dumbarton middle school · dumbarton middle school 300 dumbarton road, baltimore, md 21212...
TRANSCRIPT
Dumbarton Middle School 300 Dumbarton Road, Baltimore, MD 21212
410-887-3176 BCPS Lighthouse School
A National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
Sue Harris, Principal April, 2016 Liz Heil, Assistant Principal
Cheryl Scott, Assistant Principal
Jen Burch, Assistant Principal
From the Principal’s Desk….
pring break brought welcome sun and fun for students, staff and families. Flowers
are blooming outside my office window thanks to our Green Club. This is also the
time of year when middle school students benefit from adults reminding them of
appropriate school attire. We’ve reprinted the DMS dress code for in this newsletter and
it is printed on page four of the student agenda book. Thank you for helping your middle
schooler make good choices in the morning as he/she dresses for school.
We continue to celebrate the wide variety of talent at DMS. Three of our students will be
honored by Carver Center for the Arts for their writing skills this month. Four DMS
students earned cash awards and recognition for their art work submissions to the State’s
Attorney’s Anti-Drug poster contest, our Math 24 team won two awards, our Math Counts
team also achieved honors and our robotics students continue to take on new challenges at
competitions. In addition, our band, chorus and orchestra competed in the BCPS
assessments in March. They earned high marks and received compliments from the judges
who were impressed by their musical skill. Our Radical Ropers did an outstanding job at
their community performance and then followed up by amazing the student audience during
our DMS Talent Show. Mr. Ferenschak & Mr. Sievers worked for months to prepare the
show. The day before spring break, staff and students gathered to celebrate our talented
youth. The entertainers and the audience were amazing. Imagine performing for 1100
students and then hearing their applause commending you for your performance. It was
truly a heart-warming event for all!
Do you have a fifth grader coming to DMS next year? If so, you are cordially invited to
our 5th Grade Parent Orientation at DMS on Wednesday, 4/13/16 at 6 PM.
Invitations were also sent to all of our elementary feeder schools for distribution before
spring break. Our 6th grade staff members and students will be there to answer your
questions and provide parents with strategies for helping your child make the transition to
middle school a success.
S
An “Early Entry Day” for all transitioning 6th and 9th grade students is also being
provided by BCPS on August 22, 2016. This voluntary half-day for students will be held
on the morning. Transportation will be provided to all students who participate, as well as a
complimentary lunch. DMS students will have the opportunity to tour our school, meet all
their teachers, meet their new classmates, and begin immersing themselves in the culture
of DMS. In addition, we will likely have our Back-To-School Night in late August so
parents can also visit classrooms early in the year.
Join us for a Night of Innovation at DMS on Tuesday, May 3 at 6:30 PM. We will be
highlighting how our school is transforming teaching and learning. Specifically, we are
focusing on transforming our classrooms so they become more learner-centered. This
means that teachers are facilitators in the learning process and tap into student talent
and interests. Students can easily transition from collaborative groups to direct
instruction or work individually by adjusting the furniture as needed. Students are
provided with choice in how they learn a skill and how to demonstrate that they’ve learned
it. Real world-problems are connected to learning experiences which encourages students
to think creatively and problem solve. This transformation is supported by our STAT
teacher who coaches educators individually, in groups and as a faculty. We are truly a
professional learning community where we learn together just as we expect students to do.
We look forward to sharing our progress with you via student presentations, interactive
experiences and a digital showcase. Feel free to bring family, friends and children.
PARCC testing at DMS will take place in May. We will be testing all students on-line
this year. Below are the tentative dates for your information:
8th Grade: 5/2-5/9 (half of the grade level will test at once; each group over three days)
6th Grade: 5/10–5/12 (all 6th graders will test using their devices for these three days)
7th Grade: 5/13–5/20 (half of the grade level will test at once; each group over three days)
Some spring concert dates have been adjusted to accommodate PARCC testing. Our 7th
grade Spring Concert has been moved to 5/25 and the Honors Concert has been moved to
6/6. These new dates are listed on the updated calendar later in this newsletter.
