October 13, 2025

Week 11

Dear Dickson Star Families,

🌟 Week 11: School Spirit, Sports, and Spooky Fun Ahead!

It’s hard to believe we’re already in Week 11 at Dickson! The school year is moving quickly, and our students continue to shine through their learning, teamwork, and school spirit. This week is packed with excitement — from Trunk or Treat to the kickoff of flag football season!

🍬 Trunk or Treat – Candy Donations Needed ASAP!

Our PTA Trunk or Treat is this Friday, October 17th, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., and we can’t wait to celebrate with our Dickson families!

To make sure the fun lasts the entire two hours, we urgently need more candy, water, and soda donations. Without enough candy, water, and soda we will run out — and we want every family to enjoy the full experience!

Please send in or drop off bags of candy as soon as possible. Every donation helps make the night special for our students.

Friendly reminders:

👨‍👩‍👧 A parent/guardian must stay with their child for the entire event.

💵 This is a PTA fundraiser — if we run out of items early, there are no refunds, so please plan to arrive on time.

Thank you for helping us make this beloved community event safe, fun, and full of sweet memories! 🎃🍭

🏈 Flag Football Season Kicks Off This Week!

Our Dickson Stars are ready to take the field! ⚡ Games begin this week at Walnut Elementary, and we’re so proud of our students for representing our school with teamwork and good sportsmanship.
We’d love to see families in the stands cheering them on — your support makes all the difference!
Please remember: an adult must remain present for the entire game.

📅 Check the calendar below for exact game dates and times.

🎀 Wear Pink Wednesdays Continue!

Each Wednesday in October, we invite students and staff to wear pink in honor of those affected by breast cancer. It’s been wonderful seeing our campus filled with pink and positivity — let’s keep it going for the rest of the month as we show compassion, courage, and community support. 💗

❤️ Looking Ahead: Red Ribbon Week!

October 27-31, we’ll celebrate Red Ribbon Week — a time to promote healthy choices, positive habits, and self-respect.
Our theme days will include fun dress-up opportunities and classroom activities that remind students to make safe and healthy decisions.
Stay tuned for next week’s message with all the Red Ribbon Week details and daily themes!

Literature Day Information is below too!

🌟 Thank You, Dickson Families!

Your energy, encouragement, and involvement make such a difference. Whether you’re donating candy, cheering from the sidelines, or helping your child wear pink on Wednesdays, you are building the joyful, connected community that makes Dickson shine. 💙💛

Here’s to a great Week 11 full of learning, laughter, and school spirit!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Renae McCain

Proud Principal at Dickson Elementary

🎃🍬 Join Us for Our Annual Trunk or Treat! 🍬🎃

Get ready for one of our favorite fall traditions — our Family Trunk or Treat event is right around the corner! This fun-filled evening is a chance for our Dickson community to come together, celebrate the season, and make special memories with family and friends.

🚗 Host a Trunk!
If you reserved a spot to host a trunk, make sure to arrive on time before the black top gate closes. For safety purposes we want all the trunks parked setting up while everyone is getting set!

🍭 Candy Collection is On!
PTA is now collecting candy donations to ensure every student enjoys plenty of sweet treats. The more candy we collect, the more candy we’ll be able to pass out — and we want to make sure no one leaves empty-handed. (Last year we ran out, so every donation makes a big difference!)

💧 Water & Soda Donations
In addition to candy, PTA is also collecting bottled water and soda cans for the event. These donations help keep everyone refreshed and make our celebration even more enjoyable.

We can’t wait to see our Dickson Stars in their costumes and families showing off their creative trunks. Thank you for helping us make this year’s Trunk or Treat the best one yet! 🎃

Get ready for another fun event — the Dickson Literature Parade! 🎉

This special event is designed to promote a love of reading and literacy in a fun, creative way. Families are invited to join us on the blacktop to cheer on our students as they proudly parade in their Literature Day costumes from 8:00–8:30 a.m.

