March 2015
Dogwood
Elementary
A Note from the Principal
PawPrints
From your Principal…..
Mrs. Betty Pettiford
March has roared into to Maryland like a lion. There must be some truth to Punxsutawney Phil
seeing his shadow as a predictor of an extended Winter. We want it to stop!!!!!…..
As we begin what some may call March madness, our teachers are continuing to prepare students in grades 3, 4, and 5 for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers
assessment known as (PARCC.) This set of assessments will measure whether students are on track
in their learning and for success after high school. The results from the assessment will be used to
help teachers customize instruction to meet students’ needs. Please encourage your children to do
their very best on this assessment which is an important measure of our students’ achievement and
Dogwood’s academic program. Certainly children benefit from school in many ways, but our main job
is to provide our students with a rigorous, engaging, and meaningful instructional program that will
enable them to reach their optimal potential and prepare them for the future.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our staff members, students, and families for their
efforts and support leading up to…and during….this most important assessment. The PARCC assessments are aligned with the new, more rigorous Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and measure
student proficiency in Mathematics and English Language Arts. Testing will begin Tuesday, March 3rd
to March 20th. We will continue to administer the Science portion of MSA until a replacement is
found.
Parents and Grandparents! We need your help! We are seeking volunteers to work with students in the classroom and in our cafeteria. Our classroom hours are between 8:50-3:00 and our
cafeteria hours are from 11:00 – 1:30. We would appreciate any time you have to spare to support
our school needs. Please contact the office if you would like to volunteer.
Reminder! Our school day begins at 8:30 to 3:10. We are asking parents to ensure students
arrive on time daily so they will not miss out on direct instruction that begins at 8:50, and student
assessment at 3:00.
We want to thank everyone who is working to make our Claire’s fundraiser a success. Proceeds will go towards cultural activities, student and teacher incentives.
5th Grade Highlights...
Reading: The students have begun the 3rd reading
unit, Transformative Discoveries. Please have your
child reading 15-30 minutes every night!
Science: The students have begun the Weather the
Weather unit. Also students are continuing to work
on the STEM fair projects. In the next few weeks
some of the due dates are approaching. Please
check with your child about the different due dates
and assignments. If you have any questions, please
mail Ms. Sutton or Ms. Williams.
Math: The students continuing to work on graphing
and geometry and will begin looking at fractions
later on in the month. Please continue to practice
their basic multiplication facts at home. Also, if you
have any questions about the strategies being used,
please email Ms. Crump or Ms. Caldwell.
PARCC Testing: Throughout the month of March,
our fifth graders will be completing both the reading
and math PARCC test. Our schedules will be different as well as homework assignments might not be as
consistent. Please make sure students are getting a
good nights rest as well as a breakfast before testing. Thanks for your support!
BCPSOne: The fifth grade teachers are continuing
to update grades on BCPSOne weekly. It is now halfway through the third quarter. Please check online
for updated grade reports. If you have any questions
feel free to message the teachers.
Expectations in 5th grade: REMINDER: We are officially half way through the school year and that
much closer to middle school. In preparation for
middle school, we are not accepting late assignments.
Students are expected to have the work the day it
Inside the 4th Grade
Reading/Language Arts
The students have been analyzing nonfiction texts in order to identify and
describe the cause and effect relationships that are found in nature. In our
next unit, “One World, Many Visions,” the students will be reading a
variety of informational texts about
intriguing science topics.
Math
The students have continued practicing
strategies for multiplying and dividing
larger numbers. The students have also
been exploring important concepts about
geometry and fractions. Keep practicing
all of your basic facts!
Science and Social Studies
Students have started planning their
STEM Fair projects! Please pay attention
to important project information and due
dates from your student’s teacher.
Important Notes: PARCC Testing
PARCC Testing will be taking place between Monday 3/2 and Friday, 3/27. It
is imperative that students be present and
on time for school every day that they are
testing. Fourth grade will be testing on
the following dates:
PARCC - English/Language Arts:
Thursday, 3/5, Friday, 3/6, and
Monday, 3/9
PARCC - Math:
Tuesday 3/17, and Wednesday, 3/18
Contact the Fourth Grade Team
Miss Liston: [email protected]
Ms. Putnam: [email protected]
Miss Talerico: [email protected]
Mrs. Monroe-Rice: [email protected]
3rd Grade News...
What’s happening in 3rd Grade!
