Welcome to James Dobson School's Blog!: Principal's Post, March 2014

March 14, 2014

Dear Dobson families and friends,

We have been busy bees here at the Dobson School. Check out what has been happening lately…

The PSSA Prep season is in full swing and we have not let a few snowflakes get in our way! Despite the snow days in January and February, all classes have their eyes in the prize: Proficient and beyond on the 2014 PSSA.

During the PSSA prep season, the Buzy Bee has been traveling around classrooms, catching all the action; the PPAA (Principal’s Perfect Attendance Association) is happening right now (through to the end of the testing period- April 4^th), helping students get the most out of the prep season by highlighting perfect daily attendance and perfect punctuality.

We celebrated our annual Dr. Seuss day on Wednesday March 5^th, sponsored, once again, by our friends at Expert Technology Associates of Plymouth Meeting. Featuring birthday cakes from Roma Bakery for every classroom and a donated book for every class library, the day was a huge success, with guest readers visiting all classrooms. E.T.A. has been a part of Read Across America at Dobson School for the past 6 years. We are very grateful. On that day, we were also honored with the presence of Representative Pam DeLissio, representative of the 194^th district in Harrisburg, and a great friend of Philadelphia’s public schools. Now, the students of room 101 are Rep. DeLissio’s great friends!

On March 11^th, a contingent from the Dobson School was invited to the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Quarterly Meeting at The Bellevue. The Chancellor of the Bar Association has chosen to use his tenure as leader of the most prestigious organization to call attention to the importance of supporting the public schools of our city. To that end, Chancellor Fedullo, along with keynote speaker Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Hite, announced a program for law firms to sponsor a Philadelphia public school. Mr. Fedullo’s firm is sponsoring Dobson! Attending the luncheon, along with the principal, was the Home and School President Lauren Tom, Student Council President, 8^th grader Sydni Edwards, Student Safety Patrol Captain, 8^th grader Seth Williams, fourth grader Maurice Arnold and second grader Jayden Tom. One highlight of the day occurred during the pre-meeting reception to which we were invited, where our students mingled with judges, lawyers and elected officials. District Attorney Seth Williams had an opportunity to meet Dobson’s Seth Williams. As they are both in law enforcement, they had much to talk about!

TOO MUCH TO FIT INTO ONE MONTH! This was the tagline for this year’s African American History Assembly, held on March 12^th. The Dance Team and Choir dazzled the audience of students, teachers and parents, while students from the classrooms shared their learning about the rich contributions of African Americans to the fabric of American history.

On Friday, March 14^th, we celebrated our annual ‘Doors of Dobson’ door-decorating contest. This PSSA stress buster has become a tradition within the walls of our school and caps off our prep season. There’s quite a healthy competition among classes, making for a tough decision among our honored judges: Chancellor Fedullo, Karen Buck, Esq., Debbie Smith, V.P. E.T.A., and Kim Wood, Project Manager of Destination Schuylkill River. Dr. Karen Kolsky, Assistant Superintendent of L.N. #6 was able to join us as well and walked the building, appreciating the presentations. The 2014 winners are: tied for 3^rd place- Room 313 (Showers of PSSA tips) and Room 308/Grade 8 (Lego World). Second Place- Room 206/Grade 3 (the Pirates!) and the winners are …Room 309/Grade 8- We've Got the Magic! All the Doors of Dobson are impressive and we welcomed opportunity to showcase the creativity of our students; our visitors were duly amazed! Click here to see all of the amazing doors!

Our next school-wide event is scheduled for Friday, March 21^st, at 9:00a when our favorite legislator, Rep. Pam DeLissio will serve as the keynote speaker at the installation of the Student Council and Safety Patrol.

Dobson School- where the action is… Come swim with best school of fish in this big sea of learning- the Dobson Dolphins will lead the way! I couldn’t be more proud to serve as Principal.

Sincerely,

Ms. Cruice

#proudprincipal

Philadelphia Bar Association's Quarterly Meeting at The Bellevue

So proud of Dobson's Seth Williams, captain of Dobson's Safety Patrol, here with D.A. Seth Williams @ the Phila. Bar Ass'n Quarterly Mtg @ the Bellevue last week!