DES Parent Teacher Conferences are tomorrow, March 12th, 2026 from 2:30-6:30.
We will have early release:
Car Riders - 2:07
Bus Riders - 2:22
Due to the students reporting to the safe room for the weather this morning, and the whole school routine being delayed, Spring Individual pictures will be rescheduled.
A new date and time will be announced once it has been scheduled.
DES Spring individual pictures are tomorrow, March 11th, 2026.
In Mrs. Madison’s 4th grade classes, they don’t just talk about suspense, they feel it! What better way to learn how to build suspense in narrative writing than with a mystery box sitting in the middle of the classroom?
Clue by clue, the guesses got louder. Eyes got wider. Whispers turned into, “WAIT… what if it’s…?!” Every new hint stretched the moment just a little longer. The anticipation kept building until the final reveal… Slinky Dog.
Not a monster. Not something spooky. Just Slinky Dog in all his stretched-out glory. The dramatic gasp quickly turned into laughter, which honestly made it even better.
After actually feeling suspense themselves, students were able to take that experience straight into their own writing. Working in teams, they created suspense for their narrative stories, practicing how to stretch out a moment, show realistic reactions, delay the reveal, and keep their reader wondering what will happen next.
Sometimes the best way to learn how to build suspense is to sit on the edge of your seat waiting on Slinky Dog.
Clue by clue, the guesses got louder. Eyes got wider. Whispers turned into, “WAIT… what if it’s…?!” Every new hint stretched the moment just a little longer. The anticipation kept building until the final reveal… Slinky Dog.
Not a monster. Not something spooky. Just Slinky Dog in all his stretched-out glory. The dramatic gasp quickly turned into laughter, which honestly made it even better.
After actually feeling suspense themselves, students were able to take that experience straight into their own writing. Working in teams, they created suspense for their narrative stories, practicing how to stretch out a moment, show realistic reactions, delay the reveal, and keep their reader wondering what will happen next.
Sometimes the best way to learn how to build suspense is to sit on the edge of your seat waiting on Slinky Dog.
Reading at home is a premier indicator of reading development, with children read to at least three times a week being twice as likely to score in the top 25% for reading proficiency. Regular home reading builds essential vocabulary, fosters language skills, strengthens emotional bonds, and boosts school readiness by improving comprehension and cognitive development.
These are some of the MANY reasons we have created the monthly AT HOME reading challenges! Reading is such an important aspect of not just school, but life!
Here are the statistics from our February reading challenge. We hope to see these numbers doubled for the month of March!
These are some of the MANY reasons we have created the monthly AT HOME reading challenges! Reading is such an important aspect of not just school, but life!
Here are the statistics from our February reading challenge. We hope to see these numbers doubled for the month of March!
Congratulations to our February Reading Challenge Basket Winner - Ruth!
Our top 3 classes who won a popcorn party this month are:
Mrs. Jennifer's 4th Grade Class
Mrs. Amy's 2nd Grade Class
Mrs. Traci's 1sr Grade Class
We can't wait to see our March Challenge Winners!
DES March Reading Challenge!
It's March and we are SPRINGING into reading at DES!
Once again this month, you can either log all of your entries online by following the reading log link, or you can download and print the reading challenge log that will also be attached below.
This month ALL STUDENTS who read at home 12 DAYS OR MORE will be treated to a snow cone party! (You may enter a total of 31 entries which is equal to one per day. Since we just published the form you can enter any time you have read at home since March 1st, through today, March 6th).
Reminder: If you enter a day online, please don't enter that same date on a paper log. You can use both online and paper, but a date cannot count twice.
The three classes with THE MOST PARTICIPATION will receive a popcorn and coke party for the whole class!
ONE student name will be drawn to win the monthly prize basket.
The online log can easily be accessed by phone or computer - follow this link for the online tracking log:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-RDK7B10-VSnweQEq0Axs_KttlFqkEdGP1g2SEgtSCdnGhQ/viewform?usp=header
If you like to have a paper log, follow this link to access the Printable PDF:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HQcX-WFHk58gThSpOpKB6ovCfM41AfNT/view?usp=sharing
If you have any questions or need help accessing the reading log, you may call the DES Office at 870-946-4651 or come and visit the DES Office in person.
Happy March Reading!
It's March and we are SPRINGING into reading at DES!
