Academic, Social, Emotional Development

DFES teaches the tools students need to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. California Content Standards are the foundation for core and encore subjects, and we provide a wide variety of enrichment opportunities so that our students receive a well-rounded experience.

• LANGUAGE ARTS - Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, are the foundation for our differentiated instruction. 

  • College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards
  • Kindergarten – Grade Two, English Language Arts/Literacy
  • Grades 3–5, English Language Arts/Literacy

• MATH - Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, are the foundation for our differentiated instruction. 

  • Standards for Mathematical Practices
  • Kindergarten–Grade Two, Mathematics
  • Grades 3–5, Mathematics

• SCIENCE - California Next Generation Science Standards are incorporated into every classroom using AMPLIFY curriculum.

• ART - Arts Standards are the foundation for 16 weeks of visual arts instruction for each student and teacher, taught by a local Artist-in-Residence.

• MUSIC - Arts Standards are the foundation for a full year of Music instruction for each student, taught by a certificated Music Teacher. Kindergarten through 3rd grade learn general Music instruction, while 4th and 5th grades can opt in for Instrumentals.

• P.E. -  Physical Education Model Content Standards are taught by our PE specialist and classroom teachers. A full supply of PE equipment is available to our teachers for use in providing structured, standards-based PE learning experiences for our students.

• OUTDOOR EDUCATION - We partner with Climate Corps Education Outside to have one of their Fellows who provides Garden Education to all students and teachers.

The Caring School curriculum is a nationally recognized, research based elementary school program that focuses on strengthening students' connectedness to school -- an important element for increasing academic motivation and achievement.

Elements of the curriculum include classroom meetings, cross-grade "buddies," home-side and school-wide activities.

Restorative Practice

Restorative Practice involves the building of positive relationships and establishing a supportive environment that is fair, consistent and democratic. It involves interventions when harm has happened, as well as practices that help to prevent harm and conflict by creating a sense of belonging, safety, and social responsibility within the school community.

Our school wide PBIS (Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions) promote our core values:

Be caring and kind.

Be respectful.

Be safe and responsible.

Do your personal best.

All faculty and staff have pink tickets handy for students to earn for showing kindness, caring, respect, safe choices, responsibility, and doing their personal best. Families, please support our efforts by asking your child(ren) what exactly they did to earn them, and help and encourage them to write name, room number, and a brief description on the back (if they haven’t already done so). Students turn in pink tickets weekly to enter the drawing to attend our PINK TICKET DANCE PARTY which includes music, dancing, healthy snacks, games and free books