HERMAN E. DUMMER NEWSLETTER
March, 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Ahhhh March, a hope for spring, new beginnings, sunshine and positive things to come. As we move into longer days, and hopefully warmer temperatures, the thought of getting outside and our much needed spring break, when we all can relax and refresh, pushes us forward helping us to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep choosing to focus on the positives by counting your blessings right here and now because we never know how truly fortunate we are to have what we have whether it is belongings, time, family, friends, memories, or love because we are not guaranteed these things and they can disappear in a blink of an eye. Choose to look at the gifts we have been given and the light and warmth coming our way not only in the new upcoming season but also just by choosing joy right here and right now. By doing this, you just may be that light so many are looking for to help them keep going which in turn helps you to shine even brighter. The more we all choose to shine, the brighter all our days become.
START TIME OF OUR SCHOOL DAY
ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR IS OPEN. REGISTRATION IS DUE MAY 1, 2021. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH INFORMATION
Until the end of the school year, free food is available through the USDA's "Free Meals for Kids" program.
Each morning that your student is in attendance he/she will be offered a “Grab and Go” bagged breakfast. Each day your student will also be able to order a bagged lunch “Grab and Go” which will be consumed in the cafeteria. If you would like your student to receive school breakfast/lunch on their remote learning day, it will need to be ordered while in person. For example, if your student attends school on an "A" day and you would like them to receive a breakfast/lunch for the next day while they are learning remotely they will need to order the remote day food while at school the day prior. Your student would then be sent home from school with bagged breakfast and lunch. If your student's last day of in-person learning for the week is Wednesday, they will be able to take home Grab and Go breakfast/lunch for Thursday and Friday. If the last day is Thursday, they can take home breakfast/lunch for Friday and Monday.
If your student is a full remote learner, meals will also be available for weekly pick up. Meals will distributed on Monday and Thursday between the hours of 8:30 am until 10:00 am. Meals should be picked up in the back of the Middle School, kitchen door #27. Monday you will receive 3 breakfast and lunch meals, Thursday you will receive 2 breakfast and lunch meals. All meals will need to be pre-ordered Thursdays by 12:00 pm for Monday meal pickup and Wednesdays by 12:00 pm for Thursday meal pickup. To pre-order please call 815-786-8881 or email: sandwichschoollunch@gmail.com. Please enter the back of the Middle School through the main parking lot and head north.
If you have any questions regarding the food service program, please contact Linda Alvarez Food Service Director lalvarez@sandwich430.org or by phone 815-786-8881.
We are looking forward to serving your student!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM OUR TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Any Chromebook that is returned for damage beyond repair, will result in an automatic fee of $240.00. This fee must be paid as soon as possible, since the student is using a loaner device and taking it home. If you do not want to pay the fee, the student may not take a loaner Chromebook home. They may only use a loaner at school.
Also, for replacement power cords (due to damage or loss), a $25.00 replacement fee will be charged to the student's account.
NURSE NEWS
ATTENTION PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF CURRENT 5TH GRADE STUDENTS
6th Grade Health Requirements for 2021-22 School Year
It’s not too early to start planning for next school year. Below is a list of health requirements for entry into 6th grade. The physical exam and immunization record are due by the first day of school.
· Complete physical exam: Please note that a sports physical does not meet the requirement for the 6th grade physical.
· Up - to - date immunizations to include: Tdap, 2- varicella doses, hepatitis B series, and meningococcal vaccine. Please check with your health care provider to be sure these immunizations are included on your child’s 6th grade physical exam.
* Exemption Forms: Renewal of Religious Exemption Form or Medical Exemption, if applicable.
· Dental exam: due by May 15, 2022
The 6th grade health packets have been sent home (for in person students), with your child, or mailed home (for remote students). Health forms may also be found on the district website or picked up in the main office. If you have questions about any of these requirements you may contact Mrs. Meyer, School Nurse at 815-786-8498.
NATIONAL POISON PREVENTION WEEK IS MARCH 21-27, 2021
If you suspect a poisoning or if you have questions regarding poisoning, call your Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. When you call this number, you will reach a Poison Center covering your area. Poison Centers are staffed by specially trained nurses, pharmacists and physicians and are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The call is free and confidential. To learn more about how to help prevent poisonings, visit: poisonhelp.hrsa.gov. Almost 90% of the public who call a local Poison Center get the help they need over the telephone without having to go to a doctor or the hospital.
