The Polaris Post
April 22 - 26, 2024
The Dominion Drivers
VISION
A tolerant, inclusive and safe environment where children are actively engaged in the learning process. An environment where 100% of students are performing on grade level in ELA and Math.
MISSION
Make safety and equity a daily reality for each child.
Create a positive school climate and strong school culture.
Deliver relevant instructional tasks individually leveled to stretch student learning.
CORE VALUES
Literacy and Learning are our top priorities.
Be prepared in all situations
Be Solutions Oriented
Value and respect diversity
Treat people with dignity
From the Principal's Desk
Building Awareness Around the Pressures our Middle Schoolers are Under
As we continue to explore how to best support our middle level learners in todays world, I thought it prudent to share the the various pressures that middle level adolescents face so our parents can provide appropriate support and guidance on their end. Here are some key points I found for parents to understand:
1. Academic Pressure: Middle level adolescents often experience significant academic pressure, including the stress of performing well in school, preparing for exams, and meeting expectations from teachers, parents, and peers. We all need to be mindful of not adding undue pressure and instead encourage a healthy balance between academics and other aspects of life.
2. Social Pressures: Adolescents may feel pressure to fit in with their peers, navigate social hierarchies, and maintain friendships. This can involve conforming to certain behaviors, interests, or appearance standards. We should encourage our kids to be true to themselves and provide a supportive environment where they feel accepted for who they are.
3. Peer Influence: Peers play a significant role in shaping adolescents' attitudes, behaviors, and choices. Being aware of the influence of peer pressure to help our kids develop strong critical thinking skills and assertiveness to make independent and responsible decisions will better enable them to navigate healthy relationships.
4. Performance Expectations: Adolescents may face pressure to excel in extracurricular activities, sports, or hobbies. We should be supportive of our kid's interests and passions while also emphasizing the importance of balance and self-care.
5. Self-Identity and Image: Middle level adolescents are in a stage of self-discovery and may grapple with questions of identity, self-worth, and body image. We should foster open communication and provide reassurance, emphasizing the value of inner qualities and character over external appearances.
6. Technology and Social Media: Adolescents are immersed in digital technology and social media, which can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, comparison, and anxiety. We need to educate our children about healthy technology use, monitor their online activities, and promote offline activities and face-to-face interactions.
7. Future Planning: Our kids feel pressure to make decisions about their future education, careers, and goals. As parents, we should offer guidance and support without imposing their own aspirations or expectations, allowing their children the freedom to explore different paths and discover their interests and strengths.
8. Mental Health: Adolescents may experience stress, anxiety, or depression due to the pressures they face. Being attentive to signs of mental health issues, such as changes in behavior, mood, or sleep patterns, and provide access to appropriate resources and support services will assist our kiddos in better dealing with .
Overall, parents should strive to create a nurturing and understanding environment where middle level adolescents feel safe to express their concerns, seek guidance, and develop resilience to navigate life's pressures effectively.
We want to walk with you as partners through your child's middle school experience supporting their learning and helping them navigate expectations. Let's keep the lines of communication open and work together to support our kiddos as they figure it all out.
Fondly,
Dottie Flanagan
Learning
Supporting Students' Mental Health and Well-Being
Helping our families navigate the complex world of parenting teens today is a new priority for us. Each week, we will include interesting information parents may want to consider as they make decisions about how best to support their children in our complex and dynamic world.
PTSO Updates
PTSO Meeting - Wednesday, April
The Dominion PTSO works to provide support for programming and experiences at Dominion! They have worked tirelessly to raise money for Washington DC scholarships, classroom programming and celebrations, and so much more!
The Dominion PTSO met on Wednesday, April 17. Please review the agendas for March and April below. The next big event for PTSO is the PBIS end of year Dominion Carnival! A Sign Up Genius will be coming for volunteers in a few weeks, so please consider signing up!
Great Minds - Gifted and Talented Family Newsletter
Engagement
It's Autism Awareness Month!
April is Autism Acceptance Month. The recognition raises awareness about autism acceptance and promotes inclusion and connectedness for people with autism. Social and community support can help people with autism achieve optimal health and reach their full potential.