Students are encouraged to dress as a character from a book and bring that book with them to carry during the parade. Costumes should be fun, creative, and school-appropriate, which means:

• Characters must come from a book your child can bring to school.

• No scary, bloody, gory, or violent themes or props.

• Costumes should be suitable for our younger students to enjoy.

• Students should wear regular clothes underneath if their costume might be distracting during class time.

🔒 Safety Reminder:
For everyone’s safety, no full-face masks, toy weapons, or sharp accessories are allowed. Students must be able to move safely and see clearly at all times.

Let’s make this a joyful celebration of reading, creativity, and school spirit! We can’t wait to see our Dickson Stars bring their favorite book characters to life in a fun, positive, and safe way. 📖🌟

OCTOBER

October 13: Flag Football Game vs. Rhodes A | 3:30-4:10 p.m. | All games are at Walnut Elementary

• A parent/guardian must be present  the entire time

October 15: English Language Advisory Committee Mtg. #1 (ELAC) | 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

October 16: Great Shake Out Drill | California Wide Earthquake Drill

October 17: Trunk or Treat Event | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Start collecting candy! | Flyer Above |

• Sign-up Link to Host a Trunk - Save your spot before the sell out - Oct 10 Deadline
• A parent/guardian must be present the entire time

October 22: Flag Football Game vs. Rhodes | 4:10-4:40 p.m. | All games are at Walnut Elementary

• A parent/guardian must be present  the entire time

October 27: School Site Council Mtg #1 (SSC) | 2:40 - 3:40 p.m.

October 27: Flag Football Game vs. EJ Marshal | 4:10 -4:40 p.m. | All games are at Walnut Elementary

• A parent/guardian must be present  the entire time

October 27 - 31: Red Ribbon Week | Themes TBD

October 31: Minimum Day for Parent Conferences | By appointment with teacher

October 31: Literature Parade | 8:00-8:30 a.m. | Families are invited to stand on the black top and watch students walk in a parade line to show off their Literature Day costumes. (see details)

NOVEMBER

November 4: Report Cards Go Home

November 5: Trimester Awards | Times TBD

November 10: NO SCHOOL

November 11: NO SCHOOL for Veterans Day

November 24 - 28: Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

December 3: Monthly Awards | Times TBD

December 6: Saturday School #2 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

December 13: Chino Christmas Parade (Community Event)

December 18 - January 2: Winter Break

JANUARY

January 5: 1st Day Back from Winter Break

January 12: Mrs. McCain off campus for a meeting | 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

January 13: 4th Grade Teachers at Math PLC Training

January 14: English Language Advisory Committee Mtg #2 (ELAC) | 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

January 16: 6th Grade Panoramic Picture

January 19: NO SCHOOL for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 20: School Site Council Mtg #2 (SSC) | 2:40 - 3:40 p.m.

January 23: CVUSD Science Fair Set-Up | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

January 26: CVUSD Science Fair Judging | 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

January 28: CVUSD Science Fair Awards | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Woodcrest JHS

January 28: Monthly Awards 

8:10-8:40 am: TK & K

8:45-9:15 am: 1st & 2nd

9:25-9:55 am: 3rd & 4th

10:00-10:30: 5th & 6th

FEBRUARY

February 21: Saturday School #3 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

MARCH

March 2: School Site Council Mtg #3 (SSC) | 2:40 - 3:40 p.m.

March 14: Saturday School #4 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

March 20: Spring & Promotion Pictures

March 27: Minimum Day

March 27: Goodies with Grown-ups | 6:45 - 7:30 a.m.

March 30 - April 6: SPRING BREAK

APRIL

April 6: 1st Day Back

April 17: PTA FUN RUN

April 27: School Site Council Mtg #4 (SSC) | 2:40 - 3:40 p.m.

MAY

May 1: PTA STARCHELLA | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

May 4 - May 8: Staff Appreciation Week

May 11: School Site Council Mtg #4 (SSC) | 2:40 - 3:40 p.m. | Tentative

May 18 - 21: TK & Kinder all Minimum Days | 7:50 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.