Poison Prevention Tips:
• Make sure all potential poisons are out of the sight and reach of children
• Keep medicines and household products in their original containers with original labels
• Always read labels before using medicines, cleaners and other products
• Teach children to ask first before eating or drinking anything
• Never call medicine candy or make a game out of taking it
DUMMER ART CLUB
Dummer Art Club (DAC) is an opportunity for Dummer’s students to engage in creative projects at their own pace. The art projects are designed to enable students to explore a variety of media and art styles.
In case you missed it and would like to join the class, use the class link below.
FANTASTIC 4TH GRADE
It was great to welcome back a few of our full remote fourth graders to our hybrid learning! It was wonderful to have a few more faces in the building!
Even though February was a short month we packed in a lot of learning. We started a new region, we continued to learn about energy, we deepened our understanding of fractions, we dug into characters and settings while reading two different styles of books about earthquakes, and wrote strong opinion paragraphs.
As we move into March we will continue to focus on the different regions around the US, wrap up energy with energy transfer and waves, multiply fractions, learn about line plots, and begin work on decimals, read about more natural disasters like volcanoes and tsunamis, and refocus on informative writing.
Lexia and Reflex continue to be important pieces of learning that can be done completely independently. These rote practice tools will provide students the foundations to successful reading and math applications. If your student has completed Lexia, congratulations! We have many more students that are close to finishing the program, keep putting in those minutes!
FABULOUS 5TH GRADE
Brrrr it was cold outside last month. Hopefully the month of March will be a little warmer for all of us. With that being said, Spring is just around the corner and we still need to keep focused on our studies. When students are at home, on their remote days, they should be on their Chromebook learning. We cannot stress enough that students need to watch ALL videos provided prior to completing assignments. We are finding out that many students have been avoiding videos altogether. These videos model and help explain expectations for assignments each day/week. If your child is having difficulties, watch the videos (again), reach out to remote teachers, or make sure to talk to your teacher right away. Teachers are not mind-readers all of the time. :)
During the Reading/Language Arts block, students will be introduced to two new trade books, Jess and Layla’s Astronomical Assignment and Our Mysterious Universe. Both trade books connect nicely with our Space adventures we have been learning so much about. Skills we will continue to develop this month are making inferences, compare and contrast, vocabulary enrichment, theme, and dialogue. We will also ask our students to apply these skills to their own writing masterpieces. Finally, keep working on Lexia 20 minutes daily.
In Math, most students will be finishing our Fractions Unit. Those students who are fluent with multiplication and division had an advantage during this unit. After fractions, we move right into studying Volume Concepts and Converting Measurements. Please remind your child to work on Reflex Math daily. They need to get a Green Light every day which has proven to help students with their multiplication and division skills.
The subject of our current science unit is the “Spaceship Earth”. The students will gain a new perspective on the world they’re standing on. Future lessons include information on seasonal changes & patterns, moon phases, planets & solar system, and gravity.
From all of your 5th Grade staff members, thank you for your continued support and have a great day.
BAND AND MUSIC NEWS
During the month of February, both fourth and fifth grade students have been learning about influential African American musicians and composers. They learned about how Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington broke down cultural barriers and fought for rights for African American musicians. Towards the end of the month they also started the guitar unit and played one chord songs such as “Shake Your Body (down to the ground)” in the style of Jackson 5. Also, single note songs like “Malaguena” and “Jaws” were played. The Google Slides presentation used in class is also available to remote students with a “virtual” guitar that they can play at home. On a side note, an ever changing Google Site is shared under the “extra activities” classwork tab for students who are looking for more ways to learn/practice their music skills. Music lessons are posted to the Google Music Classroom weekly around 9pm on Sundays.
Fifth grade band has continued with Friday Zoom lessons on drum pads and sticks. Band students have been learning basic rhythms and sticking techniques that will transfer to a traditional band instrument.
DUMMER BOOK FAIR MARCH 8 - 21ST. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SHOP ONLINE!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
March 12th - Report Cards Emailed to Families
March 14th - Turn Clocks Ahead 1 Hour
March 29th - Spring Break Begins (School Resumes April 5th)
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
MARCH MENUS
Herman E. Dummer School
Email: jkruswicki@sandwich430.org
Website: sandwich430.org
Location: 422 S Wells St, Sandwich, IL, 60548
Phone: 815-786-8498