DES: Back to School Information!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lauren McGovern 
Date: Sun, Aug 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Subject: DES: Back to School Information!

Dublin Elementary School     Lauren McGovern posted in Dublin Elementary School     DES: Back to School Information!   Welcome back, Shark Families! We're so excited to start another year of learning, growth, and connection. Our staff has been busy preparing classrooms, designing engaging lessons, and making sure every student feels welcomed and supported from day one. Over the summer, our campus has been buzzing with modernization projects. While these improvements will bring great benefits, they also mean our drop-off and pick-up routines may be busier than usual at first. To help keep our Sharks safe: Plan for extra time in the mornings. Drive slowly and follow staff directions in the parking lot. Use crosswalks and stay alert for children walking or biking. If you're new to Shark Territory…welcome! You're joining a vibrant, inclusive community that values strong character, high expectations, and partnerships with families. We can't wait to see everyone back on August 12 for another fantastic year!  Below are a few key details to help you get started!   School Calendar and Cafeteria Menu: FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL 😎 DES Bell Schedule 2025-26 August Fridge Calendar August Lunch Menu Upcoming Special Days: 8/11- Incoming TK and Kindergarten Meet and Greet, 10:00-11:00 AM in classrooms 8/12- First day of school; Early release schedule (1st-5th dismissal at 1:55 PM) 8/14- Early Release Schedule (1st-5th dismissal at 1:55 PM) 8/19- Back to School Night (5:30 PM 3rd-5th Grade Classes; 6:00 PM Welcome  from Site and Parent Leadership in the cafeteria; 6:30 PM PK-2nd Grade Classes) 9/1- Labor Day; No School Ensuring Safety During School Construction and Modernization Projects: A letter from our Chief Facilities Officer, Owen Fish Grade Level Suggested Supply Lists: SDC     TK        K        1st  2nd     3rd       4th         5th Visitors on Campus: Gates will be locked from 8:30 AM until dismissal All visitors need to note their attendance in the main office Families may volunteer in classrooms with teacher permission and completed registration: Volunteer Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures: Carpool Lane Pull all the way up to have students exit your vehicle. Please drive slowly and watch for students. Do NOT block the entryway of the school to let students out. Our office main gate will open for students (grades 1-5) at 7:55 AM.  At this time, students will queue by grade level. At 8:05 AM students will be dismissed to the playground.  Once the morning bell rings, children will walk to their classroom number or front of their classroom door where teachers will meet them. TK and Kinder gate will open at 8:10 AM. Families may enter with their child to play on the playground prior to school and wait with them by the classroom door. August 12-15th - Families allowed on campus in the mornings. For the first week of school, families may come onto campus when the gates open to assist their children in locating their playground line-up area and/or to carry school supplies.  Parents will also be allowed on campus at 1:55 PM to assist their children in identifying a meeting location at dismissal.  Beginning August 18th- Families will only be allowed on campus after dismissal (Monday-Tuesday 2:55 PM and Wednesday-Friday 1:55 PM).  Families are welcome to use the playground after school, Monday-Friday.  Please note YOU are the supervisors. Staff will not be present. School Meal Updates Students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch as part of the Universal Meal Program. To meet state requirements for reimbursement, schools must track student participation.  To support this, DUSD will continue using the identiMetrics finger scanning system for elementary students. The scanner is used only to count meals accurately; no personal data is collected or stored.  Families may opt out by completing the linked Google Form. This will not affect a student's eligibility for free meals.  For questions, contact Maly Pra, Director of Child Nutrition Services, at pramaly@dublinusd.org.   DPIE Fall Classes:  Run Club Volunteers Needed:  Welcome back, Sharks! ~The DES Team     View in ParentSquare

Building Up My Classroom Contact Information

If you have a child in Mr. Hubbard's 2025-2026 class, please complete this quick survey and provide your contact information. 

Thank you so much.

Laughter, Learning & #2 Pencils – Welcome to 5th Grade with Mr. Hubbard

 Dear Families,

“Don’t take yourself too seriously—no one else does.”

— Epictetus (Probably. Or maybe that was my uncle Bob?)

Welcome to 5th grade! I’m Mr. Hubbard, and I’m excited to begin what I hope will be a year filled with curiosity, laughter, teamwork, and just enough chaos to keep it interesting.

This marks my 22nd year at Dublin Elementary—I started here in August of 2003 and haven’t looked back. I absolutely love this school, this community, and especially teaching 5th grade. I’m looking forward to working with your child and partnering with you throughout the year.

New Year, Old Blog—Now Back in Business!

I’m bringing back Mr. Hubbard’s Class Blog this year as a place where you can find updates, resources, reminders, and (when inspiration strikes) a few dad jokes. I’ll still send out emails regularly, but if your inbox gets buried in Costco receipts and Amazon shipping notices, the blog will always be there as a friendly backup.

