The first Days of school
All summer long we were blessed with low humidity and of course the first day back we have sweltering heat and air so thick we could see it. However, a huge advantage of having an old building is that it retains the temperature from previous days. This was to our advantage last week. The building did not get unbearable until after noon. As I visited classrooms on both days, the weather did not effect the mood in the rooms. Students were eagerly listening to instructions, playing "get to know you" games, having scavenger hunts through the new agenda, and using creative ways to learn each other's names. Please send water bottles to school as this week will be challenging with the heat and humidity.
During my visit I briefly spoke to each class of students about two subjects. The first was our Fish Philosophy for the year. This is our overarching character theme, Make Their Day. I explained that this is how we treat one another at Dale. We think of ways to make others feel special. We talked about noticing at lunch and recess when someone is alone or sad. We also talked about how words can hurt. When someone says,"You can't sit here," it really hurts a person's heart. We all agreed that it is more important not to hurt someone then to sit with a specific person. On the second day as I went around to classrooms students were excited to share how they made someone's day. Message delivered. Thank you for sharing such caring people with us each day. The second topic I discussed was our school-wide effort to be quiet in the hallways. Last year was the first year of having both fourth and fifth graders traveling in the hallways independently. Each day during a 40 minute block of time some students from a team of four or five classrooms travel to Spanish or Mandarin and instrument lessons. Some students remain in the classroom for small group instruction. For the first two weeks, world language and instrument teachers will pick students up from the cafeteria and bring them to their classroom. World language classes take place in classrooms and music lessons are in the band room, the foyer and hallway. We are severely challenged by space. It means that teachers with students in small groups often have to find a space to work. Somehow we are managing to make it all work. As you can see, with all of these things going on simultaneously, we need students to be independent and walk through halls quietly so as not to disturb each other's learning. All of the students reassured me that they accept that the freedom to walk in the halls independently comes with responsibility.
World language:
Some interesting statistics about World language: See attached document in email. Just a reminder that students remain in the same World language class until entering sixth grade where they will have the opportunity to switch classes.
During my visit I briefly spoke to each class of students about two subjects. The first was our Fish Philosophy for the year. This is our overarching character theme, Make Their Day. I explained that this is how we treat one another at Dale. We think of ways to make others feel special. We talked about noticing at lunch and recess when someone is alone or sad. We also talked about how words can hurt. When someone says,"You can't sit here," it really hurts a person's heart. We all agreed that it is more important not to hurt someone then to sit with a specific person. On the second day as I went around to classrooms students were excited to share how they made someone's day. Message delivered. Thank you for sharing such caring people with us each day. The second topic I discussed was our school-wide effort to be quiet in the hallways. Last year was the first year of having both fourth and fifth graders traveling in the hallways independently. Each day during a 40 minute block of time some students from a team of four or five classrooms travel to Spanish or Mandarin and instrument lessons. Some students remain in the classroom for small group instruction. For the first two weeks, world language and instrument teachers will pick students up from the cafeteria and bring them to their classroom. World language classes take place in classrooms and music lessons are in the band room, the foyer and hallway. We are severely challenged by space. It means that teachers with students in small groups often have to find a space to work. Somehow we are managing to make it all work. As you can see, with all of these things going on simultaneously, we need students to be independent and walk through halls quietly so as not to disturb each other's learning. All of the students reassured me that they accept that the freedom to walk in the halls independently comes with responsibility.
World language:
Some interesting statistics about World language: See attached document in email. Just a reminder that students remain in the same World language class until entering sixth grade where they will have the opportunity to switch classes.
