Coming This Week: May 11th, 2015

 S.W.E.B.S. Focus: Rule #3

I will be prepared and in class on time.

Leader In Me Focus of the Week:  

Habit 2- Begin with the End In Mind… Have a Plan!  Habit 3- Put First Things First– Work First Then Play

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

Monday, May 11th:

• Leader In Me Monday!
  • Every Monday, check out our Instagram @dobsonschool645 for some inspiring words about leadership.

Tuesday, May 12th 

• Championship Softball game against Cook-Wis @ Hillside
• Baseball Playoff Game against AMY @ Hillside

Wednesday, May 13th 

• Reading Olympics
• Benchmark Testing Begins
• Home and School Meeting @ 6:30pm in room 202 **HUGE SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE AT THIS MEETING**

Mark Your Calendars:

• May 19th- Staff Only Professional Development
• May 20th- 8th Grade NYC Trip & State Tech Fair Competition
• May 22nd- Philly Ad Club Trip
• May 22nd- Fun Friday
• May 25th- Closed for Memorial Day
• May 26th- Student of the Month Trip
• June 4th- Olympics
• June 10th- Leadership Day (Morning)
• June 10th- Dobson Day (Afternoon)
• June 15th- Kindergarten Move-Up Day & Student of the Year Assembly
• June 16th- 8th Grade Graduation
• June 18th- Last Day for Students

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

-The Leader In Me Parent Corner-

As we continue through our Leader In Me Journey, The Lighthouse Team will be using this section to provide some information specifically for parents about The Leader In me. Student work, book recommendations to read with your children that focus on habits, classroom displays, videos and much more will be used to help showcase the fabulous progress that our students (as well as faculty and staff) have made since our kick off in January!

Habit 6: Synergize

“Synergize”… Together Is Better!  Hopefully we have all had an experience working with others, either at work, home or in school, where as a result of everyones individual talents, you’ve come up with a product better than any individual in the group could have created independently.  This is synergy!!  The idea where 1+1 does NOT equal 2, but 1+1=3.  The idea that my ideas + your ideas = something better than anything we could have ever come up with alone.

“Synergize is when two or more people work together to create a better solution that either would have thought of alone.  It’s not your way or may way, but a better way. Synergy is taking good ideas and making them better by working together.  Discussions can focus on other examples of synergy in nature, history, literature, and personal experiences.  For example, synergy happens in nature when a flock of geese heads south for the winter.  They fly in a V formation because due to the updraft, the entire flock can fly farther than if each bird flew alone.”  Courtesy of the Leader In Me Parent Guide

Book Recommendations:

• Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall
• Swimmy by Leo Lionni
• A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
• Clifford’s Spring Clean-Up by Norman Bridwell
• How the Second Grade Got $8205.50 to Visit the Statue of Liberty by Nathan Zimelman
• The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madaline L’Engle
• Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech
• The Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla
• Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco

Coming This Week: April 27th, 2015

 S.W.E.B.S. Focus: Rule #1

I will follow school procedures at all times.

Leader In Me Focus of the Week:  

Our Mission: To empower James Dobson School students to be respectful, cooperative and responsible.

Our Vision: We ‘make it happen’ in Manayunk by living, loving, learning and leaving a legacy.

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

Monday, April 26th-Tuesday April 27th:

• PSSA Science Assessment
  • The test will only be taken by the 4th and 8th grade students.
• Students in 3rd-8th grade- Please do NOT wear your L.I.M. shirt or testing.
• Leader In Me Monday!
  • Every Monday, check out our Instagram @dobsonschool645 for some inspiring words about leadership.

Wednesday, April 28th- Friday, May 1st: 

• Scholastic Book Fair!
• Parent/Teacher conferences… Don’t forget to stop by and check out the Book Fair after your conference.
• 12:10pm dismissals for students.

Mark Your Calendars:

• May 6th- 12:10pm Dismissal for Students
• May 19th- Staff Only Professional Development
• May 25th- Closed for Memorial Day

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

-The Leader In Me Parent Corner-

As we continue through our Leader In Me Journey, The Lighthouse Team will be using this section to provide some information specifically for parents about The Leader In me. Student work, book recommendations to read with your children that focus on habits, classroom displays, videos and much more will be used to help showcase the fabulous progress that our students (as well as faculty and staff) have made since our kick off in January!

