FEBRUARY 2023 NEWSLETTER
A Message from the Principal, Mrs. Ford
A good lesson from Punxsutawney Phil.
Groundhog Day. According to Wikipedia, “If a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den, and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.”
As we celebrate a new month and some fun traditions, we can learn from a furry little animal, Punxsutawney Phil. Sunny days don’t always mean smooth sailing and those shadowy times in our life can actually turn out to be wonderful surprises in the end. Even through the shadows, there is light ahead. Keep striving, keep believing, keep going. The world is better because you are in it. Share your talents and gifts because everyone has something they can share. Brighten someone’s day by showing them the light at the end of their tunnel! Now, c’mon SPRING!
Dummer One School One Book Family Night
Thursday, Feb 2, 2023, 05:00 PM
Herman E. Dummer School
Outside Recess
Drop-Off and Pick-UP
Fantastic 4th Grade
It finally feels like winter has arrived! We are working hard as we are now on the back half of the school year. Hard to believe that 4th grade is already more than halfway over.
In math, we have been digging deep and learning about fractions and all the ways to make equivalent fractions. The students have been doing a pretty good job with this and latched on to this concept quickly! Next, we will be starting a unit on adding and subtracting fractions which is going to use everything we have learned about equivalent fractions to accomplish. Fourth graders should continue to be getting their Reflex green light every day and working to accomplish those DreamBox lessons!
Reading and writing has been a very engaging time! Students have really enjoyed these fiction and nonfiction passages that we have been reading about earthquakes! It’s always interesting to dive deep into a topic that is something we don’t have much personal experience with. We are now working on our big opinion writing piece where the students are choosing one of the texts that we read and explaining which text more effectively explains the impact of earthquakes on humans using at least 3 pieces of evidence to support it! Time to be really good detectives and look for the evidence to support your opinion!
Fabulous 5th Grade
It has been a great start to the new year! Our 5th graders have finished our winter benchmark assessments and we are diving further into our curriculum. Benchmark scores will be sent home soon.
In Reading/Language Arts, our students will focus on an “Essential Question” for each unit. Unit 3 focuses on the topic Our Universe. During this unit we will ask ourselves, “How do readers use chapters and sections to understand the structure of a text?” We will also ask, “How do writers create a developed and focused narrative?” Our students are reading a science fiction book George’s Secret Key to the Universe. They will be writing their own science fiction narrative as well.
Our current unit in science focuses on Earth and space! We will be learning about Earth’s rotation, shadow patterns, seasonal changes, Earth’s orbit, Moon phases, gravity, star brightness, and habitable planets. We will be researching a planet as a culminating project.
In Math, our students should be much more fluent with their math facts compared to the start of the year. We have just finished our unit on adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. We will be working on multiplying and dividing fractions and mixed numbers in the next few weeks.
It is important for 5th graders to demonstrate respect and responsibility at school. Please take the time to discuss these traits with your child at home as we continue to work on those skills at school.
Monthly Music Notes
During the month of January, both fourth and fifth grade students have been learning about the guitar. The school has over 30 guitars which students have used to play melodies and chords. Songs such as “Malaguena” used single notes to form the melody. One and two chord songs such as “Shake Your Body (down to the ground),” “Haiti,” and “Paperback Writer” required strumming chords. Once we get into February, we will play songs with three chords.
Fifth grade band is now working on songs that have 6 notes and percussion has more auxiliary instruments to play. The band has been doing a great job of playing and working together as we prepare for our next concert. Fifth grade’s second band performance will be on Tuesday, February 28th at 7pm in the middle school gym. More information will be sent out soon.
Dummer Family Game Night
December 2022 Character Counts
Brantley Quartullo, Joey Kay & Brooks Shumway
4th Grade December Students of the Month
Evan Beverage, Adeline Bell, Jayleen Ortega, Caden Hoyt
Zoey Sawin, Abbi Farley, Adalynn Hester & Kaley Martin
Not pictured: Teagan Weygand
5th Grade December Students of the Month
Andrea Nazario Lopez, Ben Englehart, Max Mlot, Dawson Hinckley, Kamryn Moss, Lyndsey Hintz
Audrey Whitecotton, Raelyn Holley & Mackenzie Corneils
February Lunch Menu
February Breakfast Menu
Important Dates:
February 2nd: Dummer School Book Night 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
February 6th - Dummer Art Club 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
February 7th: School Board Mtg. 7:00 p.m.
February 8th: Character Counts Club 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
February 9th: Dummer Art Club 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
February 10th: Dummer Game Night
February 24th: End of Trimester
February 27th: Hoover Mitchell/Winckler
February 28th: 5/6 Grade Band/Choir Concert at SMS