Supplies & Organization

Ah, yes, the traditional question: “What does my kid need for 5th grade?” I’ve got you covered.

• 📄 Here’s the official 2025–2026 Supply List – complete with helpful notes and explanations.
• 🛒 And for those of you who’d rather click than guess what “wide-ruled composition book” means, here’s the Amazon version of the list.

No need to purchase everything before the first day—but having the basics like pencils, notebooks, and a solid backpack goes a long way in starting off strong.

How to Reach Me

I’m here to help. Seriously. Whether it’s a question, concern, or a “Can you believe this happened?” moment, I want to hear from you.

• Email: hubbardron@dublinusd.org
• Call or Text: (925) ext. 5084

Let’s make this a year of growth, challenge, community, and good humor. I’m looking forward to meeting your student and getting to know your family better.

Here’s to the journey ahead.

Warmly,

Mr. Hubbard

School Supplies for the 2025-2026 School Year

 Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year.  

I'm so excited to get our 25-26 school year up and running. 

Here is our supply list for Mr. Hubbard's 5th-grade class this year. 

I also created an Amazon List that shows exactly what I am referring to. Please note that I have tried to find the most cost-effective versions; however, you are free to purchase the items on the Amazon list or similar items.

Here is the Amazon list. 

Notes about the school supplies:

As a parent, I understand that urge to get a head start on back-to-school shopping when the lines are short and the choices are plentiful. However, although we’re all teaching the same curriculum, each 5th-grade teacher has a slightly different way of teaching them. Therefore, to streamline things and reduce waste, we’ve decided to follow a model your child will encounter from 6th grade through college: show up on Day 1 with a pencil, folder, and notebook, and then find out what’s really needed from that unique teacher.

For Day 1, the only supplies necessary are a pencil/pen, a notebook, and a backpack. Please don’t feel pressured to rush out and battle the crowds for items we don’t need immediately. Having personal items would be great to have sooner rather than later, as we plan to do some coloring and art during that first week. However, the "community use/donated supplies" can wait. I don’t necessarily need 58 boxes of tissues and Band-Aids on day one. There’s no stress and no rush—please donate these items when it’s best for your family economically and time-wise.

Enjoy these last few days of summer before the school year begins again.

Striving and surviving the first two days of school in 5th grade -- Shelter In Place version

 Dear Families,

Welcome to Fifth Grade! Happy Almost-First Day of School! We’re thrilled to have such an amazing group of students this year. We are well on our way to establishing a fantastic learning community in our classroom.  This year will be a wild ride and it is both an honor and a blessing to be part of your child’s life. 

In this letter, the following items will be addressed: August 13 & 14 schedule, Zoom logistics, and housekeeping items. 

August 13-14 Schedule

= Your child is expected to be in attendance of their Zoom Meeting

Time	Activity
8:30-9:15am	Morning Meeting
9:20-10:20am	Independent Work
10:20-10:40am	NO SCREEN TIME
10:45-11:15am	Whole Class Meeting
11:20-12:00pm	Independent Work
11:30-11:45am	Group 1 Meeting
11:45-12:00pm	Group 2 Meeting
12:00-12:40pm	Lunch
1:15-2:00pm	School Business

Your student will be told in our Morning Meeting which group they belong to for the first 2 days of school. The purpose of the small group meetings will be a time for us to get to know your child in a smaller setting. 

Zoom Logistics

As we are heading into this new world of distance learning, please read the following information to make sure your child is squared away: 

1. Zoom Link & Password: Will be sent to parents tomorrow, August 12

2. Students are strongly encouraged to sign into zoom using their @mydusd.org account. If they must sign in through another account, they should properly identify themselves before they will be allowed into the meeting.

3. Headphones would be preferred. 

4. Students should have their camera on and not showing their icons.

Housekeeping Items

Student Bags

The 5th Grade Team has put together student bags with student material. We will go over the bag’s content at our first morning meeting. You will be able to pick up your student’s bag at Dublin Elementary at the following days/times:

• Wednesday, August 12: 9:30am - 12:30pm

• Thursday, August 13: 1:00 - 3:00 pm 

Information from the district

As a reminder the district has created this great “Road to Reopening Playbook”. 

If you are also having challenges with your district issued chromebook or hotspot, here is the district’s IT information:  https://dublinusd.instructure.com/courses/4126

If you get stuck you can also describe your challenge in an email and send it to HelpDesk@dublinusd.org

Given we will be moving slowly and intentionally through all of our new online material, many of your questions will surely be answered. If possible, please hold parent questions until next week. 

We’re looking forward to working with you and your child this year. One of the best ways we can all be successful this year is through communication. 

Thank you for sharing your child with us this year!

Best regards,

The Fifth Grade Dublin Elementary Team

Mrs. Conner, Mr. Hubbard, Mrs. Le Roy, Ms. Lim and Ms. Owens