August Parent Newsletter

2026- 2027

Dear Dahlia Families,

This week we continue to wrap up iReady assessments in Reading and Math. It is important to remember that iReady assessments are a snapshot of a students' instructional path. Assessments are used by teachers and grade levels to make instructional decisions, identify learning gaps, and helps to support student learning paths above or below grade level. Be on the look out for assessment results. Speak to your child's teacher to identify ways in which you can help support.

Dove Love,

Jasso

Dove Events For the Week of August 31 - September 4, 2026

August 31, 2026

For the week of 8/31/26 - 9/4/26

iReady ELA/ Math Make ups

Latin Heritage Month

Character Focus Aug/Sept - Empathy

Mon August 31,2026

iReady Assessment - Make Ups

Theater
8:05 Morning Assembly

Tue September 1, 2026

Dance
1:38 Dismissal

Wed September 2, 2026

Visual Arts
College Spirit Day
4-5pm Woodcraft Parent Meeting (Auditorium)
4:30 - 8pm Taco Social
6:30 - 8:30 PTA Board Meeting

Thur September 3, 2026

Music
4pm Virtual Volunteer Orientation
5pm Virtual Coffee with the Principal

Fri September 4, 2026

Admission Day Holiday - No School

Upcoming Events/ Dates

Sept 7: Labor Day Holiday
Sept 9: Tutoring Begins
Sept 10: 6th Grade Committe Meeting, 5pm
Sept 11: Fall LockDown Drill 9am
Sept 15: 3rd/ 4th Gr to LACMA
Sept 16: 5th Grade Parent Schoology Training 5pm
Sept 17: Fall Picture Day
Sept 17: 6th Grade Science Camp Meeting 6pm
Sept 17: 25th Day of School
Sept 18: Fire Drill
Sept 21: Unassigned Day - No School
Sept 24: Drop and Cover Drill
Sept 28: Aug/Sep Awards Assembly- Empathy
Sept 28: Dove Nation Kick off

HEAT Advisory: Please make sure to send your child with a water bottle and appropriate cool clothing. All precautions are taken to ensure students are out of the heat as much as possible.

RDRS Screener

Reading Difficulties Risk Screener (RDRS)

In accordance with California Education Code Section 53008, all California schools are required to assess students from kindergarten to grade 2 for risk of potential reading difficulties using California Department of Education-approved screener.

To meet this requirement, LAUSD students will take an mCLASS© DIBELS© 8th Edition assessmentin English and/or mCLASS Lectura in Spanish once per year. The results will be used to identify students who may be at risk of potential reading difficulties and to provide intervention and support.

What do you need to know?

Dahlia Heights will be administering this test to all kindergarten, first, second grade students during the week of October 5, 2026 - October 30, 2026. After administration, we will send you a report to share with you if your kindergarten, first, second grade child is at risk, or has low or no risk of reading difficulties.There is an option for parents to opt students out of this test. If you would like to opt out, you must send a letter to your child's teacher that you do not what your child assessed with the RDRS. This letter is filed in your child's record and is only good for one school year. Letters must be received before testing administration.

The district is inviting parents to a webinar if you are interested in more information. Please review the flyer below.

Adventure awaits! There's room in the Venture Van

HAWKs (Hiking Adventures with Kids) is back at Dahlia Heights this fall, picking up explorers every Monday after school and heading to nearby trails for screen-free adventure and fun. Here's how it works: the Venture Van rolls up at dismissal, your kid climbs in, and we take off — Griffith Park, Elysian Park, JPL Riparian Area, Deukmejian Wilderness, Brand Park, and more. Out there, explorers learn ecology through games, birding, journaling, species ID, crafts, and Indigenous stories. They hike. They get their hands dirty. They come home knowing the name of something they didn't know before. We're back by 5:45pm for parent pickup at school. Spots are open. Fall adventures start now.

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION: Come learn about volunteer guidelines, and process

The great ShakeOut Drill is October 15. Make sure you and your family are prepared. We encourage our families to have an emergency kit for your child at school should any emergency arise. Please contact the office for more information.

Lunch Menu: Download the App!

Birthday Parties

A book donation to the class is highly recommended to recognize birthdays.

If bringing a treat, please notify the teacher a minimum of 24 hours beforehand as the teacher’s approval must be obtained. You may bring one small store purchased individually packaged food item or small goodie bags to share with your child’s classmates during the last 10 minutes of the school day. PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE AT THE CLASSROOM UNANNOUNCED ON YOUR CHILD’S BIRTHDAY TO CELEBRATE OR VISIT WITHOUT HAVING MADE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE TEACHER.

While your child’s birthday is very important, so are the instructional minutes for all the students. No home-made food can be distributed. If making goodie bags, do not include candies, chips or anything with nuts. Book donations, healthy snacks and/or school supplies are recommended. Always check with the classroom teacher for student food allergies.

In summary

24-hour’s notice and pre-approval required
store purchased, individually packaged goods only (beware of student allergies)
no celebration before school, during recess, lunch, or instructional day. Only the last 10 minutes of the day.
no pizza party
no unpackaged or homemade cupcakes (they will be sent back home)
NO BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS MAY BE GIVEN OUT AT SCHOOL

LAUSD Parent Handbook:

schooloperations.lausd.org/apps/pages/parentstudenthandbook

Dahlia Heights Parent/Student Handbook:

Dahlia Heights Parent Student Handbook

Required Drill Frequencies

The safety of our students is our top priority. Following LAUSD policies, Dahlia Heights holds four or five types of safety drills throughout the school year, two or three each month:

Drop Drill, also called Drop, Cover, & Hold Drill: (once per month) Students practice safety measures to prevent harm during an earthquake. Students protect their heads, take cover under desks and tables, and move away from windows and glass.

Fire Drill: (once per month) Students learn to evacuate classrooms safely in the event of a fire.

Lockdown Drill: (once per semester) Students move to the safety of a classroom or closest building when there is imminent danger either on campus or in the neighborhood, such as from a loose animal, community incident, or police action.

Shelter-in-Place Drill: (oral review once per semester) Similar to a Lock Down Dril. Used when there is an environmental threat, such as a chemical spill, fire, or insect swarm in the area.

ShakeOut Drill: Students evacuate to the P.E. field, simulating an earthquake event. This drill is held on or near the date of the annual Great California Shakeout. In the event of an actual earthquake or on-site emergency, parents will pick up students at the Reunion Gate.

These types of emergencies are unlikely to occur, but Dahlia Heights is determined to be prepared!