Dear Dragon Family,
As we prepare for the 2024-2025 school year that begins on Thursday, August 1st, the administration, faculty, and staff would like to take the opportunity to welcome each of you to another fun and exciting year of learning.
Everyone has been diligently working this summer to prepare for your arrival on the first day. Dames Ferry, along with the entire Jones County School System, is committed to providing each child with an educational experience that is productive, safe, and exhibits a compassionate spirit. As always, it our goal to build on past successes, while at the same time, continuously seeking new and innovative ways to enhance the Dames Ferry experience.
As you may know, Dames Ferry began an extensive renovation project last November. I am pleased to announce that we will begin the final phase in August, with completion expected in November.
While our journey through this process has been challenging at times, the hard work and support that we have received from our faculty, staff, students, and parents has been unmeasurable. As we move toward the finish line, we will strive to ensure that interruptions are minimal, while providing an environment that is organized and conducive to learning.
I am thrilled to announce the theme for this academic year: “DFE Learning Under Construction!” With this theme, we aim to provide the necessary building blocks needed to develop a foundation for continuous learning. We eagerly anticipate the year ahead, filled with captivating lessons, enriching experiences, and the boundless enthusiasm of our students. Our theme will serve as a reminder throughout the school year that together, as a united education community, we can conquer any challenge and reach new heights. As a Georgia STEM Certified School, we will continue to offer a variety of activities and lessons designed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and math that will help make learning both meaningful and engaging.
Dames Ferry has a terrific faculty and staff that are dedicated to ensuring that each child has a happy and successful school year. We are excited to welcome new members to the Dames Ferry Family. These additions include Charles Hamlin, Lynette Maddox, Kadie Beck, Alex Hershman, Abigail Sauls, Kayla Collins, Alaina Clarke, Melissa Ersoy, Sara Grace Whatley, and Cathy Whipple. With the students that we teach each day, along with the supportive parents, faculty, and staff, the sky’s the limit when it comes to student achievement and growth.
As the first day approaches, I would like to provide you with some general reminders about our drop-ff and pickup procedures. Students may be dropped off in the front of the gym beginning at 7:20 a.m. Cars will loop around the gym side of the building and line up in front of the gym. This will be the only authorized and supervised location to let students out of the vehicle. The drop-off area closes at 7:50 a.m. so that students can be seated in their classrooms and ready to begin their day at 7:55 a.m. Those arriving after 7:50 must report to the front office accompanied by a parent to sign in. Since school personnel will not be available after 7:50 to supervise those entering the building, please do not drop them off and allow them to walk in unsupervised. Bus riders will begin unloading at 7:20 a.m. as well.
During afternoon dismissal, bus riders will load buses at 2:35 p.m., while pickups will be dismissed in front of the gym beginning at 2:40 p.m. Dragon Care will be available from 3:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. for those that enroll.
We recognize that for our students to reach their highest potential, it is of the utmost importance that they receive support from both home and school. As partners, we share the responsibility for our students’ progress and success. We hope to maintain your confidence in our ability to educate your student(s) and will work diligently to ensure that we communicate what is taking place at school. We ask that you help support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she attends school daily, is on time, does not check out early, reads each day, remains an engaged learner, and shares their school experiences at home each evening.
Mrs. Kristen Jones, our Assistant Principal, and I are eagerly awaiting the first day of school. We cannot wait to see your smiling faces, and to have our Dames Ferry Family together again.
Wes Cavender Principal
