The Dunwoody Springs Dispatch
A Project Based Learning School
November 16, 2016
Ivy Goggins, Principal
Denise Haltrecht, Asst. Principal
Upcoming Events
- 11/14-11/17 Book Fair
- 11/16 #DSESFamilyNight on Twitter NO HOMEWORK
- 11/17 Thanksgiving luncheon
- 11/18 PBL Teacher Workday - NO SCHOOL
- 11/21-25 Thanksgiving holidays - NO SCHOOL
- 12/8 Publix Math Night
Change of Transportation Update & Forms
Transportation changes will only be accepted in writing via fax or this form (http://school.fultonschools.org/es/dunwoodysprings/Documents/TRANSPORTATION%20CHANGE%20FORM.pdf) by 12 noon on the day of the change. Last minute changes will not be accepted. Transportation changes will no longer be accepted via phone, email or text. If you have questions regarding the changes, please contact the front office.
Thanksgiving Feast
Project Based Learning Showcase Night
WOW! What a fantastic turn-out we had for the first Project Based Learning Showcase Night of the 2016-2017 school year. We had over 200 parents, community members, and invited guests here to see our phenomenal students present their projects. One of our distinguished guests, Sandy Springs Mayor, Rusty Paul, was extremely impressed with all he saw.
Projects ranged from Pre-K investigating the similarities between ant colonies and our school community to new and unique animal habitats for animals not native to Georgia. Halls were teeming with students presenting on their various learning devices.
Parents were given a notecard with specific question suggestions to ask the students. The card also included a brief questionnaire regarding PBL. Every single card that was turned in had nothing but praise about our PBL initiative! Parents loved the real-world connection and that students could also articulate their learning in the form of presentations.
Be on the lookout for information about PBL #2!
Survey
Every year, the state rates schools based on several data points. One of these data points is a survey that all staff, students, and parents complete about our school. You may complete the survey using your personal computer, smartphone or tablet. If you do not have access to the Internet, you are welcome to take the survey at DSES. We encourage all parents to take the survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. No parent participation or low parent participation will negatively impact our school's School Climate Star Rating from the state. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. Results from the survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online. We greatly appreciate your time and effort!
CLICK BELOW FOR THE GEORGIA PARENT SURVEY LINK:
http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/parents.nsf/Survey.xsp
Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 take their portion of the survey at school and it is called the Georgia Student Health Survey 2.0. Federal law requires that the student survey questions be made available for review by all interested parties. Parents can opt out of the survey for their student. If you do not want your child to take the survey, please send a hand written and signed note to your child's teacher by Friday, November 11th. If you do not respond by this date, we will assume that your child can take the survey. All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will take the survey at some point between November 14th -November 17th .
The Book Fair Is Here!
ARRGGHHH you ready? The Scholastic book fair is in the Dunwoody Springs Media Center from Monday, Nov. 14 through Thursday, Nov. 17.
The hours are:
- Mon. - Wed. 7:15-3:15
- Thursday 7:15-1:00
- Online shopping 11/9-11/18 (24 hours a day)
We hope to see you there for a swashbuckling good time!
http://www.scholastic.com/bf/dunwoodyspringscharteres
We are also in need of volunteers!! Please visit the volunteer section of the webpage above to sign up, or contact Mrs. Matthews at matthewsa1@fultonschools.org
Family Twitter Night #DSESFamilyNight
Dunwoody Springs will once again be participating in #DSESfamilynight on Twitter. These special nights throughout the school year will allow you as a family to spend time together with NO HOMEWORK to increase family engagement time! The only thing we ask is that you “TWEET” about it on Twitter, use the hashtag #DSESFAMILYNIGHT and tag our school @DunwoodySprings with your pictures of the fun you are having!
DSES Twitter nights are: October 19th, November 16th , December 14th, January 18th, February 15th, March 15th, April 12th and May 17th. All families that participate will be entered into a drawing for a prize!
TAG Corner – Talented and Gifted Activities
“Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.”
-Marcus Aurelius
Observation can be described as perception with purpose. When we focus our senses and mentally record what we find, we are not only processing information but also allowing ourselves to think of how that information fits within what we already know, and what could possibly be. When we are faced with a problem or obstacle we need a place to start that will help us create solutions. Stopping to focus and observe before we receive any input on how to resolve an issue can help us to create the solution ourselves.
Four Ways to Foster Observation Skills?
Teach children that to observe something is to pay close attention to something. Use their five senses where appropriate: seeing; hearing; touching; smelling; tasting. Children must be taught they should only touch or taste something if an adult says it is safe.
Remind children that observing something well means to see things from different angles, places, and over periods of time. The longer the time you have to make observations, the better the information will be.
Provide different observation tools like magnifying glasses, microscopes; rulers and measuring tapes; weights and scales; thermometers; stopwatches, clocks, etc. Through practice, children will learn which tools will best help them in their respective observations.
