



Our 3rd graders will take their FAST Reading assessment this Friday. This is a very important test, as it plays a role in promotion to 4th grade.
You can help set your child up for success by:
✔️ Ensuring electronics are off and put away at a reasonable time
✔️ Making sure they get a good night’s sleep
✔️ Encouraging them and reminding them how proud you are of their hard work
✔️ Talking with them about using their strategies (annotating, rereading, taking their time to go back in the text to find the answer rather than relying on their memory)
✔️ Arriving to school on time 8:25 so they feel calm and ready to begin
Your encouragement matters more than you know—if they know it matters to you, it will matter to them.
Let’s help our Mustangs show what they know!
July 30th is the deadline to register for bus transportation for the 2026–2027 school year.
If you miss this deadline, your child will need an alternate way home each day until bus registration is processed—which can take several weeks into the school year.
Do yourself a favor and pre-register now.
Don’t be the parent scrambling for daily dismissal plans while waiting for approval.
👉 Follow this link for step-by-step directions to complete your registration today: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/o/dcps/page/bus-registration
Transportation Reminder:
Students who live within our attendance zone and more than 1.5 miles from school are eligible for bus transportation.
Dismissal Reminder:
All students must be picked up by 3:10 PM daily.
There are no exceptions unless your child is enrolled in Extended Day.
Extended Day Registration:
The Extended Day lottery opens the first week of July. That date will be publised on the district website....
Spots fill quickly—please monitor the district website for exact dates, times, and the registration link. https://dcps.duvalschools.org/o/dcps/page/extended-day
Let’s get ahead of this now so your child is set up for a smooth start to the school year!
—CTE Administration



Please take a moment to review the upcoming testing window dates. You can support your child’s success by helping them prepare each day—starting with a good night’s sleep. During this week’s 3rd grade mock testing, we noticed that many students were so tired they fell asleep during the assessment, and others ran out of time due to a lack of focus and pacing.
Encourage your child to use the strategies their teachers have taught them to support their success and growth. These include annotating, using scratch paper, doing a “brain dump,” “slashing the trash,” pacing themselves, and taking brief brain breaks when needed.
Your encouragement truly makes a difference. When students know that doing their best matters to you, it matters to them. Let your child know you’re aware of their testing dates and that you are their biggest cheerleader.
Thank you for your partnership in supporting our Mustangs!


This is Principal Doyle, and I want to inform you that we are currently experiencing reduced air quality conditions in our immediate area. After closely monitoring local conditions using resources provided by the Emergency Operations Center, we have made the decision to limit outdoor activities at our school today.
Out of an abundance of caution, students will remain indoors for activities such as recess, physical education, and any scheduled outdoor events.
These decisions are made to protect the health and well-being of all students and staff, especially those who may be more sensitive to air quality conditions. We will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day and adjust plans as needed.
If you have specific health concerns for your child, please feel free to contact the school so we can provide appropriate support.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we prioritize student safety.
Principal Doyle
See testing information...flyer in rooms!

Third Grade Families—please don’t forget to send in your letter tomorrow! We want every student to have the opportunity to receive well wishes from someone special on their testing days. Please place the letter in an envelope and tuck it into your child’s agenda. Thank you for your support!
Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Palisoc, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Runkles, Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Oxendine!
We are now just one week away from the start of state testing for many of our students. We ask that you partner with us by talking with your child about the importance of doing their best—and what that looks like. Encourage them to:
Take their time
Read and annotate passages and questions carefully
Make sure they are answering what is actually being asked
Go back into the text to find evidence rather than relying on memory
Use scratch paper to work through math problems
Remind them that it’s okay to take a quick brain break if they feel their focus slipping. After a short reset, they should return ready to work with strong, focused effort.
Career Fair Volunteers Needed:
We are still looking for 8 more volunteers to present at our upcoming Career Fair. If you’re interested, please see the attached flyer for more information.
Attendance & Punctuality Matter:
When students arrive late or are picked up early or late, it sends the message that punctuality is optional rather than an important life skill. Please help us reinforce the value of being on time—this sets the tone for both their day and their future.
Lost & Found:
Our lost and found will be cleaned out again soon. Please remind your child to check for any missing items.
Mustang Meadow Workday:
Join us as we prepare our garden for summer! See the attached flyer for details on how you can help this Saturday, April 25, or by sending in items on Wednesday, April 30.
Blended Learning Expectations:
Please ensure your child is meeting their weekly blended learning minutes on Amira, Lexia, and i-Ready. Your child’s first and most important teacher is you—set the expectation, and they will rise to the occasion and excel.
Dress Code Reminder:
Spring has sprung—please check your child’s clothing to ensure it meets dress code expectations. No backless shoes are permitted.
End-of-Year Reminder:
There will be no backpacks allowed during the last week of school. More information will be shared soon. In the meantime, please check your child’s backpack daily. Remind them that our number one priority is safety—their safety and the safety of others—and maintaining a safe learning environment for all. Encourage them to stay focused on their learning.
Awards Ceremonies:
Please see the attached awards schedule flyer for dates and times. These are typically short programs, so we encourage you to arrive on time to secure parking and not miss any part of the celebration. You will receive a letter closer to the date if your child will be receiving an award.
Student Devices:
We have noticed an increase in students using phones and smartwatches during the school day. Please remind your child that, per the Code of Conduct, devices must be turned off and put away. These devices are not only a distraction but could also result in a test invalidation during state testing.
Thank you for your continued support in helping our Mustangs grow and excel! 🐎




Dear Parents/Guardians,
A few weeks ago, an envelope was sent home with a request for parents of our 3rd grade students to write a surprise encouragement letter to their child. They will open this special surprise from their parent/guardian the morning of each FAST PM3 testing day- May 1 and May 6. The letter was due back today. If you could please take a few moments this weekend to write an encouragement letter and put it in an envelope for your child to open on testing morning, we would greatly appreciate it. Please place the envelope in your child's take home folder so I can collect it for your child on Monday.
Thank you so much!
Third grade team,
Campbell, Runkles, Roberts, Woods, Oxendine, Walker, Foster and Palisoc!
Last week, your child’s teacher sent home a request for a letter of encouragement to be shared with students before they begin their state assessment.
If you haven’t already, please send your letter in the sealed envelope with your child by tomorrow or Monday. These messages mean a great deal to our students and help boost their confidence as they prepare to do their best.
We would love for every 3rd grader to receive this surpise of a special note from a parent, guardian, or special family member or friend. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their growth this year and encourage them as they head into testing.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Thank you for your support!
Thanks

Reminder dismissal starts at 2:45 and ends promptly at 3:10. Please save time have your pikmy kid number visible. Thank you for all you do to support CTES!
We still have about 100 seats available, and we’d love for your family to join us for some free family fun!
✨ Students will plant a flower to take home
✨ Parents will learn tips on how to grow a reader
✨ Everyone will enjoy dinner together
Spots are filling quickly—be sure to RSVP before they’re gone! 🌱🍽️
Come grow with us… in more ways than one! 🐎💛

