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Dolvin Diary
November 16, 2023
Principal's Message
Dolvin Families –
We are on the cusp of Thanksgiving holidays and in the final weeks of our first semester!
Earlier this month I returned from a week’s vacation time to Uganda. My youngest sister works for a UK based charity, and for four years I have participated in the charity by sponsoring a little girl who lives in the village of Bombo. As my sister has made trips to Uganda over the years, she has told me stories of her experiences, the people she has met, and has repeatedly asked me to join her. This year, I finally did. In my time in Uganda, I visited the villages of Bombo and Nakaseke and their schools. So much of what I have always loved about elementary schools was just the same there as here – the curiosity of children, the excitement that a school day can hold, and the joy of recess! The differences were also profound – not all children in a family were afforded the opportunity to attend school and poverty was extreme. While visiting the schools, I spent an afternoon training teachers from the two schools. While I was very nervous to present to the group, they were excited to have me as their guest, and were so welcoming. We laughed a lot! For me, this trip was a bucket filler. It was a chance to see education stripped down to what is most important – a child, a teacher, and a classroom. I hope to repeat this trip in upcoming years.
Georgia Parent Survey
Your opinion matters! Tell us about your experiences with the district and your school by filling out the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) Georgia Parent Survey required by the Georgia Department of Education. This survey provides a foundation for your school’s Climate Star rating score and is part of the CCRPI. These climate scores are an important indicator of culture and climate within each school in the district. Each school will receive a 1-5 star rating, with five stars representing an excellent school climate, and one star representing a school climate most in need of improvement. The surveys are anonymous and confidential and will remain open through Friday, December 15. To access the CCRPI survey, click here.
Georgia Student Health Survey
The Georgia Department of Education (GA DOE) requires all public schools to participate in their Georgia Student Health Survey. To see the GA DOE informational website click here. The survey has two parts: one for parents and one for students in grades 3 -12. Each school must have a 75% participation rate on the student portion of the survey. Schools failing to meet the 75% student participation rate will score 0.00 points on the school's CCRPI survey calculation under the survey portion of the School Climate Star Rating.
All students will participate in this survey starting on Wednesday, November 29..
This GA DOE developed survey asks questions that are covered by the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). For more information about PPRA, click here. PPRA requires that schools provide parents/guardians with advanced notice of student participation, the option to preview the student survey, and the ability for parents/guardians to opt their students out of any surveys that include PPRA protected areas. If you would like to opt your student out of participation in this survey, please email me at cookek1@fultonschools.org requesting that your student not participate in Georgia Health Survey prior to Monday, November 29. Mrs. Jenn Shaffer (shafferj@fultonschools.org) will coordinate the survey administration. If you would like to preview the questions, please click here.
I am thankful to work and lead in our community. I am thankful for children, staff, and parents who work daily to do their best for our students success. Enjoy the Thanksgiving break.
Your proud principal,
Karen Cooke
UgandaWay of Salvation School and Church
UgandaWay of Salvation School and Church
Uganda Bombo Class
Uganda Bambo Snack Time
Uganda Nakaseke Water Pump
Ugando Bambo Friends
Uganda Bambo Teacher Housing
Uganda Flag Team
Uganda Nakaseke School
Assistant Principal's Message
Lost and Found
There are currently 162 jackets/sweatshirts hanging in Dolvin’s Lost and Found. That means roughly 1 in every 4 Dolvin students is missing an item that is hanging in Lost and Found. Please encourage your child to check if they have a missing item that has been found, it is located on the Kindergarten Hall. If you would like to come look yourself, please come to the front office with your ID to check in. At the end of the semester, all items will be donated.
PBIS Parent Corner
PBIS AT-HOME TIP! 😊
Set routines/schedule: Create a daily routine at home with times for learning, exercise, and play. Setting a schedule is one way we can reduce the anxiety and stress we all feel during the day. Kids feel more secure when they know what’s coming up. To come up with your family’s routine, perhaps start by scheduling the things you have to do during the day, then fill in the gaps with things you want to do during the day.
Thankful for Reading Day
Do you have a favorite book you like to read?
Do you love to curl up with a good book?
To help us celebrate our love of reading,
we will be having Thankful for Reading Day
on Friday, November 17.
