James Dobson Students Represent at Regional Computer Fair

On Friday, March 30th, Becca Gallagher and David Andreozzi represented James Dobson School at the 2012 Pennsylvania Regional Middle School Computer Fair, at the Philadelphia School District Administration Building.  Becca and David spent weeks preparing the digital movie, "Life is Short," for viewing by the panel of judges.  The film was a compilation of Photoshop images and voice recordings done by all of the 8th grade students at Dobson.  Inspired by the digital short film, "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On," Dobson students were challenged in Graphic Arts class to look at school through the eyes of someone who is miniature.  The film, created in iMovie, tells the tale of the "smallest class at Dobson" and took home an Honorable Mention nod.  We couldn't be prouder of Becca and David, as well as the rest of the 8th grade students for their exemplary work.  Bravo!

David and Becca pose in front of their display at the 2012 PA Regional Computer Fair.

Click play to watch "Life is Short" by Becca and David.

Coming up this week: 3/26

Coming Up This Week: 3/26

• 

  S.W.E.B.S. Focus is Rule #4   

  I will solve my problems peacefully!

  • Monday, March 26th
    
    • 8th graders will be selling Dobson Bracelets at Lunch to help raise funds for the 8th Grade Trip.  Bracelets are $2 each. 
    • Dobson's First Annual Poetry Contest has begun!! Look for the rules and guidelines posted around the school.  Ask your teachers for more information.
  • Wednesday, March 28th
  • Drop Everything And Read!
  • Friday, March 30th
  • PPAA Walk To Water Ice at 1:00pm (weather permitting)
  • Achieve3000 Contest Ends today!!! Read those articles! See the current standings below!!
  • 
    
  Reminders:
  

• 
•  The TeenBiz/KidBiz3000 contest is on!  For more info follow the link:  www.achieve3000.com/contest/spring Here are the current standings! Don't forget the winning class wins a party! The contest ends March 30th.
• 5th Grade is currently in the lead with 35.9 points and 28 students who have completed at least 8 activities. (THAT'S A TEN POINT JUMP FROM LAST WEEK! WAY TO GO!)
• 7th Grade is currently in second place with 24.8  points and 22 students who have completed at least 8 activities.
• 6th Grade has jumped into currently in third place with 20.6 points and 19 students who have completed at least 8 activities. 

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!!

The Upper School MG class is excited to report that the second issue of the Umbria Street Journal (the February and March 2012 issue) is available to downloaded on the James Dobson School Home Page.  This issue features information from the PSSA's to the Grammy's, The Umbria Current Comic Strip and even rules and guidelines for Dobson's First Annual Poetry Contest.

We are excited to read many wonderful poems in celebration of National Poetry Month.  Coming in the next issue: a tribute to Whitney Houston's Legacy, Women's History Month, Dobson News, a new Five Star Student and much, Much more!

Coming up this week: 3/19

What's Going on at Dobson This Week?

• Monday, March 19th-  Last Day of PSSA testing
• Tuesday, March 20th-  PSSA Testing Make-Ups
• Wednesday, March 21st-  SPRING FLING DANCE  
• 2:00om-3:10pm
• Upper School
• $3 to attend
• Friday, March 23rd-  Fun Friday!!
• 20 tickets to attend
• 10 additional tickets to dress down

Reminders:

• Interim/Progress Reports have been sent home, please sign and return those to your student's teacher.
• Log-in to FamilyNet to monitor your child's progress throughout the marking period.
• The second issue of the Umbria Street Journal will be posted this week.  Keep on the look out for Dobson's First Annual Poetry Contest!! Information and rules will be published in the new issue.
•  The TeenBiz/KidBiz3000 contest is on!  For more info follow the link:  www.achieve3000.com/contest/spring Here are the current standings! Don't forget the winning class wins a party! The contest ends March 30th. 

• 5th Grade is currently in the lead with 25.8 points and 24 students who have completed at least 8 activities.
• 7th Grade is currently in second place with 20.8  points and 21 students who have completed at least 8 activities.
• 4th Grade is currently in third place with 19.4 points and 5 students who have completed at least 8 activities.
• 8th Grade is currently in fourth place with 12.4 points with 7 students who have completed at least 8 activities.  

Kindergarten and First Grade Dance Off!

 Today Kindergarten and First Grade took turns strutting their stuff while playing Just Dance 3 and Michael Jackson: The Experience.  All of the students had a blast while exercising and learning some new moves.  Miss Cruice and room 104 even dropped by to show the students how it's done!

Dr. Seuss Day and Doors of Dobson

Dr. Seuss Day

The annual Read Across America Day, to honor Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, will be celebrated at James Dobson School on Friday, March 2^nd.  For the fourth consecutive year, Expert Technology Associates, E.T.A., of Plymouth Meeting, will be coming to read to the students of Dobson School. This year’s Seuss book, Oh, The Places You’ll Go, and the literacy activity, is designed to support students in developing ideas and plans for the future.  Guest Readers include Craig Marowitz, President of Expert Technology Associates (E.T.A.) located in Plymouth Meeting, Debbie Smith, Vice-President, Human Resources, Chris Aldred, Marketing Director, E.T.A. employee and Roxborough resident Michelle Voight, and other E.T.A. volunteers.

E.T.A. has generously sponsored this annual event by supplying each classroom with a copy of the Dr. Seuss book and a delicious birthday cake from Roma Bakery, on Ridge Avenue, to foster a life long love of reading for the Dobson students. The staff and faculty always look forward to this collaboration with E.T.A.; Alicia Drelick, one of Dobson’s Autistic Support teachers, will be donning the Cat in the Hat Costume and visiting each classroom to add to the festivities. Students look forward to singing Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss and enjoying some birthday cake. 

Doors of Dobson Contest

Dobson's Annual PSSA Door Decorating Contest took place on Friday, March 9th.  Students worked with their classes to come up with a concept and combine their ideas with PSSA prep tips.  Doors were judged by special guests, Lissa Johnson, Assistant Superintendent, Academic Division 9, and many others.  Our guests were greeted with a small breakfast and a performance by select Choir members. 

The judges were extremely impressed with the students work.  The students from Room 106 won first place with their door "Recipe for Success", Room 204 won second place with their Temple Run inspired door, and third place went to Ms. Purcell in room 306 and her 7th grade helpers with their Marcel the Shell with Shoes On door! Students were awarded with various prizes for their accomplishments.

PSSA's began on Monday, March 12th and will last until Monday, March 19th.

Room 208

Room 207

Room 206

Room 204

Room 203

Room 104

Room 106