Classroom Meetings

A component of the Dunlap School District’s Vision is to create students that are effective communicators and skilled collaborators. A key strategy in ensuring that vision comes to fruition is the development and implementation of classroom meetings.
Classroom Meetings are a vital part of any classroom learning community. It is the time of the day when the class comes together to set goals, problem solve, engage in critical thinking and hone their communication skills. Classroom Meetings can take many forms, but have key components.
In classroom meetings, students review their classroom mission and ground rules. They will reference their classroom data center and review any data that has been collected regarding classroom goals. In addition, students may review classroom feedback from a quality tool that has been placed in the classroom data center.
Key in any classroom meeting is student ownership, accountability and participation. Classroom meetings are best implemented when control is gradually released to students and then facilitated by students. The process may take teaching modeling as the class learns the process. Using the Optimal Learning Model of “I do, we do, you do” can aid in relinquishing control and ownership to students.
Once implemented completely, classroom meetings have several benefits. Students that participate in classroom meetings cite a more positive classroom learning environment, improved abilities to problem-solve and communicate, and analyze performance and growth on key goals.

 

Cross Curriculuar Collaboration

A staff norm at Dunlap Grade School is to participate in cross-curricular collaboration and communication. This was demonstrated earlier this week when 2nd grade staff partnered with music teacher, Mr. Anderson, to make some wonderful music.

In Mrs. Pitzer’s class, Mr. Anderson taught the students that a measure has 4 beats using 4/4 time.  Each student was then responsible for using musical notation to fill each measure with four counts.  Who knew there was math in music?!  After choosing a line or space, they got to compose and listen to their music creation. You can hear what they composed by clicking on the links below:

Group One’s Music

Group Two’s Music

Group Three’s Music

Group Four’s Music 

Group Five’s Music

In addition, 2Z students practiced math in a musical way!  Mr. Anderson has been helping students learn that a measure has 4 beats using 4/4 time.  Each student was responsible for using musical notation to fill each measure with four counts.  What a great connection to math skills! After choosing a line or space, the group played their creation for the rest of the class to listen and enjoy!  You can listen to their compositions by clicking on the links below:

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

We are so excited that Mr. Anderson found such a neat website for us to practice our learning!  We can be 21st century learners wherever we go!

Math in Focus Parent Night

District Strategic Goal #4: Create Satisfying and Productive Partnerships with Families and the Community

Dunlap School District will host an informational “Parent University” on September 17th at 6:30pm in the Dunlap High School Auditorium for any families interested in learning more about the Math in Focus curriculum in grades K-5. You will learn how the program emphasizes problem solving and positive attitudes toward mathematics,  while focusing on student development of skills, concepts, and processes.

Representatives from the district as well as Math in Focus staff will be in attendance to present information. Please see the flyer below or at Parent Night Flyer

Parent Night Flyer

Welcome to Dunlap Grade School for 2013-2014

Dear Families,

As Principal of Dunlap Grade School, I am eager to begin the 2013-2014 school year and welcome our staff and students back for another wonderful year of learning. Our mission at DGS is to develop lifelong learners and we have plans in place to do just that.

Ongoing Communication

My personal goal is to maintain open communication with the families of DGS. You will be able to access https://dunlapgradeschool.edublogs.org/, follow us on twitter @dgsroyals, and like us at www.facebook.com/DunlapGrade for information regarding special events and news related to DGS. You may also view the DGS webpage at http://www.dunlapcusd.net/dgs/. You may also email me at mellis@dunlapcusd.net. My door is open and I welcome you to stop by and introduce yourself.

Accomplishments

The summer has been a busy time for DGS. The office, teachers, and support staff have been busy making sure DGS is ready for the first day of school. A list of our accomplishments includes:

  • Creation of student recognition programming
  • Hiring of 3 teachers, music teacher, literacy aide, and classroom aides
  • Meeting of the Building Leadership team to begin to formulate vision and goals for the year
  • Professional Development in the areas of creativity, innovation, professional learning communities, social/emotional learning, math and reading.
  • Deep cleaning of all classrooms, common areas, and building façade
  • Painting of five classrooms
  • New landscaping

Faculty Spotlight

The staff at DGS is filled with educated and enthusiastic individuals that are working collaboratively to ensure the best possible educational environment for your children. Our team this year consists of:

