Bear Essentials
Dyer Newsletter
September 16, 2016
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
Free & Reduced Lunch Reminder
As a reminder, parents must apply for Free or Reduced status each school year. If you had this status last year but have not yet completed an application for 2016-2017, please note that the ‘grace’ period ends today. Beginning next Monday, your child will go to ‘full pay’ meals until the application is approved.
Submitting an application online is faster and easier than a paper form and you will receive notification sooner.
To submit an application for this school year, go to:
To check your application status, go to:
Attention Car Riders
A Message From PTA
Dear Parents of Dyer,
Our 2nd order for spiritwear has been placed. If you are waiting for an XS shirt from the first order those were on back order, as soon as they come in we will deliver those to your child's class. Please know that if you turned in your order after the due date it was placed on the second order.
If you have any question please email us at info@dyerpta.com.
We are working hard to get you both your spiritwear and your membership cards. We appreciate your patience.
Thank you again,
Your Dyer PTA
Kindergarten Color Days!
Kindergarten's color celebration is in full swing! The party continues next week; students and staff are invited to join in the fun by wearing their colors as outlined below.
Monday 9-19-16 White
Tuesday 9-20-16 Yellow
Wednesday 9-21-16 Purple/Pink
Thursday 9-22-16 Brown
Friday 9-23-16 Black/Gold (Spirit Day)
Attention 1st, 2nd & 5th Grade Parents!
Dear Parents,
First, second, and fifth grade students will be participating in the 2016 administration of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) which measures students’ verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning abilities. The results of this test will help assess how well your child is performing and assist with plans to meet your child’s academic needs.
The administration will be delivered as follows:
- Wednesday, September 21, 2016: Verbal Battery - Sections 1, 2, & 3
- Thursday, September 22, 2016: Quantitative Battery - Sections 4, 5, & 6
- Friday, September 23, 2016: Nonverbal Battery - Sections 7, 8, & 9
- Monday, September 26, 2016: Make-up Session
- Tuesday, September 27, 2016: Make-up Session
Thank you for making sure your child is present and on time each of these days. Our staff wants to provide your child with the best opportunity to be successful. Since the formal testing environment cannot be duplicated in a make-up session, it is to your child’s advantage to be at school during these scheduled test days. Once testing has begun each day, no child will be allowed to enter the classroom tardy.
Although no studying or preparation is necessary for this test, the following recommendations should help your child do his/her best each day:
- Get plenty of rest
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Be at school on time
- Be prepared (glasses if needed)
Thanks for your support during this important assessment period.
Media Center News
Dear Parents and Families:
Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here’s what you can do to help children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading:
· Set the example. Let children see you read.
· Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep pace
with changing tastes and reading skills.
· Support our school’s Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books
to read.
Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.
The money raised at the book fair help our school’s Media Center program. For example, the funds raised at our book fairs help pay for author and illustrator visits.
Here are the dates and times for the Bookaneer Book Fair.
Book Fair Dates: September 26 – September 30
Shopping Hours: Mon-Tues 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM
Wed-Thurs (early release/conference days) 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Fri 8:15 AM -12:15 PM
Payment: Cash, *Checks (made out to Dyer Elementary), and credit cards (adults only).
*If sending your child with a check, please send a note or write on the memo line the max amount your child may spend.
Remember to send enough money to cover the 6% sales tax.
If you’re all booked up during Book Fair week be sure to visit the Book Fair online at http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/jgdyerelementaryschool. Our Online Fair is from September 23 to October 3. All online orders will be sent to the school and delivered to your child after the book fair ends.
We look forward to having you participate in our Fair, and remember, all purchases benefit our school.
Sincerely,
Shirley Langford
Media Specialist
WANTED: BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS
There are still many open time slots available if you would like to volunteer to help with the Book Fair.
Good news! If you had trouble using the online sign up sheet to volunteer for the Book Fair, never fear. A new online sign up sheet has been created using Sign Up Genius.
This is the new link to volunteer for the Book Fair. Just select a day and time to help. All Book Fair volunteers get 10 percent off of their book fair purchases.
Picture Day is Coming - Tuesday, September 27th
This will be our only picture day this year!
Students will take individual and class pictures.
No need for pre-orders, just be sure your child is picture ready on Tuesday 9/27.
Proofs are scheduled to go home on Friday, 10/21.
Orders will be due the following Friday, 10/28.
Early Release & Conferences
Dear Parents,
Early Release conferences are fast approaching. Dyer students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm on Wednesday, September 28th and Thursday, September 29th . Please be sure to note these important schedule changes.
The purpose of a parent-teacher conference is to discuss student achievement and progress. Each parent-teacher conference will last for a period of twenty minutes, and both parents are urged to attend. Please be prompt as these conferences are scheduled consecutively. If a situation arises and you are unable to attend your scheduled conference, please notify the teacher so the conference can be rescheduled.
