Back to School Night

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Goal 4 of the District Strategic Plan reads ”To Ensure a Satisfying and Productive Partnership with Families and the Community.”

Dunlap Grade will host its annual Back to School Night on Tuesday, August 28th. Please read the information below. We look forward to meeting and connecting with parents during this exciting evening.

The sessions at 6:30 and 7:00pm will be identical. This will give parents the opportunity to visit multiple classrooms if they have more than one child enrolled at DGS. Please attend the sessions of your child’s homeroom teacher to learn more about the classroom expectations, curriculum, and what the school year holds in store for your child!

 

 

Finding Our Greatness

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At Dunlap Grade School, we were excited to welcome our students to the 2012-2013 school year. Students spent the morning unpacking school supplies, developing classroom ground rules, and defining the words “quality” and “greatness.” We hosted an Opening Ceremony this morning that included a “Parade of Classrooms” with teachers as flag bearers, singing of the National Anthem, welcome address by Mrs. Ellis, and introduction of all staff to the students. Teachers and students defined greatness to set the tone for our work ahead this year. Definitions of greatness included quality, hard work, risk-taking, creativity, innovation, perseverance, determination, and trying our best. Classrooms will continue to define greatness as they develop classroom mission statements and set classroom SMART goals as part of  each Classroom Learning Community throughout the first week of school.

Our path to greatness this year will focus on the tenants of our mission. The mission of the Dunlap School District is to “empower all students to excel in a global society.” We define this as 21st century learning where students are:

  • Self-motivated learners
  • Critical thinkers
  • Effective communicators
  • Skilled collaborators
  • Responsible and culturally aware citizens
  • Technologically capable creators

Students were also introduced to a new classroom incentive from Mr. Horrie, our custodian. Classrooms that maintain the cleanest classroom learning environment will earn a traveling trophy as well as extra recess with Mr. Horrie! We know our students will take as much pride in our building as our staff does!

Finally, students were introduced to the new morning routine. In an effort to increase instructional time, minimize transition, maintain consistency with other district elementary building routines, and develop a satisfying and productive school learning and teaching environment, students will enter the gym each morning to participate in morning announcements. Morning announcements will begin promptly at 7:35 with students returning to classrooms ready to learn by 7:39am. During announcements, we will celebrate successes towards school goals, share important announcements, recognize birthdays, and develop our learning community.

Welcome Back for a year of creativity, innovation and learning at DGS!

First Day of School Tomorrow

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Dunlap Grade School will open its doors tomorrow morning to 237 students. We are eager to welcome each one into their new classrooms.

  • School starts at 7:39 am. On the first day of school, students are to report to their classrooms. After the first day of school, students will all report to the gym in the morning.
  • School will be dismissed at 11:15am
  • The first full day of school is Thursday from 7:39-2:45pm
  • All bus riders will be dropped off in the rear of the building and car riders should be dropped off in the front of the building.
  • We appreciate your patience as bus routes are finalized. For questions regarding your child’s transportation, please contact the Director of Transportation at dmartin@dunlapcusd.net

 

 

Dunlap Days

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District Strategic Goal #5 is:

To Ensure a Satisfying and Productive Partnership with Families and the Community.

Join the community of Dunlap for a family friendly festival. Be sure to stop by to see your building principals and superintendent serve up pancakes at the Food Tent on Saturday, August 25th.

 

DUNLAP DAYS 2012

Thurs. Aug 23 * Fri. Aug 24 * Sat. Aug 25

CARNIVAL WRISTBAND NIGHT – THURSDAY ONLY

$15.00 Per Person for Unlimited Rides

5:00 – 9:00 P.M.

Rides, Games, Food, Vendors, Entertainment, and More!

Pancake & Sausage Breakfast on Saturday from 9-10 a.m. featuring   

Jay Marino, Superintendent, Dunlap School District #323

Todd Jefferson, Principal, Ridgeview Elementary School

Tom Welsh, Principal, Dunlap High School

Zac Chatterton, Principal, Dunlap Middle School

Mandy Ellis, Principal, Dunlap Grade School

Greg Fairchild, Principal, Banner Elementary School

Stacy Berg, Principal, Wilder-Waite Elementary School

For a complete schedule of events, go to http://villageofdunlap.com.

Math in Focus

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District Strategic Goal #1 is:

To continuously improve student growth and achievement.