Parents of 8th graders: Please note BCPS policy requires that residency re-verification is
completed prior to students leaving DMS. A letter will be mailed to your home later this
month with further, specific information. In addition, the DMS 8th grade Farewell
Assembly will take place on the second to last day of school (currently on June 16th). Our
elementary feeder schools will hold their celebrations at another time.
I wish you and your family a warm, sunny successful spring!
Sincerely, Susan E Harris
Principal
Greetings from the PTSA
We are so ready for spring!
The Lion's Den will be hosting Game Night on April 15th from 7-
9pm. There is a flier with additional details included in this
newsletter. You can also access the flier via our website
(www.dmsptsa.org).
On April 20th, in partnership with the Stoneleigh ES PTA, we will be showing
SCREENAGERS. This film probes into the vulnerable corners of family life to
explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction.
Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights
from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech
time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower
kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance. The film is about an hour
long and will start at 7pm in the DMS auditorium.
Campaign to Change Direction- We all know that the middle school years can be
some of the most challenging years for our kids, but did you know that one-half of
all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14? Or that over 50 percent of
students age 14 and older with a mental disorder drop out of high school—the
highest dropout rate of any disability group? While many of us are comfortable
acknowledging publicly our physical suffering, for which we almost always seek
help, many more of us privately experience mental suffering, for which we almost
never reach out.
The Change Direction initiative is a collection of concerned citizens, nonprofit
leaders, and leaders from the private sector who have come together to change
the culture in America about mental health, mental illness, and wellness. This
initiative was inspired by the discussion at the White House National Conference
on Mental Health in 2013, which came on the heels of the Newtown, Conn. tragedy.
The Campaign to Change Direction is a nationwide movement where individuals and
groups are asked to take a pledge to Learn the Five Signs of emotional
suffering so you can recognize them in yourself or help a loved one who may be in
emotional pain. In short, the Five Signs are personality change, agitation,
withdrawal, decline in personal care, and hopelessness.
At our March meeting, the PTSA Board approved joining this initiative and working
with the school guidance counselors to help share information about this initiative
to all school teachers and staff. We hope you will join us in learning the Five Signs
and helping to spread the word. There is a flier in this newsletter to share, and
more information and resources are available at www.changedirection.org.
Lastly, we are planning a special Teacher Appreciation Week for April 25-29.
Please email [email protected] if you can help.
Happy Spring!
Aimee Freeman
DMS PTSA President
PTSA Membership Update
As of the end of March, we have 594 DMS PTSA members! We'd like to thank
each of you for joining the PTSA and contributing your dues. The money we collect
from your membership dues provides multiple opportunities for our students and
teachers throughout the school year. Some of these activities include sponsoring
the Lion's Den social events, grade-level assemblies and classroom enrichment
materials, as well as supporting Teacher Appreciation Week.
It's not too late to join the DMS PTSA! The cost is $10 for one adult and
$20 for two adults. You can use our online option (www.dmsptsa.org) or email
[email protected] for more information.
Happy Spring!
Dumbarton Dress Code
Dumbarton Middle School is committed to academic excellence. A safe and secure learning environment free
from distractions enables us to achieve that goal. We developed this dress code with the input of the PTSA, the
faculty, the School Improvement Team, and Student Government. Students are asked to abide by the dress code from their arrival at school to their departure, as well as during school sponsored activities. Together as a
school community we embrace the following:
Undergarments are not visible at any time (bra straps, bra, under wear).
Shorts and skirts are appropriately long enough (a guideline is that the bottom of shorts or skirts
should in most cases reach the bottom of the fist when arms are hanging straight down)
Our ladies ensure that no cleavage is visible
Shirts cover the shoulder area, midriff, the entire back, and are not see-through (halters, tube tops, cut
out backs, shirts that tie in the back are not appropriate).