Once again this month, you can either log all of your entries online by following the reading log link, or you can download and print the reading challenge log that will also be attached below.
This month ALL STUDENTS who read at home 12 DAYS OR MORE will be treated to a snow cone party! (You may enter a total of 31 entries which is equal to one per day. Since we just published the form you can enter any time you have read at home since March 1st, through today, March 6th).
Reminder: If you enter a day online, please don't enter that same date on a paper log. You can use both online and paper, but a date cannot count twice.
The three classes with THE MOST PARTICIPATION will receive a popcorn and coke party for the whole class!
ONE student name will be drawn to win the monthly prize basket.
The online log can easily be accessed by phone or computer - follow this link for the online tracking log:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-RDK7B10-VSnweQEq0Axs_KttlFqkEdGP1g2SEgtSCdnGhQ/viewform?usp=header
If you like to have a paper log, follow this link to access the Printable PDF:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HQcX-WFHk58gThSpOpKB6ovCfM41AfNT/view?usp=sharing
If you have any questions or need help accessing the reading log, you may call the DES Office at 870-946-4651 or come and visit the DES Office in person.
Happy March Reading!
In the context of SoR (Science of Reading), specific strategies are taught to unlock the mystery of words by applying not only letter-sound strategies, but also morphological knowledge. Our students study words and determine the meaning of words based on the meaningful PARTS of that word.
Comprehension is the final piece of the Take Flight puzzle. We use what we call “Word Attack” strategies in our classrooms to discover the pronunciation and meaning of unknown words. As the following chart shows, students use their knowledge of suffixes/prefixes and roots/bases, along with the text around the word, to “ATTACK” unknown words to help determine the pronunciation and meaning.
Comprehension is the final piece of the Take Flight puzzle. We use what we call “Word Attack” strategies in our classrooms to discover the pronunciation and meaning of unknown words. As the following chart shows, students use their knowledge of suffixes/prefixes and roots/bases, along with the text around the word, to “ATTACK” unknown words to help determine the pronunciation and meaning.
Congratulations to our February 2026 Dragons of Greatness at DES! The students selected each month for Dragons of Greatness exhibit these characteristics:
D - Dependable
R - Responsible
A - Acts of Kindness
G - Good Friend
O - Outstanding Work
N - Nice to Others
S - Star Student
Congratulations to our February Dragons of Greatness!
D - Dependable
R - Responsible
A - Acts of Kindness
G - Good Friend
O - Outstanding Work
N - Nice to Others
S - Star Student
Congratulations to our February Dragons of Greatness!
March Events at DeWitt Elementary School
March 11th - Spring Individual Pictures
March 12th - Early Dismissal
2:07 pm - Car Riders
2:22 pm - Bus Riders
March 12th - Parent Teacher Conferences - 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm
March 16th - Kindergarten Registration - 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
March 17th - Kindergarten Registration - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
March 20th - 3rd Grade Musical - 1:30 pm
March 23rd - March 27th - SPRING BREAK
March 11th - Spring Individual Pictures
March 12th - Early Dismissal
2:07 pm - Car Riders
2:22 pm - Bus Riders
March 12th - Parent Teacher Conferences - 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm
March 16th - Kindergarten Registration - 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
March 17th - Kindergarten Registration - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
March 20th - 3rd Grade Musical - 1:30 pm
March 23rd - March 27th - SPRING BREAK
Do you have an up and coming kindergarten student? If so, it is time for Kindergarten registration!
Join us one one of the following days to register your student:
March 16th, 2026 from 2:00pm - 6:00pm
March 17th, 2026 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
For more information contact the DES Office at 870-946-4651
Mrs. Amy’s second-grade class has spent the past several weeks exploring stories about aviation. Students read about the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, Bessie Coleman, and Jamail Larkin. Throughout the unit, we focused on understanding informational texts by identifying main ideas and key details.
In addition to building literacy skills, students learned valuable life lessons about perseverance and determination. We discussed how achieving our dreams requires persistence and hard work, and that setbacks are opportunities to try new strategies rather than reasons to give up. We also explored how we can learn important lessons from history.
To conclude our unit, students applied their learning in a hands-on activity by designing and creating paper airplanes. Using measurement tools and skills, they tested how far their planes could fly and analyzed which design performed the best.