To schedule your conferences this year, simply follow this link. There you will be able to see all teachers’ schedules and sign up for a time that best suits your schedule. Computers will be available at Dyer for you to sign-up there as well. The ability to sign up for a conference online will close on Friday, September 23rd at 11:59 pm. Please contact the teacher directly to sign up after the close of online scheduling.
We look forward to seeing you during conference week.
Calling all Bear Readers!
Here are a few important reminders about the program:
- September Reading logs are due to your child's teacher Monday 10/3
- Students that log a minimum of 450 minutes earn a special prize!
- Class (in each grade level) with MOST minutes logged each period will earn ice cream!
- Reader with MOST minutes logged (in each grade level) each period will win a $10 gift card!
- Reader with the MOST minutes logged (in the school) for the year will get to pie Mr. DiFilippo in the face!
PTA 2016-2017 Reflections Program
Tell YOUR story through dance, a short film, a poem, or story, an original song, a photo or visual work of art.
Entries should be submitted to Mrs. Sturgeon, and are due on or before Friday, September 30th.
PTA Reflections Contact:
Leigh McDonald
Please visit the school website for additional information, rules & entry form.
Dyer's Fall Festival is Coming....
Dyer Elementary School’s
2016 Fall Festival
October 7, 2016
5:00 PM—8:00 PM
Inflatables, Games, Food, Music and Fun
Wristbands are available now and at the door for only $10.00 per student.
Methods of Payment: My Payments Plus
At the Door: Cash or Credit
(Includes unlimited jumping and carnival games)
Carnival treats and fun will also be available for 1 ticket.
We will have popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, crazy hair, and our famous cake walk!
1 ticket: $1.00
Donations Needed for Fall Festival Baskets
Parents,
We need your help! Each year at the Fall Festival, we raffle off fabulous themed baskets. This would not be possible without your help! In order to make sure we have enough items for each themed basket, we divide them among grade levels (see below). Please consider helping to "fill our baskets"! Donations for baskets will be accepted through Friday, September 30th, and may be given to classroom teachers or dropped off in the front office. Proceeds from the baskets will support our cultural arts program here at Dyer. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, that is welcome too, simply send in your desired contribution to your child's classroom teacher or the front office. Someone from our staff will then use your monetary contribution to shop for items to fill your grade level's basket.
Disney Mania: Kindergarten and Pre-K
Boys Sleepover: 1st Grade
UGA: 2nd Grade
Girls Sleepover: 3rd Grade
Family Fun Night: 4th Grade
Fun Fall: 5th Grade
Chorus News - Mark Your Calendars!
Dear Chorus Members,
Practice on Tuesday, October 11th has been rescheduled to Thursday, October 13th. I will be in a meeting with the State Superintendent representing the Fine Arts and Music Education for the State Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council.
Practice the week of October 10th will be:
Wednesday, October 12th at 7:15
Thursday, October 13th at 7:15.
Please mark your calendars now.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Coulombe
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events!
September at a Glance
9th - PTA Bingo
12th PTA Board of Director’s Meeting
13th – Chili’s Spirit Night
16th – PTA Hat Day
19th School Council Meeting
21st – 23rd CogAT – Grades 1, 2 & 5
26th – Book Fair Begins
27th – School Pictures
27th - Zaxby’s Spirit Night
28th & 29th – Early Release
30th – United Way Pajama Day
30th - Last Day of Book Fair
30th – Reflections Entries Due
Looking to October
3rd - Easy Fundraising & Bear Reader Log Turn-In Day
4th- School Picture Make-Ups
6th- Cluster School Council Meeting
7th- Fall Festival
7th- Fundraiser Deliveries (Tentative)
10th- Student Holiday/Teacher Planning
13th-After School Program Begins
17th-Bus Driver Appreciation Day
17th - Cans for Cupcakes Begins
18th- Sonic Spirit Night
19th- Bruster’s Blue Ice Day
19th - Student Council Elections
21st- Pink Out
21st- Fundraiser Limo & Lunch
21st - Picture Proofs Home (Tentative)
25th- Red Ribbon Day
26th- Iowa Assessments Begin
28th- Picture Orders Due
28th- PTA Fall Dance
30th- Easy Fundraising & Bear Reader Log Turn-In Day
Please Consider Serving - See Opportunities Below!
There are so many wonderful things planned for this school year, and we would love for you to be a part of them! None of our events could not take place without the help of our fabulous volunteers. There are several opportunities to serve Dyer, and we will list them in this section of the newsletter each week. Please tale a look below, and consider signing up to help out! Any amount of time you have to offer is incredibly valuable, and much appreciated!
Book Fair, 9/26- 9/30
About Us
Email: FirstName_LastName@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/DyerES/home.html
Location: 1707 Hurricane Shoals Road, Dacula, GA 30019, United States
Phone: 770-963-6214
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DyerES