Thankful for Reading Day is coming soon! This is a day where students and staff will participate in a variety of reading activities throughout the day as well as regularly scheduled instruction. Your child can either dress up as their favorite book character or wear their pajamas and bring a small stuffed animal that can fit in their backpack.
Please make sure their costume is school appropriate, not scary, and reflects a book character. Have them bring their book along with them.
During the day, students will get to hear their teacher read their favorite books, meet special readers, and get to do “Flashlight Reading” which is where they silently read their own favorite book with a flashlight and lights off. If they bring their flashlight to school, please be sure it is packed in their book bags for the bus ride to keep everyone safe. This is going to be the best Thankful for Reading Day yet! Your teachers will be sending you more information soon in their weekly updates so be on the lookout for more details.
Scripps National Spelling Bee
Our school is participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. We have 10 amazing 4th and 5th graders who will be competing in our school wide bee tomorrow at 8:00 AM! We are wishing the best of luck to the following students competing tomorrow:
Kristen Abraham
Ethan Ghosh
Vidyut Subramanian
Lola Nonye-John
Dylan Fernandez Cordero
Siri Raghunandan
Blair Zhu
Manasvi Maddineni
Ella Wolfson
Anya Velayutham
Our school winner will move on to compete in the Fulton County Spelling Bee on January 20th at North Springs Charter High School. As a way to thank our school for participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Scripps has partnered with Epic, Tynker, and Highlights to provide our students with some special offers. All Dolvin students can access the special offers below.
Media Center News
Dolvin Media Center Tic-Tac-Toe Student/Family Challenge
This month, the DMC (Dolvin Media Center) is rolling out a student/family challenge in the form of Tic-Tac-Toe! Below are the details of the challenge.
Details:
- Students must read 3 categories in a row on the board.
- On the back page, students must write the name of the book, the author, and have their parents initial that this book was read.
- Bring it to the DMC by 11/30 to win a free coloring bookmark OR 10 PBIS points!
- Students can come to the DMC to get the Tic-Tac-Toe board OR you can print copies for your classroom (print front & back).
- Yes! Read alouds in class that meet a category count towards the challenge. Books can be read at home or in the classroom.
Happy Fall! Happy Reading!
Art News
Artome’ Art Show Information
Hello Dolvin Families,
This year our Fine Arts Night will be on Wednesday, December 6 from 5:30-7:00. Please mark your calendars and plan to come to school that evening.
I hope you can come and support Music and Art at Dolvin. There will be a chorus concert in the cafeteria at 6:00 and an art show in the Commons from 5:30-7:00. The art show is a fundraiser for our Art program. Your purchase of your child’s original artwork or high-quality reproductions in a black gallery-style frame with white mat will look amazing in your home for years to come. They also make wonderful gifts.
Just like last year, the art show will have two options: a Virtual Art Show online (Nov. 24- Dec. 7) and an In-Person Art Show in The Commons Wednesday, December 6 from 5:30-7:00 pm.
If you are unable to attend the In-Person Art Show on December 6, you can still view and order your child’s artwork in the Virtual Art Show and plan to pick it up at school (for free) or have it delivered to your home (for an additional charge). Many parents like to pre-pay online and pick up their artwork at the In-Person Art Show.
Please go to the website or use the QR Code on the attached flier to access the Virtual Art Show beginning on November 24, 2023. The link to the online art show will not go live until November 24 and will stay active until December 7 at midnight.
http://artomestore.com/collections/dolvinelementaryschool30022
Thank you for supporting The Arts at Dolvin!
Please contact Laura Palgon at palgon@fultonschools.org if you have any questions.
Music News
Resources in Different Languages
Heritage Spotlight - Mexico
Thank you Ana Hernandez for sharing your family’s heritage of Mexico.
Parent Volunteers
We welcome and greatly appreciate our volunteers at Dolvin! If you would like to be a volunteer, you must complete the Volunteer Registration Application prior to volunteering. For volunteer information and frequently asked questions on the Fulton County Schools website, click HERE.
The Summit Counseling Center
North Fulton Mental Health Collaborative
The next North Fulton Mental Health Collaborative is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 30th at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church.