This week, 4th Grade Teacher, Teresa Marquis and building principal, Mandy Ellis, joined 11 other district elementary staff at the Singapore Math Learning Institute in Chicago, Illinois. This institute provided staff the opportunity to learn more about the math materials and philosophy that were recently adopted by the district. After more than a year of studying and researching various math curriculum products, the District Curriculum Council recommended Math in Focus.

Students in Grades K, 1, 2, and 4 will be learning math with the new Math in Focus materials this school year. 3rd and 5th Grades at DGS will implement Math in Focus during the 2013-2014 school year. Math materials have arrived and teachers will receive on-going training through the year. Additionally, parents will receive the opportunity to learn more at different times throughout the school year.

“Singapore math” is the term used to refer to the mathematics curriculum used in Singapore. For over 15 years, Singapore has consistently scored at the top of international mathematics comparison studies. Its unique approach to teaching math — which focuses on problem solving, deep understanding, and model drawing — has helped Singapore students excel, and now U.S. students have the same opportunity to benefit from this proven curriculum!

Math in Focus is the U.S. edition of Singapore’s most widely used program. It teaches the same content as traditional mathematics programs — just in a way that emphasizes understanding and flexible thinking. Math in Focus will teach your children both how and why math works. This deep understanding means that they will be better able to use math in real-life situations. Furthermore, it aligns to the Common Core Standards.

We are excited to be able to engage students in math and increase their ability to problem-solve, collaborate, and learn. Learn more about Math in Focus by clicking here.

 

St. Jude Runners

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District Strategic Goal #5 is:

To Ensure a Satisfying and Productive Partnership with Families and the Community

 

Mr. Wenskus and Mrs. Dixon in Memphis preparing for the St. Jude run

Today’s post is an example of how meaningful and important the partnerships between Dunlap Grade School and the community can be. For over seven years, Dunlap Grade has developed a relationship with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that began while Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Kurth’s son, Danny was a patient. This partnership has continued to grow. In recent years, 5th Grade Teacher, Mr. Wenskus has run the distance between Memphis and Peoria in memory of Danny Kurth and other Dunlap students that have lost their battle with cancer as well as to honor those that have fought or are still fighting the battle. Each year, Mr. Wenskus raises funds to participate in the run. Joining him in the Memphis run this year is Hickory Grove Special Education Teacher and former DGS teacher, Mrs. Dixon. Several other Dunlap elementary teachers have run satellite runs. Mrs. Piper, Miss Stahl, Mrs. Siekman, Ms. Rutherford, Mrs. Hopkins, and Mrs. Webster, have all been involved in St. Jude runs. In addition, Former DGS student, Beth Stewart is currently a pediatric oncologist at St. Jude in Memphis.

Dr. Beth Stewart states, “I have officially been a physician at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital now for two years. I feel blessed every day that I walk through the doors of the hospital to be a part of such a miraculous hospital for the greatest kids in the world. I am splitting my time these days between taking care of patients and doing translational research on pediatric solid tumors. We have made so many advancements in the past 50 years in treating a variety of pediatric cancers, but we still have a long way to go until every child receives a cure. I am so blessed to participate in the Memphis to Peoria Run for my 9th year!! I run in the memory of Dusty Pautler and Danny Kurth as well as all of the other children that I have had the privilege to care for the past few years. I also run in honor of the children who are going through treatment now, and I know they all would be proud knowing that we are trying to help other kids like them. I am so thankful that St. Jude is committed to taking care of patients and their families in every way, and they never receive a bill for any of the treatment they receive. The money raised goes to support children who are currently receiving treatment, and also goes to support the research to improve care for other children in the future.”

DGS Graduate and pediatric oncologist at St. Jude, Dr. Elizabeth Stewart

The Peoria Journal Star wrote, “The run is one of the biggest fundraisers Peoria will perform for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital this year. The event and other satellite runs have contributed more than $25 million to St. Jude since the first Memphis to Peoria Run in 1982. Participants in the Memphis to Peoria run are required to raise $3,000 in donations for the hospital. These runners are pooled into two groups and split the journey into 10 separate legs. Eight to 15 runners are required to be on the road at all times. The groups’ path eclipses marathon distances each day, before emerging back in Peoria on Saturday. The Memphis to Peoria Run is the culmination of months of hard work, preparation and intensive training by a group of runners who are dedicated to increasing awareness about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” says David L. McKee, chief operating officer of ALSAC, the hospital’s fundraising organization. “On behalf of the children of St. Jude, we are grateful for the money raised during this event, which will ensure that the hospital’s research and care continues to help our patients.”