May 18: 1st - 5th Trimester 3 Awards

May 19: TK & K Trimester Awards

May 19: Don Lugo HS Graduation @ Don Lugo Football Stadium | 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. 

May 20: 6th Grade Promotion & Awards | 8:15 a.m.

May 21: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

*Dates and times are subject to change

• Breakfast is available from 7:10 - 7:40 every morning. If a bus is late, breakfast is still available to the students that rode the bus that day.
• Food sharing is not allowed for multiple reasons, but most importantly for safety, including allergies. Sending healthy snacks and food helps student focus and have optimal performance.
• All devices: (cell phones, smart watches, iPads..) must be off and out of sight while on school campus. If your child needs to contact you, they can ask their teacher or the office for assistance. If you need to contact your child, you may leave a message in the office and it will be provided during a break.
• Dress Code: The weather is very warm, so please review our dress code policy to be sure your child is wearing approved school appropriate clothing. (Frequent topics: Clothing is expected to covered shoulders to mid-thigh with no skin or undergarments showing. Shoes must be worn with back straps on at all times. Make-up is not allowed.)
• PE and Recess: Back straps on crocks have been ripping easily. Please send your child to school with study shoes to help keep them safe. If you need assistance in getting sturdier shoes, please let Mrs. Baker or Mrs. McCain know and we would be happy to help.
• Lost & Found: Please write your child's name on everything they bring to school. Their lunch pails, water bottles, jackets, sweaters, etc... Many items get misplaced and staff has to put unlabeled items in the lost and found, often going unclaimed.

To sign out your student(s) out of SOAR, please park on Roswell Ave. or in the Doris Dickson parking lot and walk to the side gate. This gate is located on the left side of the school on Roswell between the cafeteria and the tennis courts.

When you arrive, please call the SOAR site phone number (909) 536-6420, and a staff member will meet you at the side gate to sign out your student(s). Staff will no longer walk students to the front of the school to exit. Please be sure to share this information with all approved individuals on your student's emergency contact list.

For questions regarding the new Dickson SOAR sign-out procedures, please contact Tricia Huffman by calling (909) 628-1202 ext. 8990 or by emailing tricia_huffman@chino.k12.ca.us.

Thank you.

Tricia Huffman

_____________________________________________________

Para firmar la salida de su(s) estudiante(s), por favor estacione en Roswell Ave. o en el estacionamiento de Doris Dickson y camine hasta la puerta lateral. Esta puerta se encuentra en el lado izquierdo de la escuela entre la cafetería y las canchas de tenis.

Cuando llegue, llame al número de teléfono del sitio (909-664-3447), y un miembro del personal se reunirá con usted en la puerta lateral para firmar la salida de su(s) estudiante(s). El personal ya no caminará con los estudiantes hasta el frente de la escuela para salir. Por favor, asegúrese de compartir esta información con todas las personas aprobadas en la lista de contactos de emergencia de su estudiante.

Si tiene preguntas sobre los nuevos procedimientos de cierre de sesión de Dickson SOAR, comuníquese con Tricia Huffman llamando al 909-628-1202 ext. 8990 o enviando un correo electrónico a: tricia_huffman@chino.k12.ca.us.

Gracias.

Tricia Huffman

DICKSON has been awarded PLATINUM Status again! 

We are 1 of 733 schools in all of California to earn this status!

To monitor our implementation, we complete school-wide Tiered Fidelity Inventories (TFI) 3 times a year.

Internal TFI = School Team monitor's our implementation

External TFI = School Team with a trained certified evaluator checks our implementation

2025-26 TFI Dates: (Subject to Change)

Tier 1 Internal TFI #1: Monday, October 27, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.

Tier 1 Internal TFI #2: Monday, February 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

Tier 1 External TFI: Thursday, April 16, 2025 at 8:35 a.m.

Tier 2/3 Internal TFI #1: Thursday, Nov 6, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

Tier 2/3 Internal TFI #2: Thursday, Jan 29, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.

