DOUGLAS DRAGONEER

Douglas A+ Creative Arts & Science Magnet Elementary School

Week of September 10 - 14

 

                 

Upcoming Events

 

 

Sept 18      Parent Information Night, 6:30 pm

Sept 21      Early Release Day, 12:30

Sept 24      NO SCHOOL – Teacher Workday

Oct 9         PTA Meeting, 7pm

Oct 23       Arts Night and Dinner

 

Magnet Corner

“The Essentials Behind Douglas”

 

Installment #1:  How is Douglas different from other schools?

First in 12-part series

 

Douglas Elementary is a Creative Arts and Science Magnet School.  This means that the arts and sciences are woven into the fabric of instruction here at Douglas.  Unlike many other magnet schools, Douglas does not accomplish this through electives.  At Douglas, we believe that all children are smart in many different ways and should be exposed to a variety of integrated activities and ways of learning.  So instead of electives, the talented Douglas staff weaves together the arts, science and other state-mandated curriculum to create unique, interdisciplinary learning experiences for all of our students.  In addition to integration in their regular classroom, our students also receive weekly instruction in creative movement, drama, visual arts, music, science and PE provided by instructors certified in their area.  These specialists and the classroom teachers regularly plan together to integrate the arts and science curricula with the skills and concepts being taught in each classroom.  This creates a rich, connected learning environment for our students.  You can see, hear and feel the difference.  Students are actively engaged, teachers are enjoying teaching, there’s a hum throughout the building. 

 

Why and how do we teach this way?  Stay tuned for the next installment in this informational series.

PTA News

 

If you are interested in joining the PTA, you can do so at Parent Information Night (9/18), or contact Carrie Johnson at msccjohnson@earthlink.net. Membership is $10 for a family, or $6 per person.

 

 

Reading Workshop

 

 

The reading teachers at Douglas will be offering a workshop for all K-2 parents on how to help your child with reading. The workshop will be on Sept. 25th at 7:00pm.  Spanish translation will be available.  A flyer with more information will be sent home prior to the 25th or you may contact Ms. Hill at rchill@wcpss.net.

 

 

Odyssey of the Mind

 

 

Creative problem solving, teamwork in action, building, performing, thinking, creating… The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students to learn creative problem-solving methods while having fun in the process.

 

Odyssey of the Mind teams will be forming for students in grades 3-5.  If there is enough interest we will have a K-2 team this year too!

 

OM Interest Meetings.  Please attend either:

Thurs., Sept 13 at 4pm in the Music Room or

Friday, Sept. 14th at 8am in the Music Room.

 

Questions? Contact Mrs. Hofmann, 1st Grade teacher
Douglas Dragons' Cookbook

 

If you didn't get your recipe submitted for the cookbook last week, send it in to your student's class TODAY. Recipes do not need to be originally designed by you, just ones you enjoy!  We want everyone to have a recipe included in the cookbook. 

 

Check out the design and cover next week at the Parent Information Night, September 18th.  We will be taking orders that evening.  Cost will be $12.50 per book or $10.00 per book if you buy more than one.  Don't worry if you aren't able to order then...  Order forms will be sent out school wide in the Monday folders on September 24th.
 
Calling ALL Volunteers!

 

We have a need for parent volunteers who are interested in working with some of our ESL (English as a Second Language) students.

 

Parents are needed to work side by side with Spanish speaking students as they work on English assignments.  If you have 30 minutes to spare once a week, twice a week, or even once every two weeks, you can make a difference!  You do not need to be fluent in Spanish. 

 

Please contact Mrs. Sherrill, our ESL Specialist, or send a note in with your child to express your interest.

 

All school volunteers must be registered with Wake County.  Bring your driver’s license and stop by the Media Center during the school day to register.

 

Hospitality Opportunity

 

The PTA is looking for one or two parents who are interested in helping with our Hospitality efforts at school this year.

 

Responsibilities include organizing 2 Staff lunches and working with a committee to plan Staff Appreciation Efforts.  A large committee makes light the work – now we need a Committee Chair!

 

If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Alice Spickard at

877-0490 or alicespickard@yahoo.com

School Store Opens Today!


Starting today, Monday, September 10, the school store will be open from 8:45 until 9:05. We have a lot of fun and useful things this year! Also look for Douglas Dragon wrist bands and the new school magnet. The magnets are $5 and the wrist bands are $1. The store will be open Monday through Friday, so we'll see you there!