
Dear Mustang Families,
Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10th, we invite all students and staff to wear RED, WHITE, and BLUE as we show our patriotism and honor the brave men and women who have served our country! ❤️🤍💙
Let's fill Chaffee Trail with patriotic pride as we celebrate our nation's heroes!
Reminder: There is NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day.
Thank you, Veterans, for your service and sacrifice!
Dear Mustang Families,
At Chaffee Trail Elementary, we believe children thrive when families and school employees work together. When we contact you about grades, behavior, attendance, or health, our goal is not to place blame but to partner with you to support your child's success.
We welcome questions, concerns, and advocacy for your child. However, raised voices, threatening statements, and disrespectful language toward employees are not acceptable. We hold our staff to the same expectations of professionalism and courtesy.
Communication is essential to a successful school-home partnership. We encourage all families to check Rooms regularly, respond to school messages, and communicate with their child's teacher before concerns escalate. Many questions about school procedures, upcoming events, and classroom expectations are addressed in our school newsletters and weekly Rooms communications. Please take time to review these resources so you remain informed and connected to your child's school experience.
Student Dismissal and Timely Pickup
Our school dismissal concludes at 3:10 p.m. each day. Families are responsible for arranging for an authorized adult to pick up their child on time. Unfortunately, we continue to experience situations in which students remain at school beyond the established dismissal period. Pickup arrangements must be made in advance.
We recognize that work schedules, transportation challenges, and shared-custody arrangements can create logistical difficulties. However, these circumstances require advance planning. Late pickups require employees to provide supervision beyond the established dismissal period. After 3:10 p.m., only a limited number of staff members remain on campus, primarily to supervise students enrolled in our fee-based Extended Day program. These employees have responsibilities to the students and families participating in that program.
Campus Safety and Identification Procedures
To maintain a safe and secure campus, all visitors and families entering our buildings must follow our established identification and check-in procedures.
When arriving on campus, you will be asked to present your photo identification at two points:
At the entrance: When you ring the doorbell, staff will ask how they can assist you and request that you display your photo identification to the security camera.
At the front desk: Once you are granted entry, you will be required to present your identification again to complete the check-in process.
Calendar Reminder: Nov 11th Veterans Day no school, Nov 14th - School Choice Expo Prime Osborne, Nov 19th Kona Ice, Picture retakes and All Pro Dad's Meeting, Thanksgiving break Nov 23-27th No School
Thank you for trusting us with your children and for doing your part to strengthen our Mustang Family. Together, we can continue to make Chaffee Trail Elementary a school where students feel supported, families feel connected, and learning remains our highest priority.
With Mustang Pride,
Principal Doyle
Chaffee Trail Elementary School
Reminder: We are in the midst of our November Blended Learning Blitz! Flyers should have already come home in your child's notebook or backpack.
Our goal is simple: every student will move a bucket in their growth! Students have been working with their teachers to set individual growth goals and are familiar with their target bucket. We are excited to see our students demonstrate the tremendous progress they have made from last May through December as we approach our mid-year state assessments.
Families can help build momentum at home by encouraging students to complete their prescribed practice on our blended learning platforms, including: ✅ Amira
✅ Lexia
✅ ALEKS
✅ Redbird
Your encouragement and support make a huge difference in helping students reach their goals!
If you have any questions about your child's goal or progress, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Mustang Meadow Volunteer Opportunity
🌱We are also preparing for our Saturday Mustang Meadow Clean-Up and could use your help! We are in need of bags of soil to support our beautification efforts. If you are available to volunteer or can donate soil, we would greatly appreciate your support as we continue creating a beautiful outdoor learning space for our students.
🔒 Safety Reminder for All Visitors
To help keep our campus safe, every visitor must present a valid photo ID at the front door camera before entry and again to the front office staff upon entering the building. This is required for every visit, regardless of the reason or frequency of your visits.
Walk Run Club application due no later than Monday Nov9th. See teacher for more info.