This month is filled with big and exciting things for third grade! First comes the PARCC testing. Third grade will be
testing March 12th – 16th and March 23rd – 24th. Please be sure your child gets a good night’s rest before testing days, so
they are ready and focused to do their best!
Third grade students have already been working hard to design and create their safe racer vehicles. We are half way
through the design process (research, design, create, test, review, and modify). By the end of the month, students will
have raced their cars to determine Dogwood’s winning team. Remember the car that travels the farthest and keeps Eggburt safe, wins!
In math, we are finishing up our unit on division. Please be sure to continue reviewing those basic multiplication facts at
home! Next, we will be learning about measurement, perimeter, area, and working our way towards fractions.
Remember; READ READ READ!
Page 2
Dogwood Elementary
2nd Grade News
Reading/Language Arts
The students have been analyzing non-fiction texts in order to identify and describe the cause and effect relationships that are
found in nature. In our next unit, “One World, Many Visions,” the students will be reading a variety of informational texts
about intriguing science topics.
Math
The students have continued practicing strategies for multiplying and dividing larger numbers. The students have also been
exploring important concepts about geometry and fractions. Keep practicing all of your basic facts!
Science and Social Studies
Students have started planning their STEM Fair projects! Please pay attention to important project information and due dates
from your student’s teacher.
Important Notes: PARCC Testing
PARCC Testing will be taking place between Monday 3/2 and Friday, 3/27. It is imperative that students be present and on
time for school every day that they are testing. Fourth grade will be testing on the following dates:
PARCC - English/Language Arts:
Thursday, 3/5, Friday, 3/6, and
Monday, 3/9
PARCC - Math:
Tuesday 3/17, and Wednesday, 3/18
Contact the Fourth Grade Team
Miss Liston: [email protected]
Miss Talerico: [email protected]
Ms. Putnam: [email protected]
Mrs. Monroe-Rice: [email protected]
1st Grade Corner
Math: We have just started Unit
5: Measurement. This unit focuses on developing the ideas
about linear measurement, telling
time to the hour and half-hour,
and partitioning a whole into equal
parts and naming each part with a
fraction. As students measure
with a variety of units, they investigate the idea that different
-sized units result in different
measurements. Also, students use
the visual appearance of clocks
(digital and analog) to read and
March 2015
write times to the hour and halfhour. Students also partition circles and rectangles into two and
four equal shares using the words
halves, fourths, and quarters
Reading: We are continuing to work
on Unit 4: Animals Everywhere
which contains selections of informational texts.
Throughout the unit, students identify the main topic and retell key
details in order to deepen their
level of comprehension. They use
various text features to locate
facts or information in texts, and
use the illustrations and details
in a text to describe its key
ideas. Students learn more about
the authors’ intent as they identify the reasons an author gives
to support points in texts.
Students articulate their
thoughts using oral, written, and
non-verbal methods in various
contexts. Students state their
opinions and use text to support
Page 3
What’s Happening in Kindergarten?
In March, our Kindergarten
students will continue working on letter sound recognition, nonsense word fluency,
and sight words in Phonics.
In math we will be working
on measurement, weight,
and counting. Our reading
selections in Wonders in-
clude stories about animals,
movement, and knowledge
about the United States. We
will also be celebrating Dr.
Seuss and his wonderful
books during the first week
of March.
EVERY DAY
-Check DAILY for important papers in your child’s
communication folder
-Please make sure your
child has an extra set of
clothes at the school
Helpful Reminders:
-Please bring in a snack
Pre-K Highlights...
During March, we will be exploring transportation. We have now learned 9 letter sounds(long a, c, l, m, n, p,
r, s, and t). As the month continues, we will be adding to the list of sounds we recognize. In addition to knowing
the sound in isolation, the children are being challenged to hear it at the beginning and end of words, plus we are
applying letter sound knowledge by figuring out words based on the first/last sound. Another new reading skill is
blending the onset(first sound) with the rime(the rest of the word). For example, I might say /c/ + /at/ to the
children, and they have to figure out the word is cat. All of these skills are designed to improve their listening
skills which are necessary for reading.
In math, we will begin learning about measurement. We will be comparing objects using the words: long,
longer, longest, short, shorter, shortest, tall, taller, and tallest. Then, we will focus on using non-standard units
(blocks, paper clips, cars) to determine how long things are and comparing capacity(full/empty) and weight(heavy/
light).
How can I help at home?
When reading with your child, point out sounds in words that they know, identify words that start or end with
the same sound, and blend short words.
