August 20th, 2025
Hello FLME Families and Welcome Back,
Welcome back! We are so excited to have all of you with us for the 2025 -2026 school year! For those of you who are new to our school, we want you to know that you are now part of an amazing community. Our teachers and staff are caring, devoted, hardworking, and fun; we are a collaborative and driven community who believe that all kids deserve to succeed and be their best selves. We are ready for another great year.
Although we are grateful for our consistent team, we do have a few new staff members at FLME.
New team members at FLME:
1st Grade Teacher: Merideth Sparks (Mrs. Harris is on a leave)
Social Worker/Counselor: Ashley Ulibarri
Save The Date! Parent-Teacher Conferences
- October 20th (Monday) - 10:00am-6:00pm (Please note: this is a NO SCHOOL DAY)
- March 2nd (Monday) - 10:00am-6:00pm (Please note: this is a NO SCHOOL DAY)
Arrival: FLME’s student arrival time is 7:15. You may NOT drop your child off prior to 7:15, as there is no supervision before that time. If you are waiting with your child, your student(s) will need to remain outside until 7:15. Once the doors open, students may enter the cafeteria for breakfast.
Drop Off/Pick Up: Please remember that the front area is for K-5 drop off/ pick up only. Please do not leave or park your car; pull all the way forward so traffic behind you has the ability to pass through. Remember…preschool families pick up and drop off in the back by the preschool playground/gated area.
Entering Campus: All individuals who want to enter the school will be required to sign into the front office with a photo ID. As another measure of student and staff safety, parents/guardians will not be permitted to walk their children to their classroom in any Durango School District building at any time (we make exceptions at the start of school when necessary). We are excited to welcome volunteers again this year. If you are interested in volunteering, please pick up a volunteer application in the front office.
Lunch & Recess: Students will receive a 25 minute lunch with their grade level and two, 15- 20 minute recesses each day. Students will eat in the cafeteria. With this, students are not required to pay for meals this year; all students in the state of Colorado eat for FREE.
Release of Students During the School Day: Please ensure that if your child is being picked up during the school day by anyone other than their parent/guardian, that the office is notified by a parent/guardian with a written note or phone call in advance. After school plan changes - If your family has a change in plans, please contact the front office by 2:00. The front office will notify the student of the change in plans. After 2:00, the office may not be able to answer the phone (before 1:00pm on early release Mondays).
Absences: If your student is absent, please call the front office in the morning to report your student’s absence at (970) 588-3331. Pre-arranged absences must be coordinated with the student’s teacher two weeks prior to their absence with the pre-arranged absence form completed.
Dismissal: School will dismiss at 1:30pm (Mondays) and 2:30pm (Tuesdays- Fridays).
Celebrating & Sharing FLME: Please follow our school on Facebook (the school and PTO). We also encourage you to check our school webpage on a regular basis to stay informed about event dates/times, testing schedules, etc.
Power of Positive Communication: We value the opportunity to know and partner with our families! With this, please schedule a time to visit with your child’s teacher via phone, in person or email should you have any questions or concerns. FLME utilizes Talking Points and Infinite Campus for communication. You are their first teacher; let’s work together, school and family, along this journey.
Thank you for your support and involvement in our school community. We are looking forward to working with your family this year as we continue to grow to greatness at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School!
Welcome Back!
Jenny Imel-Principal