Blanche Dodd Bobcat News
December 1, 2020
A message from Principal Bolz
Greetings Dodd Families! I hope each of you enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday with your family. Likewise, I hope you have remained healthy and well! We have just three weeks in December before we finalize the second grading period. December is always a quick month since there are many holiday traditions that take place during this time. Please review the December events listed in the newsletter and help your child mark the calendar for the occasions.
Fall benchmark tests will be given during the 2nd week of December (see upcoming events below). These benchmarks are approximately twenty questions in length and will cover skills that each student should master before leaving their current grade level. Each of the tested skills have been taught and reviewed throughout the fall semester. The data from each benchmark will be used to ensure that your child is understanding and mastering the readiness skills for their grade level.
Please read through the entire newsletter for important news and information.
Wishing each of you a happy holiday season filled with memorable moments with your family and friends!
It's a GREAT day to be a Bobcat at Dodd Elementary where we are...
Six Houses...One Family!
Tree Decorating - December 7th
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We'll be adding to the holiday cheer by decorating a tree for each house on Monday, December 7th 2:45-3:30. Each house will have a white tree assembled and ready to decorate. You and your house will just need to decorate the tree!
Your tree must represent your House color. Other colors may be included, but your House color must be the predominant color. Bring a purchased or handmade ornament in your house color on Monday.
The following awards are up for grabs:
- Best use of House color
- Best use of House mascot
- Best student made decorations
- Most creative
- Most spirited tree
- Judges favorite
Be sure to check our Facebook page for pics of the winners!
December Events
4th Turkey Trot (wear your Turkey Trot shirt)
4th Early release 11:55
7th-11th Winter weather gear collected for community center
7th House meeting - tree decorating - wear your house shirt/color and a holiday hat
8th Math benchmark test (2nd-5th grade)
9th Reading benchmark test (2nd-5th grade)
10th Science benchmark test (5th grade)
10th Writing benchmark test (4th grade)
10th "Holiday spirit" - wear your favorite holiday shirt, etc.
11th "Holiday character day" - dress like your favorite Christmas/holiday character
14th Angel Tree gifts due to Mrs. Roesler
15th NEHS delivers winter gear to community center
16th 1st semester awards
16th Holiday parties 2:45
17th "Silent Night" - wear your pajamas to school
17th Early release - 11:55
Dec. 18th - Jan. 5th Winter break
Jan. 6th Return to school
The Counselor’s Corner
Welcome Back Dodd Bobcats!
For the month of October, we learned about Respect and how being kind and saying kind things can start a chain reaction. We even started our own chain reaction, colorful paper chains, that line the hallways at Dodd with kind words written about each other. Then, in November, we learned about Responsibility by playing Responsibility BINGO. Responsibility means you are able to be trusted, you take care of yourself, your chores, and the people around you. We will not have guidance lessons for the month of December because of Benchmarks and the break, but we will start back up in January with Fairness.
As always, you can visit my school website, complete a request form, and we can set up virtual or in-person counseling meetings. Remember, whether you are in-person learning or distance learning, I am here for you!
Your Counselor,
Mrs. Roesler
940-48-2603 ext. 4008
The Nurse's Niche
There are a lot of fun things to do outside in the winter. However, it is important to consider safety. Although we have been enjoying unusually warm weather for December, it’s still a good time to review the American Academy of Pediatrics winter health and safety tips.
Nosebleeds
If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in the child’s room at night. Saline nose drops or petroleum jelly may also help. If severe, consult your pediatrician.
Hypothermia/Frostbite
When (or if) it gets cold outside, remember to set a reasonable time limit on outdoor play and have children come inside periodically to warm up. Dressing in layers is best.
Lice
This time of year we often get a few cases of lice. Adult head lice or their eggs (nits) are found in the hair, most often behind the ears and at the base of the neck. Head lice are most commonly spread by direct head-to-head contact with hair of other people who have head lice. Head lice are less commonly spread through contact with an infested person’s personal items, such as hair brushes and combs, hats, unwashed clothing, bedding or towels. Head lice are commonly spread within households. There are a number of effective treatments for head lice. Treatment for head lice usually consists of shampooing the hair with a medicated shampoo. Consult with your pediatrician for treatment of head lice. Head lice are certainly a nuisance, but they are not generally considered a health hazard. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses advocate that "no-nit" policies in schools should be abandoned. Head lice are not a health hazard or a sign of poor hygiene and are not responsible for the spread of any disease. No healthy child should be excluded from or miss school because of head lice.
Enjoy your Holiday Break,
Nurse Sally
Changing Instructional Delivery Methods
Changes to delivery methods may be made at the end of a nine-week grading period with a
two-week advance written notice. The last day of grading periods are Dec. 17, 2020 and March 12, 2021. If you would like to change your child's instructional delivery method for the next grading period that begins in January, please complete the "Instructional Delivery Change Request" by Dec. 14th.
Students who wish to participate in remote learning must meet the following criteria:
1. Students must have a grade of 75 or above in all classes in grades 2-12.
2. Students in Kindergarten and 1st grade must be reading on grade level.
3. Students must have five (5) or fewer absences in the semester.
Exceptions to criteria for participation in remote learning are:
1. A student is medically fragile or lives with someone who is considered medically
fragile. Documentation from a medical doctor is required and must be submitted
to the school principal.
2. A positive COVID case requires the student to be quarantined in accordance with the
guidelines established by TEA as follows: Any student who has tested positive for
COVID, or who experience the symptoms of COVID, must stay home throughout the
infection period, and cannot return to campus until all three criteria have been met:
● At least one day (24 hours) has passed since recovery (resolution of fever
without the use of fever-reducing medications);
● The individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of
breath); and
● At least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
3. A student who has had close contact with someone who is COVID positive must be
quarantined for 14 days. The student shall return to in-person learning after the 14-day
quarantine period.
Students who do not meet the qualifications to participate in remote learning must come to school for face-to face instruction.
Blanche Dodd Elementary
It is our mission to educate each child through the use of quality instruction and positive relationships. We will strive to motivate each student to discover their unlimited potential and have a positive impact on their community.
Tricia Bolz, Principal
Lisa Mayfield, Asst. Principal
Amy Roesler, Counselor
Email: patricia.bolz@krumisd.net
Website: http://dodd.krumisd.net/
Location: 915 E McCart St, Krum, TX, United States
Phone: 940-482-2603
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doddelementaryschool/
Twitter: @DoddElementary