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Dickinson Independent School District

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STAY CONNECTED TO DICKINSON ISD:

2218 FM 517 East,

Dickinson, Texas 77539

281-229-6000

Visit us on the Web:
www.dickinsonisd.org

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/dickinsonschools

Week of April 18, 2016

Innovative learning spotlighted at District Product Fair April 26

Projects of hundreds of students will be on display at McAdams Junior High when Dickinson ISD hosts its second annual Product Fair. This free event is open to the public from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday and will include projects from students in grades 1-8 at all Dickinson ISD campuses.

"The Product Fair celebrates the student learning and achievement taking place throughout Dickinson ISD campuses each day. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase the creativity and thinking through project-based learning," said Carla Voelkel, Deputy Superintendent for Educational Services.

The Product Fair is a celebration of what the students are learning and a time for parents and the community to celebrate with the students by learning about a new topic. Projects range from traditional science fair presentations, as well as research projects, art, robotics, English/Language Arts, math and social studies.

Each elementary, middle school and junior high will be represented with up to 60 participants per campus. Half of the students will present from 6-6:45 p.m., followed by the other half from 6:45-7:30 p.m. to allow time for the students presenting to visit and learn from the other entries.

Another important part of the Product Fair is for guests visiting the entries to leave feedback for the students. Compliment containers, paper and pens will be available at each entry for visitors to leave positive notes or questions for the students. Students will also present their project to guests and discuss what they have learned.

"Often times, what parents and the community hear about are state tests and scores, but there is innovative and creative learning happening in our classrooms each day and the Product Fair is an excellent way to showcase that learning," said Voelkel. "The projects displayed stimulate creative thinking and encourage students to work together collaboratively. The students will showcase their higher level thinking on a variety of topics."

Parent Information Meeting set for April 25 to prepare for Pre-K and Kindergarten registration

Getting children ready to start elementary school is a milestone for parents. Dickinson ISD is hoping to make that transition a little easier by offering a parent information night to share details about what to expect in both pre-kindergarten or kindergarten for those entering school in 2016-2017. This event is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 25 in the Board Room at the Dickinson ISD Education Support Center, 2218 FM 517 East in Dickinson.

During the parent information meeting, district administrators and teachers will explain the qualifications for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, the process for registering students during the first two weeks of May at the assigned campus and the required documents needed to complete the registration process.

Dickinson ISD has changed attendance boundaries for the 2016-2017 school year to accommodate the opening of the new Lobit Elementary and Lobit Middle School, so parents can also verify which elementary school their son or daughter should attend based on the new boundaries. Students zoned to Lobit Elementary will be asked to complete registration at any other Dickinson ISD elementary since the school is still under construction for the August opening. The registration materials for Lobit students will then be sent to Lobit Elementary later this summer once staff moves into the new campus.

To qualify for the pre-kindergarten program, a student must be four years old on or before September 1 and meet at least one or more criteria, which include being unable to speak or comprehend the English language, meeting the requirements for the free or reduced meal program, being homeless, the child of an active duty member of the United States armed forces, the child or member of the armed forces who was injured or killed while on active duty or is or ever has been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing. To qualify for kindergarten, a student must be five years old on or before September 1.

At the parent information meeting April 25, administrators and teachers will discuss daily procedures, curriculum, dress code, discipline, lunch procedures and special events. There will also be a question and answer session at the end of the meeting for parents to ask other questions.

Between now and August when school starts, there are several things parents can do to help their child off to a good start in kindergarten. For reading, some tips include practicing with alphabet cards and sounds of each letter, learning to write the child's name and reading to your child at least 20 minutes a day. In math, students can practice with flash cards to learn number recognition and work on learning to count to at least 20.

DeLeon recognized by Anti-Defamation League for helping create bully-free school atmosphere

Visit K.E. Little Elementary in Dickinson ISD and students will tell you they have many buddies thanks to a program created by Counselor Yvonne DeLeon called "Buddies Yes, Bullies No!"