Mandy Ellis, Principal

Lisa Kamin, Secretary

Connie Miller, Office Assistant

Britney Barackman, Kindergarten

Amy Douglas, Kindergarten

John Weaver, Classroom Aide

Courtney Erikson, First Grade

Jennifer Donavan, First Grade

Stefanie Pitzer, Second Grade

Kelsie Zarko, Second Grade

Michelle Graber, Classroom Aide

Jamie Flinn, Speech Pathologist

Natalie Lanser, Third Grade

Samantha Mahrt, Third Grade

Jennie Hatch, Student Aide

Kristen Bishop, Student Aide

Dan Eckert, Fourth Grade

Teresa (Marquis) Jarrick, Fourth Grade

Susan Piper, Fifth Grade

Rachel Wooden, Fifth Grade

Nicole Baier, Special Education

Sara Nauman, Special Education

Danyell Alger, World Language

Kelly Bailey, Counselor

Lisa Sell, Literacy Aide

Karen Conlon, School Psycologist

Alyssa Cabrera, School Social Worker

Dave Combs, Physical Education

Steve Wright, Art

Joshua Anderson, Music

Tina Holloway, Band

Chris Adams-Wenger, Orchestra

Amy Berg, Technology

Michelle Mueckler, Librarian

George Horrie, Custodian

Nancy Riekena, Night Custodian

Renee Kuykendall, Head Cook

Jean Deckard, Cafeteria

Important Back to School Dates

Dunlap Grade has several important events coming up. You will be able to view these events on our school website and will receive updates regarding additional upcoming events in the Parent Bulletin that will be sent weekly.

  • August 12, 2013: Bus and Class lists will be posted by 4pm on PowerSchool. All new families are also receiving PowerSchool login information. If you need additional support accessing PowerSchool, please contact the office.
  • August 13, 2013: Kindergarten Back to School Night at 5:30 pm. Kindergarten students and their families are invited to meet their teachers, learn about DGS from me, and tour a bus and the cafeteria.
  • August 15, 2013: 1st-5th Grade Back to School Night 6:30-7:30pm. Students and parents are invited to bring their supplies to their classrooms, meet their teachers, and meet with Parent’s Club leadership members in an Open House format.
  • August 16, 2013: First Day of School. School will be a full day and students will dismiss at 2:45pm
  • August 27, 2013: Picture Day
  • August 29, 2013: Fall Fundraiser Kick-Off Assembly at 1:45 pm
  • September 2, 2013: No School– Labor Day

School Hours

We will once again follow an early dismissal schedule every Wednesday throughout the school year this year.  This time allows our teacher’s to work collaboratively as Professional Learning Communities with the ultimate goal of improving teaching and learning for all students.  You can find more information about Professional Learning Communities on our district website at www.dunlapcusd.net.

School / Level

Total Minutes

 

2013-14 School Schedule

M, T, Th, F

Wednesday

Start Time

End Time

Start Time

End Time

Elementary School

7 hours

7:39

2:45

7:39

2:15

Middle School

7 hours

8:24

3:30

8:24

3:00

High School

7 hours, 6 minutes

8:18

3:30

8:18

3:00

HS Zero  Hour

49 minutes

7:24

8:13

7:24

8:13

 

Birthday and Classroom Party Treat Guidelines

Foods that come from home for sharing among children for birthday treats or classroom celebrations must be either whole fruits or vegetables or commercially prepared foods in individually sealed packaging that do not contain nuts. This is necessary for both health and safety so we can then read the label to see the ingredients for children with allergies and special nutritional needs. Any items not individually sealed, that contain nuts or baked goods from home or from a bakery will be sent home.

Transportation

  • Class Lists and Bus Route information will be posted in Powerschool by the end of the business day on August 12th. Information regarding bus stops and times will be available at that time. Powerschool information was sent home in registration packets in May. If you need assistance with Powerschool Login information, please contact the office.
  • Please reserve bus transportation changes only for child care situations or emergencies. Transportation changes will not be issued for play dates or social reasons.
  • Morning Procedures will include bus drop-off in the rear of the building. Students arriving to the school by car should be dropped off in the front of the building. All students will report to the gym upon arrival to school.
  • All student absences must be reported to the office by 8:00 am.  You may call the office at 243-7772 or email the office to report an absence by clicking on the ‘email an absence’ link at the top of the DGS homepage.  Please notify the office if you need to pick up your child during the school day due to an appointment.

Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct will be distributed to each student during the first few days of school and reviewed by the classroom teacher during the first few weeks of school. Parents will need to sign off stating they’ve read and understand the policies in the handbook and code of conduct. You will receive this information from your child’s classroom teacher.

Visitors

We welcome parents as volunteers in our building. A new security system was installed this summer. All visitors to the school will be required to buzz in at the front entrance of the building and sign in at the office.  There are visitor’s badges on the sign-in table that we ask all visitors to wear while in the building.  In order to maintain the integrity of the learning environment, we do not allow unannounced visits to classrooms during the instructional day.  All classroom visits must be approved by the classroom teacher and/or the building principal ahead of time.  This allows us to minimize disruptions to the instruction taking place in our classrooms.

School Calendar

The Dunlap School District has developed a school calendar that will allow parents to access all district events in one central location. www.dunlap323.tandemcal.com will allow families to view and subscribe to calendar updates and filter events for individual or multiple schools in the district. An additional PDF calendar will be available on the DGS website under the Parents tab. In addition, monthly calendars will be on the back of the lunch menus each month.

Parent’s Club

Dunlap Grade School has a proud history of parental support and involvement. I encourage you to stop by the Parent’s Club informational area in the cafeteria during Open House to get more information on how you can get involved. We have opportunities available for all parents that you can do at school or from home.

Next Steps

We have a lot of exciting initiatives and continued implementation of quality educational programming at Dunlap        Grade this year.

  • Implementation of Math in Focus curriculum at all levels
  • World Language (Spanish) instruction at the K-1 Levels
  • Second Step, a social-emotional learning curriculum, implementation at all levels
  • Creation of Common Formative Assessments to drive instruction
  • Development of 21st Century Learning strategies utilizing new technologies
  • Continued use of Professional Learning Communities
  • Monitoring school goals on the School Data Center and in classroom data centers and student data binders

Parents, teachers, support staff, and administration all have an important role to encourage and empower our children to become active learners that will excel in a global society. It is my sincere desire to provide expanded opportunities for our students to acquire the skills to become productive citizens in a vastly changing society. Through a close and collegial partnership with everyone associated with Dunlap Grade School, I am confident we can make our school an even better place for our students to learn and grow.

Respectfully,

 

Mandy Ellis

Dunlap Grade School Principal

New Counselor Hired

Recently, Mrs. Kelly Bailey was hired as one of two new counselors to the elementary level as part of the Social, Emotional, Behavioral Learning Initiative that you can learn more about on a previous district blog post here. Dunlap Schools now has three counselors at the elementary level. Mrs. Bailey will serve students at DGS and HGES, deliver counseling services, and help to lead the implementation of the Social/Emotional/Behavioral Learning Curriculum, Second Step at all grade levels.

Seven years ago Mrs. Bailey moved from Ohio to Peoria, IL to begin her teaching career. She has served as a primary teacher in Peoria Public Schools District 150 for the past seven years. During that time she taught Pre-K and was an Encore teacher with emphasis on science.  She is a 2005 graduate from Ohio University where she received her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education.  In May 2010 she graduated from Bradley University with a Masters in School Counseling.

Mrs. Bailey looks forward to sharing her passion for social emotional learning and working with students, staff, and families to create a safe and supportive learning environment where all students succeed.  Her goal is to promote the academic, career, and personal/social development to all students, enabling them to become life-long learners, independent thinkers, and responsible individuals.

Mrs. Bailey lives in Peoria, IL with her husband Scott. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and outdoor activities. “I am so excited to be your school counselor and to become a part of Dunlap Grade School this year.  I look forward to meeting you!”

Welcome to the team, Mrs. Bailey!K_Bailey

Set to Make Music at DGS

Mr. Anderson is Set to Make Music at DGS

This May, The Board of Education approved the new hire of Mr. Josh Anderson as music teacher at Dunlap Grade and Hickory Grove Elementary Schools. Mr. Anderson, originally from Farmington, IL, completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Illinois State University. Mr. Anderson has performed in ensembles premiering pieces for 20th Century composers, participated in musicals in theater, as well as established membership in local instrumental and vocal organizations such as Prairie Winds Ensemble.  In Mr. Anderson’s experience as the music teacher in a previous school district, he has implemented new music programs that cater to each individual that also promote success for the entire student population.  Mr. Anderson states: “I am excited to work with my students in the Dunlap School District.  It is my job to give every student a fundamental understanding of all aspects of music.  I look forward to collaborating with classroom teachers providing a connection between music and common core subjects such as reading and math.  Music performances throughout the year will allow students to show their true personalities.  I will continue to expand my teaching knowledge by pursuing further education as well as learning from the students in daily activities.” We welcome Mr. Anderson to the team!

