Dickson Elementary News
Dickson Elementary
7301 Schoyer Avenue |
 |
38 Days until the PSSA Writing Assessment
26 Days until the PSSA Math and Reading Assessment
45 Days until the PSSA Science Assessment
PSSA Parent Night on Feb. 18 is canceled. It is rescheduled for Thursday, March 25.
PSSA Saturday Coaching Canceled for February 27!
Principal's Message
I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful day I had on January 27. The PTO, faculty, and students all worked so well and secretly together to make Principal Allison Kline Day at great event for me, and a memorable day for all involved. I was totally surprised by the honor and will treasure it always. I especially appreciate the pictures made by the students, the fantastic quilt that everyone contributed to, and all the kind words. It is wonderful to be appreciated, and I find it truly an honor to work at Dickson Elementary School and the Woodland Hills School District.
With the PSSAs fast approaching teachers and students are completely focused on the educational goals of every student. Special activities and events will be held throughout the 2nd semester, but nothing will interfere with the 90-minute block of reading or the 90 minutes of math! Students can look forward to such events as RIF, the Dickson Dollar Store, a Recycling Magic Show, the PTO Bingo for Books, and Crazy Hat Days. There are also district-sponsored events for students such as the wresting and basketball clinics and the open swim times. Encourage your child to participate in and contribute to school activities to ensure that he or she is also receiving a well-rounded social education as well as working towards academic success.
To further help Dickson students achieve proficiency on the PSSAs, we are offering Saturday Coaching Sessions from 8:30 to 11:00 am every Saturday from February 13 through March 27. Students will work in small groups with Dickson teachers on both math and reading skills, according to their individual needs. Although we cannot offer transportation, students will receive a snack and it is open to EVERY Dickson student who would like to attend. It is not too late to sign up! Contact the school office or Mrs. Groat.
Beginning on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, Children's Hospital Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will be here at Dickson Elementary every Tuesday to serve any child in the district. This year the Care Mobile will provide general health care services as well as asthma care, including immunizations. If you are interested in using these services, you can pick up the Medical Permission Form in the office, or click here to download the forms. More information will be sent home.
Working in partnership, we will make AYP again and reach our goal that each and every Dickson student grows academically in every subject. The second half of the 2009-10 school year will be productive and positive for all.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Ms. Allison A. Kline
February 8, 2010
Pumpkin Winner: Zade Babb (K)
Fun Day Slide Show click here
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
2009-10 School Calendar
2009-10 Academy Calendar
TITLE I PARENT COMPACT
TITLE I DICKSON POLICY
TITLE I WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY
TITLE I SCHOOL CHECKLIST
TITLE I ADVISORY COMMITTEE
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Olweus Bullying Program
Dickson Elementary School along with the entire district is implementing the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program this year. Bullying is not acceptable behavior!
OVERVIEW: The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) is the most well-researched and internationally-known program available today. OBPP has been successfully implemented in many countries and is a school-wide program that has been proven to prevent bullying throughout the school. School administrators, teachers, and staff are primarily responsible for introducing and implementing the program. The program relies heavily on classroom meetings to improve peer relations and make the school a more positive and safer place for all students.
GOALS:
- To reduce existing bullying problems among students.
- To prevent the development of new bullying issues.
- To improve peer relations at school.
RULES:
1. We will not bully others.
2. We will help students who are bullied.
3. We will include students who are left out.
4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
Parent involvement is essential to make this program successful at Dickson Elementary. Please reinforce the same anti-bullying messages and social rules about caring for others that we are teaching at school. Talk to your children about the program and their day and the events at school. With your help we can improve student peer relations and reduce bullying problems. Stop Bullying Now.
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
SCHOOL DAY 
Arrival
The doors at Dickson Elementary open at 8:20 am and breakfast is served free to any student who wants it. If a bus arrives late, students will still have the opportunity to eat breakfast if they would like and it is an excused tardy. Walkers and students who are dropped off by car should arrive by 8:30 am if they want breakfast in order to ensure that they have enough time to eat and arrive to class on time. Students must be in the homeroom by 8:40 am for morning announcements. First period starts promptly at 8:45 am.
Departure
Dismissal begins at 3:15 pm. Kindergarten students are escorted first. Then riders are dismissed out the back and walkers are dismissed out the front. By approximately 3:22 pm, the homeroom teachers escort the bus riders to their respective buses.
The Swissvale Halloween Celebration, October 31
*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The Dickson Elementary 2009 Wolverine Spirit Award winners: Rodney Dennard, 4th grade, nominated by Mrs. Del Rosso, and Angela Foster, 6th grade, nominated by Mrs. King and Ms. Pricener. These two students represent the many Dickson students who are hardworking, kind, respectful, and willing to give their best!
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Menus
February Lunch Menu
February Breakfast Menu
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
"A Day Made Better"
Ms. Carol Groat was selected by Office Max to be a recipient of their annual "A Day Made Better" for teachers. Nominated by Ms. Kline for her outstanding dedication to students and her involvement with school-community events, Ms. Groat received over $1,000 worth of classroom supplies, including a digital camera and a deluxe desk chair. Office Max sponsors this event all over the country annually to make the day better for teachers. Ms. Groat makes many days better for her students and the entire Dickson staff is proud she was selected for this honor.
Congratulations! 
Dickson Elementary is a kindergarten through sixth grade school with approximately 400 students. There are 20 homeroom classrooms, one Autistic Support class, two Learning Support classes, two Emotional Support classes, Gifted classes, and Speech and Hearing Support classes. In addition to core academic subjects, the children receive physical education, art, music and library. This is a benefit for our children that enhances our program to promote lifelong learning.
Our Core Beliefs
Through the use of research based instructional practices we believe the students will learn and make adequate progress toward meeting or exceeding state standards as evaluated through a variety of assessments. Students must be held accountable to high standards of learning, appropriate behavior and making positive choices.
Quality Professional Development will enhance learning, instruction and assessment.
Each student can become a lifelong learner reaching their full potential through research based instructional practices and encouragement by their teachers.
We believe that parental support is an integral part of the student's academic success and essential to creating a home/school partnership.
We believe through continuous professional development, our staff will enhance their instructional practices to continue to meet our students' educational needs.
Our Mission
Building Mission Statement
We will provide Dickson students with a creative and safe environment, excellent educational experiences that increase intellectual skills, collegiality, and respect for diversity, which will promote resilient and independent lifelong learners. We will promote a positive school culture through communication and collaboration among all key stakeholders.
Vision
We envision the Dickson Elementary School as a nurturing and challenging learning community which:
- Develop students to obtain the knowledge and resiliency to become responsible, respectful members of the community
- Promotes high standards of learning
- Celebrates and appreciates individuality and diversity
- Present and encourage staff to use research based instructional practices