The Dunwoody Springs Dispatch
A Project Based Learning School
March 8, 2017
Ivy Goggins, Principal
Denise Haltrecht, Asst. Principal
Upcoming Events
- 3/8 Spring Picture Day (no uniforms)
- 3/10-3/14 Teacher Workdays NO SCHOOL
- 3/15 SSEF STEAM Night at North Springs High School
- 3/20 PreK Registration 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- 3/22 Report Cards Go Home
- 3/23 PBL Showcase Night 5:30-7:30
- 3/24 PreK Lottery Drawing 12:00 noon
- 3/29 Kindergarten and New student Registration 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- 3/30 Kindergarten and New student Registration 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- 4/3-4/7 Spring Break NO SCHOOL
- 4/13 Georgia Milestones Testing Begins
- 4/21 PTA Bingo Night
- 5/10 Kindergarten Round – Up (Orientation for rising kindergarten students and parents) 9-10:15 a.m.
Change of Transportation Update & Forms
Transportation changes will only be accepted in writing via fax using this form (http://school.fultonschools.org/es/dunwoodysprings/Documents/TRANSPORTATION%20CHANGE%20FORM.pdf) or via email to 981transportation@fultonschools.org by 12:30p.m. on the day of the change. Last minute changes will not be accepted. If you have questions regarding the changes, please contact the front office.
Voting For New School Governance Council Members
The election of new members to our School Governance Council begins soon! Elections will be held March 22-28, 2017 for 1 parent/guardian position and 1 teacher/staff position on the Council. The parent/guardian representative will be elected by the parents/guardians of our school and the teacher representative will be elected by the school’s employees. Please read the bio's of our 4 candidates below.
All voting will occur online beginning at 8:00 am on March 22rd and concluding at 5:00 pm on March 28th. We will have voting available at school, March 23rd, the night of our PBL Showcase 2. All parents/guardians will need their Home Access Center username and password to access the ballot. School employees will vote using their FCS user id and password. Eligible voters can vote from any device that grants internet access. We have designated voting stations in the school to encourage maximum voting participation to ensure all parents and employees have the opportunity to vote. Thank you to all candidates for School Governance Council. Candidate Declaration ended on Friday, February 17th.
Please make preparations to vote in the SGC elections on March 22 - 28!
Rena Daniel
My name is Rena Daniel. I feel I am a great candidate for the open parent position for the Dunwoody Springs Elementary School Governance Council. My qualifications include an academic background and experience in Early Childhood Education. I graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southwestern State University. I continued my studies and completed the Master of Science in Early Childhood Education in 2003 also from Georgia Southwestern State University. After earning a Masters of Science, in 2006, I graduated with a Specialist in Early Childhood Education from Troy State University.
In addition to my academic experience, my teaching experience, and leadership roles within Elementary education further qualify me to serve on the DSES SGC. I began my teaching career in 2000 at Sarah Cobb Elementary in Americus, GA where I taught 3rd, 4th, & 5th grades. Additionally, at SCES, I served as a GA Southwestern State University Master Teacher, a Lead teacher, the Chairman of the School Council, and was voted Teacher of the Year in 2005-2006. In 2008, I continued my career at Mt. Carmel Elementary in Douglasville, GA where I taught 4th grade, served as grade level chair, provided staff trainings, served on the Media Technology Committee, and was once again awarded the great honor of representing my school as the Teacher of the Year in 2011-2012.
My academic background and experience with Elementary education would be an asset to the Dunwoody Springs Elementary School Governance Council. If elected as a parent representative, I will serve as a voice in the decision making process to help determine the long-term direction of DSES, support and help increase academic achievement, and serve as a voice and ambassador for our community.Marcy O'Toole
Hello, my name is Marcy O’Toole and would love your vote for the School Governance Council at Dunwoody Springs Elementary School. I currently am guardian to two students at DSES (kindergarten and 1st grade). I have been their guardian since 2012. I am actively involved with their teachers and we attend many of the after school events such as PBL nights and dances. Being involved in their school is very important to me as their education is one of the things that will set them up for future success whether in school or after they graduate. If elected, I promise to be fair minded and to be an advocate for the students. Please consider me to a member of the next School Governance Council. Thank you!
Katie Johns
My name is Katie Johns, and I teach the K-5 Science Lab at Dunwoody Springs Elementary. I have been in education for the past 8 years as an elementary school teacher, serving all grade levels and subject areas. It is my desire to be a part of the School Governance Council to help make a positive impact on our school community. Through working with stakeholders, I hope to help create long-term goals and decisions that align with the core values of our school.
Ashley Wampler
My name is Ashley Wampler. I have taught for 6 years, all of them in Fulton County. I have experience in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. Recently, I completed my Master's in Education with a concentration in reading and literacy. I wish to serve on the School Governance Council because I am dedicated to the success of our students and our school. I enjoy being involved in a wide variety of experiences, and would like to be a part of the decisions that SGC makes for Dunwoody Springs.
March 6th-12th is School Social Worker Appreciation Week!
The Fulton County School Social Work Department is designed to identify, assess and explore the barriers that interfere with student achievement. A school social worker is an integral member of a school’s staff and serves as a supportive resource to the student body, parents, staff and the surrounding community.
