Dike-Newell School Newsletter
February 2nd, 2024
DATES TO REMEMBER:
February 19th to 23rd - February Break - No School
February 26th - RSU1 School Board Meeting
March 15th - Professional Development Day - No School for Students
March 21st - Parent Teacher Conferences
March 21st & 22nd - 1/2 days for Students
March 25th - RSU1 School Board Meeting
International Draw a Dinosaur Day!
Welcome all Principal's Club Members
A Message from Ms. McKay
Questions about Air Quality? Hello Dike-Newell Families!! As the winter season progresses, and children experience multiple illnesses and viruses, it's natural to want to figure out why your child keeps getting sick, or struggles to get over a cough. Several parents have reached out recently to ask if our school has done any air quality testing. Yes, we have! Last year, after the blowers for the heat were running, we ran air quality testing in multiple places throughout the building to ensure the air quality was not a concern. The report came back with lower levels of allergens than the outdoor air, which indicates our ventilation is working well, and our regular cycle of replacing air filters is working.
All of our building air quality and filtration systems were examined closely when the Pandemic began, and we put various measures into place as a district to ensure the environments inside our schools did not contribute to the spread of germs and illnesses. Allergens, as well, were not present above minimum thresholds when tested for last year. As the construction and demolition project adjacent to us is happening, the city is also following all protocols around ensuring proper barriers are in place separating our air supply from the project.
As with any concern, please reach out to the school directly with your questions - we work very hard to make our school a safe place for children, from the physical environment itself all the way up to and through how we interact with each other and students.
Teacher of the Year
It's time to honor and recognize the great work of our Bath, Maine teachers! Nominate an outstanding teacher for Maine State Teacher of the Year and celebrate the educators making a real difference. Show some appreciation and recognition to an extraordinary Maine teacher who goes the extra mile in shaping young minds.
Music with Ms. Reed
First graders have made some impressive discoveries in music class this week! Students were able to take a familiar lullaby, identify the notes used in the melody, notate the melody on a musical staff, and play it on the xylophones! What a huge accomplishment!
Volunteering in RSU1
Are you interested in being on a list of eligible volunteers? Visit the RSU1 website to learn more and to sign up: https://www.rsu1.org/page/volunteer-information. At site preference, scroll down to select DNS and be sure to click Submit after the form is complete and signed. Please allow one week prior to a field trip or event for processing.
Morse High School International Club
The Morse High School International Club and local Girl Scouts invite you to the second annual International Night evening of cultural exchange on Friday, February 16th, 2024. Each country represented will have a tabletop display presented by exchange students and Girl Scouts from local troops. Performances of instrumental music, song and dance will take place in the nearby performance auditorium.
Nearly 20 countries will be represented! This event is free and open to the public.
Date: Friday, February 16th, 2024
Time: 6:00-8:00PM
Location: Morse High School/Bath Tech, 826 Shipbuilder Drive, Bath, ME 04530
Groundhog Day!
Dike-Newell students have been learning about the history and traditions of Groundhog day during this week's library classes. We learned that German settlers brought the tradition of Groundhog Day with them when they settled in Pennsylvania. Previously they had watched hibernating animals such as hedgehogs, badgers and bears as there were no groundhogs in Germany. The first official Groundhog Day in the United States was in 1887.
We read:
"Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox" by Susan Blackaby
"Celebrating Holidays: Groundhog Day" by Rachel Grack
"Groundhog Day!" by Gail Gibbons
Lines from the Library
Reading is Fundamental, a literacy nonprofit with the goal of bringing the joy of reading to children so that they can become skilled readers, has graciously donated three brand new books to each child at the Dike-Newell School. Books were distributed during students' weekly library classes. Students were very excited as well as appreciative of this wonderful gift. Many thanks to Doreen Fournier, Director of Community Impact for the United Way of Mid Coast Maine for encouraging the Dike-Newell School to apply for this opportunity as well as to Reading is Fundamental for a great selection of high interest books.
For more information on Reading is Fundamental:
For more information on the United Way of Mid Coast Maine:
FOR PARENTS - Please fill out the survey below
Kids Kindness Challenge
Wild Maine, an entirely volunteer-driven organization, presents the "Kids Kindness Challenge"! Wild Maine invites kids to engage in service, perform acts of kindness, and inspire moments of gratitude throughout the month of February. They are hoping to engage kids in activities every day throughout the month that connect them with themselves, their community, and their local environment. Challenges range from writing letters of gratitude to teachers to performing acts of kindness for their families. They are simple, age-appropriate and aim to inspire acts of intention over the course of the month. It's free to register and Dike-Newell Students have been invited to participate! The Bath YMCA donated 100 visitor passes that will be given to the first 100 kids who register.
PTA Information
Mark your calendars for the Family Valentine’s Day Dance! It is set for Friday, 2/16 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Bath Middle School. Please visit the PTA's Facebook Page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/BathElemPTA
We have extended the deadline for the snow sculpture contest! All entries must be submitted by 5:00 on Sunday, February 4th! Remember, you can create something wonderful outside in the snow or submit a snow related craft/drawing. All entries must be email to bathelementarypta@gmail.com. There will be a 1st and 2nd place winner for each grade level. Island Treasure Toys is sponsoring the event and will be providing the prizes. Prizes will be a $20.00 gift card for 1st place and a $10.00 for 2nd place.
Dike-Newell School Information
Email: kwalker@rsu1.org
Website: https://dns.rsu1.org/o/dike-newell-school
Location: 800 High Street, Bath, ME 04530
Phone: (207)443-8285