Hats, sunglasses, head coverings, bandanas, visors, bedroom slippers, pajamas and other items
deemed distracting are not worn
Spikes on clothing, accessories and chains on an outfit or attached to a wallet are not worn
Clothing or accessories that convey obscene, offensive or drug/alcohol-related messages are not
appropriate for school (ex. Messages related to violence/weapons/degrading pictures)
Costumes and costume accessories are not permitted unless for a specified spirit day
Hoods remain down and ear phones remain off of student’s ears when in the school building
MSA Dumbarton Middle School’s 8th grade students participated in the Maryland School
Assessment (MSA) in science on March 10 and 11 and March 17 and 18, 2016. The
on-line Science MSA involved two sessions per day over a two-day period. The
Science MSA measures how well students have learned the science curriculum.
Parents will receive score reports over the summer. The score reports contain
MSA results for your child, your child’s school and school system, and the State.
PARCC Assessments
The 2015-2016 school year is the second year students in grades 3-8 and high
school will take the PARCC assessments in English Language Arts/Literacy and
Mathematics. PARCC tests reflect what students must know each year as they
build toward the knowledge and skills needed for college and careers. By letting
students know they are on track long before they graduate, PARCC opens the door
to college and careers and gives them a ticket to entry directly into credit-bearing
courses. This can save students and families money and help ensure that they have
access to college.
In English language arts/literacy, students at every grade (3–11) must read one or
more texts (and sometimes watch a video), write about what they read and/or
viewed, and provide evidence drawn from the reading — skills that are critically
important for students in college and in the workplace. In the past, students have
typically been asked to write only once in each grade span in elementary, middle,
and high school. PARCC measures writing at every grade because it is key to college
and career readiness. In middle school, as students learn to read and integrate
ideas from several passages and to write about what they have learned from
multiple texts, they develop the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in
multiple disciplines.
In mathematics, students must reason mathematically,
make sense of quantities and their relationships to solve
real-world problems, and show their understanding.
Many previous assessments focused mostly on rote
procedure. In middle school, students develop
procedural skills, conceptual understanding, and
modeling and application skills with a particular focus on broadening number sense
into rational numbers, ratios, and proportions while transitioning to algebraic skills
including working with expressions, equations, and graphs. Dumbarton students will
take the PARCC assessments online during the month of May.
Questions about testing can be directed to: Ms. Scott, Assistant Principal [email protected]
6th Grade Relationship Skills
The ability to interact in meaningful and productive ways with others and to
maintain healthy relationships with diverse individuals and
groups helps contribute to a person’s overall success. During
middle school, your adolescent is learning more about how
feelings and behaviors affect others and gaining a better
understanding of how relationships work. Your adolescent’s
social world broadens as she/he enters middle school, and
friendships, popularity and being accepted become very
important. The middle-school years bring about many
challenges, especially between children and parents, as parents tend to focus on
safety and academic and personal growth, while adolescents often care more about
how they are perceived by their peers. Remember that every child develops at a
different pace. Practicing key relationship-building skills with your child can help
him/her better-understand the intricacies of social interactions and provide
him/her with the confidence needed to apply these abilities more independently.
Practicing how to make a good first impression through role playing and
questioning, discussing appropriate online behavior and the different dynamics
associated with online and interpersonal relationships, discussing peer pressure
through a variety of scenarios, and using your child’s interests to help him/her
develop new friendships are all ways of helping students become better at making
and sustaining positive relationships.
Mrs. Murphy is the grade 6 counselor [email protected]
Information taken from: Parent Toolkit 6th Grade, at parenttoolkit.com
March sure was a busy month!
Spring Break was appreciated!
Key Highlights from March:
KUDOS! – One of our 8th grade students, Catesby W., was honored by the Pickersgill
Retirement Community for her generous help during the epic snow blizzard. Catesby
and her friends helped in the dining rooms by serving meals to residents; of particular
note, however, was how impressed the residents and staff were of their initiative and
kindness – way to go, Catesby!
Digital Citizenship – Thanks to Mr. Ferenschak, our school counselor, our 8th graders
were able to deepen their understanding of digital citizenship in the 21st Century.
Given the number of people who now have consistent interaction with modern
technology and social media, this presentation and lesson was no doubt necessary
and applicable. Thank you, Mr. Ferenschak!