The Calendar
Dominion Calendar
Ohio State Test Grade 6 Math: April 23 - 24
Ohio State Test Grade 7 & 8 Math: April 25 - 26
Ohio State Test Grade 8 Science: April 30 - May 1
STEAM Exhibition: May 2
Choir Spring Concert and Art Show: May 7 at 6:00 - 8:00 PM
District Chess Tournament: May 8
Band Spring Concert: May 9 at 7:00 PM
Breakfast of Science Champions: May 10
8th Grade CHIP HS Visit to Northland HS: May 10
Compacted English Parent Meeting: May 14 at 6:00 PM
Final Day to Return Dominion Library Materials: May 17
"Trills and Thrills" Music Competition at Cedar Point: May 17
6th Grade Skatezone 71 STEM Field Trip: May 21
7th Grade End of Year Celebration (Parents Invited!): May 24 at 9:00 am
6th Grade End of Year Celebration (Parents Invited!): May 24 at 1:00 pm
School Materials Returned/Locker Clean-Out: May 24
Memorial Day/No Classes: May 27
PBIS School Carnival: May 28
Carnival Raindate: May 29
Final Locker Clean-Out: May 29
Student Last Day for Classes: May 30 (normal dismissal time)
Record Day Quarter 4: June 1
Current Clubs & Activities
Knight School (Chess Club) - Wednesdays, 2:34 - 3:45 (Parent Transport Required) - Mr. Billlingslea
School Day Chess Club - Lunch Periods on Mondays Rm. 113 - Ms. Noble/Mr. Edwards
Math Club - Core Enrichment on Fridays Rm. 113 - Ms. Henry
Power of the Pencil - Core Enrichment on Tuesdays Rm. 113 - Ms. Novak/Mr. Pratt
6th Grade Pokemon Club - Lunch Time Rm. 113 - Ms. Noble (bring your own deck, trading allowed)
Fuse Factory Electric Music Club - Rm. 142 Mrs. Wodkowski
6th Grade GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) Club - Tuesday Lunch Time
7th Grade GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) Club - Wednesday Lunch Time
8th Grade GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) Club - Thursday Lunch Time
Principal's Panel - Wednesdays 2:45 - 3:45 (bi-weekly)
Jazz Band - Tuesday and Thursday - 2:45 - 3:45
Drum Line - Wednesday - 2:45 - 3:45
Debate - Core E, Monday - Friday
History Day - Core E., Friday
Word Club - Core E. Tuesday
School Newspaper -
News & Information
Project OCCUMS - Compacted English
Each student is at a different place in the learning continuum. NONE are in the wrong place, they're in their OWN place.
We have numerous ways of differentiating curriculum to meet individual needs. We are adding an opportunity for our students who are are ready for a challenge in the area of English Language Arts called Compacted ELA in grade 7. Like Compacted Math, Compated ELA will essentially cover ELA 7 and ELA 8 in one year using the Project OCCAMS (Online Curriculum Consortium for Accelerating Middle School) curriclum. Project OCCAMS is a collaboration between the Ohio Department of Education, the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University, the Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary, and five diverse school districts in Ohio. The goals of the project are to:
- increase the identification of gifted students who are economically disadvantaged or who are members of underrepresented minority groups,
- expand access to accelerated curriculum in middle schools,
- and build sustainable infrastructure to overcome barriers that currently limit schools’ ability to meet the needs of diverse gifted students and help them grow to their full potential.
These goals will be pursued by adapting curricula developed by the Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary shown to be effective at increasing the achievement of minority and economically disadvantaged students in English Language Arts and scaling up access to the curriculum by creating a multi-district online learning consortium supported by Northwestern University’s Gifted LearningLinks online program.
Students who successfully complete Compacted ELA in Grade 7 will take English I in grade 8.
We will hold a virtual informational session on May 14 at 6:00 PM using the link below:
Middle School Spring Sports
Congratulations to the students who tried out for track, softball and baseball. Please see the schedules below. Thank you for your positive support of our young athletes, their coaches and the OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) Referees who make our sporting seasons possible.
Dominion Ohio State Testing Dates
Each year the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce requires schools to administer the Ohio State Tests in ELA, Math and 5th and 8th Grade Science. These standardized assessments provide the data used to calculate ratings on the Ohio State Report Card as well as provide state educators with important data needed for instructional planning, professional learning and programming. Below are the dates testing will occur at Dominion Middle School:
April 18-19: ELA OST Grade 6
April 16 - 17: ELA OST Grades 7 & 8
April 23 - 24: Math OST Grades 6
April 25 - 26: Math OST Grades 7 & 8
April 30 - May 1: Science 8 OST
Testing will begin (that means students should be in the seat ready to begin testing) each morning at 8:00 am. Late students will not be permitted in the testing environment and will be required to take a make-up assessment. Please make every effort to have your child at school, on-time each day of testing well rested and nourished having had a positive morning at home.
Please see links below on how information on the Ohio State Report Card is calculated.
End of Year Celebration Dates
Each year we celebrate our students' accomplishments at each grade level. Dates to these events are below:
Grade 8 Student Promotion Ceremony: Thursday, May 30 at 10:00 AM
Grade 7 Student Celebration: Friday, May 24 at 9:00 AM
Grade 6 Student Celebration: Friday, May 24 at 1:00 PM
Use of Infinite Campus Parent Portal
It's imperative that all parents have access to the parent portal to keep informed of important information like your child's grades and attendance, but to also access programming in Columbus City Schools, like Summer Experience registration, for your child. Please use the link below to access the portal. If you are unable to sign-in, please call the school and Ms. Little or Ms. Slavicek are happy to assist!
It's Time to Register for Summer Experience!
Please click the link below for information on how to register your child for Summer Experience 2024! This is a fantastic opportunity for your child to gain enrichment opportunities throughout the 6-week summer course. Sign up can be found in the Parent Portal!
The CCS 2024-2025 Traditional School Calendar
Please note the 2024-2025 CCS School Calendar below:
iReady Support at Home
District data tells us the iReady has an 80% correlation with the Ohio State Test. Students who spend 45 minutes per week on ELA and Math Personalized Learning Pathway, combined with good school attendance and high levels of engagement are likely to grow to proficient by the end of the school year. Below are some resources to help support families to ensure students are spending the appropriate amount of time at home on the Personalized Learning Pathway.
SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR
Dominion BSN Spirit Store Open!
This is your one stop shop for all spirit wear Dominion! Click the link below to begin shopping! Take advantage of the 20% off sale right now! No deadlines, no hassles, just a school store with lots of coolness.