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood…is probably the most DIFFICULT habit to master.  When we use this habit, particularly when we are engaged in an emotional discussion, it is really had to listen to the other person with the intent to UNDERSTAND what is being said and not with the intention to respond.

This type of listening, called empathic listening, challenges us to all take a step back and really make sure we understand what is being said by the other person, there intention, and how they might be feeling, before we ever chime in with our response.  This type of reflective listening is difficult.  Using phrases like:

• “What I heard you say was…”
• You sound…
• I’m not sure i’m with you, but…
• You seem…
• You must have felt…
• So you see it as…

help to ensure that we really understand what the person we are speaking with is saying to us.  Habit 5 is NOT listening with the intent to give advice, question the other person, judge, agreeing or to solve a problem.

“By taking the time to listen to another person, you reach a higher level of communication.  Teaching Habit 5 to young children is done first by considering their age and development.  Young children find it difficult to understand another’s paradigm (point of view).  This havit is best approached by introducing listening as a skill that should be practiced. Learning to listen without interrupting and learning to listen with your ears, eyes and your heart will help children build a foundation for Habit 5.  Simply put, we have two ears and one mouth so that we can spend more time listening with the intent to understand.” Courtesy of the Leader In Me Parent Guide

Book Recommendations:

• Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
• The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
• Are You my Mother? by P.D. Eastman
• Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
• Marrying Malcolm Murgatroyd by Mame Farrell
• Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
• Rules by Cynthia Lord
• Veronica Knows Best by Nancy K. Robinson
• The Bully of Barkham Street by Mary Stolz

-PSSA BUZY BEE-

The PSSA Science test begins TOMORROW… Check out all of the helpful tips that our Buzy Bee has left for us to make sure that we are prepared to  ROCK THE TEST!

Testing Tips for At Home, At School and During The Test:

PSSA Testing Tips for Parents:

To help your child prepare adequately for the PSSA tests, you can do several things to encourage your child to do his/her best.

At Home:

• Eat a balanced and healthy breakfast!
• Get a good night’s sleep!
• READ EVERY NIGHT!

At School:

• Follow the 7 habits of Happy Kids and Teens!
  • Be Proactive
  • Begin with the End in Mind
  • Put First Things First
  • Think Win-Win
  • Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
  • Synergize
  • Sharpen the Saw
• Arrive to school on time each day, ready to work and ready to stay all day!
• Read carefully & take your time!
• Stay calm, cool and collected! Don’t forget to Sharpen the Saw!

During the Test:

• Come up with the answer in your head before  looking at the possible answers, this way, the choices given on the test won’t throw you off or trick you.
• Read the question before you look at the answers.
• Eliminate answers you know aren’t right!
• Take your Time!
• Read all the choices before choosing your answer.

Coming This Week: April 20th, 2015

 S.W.E.B.S. Focus: Rule #5

I will show respect with a positive attitude, kind words and actions, and careful use of school property.

Leader In Me Focus of the Week:  

Habit 4- Think Win-Win… Everyone Can Win!  Habit 5- Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood…Listen Before You Talk  Habit 6- Synergize- Together is Better.

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

Monday, April 20th-Wednesday, April 22nd:

• PSSA Math Assessment
  • Testing begins promptly at 9:00am. Please make every effort to get a good night’s sleep and be on time and ready to work every day!
• Students in 3rd-8th grade- Please do NOT wear your L.I.M. shirt or testing.
• Leader In Me Monday!
  • Every Monday, check out our Instagram @dobsonschool645 for some inspiring words about leadership.

Friday, April 24th: 

• Fun Friday
• Bake Sale for rooms 103, 209 and 313

Mark Your Calendars:

• April 29-May 1st- Parent/Teacher Conferences
• May 6th- 12:10pm Dismissal for Students
• May 19th- Staff Only Professional Development
• May 25th- Closed for Memorial Day

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

-The Leader In Me Parent Corner-

As we continue through our Leader In Me Journey, The Lighthouse Team will be using this section to provide some information specifically for parents about The Leader In me. Student work, book recommendations to read with your children that focus on habits, classroom displays, videos and much more will be used to help showcase the fabulous progress that our students (as well as faculty and staff) have made since our kick off in January!

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

“Think Win-Win”… something that we often say in conversation, but we don’t often actually intend for both parties to win.  Often, when we think win-win, someone is making a sacrifice and losing.

