Herman E. Dummer
April 2024 Newsletter
A Message from our Principal, Mrs. Ford
April showers bring May flowers! Without the showers in our lives we would never be able to truly appreciate what is to come. Life throws us curve balls all the time and how we respond to them oftentimes determine how the outcomes may be. Learning how to handle difficulties will better prepare us for when these hardships come our way. Our staff continually works with our students on how to react when unpleasant things occur or how to reach out to others when we can lend a helping hand. We’ve worked diligently with students this year guiding them to make positive choices and look forward to how they will impact the lives of others in the future. We appreciate your support on the home front as we give our love and support here at school as well. So… bring on the rain and watch us grow!
Nurses Notes
April is Autism Acceptance Month - Click here to learn more about autism, how you can help raise awareness, and find autism resources. You can also show your support by wearing blue on World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd, 2024!
What's New in the Learning Center
Hello Dummer Families! We have had a wonderful year so far in the library!
Our Dummer students are perfecting their typing skills with the ultimate goal of not looking at the keyboard while typing. This is not an easy task but everyone has been putting their best foot forward and it's paying off big time. While the main focus is on form and not stressing out, speed of typing and accuracy have increased. We have also addressed the topic of cyber safety and how very important it is to remain on your toes when it comes to being safe on the internet.
Our book fair this year was an absolute success! We were able to purchase some new titles and replace some worn out ones. We were also able to update our section on space!
Please be on the lookout for up and coming information regarding Chromebook turn in dates in May and just an added reminder please make sure your student is charging their Chromebook each night.
As always thank you for all your support and kindness. We couldn't do what we do without it. Have a wonderful remainder of the school year!!
Monthly Music Notes
During the month of March, we focused mostly on preparing for our spring concert. This year’s spring concert will be a “Creature Feature” concert and will be on Thursday, April 11th at 6pm in the high school gym. Students are encouraged but not required to dress up as the theme implies. As the name implies, songs will be about animals, zombies, and mythical creatures. Information has been sent home on yellow paper and emailed as well.
Fifth grade band is now working on songs that have 7 notes. In addition, percussion has begun to learn keyboard instruments. The band has been doing a great job of playing and working together as we prepare for our final concert. Fifth grade’s last band performance will be on Thursday, May 2nd at 6:30pm in the high school gym.
Math/STEM News
Math WIN Update
This year Dummer split up math instructional time to include a section dedicated to meeting all students where they are at. This Math “What I Need” (WIN) time involved students being provided the opportunity for intervention, practice, and enrichment with their math skills. From a teacher’s perspective, this gave them a chance to focus on providing more individualized time to students that needed more support with their basic skills that apply to the larger concepts being taught during their lessons. It has been a welcomed addition to our day!
Math Problem Solving Around the School
Throughout the year, students (and teachers!) have had the opportunity to solve various problems displayed in the building. The math skills have varied and have provided a new way for students to discuss math outside of their classrooms.
Eclipse on Monday, April 8th
On Monday, April 8, there will be a total eclipse visible in the United States. An eclipse occurs when the moon is aligned between the sun and the earth, and the moon temporarily blocks the rays of the sun.
At about 2:00 PM here in Sandwich, the moon will block out just over 90 percent of the sun’s rays, creating a twilight effect at the height of the eclipse. We know that this is an exciting phenomenon for students to witness. Therefore, students in Sandwich 430 will have the opportunity to view this extremely rare event in grades K-8.
This district has purchased solar eclipse glasses that meet ISO international standards so students can view the eclipse safely.
Teachers will also remind students of the following:
- Looking directly at the sun on any day is dangerous. Please don’t look directly into the sun until it is time to do so.
- We will take you out to view the eclipse when it is time (Around 2:00 PM).
- You will only look at the eclipse when you have your eclipse glasses on.
Any family that doesn’t want their child to participate should contact their school office before Monday, April 8.
