HERMAN E. DUMMER NEWSLETTER
May, 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
We are almost to the finish line! It has been a long and weary race but we have persevered. Thank you for your patience, understanding, grit and kindness as we moved along step by step and all too often, minute by minute. The thing with races though is that once you cross that finish line, you begin again. What race will be next and how will we make sure to keep going and finish that one as well? Some races are longer, harder and more painful. Some may be enjoyable, while others are more like sprints and over before we know it whether we want them to be or not. We are constantly crossing one finish line to begin again. Each finish line represents a timeline in our lives that make us who we are and creates the story we pass down through generations. Make your story count. Have fun in the race. Learn something from that time. Help others in the process. Life is just one big race that is meant to be lived, loved, enjoyed and shared. It doesn’t matter who comes in first or last. It matters who you meet along the way, having a positive outlook, lending a hand to others and that you finish. Thanks for sharing this adventure with me because it is also a part of my journey that I couldn’t have, and wouldn’t have, wanted to do without you!
ILLINOIS STATE AND FASTBRIDGE TESTING BEGINS MONDAY, MAY 3RD
Our Illinois state tests, Illinois Assessment of Readiness and the 5th Grade Science assessment, will take place May 3-14 with make-ups to follow. The state of Illinois did not waive these tests for this school year and we understand that much learning has been impacted. All we can ask of the students is to do the best they can. We understand this can be an anxious time and we do not want the students to stress over something they cannot control. All we are asking them to do is try.
Please make sure your student's Chromebook is charged for testing.
FastBridge testing will take place starting May 24. This data is helpful for our school to see individual growth and/or needs as well as it gives us useful class and grade data to help guide our teaching and learning.
CHROMEBOOK TURN IN INFORMATION
IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED YOUR REGISTRATION FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, PLEASE DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
STUDENT PLACEMENT
Please know your child’s educational experience is of utmost importance to us and we take it very seriously. Over the past few years there has been an increase in parent/guardian requests for student placement. Students are placed in classes by a combination of well studied and thought out processes. Classroom placement will be based on the following criteria:
1) Performance Assessments
2) Learning Style
3) Teacher (s) Input
4) Academic Performance
5) Male/Female Balance
6) Social Balance
7) Teacher Compatibility
8) Students Compatibility
9) Special Program Schedules
10) Physical Handicaps
11) Student Personality and Emotional needs
We appreciate your understanding of this matter. Together, as a team, we can accomplish much!
STUDENTS MUST HAVE A SELF CERTIFICATION SLIP EVERY DAY THEY ARE IN ATTENDANCE. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE FORMS
NURSE NEWS
ATTENTION PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF 5TH GRADE STUDENTS
6th Grade Health Requirements for 2021-22 School Year
It’s not too early to start planning for next school year. Below is a list of health requirements for entry into 6th grade. The physical exam and immunization record are due by the first day of school.
· Complete physical exam: Please note that a sports physical does not meet the requirement for the 6th grade physical.
· Up - to - date immunizations to include: Tdap, 2- varicella doses, hepatitis B series, and meningococcal vaccine. Please check with your health care provider to be sure these immunizations are included on your child’s 6th grade physical exam.
* Exemption Forms: Renewal of Religious Exemption Form or Medical Exemption, if applicable.
· Dental exam: due by May 15, 2022
The 6th grade health packets were sent home (for in person students), with your child, and mailed home (for remote students) in late February. Health forms may also be found on the district website or picked up in the main office. If you have questions about any of these requirements you may contact Mrs. Meyer, School Nurse at 815-786-8498.
END OF THE YEAR INFORMATION
MEDICATION:
Please be reminded that medication not picked up by the last day of school will be discarded. Medication must be picked up by a parent or guardian, other than emergency type medication, students will not be allowed to take it home. The last day of school is June 9th .
MEDICATION FORMS AND HEALTH CARE PLANS FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR:
The required school medication forms, for the 2021-22 school year, will be sent home prior to the last day of school. Keep in mind medication, prescription or over the counter, cannot be given without a completed school medication authorization form on file at school. Also, health care plans (asthma, food allergy, etc.) should also be updated for the 2021-22 school year. If you have questions you may contact the School Nurse. For your convenience, medication forms can also be found on the district website.
MAY 9th-15TH IS FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK:
Food allergies are serious and affect all ages. 1 in 13 kids has a food allergy. To learn more about food allergies see the resource websites listed below.
Please inform the building nurse of your child’s allergies prior to the opening of school (or immediately after a diagnosis). An individual heath care plan which includes an emergency action plan will be developed with your assistance.
RESOURCES FOR FOOD ALLERGY INFORMATION:
PRESCHOOL SCREENING
NIU SUMMER READING SKILLS PROGRAM
ROE NEWS
FANTASTIC 4TH GRADE
Fourth Grade has really enjoyed having all of the students back in the classroom!
The students are making new friends and enjoying seeing old friends too. The school is so full of laughter, and the students seem to be adjusting well!
Recently in Reading, we finished reading the book “Lunch Money” by Andrew Clements. It was a huge hit with the students. Some of them have been checking out other books by Andrew Clements during our Learning Center time. While reading this book, we looked at how authors include details about story elements, such as characters, setting, and plot, to develop a theme. We have carried these over into writing as the students have worked on writing their own narrative story. We will continue to focus on looking at narratives over the next few lessons.