DeLeon's efforts were recognized this spring by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston, which named her as one of only three recipients in the greater Houston area to receive the Walter Kase Teacher Excellence Award. She will be honored for the achievement at the No Place for Hate Luncheon hosted by the organization in May. This annual award recognizes educators for their outstanding efforts to create a school atmosphere promoting respect for and understanding of diversity. It is named after Holocaust survivor Walter Kase, who shared his story across Texas for many years.

K.E. Little Principal Kenna Cotton and Communities in Schools- Bay Area Program Coordinator Sheila Hart Elliott were very impressed with the "Buddies Yes, Bullies No!" program prompting them to nominate DeLeon for the award.

"Teaching elementary school age children about being kind, being tolerant, respectful and accepting others as they are is something that I have always been passionate about for years," said DeLeon. "We emphasize, promote and demonstrate kindness, tolerance and acceptance for all at school and outside of school, too."

"Buddies Yes, Bullies No!" is a simple four-step process taught to the students about dealing with bullying. It includes step one: trying to ignore the bully, step two: walking away or staying away from the person, step three: using a polite but firm voice to tell the person you don't like the way he or she is treating you and ask the person to stop and finally, step four: to tell a teacher that you need help.

Each classroom displays a copy of the "Buddies Yes, Bullies No!" to help remind, guide and empower students to follow these simple, coping skills and steps. Copies of "Buddies Yes! Bullies No! are sent each school year to parents and extras are always available in the Parenting Corner of the school in English and Spanish. It is always stressed that if a student ever feels that safety is an immediate issue, to report it to the nearest teacher or caring adult.

In addition to the "Buddies Yes! Bullies No!" program, DeLeon also incorporates several other programs into the school year to help foster friendships, promote team building and to be kind to others. KE Little promotes being kind year round with the "Bucket Filler" theme along with Communities In Schools' "Caught Red-Handed" program. The "Six Pillars of Character" platform reinforces important character traits such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship (TRRFCC), which are promoted throughout the school year.

Students new to the school get off to a great start with help from DeLeon's "Welcome Crew," consisting of students who welcome new students to campus. They make welcome cards, give school tours and introduce them to key people as well as help review about Buddies Yes! Bullies No! and other kindness programs at KE Little.

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It is the policy of the DISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap for services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. It is the policy of the DISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Title IX Coordinator, Robert Cobb, at 2218 East FM 517, Dickinson, TX 77539, (281) 229-6000, and/or the Section 504 Coordinator, Laurie Rodriguez, at 2218 East FM 517, Dickinson, TX 77539, (281) 229-6000.

Es pol�tica del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Dickinson no discriminar en base de raza, color, nacionalidad de origen, sexo o discapacidad, por servicios o actividades como es requerido en el T�tulo VI del Acto de los Derechos Civiles de 1964, seg�n enmendado; el T�tulo IX de la Enmiendas de Educaci�n de 1972, seg�n enmendado; y la Secci�n 504 del Acto de Rehabilitaci�n de 1973, seg�n enmendada. Es pol�tica del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Dickinson no discriminar en base de raza, color, nacionalidad de origen, sexo, discapacidad, o edad en las pr�cticas de empleo como es requerido por el T�tulo VI del Acto de los Derechos Civiles de 1964, seg�n enmendado; el T�tulo IX de la Enmiendas de Educaci�n de 1972; el Acto de la Discriminaci�n de Edades de 1975, seg�n enmendado; y la Secci�n 504 del Acto de Rehabilitaci�n de 1973, seg�n enmendada. Para informaci�n sobre sus derechos o procedimientos de quejas, contacte el Coordinador del T�tulo IX, Robert Cobb, en 2218 East FM 517 Dickinson, TX 77539, (281) 229-6000, y/o el Coordinador de la Secci�n 504, Laurie Rodr�guez, en 2218 East FM 517 Dickinson, TX 77539, (281) 229-6000.