Cool Lesson – Students in 8th grade science began working on a car project this
quarter that further demonstrates our quest for meaningful learning and application.
For the project, students had to build cars out of common items (CDs, pencils, and
rubber bands) and modify them to have the car move exactly 10 meters and stop at
the 10 meter line. While tough to accomplish at first, students were able revise their
plans in order to get closer to their goal. Sounds fun!
STEM Activities – As some of you may know, our regular
8th grade schedule was a bit interrupted by the MSA
Science testing. However, we did not let that ruin a good
opportunity for learning! At times when students were
not scheduled to test, they were engaged in meaningful,
yet fun, activities that went through the STEM process.
For example, in the picture below, students were given
only tape and index cards and were challenged to create
the tallest, free-standing tower that could support a
stuffed toy. How high could you go?!
*If you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns regarding the events listed, please do not
hesitate to contact me via email ([email protected]) or phone (410-887-3176).
~ Jordan Birnbaum, 8th Grade Level Coordinator
Dumbarton Middle School
What I need to know... The 8th grade ship trip has become somewhat of a tradition for our graduating class, and this year the tradition continues. We will be heading to Inner Harbor in Baltimore to enjoy a cruise that will no doubt provide memories for years to come!
Frequently asked Questions:
Q: When exactly is the ship trip?
A: May 20th, 2016
Q: How much will the ship trip cost per person?
A: Total cost per person will be $40
Q: When will that money be collected and due?
A: We will begin collecting the money between April 5th and April
15th, once the permission slips and allergy information have been
handed out to students. Therefore, the last day to turn in money
will be the 15th of April.
Q: Can I chaperone the event?
A: Yes! However, there will be a limited number of tickets available,
payment not required. As of right now, the number of chaperones
needed is not known, as that depends on the final number of people
attending.
Q: What do I do if I want to chaperone the trip?
A: Nothing yet...more information will be provided once the details
have been finalized.
Q: Is the trip all day?
A: No. Students will be returning to school around 1:30, with events
planned by the 8th grade team to complete the day of fun!
8th Grade Ship Trip! Upcoming 8th Grade Field Trip May 2016
“The best thing
about memories...is
making them
- Unknown
Any questions,
comments, and/or
concerns, please
email or call Mr.
Birnbaum
410-887-3176
In the Middle of the Middle
Socrates would be so proud of Mrs. Bell’s World Cultures
classes, as they held a Socratic discussion about the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Students developed opening,
core, and closing questions to keep the dialogue going.
Students were thrilled to share their perspectives regarding the ongoing conflict
in the Middle East. Mrs. Collins’ and Mr. Bauer’s Language Arts classes are
beginning to explore the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793 in Philadelphia, as they
read American Plague. The evolutionary tale of peppered moths has been fluttering
around Ms. Damon and Mr. Pettitt’s Science classes lately. Students learned how
the species needed to adapt and change in order to survive after pollution caused
by Britain’s Industrial Revolution devastated the moth population. The month of
April is sure to be filled with amazing learning experiences.
For March 2016
Anna C. Ethan L.
Cory G. Nasiba M.
Cody G. Paul R.
Virginia G. Sebastian R.
Robert He. Andrew S.
Eddie H. Erin S.
Smirti K. Grace S.
Katie K. Tiara S.
Charlie L. Jeremiah T.
Ms. Sharbonda would like to congratulate the above students for
working especially hard in Algebra & Geometry.
Language Arts: In Ms. Elliott’s and Mrs. Hemling’s Language Arts class students have started their reading of
Esperanza Rising. They are currently investigating the conflict of Esperanza’s father’s
death. As they continue to read Esperanza Rising, students will dive into conflict, figurative
language, and will take some time to focus on grammar: direct objects and linking verbs.