Tier 2/3 External TFI: Thursday, April 16, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

We achieved Platinum Recognition again! 

What is PBIS?

California PBIS Vision Statement: California PBIS supports the sustainable development of a safe, equitable, and positive climate and social culture for ALL.

Our schoolwide expectations are:

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Safe

Behavior Matrix

Behavior Discipline Flow Chart

Definitions of Behavior

We follow the pillars of Character Counts.

We invite our parents/guardians to support the learning of character by discussing the following:

August/September: Respect - Follow the "Golden Rule": Treat others like the way you would like to be treated.

October/November: Responsibility - We take responsibility for our actions.

December/January: Caring - Care for others, and not just about ourselves.

February/March: Trustworthiness - Be a person others can trust. We follow through our promises.

April/May: Citizenship - We do the right thing, and follow the rules/expectations. We get involved in our community.

Year Long: Fairness - We can think of others when making decisions. Treat others with fairness.

At Dickson, our students benefit from Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 support.

MTSS-A | Academic Support

Dickson's Intervention Teacher, Miss Kertesz, works with small groups of students to provide Tier 3 academic support with curriculum and programs focused on supporting our student's academic foundational skills. Speak to your child's teacher about academic concerns and to schedule a parent teacher conference.

MTSS-B | Behavior Support

Dickson's Counselor, Veronica Garcia, works with small groups of students to provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 counseling with a curriculum focused on supporting our students' social-emotional health. You can request support if you have concerns regarding your child's social-emotional health.

MTSS-B contact information: veronica_garcia@chino.k12.ca.us or (909) 591-2653 x4711.

We also have additional counseling services:

Positive Action for Life Success (PALS) program (skills based group)

Chino Human Services (Individual School Based Counseling)

Behavior Health Counseling (Therapeutic Individual Counseling)

Request For Support

Click on the picture to access the online Parent Request for Support form.

For social emotional support, academic support and/or family support

We kindly ask for your help in ensuring a safe environment during drop-off and pick-up times. Please adhere to all traffic laws, posted signs, and staff instructions. Every individual's cooperation is essential in creating a safer environment. While I understand that many adults may be in a hurry, it is imperative that we prioritize safety above all else.

Key Points:

• Safety First: Adult behaviors during arrival and dismissal can impact student safety. Please prioritize safety over speed, even when in a hurry.

• Drop-Off Guidelines:

  • Follow the signs to the designated drop-off area.
  • Pull up as far as possible to accommodate more cars and help students enter and exit efficiently.

• Important Safety Reminders:

  • Children must not exit vehicles in the parking lot. Please park and walk your child across the designated crosswalk.
  • Drive slowly and attentively in the parking lot. Stay vigilant and cautious.

• Crosswalk Usage:

  • Always use the crosswalk and set a positive example for our students.
  • Do not stop or park along the red-painted curbs on Roswell Street, as these are for emergency vehicles.

By working together and following these safety practices, we can enhance student safety and improve traffic flow.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation. The drop-off and pick-up procedures are available below and on the Dickson Website.

We appreciate families who:

• Pull up to the curb, allowing more cars and ensuring safe student entry and exit.
• Park in visitor spots and accompany their children across the parking lot safely.

Arrival and Dismissal Tips:

• Arrive between 7:10-7:40 to avoid the 7:40-7:50 traffic.
• The best options are to walk from home or drive through the drop-off/pick-up line.
• Do not stop in the middle of any street or at red/yellow curbs.
• Be respectful of neighbors by keeping mailboxes and driveways accessible.
• Cross at the stop sign with the crossing guard to ensure safety.

Parking Policy:

• Parking spots are designated for staff and visitors. Please avoid blocking staff parking.

Thank you for your continued commitment to safety! Please review the arrival and dismissal map and share these guidelines with anyone picking up your child.

If you have any questions, feel free to call the office.

