Culture & Climate
Attendance
- Attending school regularly helps students feel good about school and themselves.
- Students are expected to attend school every day except for excused absence reasons, as defined by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1
- Principal's Letters are mailed at 6 unexcused absences and 10 unexcused tardies detailing the consequences for truancy.
- Help Your Child Succeed in School: Build The Habit of Good Attendance Early.
- Students present everyday during the school year will receive a Perfect Attendance Award at DES Honors Day Ceremony.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to their teacher and school counselor.
No Place For Hate
- DES has received No Place For Hate School designation for nine consecutive years.
- A team of upper grades students and school staff serve on DES's No Place For Hate Coalition. The No Place For Hate Coalition meets regularly, and is charged with the creation and monitoring of culture and climate activities.
- Students, staff, and community sign the No Place For Hate Pledge.
- The implementation of the No Place For Hate activities is overseen by the Coalition and includes students, staff, families, and the greater DES community.
- Training and implementation of the DCSD-approved bullying prevention unit is overseen by counselors.
- Students in Pre-Kindergarten thruough 2nd Grade participate in Karate Atlanta's Bully-Proof Me Course.
- Counselors provide restorative support for students.
- Visit Dunwoody Elementary School's Caring Community Classroom to learn more.
Social-Emotional Learning
- DCSD is committed to nurturing the whole child through the provision of our Second Step social-emotional learning programs and curricula.
- Check out the Dunwoody Elementary School Counseling Curriculum Map to see what our students are learning!
- Counselors deliver SEL lessons to homerooms.
- Teachers provide opportunities for SEL-skill practice in their classrooms.
- SEL-skill knowledge is assessed using DCSD's Naviance platform.
- Homerooms designate a "Pawsitive Student of The Month." Students are selected for leading by example, are featured on the DES Bulletin Board, and receive a golden recognition sticker.
- Mindfulness is practiced school-wide using Mind Yeti® mindfulness sessions.
- Students are trained on the use of self-regulation tools in their classrooms.
- Counseling small groups are available as an additional SEL skill-building intervention for students.
- School-based mentoring is available for students who need additional SEL support.