Math: Students enjoyed, Pi Day Activities included student-made PowerPoints and Prezi’s about the
meaning and history of Pi, student-created skits about the meaning of Pi, songs about Pi using
Christmas Carol tunes, and the discovery of the relationship of the diameter of a circle to its
circumference by measuring round plates and water bottles with string ,thus leading to the
amazing discovery that no matter how large or small the circle, there will be 3 pieces of string
the exact same size and one little piece left over that is .14 of the measurement of the larger
pieces. Last, but not least, we enjoyed eating various flavors of pie! Students discovered the
meaning of squaring and cubing by using geometric squares and cubes to build figures of various
dimensions. Students used their devices to explore the tessellations of MC Escher, and then
created colorful tessellations of their own.
Reading: Ms. Taylor & Ms. Robidoux’s students have been reading and analyzing science fiction works
by Ray Bradbury. We are beginning our PBA next week, where students will be writing a sequel
to a science fiction story. Attached are images from when students were analyzing Sci-Fi
characteristics.
Science: In Mr. Griswold’s class students will be doing the lab activity where we are using a flow
chart/dichotomous key to identify meteorites from other rocks and writing a CER response to
claim whether a certain specimen is a meteorite or not.
In Mrs. Denmyer’s class students have completed their unit on Earth Systems. Students learned
about the layers of the Earth, plate tectonics and boundaries, earthquakes and volcanoes, the rock
cycle, weathering and erosion. Students enjoyed several hands-on and edible labs. Students will
transition into their next unit on Space.
What’s Happening in Sixth Grade?
6th Grade STARRRR Students This year at Dumbarton Middle School the 6th Grade Team will be looking for students that are STARRRR Students.
These students are Respectful, Responsible, Resilient, and Ready to Learn, each 6th grade teacher will nominate one student from their classes each week that demonstrated
these qualities.
Congratulations to our STARRRR Students this month!
Lucas S.
Natalie G.
Elizabeth T.
Ayshal R.
Asban M.
Maya M.
Ian R.
Aby M.
Cannon S.
Faris A.
Hunter S.
Joey R.
Prakriti R.
Abdullah K.
Gavi S.
Charley H.
Lizzy S.
Maen P.
Diana M.
Luke G.
Disheem N.
Amna M.
Chloe P.
Sophie R.
Michaela A.
Sally G.
Maia V.
Tyler S.
Eli D.
Emmy K.
Isaiah H.
Ra’Merra A.
Oscar N.
[15]
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not and act
but a habit. - Aristotle
o Find a comfortable and quiet place where you work
best.
o Create a homework and or study schedule and stick to
it.
o Create a “To Do List” each day and check off items that
you complete.
o Create a series of one hour study or work sessions.
o Prioritize your tasks. Complete the most important
tasks first.
o Complete one task before moving one to the next.
o Give yourself a short break every hour.
o Reduce Interruptions
o Keep a healthy balance between, school, family, friends
and recreational activities.
o Be prepared for the unexpected and adjust accordingly.
[16]
[17]
[18]
Dear Parents and Students,
Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase this important keepsake of the school year. The 2015-
2016 DMS yearbook is in FULL COLOR and is packed full of the memories you never want to
forget. You can even have your child’s name imprinted on their yearbook cover.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Denmyer-Prenger- Yearbook Adviser Mrs. Hemling- Yearbook Adviser
Order Now, before it is too late!
Ordering Procedure This Year:
The ONLY Option: Order Online. Go to yearbooksonsale.com find Dumbarton Middle School to place your order.
Book Price:
$ 23.00 +tax
EXTRAS: If you would like extras you can add them on the site.
We will close online ordering at the end of April. Order now, don’t get left without a book.
*If you do not get your picture taken by Lifetouch on picture day or picture re-take day in the fall then your picture will not be in the yearbook. If you miss both days please make sure that you see
either Mrs. Denmyer-Prenger or Mrs. Hemling
[19]
Committed to Kindness Why Teaching Kindness in Schools Is Essential to Reduce Bullying
It seems that we just can't get enough of those addictive, feel-good emotions -- and with good reason.
Scientific studies prove that kindness has many physical, emotional, and mental health benefits. And
children need a healthy dose of the warm-and-fuzzies to thrive as healthy, happy, well-rounded
individuals.
