East Elementary School News
January 2024
Dear East Elementary Families,
Time has truly flown by this school year! It feels like we just welcomed everyone back, yet here we are, already preparing for the busy and exciting months ahead.
Looking ahead, the next few months at East Elementary are brimming with a variety of activities and events that promise to enrich our students’ school experience. We are thrilled to announce several highlights on our calendar, including:
-PTG Family Night: A wonderful opportunity for families to come together, socialize, and engage with our Parent-Teacher Group.
-Field Trips: Experiential learning outside the classroom environment, tailored to enhance our curriculum and spark curiosity.
-Fine Arts Festival: A celebration of creativity, showcasing the artistic talents of our students through various exhibits and performances.
-Literati Book Fair: An exciting event to promote literacy, where students can explore new books and expand their reading interests.
-Muffins with Mom: A special morning event to celebrate the important role mothers play in our children's lives and foster school-community connections.
-Field Day: A fun-filled day of games and activities that emphasize teamwork and sportsmanship.
Further details about each event will be shared as we get closer, so stay tuned!
Your support as parents and guardians is truly invaluable to us. Whether you choose to volunteer at an event, assist with your child’s homework, or simply nurture their love for learning at home, your involvement plays a crucial role in enhancing their educational journey. We deeply appreciate every contribution, as it helps us make East Elementary a vibrant and nurturing environment where our students can thrive.
To stay informed and connected, we encourage you to regularly check our school website, read the weekly newsletter that goes out every month, and follow our social media pages. These platforms are vital for keeping you updated on important announcements, event reminders, and ways to get involved.
We are looking forward to an incredible remainder of the school year, filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences for our children. Thank you for being such an essential part of our East Elementary community!
Sincerely,
Mr. Zesiger
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2025-2026
In looking ahead to the next school year, we will soon begin establishing class assignments. Many factors are considered when determining a class.
Services such as Intervention, Speech/Language Services, Enrichment, the Boy/Girl Ratio, and student personalities all need to be strongly considered when arranging classes. In the past, many parents have requested specific teachers, which has hindered the school’s ability to compile class lists.
The three of us will develop class lists along with much teacher input. We are very proud of our teaching staff in Dover and have the utmost confidence in their abilities to work positively with all students. Therefore, we will not accept personal requests for individual teachers. However, we are open to information about your child, which may help us assign students for the 2025-2026 school year. Professionally, we would like the flexibility to assign all students, but if you feel there is pertinent information from the following list, please provide it to the Principal where your child currently attends.
1. Any social/emotional issues that you may want to highlight.
2. Inform us of children you feel need to be separated from your child.
3. Miscellaneous information you feel we need to be informed of.
All information should be sent in writing NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025, to the school office to the attention of Mrs. Murphy/Mrs. Nicholson/Mr. Zesiger. The confidentiality of all letters will be secured.
Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to a successful school experience for all of our students.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Tracie Murphy, Mrs. Katie Nicholson & Mr. Zach Zesiger
Help Us in Supporting A Good Cause! Rainbow Connection
Dover Elementary Schools are joining forces to participate in the Rainbow Connection Drive. The Rainbow Connection is a non-profit charity dedicated to meeting the needs of the disadvantaged and disabled residents of our county. Some of the services and programs they provide:
Medical supplies, bills, and equipment
Prescription assistance
Technological assistance
Children’s services include cancer, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, etc.
The Rainbow Connection has partnered with Dover City Schools over the years and helped us to provide equipment and services for our students and families. We would now like to give back to this organization.
Students will participate in TWO special dress-up days. Students are asked to make donations in whatever amount families see fit. We are encouraging $0.50 for these days!
In support of Rainbow Connection, we are encouraging students to wear the following:
Thursday, March 6-Hat Day
Friday, March 7-Pajama Day
Thank you for your support of this wonderful organization!
InView Cognitive Ability Assessment (Grades 2 & 3)
March 4 & 5, 2025
InView Test assesses cognitive skills that can map strengths and reveal hidden abilities. The InView helps with screening and identification for student placement in many special programs and services provided at Dover Schools.
InView takes an assessment of cognitive abilities that includes verbal reasoning, sequences, analogies, and quantitative reasoning. The results provide a reliable measure of skills for academic success. The InView test will be administered to second & third-grade students.
Parental Notice of Child Sexual Abuse, Personal Safety, and Assault Prevention
Per Ohio Senate Bill 288 (2023), school districts are required to notify parents about required curriculum on child sexual abuse, personal safety, and assault prevention. This provides parents notice of the following:
(1) That instruction in child sexual abuse prevention, personal safety, and assault prevention is a required part of the district’s curriculum;
(2) That upon request, parents and legal guardians may examine such instructional materials in accordance with R.C. 3313.60; and
(3) That upon written request of the student’s parent or guardian, a student will be excused from taking instruction in child sexual abuse prevention, personal safety, and assault prevention.
During the week of March 10th, the school counselor will be conducting lessons on child sexual abuse, personal safety, and assault prevention in your child’s classroom. If you have any concerns or would like your child to be excused from this instruction, please feel free to contact the school counselor, Mrs. Cary Keck, at 330-364-7114 or through email at keckc@dovertornadoes.com.
Grade 3-English Language Arts & Math Test
Statewide testing will begin in April. If your child is a 3rd grader, he or she will participate in this test.
As always, regular attendance is very IMPORTANT, especially during testing. Please make every attempt for your child to be in attendance during testing, and encourage a good night's sleep the night before as well as a good breakfast the day of testing.
It is our goal to encourage students to simply try their very best and to keep stress at a minimal level. We believe our students are prepared and will do a great job!
