Herman E. Dummer
November 2023 Newsletter
A message from our principal, Mrs. Ford
Falling leaves, falling temps, and falling blessings ring in the month of November. As many individuals love this season, there are as many that are overwhelmed with the hustle and expectations this season brings. With the theme of fall, let our perceptions change to letting stress, unnecessary expectations, and living up to others’ way of perceiving how things should look and/or be, fall from our minds. Instead, let your blessings flow. Many people make a “thankful list” for the month of November, but it should not be just a one time a year activity. Look at the positives and what we do have instead of what we don’t, every...single...day. If we cannot be thankful for who we are and what we have, we give ourselves undue stress. The good news is, this can easily be fixed with the right mindset. We need to stop comparing ourselves with others and enjoy our lives now with those who surround us. Life is too short and yes, it is not always a walk in the park, but as we walk through the park of life, make sure to look at those beautiful falling leaves as one season of life changes to the next and the surroundings of people and things that make this life a beautiful blessing to you and you alone. Noone else can tell us what we need to be thankful for, only we can do that. Happy people are not happy because of things and wealth. They are happy because their priorities are in the right place even with all their circumstances. Children are very observant. They hear and watch everything. Share your blessings with them and ask them to share as well. You might be surprised to see life through the eyes of your children for they are one of our truest blessings and they have the ability to bless others as well. They learn from us. Let’s be positive examples so they too can live a full and happy life.
Colder Weather
Now that the weather has turned colder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately to be outside. As long as it is not raining and there is no snow/ice on our blacktop, all students WILL be outside if the wind-chill is 10 degrees and above. We have had quite a few students not prepared for going outside since the temperatures have dropped. Please let us know if your child is in need of a coat, hat, or gloves for the winter season. (815)786-8498
Dummer School Day 7:55 a.m.-2:55 p.m.
Nurse's Notes
IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT ALL MEDICATIONS
All medications, including cough drops and over-the-counter products, require a Medication Authorization Form to be completed and signed by a student's healthcare provider and their parent/guardian.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month & November 14th is World Diabetes Day
In the United States, about 30 million adults and 200,000 people under the age of 20 have diabetes. Here are some website resources for information about Diabetes:
Fantastic Fourth Grade
As we begin this month of November, we are reminded of just how THANKFUL we are to be able to teach these amazing fourth graders every single day! They have done a great job acclimating to 4th grade and a new school building here at Dummer. A few things to keep in mind…make sure to check planners at night so all homework is getting completed and charge those chromebooks!!
Coming up this month we will be honoring our Veterans and we look forward to meeting with each family as we have our Parent-Teacher Conferences!! Be watching for sign-ups from your child’s teacher. This is a really important time for teachers and parents to communicate and be on the same page to help your child be the most successful fourth grader he or she can be!
In Reading and Writing, we are now beginning our second unit where students will be learning about the ways that different cultures interact with and interpret nature. We will be focusing on identifying themes and how that can be interpreted from dialogue and descriptions. Students will be writing narratives and working on correct sentence structures!
For Math, we just wrapped up a TON of work on multiplication! While we are now moving into division, keep practicing those multiplication problems at home to keep those skills sharp! It’s going to continue to be important to get that green light in Reflex every single night! Becoming fluent in those math facts is really going to help lead to increased success in multi-digit multiplication and division!
We just finished up learning about the Constitution and the 3 Branches of Government in Social Studies and will now be moving into a Science unit on Earth’s Features and Processes! We love all the fun hands on activities as we learn through Mystery Science!
We hope you all take some time this month to remember all you are thankful for and tell your friends and family how much they mean to you!
Fabulous Fifth Grade
Our 5th graders have finished our fall benchmark assessments and we are diving further into our individualized WIN time and curriculum. Benchmark scores were sent home with progress reports.
In Reading/Language Arts, our students will focus on an “Essential Question” for each unit. Unit 2 focuses on the topic Finding Courage. During this unit we will ask ourselves, How does understanding the relationships between individuals and historical events help readers comprehend a text?” We will also ask, “How do writers support opinions with evidence from different sources?” Our students are reading a historical fiction book called Road to Freedom as well as historical informational text regarding real life superheroes.