Dale street character theme of the Month-Honesty
We begin the second year in a two year cycle of monthly character trait themes with this month's theme of Honesty. We will have our first assembly on Friday. Your child will have a Bridge reading that is part of the character education program we embed into daily life at school. On Friday be sure to ask about the assembly. A g
Dale Street Family picnic-This friday sept. 5
Join us for the second annual Dale Street Back to School Picnic. This Friday from 5:00PM to 7:00PM Dale Street families will meet in the grassy area between the school and the Pfaff Center. Please bring a blanket, dinner, and good spirits. Kids play on the playground and parents get a chance to chat. An ice cream truck will be available for the purchase of ice cream. Dale students will receive a ticket for a complimentary ice cream provided by Dale Street CSA. We look forward to seeing you there!
Parent information Night-September 23rd
Mark your calendar for our PIN on
September 23, 2014. We will have a presentation for parents from 6:30PM to approximately 7:00 PM and then teachers will give a 30-45 minute presentation in your child's classroom. Drinking fountains are working at Dale Street School.
During Dr. Marsden’s many visits to Dale Street last year he and I discussed ways to improve Dale. One of the first items he asked about was the bottled water, and we talked about the impact this had on daily life. Under Dr. Marsden’s direction last spring, Alan Peterson, Director of Physical Plant, initiated water testing on our water fountains. After positive results were found the system was flushed several times and then cleaned. The water was again tested and cleared. A further step was added. Industrial filters were placed on each drinking fountain to purify the water. As of today, we have three drinking fountains working in the building on the ground floor. Because the water fountain on the top floor is built into the wall, an external filter was not possible. To make water available to students on that floor a Belmont Springs water fountain will be used. We are thrilled that the fountains will be used. The bottled water on hand will be used until it is finished and then bubblers will be students’ source for water.
Student Handbook
We are very happy to announce that the three elementary principals worked diligently in cooperation with Dr. Jeffrey Marsden, Superintendent of Schools, to create a document that will serve students will as they transition form each building. Each school will have an addendum to help with items that are specific to the school. As soon as we receive final approval from Dr. Marsden, we willbe getting it out to you. I will be highlighting important parts of it as we go along this year.
Site Council-Looking for a chance to get involved?
In compliance with the Education Reform Act of 1993, the School Councils operate as advisory bodies within the schools. The Councils consist of parents, school personnel, and a community member for the purpose of advising the building principal on various issues such as the school’s budget, school practices and procedures, and curriculum. They also assist with the implementation and evaluation of the School Improvement Plan. Members of the Council are elected to the council by members of the school community. Terms of membership expire when the member’s children are no longer enrolled in the school. Meetings are held on a regular basis and are conducted under the Open Meeting Law. We are looking for some fourth grade parents. We meet five times a year and value your opinion.
Site Council Board and Meeting Dates
Site Council Members for the 2014-2015 School Year:
Grade 5 Parent representatives: Erin Langton, Korinna Driscoll, and Tracey Rogers
Faculty Representatives: Dorothy Vancura, Specialist Teacher;
Community Representative: Michael Ikoma, Director of Pfaff Center MAP Program
Principal and co-chair: Louise Snyder.
Please note: We are in need of two faculty members and three fourth parent members for this year to round out our work. We will be asking for volunteers. If more than three parents would like to be members we will hold an election at Parent Information Night (PIN) on September 23, 2014. If you are interested in joining us, please call the office at 508-359-5538.
The Dale Street Site Council Meets on Tuesdays from 7:30AM to 8:30AM in the Media Center.
Dale Meeting dates: (subject to change as necessary)
October 21, 2014
December 9, 2014
January 27, 2015
March 31, 2015
May 19, 2015
Site Council Board and Meeting Dates
Site Council Members for the 2014-2015 School Year:
Grade 5 Parent representatives: Erin Langton, Korinna Driscoll, and Tracey Rogers
Faculty Representatives: Dorothy Vancura, Specialist Teacher;
Community Representative: Michael Ikoma, Director of Pfaff Center MAP Program
Principal and co-chair: Louise Snyder.