When we use Habit 4: Think Win-Win… the idea is that EVERYONE WINS!!  No one loses out, makes concessions or has to give something up.  “It is truly believing that there is enough good things for everyone; it is an abundant way of thinking.

As a parent, not everything is negotiable, but if you go into discussions with your child with a win-win mindset, you’ll find a lot less resistance.”  Courtesy of the Leader In Me Parent Guide

Book Recommendations:

• Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni
• The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
• The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
• The Very Clumsy Click Beetle by Eric Carle
• Let’s Be Enemies by Janice May Udry
• The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss
• Dragon Stew by Tom McGowen
• Law of the Great Peace by John Bierhart
• The Checker Players by Alan Venable
• Hiawatha, Messenger of Peace by Dennis Brindell Fradin

-PSSA BUZY BEE-

The PSSA Math test begins TOMORROW… Check out all of the helpful tips that our Buzy Bee has left for us to make sure that we are prepared to  ROCK THE TEST!

Testing Tips for At Home, At School and During The Test:

PSSA Testing Tips for Parents:

To help your child prepare adequately for the PSSA tests, you can do several things to encourage your child to do his/her best.

At Home:

• Eat a balanced and healthy breakfast!
• Get a good night’s sleep!
• READ EVERY NIGHT!

At School:

• Follow the 7 habits of Happy Kids and Teens!
  • Be Proactive
  • Begin with the End in Mind
  • Put First Things First
  • Think Win-Win
  • Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
  • Synergize
  • Sharpen the Saw
• Arrive to school on time each day, ready to work and ready to stay all day!
• Read carefully & take your time!
• Stay calm, cool and collected! Don’t forget to Sharpen the Saw!

During the Test:

• Come up with the answer in your head before  looking at the possible answers, this way, the choices given on the test won’t throw you off or trick you.
• Read the question before you look at the answers.
• Eliminate answers you know aren’t right!
• Take your Time!
• Read all the choices before choosing your answer.

Coming This Week: April 13th, 2015

 S.W.E.B.S. Focus: Rule #4

I will solve my problems peacefully

Leader In Me Focus of the Week:  

Habit 4- Think Win-Win… Everyone Can Win!  Habit 5- Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood…Listen Before You Talk  Habit 6- Synergize- Together is Better.

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

Monday, April 13th-Thursday, April 16th:

• PSSA Reading Assessment
  • Testing begins promptly at 9:00am. Please make every effort to get a good night’s sleep and be on time and ready to work every day!
• Students in 3rd-8th grade- Please do NOT wear your L.I.M. shirt or testing.
• Leader In Me Monday!
  • Every Monday, check out our Instagram @dobsonschool645 for some inspiring words about leadership.

Saturday, April 18th:

• Night Out for Dobson!!

Have you purchased your Night Out for Dobson (April 18th) tickets yet??  Buy a pod; send a teacher.

It is a great end of the year gift…a little early!!

#Donate4Dobson

Mark Your Calendars:

• April 20th- Math PSSA Begins
• April 24th- Fun Friday
• April 29-May 1st- Parent/Teacher Conferences
• May 6th- 12:10pm Dismissal for Students
• May 19th- Staff Only Professional Development
• May 25th- Closed for Memorial Day

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

-The Leader In Me Parent Corner-

As we continue through our Leader In Me Journey, The Lighthouse Team will be using this section to provide some information specifically for parents about The Leader In me. Student work, book recommendations to read with your children that focus on habits, classroom displays, videos and much more will be used to help showcase the fabulous progress that our students (as well as faculty and staff) have made since our kick off in January!

Habit 3: Put First Things First

-PSSA BUZY BEE-

The PSSA test begins TOMORROW… Check out all of the helpful tips that our Buzy Bee has left for us to make sure that we are prepared to  ROCK THE TEST!

Testing Tips for At Home, At School and During The Test:

PSSA Testing Tips for Parents:

To help your child prepare adequately for the PSSA tests, you can do several things to encourage your child to do his/her best.

At Home:

• Eat a balanced and healthy breakfast!
• Get a good night’s sleep!
• READ EVERY NIGHT!

At School:

• Follow the 7 habits of Happy Kids and Teens!
  • Be Proactive
  • Begin with the End in Mind
  • Put First Things First
  • Think Win-Win
  • Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
  • Synergize
  • Sharpen the Saw
• Arrive to school on time each day, ready to work and ready to stay all day!
• Read carefully & take your time!
• Stay calm, cool and collected! Don’t forget to Sharpen the Saw!

