Dolphin Tales
A Newsletter for Dove Elementary Families
December 11-December 15, 2017
A Note from the principal...
Wheww! What an amazing week we had last week! All our students participated in Hour of Code activities throughout the week and had opportunities to learn about careers in coding. Be sure to check out #HOCGCISD or #DESisBEST on Twitter to see all the amazing things our students were coding last week! Our Dove Dynamic Drummers and Winter Choir impressed and amazed a huge crowd Tuesday night at GHS during their Winter Concert. Our 2nd graders took a field trip to Nash Farms where they learned more about what our Grapevine community was like in the past. Speaking of our Grapevine community, our Dove Dad's Club did a FANTASTIC job creating our float for the 38th annual Grapevine Parade of Lights. Our Dove Dad's Club took home 2nd place AND People's Choice Award for their float- Elf on a Shelf. Thank you, Dove Dad's Club!! It's a GREAT day to be a Dove Dolphin!
Proud to be your principal,
Heather Landrum
@DES_Landrum
Proud to be IB!
Second grade began a new International Baccalaureate unit of inquiry on How We Organize Ourselves. Students will be learning about how many systems exist within and across communities. To launch this unit and give students a concrete understanding of a system students were given time to explore the parts of a popcorn popper or blender (minus the blade) and make observations and predictions. Later in the day when teacher attempted to make popcorn or smoothies but discovered a piece of the system was missing, students experienced first hand all parts of a system have a specific function and when one piece is absent, the system doesn’t work as designed. Luckily the missing parts were found so we had functioning systems.
Students will now be able to transfer this understanding as they learn about the purpose of the government system and the services governments provide such as police, fire department, libraries, schools, and parks. During this unit there will be a focus on reading expository and informational text and students will write procedural and persuasive text. Listen for evidence of your student talking about systems in our community, how they relate to one another and why they are important.
Toy Drive at Dove
Dove Elementary’s KC Club is hosting a toy drive for the GRACE Christmas Cottage!
If you would like to participate by donating a new and unwrapped toy, please bring your gift to school anytime through Friday, December 15th.
The Book Fair is Coming to Dove!
We also have an easy way to buy Christmas gifts for teachers! We will be selling gift certificates in any amount before and during the book fair (exact change or a check made out to Dove will be accepted for gift certificates). Teachers can use the certificates to purchase books during the book fair. Students who purchase a gift certificate will be entered in a grade level drawing for a free poster! The drawing will take place on Monday, December 18.
From Ms. Diggs, Dove Librarian
The GCISD Reads initiative is designed to build a love of reading in students - encouraging them to read a large quantity and a wide variety of books. Students have a choice of the challenge they wish to complete. Students can participate in one of the following challenges:
- 1,500 pages (K-2)
- 2,500 pages (3-5)
- 100 Book Challenge (K-2)
- 25 Book Challenge (3-5; books should be at least 100 pages)
- Genre Challenge (1-5)
First through fifth grade students also received a Six Flags 6 Hour Reading form in Monday folders last week (Kindergarten is documenting for students in the classroom). Students just need to document 6 hours of reading outside of school in order to earn a free ticket to Six Flags! Outside reading done for GCISD Reads will also count for this. This form is due to teachers by Friday, February 9, 2018.
Volunteers Needed!
Lost & Found
Please bring your ID!
From Dove PTA
Be sure to bring your camera for a photo opp with Santa!
Staff Favorites
Talent Show Entries Due THIS Friday!
Dove Apple Tree
District Information
TEA School Report Card
In addition to the School Report Card, the more detailed Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) for our campus can be accessed online at https://rptsvr1.tea.texas.gov/perfreport/tapr/2017/srch.html?srch=C.
If you have any questions about either report, please contact me. Paper copies of both reports can be viewed in our main office.
Play it Safe
GCISD offers the "Play It Safe" program for all students in grades K-5. The GCISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC is a volunteer council comprised of parents and community members that reflect the values of the district and community) has previewed and recommended these programs for all GCISD elementary schools. The curriculum and presentations are aligned with district philosophy. This program is a personal safety program and does not address human sexuality. Play It Safe is a child abuse prevention and awareness program that incorporates individual grade level, age-appropriate scripts and movies to teach children how to reduce the risk of sexual and physical abuse, and sexual assault. It teaches them to recognize potentially abusive behavior, provides the tools to respond to threatening situations, and encourages them to report abuse to a trusted adult.
Parents have the option to request that their student not participate in the above program(s). The form for non-participation is located on the GCISD website:
http://www.gcisd-kl2.org, Departments, Health and Physical Education, Nonparticipation forms.
A parent preview of the program will be held on Tuesday, January 16th, at 10:00 am or 6:00 pm at the GCISD Administration Building - Board Room, 3051 Ira E. Woods Ave., Grapevine, Texas 76051
If you are unable to attend the parent preview, but wish to view the material, please contact The Women's Center of Tarrant County, Inc. at 817-927-4040 and ask for the Play It Safe department. They will schedule a time for you to go to their center and view the videos.
2018-2019 School Calendar Approved
Grapevine: A Visual Journey Through A Beloved Texas Town
Upcoming Events
December 11-16- Book Fair at Dove!
December 13- Christmas Cooking Club
December 16- 8:30-10:00 Breakfast with Santa at Dove! The Book Fair will be open and Santa will be there, so bring your camera for a pic with your child and Santa!
December 18-
- Geography Bee in Dove Cafeteria at 8:30
- Spirit Night at Fuzzy's Tacos
December 21- Polar Express Day-Wear PJs to school!
- 9:30-9:45 December All-School Assembly Caring Student of the Month & Drawing for two bikes! (Students with no tardies and no absences) *Time change
- 9:45-10:45 DDD/Choir School Performance
- 11:00-11:45 Christmas parties
- 11:45 Early release
January 9, 2018- School starts!
January 12- Atten-Dance for 2nd nine weeks
January 15- No School
January 19- Dove Talent Show!
Contact Us
In a partnership with parents, students, teachers, and community, Dove Elementary provides a safe and supportive environment in which students develop an understanding and respect for self and others. We cultivate learning through encouragement of inquiry and empower students to make a difference in our ever-changing world.
Follow our story on Twitter at #DESisBEST
Email: heather.landrum@gcisd.net
Website: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Domain/1594
Location: 1932 Dove Road, Grapevine, TX, United States
Phone: 817.251.5700
Twitter: @DESDolphins