*Please don't hesitate to contact your child’s teacher with any questions.
Testing Schedule
ELA Part 1-April 8, 2025
ELA Part 2-April 9, 2025
Math Part 1-April 23, 2025
Math Part 2-April 24, 2025
Check out the online practice tests and practice them at home…
Type this link-https://oh-ost.portal.cambiumast.com/families.html
Click on Take a Practice Test
Click Guest User (ON)-Sign in
Select Grade 3
Select Ohio’s State Tests
Select Start G3 English Language Arts OR G3 Mathematics Practice Test
Once you choose the test, there are a series of screens that come up regarding settings. Simply click the Select button.
Click on the Begin Test Now button.
GOOD LUCK!
Open Enrollment
This applies to students and their parents who reside in OTHER school districts (outside Dover).
Forms are available online beginning January 21st and ending March 7th.
NOTE: Students who are approved for open enrollment must reapply each year.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Mrs. McKeever at 330-364-7104.
Child Find Efforts Special Education Pupil Search
Through Public Law-IDEA, school districts around the state of Ohio are joining together in an effort to identify, locate, and evaluate children from birth through age twenty-one who may have disabilities such as physical, emotional, visual, hearing, speech, and learning disabilities. Many unidentified children with disabilities are preschoolers, and parents may not be aware their child has a disability or that there are programs and services available to assist them. Anyone who knows of a child, who may have a disability, should contact Gina Franks, Dover City Schools' Student Services Coordinator, at 330-364-7124.
Kindergarten Enrollment for 2025-2026
Children who will be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2025, are eligible to enroll in kindergarten for the upcoming school year.
Enrollment Process:
- Online Enrollment: Starting January 21, 2025, you can begin the online enrollment process by visiting the Dover City Schools website (www.dovertornadoes.com) and following the instructions under the "Parents" tab.
- Required Documents: More information about the specific documents needed for enrollment will be provided soon.
Be sure to watch for updates from Dover City Schools regarding the enrollment process and required documentation.
Lost & Found
If your child has lost their hat, lunchbox, coat, or water bottle, there is a good chance it may be in the school's Lost and Found. All found items are collected and placed in the Lost and Found bin located in the lobby area. To ensure the speedy return of your child's belongings, please label them. However, if your child has lost something this school year, it's important to check the bin as soon as possible.
Birthday Treats
Bringing treats for classmates on your birthday is a common practice in many schools. This practice is voluntary, and participation is optional. Normally treats are brought on the child’s birthday or the day that school is in session close to the child’s birthday. Parents are asked to notify the teacher at least one day prior to bringing treats.
Guidelines for Treats:
- Treats must be store-bought and individually wrapped.
- Students should bring enough treats so that each student in the class and the teacher receives a treat.
- Treats will be distributed as directed by the classroom teacher.
Change of Transportation
If there are any changes in your child's end-of-the-school day transportation procedures, please be sure to send a note to your child's teacher. If the teacher does not receive a note from you, your child will be sent home using their normal routine. Please do not send transportation changes through email or ClassDojo, as it may not be received in a timely manner. You are encouraged to call the school office with any last-minute changes by 2:30 pm.
AR Login Information
AR Website - https://global-zone52.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/109380
Click on I’m a Student icon
Enter User Name & Password
*If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
East PTG
Be a part of the group!
One of the biggest assets of our school is the PTG. Services such as volunteering time, helping with programs, and providing financial assistance for equipment and activities are vital functions of the PTG and are greatly appreciated by our school community.
The PTG spends money on student incentives and building items for the betterment of the school. We encourage parent involvement with our school and PTG.
Dover Elementary PTG- https://doverelementaryptg.com/
East Elementary Board Members
President-Jessica Karl-West
Vice President-Amanda McConnell
Secretary-Haleigh Harmon
Treasurer-Melissa Lowery
Dover Elementary Executive Board Members
President-Erika Koffa
Vice President-Veronica Studer
Secretary-Lisa Hostetler
Treasurer-Katelyn Yoder
2024-2025 PTG Meeting Dates
March 11, 2025
April 17, 2025 *Date change.
May 8, 2025
*Location-East Elementary School
*Time-6:00 PM
Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day
Friday, May 9, 2025
2:15-3:00
*Guests will be dismissed to classrooms at 2:15. Starting at 2:30, each classroom will have a mini-program.
*The Literati Book Fair & Kona Ice will be open during this time.
*Students are permitted to leave school at 3:00 with a signed permission slip. Permission slips will be coming home soon!
March
4 PTG Family Night
4-5 InView Assessment
6-7 Rainbow Connection Dress-Up Days
11 PTG Meeting
14 End of Nine Weeks
14 Student Council Spirit Day
17-21 Spring Break
24 School resumes
26 PTG-Artwork Mounting Party
28 East School Spirit Day
28 Report Cards
April
2-3 Grade 2 Field Trip to McKinley Museum
8-9 Grade 3 OST ELA Test
10 Grade 2 Music Program-DHS Auditorium
17 PTG Meeting
18 NO SCHOOL-Good Friday
21 NO SCHOOL-Teacher In-Service Day
23-24 Grade 3 OST Math Test
26 Fine Arts Festival
May
2 Midterms
6-8 Literati Book Fair
5-9 Teacher Appreciation Week
9 Grandparents' & Special Friends Day
12-16 Right to Read Week
13-14 Muffins with Mom
20-21 Grade 3 Field Trip to Reeves
22 Field Day (Rain date-May 23)
26 NO SCHOOL-Memorial Day
29 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
29 Classroom Parties
29 Report Cards