Thank you to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and for our staff running to raise funds for this cause. Dunlap Grade School is proud of you!

 

Meet the Staff

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1st Grade Teacher

Mrs. Donavan

Jennifer Donavan has been teaching in Dunlap for 4 years at Ridgeview Elementary. She will be teaching 1st grade at DGS this school year. As a teacher in Dunlap, she has been involved in the Curriculum Committee. As a teacher at DGS, she will serve on the Building Leadership Team, Service and Leadership Team, and the Curriculum Committee.  She is looking forward to meeting all the families at DGS and learning more about the community that surrounds it. Mrs. Donavan is nearing completion of her Master’s Degree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Stahl (Soon to be Mrs. Zarko)

2nd Grade Teacher

Kelsie Stahl (Soon to Be Mrs. Zarko) has been teaching in Dunlap for 1.5 years, with one semester as an RTI Aide here at DGS, and one year as a 2nd grade teacher at Wilder-Waite. She will be teaching 2nd grade at DGS this school year. As a teacher in Dunlap, she has been involved on the District Curriculum Council and with Wilder-Waite Running Club. As a teacher at DGS, she will serve on Building Based Team and Curriculum Council. She is looking forward to returning to DGS and the wonderful families, meeting some super 2nd graders, and having a new last name for the 2012-2013 school year! She is ready to make memories and accomplish great things with this year’s Royal staff and students!

4th Grade Teacher

Miss Marquis

Teresa Marquis has been teaching in Dunlap for 4 years at Ridgeview. She will be teaching 4th grade at DGS this school year. As a teacher in Dunlap, she has been involved in/on Curriculum Council, Building Leadership Team, Continuous Improvement, and the District Writing Team. As a teacher at DGS, she will serve on Curriculum Council and be the Enrichment Eagles representative this school year for DGS.  She is looking forward to getting to know the Dunlap Grade family and developing a strong foundation with the DGS community! Miss Marquis recently completed her Master’s Degree

Summer Work

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District Strategic Goal #2 is:

To Obtain a Satisfying and Productive Classroom and School Teaching Environment

District Strategic Goal #3 is:

To Obtain a Satisfying and Productive Classroom and School Learning Environment

Summer is traditionally a break for staff and students, but there has been a lot of activity at DGS this summer. The Custodial staff at Dunlap Grade has been busy this summer to ensure that the building is ready for learning and teaching come August. Mr. Eads, Mrs. Riekena, and new custodian, Mr. Horrie, have been working diligently. Work that has already been completed includes deep cleaning of all classrooms and common spaces, painting of the office area, principal’s office, teacher work room, three classrooms, staff bathroom, and gym office, landscaping and mulching of the entire campus, removal of wooden fencing, planting of entry flower pots, organization of common storage areas, delivery of classroom materials for transferring teachers, organization and delivery of K-2 new math curriculum materials, painting of the bike rack, individual teacher requests, and attention to many details throughout the building.

Additional building improvements that will be completed before the start of the school year will be installation of the Parent’s Club purchased picnic tables in the front of the building, new signage on the front of the building, installation of a media display center, power washing of the exterior building, and continued detail cleaning and maintenance details.

Our maintenance and custodial staff are an essential part of our team in ensuring that we meet our strategic goals. We are grateful for their time, energy, and motivation to creating an atmosphere and environment conducive to learning and teaching! Thank you, Mr. Eads, Mrs. Riekena, and Mr. Horrie!

DGS Receives Recycling Grant

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District Strategic Goal #5 is:

To Ensure a Satisfying and Productive Partnership with Families and the Community.

Dunlap Grade School has been awarded a recycling grant for the 2012-2013 School Year. This grant will aide in DGS becoming better stewards of our environment and its resources. In addition, the grant will educate students on the importance of being involved in recycling efforts. The grant, awarded through Peoria County’s Recycling & Resource Conservation, will supply DGS with environmental education programming in addition to the resources needed to recycle at DGS. We will receive

10:  7 gallon containers

20:  10 gallon containers

3:  35 gallon cart

1:    Can Crusher

 Dry Erase markers

Congratulations DGS and Thank YOU to the Recycling and Resource Conservation Department. The DGS Community looks forward to its partnership with Peoria County’s Recycling and Resource Conservation department and implementing a recycling program at the start of the school year.

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