A great number of benefits have been reported to support teaching kindness in schools, best summed up
by the following.
Happy, Caring Children
The good feelings that we experience when being kind are produced by endorphins. They activate areas
of the brain that are associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust. These feelings of joyfulness
are proven to be contagious and encourage more kind behavior by the giver and recipient.
Increased Peer Acceptance
Research on the subject has determined that kindness increases our ability to
form meaningful connections with others. Kind, happy children enjoy greater
peer acceptance because they are well liked.
Less Bullying
Researchers say, "Unlike previous generations, today's adolescents are victimizing each other at
alarming rates." They argue that adolescent bullying and violence can be confronted with in-school
programs that integrate kindness.
When kindness and compassion are taught instead, it fosters the positive behavior that's expected. Promoting its psychological opposite is key in reducing bullying to create warm and inclusive school environments.
Greater Sense of Belonging and Improved Self-Esteem
Studies show that people experience a "helper's high" when they do a good deed. This rush of
endorphins creates a lasting sense of pride, wellbeing, and an enriched sense of belonging. It's reported
that even small acts of kindness heighten our sense of wellbeing, increase energy, and give a wonderful
feeling of optimism and self worth.
Improved Health and Less Stress
Being kind can trigger a release of the hormone oxytocin, which has a number of physical and mental
health benefits. Oxytocin can significantly increase a person's level of happiness and reduce stress
levels.
[20]
Better Concentration and Improved Results
Kindness is a key ingredient that helps children feel good about themselves as it increases serotonin
levels. This important chemical affects learning, memory, mood, sleep, health, and digestion. Having a
positive outlook enables greater attention spans and more creative thinking to produce better results at
school.
Adapted from: Currie, Lisa. "Why Teaching Kindness in Schools Is Essential to Reduce Bullying." Edutopia. George Lucas Educational Foundation, 17 Oct. 2014. Web. 11 Dec. 2014. <http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-kindness-essential-reduce-bullying-lisa-currie>.
Congratulations to the following mathletes who competed at the Maryland Math Counts Chapter competition on February 6, 2016 this year:
Team: Lucas L., Nancy A., Alan M., and Michael F. Individual Competitors: Anya J., Henry C.
The team placed 12th overall at the Chapter competition. Congratulations! The top 65 students at the Chapter competition also earned a spot to compete in the State Competition on March 12, 2016. Congratulations to Alan & Lucas who made the cut!
[21]
Spring Reminders from the Health Office
Welcome Spring and Welcome to Allergy Season!! It is
likely our spring allergy season may arrive a little early
with our milder temperatures and unusually wet winter. If
your students struggle with seasonal allergies, please
consider giving them allergy medicine prior to school and
start soon. The only medication we can offer for school
use with your permission is Benadryl which has the
potential to make students sluggish and my supply is limited.
Also with the onset of warmer weather comes a wardrobe change as kids switch to
shorts and lighter weight clothing. Please remember our dress code and ensure
your students come to school in appropriate clothing suitable for our academic
setting. Especially for our female students this means shorts of appropriate
finger-tip length, and tops properly covering the upper chest, shoulder and midriff
areas. Please direct any questions about dress code to the student handbook or
contact us at Dumbarton for clarification.
6th grade parents: keep those up-dated vaccine forms coming!! I am happy to
accept them until the last day of school in June. Feel free to contact me at any
time for concerns that popup with your fabulous children. Stay focused as we head
down the home stretch.