In addition to building literacy skills, students learned valuable life lessons about perseverance and determination. We discussed how achieving our dreams requires persistence and hard work, and that setbacks are opportunities to try new strategies rather than reasons to give up. We also explored how we can learn important lessons from history.
To conclude our unit, students applied their learning in a hands-on activity by designing and creating paper airplanes. Using measurement tools and skills, they tested how far their planes could fly and analyzed which design performed the best.
DES students use Accelerated Reader to practice fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. The students have daily opportunities to read independently at school and/or at home to increase their knowledge. Here are some statistics from this school year:
Mrs. Mallory’s first graders have been working hard on learning about place value in 2 and 3 digit numbers, arranging numbers in the correct order, and comparing numbers to make true number sentences. To make our lesson on comparing numbers more fun and hands on, students were partnered up to build number sentences using their bodies to create greater than, less than, or equal-to symbols. We even had to throw in a 6-7 move… because, is math even fun anymore if you can’t use the numbers SIX SEVVVVEN?!
To celebrate Kindness Week, the young artists of DeWitt Elementary created artwork and bookmarks for students in Dnipro, Ukraine. By partnering with the Bentonville-based non-profit organization “Hugs From Friends”, DES artwork will be sent along with care packages to students impacted by war.
DES students were able to hear Ukrainian students speak in their own language about how much they appreciate support. The class discussed ways in which acts of kindness affect those around us and can also help people in faraway places.
To step into the classroom and hear from the Ukrainian students, follow this link:
https://youtu.be/w3djqzkIn0I?si=eCpEKCTvj9LJtWw_
DES students were able to hear Ukrainian students speak in their own language about how much they appreciate support. The class discussed ways in which acts of kindness affect those around us and can also help people in faraway places.
To step into the classroom and hear from the Ukrainian students, follow this link:
https://youtu.be/w3djqzkIn0I?si=eCpEKCTvj9LJtWw_
DES Class Pictures are tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24th, 2026.
Pictures can ONLY be ordered online. Do not bring cash or check on picture day. Please scan the QR code or follow this link:
https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001345538
To place your order BEFORE picture day.
Bowden School Photography will be taking the pictures.
Our DES February Reading Challenge is still going on and there is plenty of time to help your students class win a popcorn party!
You can either log all of your entries online by following the reading log link, or you can download and print the reading challenge log that will also be attached below.
This month ALL STUDENTS who read at home 12 DAYS OR MORE will be treated to a snow cone party! (You may enter a total of 28 entries which is equal to one per day.
Reminder: If you enter a day online, please don't enter that same date on a paper log. You can use both online and paper, but a date cannot count twice.
The three classes with THE MOST PARTICIPATION will receive a popcorn and coke party for the whole class!
ONE student name will be drawn to win the monthly prize basket.
The online log can easily be accessed by phone or computer - follow this link for the online tracking log: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzc60py5pOnms0mm-6Z6nNlwkCoEPkYixifTdDAtx2zu8_nw/viewform
If you like to have a paper log, follow this link to access the Printable PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7jGseb-8YLmq6HvKJx3TC0STNFEp9v9/view?usp=drive_link
If you have any questions or need help accessing the reading log, you may call the DES Office at 870-946-4651 or come and visit the DES Office in person. Happy February Reading!
Learning in Action!
Recently, in Miss. Zoe’s Kindergarten class students worked in small groups to practice CVC (constant-vowel-constant) words in a fun and engaging way! Each group had picture cards. Students picked a card, identified what the picture was, and then wrote the CVC word on their whiteboards using their markers and erasers.
This activity helped students practice encoding - turning sounds into written words - while building confidence in early reading and writing skills. It is wonderful to see them thinking carefully, sounding out words, and supporting one another as they learn.
Recently, in Miss. Zoe’s Kindergarten class students worked in small groups to practice CVC (constant-vowel-constant) words in a fun and engaging way! Each group had picture cards. Students picked a card, identified what the picture was, and then wrote the CVC word on their whiteboards using their markers and erasers.
This activity helped students practice encoding - turning sounds into written words - while building confidence in early reading and writing skills. It is wonderful to see them thinking carefully, sounding out words, and supporting one another as they learn.
Happy Presidents Day 2026
Happy National School Resource Officer Day to our own SRO Randy Bateman. We thank you for your dedication to our schools, our students, and our community Mr. Randy.