Please note: We are in need of two faculty members and three fourth parent members for this year to round out our work. We will be asking for volunteers. If more than three parents would like to be members we will hold an election at Parent Information Night (PIN) on September 23, 2014. If you are interested in joining us, please call the office at 508-359-5538.
The Dale Street Site Council Meets on Tuesdays from 7:30AM to 8:30AM in the Media Center.
Dale Meeting dates: (subject to change as necessary)
October 21, 2014
December 9, 2014
January 27, 2015
March 31, 2015
May 19, 2015
New Staff
We were busy in the spring and over the summer looking for the right people to fill key positions in our school. Please join us in welcoming the following new staff:Leanne DiPesa, Grade 4 Classroom Teacher
(Leanne joins us from Wheelock)
Meghan Krauss, Grade 4 Classroom Teacher
Shannon MacDonald, Grade 5 Classroom Teacher
Kelly Bertschmann, Grade 5 Classroom Teacher
Alison Wells, Math Specialist
Grace Wang, Mandarin Teacher
Bingli Zhang, Mandarin Teacher
(Leanne joins us from Wheelock)
Meghan Krauss, Grade 4 Classroom Teacher
Shannon MacDonald, Grade 5 Classroom Teacher
Kelly Bertschmann, Grade 5 Classroom Teacher
Alison Wells, Math Specialist
Grace Wang, Mandarin Teacher
Bingli Zhang, Mandarin Teacher
Music in our lives...
Those students who signed up for Band, Chorus, or Orchestra will be receiving a letter from the teachers about our pilot program of before school rehearsals. We know that this puts the burden of getting students to school early on you but we are confident that the balance of small group lessons during the school day and practice before school will allow the program to flourish and give back 45 minutes of instructional time during the day. At the end of the year, we will assess this process and make a determination for the following year. The music staff is looking at ways to facilitate carpooling. Just to let you know, before school rehearsals will be canceled if school is delayed or closed for the day. individual teachers will inform you as to how you will be notified In the event that a practice has to be canceled by an instructor. Here is the schedule for the different groups:
Grade 5 Chorus Tuesdays beginning September 9 music room
Grade 5 Orchestra Wednesdays beginning September 10 cafeteria
Grade 5 Band Thursdays beginning September 11 gymnasium
GROUP DAY LOCATION
Grade 4 Chorus Wednesdays beginning October 1 music room
Grade 4 Orchestra Thursdays beginning October 2 cafeteria
Grade 4 Band Mondays beginning December 8 gymnasium
Please read the following article forwarded to me from a parent about how learning to play an instrument can improve reading and language:
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-28703013
Grade 5 Chorus Tuesdays beginning September 9 music room
Grade 5 Orchestra Wednesdays beginning September 10 cafeteria
Grade 5 Band Thursdays beginning September 11 gymnasium
GROUP DAY LOCATION
Grade 4 Chorus Wednesdays beginning October 1 music room
Grade 4 Orchestra Thursdays beginning October 2 cafeteria
Grade 4 Band Mondays beginning December 8 gymnasium
Please read the following article forwarded to me from a parent about how learning to play an instrument can improve reading and language:
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-28703013
Communication is the key
There are many ways in which you will receive information from Dale Street. Teachers will communicate with you through websites, blogs, emails, and phone calls. The office communicates frequently with you via email blasts. Each week Nancy Englehardt, School Secretary, sends out the next week at a glance. She will also alert you when paperwork is due and about upcoming events. I will send out frequent blogs about what is happening at the school and information about staff, curriculum, instruction, and assessments. This blog is the vehicle I will use to share that information.
We have switched to a new student information system that is centrally operated. We have asked the staff to be patient as we transition to the new software. i ask patience for you as well. If you have a new cell phone or email address please let the secretaries know, so that we can have the most up to date information available.
We have switched to a new student information system that is centrally operated. We have asked the staff to be patient as we transition to the new software. i ask patience for you as well. If you have a new cell phone or email address please let the secretaries know, so that we can have the most up to date information available.