Donna Miedusiewski, RN (Met-a-shef-ski)
[22]
DUMBARTON MIDDLE SCHOOL CALENDAR
April 2016
4 Schools Reopen
8 Third Marking Period Ends – Schools Close 3 Hours Early for all Students
13 Grade 5 Parent Orientation 6:00 PM
15 PTSA Social Event: Game Night 7:00-9:00 PM
20 Parent Ed Night- Movie Screening: Screenagers 7:00 PM
21 Report Cards go home and PTSA Executive Board Meeting: 6 PM
26 Primary Election- Schools Closed
May 2016
2-9 PARCC on-line testing: 8th graders (tentative dates)
3 DMS Night of Innovation- open house 6:30 -8:00 PM
6 Grade 8 Dance sponsored by the PTA
10-12 PARCC on-line testing: 6th graders (tentative dates)
13 Interims go home
13-20 PARCC on-line testing: 7th graders (tentative dates)
16 Grade 6 Spring Concert 7:00 PM
19 PTSA Executive Board Meeting: 6 PM
20 Grade 8 End of Year Event: Ship Trip in Baltimore Harbor
23 Grade 8 Spring Concert 7:00 PM
25 Grade 7 Spring Concert 7:00 PM (NEW DATE)
30 Memorial Day: Schools Closed
June 2016 1 National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony 7:00 PM
3 8th Grade trip to Towson High School
6 Honors Concert (NEW DATE)
8 Eighth Grade Awards Evening (invitations will be provided for those receiving awards)
*16 Farewell Assembly for Grade 8 Students: 9-10:30 am
Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Elementary and Middle School Students
*17 Last Day of School: Schools Close 3 Hours Early *Note: Final days of school are subject to change based on BCPS decisions regarding snow days used/not used.
[23]
Carver Center Middle School Writing Competition
winners announced! TOWSON – The George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology’s senior Literary Arts
students recently honored winners of the 19th annual Carver Center Middle School Writing Competition.
The competition, coordinated by the literary arts students, draws hundreds of entries, and winners are
selected based on voice, originality, diction, structure, and content. This year’s winners were honored at
Carver Center on March 10 and received prizes sponsored by the Carver Center Foundation.
This year’s Dumbarton Middle School winners are:
Poetry: First Place: Elliot M. G. for “Transitions”
Fiction: Second Place: Guinivere R. for “Kindred Hearts”
Nonfiction: First Place: Gustavo M. for “Rising Income Inequality and the Decline of the American Dream”
[24]
LEARNER CENTERED At the heart of Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.) is a learner-centered approach to instruction. Students are active participants in the learning process and make choices about how and where they learn.
THE TEACHER
In a learner-centered classroom, teachers are facilitators - or guides - in the learning process. They provide tools and support to each student based on his or her learning needs. As a device becomes available to every student, teachers can provide access to digital resources tailored to students based on their current level of understanding, learning styles, and personal interests. Teachers also provide small group instruction that might provide a different way to learn a complex concept or challenge students to dive deeper.
THE SPACE
The furniture and space in a learner-centered classroom is arranged so students can easily transition from collaborative groups, to direct instruction, or to individual work. Students have choice in how they use the space of the classroom to best meet their learning needs.
THE STUDENT
When students each have access to their own device, robust digital content and tools are at their fingertips and empower them to make decisions about, or personalize, their learning. Students have options as to how they can learn a skill or concept and how to demonstrate they've learned it. Learning experiences are connected to real-world problems, and designed to encourage student collaboration, communication,
creativity and other 21st century skills.
[25]
THE S.T.A.T. TEACHER Teachers are also learners and continually seek ways to improve their own practices. With the help of an instructional coach, called a S.T.A.T. teacher, teachers now participate in learner-centered professional development in their schools. The S.T.A.T. teacher supports classroom teachers according to their needs through small group learning sessions, collaborative
lesson planning, and more.
College and Career Readiness
Committee
The College and Career Readiness Committee continued its
Career Speaker Series with Professor of Biology,
Dr. Brewster. On March 7th, a group of 6th and 7th grade students learned about
the three key pieces of professorship; research, teaching, and service. Dr.
Brewster described how successful scientists must be able to communicate and
persuade others through verbal and written communication. She also highlighted
important traits such as; resilience, intellectual curiosity, and creativity as driving
forces in successful scientific research. Thank you Dr. Brewster for spending your
morning with us! In April students will welcome an Actuary. Presentations will
continue throughout the school year and more volunteers are welcome. Please
contact Mrs. Erin Murphy @ [email protected] if you are interested in joining
the Career Speaker Series as a volunteer speaker.
[26]
[27]