Herman E. Dummer
September Newsletter
A Message from the Principal, Mrs. Ford
LIfe is always changing from one day to the next. “It’s soooo hot!” “I’m cold!” “I wish it wasn’t so windy!” I wish there was a breeze.” So many things are out of our control and the days continue one after another whether we like it or not, whether we want them to or not, or if we are ready or not. One thing we can control is our outlook on life and the joy we choose to have. Choose to see the beauty of waking up to a brand new day, the beauty of trees imploding a myriad of spectacular colors as the season changes from summer to fall, and the beauty of time spent with loved ones. Don’t get too busy, too angry, or just too apathetic letting the days slip by, one by one, because life is just too precious to waste on not seeing the countless blessings all around us at any given time! Whatever may come our way this year, I know it will be just fine because we have each other and that is the perfect place to be, the beauty of the here and now.
Welcome our new staff for the 2023-2024 school year.
Karina Erazo
Multi-Lingual Teacher
Angela Circelli, Katie McLaughlin, Patti Kubisak, Michelle Gomez, and Elizabeth Phouangphidok
4th-6th Grade STARS Paras
Jason VanPelt
4th -6th Grade STARS Teacher
New Security Measures
Our new Visitor Check-In System has been a welcome addition to our school. As you know, our number one priority is the safety of your students, and this impressive system is a great upgrade for our school. Using a visitor's ID (state ID or Driver's license), this system will complete a quick background check by searching the US sex offender databases & criminal databases. Now that we have a new visitor check-in system, we will no longer ask parents to fill out a volunteer packet.
Come See Us At The Sandwich Fair!
We hope to see everyone back at our booth for all your water, pop, and/or Gatorade needs! We are right by the Grandstands/Track where we have been for years. All money raised, goes right back to our school. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! :)
This week, your child brought home our Dummer Behavior Contract for you and your child to read through, discuss, and then sign and return. We feel that holding everyone to high expectations is a must for ourselves and our students as well. A positive atmosphere with good work ethic does wonders for creating success. Positive behaviors along with homework completion is expected. There are consequences for our actions, both positive and negative, and our goal is to help our students reap the positive rewards. For those students who continually have late work or poor behavior, consequences will be given and may include mandatory after school homework club and/or detentions. We all want the best for our children and working together will help us see success!
Too Good for Drugs
The Ben Gordan Center in DeKalb works with various school districts to deliver their Too Good for Drugs Program. Their staff comes into our school to teach a total of 10 lessons during our students’ PE times. These lessons are correlated with the Illinois Learning Standards for Physical Development and Health. Lesson details were sent home with your students last week. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dummer School.
Dummer School Picture Day - Thursday, September 14.
Dummer Parent Group
Band Nights - Come Learn About 5th Grade Band
A Note from our Nurse: Mrs. Brummel
Please remember to send a water bottle with your children each day. Next week brings extreme temperatures again, everyone is encouraged to stay extra hydrated!
Erin's Law
Erin’s Law:
Senate Bill 6193 (Public Act 96-1524) requires age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education in pre-kindergarten through Grade 12. The District, in consultation with its counselors and social workers, has developed age-appropriate continuum of learning opportunities for students to help increase their safety throughout the community. Parents are encouraged to review the warning signs of possible child abuse, which can include:
Unexplained injuries and changes in behavior
Returning to earlier behavior (regressing to behaviors more appropriate for younger children)
Fear of going to certain previously welcome locations (neighbors, relatives, friends, etc.)
Changes in eating habits and/or sleeping patterns
Changes in school performance and/or attendance
Risk-taking behavior
Inappropriate sexual behavior
Mood swings
Lack of personal care or hygiene
Homecoming Week
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Reminder
Please park on the north side of the middle sidewalk heading to Dummer's front doors on Wells Street heading towards Hall Street. You may also park on the side of our playground on Hall Street. There are no drop-offs behind Dummer School unless a child is late to school and then they will need to ring the bell to enter the school. Drop-offs and Pick-ups are not allowed in front of Sandwich Middle School. This a a bus lane only. If a child is late to school, they will need to go around to the back of Dummer and ring the bell because we will not know they are out front. We have reminded students of this various times already this year.
Safety Matters!
Every year our schools have scheduled dates that we practice our safety drills. Your child will do these throughout the year on the scheduled days, along with various other times, so if the need arises, all students would have gone through the protocols of what to do and know the expectations.
Sandwich Education Foundation - All Are Welcome!
September Breakfast Menu
September Lunch Menu
Important Dates:
Sept. 4th: Labor Day - No School
Sept. 6-10th: Come visit the Dummer booth at the Sandwich Fair
Sept. 8th: No School
Sept. 13th: HED Instrument Selection Night 3:30 - 6:30
Sept. 13th: Dummer Parent Group meeting at 6:00 in our Multi-Purpose Room
Sept. 14th: HED Spring Pictures
Sept. 14th: Hoover Trip Shimp/Stahl
Sept. 15th: 11:10 Dismissal - School Improvement Day
Sept. 18th-22nd: Homecoming Week
Sept. 19th: School Board Meeting 7:00 PM
Sept. 21st: Intruder Drill
Sept. 22nd: Homecoming parade
Sept. 25th: 5th Grade Erin's Law
Sept. 29th: Progress Reports go home
Sept. 29th: 4th Grade Erin's Law