What a Magnicifent Night, What a Wonderful Affair!

The performances of Cinderella on December 19th were truly magical.  From flawless scene changes to synchronized ballroom dancing and beautiful singing, the talent of our students was inspiring to all.  Entertaining the students during the day, and over 200 members of the Dobson community in the evening, Cinderella proved to be one of the most successful performances yet!

The cast and crew would like to thank the faculty, parents and the volunteers for helping us put their best foot forward.  During this busy time of year, we really appreciate you offering your time to our production.  We couldn't have put this all together without your support.

We would like to share some pictures and soon videos (courtesy of Mrs. Meier)!

Happy Holidays from Dobson

As we depart for winter break, it is important for us to stop and reflect on what a fantastic fall we have had at James Dobson School.  From the Book Feast to the Winter Solstice Celebrations that occurred today, the Dobson Community is truly thankful for all of the students, parents, faculty and staff that make our school such a lively, nurturing, and most importantly safe place to be.

Reflecting on all that we have to be thankful for, we would be remiss not to include our dynamic Home and School Association.  The Home and School has organized many events so far this year.  One of those delicious events was the Book Feast held in November.  Students were treated to snacks and various food items from their favorite books. 

Students from rooms 103, 104, and 106 showed their thankfulness at a pre-Thanksgiving celebration, where the students and their families enjoyed a Thanksgiving lunch before the holiday.  Students stood at their special place settings and introduced themselves.  Each shared something that they were thankful for this year.  From their families, to the food they were about to eat, each student definitely embodied the Thanksgiving spirit.

December ushered in a new sense of excitement as it became very obvious throughout the school that “The Prince Was Giving A Ball!”  This, and many other songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, could be heard ringing down the halls each day.  As preparations came to a close, the annual musical production of Cinderella came off without a hitch.  Both the student assembly and the evening performance for the parents and community showcased the talent of over 60 of our students from 3rd through 8th grade.  On the evening of December 19^th, the cast and crew entertained more than 200 members of the Dobson community.  The incredible talent and teamwork of the cast and crew helped to make Cinderella one of the best performances to grace the Dobson Stage.

Today, the entire school celebrated the Winter Solstice!  Each class, kindergarten through 5^th grade, went to the library to read the “Polar Express” and was treated to cookies and hot chocolate.  To complete the festivities, these students participated in a massive pajama party and came together in the auditorium to watch the “Polar Express” in style.  Students in 6^th through 8^th grade enjoyed cookies and chocolate milk as they read poetry in their classrooms.

With 2012 coming to a close, we have much to look forward to in the New Year… the arrival of the Buzy Bee, winter and spring sports, the start of our choir program, pep rallies, African American History month, PSSA Prep Season and much, much more!

From the Dobson Faculty and Staff, we would like to wish everyone in the Dobson Community a happy and healthy holiday.  We look forward to seeing everyone on January 2, 2013!

Coming This Week: November 19th-November 23rd

Coming This Week: November 19th-23rd

S.W.E.B.S.    Respectful...Cooperative...Responsible

 

Cinderella Tickets are now on sale.  You don't want to miss out on this fabulous performance!  Contact Ms. Tierney for more information at ltierney@philasd.org (Performance Date: December 19th at 6:30pm)

 

Monday, November 19th

• Student Council and Safety Installation
• Our annual Installation ceremony will take place on Monday, November 19^th @ 9:30. Our keynote speaker is the honorable State Representative Pamela DeLissio. Officers Streets and Bynam, from the 5^th district, will commission our safety patrol.

Tuesday, November 20th

• Book Feast!  Sponsored by our Home and School Association

Wednesday, November 21st

• D.E.A.R.
  

Thursday, November 22nd & Friday, November 23rd

• Happy Thanksgiving
• School is closed

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

•  Blood Drive will be on Wednesday, November 28.  Register online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code 02214997 or call Claire to schedule your appointment.
• Cherry Dale Fundraiser items will be delivered on Friday, November 30.
• Parent Teacher Conferences will be on December 5th and 6th.  Teachers will be sending home schedules soon.  Please be on the look out for them in your child's agenda book or homework folder.

Dobson Goes Green!

Article Courtesy of www.newsworks.org
 
To see some fantastic pictures from this event, please click here.

Over the last year, a whole classroom's worth of young trees have been planted along the streets around the James Dobson Elementary School in Manayunk.

The Roxborough-Manayunk-Wissahickon Tree Tenders have so far put in 25 trees on Umbria and Hermitage streets, and in the school's side yards, said group member Marlene Schleifer. On Saturday, eight members of the group were joined by members of the Dobson school community to put in the latest group of trees, a row of five trees on the Umbria side. They also added fresh mulch to the other trees.

"The trees should be all set for the winter, and the kids and teachers will pick up the watering in the spring," Schleifer said.

The species, the Columnar Sargent Cherry, was chosen because it tends to grow taller and narrower than a traditional cherry tree, making the maturing trees less likely to be sideswiped by the cars, trucks and buses that use narrow Umbria Street, Schleifer said. On the surrounding streets, cherry trees with a more typical rounded shape were put in, she said.

