The Dunwoody Springs Dispatch
A Project Based Learning School
December 21, 2016
Ivy Goggins, Principal
Denise Haltrecht, Asst. Principal
Upcoming Events
- 12/21 Kindergarten Holiday Performance 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. & 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
- 12/22 5th Grade Holiday Performance 8:15 a.m. - 9:00a.m. & 9:15 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
- 12/23-1/4 Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
- 1/5 Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL
- 1/6 Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
- 1/9 Students Return
- 1/16 Martin Luther King, JR. Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Have a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to seeing our students back at school on Monday, January 9th.
Change of Transportation Update & Forms
Transportation changes will only be accepted in writing via fax or this form (http://school.fultonschools.org/es/dunwoodysprings/Documents/TRANSPORTATION%20CHANGE%20FORM.pdf) by 12 noon on the day of the change. Last minute changes will not be accepted. Transportation changes will no longer be accepted via phone, email or text. If you have questions regarding the changes, please contact the front office.
Survey
Every year, the state rates schools based on several data points. One of these data points is a survey that all staff, students, and parents complete about our school. You may complete the survey using your personal computer, smartphone or tablet. If you do not have access to the Internet, you are welcome to take the survey at DSES. We encourage all parents to take the survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. No parent participation or low parent participation will negatively impact our school's School Climate Star Rating from the state. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. Results from the survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online. We greatly appreciate your time and effort!
CLICK BELOW FOR THE GEORGIA PARENT SURVEY LINK:
http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/parents.nsf/Survey.xsp
Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 take their portion of the survey at school and it is called the Georgia Student Health Survey 2.0. Federal law requires that the student survey questions be made available for review by all interested parties. Parents can opt out of the survey for their student. If you do not want your child to take the survey, please send a hand written and signed note to your child's teacher by Friday, November 11th. If you do not respond by this date, we will assume that your child can take the survey. All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will take the survey at some point between November 14th -November 17th .
Dunwoody Springs Reads - Frindle
Dunwoody Springs Elementary is proud to present a unique opportunity to our students and families. After the winter break, we will ALL be invited to participate in reading and sharing copies of the same story. Our school community will be reading the book Frindle by Andrew Clements.
What is it? In short, all families and staff will be given a copy of the same book. The schedule listed below will guide your family as you read the book over the coming weeks. Daily events here at school will have students discussing the book, including but not limited to, a kick-off assembly, trivia, and classroom/school activities. We will also have special events and other ways for families to go beyond just reading the book! More information to come!
What does this mean for me as a parent? Our school is asking that whether your child is a kindergartner or a fifth grader that you read every word out loud as a family. For a few short weeks we will ask you to make reading this book an extra special nightly event in your home.
Why? Readtothem.org shares that, “The benefits of reading aloud are remarkable! Studies have shown that reading to children helps them to listen better and longer, build better vocabularies, understand concepts better, feel positive about both books and learning, and more. When an entire school reads the same book, the buzz and excitement around the book being read increases these benefits, and there is the added joy of building community in the school family” This is not to mention the added benefit of spending real quality time with your children while simultaneously promoting the benefits of reading and school!
The big question! How can a fifth grader and kindergartner read the same book? The simple truth – they can’t all read it – but if it is read to them, they can all enjoy a good story.
We look forward to sharing in this fun and educational program with our families and students.
Frindle Schedule:
1/9 Monday - Introduction and kick-off activities
1/10 Tuesday - Read chapters 1 & 2
1/11 Wednesday - Lesson/activity
1/12 Thursday - Read chapters 3 & 4
1/13 Friday - Lesson/activity
1/16 Monday - Martin Luther King JR. Holiday - No school
1/17 Tuesday - Read chapters 5 & 6
1/18 Wednesday - Lesson/activity
1/19 Thursday - Read chapters 7 & 8
1/20 Friday - Lesson/activity
1/23 Monday - Read chapters 9 & 10
1/24 Tuesday - Lesson/activity
1/25 Wednesday - Read chapters 11 & 12
1/26 Thursday - Lesson/activity
1/27 Friday - Make-up reading time if needed
1/30 Monday - Read chapters 13 & 14
1/31 Tuesday - Lesson/activity
2/1 Wednesday - Read chapter 15
2/2 Thursday - Culminating activity
2/3 Friday - Make-up reading time if needed
Spelling Bee Results
Our school spelling bee was held on Wednesday December 14th. The following participants were students in the 4th and 5th grade classes who won 1st place and runner up in the classroom level spelling bee:
4th Grade: Max Winner, Deanna Edmond, Madison McLin, Jovany Jean-Noel, Matheus De Araujo, Tatiana Plummer, Alex Triola, Harrison Crawford
5th Grade: Arif Yakubu, Emma Brown, Isaac Linnen, David Miller, Jordan Stallworth, Tai’Jah Smith, Piper Crouch, Emily Castro
The students did an amazing job holding in through 5 rounds before it came down to the last two. This year’s winner of our school spelling bee was Piper Crouch and the runner up was Deanna Edmond! Congratulations to the both of them!
