As October comes to a close, so does our testing! We have completed testing our students in grades 1, 3, and 5 with the ITBS and CogAT. Those results should be returned to the school in approximately 6 weeks. Additionally, all grades have completed the first county wide benchmark assessment. The benchmark assessment was our first attempt at computerized testing, and the teachers have decided that the students seem to try a little harder with a paper and pencil test. Nonetheless, the assessment provided some very useful information for our teachers to use in planning instruction.

The students were also awarded with their first Positive Paw 9-week celebration. On October 15, students had a little extra recess time which they used to enjoy an 18 foot slide on the playground. All classes that earned 6 Big Paws were eligible to participate, and the students had a great time. Even the teachers enjoyed themselves!

We are celebrating Ms. Nelson's class ranking 8th in the nation using the ScootPad website. Students throughout our school are using this website to practice reading and math problems. Each problem answered correctly earns points for their class. Other software our students will be using this year include IXL for math practice and Reading Eggs for reading practice.

Thank you to those parents who have sent water bottles to school with their children. Being in the cafeteria on a regular basis, I find that many of our children need more to drink, and a juice box or carton of milk is just not enough. We are working with Coca-Cola to have bottles of water available for purchase on our cafeteria line, but students will still need additional fluid.

I also want to thank parents who are letting their young children walk to class on their own. As we near the end of first semester, it is important that students gain a sense of independence by walking to class without parent support. Students who are independent take more risks in the classroom and feel more confident about their own natural abilities.

Remember that school begins at 7:45am. Students who arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the start of school are more settled and better prepared to take on the day. Instruction starts at 7:45am, so students arriving at 7:45 or later do not have time to unpack, sharpen pencils, or begin morning work. The morning rituals are so important, please plan to get your child to school earlier than 7:45am so they can be the best they can be!

Next month, our PE teachers have coordinated with Children's Healthcare to provide the Strong for Life program to our students. The program kicks off with a pep rally in our gym. All students will get a free water bottle and learn a little about healthy habits. Their focus is to teach children to drink water, eat veggies and fruits, limit screen time, and be active. The team from Strong for Life will visit the students throughout the year and culminate the program in May with a fun run.

Also, students in grades 3-5 will participate in a mock election. They will learn about candidate platforms during morning Broadcast, and then participate in an election for Candidate A or Candidate B. We will not host our mock election for the current Presidential candidates so that we avoid any heated discussions or arguments. Our purpose is to help children understand the election process and know a little more about what their parents will be doing on November 6.

Thanks to all the parents who supported the school during the past month. The Fall Dinner, Book Fair, Canned Food Drive, Grounds Day, and Tour de Dunwoody where all successful events thanks to many hands on deck and great leaders. Our school can not stand apart from the community! It takes a little help from everyone for us to be the best school in Dunwoody!

Jennifer P. Sanders

Principal
Dunwoody Elementary School

The Directory is in! If you purchased a Directory during Registration, your child should have brought it home in their school bag this past week. Thanks to our Directory Committee and the chairs, Kimberly Kirkland and Kimi Lenertz, for doing a great job with this year's book. Congratulations to all the students that have their artwork featured throughout the book. If you wish to purchase a Directory, you may get one through our school store for $5.

A huge thank you also to our International Committee chairs, Sarabjeet Kaur and Priyadarshini Priyanka, and their committee for planning and hosting a great Fall Fling event at Brook Run Park this past Saturday. We had a nice crowd from the DES families and with the crafts, food and activities a great time was had by all.

Tomorrow is the last day to bring in your canned and non-perishable food items. On Monday we will deliver the donated goods to the charities. Thank you to all that have donated to this worthy cause.

As we finish out the month of October we wish to remind you to get involved at the school if you aren't already, and to log those volunteer hours. You may do this either online or at the front desk when you arrive for volunteering. We have started our recognition puzzle and know the children are anxious to see what the puzzle picture will be so please add your piece to it by completing your ten hours. In addition, we have a small token of our appreciation for each parent when they reach ten hours. Click HERE to log your hours online, or visit the Get Involved section of the PTO Website.

With that said, we are looking for a parent to co-chair our Spirit Wear committee for the remainder of the school year. If you are interested in helping sell at our big PTO events and helping process spirit wear orders, please contact our chair Andrea Levy at spiritwear@dunwoodypto.com. Andrea would like to have someone to work with in order to better serve our DES community.

Thanks for all you do and Happy Halloween!

Shari Wassell and Amy LeVasseur

DES PTO Co-presidents