Jasmine Iverson, School Social Worker
Publix Annual Mother's Day Cake Fundraiser
We are once again partnering with Publix for our annual Mother’s Day Cake fundraiser. Students will decorate their own Mother’s Day cake in honor of you. Cakes must be pre-ordered by March 17th and are $8 payable by cash or money order only. Publix will donate $1.50 from every cake sold to Dunwoody Springs. Don’t miss out!
The YMCA Program RETURNED TO DSES on March 1st
As of March 1, 2017 we no longer host the Generation InFocus afterschool program at Dunwoody Springs ES.
The YMCA afterschool program is under new leadership and will provide improved and more engaging programs for our students.
We are very excited to renew this partnership. Thank you to the parents who provided feedback to assist us with making this necessary change. The cost is the same as that of the Generation Infocus program which ended on Feb. 28, 2017. Please feel free to contact Ms. Haltrecht
at haltrechtd@fultonschools.org or Ms. Goggins at gogginsi@fultonschools.org if you have any questions or reach out to the Cowart Family (Ashford Dunwoody)
YMCA directly at 770.451.9622 and ask for Latasha Johnson latashaj@ymcaatlanta.org.Dunwoody Springs Elementary Needs A School Foundation!
The development of a school foundation would allow us to raise funds to further support our Project Based Learning (PBL) initiative.
Many schools have foundations which focus on fundraising through events, grant writing and community/business outreach for donations to support our goals.
The benefit of a foundation is that we can reach out to large companies, many of whom seek opportunities to invest in schools for ideas and programs they champion.
Unlike school and PTA funds, those generated by a foundation may be carried over from year to year for more expensive projects which may have a significant impact on our school.
If you have a desire to support us with the development of a foundation, if this aligns with what you do for your work, or if you have ideas to share, please contact Ms. Goggins, school principal at gogginsi@fultonschools.org.
TAG Corner – Talented and Gifted Activities
Helping your child practice non-verbal reasoning at home
Non-verbal reasoning skills include understanding, remembering, and making visual sequences, interpreting the meaning of and relationships between the visual presentations or pictures. Non-verbal reasoning requires good visual acuity (acuteness of vision combined with good interpretation by the brain), which is a skill that comes more naturally to some people than to others.
Examples of nonverbal intelligence in action include – Solving a puzzle; using a diagram or blueprint to build a two or three dimensional structure; creating a two or three dimensional design such as a drawing, a sculpture, etc.; creating and/or following a map; anticipating and/or planning for outcomes (e.g., hearing that it will snow and therefore making sure that shovels and ice scrapers are easily available)
How can I boost my child’s non-verbal reasoning skills!
Non-verbal reasoning skills can be improved even if they’re not second nature to your child. The key is to be disciplined and systematic, and to look at each element in the sequence in turn, ruling out options as you go along.
Draw objects from unusual perspectives
Practice elaboration: How many details can you add?
Do puzzles and create puzzles.
Create a new picture by changing
For some additional interactive activities and resources, visit the following sites:
http://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Children%27s-Perceptual-Reasoning
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.
Please fill out an application, here are instructions:
Go to the Fulton County Schools website: https://www.fultonschools.org/en
Click on “Careers” at the top, then “Job Openings” in the drop down list.
Click on “Support Staff” in the column to the left.
Scroll down to “Food Service Worker” (two listings, either is fine) and click on the “Apply” button to the right to begin.
Please fill out your application with as much detail as possible, we also need 2 or more references completed. These can be from former supervisors, co-workers, volunteer work leaders, or character references (who are not family members).
Let us know when your application is complete. We will check it and then can arrange for an interview. Thank you!
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Georgia Milestones Testing Dates For 2017
3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades:
Thursday, April 13th ELA/Writing
Friday, April 14th ELA/Writing
Monday, April 17th ELA/Sections 1&2
Tuesday, April 18th ELA/Sections 1&2
Wednesday, April 19th Math Sections 1&2
Thursday, April 20th Math Sections 1&2
5th Grade Only:
Monday, April 24th Science Sections 1&2
Tuesday, April 25th Social Studies Sections 1&2
Café Celebrates National School Breakfast Week March 6th – 9th!
Do you know what is being served for breakfast in your child’s school café? Thanks to sound nutrition guidelines, school breakfast has changed for the better over the past few years! Fulton County School Nutrition menus feature healthier options, more fruits, locally-sourced produce, chef-inspired recipes, and more choices for kids! Fulton County Schools are celebrating School Breakfast Week March 6th – 9th, and your school café is ready to celebrate with Breakfast for Lunch, taste tests, prize giveaways, celebrity serves, and fun in the cafe! Check out the breakfast menus at www.fcsnutrition.com or use the new Fulton County Schools mobile app to easily view menus!
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:
Georgia Exceptional Children’s Week
Georgia Exceptional Children's Week is March 6-10, 2017. The theme is "Helping Education Fit".
Exceptional Children’s Week is a state and district wide celebration of the accomplishments of students with special needs as well as an opportunity to increase disability awareness. Statewide, it is supported by the Georgia Council for Exceptional Children. The Georgia Council for Exceptional Children offers t-shirts and other goodies for sale at a nominal cost featuring the theme “Helping Education Fit”. Visit their website www.cec.sped.org
Dunwoody Springs will be celebrating this week by incorporating activities during Integrated Arts and on the Dolphin Daily News. Ask your children what they learned this week.
Read e-books At Home
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!!
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 Brenda Sosa at Dunwoody Springs Elementary School Front Office 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
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