Piper will be competing at the county level spelling bee being held Saturday January 21st at Heards Ferry Elementary School at 9:00 AM. Join us in wishing her luck!
Happy Retirement Ms. Lancette!
Please join us in congratulating our wonderful art teacher of 16 years, Mrs. Roselyn Lancette, on her retirement.
Our children have enjoyed years of exciting lessons about artists and art techniques with Mrs. Lancette. We wish her
well as she starts a new journey into retirement with a blank canvas to fill.
TAG Corner – Talented and Gifted Activities
“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.”
- Linus Pauling - Double Nobel Laureate, chemist, biochemist and peace campaigner.
Brainstorming - Quantity is the key word here. When you brainstorm, you are trying to generate as many ideas as possible, no matter if they seem improbably, impossible, or downright silly.
Judgement is withheld until later
Generate as many ideas as possible
List the ideas or record them in relation to each other
Combination and improvement of ideas is sought
Mind maps are extremely useful to help kids record their brainstorming ideas, organize their thoughts and make sense of new information.
There is a general belief with which we agree that all kids who have these particular qualities are intelligent. What we disagree with is the fact that most people see intelligence rather as a static condition; you are either born with it or you are not. Intelligence develops and sharpens with use, just like health and beauty do through workout. Mind mapping won't make a Brainiac out of your kids, but it will make them:
Good listeners and speakers;
Rational, problem-solving and imaginative kids;
Excellent self-planners and goal-setters.
Watch this video to tell you more about mind maps and their use to develop brainstorming: http://mindmapsforkids.com/mindmappingresources.html
For some additional interactive activities and resources, visit the following sites:
Café Job Openings Here - At Dunwoody Springs
FOR INFORMATION:
Contact
School Nutrition Area Supervisor
Julie Knight-Brown at knightbrown@fultonschools.org or call 404.791.4772.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
From Farm To Table
e-Books
Do you know that your child can read library e-books from his/her computer at home (or from any mobile device)?
In your browser, navigate to https://fulton.mackinvia.com/ Then your child can log on with his/her username (lunch number) and birthday (mm/dd/yyyy). On the left-hand side of the screen, click on ebooks. Our school has almost 1,400 ebooks to choose from. Try some out today!!
Online Food Service Account Access
Exceptional Education
Did you know?
Michael Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 9. He is the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals. Phelps also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (23), Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and Olympic medals in individual events (16)
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a condition with symptoms such as inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. The symptoms differ from person to person. ADHD was formerly called ADD, or attention deficit disorder. Both children and adults can have ADHD, but the symptoms always begin in childhood. Adults with ADHD may have trouble managing time, being organized, setting goals, and holding down a job.
Below are some resources for parents and students.
https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/add-adhd/parenting-adhd-child-easy-techniques-work/
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/attention-deficit-disorder-adhd-and-school.htm
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1998.html
http://www.everydayhealth.com/adhd/living-with-adhd/mylife/debbie_phelps/landing.aspx
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml
The Joyful Notes Children's Choral Group
The City of Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department offers an Afterschool Children’s Choral Group for Dunwoody Springs Elementary students in Grades 1-5!
● Learn music notations & symbols
● Learn about various music styles and instruments
● Learn about pitch, rhythm, tempo, and articulation
● Learn age-appropriate and beginner songs, to be sung in unison
● Prepare a presentation for family and friends
Min/max: 10/25
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
For registration forms please see Paula Geiss at Dunwoody Springs Elementary School Clinic or contact Deb Strycula
Sandy Springs Recreation Manager
770-206-2039
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS
MEETING DAY/TIME:
MONDAY 2:30-3:30
(GRADES 1-5)
FALL TERM (8 WEEKS):
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19-NOVEMBER 14, 2016
(NO CLASS OCTOBER 10)
WINTER TERM (8 WEEKS):
MONDAY JANUARY 23-MARCH 20, 2017
(NO CLASS FEBRUARY 20 AND MARCH 13)
SPRING TERM (8 WEEKS):
MONDAY MARCH 27-MAY 22, 2017
(NO CLASS APRIL 3)
FEE: $35.00 PER TERM (8 CLASSES)
INSTRUCTOR:
RICARDO HURTADO
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Clinic Corner
It’s the holiday season which means travel and spending quality time with family and friends. Please remember to be healthy and safe over the course of your break. Always remember to WASH YOUR HANDS! It is the best way to prevent germs from spreading. Happy Holidays!
CHESTATEE COUNSELING CENTER is here throughout the School Year!
We specialize in supportive counseling and provide services at home as well as at DSES throughout the school year and over the summer. If you are interested in receiving counseling services, please call 706-344-8462 or 678-948-8390 and/or email sandee.chestateecounseling@gmail.com. We are a Medicaid Provider and accept Amerigroup, Centpatico and Wellcare at no cost to you.
We look forward to the opportunity to help you!
Dunwoody Springs Elementary Project Based Learning School
Email: gogginsi@fultonschools.org
Website: http://school.fultonschools.org/es/dunwoodysprings/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 8100 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30350, United States
Phone: 470-254-4060
Twitter: @DunwoodySprings