Thank you for partnering with us to support student success and maintain a safe learning environment for all students and staff!
#ChaffeeTrailElementary #BlendedLearningChallenge #StudentGrowth #OneBucketAtATime 🚀📈
Walk-run applications/permission slips went home this week. They are due no later than Monday, November 9th.
Thank you Ms. Kelly!
At this time we do not have a driver for bus 113. We are waiting to hear from transportation, but wanted to give you the information we had. We will update when we know more.
Happy November! A few important reminders as we begin the month:
📰 November Newsletter
Our November newsletter and additional safety information are attached. Please take a few minutes to review both.
🌱 Mustang Meadow
We have also included information about our upcoming Mustang Meadow Clean-Up. We would love your help as we continue growing our garden into an outdoor classroom for our students!
📅 No School
• November 11 – Veterans Day
• November 23–27 – Thanksgiving Break
📚 Keep Learning at Home!
Help us keep the learning momentum going:
• Lexia – 30 minutes each week
• Amira students – 30 high-quality minutes each week
• Read – 20 minutes each night
• Grades 3–5 – Practice multiplication facts
• Complete weekly homework
Amira families, please check your child's backpack this week for information about practicing at home.
🗳️ Election Day – Tuesday, November 3
If you did not vote early, tomorrow is Election Day. On the ballot, you will see “County Referendum Duval County School District Ad Valorem Millage.”
This item asks voters whether to continue existing funding that supports Duval County Public Schools, including funding used to support employee compensation. This is a continuation of an existing tax, not a new tax.
We encourage our Mustang families to learn about the referendum and make an informed decision.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and school! ❤️💙🐴
Go Mustangs!
Thank you to everyone who joined us today for our Character Parade! Our students had a wonderful time, and we loved seeing all of the creativity and excitement throughout campus.
We know this will be a busy weekend for many of our families. Today, we reminded students about the importance of staying safe while out in their neighborhoods. Please reinforce these reminders at home: stay with an adult, carry a flashlight, wear reflective or light-colored clothing, and always be aware of your surroundings.
Words Matter, Too
We also want to talk about another kind of safety—making sure our students feel safe and respected by the words we use with one another. We have recently seen an increase in students using unkind and harmful language, including racial slurs. These words can have a lasting impact on others and are not acceptable at school.
I have attached a brief letter/email that shares more about the power of our words and helping children regulate strong emotions. Please take a few minutes to read it and have a conversation with your child at home. When home and school reinforce the same message, it makes a difference.
Chuck E. Cheese Spirit Night – TONIGHT! 🍕
Don't forget—our Chuck E. Cheese Spirit Night is tonight from 4:30–8:30 p.m. We hope to see lots of Mustang families there! Be sure to mention you are part of the Chaffee Trail family.
Morning Learning Lab – Grades 3–5 💻
With the start of our new nine weeks, we are excited to offer a Morning Learning Lab with Mrs. Doyle and Mrs. Oxendine for students in grades 3–5. This will start Monday Nov 9th.
Once students arrive at school in the morning, they may come to the lab on a first-come, first-served basis. Once all computers are being used, the lab is full for that morning.
Students will use this time to work on our reading and math learning platforms, including Amira, Lexia, Redbird, and ALEKS. This is a great opportunity for students to get in some additional practice before the school day begins!
Have a wonderful and safe weekend, Mustangs!
With Mustang Pride,
Mrs. Doyle
Principal
Chaffee Trail Elementary
🚗 Morning & Afternoon Traffic Safety Reminder
Mustang Families,
We need everyone’s help keeping our students, families, and staff safe during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. Please follow all campus traffic and student supervision procedures every day. We understand that everyone has somewhere to be, but saving a few minutes is never worth putting a child’s safety at risk.
Please remember:
🚙 Stay in the designated car line. Unless you have an appointment inside the building with your child’s teacher or another staff member, students should be dropped off and picked up through the designated car line.
