DAIS 1st Marking Period Newsletter
Together We... Inspire Happiness
Welcome to the 2016-17 School Year!
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Math
Throughout the grade levels at DAIS, our mathematical work is inspiring. Our fourth and fifth graders have been working on becoming experts at place value. They have also been refining their computation skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division appropriate to each grade level. Sixth graders started the year focusing on ratios and rates. This made a smooth transition to their study of fractions, decimals and percentages. Our higher level math skills require our students to regularly practice their basic facts to ensure their success as they travel the road to math fluency.
English Language Arts
Language Arts is off to a super start. Thank you to the teachers who have given us a window into their classrooms by providing the following examples of our English Language Arts curriculum in action! Please click the links below to view some videos and work samples across grades 4, 5, and 6 from Marking Period 1. Enjoy!
4th grade:
Word Work “Bootcamp” Video (Team Inspiration)
5th grade:
In order to build community and confidence while introducing paragraph writing, students on Team Dedication created “Best of Me” poems. Students listened to the book, The Best Part of Me by Wendy Ewald. In the book, the author asked students to identify their best physical feature and why. After listening to the book, Team Dedication students photographed their favorite physical feature and composed a short paragraph explaining why it is their favorite. The finished products are proudly displayed in a gallery format in the team common’s space.
6th grade:
Wonder Precepts Activity: Example 1 Example 2
6-Word Memoirs: Example 1 Example 2
TDA Essay Sample: Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (Unit: Overcoming Obstacles)
Science
Grade 4 students are finishing up studies on topics of weather, and are now investigating electricity and magnetism. They are looking forward to building a circuit in the upcoming marking period and a STEAM hovercraft challenge.
Grade 5 students are continuing their ongoing investigation of life science topics, and look forward to digging into specifics on ecology. This includes the upcoming experience of dissecting their own owl pellet. Check out this website for great information: http://kidwings.com/nests-of-knowledge/virtual-pellet/.
Grade 6 students continue their studies on physical science with a focus on forces, energy, and motion. Each class looks forward to the chance at the highly anticipated K’Nex car building challenge this year now including a 3D printed component.
Social Studies
In fourth grade, the first marking period was spent examining the major landforms throughout the United States and how the movement of water affects the earth’s surface. We have focused on immigration as we studied Plymouth, Ellis Island, and the Northeast Region of the United States.
During marking period one, fifth grade students began with map skills. After this unit, we studied explorers and the 13 original colonies. Many classrooms have also begun the Revolutionary War time period. We also spent some class time learning about the presidential election process.
The 6th grade social studies curriculum allows students to learn about the continents and oceans, the eight traits of culture, and Latin America for the first marking period. Students utilize skills honed in English/Language Arts to create a wide variety of projects and assessments for the social studies classroom. Among them, students created collages, brochures, and experienced a breakout session. We look forward to the second marking period!
Guidance
All DAIS students will be involved in classroom guidance lessons as a weekly encore for one marking period. Students will participate in one class per cycle for a total of 7 lessons taught by their community counselor. Listed below are the topics. Students at DAIS are learning “tools for life” that span far beyond the classroom.
Grade 4
- Week 1: Orientation (introduce ROCS)
- Week 2: Developing Friendship and Social Skills/Conflict Resolution
- Week 3: Empathy and Introduce Diversity
- Week 4: Diversity
- Week 5: Bullying
- Week 6: How to Handle Bullying Situations
- Week 7: Service Project/How to Help Others
Grade 5
- Week 1: Orientation (ROCS)
- Week 2: Friendship and Social Skills/Conflict Resolution
- Week 3: Empathy and Introduce Diversity
- Week 4: Diversity
- Week 5: Bullying
- Week 6: Bullying/Anger Management
- Week 7: Service Project/Helping Others
Grade 6
- Week 1: Reintroduce Guidance and Expectations -Appreciating yourself and others
- Week 2: Sportsmanship
- Week 3: Relationships
- Week 4: Boundaries, Personal Space, and Relationships
- Week 5: Emotions, Stress, and Depression
- Week 6: Motivation
- Week 7: Decision Making
Groups: Counselors will be facilitating Guidance groups beginning the second marking period. Guidance groups assist students who are experiencing a stressful situation in their lives. The school counselors facilitate groups in a confidential setting. Customized group sessions are based upon topics that include divorce, grief, self-esteem, social skills, and any other topic, as needed. Guidance groups meet during the school day, one time per cycle for 7 sessions. Referrals to group can be made by teachers, parents, or students.
