving to parent pick up. 

Morning Drop Offs

When dropping off your student, please refrain from parking in the bus zone. The drop off area is located south of the bus zone and is clearly marked. If parking and walking in your student, you must enter through Door 1. Door 24 is reserved for students arriving on Special Ed buses.

Attendance Policy

Daily attendance is critical to academic achievement for our students.  It is our goal to work with students and families to support regular school attendance and improve academic achievement. The district has adopted a policy that emphasizes 95% attendance by all students which means 8 or fewer absences per school year. Please review the Dowling Attendance policy.

Absences can be emailed to mps.dowling@mpls.k12.mn.us or call (612) 668-4410 Ext. 1

Tardy Policy

Arriving at school on time is an important step in starting your students’ day on a positive note, and an essential skill that will help them throughout their life. We have seen an increase in the number of students who are dropped off after the start of the day and want to clarify school start times and expectations. To help students keep track of time, a bell rings daily at 9:25 AM signifying school is starting, and at 9:35 AM a second tardy bell is rung. 

• 9:20 AM DOORS OPEN-ALL students should be dropped off at this time.
• 9:25 AM OFFICIAL START TIME-bell will ring and students who are not eating breakfast are expected to be in their classrooms.
• 9:35 AM TARDY BELL IS RUNG- All students not in class must go to the office for a late pass.
• 9:40 AM- Attendance is taken. All students not in their classroom will be marked absent.

Electronics Policy

Students are not to bring cell phones, smart watches, other electronics, toys or valuables to school. Families must understand that the school cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.  If a family chooses to send a communication device (phone or watch) with a student, these items will need to be kept in the student’s backpack inside their locker. Please be aware that lockers are not locked or secured throughout the day.