Our current unit in science is Web of Life. We will be wrapping up that unit with a lesson on the energy cycle. We will be moving into our next unit on The Watery Planet which focuses on the water cycle and ends in a culminating project on how to prevent flooding in areas around the Gulf of Mexico.
In Math, our students should be much more fluent with their math facts compared to the start of the year. We have just finished our unit on multiplying whole numbers and decimals. We have started our division unit and will be working on that for some time. We ask that you practice long division with your child as they will need this skill as we move into fractions in the next few weeks.
It is important for 5th graders to demonstrate respect and responsibility at school. Please take the time to discuss these traits with your child at home as we continue to work on those skills at school. Also please check with your child about their school supplies. Many students are already missing scissors and headphones from their desks!
Music Notes
Music has been very active during the month of October. Both grades created remixes on the melody of “As it Was” using Soundation. First, a midi melody was shared with them. Then they got to choose the type of accompaniment that went with it. Additionally, students have learned songs on boomwhackers; a tuned plastic tube which is played by striking it on their hand, arm, or leg. The songs included were the Skeleton Dance, Ghostbusters Theme, Spooky Scary Skeletons and Smashing Pumpkins. Band students have been learning how to read the notes on the music staff, how to take care of their instrument, and producing good sounds. In addition, band students have started to play as a full group with rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-10:30. Band lesson schedules are posted to the Google Music Classroom.
Veteran's Day Celebration
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held Monday, November 20th from 12 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, November 21st from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If you have not signed up with your student's teacher yet, please contact them to schedule a time.
RaiseRight Gift Cards
Gift cards make great gifts! This is also a great way to help us earn extra funds for our school.
We will place two orders this year for gift cards. The first one will be here in time for Black Friday shopping! Our second order will be here in time for the holiday gift giving.
Please contact the Dummer office with any questions. (815)786-8498
Wrestling Sign-Up!
Wrestling season is just around the corner! Come be a part of our family and help us continue to build our program. We are committed to keeping a winning tradition alive! Sandwich Wrestling is a place for everyone, we believe all athletes can become a better wrestler and just as important to us, a more responsible, disciplined and supporting individual. Do the best thing you can for your son or daughter & get them involved!
Eligible to all students 5th-8th grade, boys and girls, no experience necessary.
How to sign-up:
Online through our Facebook page – https://m.facebook.com/SMSBravesWrestling?mibextid=LQQJ4d
In-Person during lunch hours with Coach Hicks – November 13th
Come to open-mats November 14th or 16th – 3:00pm-4:00pm @SMS Gym
Any questions please feel free to reach out to Coach Hicks – hicksc@sandwich430.org or 815-712-2220
Franklin Mall
Maddie's Mittens
October Character Counts
Connor Gauer, Henry Dieckmann, Brantley Quartullo & Chase Bock
4th Grade October Student of the Month
Back row: Klaire Allen, Rowan Krisch, Charlotte Johnson, Grace Mantei, Evia Lesko; Front Row: Jackson Trigg, Griffin O'Neil, Olivia Byram; Not pictured: Harper Weygand
5th Grade October Student of the Month
Back Row: Annistyn Eipers, Johnathan Bright, Mason Fahrner, Adler Moss, Alex Garcia; Front Row: Sophia Henderson, Brantley Green, Stevi Kozon; Not pictured: Samuel King
November Breakfast Menu
November Lunch Menu
Important Dates:
11/1: Parent Group Mtg. 6:00
11/2: Fire Drill
11/2: Opera House 5th grade
11/2: Homework Club 3pm- 4pm
11/6: 1st Raiseright order due
11/7: Art Club
11/9: Art Club
11/9: Homework Club 3pm - 4pm
11/10: End of Trimester (K-5)
11/10: Incentive Day
11/10: Veteran's Day recognition
11/11: Veteran's Day
11/14: Character Counts Club 3pm - 4pm
11/14: School Board Mtg. 7:00 p.m.
11/15: Prucha/Hoag to Hoover
11/16: Homework Club 3pm - 4pm
11/17: Report Cards go home
11/20: No School - P/T Conferences 12-8
11/21: No School - P/T Conferences 8-12
11/22: No School: Fall Break
11/23: No School: Fall Break/Thanksgiving
11/24: No School: Fall Break
11/30: Homework Club 3pm - 4pm
Franklin Mall canned good collection Nov. 27-Dec. 7
12/1: 2nd Raiseright order due