Parenting Workshops
Physical Education
Track Meet Selection Process
In physical education class, students complete physical fitness and track meet testing. These tests include the 50 meter dash, 100 hundred meter dash, 600 yard run, standing broad jump, and softball throw. The scores from the four homeroom teachers from each pod are compiled, and the female and male students with the top scores in the different events are selected to represent their floor in the spring track meet. The selection process is very competitive, and approximately half of the students from their pod will compete at the track meet in late spring. These students are notified with a letter and permission slip in the early spring. At the track meet, the five floors compete against each other. Bottom floor blue is the Blue Team, top floor blue team is the White Team, red floor is the Red Team, bottom floor yellow is the Yellow Team, and top floor yellow is the Green Team. Boys and girls compete against other boys and girls in their grade from the other colored teams. All students will receive a permission slip to attend the track meet and cheer on their classmates. This wonderful event has been a tradition in the Dallastown Area School District for well over 35 years.
Health
Our incoming fourth grade health students have settled in quickly. We have been exploring topics of the health triangle and understanding how to achieve wellness. Recently, we explored nutrition and MyPlate through the “Kids in the Kitchen” program, presented by Mrs. Katie Herrington from York Memorial Hospital. Fifth grade students have learned about the importance of hygiene and living a drug-free lifestyle. We are beginning to progress into our diseases unit, where we are set to explore communicable and noncommunicable diseases. Sixth grade students developed an understanding for goal setting, and the benefits of approaching challenges with a growth mindset. We are now beginning our drug unit and plan to have Corporal Dyke, the district’s School Resource Officer (SRO), meet with students in early January.
iLibrary & Technology
Bringing STEAM into the DAIS Library!
The start of this school year saw the launch of Innovation Station in the DAIS Library. In alignment with our STEAM curriculum, Innovation Station engages all DAIS students with a variety of hands-on activities, encouraging them to think like Engineers, Programmers, Architects, and Inventors. Inspired by the Draper Spark Lab, at the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of American History, Innovation Station features items such as Legos, Snap Circuits, Osmo, and Stikbots, to motivate students to work collaboratively on goals that combine the facets of STEAM curriculum with creativity. Students visit Innovation Station several times a marking period, as part of their iLibrary hybrid rotation.
DAIS Library “Read on a Beach Blanket Bingo” Summer Reading Challenge
This past summer DAIS students showed their love of reading by participating in the Library’s “Read on a Beach Blanket Bingo” reading challenge. 105 fourth graders, 53 fifth graders, and 73 sixth graders read five or more books over the summer to make Bingo! Students were rewarded with a movie and ice cream treat, thanks to our wonderful PTO!
4th Grade Students will be riding the Polar Express!
The Polar Express will be making a stop in the DAIS Library, thanks to storyteller Beth Rebert. Ms. Rebert will visit our 4th grade students on December 16, and bring the Polar Express to life with her unique storytelling. Students will have their ticket punched, and receive a Hershey Kiss, as they prepare to embark on a Holiday adventure featuring the story and illustrations of the Chris Van Allsburg book.
Instrumental News
DAIS Holiday Choral Concert News
Our upcoming DAIS Choral Concerts will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 9:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM in our auditorium. Due to the large number of attendees, please consider coming to one of the daytime performances. Those people coming for a daytime performance can park by the red community or by the Special Education Office (flag pole).
Miller’s Plant Farms will be selling poinsettias to us at their cost. The cost is $13.50 for a 7” pot. We will use these flowers to decorate our stage. The flowers will be delivered on Monday, December 5th and can be picked up AFTER the evening concert on December 6th for you to enjoy during the holiday season. If you are interested in purchasing a poinsettia, please return this form by Tuesday, November 29. Thank you for considering this!
DAIS Holiday Instrumental Concert News
Our upcoming DAIS Band and Orchestra Concert is on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 7:00 PM in our auditorium. We have over 300 students participating in this concert and approximately 800 seats in the auditorium. This allows only about two to three people per child for the evening performance. There will be other opportunities for grandparents/friends to view our concert with additional performances on: Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
Please know that we have about 300 extra seats for each of the daytime performances. Those attending these performances can park by the red community or by the Special Education Office (flag pole).
Miller’s Plant Farms will be selling poinsettias to us at their cost. The cost is $13.50 for a 7” pot. We will use these flowers to decorate our stage. These pots will be delivered to the school and can be picked up the evening of the concert.
Note: All peformances will be streamed live for those who cannot attend one of the concerts. Please go to the DAIS website. The link will be listed under the “Technology” tab.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Pathways Explorer Program (PEP)
The DAIS Pathways Explorer Program is underway! This innovative weekly program regroups our grade 4-6 students and teachers into PEP teams based on their interest in a particular topic (STEAM, Health & Human Services, Arts & Communications). Through engaging lessons, activities and guest speakers, students connect classroom learning to real-world careers. PEP groups meet each Day 1 from November through March. We are excited to announce that 100% of our students received one of their top 3 choices.