During the Test:

• Come up with the answer in your head before  looking at the possible answers, this way, the choices given on the test won’t throw you off or trick you.
• Read the question before you look at the answers.
• Eliminate answers you know aren’t right!
• Take your Time!
• Read all the choices before choosing your answer.

Coming This Week: April 6th, 2015

 S.W.E.B.S. Focus: Rule #3

I will be prepared and in class on time.

Leader In Me Focus of the Week:  

Habit 2- Begin The End In Mind… Have a Plan & Habit 3- Put First Things First…Work First, Then Play

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

Monday, April 6th:

• Leader In Me Monday!
  • Every Monday, check out our Instagram @dobsonschool645 for some inspiring words about leadership.

Wednesday, April 8th:

• 12:10 Dismissal for Students

Wednesday, April 10th:

• Fun Friday and Bake Sale

Have you purchased your Night Out for Dobson (April 18th) tickets yet??  Buy a pod; send a teacher.

It is a great end of the year gift…a little early!!

#Donate4Dobson

Mark Your Calendars:

• April 13th- PSSA Testing Begins
  • Please make every effort to be in school on time, get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast!! 
  • April 18th- Night Out for Dobson
• April 24th- Fun Friday
• April 29-May 1st- Parent/Teacher Conferences
• May 6th- 12:10pm Dismissal for Students
• May 19th- Staff Only Professional Development
• May 25th- Closed for Memorial Day

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

-The Leader In Me Parent Corner-

As we continue through our Leader In Me Journey, The Lighthouse Team will be using this section to provide some information specifically for parents about The Leader In me. Student work, book recommendations to read with your children that focus on habits, classroom displays, videos and much more will be used to help showcase the fabulous progress that our students (as well as faculty and staff) have made since our kick off in January!

Habit 2: Begin With The End In Mind

-PSSA BUZY BEE-

The PSSA test begins next week… Check out all of the helpful tips that our Buzy Bee has left for us to make sure that we are prepared to  ROCK THE TEST!

Testing Tips for At Home, At School and During The Test:

PSSA Testing Tips for Parents:

To help your child prepare adequately for the PSSA tests, you can do several things to encourage your child to do his/her best.

At Home:

• Eat a balanced and healthy breakfast!
• Get a good night’s sleep!
• READ EVERY NIGHT!

At School:

• Follow the 7 habits of Happy Kids and Teens!
  • Be Proactive
  • Begin with the End in Mind
  • Put First Things First
  • Think Win-Win
  • Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
  • Synergize
  • Sharpen the Saw
• Arrive to school on time each day, ready to work and ready to stay all day!
• Read carefully & take your time!
• Stay calm, cool and collected! Don’t forget to Sharpen the Saw!

During the Test:

• Come up with the answer in your head before  looking at the possible answers, this way, the choices given on the test won’t throw you off or trick you.
• Read the question before you look at the answers.
• Eliminate answers you know aren’t right!
• Take your Time!
• Read all the choices before choosing your answer.

Coming This Week: March 23, 2015

 S.W.E.B.S. Focus: Rule #1

I will follow school procedures at all times.

Leader In Me Focus of the Week:  

Habit 1- Be Proactive…I am in charge & Habit 2- Beginning With End In Mind…Have a Plan! 

Wednesday, March 23rd:

• Leader In Me Monday!
  • Every Monday, check out our Instagram @dobsonschool645 for some inspiring words about leadership.

Thursday, March 26th:

• 6:30pm Pirates Performance
  • http://www.tinyurl.com/piratesonlinetickets

Don’t forget to purchase your Night Out for Dobson (April 18th) tickets at http://james-dobson-school.ticketleap.com/night-out-for-dobson/

Mark Your Calendars:

• March 31st- March STOM
• April 1st- April 3rd- Spring Break
• April 8th- 12:10 Dismissal for student
• April 10th- Fun Friday
• April 13th- PSSA Testing Begins
• April 18th- Night Out for Dobson

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

-The Leader In Me-

Over the past week, we have added a new tab on our webpage devoted entirely to the Leader In Me.  With Parent Resources, a parent guide, a list of children’s books that help teach the habits and much more has been posted for you to bring the Leader In Me into your home.