To learn more about the eclipse you can visit the links below:
Testing on the Horizon
Illinois Assessment of Readiness and Illinois Science Assessment
State testing gives us a glimpse of how our students compare to other students around the state of Illinois. These scores also show how our students are progressing individually, how our grade-levels perform, and how the whole school progress transpires from year to year. It helps our school and district to plan accordingly to meet the needs for all our students. We would appreciate your help in encouraging your child(ren) to do their best and to get plenty of sleep prior to testing days. The testing schedule for Dummer can be seen below. We appreciate your help!
Approved/Amended 2023 - 2024 School Calendar
Please note: School will be in attendance on April 1st, May 28th, May 29th & May 30th. May 30th is an 11:10 a.m. dismissal.
Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year
Registration for the 24-25 school year is now open. Returning families to the school district can complete the online application process in a few short minutes through their TeacherEase account. This will be a very similar process to last year. Please be sure that all information is entered correctly.
If you have an incoming kindergartener or a new student to the district you will follow a different process in which you verify your residency before registering on TeacherEase.
Student fees for the 24-25 school year are not due at this time. We ask that you complete the registration process by Friday, April 19. Please use the link below which will walk you through the process of registration.
Our Very Own, Mrs. Clemmons, Author
Mrs. Clemmons made an appearance at Dummer today to talk about her book.
Always Looking for Great Ideas & Help
If you or someone has a great idea for our school, such as something you would love to partner with us on, teach, showcase, or whatever it may be, we would love to hear it! Also, there are many opportunities to come and help in our school. We would love to see parents, community members, and families be a part of our every day process. You are all a part of our team and we would LOVE to have you! No teaching experience needed, we promise. :) Please see the link below:
HED Walking Club
Sandwich Education Foundation Casino Night
April Breakfast/Lunch Menu
February Students of the Month - 4th Grade
Back row: Alejandro Garcia, Joseph Loconte, Melody Carroll, Logan Banaszak Front Row: Hudson Bohnstedt, Matthew Walsh & Kinley Wilson Not Pictured: Macie Chrestman, Barrett Slusher & Ulric Hansen
February Students of the Month - 5th Grade
Back row: Roger Hallman, Alex Garcia, Abraham Fabian, Sophia Tresnyuk, Annistyn Eipers Front Row; Addy Aguirre, Noelle Clancy, Kolbie Ervin, Draven Halford & Sam McGee
February Character Counts
Abigail Jordan, Jaslyn Ramirez, Addy Adams Not pictured: Xander Worley
Important Dates:
4/1: School Resumes
4/1: Candle Fundraiser Starts
4/1: 5th Gr. Walking Club
4/2: Art Club 3-4
4/2: Club Challenge 3-4
4/3: IAR Testing - Wear Camo
4/3: 4th Gr. Walking Club
4/3: Parent Group Mtg. 6:00
4/4: Art Club 3-4
4/4: Homework Club 3-4
4/5: Grandparents Bingo @ SMS 6:30-7:30
4/8: 5th Gr. Walking Club
4/9: IAR Testing - Wear your favorite team/jersey
4/9: Character Counts 3-4
4/9: Club Challenge
4/10: 4th Gr. Walking Club
4/11: IAR Testing - Wear sweats
4/11: 4th grade to the Opera House
4/11: Homework Club 3-4
4/11: 4th-5th Spring Concert @ SHS 6 pm
4/12: Progress Reports
4/13: SEF Casino Night 7-10
4/15: 5th Gr. Walking Club
4/16: Club Challenge 3-4
4/16: Board Meeting 7:00
4/17: 4th Gr. Walking Club
4/17: Spring Pictures
4/18: Science ISA
4/18: Homework Club 3-4
4/19: Registration Due
4/19: 11:10 Dismissal
4/22: 5th Gr. Walking Club
4/23: Science ISA
4/23: Club Challenge 3-4
4/24: 4th Gr. Walking Club
4/25: Science ISA
4/25: Homework Club 3-4
4/26: 5th Grade Civil War Encampment
4/29: 5th Gr. Walking Club
4/30: Club Challenge 3-4
5/1: 4th Gr. Walking Club
5/1: Parent Group 6:00
5/2: 4th Grade to Farm
5/2: Homework Club 3-4
5/6: 5th Gr. Walking Club
5/7: Art Club
5/7: Club Challenge
5/8: 4th Gr. Walking Club