For more information please visit the PEP page on the DAIS website.
DAIS PTO
PTO Information - Ways to help the DAIS PTO...
1. Join the PTO: It’s never been easier. There are two ways to join. You can fill out the form and return it to school or just click the Donate Now button on the PTO website.
2. Box Tops: Clip and send in your box tops labeled with your student’s name on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Also, there is now a box top app. You can double your box tops (these will not go towards team contest totals but will greatly help our school)!
3. Giant Rewards: Do you grocery shop at Giant? Be sure that DAIS is designated as your A+ School Rewards school.
4. Amazon Smiles: A portion of your amazon purchases can be donated to DAIS if you sign up with Amazon Smiles.
5. Red Robin: Red Robin will donate 1% of your check to our school every time you visit and use your Red Robin Royalty Account.
DAIS PTO FUN RUN
We would like to congratulate all of the DAIS students on their efforts in raising donations for the DAIS PTO Fun Run. Job well done! Due to your amazing efforts and support, students earned a mini field day and extra pep rally along with amazing prizes and rewards! We have also reached our $35,000 goal, sending DAIS Administrators and faculty to the Polar Bear Plunge, benefiting local Special Olympians! We would like to thank Noah Reinhart, Special Olympian for his participation in the DAIS pep rally. Thank you to our students, faculty, and community for helping to reach this amazing goal! The funds received from the Fun Run will benefit student assemblies, field trips, book fairs, scholarships, and more!
Congratulations to our Top 5 Student Winners:
- Connor Hall
- Chloe Isett
- Emilee Stump
- Cameron Taylor
- Justin Lindenmuth
DAIS Fun Run Pep Rally & Mini Field Day
On October 6, DAIS students enjoyed a Mini Field Day for reaching the $30,000 DAIS PTO Fun Run goal. During the Mini Field Day, students got to enjoy many activities including a dance party, BINGO, and a variety of fun outdoor games and activities.
2016 Caring and Sharing
Let’s celebrate a season of caring and sharing during the holidays and throughout the New Year! Our annual holiday service project is underway and we invite you to participate! Be sure to stop by the giving trees in each of our community lobbies to pull a snowflake tag to help local families. Click here for details!
DAIS LIVE Morning Announcements!
New this year, DAIS is featuring one live video morning announcement each week. The video announcements are a great way for DAIS to showcase all of the exciting activities happening at school, student successes, and more! We are happy to announce that you can view these announcements at home too! Click here to view our video announcements.
ABC Stormtracker
On October 26, 2016, the Red wing 5th and 6th grade teams had the opportunity to meet with the ABC 27 Stormtracker team. Students were able to investigate and take part in a variety of weather-related demonstrations and experiments as they journeyed through stations set up to explain how weather forecasters and the ABC news team react during “severe weather” or “winter alerts” depending on the season. Each group of students was able to track their progress as they moved through the stations.
During the two hour presentation, Ryan Coyle, weatherman, spoke to students about making a forecast in front of a green screen, while Eric Finkenbinder, weatherman, took students outside to share the Stormtracker mobile vehicle and the instruments they use onsite to predict and broadcast weather conditions. Dave Marcheskie, reporter, and Anthony Ribovich, videographer shared what they do to make live reports from outside the television studio. They shared with students how to speak on a microphone during live interviews and the camera equipment they use to send live footage back to the television studio for their audience. Finally, Flora Posteraro showed how she and the anchors, producers and news director work together to give live information from inside the studio to keep the public informed during severe weather events.
Additional stations were set up for students to interact with live demonstrations and scientific experiments to understand how weather is created. Overall, students were engaged and excited to learn all the aspects of how the weather and news information is brought to their television o keep them informed and safe.
School Health Updates
Physical exam forms are due on Dec. 16th for 6th grade students. Students that enroll from out of state are also required to submit a physical exam form. Please check with your child’s community nurse if you need a form or have any questions about this state requirement.
DAIS Yearbooks!
PA House of Representatives Recognizes DAIS Student
International Peace Poster Contest
Each year, Lions Clubs around the world proudly sponsor the Lions International Peace Poster Contest in local schools and youth groups. This art contest for children encourages young people worldwide to express their visions of peace. For more than 25 years, millions of children from nearly 100 countries have participated in the contest. This year, the Jacobus Lions’ Club invited all DAIS sixth grade students to participate in the poster contest with students creating a poster that visually communicated the contest theme, “A Celebration of Peace.” Of the 6th grade students who entered the contest, the following students were selected a winners: Bessy Jiang, first place, Ryley Gould, second place and Trent Grove, third place. These students will be recognized at an upcoming Lions’ Club meeting. In addition, Bessy’s artwork has advanced to the district-level competition. Congratulations to these winners and to all sixth grade student participants!