Emphasize that recording observations is just as important as making them: use words, numbers, pictures, photos and videos; different types of graphic organizers. It is important to be neat and organized
Reference: http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/scienceskills/makingobservations/grownups.weml
For some additional interactive activities and resources, visit the following sites:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/crittercam-virtual-world-antarctica/
A Message From Our School Social Worker
If you have any needs that I can possibly help with please contact me at; iversonj@fultonschool.org, 404-668-7338
Jasmine Iverson, School Social Worker
Student Artwork On Display at the Sandy Springs Library
Several Dunwoody Springs' Students have their artwork on display at the Sandy Springs Library located on Mt. Vernon Rd. You are invited to view the artwork throughout the month of November. We're sure you will be as proud of your child as we are.
Congratulations Students!
KDG
Gabriel DeSouza
Nicholas Azofeifa
Melanie Valdespino
1st Grade
Emerson Taggart
McKenna Koeck
2nd Grade
Malia Perkins
Samantha Solorio
Elijah Escobar
Isabella Williams
3rd Grade
Kaleb Lansdown
Nate Patel
Alayna Cowan
Yoali Venegas
Aydan Hill
Aboubacar Barry
Eamon Halpern
Jennifer Catalan
4th Grade
Dayson Lovett
Deanna Edmond
Roger Reyes
Rachel Orht
Alana Azofeifa
Caleb Cephus
Rylee Foxwell
Ketsia Koyaweda
Daniel Raburn
Trinity Davis
5th Grade
Paige Gamble
Johan Jimenez
Jordan Stallworth
Austin Lester
Griffin Caraway
Joanna Speck
Karate Classes
Life Martial Arts will offer Karate Classes to Dunwoody Springs ES beginning in November. All proceeds from registration will be donated for Staff Appreciation. Registration is $20 and is open to students in every grade level. And will close on November 9th.
Classes will take place at Dunwoody Springs from 2:30-3:15pm on the following dates.
Thursday, November 10
Thursday, November 17
Thursday December 1
Thursday December 8
Flyers will be coming home in Wednesday folders. Please pay with cash or check only and return the form to the front desk or your child’s teacher.
e-Books
Do you know that your child can read library e-books from his/her computer at home (or from any mobile device)?
In your browser, navigate to https://fulton.mackinvia.com/ Then your child can log on with his/her username (lunch number) and birthday (mm/dd/yyyy). On the left-hand side of the screen, click on ebooks. Our school has almost 1,400 ebooks to choose from. Try some out today!!
Online Food Service Account Access
Basket-ball
Basketball is starting in December. This for any 2nd-5th grade girl or boy. Please see Ms. Geiss in the clinic for more information and to sign-up. Practices and games will be held at DSES. 2nd and 3rd grade will play on Monday and Wednesday and 4th and 5th will play on Tuesday and Thursday.
The Joyful Notes Children's Choral Group
The City of Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department offers an Afterschool Children’s Choral Group for Dunwoody Springs Elementary students in Grades 1-5!
● Learn music notations & symbols
● Learn about various music styles and instruments
● Learn about pitch, rhythm, tempo, and articulation
● Learn age-appropriate and beginner songs, to be sung in unison
● Prepare a presentation for family and friends
Min/max: 10/25
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
For registration forms please see Paula Geiss at Dunwoody Springs Elementary School Clinic or contact Deb Strycula
Sandy Springs Recreation Manager
770-206-2039
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS
MEETING DAY/TIME:
MONDAY 2:30-3:30
(GRADES 1-5)
FALL TERM (8 WEEKS):
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19-NOVEMBER 14, 2016
(NO CLASS OCTOBER 10)
WINTER TERM (8 WEEKS):
MONDAY JANUARY 23-MARCH 20, 2017
(NO CLASS FEBRUARY 20 AND MARCH 13)
SPRING TERM (8 WEEKS):
MONDAY MARCH 27-MAY 22, 2017
(NO CLASS APRIL 3)
FEE: $35.00 PER TERM (8 CLASSES)
INSTRUCTOR:
RICARDO HURTADO
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Clinic Corner
It’s the holiday season which means travel and spending quality time with family and friends. Please remember to be healthy and safe over the course of your break. Always remember to WASH YOUR HANDS! It is the best way to prevent germs from spreading. Happy Thanksgiving!
CHESTATEE COUNSELING CENTER is here throughout the School Year!
We specialize in supportive counseling and provide services at home as well as at DSES throughout the school year and over the summer. If you are interested in receiving counseling services, please call 706-344-8462 or 678-948-8390 and/or email sandee.chestateecounseling@gmail.com. We are a Medicaid Provider and accept Amerigroup, Centpatico and Wellcare at no cost to you.
We look forward to the opportunity to help you!
Dunwoody Springs Elementary Project Based Learning School
Email: gogginsi@fultonschools.org
Website: http://school.fultonschools.org/es/dunwoodysprings/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 8100 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30350, United States
Phone: 470-254-4060
Twitter: @DunwoodySprings