As we posted earlier this week, part of the Leader In Me: Path to Lighthouse status involves transforming our school environment with inspiring words about leadership and empowering messages.

Tell us what kind of messages you would like to have your children seeing each day by sharing them at www.tinyurl.com/TLIMQuotes .  We will be posting more about how parents, grandparents, and the Dobson Community can get involved with The Leader In Me soon!

-PSSA BUZY BEE-

As the countdown to the PSSA begins, help your student “Buzy Bees” prepare for the test with some simple tips!  The Buzy Bee will be adding some helpful information to the Coming This Week Post to help us all be ready to ROCK THE TEST!

Testing Tips for At Home, At School and During The Test:

PSSA Testing Tips for Parents:

To help your child prepare adequately for the PSSA tests, you can do several things to encourage your child to do his/her best.

At Home:

• Eat a balanced and healthy breakfast!
• Get a good night’s sleep!
• READ EVERY NIGHT!

At School:

• Follow the 7 habits of Happy Kids and Teens!
  • Be Proactive
  • Begin with the End in Mind
  • Put First Things First
  • Think Win-Win
  • Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
  • Synergize
  • Sharpen the Saw
• Arrive to school on time each day, ready to work and ready to stay all day!
• Read carefully & take your time!
• Stay calm, cool and collected! Don’t forget to Sharpen the Saw!

During the Test:

• Come up with the answer in your head before  looking at the possible answers, this way, the choices given on the test won’t throw you off or trick you.
• Read the question before you look at the answers.
• Eliminate answers you know aren’t right!
• Take your Time!
• Read all the choices before choosing your answer.

Coming This Week: March 16, 2015

 S.W.E.B.S. Focus: Rule #5

I will show respect with a positive attitude, kind word and actions, with careful use of school property.

Leader In Me Focus of the Week:  

Habit 1- Be Proactive…I am in charge & Habit 4- Think Win-Win…Everyone can win! Habit 6- Synergize…Together is Better!

Wednesday, March 18th:

• Leader In Me Monday!
  • Every Monday, check out our Instagram @dobsonschool645 for some inspiring words about leadership.

Wednesday, March 18th:

• 12:10 Dismissal for Students

Friday, March 20th:

• Fun Friday
• 4th Grade Bake Sale

Mark Your Calendars:

• March 26th- Pirates the Musical
• March 31st- March STOM
• April 1st- April 3rd- Spring Break
• April 10th- Fun Friday
• April 13th- PSSA Testing Begins

Follow Dobson on Instagram: @Dobsonschool645 

-The Leader In Me-

Over the past week, we have added a new tab on our webpage devoted entirely to the Leader In Me.  With Parent Resources, a parent guide, a list of children’s books that help teach the habits and much more has been posted for you to bring the Leader In Me into your home.

As we posted earlier this week, part of the Leader In Me: Path to Lighthouse status involves transforming our school environment with inspiring words about leadership and empowering messages.

Tell us what kind of messages you would like to have your children seeing each day by sharing them at www.tinyurl.com/TLIMQuotes .  We will be posting more about how parents, grandparents, and the Dobson Community can get involved with The Leader In Me soon!

-PSSA BUZY BEE-

As the countdown to the PSSA begins, help your student “Buzy Bees” prepare for the test with some simple tips!  The Buzy Bee will be adding some helpful information to the Coming This Week Post to help us all be ready to ROCK THE TEST!

Testing Tips for At Home, At School and During The Test:

PSSA Testing Tips for Parents:

To help your child prepare adequately for the PSSA tests, you can do several things to encourage your child to do his/her best.

At Home:

• Eat a balanced and healthy breakfast!
• Get a good night’s sleep!
• READ EVERY NIGHT!

At School:

• Follow the 7 habits of Happy Kids and Teens!
  • Be Proactive
  • Begin with the End in Mind
  • Put First Things First
  • Think Win-Win
  • Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
  • Synergize
  • Sharpen the Saw
• Arrive to school on time each day, ready to work and ready to stay all day!
• Read carefully & take your time!
• Stay calm, cool and collected! Don’t forget to Sharpen the Saw!

During the Test:

• Come up with the answer in your head before  looking at the possible answers, this way, the choices given on the test won’t throw you off or trick you.
• Read the question before you look at the answers.
• Eliminate answers you know aren’t right!
• Take your Time!
• Read all the choices before choosing your answer.