🚲 Drive slowly and cautiously. We have students who walk and ride bicycles to school. Please be especially alert when entering and exiting campus.
📵 Phones down while driving on campus. A distraction only takes a second, and we have children moving throughout the arrival and dismissal areas.
🚫 Do not use Sam Caruso Way as an alternate student drop-off location. Students who do not live within the designated walker area should not be dropped off on Sam Caruso Way to walk onto campus. This bypasses our established arrival procedures and creates an unnecessary safety concern.
👧 Students should never walk through the parking lot unattended. The parking lot is not a student drop-off area. If you have an appointment inside the building, please park in a parking spot and walk your child safely to the appropriate entrance. Otherwise, please remain in the car line.
We know mornings can be busy and the car line requires patience. Everyone has somewhere to be, so please wait your turn, follow the established traffic pattern, and extend courtesy to other families and our staff.
Most importantly, parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their children are appropriately supervised until they are safely released to school staff. Situations involving children being left unattended, dropped in the parking lot, on Sam Caruso Way or otherwise placed in circumstances that raise concerns regarding their safety or supervision may require the school to contact the appropriate authorities in accordance with our responsibility to protect students.
Thank you for partnering with us and doing your part to keep every Mustang safe—every morning and every afternoon.
❤️ Mustang Family Reminder! 💙
It’s Red Ribbon Week! Tomorrow, everyone is encouraged to WEAR RED! ❤️
🎭 Character Parade: Students must have a signed permission slip to participate in or spectate at the parade. If your child does not have one turned in, please contact their teacher ASAP. Students without permission will remain in class.
🍕 This Friday Night = Chuck E. Cheese Spirit Night & Costume Party! Join your Chaffee Trail family for a fun evening! Be sure to tell them you’re with Chaffee Trail Elementary, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit our school.
⏰ Every Student. Every Day. On Time. Daily attendance and on-time arrival are vital to student success. Help us open doors of opportunity by making school attendance a priority.
Please also remember that on-time pickup is required. For School Choice families, choosing Chaffee Trail includes a commitment to daily attendance, on-time arrival, and on-time pickup.
Early Voting is open this week at the local public library on Chaffee rd. Be sure to voice your opinion and vote.
Thank you for partnering with us! 💙🐴
Happy Tuesday, Mustang Families! 💙🐎
We are already off to a fabulous start to the new nine weeks! We are excited about the learning, growth, and opportunities ahead for our Mustangs.
📚 First Nine Weeks Report Cards
Report cards for the first nine weeks were posted in the Parent Portal on Monday. Please take a few moments to review your child’s progress. If you would like to request a conference with your child’s teacher, please reach out through Rooms or call the school, and we will be happy to connect you with your teacher’s voicemail.
📝 We Want to Hear From You!
We are asking all of our parents and guardians to take a few moments to complete the Parent Survey. Your feedback is important to us! We use your input to reflect on our practices and continue working toward providing excellence for our students, families, and community each day.
Complete the survey here:
https://www.duvalschools.org/o/dcps/page/surveys
🗳️ Important Election Information
As we move into early voting over the next few weeks and Election Day approaches, we want to make sure our families are aware of an item on the ballot related to Duval County Public Schools.
Look for the ballot item labeled:
“County Referendum Duval County School District Ad Valorem Millage.”
This referendum asks voters to decide whether to continue an existing source of funding for Duval County Public Schools. A significant portion of these funds supports compensation for teachers and other school employees.
This is not a new funding source or a new tax. It is a continuation of existing funding that requires voter approval.
We encourage our families to learn more about the referendum and make an informed decision when voting.
For additional information, visit:
duvalschools.org/vote
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of Chaffee Trail Elementary. Have a wonderful evening, and we will see our Mustangs back tomorrow for another great day of learning!