Mr. Josh Anderson will assume the role of Music Teacher this fall

Mr. Josh Anderson

Resource Room Reflections

Miss Baier and Miss Nauman collaborate to meet the needs of all students with individualized needs at DGS. Together, they make up the Resource Team. The Resource Team has had a great 2012-2013 school year.  They worked with students in every grade level and in almost every classroom.  In the resource room they were able to utilize new technologies including the iPads, Learning Ally and an Apple TV. Students used these resources to supplement their interventions and enhance their learning.

In January and February, every resource student led their own IEP meeting.  They prepared a PowerPoint presentation about their progress on annual goals and what they hope to accomplish in the upcoming year.  They presented in front of their parents, teachers, and Mrs. Ellis. This process developed effective communication, skilled collaboration, and presentation skills.

The Resource Team already has plans for the 2013-2014 school year.  A new classroom set-up and website are already in the works.

Student Book Fair Exhibition

Dunlap Grade School invites all students to participate in our first Student Book Fair Exhibition. In conjunction with the Spring Book Fair, students and families will have the opportunity to create a storyboard display on a tri-fold to showcase their favorite book.  See the information below. Projects are due April 15th. Winners from a variety of categories will be selected and awarded with a certificate and free book of their choice!

 

 

 

 

DHS Cookie Sales at DGS

Cookie Sales

We have an opportunity to help the Life Skills special education class from DHS.  The class has started a business selling Otis Spunkmeyer cookies.  Members of the class will be traveling to all schools over a two week period on a rotation.  The cookie sales will be coming to Dunlap Grade School on 4/16, 4/30, and 5/14 between 1:00-2:00pm to sell fresh cookies for .50 cents each.   Support of this project that will help the high school students develop valuable job skills in a fun way.

The cookie choices are: sugar, chocolate chip or carnival

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Enriched Bleached Flour (Bleached Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Sugar, Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Salt, Mono- and Diglycerides, Natural Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate, Beta Carotene), Brown Sugar, Eggs, Butter, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Baking Soda, Salt.
Contains: Wheat, Eggs, Soybeans and Milk

Ingredients for Sugar Cookies:
Enriched Bleached Flour (Bleached Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Salt, Mono- and Diglycerides, Natural Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate, Beta Carotene), Eggs, Butter, Invert Sugar, Salt, Baking Soda.
Contains: Milk, Eggs and Wheat

Ingredients for Carnival Cookies:
Enriched Bleached Flour (Bleached Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Margarine (Palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Mono- and Diglycerides, Natural Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate, Beta Carotene), Candy (Semi-sweet Chocolate [Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Butter Oil, Soy Lecithin, Vanillin], Sugar, Coloring [Includes Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Yellow #6, Yellow #5, Blue #1], Confectioner’s Glaze [Carnauba Wax, Beeswax, Shellac], Gum Arabic, Corn Syrup), Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla), Eggs, Molasses, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Baking Soda, Salt.
Contains: Milk, Eggs, Soybeans, Wheat, FD&C Yellow# 5 and FD&C Yellow# 6

Kindergarten Registration is Approaching

Kindergarten Registration

Dunlap Grade is excited to welcome a new group of kindergarten students to our school this fall as they begin their journey to become lifelong learners! Kindergarten registration for the 2013-2014 school year will be held on Tuesday, April 16th, between 1-3pm at DGS. Parents are asked to bring a copy of the birth certificate, proof of residency, medical records, including immunization information if available, dental form, and the book rental fee. Registration materials will be distributed at the time of registration. To be eligible for kindergarten for the 2013-2014 school year, children need to be 5 years old by September 1, 2013. If you have neighbors who have kindergarten age students, please inform them of this information. Registration packets for current students will be sent home on May 6th. If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact the office at 309-243-7772.  We look forward to meeting all our new kindergarten families!
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