As the trees grow, they'll return some of the greenery the neighborhood had in decades past, when the blocks around the school had a number of trees and flowering bushes, most notably at the former Consolo Bakery property at Hermitage and Smick streets.

Schleifer credited Dobson's principal, Patty Cruice, and dean of students Kim Fullam, for supporting the tree-planting efforts over the last year, including follow-up care after the plantings. And she gave special credit to Nathan Altus, a neighborhood teenager, for his help keeping the trees healthy.
"My job would have been a lot harder without him, and it's clear that the trees have benefitted from the attention they received during the weeks when school was not in session," she said.
NewsWorks has partnered with independent news gatherer PlanPhilly to provide regular, in-depth, timely coverage of planning, zoning and development news. Contact Amy Z. Quinn at azquinn@planphilly.com.

5th Grade History Hunters

From Mrs. Meier's 5th Grade Class of  History Hunters: We began our first journey on the 4 part adventure. First stop was the Stenton House, home of James Logan, close friend of William Penn. The students enjoyed visiting the formal rooms of the home. They even re enacted a peace pact between colonists and Native Americans wherein they made and exchanged "wampum" The students then took part in some chores from the 1600's. They are super excited for trip #2, Dec. 7 to Clivedon.

Coming This Week: November 12th

Coming This Week: November 12th-16th

S.W.E.B.S.    Respectful...Cooperative...Responsible

 

Rule #2. I will follow directions the first time given

 This is the final week for our Thanksgiving Food Drive!  Please send in non-perishable food items with your child.  All donations will be distributed to Dobson Families.

 

Cinderella Tickets are now on sale.  Ticket Order Forms will be sent home with all students on Tuesday, November 13th.  You don't want to miss out on this fabulous performance!  Contact Ms. Tierney for more information at ltierney@philasd.org (Performance Date: December 19th at 6:30pm)

 

Monday, November 12th

• School is Closed for Staff and Students

Wednesday, November 14th

• D.E.A.R

Thursday, November 15th

• Class Trip:  Riverbend Environmental Center (103, K, 1^st and 2^nd Grades)

Friday, November 16th

• PICTURE DAY 

Helping Those Effected By Hurricane Sandy:  

Mrs. Meier, our 5th grade teacher, has connected with teachers in the Uptown School in Atlantic City.  Many of the families in this school district have lost all of their possessions, from clothes, diapers, school supplies, and in many cases their homes.  Several classrooms have coordinated to bring in items, in conjunction with the Thanksgiving drive to be donated to these families.  Please contact your classroom teacher for more information.

 
Student Council Elections:  Elections for Class Representatives took place last week in each classroom.  Elected students will be announced this week on the morning announcements.   The Student Council and Safety Installation Assembly will take place on Monday, November 19th at 9:30am with special guest and key note speaker, honorable State Representative Pamela DeLissio.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Book Feast will be on Tuesday, November 20 (forms were sent home last week to volunteer and/or send in food. Please send them back as quickly as possible so that we can plan accordingly). 
• School will be closed on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
•  Blood Drive will be on Wednesday, November 28.  Register online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code 02214997 or call Claire to schedule your appointment.
• Cherry Dale Fundraiser items will be delivered on Friday, November 30.

Dobson Student Council

 Wanted!

 Creative, ambitious, and passionate leaders interested in assuming positions in Student Council.

What does a member of the Student Council actually do?

Each member must attend regularly scheduled meetings at which he/she represents his/her grade. A member acts on the needs and interests of the students and the community. Student Council will run fundraising activities, community service, and special activities and event.

What positions are available in Student Council?

Class Representative: (1 student per class for K-5, 2 students per class for grades 6-8)

· Attend student council meetings,

· Bring ideas and suggestions from class members to the meetings

· Report information back to his/her class classroom

· Help with the development of projects for the student council and school

· Helps promote school pride

Who can run for student council?

· Students who embrace all members of the school community

· Students who are motivated to listen to all members of the school community and motivated to act in the best interest of all members of the community

· Students with exemplary attendance

· Students with NO PINK SLIPS since 2011

How do I run for Student Council?

· Due November 7. On an 8.5 x 11” paper, you must make a small campaign poster with your name, grade, and why you would be a good class representative.

· On November 9, Election Day, students in your class will vote for Class Representative.

If you have any questions about Student Council, please see Ms. Boyle in Room 103.

Coming This Week: November 5th

Coming This Week: November 5th-November 9th

S.W.E.B.S. Focus: Rule #1

 Monday, November 5th

• Dobson Decides!
• Dobson students will participate in a mini-election process to chose which candidate they feel would be the best President!

Tuesday, November 6th

• Election Day
• School will be closed for students.

Wednesday, November 7th

• D.E.A.R.- Drop Everything and Read

Friday, November 9th

• Fun Friday
• Student Council Elections

Cinderella Tickets are now on Sale! Ticket order forms will be sent home to all students again on Monday, November 5th.