Thank you, Donahoe Staff!
Welcome to the final edition of the Building Together Newsletter for this school year. It's truly hard to believe that my first year with your Dolphins is coming to a close in just a few weeks!
As we head into May, we are looking forward to the opportunity to celebrate our staff during Staff Appreciation Week from May 5th-9th. We'll be working with community partners and PTO to shower our Teachers and Staff with our gratitude.
The Thank a Teacher campaign runs now through May 9, 2025. We invite the public to thank their favorite Virginia K-12 public school teachers with a Virginia Lottery thank-you note. Every thank-you note a teacher receives includes a unique code that can be used to enter a drawing to win $2,500 from the Virginia Lottery and $2,500 in supplies for their school from The Supply Room. The four lucky teachers who will win and be surprised at their school. Submit your note here!
Last Day FYI
NEW THIS YEAR! Students at Donahoe should not bring their bookbag/backpack or lunch boxes to school on the last half-day (May 30th). All leftover materials and personal items will be sent home with students on Thursday, May 29th - including EOY Documents.
Students who pack lunch should do so in a disposable container (such as a brown paper bag) or purchase a grab-and-go lunch from the cafeteria. Water bottles are okay to send, but are discouraged.
Any personal items that are left by students on May 29th will be stored in the Main Office during the summer for pick-up. Note that all HCPS buildings are closed on Fridays during the summer, beginning June 6th.
Upcoming End-of-Year Events
Mark your calendars for the following dates and times!:
May 21st - 5th Grade Promotion, 5:30pm - Highland Springs High School
May 23rd - Field Day
May 26th - NO SCHOOL
May 28th - EOY Celebrations/Awards (Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th)
May 29th - EOY Celebrations/Awards (PK, 1st, 3rd)
May 30th - Last Student Day (HALF DAY)
June 6th - Building Closed
Attendance counts up until the very last day of school, so please be sure that your student is here on time each and every day!
*There will be no Family-to-Principal Advisory Meeting on May 12th due to low attendance in Quarter 3. I look forward to trying again next school year!
New After School Program AT Donahoe!
Right At School will be coming to our school this Fall! This paid after school program will offer childcare and enrichment to students at an affordable rate. You can learn more at this link or by joining a Parent Forum on May 13th or May 20th at 6:00pm.
Looking Ahead: '25-'26 PTO
Call Mr. Fail if you or another family are interested in supporting the PTO through Leadership next year!
Field Day - Ms. Rodriguez (PE)
It is that time of year where we have started prepping for field day. This is my the to anyone who would like to sign up to volunteer at a station during field day this year. Field day will be held on Friday, May 23rd. Here is the link to volunteer at a station: https://forms.gle/NSRNLVS7oXMKbqSJ8
There are 3 separate times where students will be doing field day activities based on grade level. Those times are as follows:
Kindergarten- 2nd grade: 8:15-10:30
PreK: 10:30-11:30
3rd grade-5th grade: 11:30-1:45
On the google form, please select the best time for you. You may select more than one time. Again, please only sign up if you are willing to volunteer at a station for that time frame. Please also keep in mind, volunteers must complete the Henrico County volunteer form before they are able to volunteer. If you would like to be a spectator on field day, please contact your students classroom teacher.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at airodriguez@henrico.k12.va.us.
YMCA Free Swim Lesson Opportunity
Safety Around Water Week is May 19-25th and the Greater Richmond YMCAs are offering plenty of free education and resources for you and your students!
Check out https://www.ymcarichmond.org/water-safety to see more! Including the opportunity for FREE swim lessons during Safety Around Water Week.
Community Resources
Check out these family resources from the State of Virginia!
Family Resource Center: https://literacy.virginia.edu/families
Family Literacy Resources: https://literacy.virginia.edu/resources-families
Supports for Reading: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/state-board-data-funding/accreditation-accountability/school-performance-and-support-framework/supporting-virginia-learners/family-supports/reading
Game On!
HCPS Gifted Programs is proud to present Game On!, an exciting event where gaming meets creativity on Thursday, May 15th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Oak Avenue Complex by Highland Springs High School. Families can participate in different activities such as KEVA planks, Chess, Math 24, LEGO Robotics, bridge building, model trains, strategy games and more. A pizza dinner will be served. RSVPs are appreciated using the QR code in the flier to help with planning.
Summer Book Bags Coming Soon!
Your child will soon be bringing home a Summer Book Bag. The bag includes books chosen by
your child as well as activities. These materials will help your child review and reinforce important skills. We hope you enjoy these book bags of fun! Distributed through HCPS Federal Programs & Foundational Learning.
Su hijo(a) llevará pronto a casa una Bolsa de libros de verano (Summer Book Bag). La bolsa contiene libros elegidos por su hijo(a), así como actividades. Estos materiales ayudarán a su niño(a) a repasar y reforzar habilidades importantes. ¡Esperamos que disfrutes de esta bolsa de libros de diversión! Distribuido a través de los Programas Federales de HCPS y Aprendizaje Fundamental.
Tutoring Support Available
As we enter one of the peak times for tutoring support, don’t forget that you can use the Family Resource Center for help connecting with tutoring services. We have a mix of free options and fee-for-service tutors available to support families' needs. Questions can be directed to 804-212-6668 or presource@henrico.k12.va.us
Bridge Builders Academy: Summer Wellness Fest
What: Make this summer your family’s best ever! Families and students are invited to an evening of interactive activities focused on supporting mental wellness during the summer break. Explore fun ways to stay balanced and healthy, with experiences, prizes and giveaways from our community partners — all designed to help make this summer a healthier, happier one!
When: May 14th, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: The Oak Avenue Complex, 15 S. Oak Avenue
Quarter 4 Celebration Times
May 21st - 5th Grade, 5:30pm at HSHS
May 28th - EOY Celebrations/Awards
8:15-9:15: 4th Grade
9:45-10:45: 2nd Grade
11:15-12:15: Kindergarten
May 29th - EOY Celebrations/Awards
8:45-9:15: Preschool
9:45-10:45: 3rd Grade
11:15-12:15: 1st Grade
*Quarter 3 celebrations were not held with visitors due to Spring Break and SOL Testing. Students were celebrated for their accomplishments in the classroom in small ceremonies during the school day.
Having Bus Troubles?
Call Transportation at 804-261-9401 about missed stop times, late buses, or bus driver concerns.
Contact Us!
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following email addresses:
Dillon Fail, Principal (dtfail@henrico.k12.va.us)
Dedria Trent, Associate Principal (dstrent@henrico.k12.va.us)
Charles Hutchinson, Student Support Teacher (cwhutchinson@henrico.k12.va.us)