Once a Mustang, ALWAYS a Mustang! 💙🐎
Patrol Fundraiser information is attached! Please consider supporting our hardworking Mustang Patrols as they raise funds for their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸
Thank you for helping our students work toward this exciting and memorable opportunity. Every bit of support helps! 💙🐎
Your voice matters. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or community member, this survey is a chance to share your perspective about Chaffee Trail Elementary.
https://tripod.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6myCRo2ZjlwmU3s
Week of October 19
Hello, Mustang Families!
We are looking forward to another great week of learning at Chaffee Trail! Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we work together to help every Mustang grow and succeed. 💙💛
📚 Report Cards – October 19
Report cards will post in FOCUS on Monday, October 19. Please take a few minutes to review your child’s report card and current academic progress in the FOCUS Parent Portal.
Celebrate your child’s growth and talk together about goals for the new nine weeks. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress, please reach out to their teacher.
⏰ Attendance Matters – Every Minute Counts!
Being at school every day and on time is one of the most important ways families can support student success.
Our instructional day begins at 8:30 AM, and learning starts right away! Late arrivals mean missed instruction and can make it difficult for students to begin their day successfully.
We need your help! Be here. Be on time. Be ready to learn!
📋 We Want to Hear From You!
Please take a few minutes to complete our Parent Survey. Your voice matters!
https://www.duvalschools.org/o/dcps/page/surveys
We use your feedback to celebrate what is working and identify ways we can continue to improve the experience for our students and families. Thank you for helping us make Chaffee Trail even better!
🍧 Kona Ice – Tuesday!
Kona Ice will be on campus Tuesday! Students will have an opportunity to enjoy a sweet treat during the school day.
📅 Looking Ahead!
❤️ Red Ribbon Week | October 26–30
Get ready for a fun-filled week as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week, October 26–30!
We have lots of fun activities and special events planned throughout the week as we encourage our Mustangs to make healthy, safe, and positive choices. Watch for additional information about each day’s activities!
🎭 Character Day Parade – Permission Slip Required!
Our Character Day Parade is coming!
Please remember that ALL students must have a signed permission slip to participate, whether they are:
🎭 Dressing up and participating in the parade
👀 Spectating and watching the parade
All permission slips are due by Monday, October 26.
Please make sure your child’s permission slip is returned on time so they can participate in the Character Day fun!
🍕🐭 Chuck E. Cheese Spirit Night – October 30!
End Red Ribbon Week with some Mustang family fun!
Join us for our Chaffee Trail Chuck E. Cheese Spirit Night:
📅 Friday, October 30
⏰ 4:30–8:00 PM
Come out for an evening of food, costumes, fun, and Mustang fellowship while supporting our school! Be sure to mention Chaffee Trail Elementary when making your purchase so our school receives credit.
We hope to see our Mustang families there! 💙💛
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are building strong students, strong families, and a strong Mustang community.
💙💛 Once a Mustang, ALWAYS a Mustang! 🐎
Bus 51 students are loading the bus and will be arriving at their stops shortly.
Your voice matters. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or community member, this survey is a chance to share your perspective about schools in your community.
https://tripod.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6myCRo2ZjlwmU3s
Hello Chaffee Trail Elementary-
As a voter, you control a portion of the funding that our schools receive to support our work with students. With early voting beginning soon, I want to make sure that you are fully informed and know what to look for when you vote.
On your ballot, the issue will be titled: County Referendum Duval County School District Ad Valorem Millage
This will be your opportunity to decide if we continue funding approved in 2022 that supports teacher and staff pay, as well as arts and athletics programs throughout DCPS.
The purpose of this email is to ask two things:
Please be informed as you cast your ballot. You can read all about this referendum at www.duvalschools.org/vote
Please help us inform others by talking with family and friends about this issue and sharing information on your social media. We’ve created several informative graphics and videos that you can use. You will find those at Help Inform Voters | Duval County Public Schools
Our district has been “A” rated for two years in a row, and that success is a direct result of the hard work of our teachers every day.
Thank you for taking a moment to be informed on this issue and for anything you can do to help inform others.