Keep practicing rhyming! In addition to recognizing words that rhyme, challenge your child to produce rhyming
words. It is okay for the children to use nonsense words…as long as they rhyme.
Baltimore County Summer Visual
Art Enrichment Program
PROGRAM OVERVIEW: The Baltimore County Summer Visual Arts Enrichment Program provides a wonderful opportunity for students in Grades 312 to build their personal art skills and add to their art portfolios. A variety of courses are offered to meet varied needs and interests of students whether they are seeking to improve art skills or preparing a portfolio for consideration for gifted and talented coursework, or acceptance
into a magnet program.
The program will take place from: July 6-17, 2015
The cost of the program: $375.00
Hours for the program are: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The program will be held at: Perry Hall High School
*Please note: All questions concerning the program should be directed to the
Office of Visual Arts at
(410) 887-4030 or e-mailed to [email protected]
.
Tentative) Bus pick up is available at the following locations: Bus 1:
Catonsville Elementary, Sudbrook Middle Magnet, Woodlawn High, Bus 2:
Holabird Middle, Golden Ring Middle, Parkville High, Bus 3: Hereford
High, Cockeysville Middle, and Cromwell Elementary
A program fee of $375.00, payable to Baltimore County Public Schools is
required for this program. The program fee covers all art materials, transportation, and consultant fees.
During the month of February the intermediate students have
enjoyed a basketball unit. Our basketball unit consisted of activities that developed dribbling skills, passing skills, and shooting. Rules of the game were also introduced when appropriate
during the activities. Primary students focused on ball manipulative activities which concluded with student centered stations.
We look forward to using the table tennis tables in
March. Primary students will continue to develop eye-hand coordination skills on the tables. Intermediate students will develop
lead-up skills to actually playing a modified game.
Please continue to remind your child to wear their tennis shoes on physical education days.
March Events
Mar 2– 27
PARCC Testing Grades 3,4 and 5
Counselors Corner
The character trait of the month is:
PERSEVERANCE
Showing perseverance means working hard and
never giving up. Students can show perseverance
by always trying their best, working hard, completing all of their school work even when concepts are
difficult, getting a job done, having confidence in
themselves, and making good choices.
What time is it? PARCC time!!
Test Taking Tips to Remember:
Get a good night’s sleep!
Eat a nutritious breakfast!
Come to school on time!
Read all the directions carefully!
Read all the questions and answers!
Pace yourself – don’t take too much time on one
question!
Make your best guess!
Take your time! Don’t rush!
Go back and check your answers!
Take deep breaths!
Nurse News...
Sleep is essential to everyone's health and well-being. But
many of us don't get enough of it. How much do you need?
And what's the best way to tackle sleep problems?
There's no magical number of hours required by all
kids in a certain age group. Still, sleep is very important to kids' well-being. The link between a lack
of sleep and a child's behavior isn't always obvious.
When adults are tired, they can be grumpy or have
low energy, but kids can become hyper, disagreeable, and have extremes in behavior.Most kids'
sleep requirements fall within a predictable range
of hours based on their age, but each child is a
unique individual with distinct sleep needs.
Here are some approximate numbers based on
age, accompanied by age-appropriate pro-sleep
tactics
Preschoolers
Preschoolers sleep about 10 to 12 hours per night.
A preschool child who gets adequate rest at night
may no longer need a daytime nap. Instead, a
quiet time may be substituted. Most nursery
schools and kindergartens have quiet periods when
the kids lie on mats or just rest. As kids give up
their naps, bedtimes may come earlier than during
the toddler years.
School-Age Children and Preteens
School-age kids need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a
night. Bedtime difficulties can arise at this age for a
variety of reasons. Homework, sports and afterschool activities, TVs, computers, and video
games, as well as hectic family schedules might
contribute to kids not getting enough sleep.
Lack of sleep can cause irritable or hyper types of
behavior and may make it difficult for kids to pay
attention in school. It is important to have a consistent bedtime, especially on school nights. Be
sure to leave enough time before bed to allow your
child to unwind before lights out.
Bedtime Routines
No matter what your child's age, establish a bedtime routine that encourages good sleep habits.
These tips can help kids ease into a good night's
sleep:
Include a winding-down period in the routine.
Stick to a bedtime, alerting your child both
half an hour and 10 minutes beforehand.
Encourage older kids and teens to set and
maintain a bedtime that allows for the
full hours of sleep needed at their age