Dolphin Details
The Walt Disney Elementary Newsletter
April
Growing our Minds and Hearts
March was filled with many exciting events here at Walt Disney! First, our students were able to show off all their hard work by doing their best on ISTEP. Testing went very smoothly and students were committed to doing their best on each assessment. Thanks to PTO students also had snacks to fill their tummies after testing. Next, one of our fourth grade classes received a very exciting announcement. Check out Miss Duerksen's section to find out all the details. Lastly, our Spell Bowl team had an outstanding showing at the PHM Spell Bowl. Our third and fifth grade team tied for second place and our fourth grade team too home first place. It was an exciting evening filled with many proud students, parents, and teachers!
Our Walt Disney students come to school everyday ready to learn and from the events in April we know that their hard work is paying off! Thank you for all you do to support your child's accomplishments here at Walt Disney!
With your child in mind,
Lavon Dean-Null
Principal
Greetings from Miss Duerksen
Many of you have heard that Mrs. Cramer's big dream came true...she and her students are going to a Chicago Cubs Game this month! However, we want all of our Disney students and families to join in the fun, too. A special Walt Disney Day has been planned at the South Bend Cubs Four Winds Field! On Sunday, April 9, Walt Disney families can attend a game at a discounted price: only $5 per ticket. All tickets must be purchased by Saturday, April 8. You can purchase these discounted tickets at the Field Ticket Office or call (574) 235-9988. You must mention "Walt Disney Day" to receive the discount. This game is also a giveaway game! The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a South Bend Cubs fleece blanket, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a 2017 South Bend Cubs magnet schedule. We hope to see you all there cheering on the South Bend Cubs and showing Dolphin Pride!
Sincerely,
Lisa Duerksen
Assistant to the Principal
Tidbits From Mrs. Tachman
Dear Dolphin Families,
The vernal equinox has come and gone and hopefully, our Indiana weather will start to look more springlike soon! Just as I did during the holidays, I encourage you once again to seek balance in your child's the life as the season changes. Kids will want to participate in after-school activities, stay up later ("but Mom! it's still light out!") and generally push the envelope when it comes to daily activities. But they still need adequate rest and nutritious meals so they can access energy for the full day of learning at school. For an interesting article on sleep and student achievement, click HERE or log on to this URL: https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/improve-your-childs-school-performance-good-nights-sleep
As the immortal Yogi Berra said, "It ain't over until it's over," and the last few months of the current school year will set the tone for the next. Be sure your child is at school every day he or she is able, rested and ready to learn!
With warmest regards,
Cindy Tachman
Assistant to the Principal
Elementary Coordinator, PHM English as a New Language Program
Important Dates
WD CHESS CLUB Spring Session: Fridays after school, April 21 & 28; May 5, 12, 19, & 26 Sign up HERE
April 9 Walt Disney Day at South Bend Cubs
April 10-13 ISTEP Part 2 Practice Test Window
April 14 Recess Day, No School
April 17 - May 5 ISTEP Part 2 Testing Window
April 24 - 28 Buy One Get One Book Fair
Check out all of our school events on our school website: WD Website
WD Chess Friends & Family Celebration Match
Teachers and students: concentrating on the right move
Father and son play side by side
Thanks to the generosity of our own Mr. Sam Patrick and his friends at michianachess.org, we will sponsor a spring session of our WD Chess Club! All Walt Disney students from Grades Ki-5 are invited to participate. No experience is necessary and instruction will be provided to meet students' current skill level and move them to the next.
We are also hoping to enter students in a youth tournament sponsored by michianachess.org, on Saturday, May 6. Participation is entirely optional but it is dependent on parent involvement that day. More information will be forthcoming to Club members and their parents.
Regular WD Chess Club meetings are again on Fridays, from 2:20 - 4:00, starting after the Good Friday Break. Dates for our spring Club meetings are April 21 & 28; May 5, 12, 19, & 26.
To sign up for WD Chess Club, please log on to this URL and complete the form: http://bit.ly/2mHVjKw
Student Council Update
Mark your calendars for our final restaurant night. The event will take place on May 11 from 3-9 p.m. at Chuckie E Cheese. Hope to see you all!
Details for P-H-M Summer 2017 Camps & Activities
At Penn-Harris-Madison, we are proud to offer year-round academic enrichment, athletic and recreational activities for the students and families within our award winning school district.
For months, P-H-M administrators, teachers, coaches and staff have been busy planning all the camps and activities that will be available for students when school lets out this year on Wed., June 7, 2017.
Everything from Japanese to building apps for mobile devices to baseball will be offered this summer! And we’re adding more and more ...
See the link below for more details.
https://waltdisney.phmschools.org/details-p-h-m-summer-2017-camps-activities-now-available
The Enchanted Dance was an Enchanting Night!
Kindergarten Registration
Circle the State
Girls on the Run
Thanks to PTO for ISTEP Snacks
PTO Fundraiser - Amazon Smile
If you shop AMAZON, you can now support us when you shop by using http://smile.amazon.com/ch/35-1697769. Or just go to http://smile.amazon.com and pick Walt Disney Elementary School PTO as the non-profit organization you want to support and Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to our school. Feel free to let all your friends and relatives know as they can contribute the same way all of us do to help our school, no matter where they are :) .
For more PTO details see their blog below.
PTO BlogNew Way to Access Fliers of Community Events/Activities
Looking for the latest events and activities from area community organizations? We’ve gone paperless! Check out the P-H-M website for an online listing of non-school events & activities agencies have asked us to share with P-H-M families:
www.phmschools.org/community-events-activities Just look for the bullhorn icon on the District website.
Parent Volunteers and Visitors
Lavon Dean-Null
Email: ldean-null@phm.k12.in.us
Website: https://waltdisney.phmschools.org/
Location: 4015 Filbert Rd, Mishawaka, IN, United States
Phone: 574-259-2486
Twitter: @WDDolphinPride