Dragon Tales

Fourth graders gain experience prototyping with Arduinos at Qualcomm's Thinkabit Lab at Virginia Tech. Photo Credit: Jackie Kwon

IB Learner Profile of the Month: Communicators

This month, our students and staff will focus on the attribute of communicator.  Students and staff will read books, have discussions, and reflect on what it looks and sounds like to be an effective communicator.  

Here are some ideas to promote the attribute of communicator at home:

1.    Encourage your child to stay in touch with relatives and friends who live in other places by writing a letter, sending an email, or making a phone call.

2.    Encourage your child to explain how they might solve a math problem orally or by drawing a picture.

3.    Discuss and model what it means to be a good listener.  Being a good listener is an important part of communicating with others.

Books=Love

I know you, I care about you; you matter to me.  As a teacher and a parent, there are many ways I show the children in my life that they are important.  At school, it’s a high five in the hallway or a question about a soccer game.  At home, it’s a kiss goodnight and “I love you” in two languages.  But no matter where I am, sharing a book is one of the best ways I know to say, “I love you.”  My favorite gift to give is a book.  My best friends and I bond over our latest reads, and my children know I’ll always allow one more book at bedtime.  When we read together and talk about books together, we share part of ourselves.  Whether it’s finding a book I know a fifth grader will devour, or snuggling with my two year old and her favorite picture books, or finding the book that is just perfect for the 3rd grade teacher’s lesson, sharing books says, “I know you, I care about you; you matter to me.”  Please join Dogwood for I Love to Read Day to share a love of books on Wednesday, February 14th.

I Love to Read

STEM Mayhem

Students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be visiting Dogwood on February 15th to lead students in grades 2-6 in a science experiment. 

Our guest facilitators can work with up to 50 students in grades 2 – 6. If you are interested in having your child participate, please complete and return the form in your child’s Tuesday folder this week or email Jean Wyche jewyche@fcps.edu by Tuesday, February 13th, 2018.  You will be notified if you your child has been selected to participate.

School Safety and Threat Assessment

Fairfax County Public Schools has a well-established policy and protocol for responding to threats of violence in the schools. To help parents and older students learn more about the role they can play in keeping schools safe, we have collaborated with the Youth Violence Project of the Curry School of Education, University of Virginia to develop short videos with useful information. These brief modules were developed for parents and children aged 12 and up, and you may want to watch the student video with your child to answer any questions which may arise. To access these modules go to www.schoolthreatassessment.com and use parent code pgvsdt and student code sy8zk2 as a password.

Upcoming Events

February 9th: Dogwood Spirit Day and 6th grade vs. Staff Basketball Game 6:00 pm

February 14th: I love to Read Day

February 15th: STEM Mayhem 6:00-7:00 pm, PTO Meeting 7:00-8:00 pm

February 16th: Yearbook Orders Due

February 19th: Presidents’ Day- No School