May News 2008
Herman E. Dummer School
Happy May to all!
April has been a pretty insane month. The H.E.D. Parent group has been unbelievably active. They hosted several events beginning on April 11th with the Daddy/Daughter Dance. The turnout was great and the feedback was positive. The only concern from the students was their dads’ dancing. They also hosted the Second Annual Grandparents’ Bingo night. Each year we get better, and we will use the feedback we received from the grandparents to improve the event for the Third Annual Bingo Night. If this wasn’t enough, the parent group also hosted the Mother/Son Movie Morning. Each quarter the parent group, also assists in running the Straight A Breakfast and the Bringing up Grades breakfast events. The parents have been an awesome asset this year, and we hope to continue this tradition for the 2008-2009 school year.
Besides the above events, we also had our annual music program. This was the best turnout we have ever had. Thank you to Mrs. Page for her work to make the program successful and to the students who participated. We also had the book fair and art program open and both were successful. Thanks to Sandwich Boys Baseball for being so kind in adjusting their schedule to help increase participation in our program. The student turnout was obviously reflective of their schedule change.
Even though April was busy, May is going to have its share of activities. We kick off the month with the “Great American Challenge” geography program for the fourth grade students. The high school band and choir will be performing a short program for our students on May 15th. Both grades will be going on their end-of-the-year field trips with the fourth grade going to the Morton Arboretum on May 16th and the fifth grade going to Brookfield Zoo on May 22nd. This is our first year for both trips, and we have planned some great educational activities to supplement the field trip. Track and Field is a big event taking place for grade 5 on May 28th and Grade 4 on May 29th. The rain day is set for May 30th. The school will be hosting our lunch for those with perfect attendance on May 23rd, and both the Straight “A” lunch and B.U.G. Roll breakfast are scheduled for May 29th. Finally, the fourth grade “Taste of America” will take place on May 28th.
On a last note the new hotel is having a grand opening over Memorial Day weekend. There will be dunk tank with Mr. Smart, Ms. Lampkins and myself on Monday, May 26. Feel free to come and show your throwing skills. The money earned will be used for technology upgrades at H.E.D.
Mr. Sodaro, Principal
Dummer Elementary School
FOURTH GRADE NEWS …
In March, as part of our Social Studies curriculum, Flat Stanleys were mailed around the United States and to some parts of the world! Your Stanley should be arriving back home safe and sound. Upcoming, the students will be creating a project to display all of Stanley’s adventures.
It is hard to believe the end of the year is near, but we have just started our last unit in reading with the theme being New Lands. Most classrooms are wrapping up a unit on measurement in Science. Be sure to watch your classroom newsletter for all the upcoming end of the year events.
FIFTH GRADE …
May is a very exciting and busy month for our fifth graders.
May 22nd will be our fifth grade field trip to Brookfield Zoo. We are planning on taking busses to the Aurora Metra station and hopping on the train to Brookfield. This will be an educational field trip, where each class will submit a project on their specific animal type. More information will be handed out as the day gets closer.
May 28th will be the fifth grade track and field day. Remember students need to dress for the weather and remember sun-screen. May weather is very unpredictable. It will be a fun and exciting day of activities with Mr. Pax!
As the end of the year comes to us – we will be visiting our Middle School for a 6th grade tour. Students will be able to ask questions to current middle school students and check out their school for next year!
Notices will be coming home as each event gets closer to give you more specific details. Remember to keep working hard so we can finish 5th grade with a BANG!
ST. JUDES’S MATHATHON …
Every spring many Dummer Elementary students participate in “St. Judes Mathathon”. St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas and established for the sole purpose of conducting research into catastrophic childhood diseases, mainly cancer. St. Jude treats children without regard to race, religion, creed or ability to pay. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance and families without insurance are never asked to pay.
The hospital’s daily operating costs are $1,146,616, which are primarily covered by public contributions. Dummer Elementary School is proud of their $4,596.71 contribution this year. In the last five years Dummer Elementary has contributed over $25,000. Our contribution along with other schools across American will go towards the operating costs of St. Judes. Participation in the Mathathon helps our students realize the importance of reaching out and helping others.
We’d like to recognize our top fundraisers! Pictured are: Jarett Ripsky who turned in the most with $900.00; Gyovanny Arzuaga brought in $275.00; Bradley Kipper, $271.00; Rose DeFily, $264.11, and David Avery, $250.00.
ART …
A big thank you to everyone who stopped by the art show. The students worked very hard on their individual projects and their classroom projects, and it was nice to see so many parents. The winner of the fourth grade walking stick was 4-4, Miss Gee’s homeroom. Her class created a dragon in the style of Salvdor Dali that looked awesome! The winner of the fifth grade mask was 5-7, Mrs. Prucha’s homeroom. Her class was also in the style of Salvador Dali, but it had a red face with cauliflower hair. Both classes got a trophy to keep until the end of the school year.
Fourth graders are learning about the life and art of Pablo Picasso. They are learning about how cubism, which is his style, looks like a picture that has been broken up into little pieces. They will also be creating a picture in Pablo Picasso’s style that will look quite broken up.
Fifth graders are working on tote bags that will be donated to children aged birth to twelve years old who are in area hospitals. The students picked out a book and drew a picture that related to the book on a tote bag. They next painted the picture and put the book, along with a coloring book and crayons in the tote bag. The students, as well as the children who receive the bag, always love this project. This project was possible thanks to the generous donation from the Sandwich Education Foundation.
MARKET DAYS …
The Sandwich Dummer, Middle, and High School Market Day has 2 more sales left this school year … May 14 and June 11We have had a very profitable year and appreciate your support. The money has been directly distributed to Dummer, SMS, and the HS for extra items and activities. Pick-up is now held at Sandwich High School from 3:15 – 4:30. Market Day forms can be obtained in the school offices or you can order on line at www.marketday.com. If you have questions or would like a form mailed to you, call Lisa Simmons at 786-7636 or Lisa Groom at 786-6391. Again, thanks for supporting Market Day this school year.
TRACK AND FIELD DAYS …
May 29th ……. Fourth Grade
May 28th ….. Fifth Grade
Student participation in Track and Field Days is a privilege. This year there has been a change to the school policy for participation in Track and Field. Any student receiving three pink slips (demerits) or zeros during PE will not be able to participate in Track and Field. In addition, any student suspended during the fourth quarter will be excluded from Track and Field.
Mr. Pax will began counting these pink slips and zeros April 14th and this will end the day of Track and Field (May 28, 2008, and May 29, 2008).
If your child does not meet the requirements during the timeframe starting April 16 through Track/Field Day, he/she will be unable to participate in Track and Field Days. These students will stay in that day and complete an alternative curriculum (report on Olympic figures, report on professional figures and reading stores on various topics, etc).
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT MEDICATION …
Unused medication will not be sent home with your child. Please pick up any remaining medication before the end of the school year. Any medication left at school will be discarded on the last day of school.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL …
Tuesday, June 3rd has been set as our last day with 45 minutes attendance. Attendance on this day is not mandatory. Bus service on this day will not be available. On this day, report cards may be picked up from homeroom teachers. Report cards not picked up will be mailed home. School will be in session for a full day on Monday, June 2nd. Enjoy your summer!
LOOKING FORWARD …
To our fifth graders, we hope you enjoyed your time here at Dummer School. Sixth grade is a big step in your growth, and we wish you well as you change schools. Fourth graders, we’ll welcome you back in the fall. August 22nd is our first day of the 2008 – 2009 school year, and it will be a half day of school.
Herman E. Dummer School
Tom Sodaro - Principal
422 S Wells Street
Sandwich, IL 60548