Here, at Dogwood, we look forward to welcoming every student to school each day. We recognize how important every school day is to a student’s social, emotional, and academic growth. The purposeful learning begins as students approach their classroom door at 8:35 am and are greeted by their teacher with a high five, hug, or handshake. The learning continues through 3:35 pm , when our students are dismissed.

Arriving on time, and being in class between 8:35 and 8:50 is the beginning of a positive day for students. Classroom communities begin their day enjoying breakfast in together, and they follow that experience with morning meeting. Morning meeting is a daily opportunity to start the day with engaging community building activities. The components of morning meeting are:  greeting during which each student and teacher is greeted by name, sharing which is an opportunity for students to share what is important to them and learn to listen and develop empathy for each other, a group activity is an opportunity for a lively way of practice a skill or concept that they have learned, and morning message sets a focus for the day.

Every day is significant and has a positive impact on student learning. Thank you for your planning at home to make sure that your child(ren) arrive to school on time and are prepared for a positive day of learning. They are forming healthy habits each and every day.

Mrs. Roman is teaching her students to be risk-takers.  Today her class had a special guest for morning meeting.  Mrs. Devers joined in for community time, learning and laughter.  One brave fifth grade student took on the principal with some challenging questions.  He put his communication skills to work and asked Mrs. Devers, “What language was spoken by the Aztec people?”  Being a risk-taker and problem solver herself, Mrs. Devers began to eliminate the languages she knew it could not be.  She asked a clarifying question, “Is this a language I know?”  The student grinned and shook his head.  He shared that the language was called, Nahuatl.  Mrs. Devers was not off the hot seat yet.  He had a follow up question and asked her, “How many people still speak the language today?”  Mrs. Devers thought for a second and said,”7.” She justified her answer by saying she thought just one family.  The student shared that approximately 1.5 million people still speak the language.  There was engaged learning and laughter in Mrs. Roman’s room this morning.