A Blizzard of FLAKES!

A blizzard hit Dobson School today as our 8th grade students and the students from room 202 worked to create 3D snowflakes that will decorate the Holiday Shop (December 10-12) and our Winter Concert on December 12th.

As part of our Service Learning program Ms. McConnell and Ms. Antrim facilitated the creation of a blizzard of FLAKES!  Take a look at their had work below.  Don't forget the Holiday Shop will be open tomorrow through Thursday and the Winter Concert and FLAKES performance will take place on December 12th!! Get your tickets early and see the beautiful blizzard of service and snowflakes created by these students.

Coming This Week: December 2, 2013

Coming This Week: December 2, 2013

Thank you to everyone who worked on, attended or donated to our "Dobson's Night Out" event and fundraiser.  The evening was a huge success.  Thank you for supporting Dobson!

Wednesday, December 4th - Friday, December 6th: Student Book Fair

Monday, December 2nd

• Dance Team Auditions in the Auditorium 
  
  • Lower School: during 1st Lunch
  • Upper School: at 2:25
    

Wednesday, December 4th- December 6th

• Half days for Students!
• Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Student Book Fair 

 Thursday, December 5th

• Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences from 5:00pm-7:00pm

 Friday, December 6th

• Come support the Faculty, Staff and Students of Dobson from 8:00-8:21am.  Help us raise awareness and rally for the need to fully fund our school!  All students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to attend!

 Mark Your Calendar:

• December 12th at 6:30PM- Winter Concert
• Come to Dobson on December 12th to be entertained by  the Dobson Band, Choir, Recorder Ensembles and Kindergarten through 2nd Grade play FLAKES!!  A musical celebration of Snow, Sleet and SNIRT!
• Tickets are on sale now!!! Each ticket is $3 ($4 at the door on the 12th)!  Email (ltierney@philasd.org) or come to see Ms. Tierney if you have any questions!

 
• December 20th: Boogie for Books
• Get your dancing shoes ready for our 1st Annual JDS Boogie for Books dance-a-thon and fundraiser!  More information will be sent home with students in the coming weeks!  

Pancake Breakfast to Benefit Dobson's Music Program

FATHER'S DAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8am-10am

Come and join the Dobson Students for a Father's Day Pancake Breakfast at Applebee's Andorra (8600 Henry Ave.).  All proceeds benefit the performing arts program! 

With the looming budget cuts, we are trying to do our best to raise money to restore some of our after school programs like dance team, the annual musical, and the winter concert. 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!  

Tickets are $7 each for all you can eat pancakes, sausage and juice, coffee or tea!

https://www.facebook.com/events/585746888124517/

Sad to see 2011 go... but BUZZZING into 2012!

The students of James Dobson School ended 2011 with a bang, with a wonderful performance, entitled “Holidays Around the World” featuring student performers from grades Kindergarten through 8^th Grade.  Each class in our lower school took the stage representing different celebrations and cultures, from Hawaii to Ireland and Spain.  The program was narrated by three 8^th grade students, Rebecca G., Zamir G. and Josh S..  This performance also featured the Upper and Lower School Choirs, the Dobson Dance Team and the James Dobson Band.  Pictures and video from this performance will be posted soon!  Stay Tuned!!

2011 also ended with the auditions and casting for our May 2012 performance of High School Musical Jr..  Over 50 students have been selected to participate in the cast, and stage crew will begin in the New Year.  Rehearsals will be held on various days after school, so cast members... be sure to check your calendars!

As students returned from break, our focus rapidly changed to PSSA preparation.  Students were invited to a Pep Rally held by our BuZy Bee!  At this assembly, our BuZy Bee reminded all of our students about how to prepare before the test, and strategies to use during the test so that everyone can do their best!!

Students were asked several review questions to earn tickets and Superbucks for their Homerooms!!

The BuZy Bee also asked each class to make one PSSA Preparation Promise that their class would work towards during this preparation season.  Each class took the BuZy Bee Promise Pledge during the assembly, and their promises are proudly posted on a bulletin board outside of the Main Office.

Each student is also working towards maintaining their membership in the PPAA or the Principal's Perfect Attendance Association.  For each day that the students are present and on time during the 50 days leading up to the PSSA test, he or she steps closer to their PPAA Membership Prize.  For each week of perfect attendance, the student will receive a punch on their Perfect Attendance Card.

Ms. D the BuZy Bee had a surprise performance for the students!  The Black Eyed Bees made a guest appearance and entertained the students with "IMMA BEE!" Their new music video will also be available soon! 

2012 is off to a great start!!   

Happy Holidays to the Dobson Family!

     As we move into the final school week of the year before the winter break, I want to take a moment to thank the Dobson family for all the support, care and concern for our small but mighty school.  As you can see by reviewing the highlights on this blog, we have been busy this fall. Our 8th graders, under the guidance of our fabulous Middle Years Math and Science teacher, Ms. McConnell, won the city-wide Math+Science Coalition Video contest, bringing to our small but mighty school public recognition and a visit from the Phillie Phanatic. The Drama and Dance crew is gearing up for the holiday show, the environmental ambassadors and faculty sponsor are getting ready for the school-wide tree adoption ceremonies and our Home and School is sponsoring the annual Winter Solstice celebration. As I write, our winning girls' volleyball team is preparing for the championship game, having won their bracket in the tournament. Yes, our small but mighty school is brimming with excitement and achievement. 

       The year's end is a chance to reflect on all our blessings. I am humbled to serve such a committed faculty and staff who are here for the students. From our Cafeteria Manager, Mr. John, to our own Ms. Seinko, and everyone in between, we are here for your children! Not that it is expected, but if, in your holiday bustle, you are contemplating a gift for your child's teacher, please consider sending in a ream of copy paper. As you may be aware, the budget reductions at the school level this year have had a negative impact on our operating budget. A practical gift such as copy paper would go a long way towards mitigating the financial pinch that we are feeling as a part of the school district of Philadelphia. Though a challenge, our small but mighty school can and will persevere through this current budget crunch with the teamwork of home and school united and with Dobson Dolphin Determination.

     The next Home and School Meeting will focus on a proactive response to our situation. Mark your calendars: January 10th @ 6pm in the Library. I look forward to seeing you then.

     In the meantime, celebrate the joys of the season. It is a blessing to experience the magic of this giving season through the eyes of a child. All the best in 2012.

            Patty Cruice, 

            Principal

Winter Concert: Holidays Around the World

Don't forget to bring a new unwrapped toy to the concert to be donated to Children's Hospital courtesy of the James Dobson Home and School Association.

James Dobson in Roxborough Review!!

 Our celebratory festivities with the Phanatic are featured in the Roxborough Review this week.  Click here to read the article!

Stay tuned for future posts about our Winter Concert: Holidays Around the World.  The performance will be on December 20th at 6:30pm in the Auditorium.  The performance will feature all of our students in the Lower School, as well as our Upper School Choir and Dance Team.

Auditions will be held next week for our spring production of Disney's High School Musical Jr..  Rehearsals will begin in January and the performance will take place on May 23rd!!!