In math, we have jumped into geometry. We have been learning how to use a protractor to measure angles, and use addition and subtraction to solve problems with unknown angle measures. In the weeks to come, we will be analyzing geometric shapes to classify them.
Earlier in the month, we had the pleasure of having Deanna Bazan from KCOEC join us for an on site field trip. She came to introduce the fourth graders to ecosystems. We met with her outside, and learned all about producers, consumers, and decomposers. We played some games, and did some activities that helped us understand how food chains and food webs work too. We have continued learning all about these topics in the classroom during our science lessons.
In social studies, we have continued to learn about the regions of the United States. Currently we are learning all about the Midwest. As we finish these up, we will be heading into our economy unit.
We will have a field trip coming up to the Adams Family Farm on June 4th. If your student has not already brought home a permission slip, they will be coming home soon. Be on the lookout for that, and please return it by May 25, 2021.
Please remember to check with your child to see if they have any homework, and make sure their chromebook is charged for school every dayl. We appreciate all of your help this school year!
MUSIC NEWS
It has been a long time coming, but there will be an opportunity for K-5 students to perform musically this Spring. It will not be in the form of a formal spring concert that takes place in a regular school year. Students that wish to take part in performing will join Mr. Anderson (K-3), Mr. Aska (4-5) and RJMC (Rebecca Johnson) at The Music In The Park Summer Concert Series at Veteran's Park (The Gazebo across from The Opera House downtown Sandwich). The event will take place on Wednesday, May 26th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Immediately following this event, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Aska are working on a possible second performance for residents at Willow Crest Nursing Pavilion on Main St. in Sandwich. This is not set in stone at this time, but we have been in contact with an administrator at the facility. Once we know either way if this will be a possibility, we will share information. We would not enter the facility, but would perform the songs outside on the sidewalk/lawn that students have been working on as a part of The Audience and Performer Decorum Unit as outlined by The National Association for Music Education standards.
The singalong is not sponsored by Sandwich schools. It is a community event that is presented by RJMC and the city of Sandwich. Students will be invited to perform the songs they have learned at approximately 6:30 p.m., and will be about 15-20 minutes in duration. The remainder of the time will be a sing-a-long for everyone in a "karaoke-style" manner with both Mr. Anderson and Mr. Aska playing guitar and piano with words projected to favorite sing-a-long songs for people of all ages. All are welcome to step up on the gazebo and have their voices heard through The Gazebo that will be equipped with microphones that will pick up voices without the necessity of putting hands on for the safety and protection of those choosing to take part.
This is not a mandatory event for students and/or families. Students' music grades will not be affected one way or another if students attend or if they choose not to be there on May 26th. If students attend, they are welcome to come up on the Gazebo and sing, they could stand if front of the Gazebo or off to the side, or if parents/guardians would feel safer students could stand or sit with the families and put on a personal performance of the music that has been taught as a part of the curriculum for those that make up the audience. There is no suggested dress other than please look at weather conditions and dress accordingly. There is no set rain date. So, if we have to cancel because of weather, we will not be making up the concert. This is very simply a chance for our students to showcase their talents in an outside event.
P.E. NEWS
We have been very busy lately in physical education! It is so awesome to have all of the students back in person. The students have done a great job adapting to changes that have come their way this school year. From hybrid, to full remote, and now to full in-person learning, they have rolled with the changes. Thank you for your continued support, and for encouraging your child to stay active and healthy. Normally, during this time of the school year, we would be collecting Plunge Into Fitness Logs for Raging Waves Waterpark. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 they have suspended their program until next year. We know how much our students enjoy this program, and love that they are able to work hard to earn their ticket to the waterpark, so we will make sure to check back next year in hopes that the program will resume!
We will be starting our track and field unit soon, where students will get to explore all
that the sport has to offer. This is also the time that we prepare for our grade level track and field event that takes place at the end of the year. This year, we will be completing our track and field events during PE in order to follow guidelines and make sure that events are done
safely. All students will have the opportunity to compete in all events during their physical
education class time. Remote students will also have field day related activities listed in their
google classroom that they can participate in. An awards/ribbon ceremony (for students only) will follow the events in late May or early June socially distanced on the front lawn for each grade level. Thank you for your support in another successful year in physical education!
Mrs. Ryan & Mrs. DeWitt
Physical Education
MARCH MADNESS WINNERS - ELI FUTRELL AND KATIE MILLER
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER FOR MAY AND JUNE
May 31st - Memorial Day - No School
June 2nd - 5th Grade Health Program
June 2nd - 4th Grade Chromebook Turn In
June 3rd - 5th Grade Chromebook Turn in
June 4th - 4th Grade Field Trip to Adams Farm
June 9th - Last Day of School - 1:10 Dismissal
June 10th - Remote Students Chromebook Turn in 7:30 am-10:00 am
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
CHARACTER COUNTS
MAY BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENUS
Herman E. Dummer School
Email: jkruswicki@sandwich430.org
Website: sandwich430.org
Location: 422 South Wells Street, Sandwich, IL, USA
Phone: 815-786-8498