Dix Street Press
Dix Street Elementary Newsletter April 12, 2024
Upcoming Events
Week Of April 15-19
April 16 Student Food Advisory Committee Meeting
April 17 Delayed Start
April 19 PTO Meeting 10 AM
April 19 3rd-5th Grade MSTEP Pep Assembly
Week of April 22-26
April 23 5th Grade Science MSTEP Testing
April 24 Delayed Start
April 24 Kindergarten Screening (AM & PM)
April 24 Book Nook During Lunches
April 25 Book Nook During Lunches
April 25 5th Grade Social Studies MSTEP Testing
April 25 3rd Grade ELA MSTEP Testing
April 26 Fun Run!
April 26 Student of the Month Assemblies
April 26 School Store
April 26 Kalamazoo Symphony Woodwind Trio Performance
Week of April 29- May 3
April 30 5th Grade ELA MSTEP Testing
April 30 4th Grade ELA MSTEP Testing
May 1 Delayed Start
May 2 4th Grade Math MSTEP Testing
May 3 MK Shows
May 3 Popcorn Friday
Week of May 6-10
May 6 Kindergarten Field Trip to the Critter Barn
May 7 Student Council Meeting
May 7 3rd Grade Math MSTEP Testing
May 8 Delayed Start
May 9 Donuts with Diva's A-K
May 9 5th Grade Math MSTEP Testing
May 10 Donuts with Diva's L-Z
May 10 Sponsor a Class. Beach Day!
Monday Mission: Week of April 15
Each week, we challenge students, staff, and parents to a "Monday Mission." These missions are aimed at increasing relational capacity, modeling good social skills, and keeping all members of the Dix Street family connected. Give them a try and encourage your child(ren) to take part in our "Monday Missions!"
Student, Staff, Parent Mission: This week's Monday mission is to take time this week to tell someone what potential you see in them. When I was a high school senior I had the opportunity to volunteer in my third grade teachers classroom. He told me at that time that he believed I would make a great teacher someday. Those words of encouragement sent me on a trajectory in life to become a teacher. When I was an intern in college I had a person tell me that I would make a great administrator someday and here I am! Telling people the potential you see in them can build motivation in that person!
From Mrs. Katie: Tips for Parents to Use in Motivating a Child
Success is the greatest motivator. Recognize, reinforce, and celebrate the child’s successes and progress – even the small victories.
Speak positively and supportively about the child’s school and teachers. If the child senses a parent’s hostility toward the school, it is unlikely that the child will be motivated to succeed there.
Compliment children for good decisions.
Reinforce the child for small gains in a difficult subject area. Reward direction, not perfection.
When reviewing a test or report card with a child, always comment first on the positive aspects. Then talk about the things that may need improvement.
Take an active (but not intrusive) interest in the child’s hobbies and activities.
Enjoy family activities in which all family members work cooperatively toward a common goal (e.g., gardening, family game nights, community service).
Help children set realistic goals for their academic, social, and athletic performances. Use these goals to monitor and assess their progress.
Do not tell a child that a task “will be easy” in order to enhance her motivation. (“Come on, Beverly, let’s get started on that map homework. It should be a cinch!”) This well-intentioned strategy often backfires. If the child does well on the task, she is not particularly delighted because the assignment was labeled “easy.” Conversely, if she has difficulty with the assignment, she has failed at a “simple task.” Either way, the child’s pride and self-esteem are not enhanced. A more effective approach is to say, “This task is a challenge, but I know you can do it.”
Celebrate risk-taking behavior on the part of children. The willingness to take risks is fundamental to school success and motivation.
Avoid comparing the child to her siblings. This practice merely builds resentment and anger, not motivation.
*This list has been excerpted from p. 283-285 of The Motivation Breakthrough by Richard LaVoie.
-Mrs. Katie
Contact Information:
269-694-7700 ext. 7704
Public Forum Notice
Two proposed changes to the 6th grade reproductive unit will be the topic of public forums on April 22, 2024.
The Otsego Public schools Reproductive Health and wellness team is proposing two changes to the 6th grade reproductive health unit. The State of Michigan requires Reproductive Health be taught but allows parents to opt out of that unit of Health class before it happens. Parents can review the unit in its entirety before deciding.
The proposed changes are:
1) to replace a video on puberty, that is over 20 years old, with a newer, more up-to-date video.
2) to add four new definitions to the unit.
Before seeking Board of Education approval, we are required by law to hold two public forums for community feedback to any changes. At the forums, we will play the new video in full for those that attend and share the definitions that we would like to add to the course, then listen to any feedback from the community.
The forums will take place on April 22, 2024 at 7:00am and 5:30pm in the Boardroom in the OPS Administration Office, 400 Sherwood Street. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Kortlandt, Director of Instruction, at hkortlandt@otsegops.org.
Flyers
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
A few Key reminders for pick up and drop off.
1. Please do not park in the pickup/drop off loop.
2. Stay in your car and allow your child to enter your vehicle curb side.
3. Only walking parents should be picking their child up in the southwest corner. NO parking and leaving your vehicle to pick a student should happen along Dix Street.
4. If you are waiting along Brookside Dr. or Hammond St. in line please do not block driveways.
For more detailed information regarding drop-off and pick-up, visit THIS LINK.
Again, we really appreciate your patience.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
It is extremely important to have up-to-date contact information available for each student. When emergencies arise, we need to be able to contact parents/guardians. This is also the contact information that is used for school closures and district updates.
Please log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check that your contact information is current and to make any necessary changes. If you need assistance or login information for the Parent Portal, please contact the Dix Street OfficeThank You!
Traduce el Dix Street Press
Dix Street Elementary
Email: mvanderklok@otsegops.org
Website: http://dse.otsegops.org/
Location: 503 Dix Street, Otsego, MI, United States
Phone: (269) 694-7700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/502857119910811/
Twitter: @otsegoschools