The Chino Valley Unified School District is excited to engage with families using Aeries Communications powered by ParentSquare (voicemail, email and text message)! ParentSquare is designed to keep parents informed and facilitate participation between school and home. It provides a safe way for school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to:

• Send and receive district, school, and class information
• Submit attendance notes
• Share photos, files, and links
• Post and see calendar items
• And so much more!

Communications are all in one convenient location!

Parents and Guardians are able to access posts using:

• Email
• Smartphone app
• Phone (voice)
• SMS (text) message
• Web app within Aeries Parent Portal

To activate your ParentSquare account, enter your Aeries Parent Portal, tap on Communications, and confirm the data you see there.

DIRECTIONS for CREATING AN AERIES PARENT PORTAL:

It's much easier now to create an Aeries account! All parents need to create the account once you are registered. Instructions to create a Parent Portal on Aeries.

Click Here to login to your Aeries Portal Account

Instructions for How to Confirming your Student Portal Account

With your Aeries Parent Portal account you can view your child's information, including their grades and attendance. 

Parent Square is connected to the Aeries Parent Portal and all school related messages can be found through Parent Square.

If you need any assistance, you can stop by the office for help. We recommend calling for an appointment to have a guaranteed time for 1:1 support.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our PTA Board and Volunteers

We want to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to our incredible PTA Board and the many volunteers who support our school community. Often, the hard work and dedication of our parent and staff volunteers go unrecognized, and we want to shine a light on the amazing contributions they make.

Every member of our PTA, including the board members, is a volunteer, and we encourage more families to get involved. The more volunteers we have, the more wonderful events we can bring to the Dickson community.

As Bill Richardson wisely said, "We cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together." Let's continue to work hand in hand to create memorable experiences for our children and families!

The Dickson PTA plays a vital role in planning, organizing, and executing a variety of enriching activities for our students and families, including:

• Testing Kick off Color Fun Run
• Decorations for the 5th Grade are Graduation
• Organizing, ordering, and fulfilling Spirit Wear
• Hosting the PTA Membership Drive
• Running After School Snack Cart Concessions on Wednesdays
• Managing the Birthday Marquee funds
• Conducting Fundraising efforts (Thinknlocal, Pacific, Otis Spunkmeyer, See's Candy, Family Dinner Nights, etc.)
• Organizing Trunk or Treat - Family Night
• Coordinating Buddy Pictures
• Helping with Yearbook Sales
• Conducting Clothing Drives
• Organizing the volunteers for the Book Fair
• Organizing the Fun Run
• Planning Starchella - Family Dance
• Supporting 6th Grade Activities
• Creating decor like Balloon Arches, Banners, etc... for events
• Purchasing and dispersing student treats for Spirit Wear and Attendance Winners
• And much much more!

Anyone can join PTA at any time! There is no mandatory commitment, participate any way that you are able. Please contact a PTA Board Member or the school office for more information.

Wednesday, PTA Snack Cart - Always looking for more help!

The PTA volunteers generously give their time selling snacks after school on Wednesdays. All proceeds go directly back to our students.

• All students are expected to wait respectfully in line.
• Only students with money may stand in line for a snack. All students without money must exit campus to wait for their ride home.
• Families may not park or wait on the drive through curb for their child to get a snack. Please find a place to park so you do not hold up traffic for families that need to pick up and leave.
• Bus riders MUST go straight to the bus. The bus is on a schedule and is not allowed to wait. We give reminders that all Bus riders must go straight to the bus.
• SOAR students are required to check in with SOAR immediately after school. Soar staff members will walk students with money over to the PTA snack cart.

PTA continues to accepts PTA Memberships throughout the year. Every membership makes a difference and supports students directly.

Every class that has 100% PTA Memberships will earn an Ice Cream Party! Families are welcome to donate and/or sponsor memberships for their child’s class as well.

If you pay for anything via Zelle, make sure you type your student’s name, teacher and reason for payment to ensure PTA aligns your payment correctly. Payments with no memo/note may go into overall donations.

