Calendar Notifications

25-26 School Year CALENDAR (linked here)

January 19th – NO SCHOOL – MLK Day

January 26th – NO SCHOOL – Professional Development

***UPDATE: Originally, Friday, February 13th was NOT a School Day: Please note that Friday, February 13th is now a school day! Scholars must attend school on Friday, February 13th!***

February 11th & 12th – ANET Testing

February 16th – NO SCHOOL – President’s Day

Middle School ONLY – Clear Backpacks REQUIRED Starting Feb. 2nd

Middle School ONLY: Starting on February 2nd, students will only be permitted to bring clear book bags to school. Bags must be completely see-through, excluding colored straps or minimal reinforcements. Small, non-clear pouches (approx. 6”x9”x5”) are allowed for personal items.

Key Requirements & Regulations

• Material: Must be clear plastic, PVC, or vinyl. Mesh bags are not permitted.

• Color: Transparent, tinted, or colored bags are generally not allowed; only fully clear.

• Visibility: The backpack must allow for full visibility of all items inside.

• Exceptions: Small, non-transparent pouches for hygiene products or money are typically allowed. Colored straps and small logo branding are permitted.

• Dimensions: While specifics vary, they must be “backpack-sized”.

Middle School – Attendance Incentive This Week!

Attention: DPA Middle School Scholars and Families.  Scholars that arrive before 7:55am each day this week will be entered into a daily raffle for Chipotle lunch.  Good luck!

High School Families – PowerSchool Portal Access

High school families can now access student grades and attendance through the PowerSchool Parent and Student Portal. Portal access information was shared with families on Friday, January 9th. If you did not receive your login details or need to update your email address, please contact data@digitalpioneersacademy.org for assistance.

Middle School ONLY – Chromebook Care and Responsibility

Dear DPA Families,

Digital Pioneers Academy (DPA) is committed to providing every scholar with the tools they need to succeed academically. As part of this commitment, each middle school scholar is issued a Chromebook for daily instructional use. These devices are a significant investment in our scholars’ education, and it is essential that they are treated with care and responsibility. Unfortunately, we have seen an ongoing pattern of Chromebooks being mishandled, damaged,   or lost. These incidents lead to costly repairs and disruptions to the learning environment. We are asking for your partnership to ensure that scholars maintain their devices responsibly.

Expectations for Chromebook Use

To protect school equipment and maintain a clear, functional workspace, all scholars are required to follow the guidelines below:

1. Scholars must use only the Chromebook assigned to them. Devices are labeled and tracked for accountability.

2. Chromebooks must be placed in the assigned charging station 10 minutes before the end of the day/class. This ensures devices are charged and ready for instructional use the next day.

3. Scholars must clean their Chromebook weekly. This includes wiping the screen and lightly cleaning the keyboard to maintain hygiene and device functionality.

4. Lost or damaged Chromebooks must be reported immediately. Prompt reporting prevents further issues and ensures a replacement can be arranged quickly.

Family Responsibility & Damage Fees

By receiving this memo, families acknowledge that they are responsible for the Chromebook issued to their scholar. Moving forward, any damage resulting from negligence, misuse, or irresponsible handling will incur a $75 repair fee. This fee supports the cost of parts, labor, and replacement of severely damaged devices.

DPA values our scholars and their learning experience. Maintaining school-issued devices is

essential for ensuring equal access to technology and a productive learning environment for

all.

Please review this memo with your child. Your partnership ensures we can continue

providing the tools necessary for high-quality instruction.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

Athletics Update – Week of 1/12/26

High School Athletics

8th Grade NAEP Assessment Notice:

Families of 8th grade students: NAEP parent notification letters were sent home with scholars on Friday, January 9th. Please review the letter for important information regarding your child’s participation in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Assessment. If you have any questions, please contact data@digitalpioneersacademy.org.

Family and Scholar Wellness Resources

Food Access Resources

We know times can be challenging, and some families may be facing extra difficulty putting food on the table. You are not alone, the DPA Wellness Team is here to help connect you with local food resources and support.  Click here for resources available for families in need, along with updates as they become available. Please take a moment to review them and share with anyone who may benefit.

Family Resource Guide

Please see the linked guide HERE, curated by the DPA Wellness Team. It includes information on community-based organizations, grief and loss support, substance use support, food pantries, and more. Printed copies are also available in the main office.

The Balance Bulletin

A space created by your school social worker to share tips, tools, and resources that support the well being of our entire DPA community. Each month, you will find insights for parents, teachers and students, along with highlights, updates and inspiration to help you feel balanced, supported and seen. Find the December edition HERE!

Monthly Mental Health Newsletter

Please check out the monthly mental health newsletter that is published by our Paving the Way Mental Health Therapists.