DIARY OF DAWSON SCHOOL
April 4, 2019
Principal Update:
You play an important part in helping students give their best performance on this important test. As you know, we have been busy preparing and reinforcing the skills necessary for students to demonstrate their learning. Even though this assessment is a snapshot—one single perspective – it is important that our students have every advantage to do their very best. We don’t want to cause test anxiety, rather we want our students to be as prepared as possible. There are many ways in which you can help your child put his/her best foot forward. The following guidelines can help set our students up for success:
The night before the test:
1. Make sure your child goes to bed on time so he or she is well-rested.
2. Keep your routine as normal as possible. Upsetting natural routines may make children feel insecure.
3. Be positive and confident in the fact that you know your child will do his/her best.
4. Plan ahead to avoid conflicts on the morning of the test.
The morning of the test:
1. Get up a few minutes early to avoid rushing and make sure your child arrives at school on time.
2. Have your child eat a nutritious breakfast. There is a strong correlation between eating breakfast and memory and cognitive functioning.
3. Have your child dress comfortably.
4. Be positive and communicate that this is your child’s chance to show what he/she knows. The most important thing you can do right before the test is to build confidence about doing his/her very best.
After the test:
1. Talk to your child about his/her feelings about the test.
2. Discuss what was easy and what was hard; discuss what your child learned from the test.
3. Explain that performance on a test does not define him or her as a person. It is just one opportunity to demonstrate learning.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education.
Together we can make a difference!
Warmly,
Mrs. Wallace
Grades 3-5 MCAS Dates
April 10 and 11 - Grade 5 ELA
April 30 and May 1 - Grade 3 Math
May 7 and 8 - Grade 4 Math
May 9 and 10 - Grade 5 Math
May 15 and 16 - Grade 5 Science and Technology
Save The Date:
4/3-Quarter 3 Closes
4/10-Report Cards Available Via PowerSchool Parent Portal (4:00PM)
4/15-April Vacation Begins (4/15-4/19)
4/22-Welcome Back
5/13-NO SCHOOL/ Voting/ Teacher Professional Development Day
5/24 - HALF DAY - TEACHER PD
6/7 - Dawson Field Day
6/14 - Tentative Last Day of School - Half Day
Wachusett Kindergarten Registration and Full Day Proposal
Please visit the link below for more information on the registration process.
Wachusett Kindergarten Full Day Proposal
HOLDEN ELEMENTARY PTA GOLF TOURNAMENT
On June 1, 2019, we will be having our first Holden Elementary School Golf Tournament! This will be a fundraiser for each of the 3 elementary schools. The tournament will be held at The Woods of Westminster Golf Course in Westminster. There will be golf and dinner after. To start off each school is looking to get 48 golfers or 12 teams of 4. The price will be $125 for golf and dinner.
Social and Emotional Parent Resources: Books for Children
Books About Fear
1. There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi
Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy.
2. Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all.
3. The Dark by Lemony Snicket
Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The dark lives in the same house as Laszlo. Mostly, though, the dark stays in the basement and doesn’t come into Lazslo’s room. But one night, it does.
4. Don’t Think About Purple Elephants by Susanne Merritt
Sometimes Sophie worries — not during the day when she is busy with family and friends, but at night when everything is calm and quiet.
5. Too Shy for Show-and-Tell by Beth Bracken
Sam is a quiet little boy who hates show-and-tell. Just thinking about it makes his stomach hurt. Sam must find a way to conquer his fear of show-and-tell.
Books about Risk-Taking
6. The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
Zoom meets Beautiful Oops! in this book about the creative process, and the way in which “mistakes” can blossom into inspiration
7. Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka
Learning to ride a bike is one of the most important milestones of childhood, and this book captures the emotional ups and downs of the experience.
8. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett
Meet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake.
artist.
Dawson High Five April: Friendship
Social and Emotional Learning: Making The Right Choice
Children can often be delightful. They also can sometimes be deceitful or unkind, bullies or victims. Sometimes the difference can be in the lessons they learn, both at home and at school. Here are some ways to help your children grow up to be respectful and kind, and to have the self-respect they need to make the right choices, both now and in the future.
The attached Newsletter is from National Association of Elementary School Principals in English and Spanish:
Melissa Wallace, Lead Learner and Principal of Dawson Elementary School
Email: melissa_wallace@wrsd.net
Website: http://www.wrsd.net/dawson/
Location: 155 Salisbury Street, Holden, MA, USA
Phone: 508-829-6828
Facebook: facebook.com/DawsonElementarySchoolDolphins
Twitter: @dawsondolphin