We wear our Dickson Spirit Wear every Friday! Classes with the highest participation win a prize.

Spirit Wear must be official Dickson Spirit Wear or a full red shirt to count toward the participation.

sʜᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴅɪᴄᴋsᴏɴ sᴘɪʀɪᴛ ғʀɪᴅᴀʏ ʙʏ ᴡᴇᴀʀɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴅɪᴄᴋsᴏɴ sʜɪʀᴛ ᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟᴏʀ ʀᴇᴅ!

ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴅɪᴄᴋsᴏɴ sʜɪʀᴛ ʏᴇᴛ?
ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴡᴏʀʀʏ, sᴀʟᴇs ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴡ ᴏᴘᴇɴ!

ғɪʟʟ ᴏᴜᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ғᴏʀᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏғғɪᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ɢᴇᴛ sᴘɪʀɪᴛ ᴡᴇᴀʀ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄʜɪʟᴅ’s ᴄʟᴀss ᴀsᴀᴘ! ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴄᴀsʜ ᴏɴʟʏ!

*************

¡ʀᴇᴄᴜᴇʀᴅᴀ ᴍᴏsᴛʀᴀʀ ᴛᴜ ᴅɪᴄᴋsᴏɴ sᴘɪʀɪᴛ ᴍᴀɴ̃ᴀɴᴀ ʏ ᴛᴏᴅᴏs ʟᴏs ᴠɪᴇʀɴᴇs ᴜsᴀɴᴅᴏ ᴛᴜ ᴄᴀᴍɪsᴀ ᴅɪᴄᴋsᴏɴ ᴏ ᴇʟ ᴄᴏʟᴏʀ ʀᴏᴊᴏ!

¿ᴛᴏᴅᴀᴠɪ́ᴀ ɴᴏ ᴛɪᴇɴᴇs ᴜɴᴀ ᴄᴀᴍɪsᴀ ᴅᴇ ᴅɪᴄᴋsᴏɴ?
ɴᴏ ᴛᴇ ᴘʀᴇᴏᴄᴜᴘᴇs, ¡ʟᴀs ᴠᴇɴᴛᴀs ʏᴀ ᴇsᴛᴀ́ɴ ᴀʙɪᴇʀᴛᴀs!

¡ʟʟᴇɴᴇ sᴜ ғᴏʀᴍᴜʟᴀʀɪᴏ ᴅᴇ ᴘᴇᴅɪᴅᴏ ᴇɴ ʟᴀ ᴏғɪᴄɪɴᴀ ʏ ᴘᴏᴅᴇᴍᴏs ʀᴇᴄɪʙɪʀ ʀᴏᴘᴀ ᴅᴇ ᴇsᴘɪ́ʀɪᴛᴜ ᴇɴ ʟᴀ ᴄʟᴀsᴇ ᴅᴇ sᴜ ʜɪᴊᴏ ʟᴏ ᴀɴᴛᴇs ᴘᴏsɪʙʟᴇ! ¡ʀᴇᴄᴜᴇʀᴅᴀ sᴏʟᴏ ᴇɴ ᴇғᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴏ!

Feel free to follow PTA on Instagram.

Most current information will be on the Dickson Website or available by calling the office.

To help keep California and our school beautiful, Dickson students and staff are educated on the importance of reducing food waste, recycling, and saving energy. Dickson participates in sorting our food and trashing during breakfast and lunch. 

If you would like to learn more about saving energy at home, please see the tips sheet below. 

Doris Dickson Elementary School

Website: https://dickson.chino.k12.ca.us/38026_1

Principal: Renae McCain

Email: renae_mccain@chino.k12.ca.us

Assistant Principal: Don Jones

Email: don_jones@chino.k12.ca.us

Assistant Principal: Amparo Covarrubias

Email: amparo_covarrubias@chino.k12.ca.us

Location: 3930 Pamela Drive | Chino, CA 91710

Phone Number: (909) 591-2653

School Hours: Bell Schedule