Dealey Dragon Update
What's Happening at Dealey?
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
It's been an awesome first semester so far at Dealey. I couldn't be happier with the level of support I have received from parents and staff members during my first few months as Principal. It is such a pleasure to serve this school community and your children.
As we move toward the third six weeks, I wanted to share some of the great things that are going on in our school with you.
Thanks for all you do to help make Dealey the best school in DISD!
Proud to be a Dragon,
Beverly Lusk
Principal
Global Friday - October 23, 2015
The middle school participated in our first Global Friday of the school year on October 23, 2015. On Global Fridays, we suspend our normal class schedule and bring in guest speakers and performers, and provide lots of hands-on activities to support our learning objectives. The focus of this first event was the Middle East. The objectives were for students to:
understand the multiple perspectives of recent events (Iran Nuclear Agreement, Syrian war and the refugee crisis, etc.)
understand the historical development and contemporary beliefs, values and characteristics of the major middle eastern cultures,
know the geography of the middle east and how that geography has influenced cultural and political development.
During the week of Global Friday, students receive one lesson each day about the middle east. The Friday event is a fun and entertaining reinforcement of the lessons from the week.
Guest Speaker
Break-Out Sessions in Classroom
Talk Show
A Special Lunch Treat
I Am...
Students speak about the different experiences of middle
eastern women.
Dance
Montessori in Motion
South America Puzzle Map 1-3
Knobless Cylinders Pk/K
Moveable Alphabet PK/K
Colored Bead Stair PK/K
The Stamp Game 1-3
Fraction Tiles 1-3
The Year and Its Parts 1-3
Hands-On Equations 4-6
Negative Snake Game 4-6
Professional Development Opportunity
Montessori teachers had an opportunity to attend a Montessori conference with teachers from Harry Stone, Mata, and other Montessori schools across the state on October 19th. Dr. Jacqueline Cossentino, NCMPS Senior Associate and Director of Research, presented sessions specifically tailored toward advancing and improving Montessori education in the public schools. It was a wonderful opportunity as we learned to deepen our understanding of how to address the needs of ALL students in a Montessori classroom.
Title I Reward School Recognition
On October 1st, I had an opportunity to attend a Reward School Recognition Breakfast to celebrate the achievements of each school within Region 10 that received Title I Reward School status.
Dealey received two awards, one for Montessori and the other for our International Academy. Both portions of the school received recognition for High Performance and High Progress.
Go Dealey! We are all very proud of the hard work that went into this accomplishment.
Rigor in Mathematics
If you are thinking that the math offered in our upper level classes is rigorous - you are right!
We want to make sure our students have the tools and skills to be successful in all of their math classes. Therefore, math teachers are discussing the vertical alignment between grade levels and planning to fill any gaps that may present from the shift in TEKS among grade levels last year. In addition, we would like to share some resources that may be useful during homework time. Khan Academy offers many videos on youtube where math concepts are thoroughly explained step-by step. In addition, there is a popular app called MathPhoto that will also help uncover the steps used to solve a math problem by simply taking a picture of the problem. Although we know there is nothing that can replace the support of an experienced math teacher, we hope these resources are useful from time to time at home while your child completes homework. I have included a sample video below from Khan Academy below. (Not all are this long.) Khan academy also has videos for Physics and other content areas.
Dealey Loves Our PTA!
We would like to give a shout out to our Dealey PTA! Thank you so much for everything you do for our school. You are appreciated more than you can imagine!
Most recently, our carnival was a huge success thanks to all of your hard work and dedication.
For more information about Dealey PTA, please visit the website at:
The next PTA meeting will be on November 17th. We hope to see you there!
State and Local Testing Update
ACP Update: Some changes have been made to the number of ACPs that will be given within a school year. The following changes have been made regarding district ACPs. Elementary students in grades K-2 will not take an art or PE performance ACP at all this year. 3-5 students will have an art or PE performance ACP for the second semester only. In addition, any subject that has a STAAR test administration in May, will not have a semester 2 district ACP.
STAAR Updates: The 4th and 7th grade writing test administration will be limited to one day instead of two as it was in the past. Students will be required to write an expository essay for each grade level. Please use the link below to access the TEA website if you would like to view a sample expository prompt for each grade level and the rubric used to score the essays.
Mark Your Calendar - November
5 - 8th Grade High School Symposium 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
6 - 2nd Six Weeks Ends
9 - Student Holiday/Staff Development
10 - 3rd Six Weeks Begins
12 - Veterans Day
12 - Career Day - Elementary
13 - Career Day - Middle School
16 - Report Cards Issued
17 - PTA General Meeting 6:30 p.m.
19 - 4-6 Musical 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
24 - Jean Spirit Day for Students and Staff
25 - 27 Thanksgiving Break - No School
Official Dealey Calendar: http://dallasisd.org/Page/2269
Notes from our Specials and Fine Arts Teachers
Mrs. Garrett, Theatre Arts: Upcoming Performances: Dec. 1st - Beginners will present "Folk Tell" and Intermediate/Advanced students will present, "Themes From Shakespeare" on Dec. 2nd. More information to come...
Ms. Thorpe, GT: 4th - 6th grade students will begin Independent Study Research Projects in November.
Mrs. Simmons, Media Specialist: Thanks for all of your support with the Book Fair!
Mrs. Moody, Piano: Thanks for sending me all of these hardworking students!
Coach Connaughton, PE: SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 12, 2015 - Join Coach for the 2015 5K Oncor Mayor's Race!! The race will start and finish at Reunion Park in Dallas. The morning will start with the Fun Run at 9 a.m. followed by the 5K at 9:30 a.m. Register for the race today!! It's FREE for all DISD students!
Dr. Markley, Orchestra: Congratulations to all who auditioned and qualified for All-Region Orchestra!
Dr. Schmidt, Music:
November 7th - Regional Solo and Small Ensemble Contest will take place at Greiner MS.
November 19th at 6:30 p.m. - 4-6 Musical. This fall’s production will be Perry and Brewer’s It’s About Time, a musical journey through ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and King Arthur’s court.
Congratulations, Mrs. Parrish!
About Dealey
Email: belusk@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/dealey
Location: 6501 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972-794-8400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gbdpta/