Studies have shown the rapid rise of opioid use in north Fulton and surrounding northern counties in recent years. Just this month, the Johns Creek and Forsyth County Drug Task Force seized nearly 300 grams of fentanyl (enough to kill more than 140,000 people). Georgia man arrested, accused of possessing enough fentanyl to kill more than 140,000 people | Fox News
Join us for an insightful perspective as we delve into the critical issue of opioid use and abuse within our community. Beatrice King, Opioid Public Health Analyst for the Fulton County Board of Health will be addressing:
- Opioid classifications and examples
- History of the epidemic
- Overdose prevention strategies
- Narcan training and distribution (quantities limited)
If you are unable to make it to our in-person meeting, feel free to view our live stream via our Facebook page @NFMHC.
COVID-19 Case Reporting
Breakfast and Lunch at Dolvin
Dates to Remember
November 17
Thankful for Reading Day
November 20 - 24
Thanksgiving Break - Schools closed
December 6
Fine Arts Night
December 14
Winter Class Parties - Grades 3 - 5 (students and pre-approved volunteers only)
Spirit Night (All Day) - Marlow's Tavern
December 15
Winter Class Parties - Grades PreK - 2 (students and pre-approved volunteers only)
December 18 - January 2
Winter Break - Schools Closed
January 3
First Day of Semester - Students Return to School
January 5
Spirit Day
January 9
Pre-K Vision Screening
January 11
Spirit Night (All Day) - Marlow's Tavern
January 15
MLK Holiday - Schools Closed
January 17
Spirit Night (All Day) - Craft Burger
January 19
All Pro Dad Meeting - 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
January 26
100th Day of School
Stay In Touch With Dolvin
Dolvin Website: dolvin.org
Dolvin PTA Website: dolvinpta.org
Dolvin PTA Email: dolvinpta@gmail.com
Dolvin Foundation Website: dolvinfoundation.org
Teacher's blogs
Twitter (X): Follow us at @DolvinES
Dolvin Diary - A new issue comes out the first and third Thursday of the month. Please read to keep up with current events at the school.
Peachjar: Various flyers are sent home via Peachjar.
Dolvin-specific flyers come to your inbox on Thursdays. All can be viewed following the link
on the homepage at dolvin.org or click HERE.
LED Sign: Located on the corner of Buice Road and Jones Bridge Road.
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PTA News
Window of Wishes - November 6 - December 1
Dolvin PTA Rockin' Reader!
The Dolvin PTA proudly presents the 2023/2024 Rockin’ Reader Program.....AND WE NEED YOUR HELP IN MAKING THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM ANOTHER GREAT SUCCESS!
Rockin' Reader has always been a highlight for the children, so please consider volunteering in an effort to promote literacy and inspire a child's love of reading!
Who?
Any Dolvin parent or grandparent! You don’t even have to have a kindergartener!
What is the time commitment?
About 1 hour
When?
A Friday of your choice from 8:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m.
What will I be doing?
Reading one book to one child per kindergarten class for a total of 5 students, about 10 minutes each. No need to bring books as they will be provided for you!
How do I sign up to volunteer?
1. Sign up for a Friday of your choice using this link - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054CA9A62EA4FD0-43700822-20232024#/
2. Complete the volunteer registration form if you haven’t already done so this year using the following link – https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/9539
“Day Of” Details?
Upon arrival, check in at the front desk and proceed to the Rockin’ Reader rocking chair located in the kindergarten wing. Find the white kindergarten binder and sign in. All further instructions will be in the binder.
Questions?
We look forward to another great year of the Dolvin Rockin' Reader Program!
Foundation News
The Dolvin Foundation is THANKFUL for all of our Families, Donors, and Corporate Sponsors. With the contributions from our Corporate Sponsors, this past week, we were able to thank the Fulton County Bus Drivers that support and drive for Dolvin Elementary with a Foundation T-Shirt during Bus Driver Appreciation Week. We are so proud to show our bus drivers that #AdventureAwaits for everyone involved here at Dolvin!
Make sure to check out all of our wonderful Corporate Sponsors on our Dolvin Foundation Website: HERE!
If you haven’t already, ask your kids about the new Phase 2 Playground Markings that were installed by EduMarking USA! There have been so many fun installs that are being used daily by the kids outside on the playground!
Don’t forget to follow us online for news and updates:
Hands on Dolvin Day!
Thank you to the dads who participated in the Hands on Dolvin Day! They contributed their time and amazing talent to beautify the grounds of Dolvin! Thank you Dolvin dads, you are awesome!