,

Fundraising Update From Our President

,

Each year the DLE PTO fundraises for general operating expenses such as field trips, family events, teacher grants and class holiday parties. But we also try to raise money for big ticket items to keep our "Lion Den" the best place to be! In the past couple years we've added floor to ceiling murals in the library, decked out the arrival/dismissal staff with rain and cold weather gear, added bikes racks and paths for our students, supplied a new dismissal program for the school, and more!

Our team also dreams big about projects like a Butterfly Garden and a walking track around the playground. And while we had full intentions of being able to do some of those things, unfortunately, both proposals have recently been declined by the district.

We wanted to keep our community abreast of where we are with spending for these major projects, and first reassure you all that the money raised for these special undertakings is still earmarked for the next phase of our proposal. We are in the process of obtaining necessary approvals and then we will be excited to share our new ideas. We are hopeful that since the district has now lifted some of the COVID-related policies delaying our prior plans, that we will have the ability to continue with a new vision to beautify the Leonetti campus and maximize the space for our kids.

With the most recent Palooza fundraiser, we utilize a portion of that for our operating budget, but then gift 40% to the school to help meet their needs. This year, we are able to purchase a portable outdoor PA system for the school, fill the 5th grade flex space with lounge furniture, upgrade recess equipment on a monthly basis, and add devices to some classrooms.

With all that said, the district is also upon major budget cuts, and we fully expect any ideas that we have to fall upon PTO to implement and maintain. It will take a village, but we have one of the best ones out there! Should you have any questions, please reach out to president@dlepto.org. Thank you, as always, for your continued willingness to financially support the PTO.

Lunar New Year Celebration

Our Leonetti Lions loved celebrating Lunar New Year on February 20 and were in awe of the amazing performance by Unity Dragon & Lions Dance Troupe.

College & Career Week, January 23-27

DLE will recognize College and Career Week Jan. 23-27.  See below for spirit wear theme days. 

January 23: “Heroes are made”: Wear your favorite super hero shirt (no costumes).  

January 24: “Your Future Starts Here”: Wear your favorite DLE shirt

January 25: “College Day Wednesday”: Wear your favorite college gear

January 26: CAREER DAY! Dress up for your dream career

January 27: “We Are Fit to Work and Achieve”: Wear your favorite fitness gear


College Day Wednesdays 

Students and staff members are encouraged to wear college shirts each Wednesday in the month of January to support the learning of colleges/post-secondary education opportunities.
 

Sign Up to Speak at Career Day!

Every grade level is in need of guest speakers for Career Day on Thursday, Jan. 26. Sign up per grade level from the links below.

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Earn Rewards for DLE with the Box Tops app!

Do any of these brands land in your cart? Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Gogurt, Nature Valley, Papermate, Hamburger Helper.

You can raise money for DLE when you buy these brands (plus tons more). Recruit your family and friends who love these brands as well to help out our school. 

Whether you’re grocery shopping online, in person, or curbside pickup, you can use your receipts to earn money that goes directly to DLE!

Click here to learn more.

Have questions? Contact our Retail Donations Chair, Joshua Jenkins, at jenkins.joshua83@gmail.com.

DLE Spirit Event with Zyia Active

This is the final week to shop the DLE Spirit Event with Zyia Active. Twenty percent of all orders made before January 20, using the shopping link below, will be donated to the DLE PTO! 

That is completely free money going toward the projects and needs of the PTO! Plus, if for any reason you need to exchange or return, you have 30 days from the order date. Any questions regarding sizes, fits, or recommendations can be directed to zyiaruns@gmail.com. 

Shop the DLE Spirit Event here.

Support DLE With AmazonSmile

Buying any gifts for Valentine’s Day? Birthdays? Make sure to default to our DLE Amazon Smile account before purchasing.

To choose Donald Leonetti Elementary as your charitable organization:

  1. Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser. 

  2. From your desktop, go to Your Account and select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page.

When you shop on AmazonSmile, they donate 0.5 percent of the purchase price of eligible products to our school.

Volunteers Needed for Holiday Parties

Lion Families it's time to celebrate!
Classroom holiday parties will take place on Thursday, Dec. 15 and parents are welcome to attend. To accommodate our enrollment, we will have two party times and we encourage only one parent to attend per child. Visitors must register by Monday, Dec. 12. Click here to RSVP.

1st, 2nd & 5th Grade Parties: 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Enter through the cafeteria beginning at 8:45 a.m.

Kinder, 3rd & 4th Grade Parties: 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Enter through the gym beginning at 1:15 p.m.

Volunteers Needed


We need two (2) volunteers per class in addition to the Room Parent to help with the pre-selected craft, game, and snack (provided by our wonderful PTO!).  Party volunteers will be expected to help set up, lead activities/small groups, and clean up. 

If you're unable to volunteer, you can still contribute! You can help us out by donating PLATES, NAPKINS, and TABLECLOTHS. Party supplies need to be dropped off at the front office no later than MONDAY, DEC. 12. Do not bring items on the day of the party.

If you're interested in volunteering at the party, please note the following:

  • No siblings/other children will be allowed while volunteering.

  • Please arrive at the school 30 minutes early to discuss the party plans and help set up the classroom. 

  • You must complete your FBISD Background Check before volunteering.

Sign up here to help:

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

If you have any questions, email stephanie.titas@gmail.com.

Holiday Spirit Week: Dec. 12-16

DLE Holiday Spirit week - December 12-16

All DLE students are encouraged to dress up during the final week of the fall semester, Dec. 12-16.

MONDAY, Dec. 12: Run, Run Rudolph

TUESDAY, Dec. 13: Long Winter’s Nap - PJ Day

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 14: Holiday Movie Character Day

THURSDAY, Dec. 15: Santa Claus is Coming To Town! - Wear A Holiday Shirt

FRIDAY, Dec. 16: Stockings Were Hung By the Chimney With Care

Toys for Kids Drive, Nov. 7-Dec. 9

The DLE National Elementary Honor Society is partnering with Toys for Tots and Santa’s Exchange to host a toy drive at our school from Nov. 7-Dec. 9.

They will be collecting gifts benefitting thousands of children in Fort Bend County. If you would like to participate, please send new, unwrapped toys or gifts for children (infant - 16 years of age).

Collection boxes have been placed in the front office lobby, cafeteria, and upstairs by the front stairwell.

And the Winners Are ...

“I would like to take time to announce our Yearbook Art Contest Winners!  This was an incredibly close race with some extremely talented artists. Thank you so much to all of our students who took the time to send in their art. Everyone did an incredible job!” - Courtney Walton, DLE PTO Yearbook Chair

*DRUM ROLL PLEASE*

Kindergarten

FIRST PLACE Alivia Hernandez
SECOND PLACE Landry Garza

First Grade

FIRST PLACE Ian Mathew Joseph
SECOND PLACE. Andrea Perez

Second Grade

FIRST PLACE Aanya van der Hoeven
SECOND PLACE Lea Kwon

Third Grade

FIRST PLACE Raylee Key
SECOND PLACE Maya Chang

Fourth Grade

FIRST PLACE Judah Scott
SECOND PLACE. Audrey Sullivan

Fifth Grade

FIRST PLACE. Emily Bermudez
SECOND PLACE Emily Timmons

Congratulations to all of our winners! First and second place winners’ artwork will be featured on the back of our 2022-23 yearbook. They will also receive an Art Achievement certificate and a prize during art class.

Stay on top of school news by subscribing to Paw Prints, a weekly e-newsletter published by Donald Leonetti Elementary PTO.