Note from the Principal!

The 2012-2013 school year is truly off and running.  Many of our after school programs have begun! From Cinderella and Students Run to Soccer and Volleyball, our students are already busy preparing for tournaments and events coming later this year.

Thanks again to all of the families that attended Back to School Night and, once more, welcome all of our new and returning families to Dobson. It is my hope that we provided a small snapshot of the learning environment and activities that your children thrive in each day.

This year, Dobson is going hi-tech.  With an unprecedented level of access to student computers, many of our programs have gone online!

This week marks the beginning of our First In Math Program.  Students will be given their log-on information and can begin earning stickers!  Our First In Math competition at Dobson is very steep!

Another program that your students may have been talking about with you is Achieve3000, also known as KidBiz3000 or TeenBiz3000.   Similar to First In Math, students can log-in and earn points as they read non-fiction articles. 

“Achieve3000 is a web-based differentiated K-12 reading program that uses email, technology, and current events to strengthen students’ literacy skills. Based on scientific research on how children learn to read effectively, Achieve3000 helps students reach and exceed the appropriate reading and writing levels through individualized teaching.”

Our goal at Dobson, for each student using the Achieve 3000 program in grades 3-8,  is to complete a minimum of 2 activities a week.  This means that your child will log on during the school day and read assigned articles and complete PSSA structured questions and aligned activities. These activities allow students to practice reading and decoding questions and informational texts similar to what they will see on the PSSA all year long.   Each activity completed at a 75% score or higher allows students to earn points.   

OCTOBER is busy! In addition to our bi-weekly Fun Friday activities and the Student of the Month Assembly, we are looking forward to a Lower School (k-4) Costume Parade on Halloween, hosted by the Home and School, and an Upper School (5-8) Fall Dance in the gym, both occurring in the afternoon of October 31^st.

…. Coming soon: November will bring awareness of the national election, with a Dobson Election event courtesy of our students in rooms 106, 104, and 203.  This assembly will help students become more familiar with, not only the election process, but also the candidates and the political parties they represent. Soon after this event, our own election process for Student Council in the Upper School is scheduled. 

Here’s to a great start of our new year and the fabulous fall is has been thus far!

Ms. Cruice, Proud Principal of the Dobson Dolphins