The Dunwoody Springs Dispatch
A Project Based Learning School
September 21, 2016
Ivy Goggins, Principal
Denise Haltrecht, Asst. Principal
Upcoming Events
- 9/28 Picture Day
- 9/29 International Night 5:30-7:30 pm
- 10/7 New Parent Coffee 7:30 a.m.
- 10/10 Columbus Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
- 10/11 Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL
School Picture Day Is Next Week
Individual school pictures will take place on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. All students will be photographed and the student photos along with order forms and information will be sent home for review approximately 3 weeks after the images are taken. At that time you can decide to purchase your package or return it to school in its entirety.
OUTFIT
Plan your outfit the night before picture day! A clean and pressed outfit will create a beautiful portrait. Ironing the collar makes all the difference in close-up portraits! Fall Portraits are photographed as a standard head and shoulders pose. Choose colors that compliment your eye color and skin tone. White does not photograph well; solid colors and small patterns are generally best. Avoid spaghetti straps and off the shoulder tops, t-shirts with pop culture images, logos, superheroes and words.
SMILE! Be sure to show off your smile! Don’t have kid’s smile with their mouth closed – Natural smiles are best. Missing or gap teeth and braces are part of being a kid!
If you do not wish to have your child photographed, please email your child’s teacher no later than 9/27/16
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.
Digital Citizenship at Dunwoody Springs
Save the Date - International Night Is Coming-September 29th
STEM and PBL
Project Based Learning is our choice at Dunwoody Springs. STEM and PBL have similarities and complement each other nicely. Our focus on literacy within PBL is key. As elementary educators, we recognize that a solid foundation in literacy, as we incorporate all other content areas, results in authentic, meaningful learning that lasts. Take a look at a great article on the Buck Institute’s Website about STEM and PBL. (Our staff was trained by the
Buck Institute – the leaders in PBL. )
http://www.bie.org/blog/stem_and_pbl_a_natural_and_essential_connection
September Is Attendance Awareness Month
The School Social Work Department is raising awareness with schools, parents, and the community about the importance of on-time and daily student attendance by promoting positive attendance strategies and programs in the month of September and beyond. The awareness campaign theme this year is “Five and Below: Keep your eye on the Ball” and is in alignment with the CCRPI Attendance Indicator. Support SSW in our efforts to maintain positive school attendance for all students! Also, we will continue our efforts to provide incentives to classes that achieve attendance goals! Monthly, one class per grade level (K-5) is chosen to receive an award based on having the best attendance! The School Social Worker, Mrs. Iverson, will be reviewing monthly attendance for all students to determine which class will win the award! Remember, on time and daily school attendance influences positive academic performance! Let’s work together to make sure students are present each day and hopefully their class will be chosen for the award!
Thank You!
Mrs. Iverson, School Social Worker
Project Based Learning
Teachers and students are eager to begin their PBL products. On September 2nd, teachers and staff were busy all day planning their first PBL units. Everyone agreed it was hard work but well worth it. PBL #1 officially begins on September 26th.
We are looking forward to exciting products from all the grade levels. They include:
Pre-K- How can we, as junior environmentalists, compare and contrast our school community to the ant community?
K- How can we, as citizens of our community, justify the importance of rules?
1- How can we, as horticulturists, use the biodegradable parts of food, to create a sustainable garden for our community?
2- How can we, as engineers, use what we know about pushes and pulls to design an additional play structure for DSES?
3- How can we, as environmentalists, reduce the amount of waste we produce at DSES?
4- How can we, as anthropologists, use modern ideas to solve challenges Native American tribes faced in the past?
5- How can we, as zoologists, classify rare animals from around the world to develop a model of a unique zoo?
Dunwoody Springs After School Solar Club
15 lucky students will get the chance to participate in the Dunwoody Springs After School Solar Club. Students will be chosen based on teacher recommendation and a short questionnaire. The Club will meet every Thursday from 2:30-3:30 and run for approximately 5 weeks. DSES staff who will be leading the class on their explorations will be Mr. DiBartolo. Mrs. Matthews, and Ms. Johns.
Students will be expected to work in groups, reflect on what they have built, and be able to present their final solar powered machine. We look forward to this very exciting program!
Spiritwear
PTA Spiritwear has been delivered! Please let April Moncrief, jgmfaux@yahoo.com, know by Friday if you did not receive or if there were any mistakes with your order.
Testing Informatiion for 3rd and 5th Grades
The Fulton County Schools Assessment Department is pleased to announce that we are moving to a new norm referenced test this school year. Fulton County students have taken the ITBS Form A as part of Fulton County's balanced assessment plan for many years. ITBS Form A was published 15 years ago with content from approximately 1995 and has ten year old norms. In October, students in grades 3, 5, and 8 will be taking the Iowa Assessment Form E. Students will take the test online and schools will receive student level results in a usable electronic format within 5 business days. This school year will become a baseline year for trend purposes. To accommodate online testing and to allow schools flexibility, the testing window is expanded to October 17th through November 4th. Dunwoody Springs ES will develop our schedule in this window and will inform parents of specific dates as more information and communication materials become available in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact our testing coordinator, Ms. Haltrecht.
After School Soccer Program
The City of Sandy Springs Recreation
and Parks Department offers an after school soccer program for boys and girls in grades Pre-K through 5th grade.
Practice and game times are immediately after school.
Fee: $25.00 (covers entire program + team t-shirt)
Times:
2:30-3:45 pm @ Dunwoody Springs Elementary
League Days (September through November):
Monday – Pre-K and Kindergarten League
Tuesday – 1st and 2nd Grade League
Thursday – 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade League
Registration:
Please see Paula Geiss at DSES for
registration forms or call
Trevor Ramos at 770.206.2040
It’s not too late…hurry up and register!!!
Parent Involvement Plan and Compact
The Revised Parental Involvement Plan and Compact are available for review and feedback in the parent liaison room until 8/31/16 .
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
Welcome back everyone! If your child requires medication at school, there are forms that must accompany all medicine distributed to students. Please stop by the clinic and Ms. Geiss will be happy to assist you. We are looking forward to a healthy school year. Feel free to contact Ms. Geiss if you have any questions. geiss@fultonschools.org
Box Tops
It's time to start collecting BOX TOPS!! Box Tops can be found on many boxed grocery items such as General Mills Cereals, Ziploc Storage Bags, Totino's Pizza, Green Giant Vegetables, Kleenex Tissues, Yoplait Go-Gurt, Annie's Cookies and Crackers AND MANY MANY MORE!!
Just cut them off participating products and turn them into your child's teacher by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14th. Class that turns in the most BOX TOPS will win a class party!!
Breakfast
Breakfast is free to all students and
is only served from 7:10 until 7:40 AM .
Online Food Service Account Access
School Attendance
Parents, please make certain your children attend school every day and on a timely basis. Research shows that regular school attendance is an important factor in school success (Rothman, 2001). Poor attendance is linked to poor academic achievement and many other social and economic issues. Students are expected to be in the building and in class no later than 7:40 am. Any time thereafter is considered tardy.
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