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Dumbarton Middle School
300 Dumbarton Road,
Baltimore, MD 21212
410-887-3176
410-583-7020 fax
A National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
Sue Harris, Principal
April, 2015
Liz Heil, Assistant Principal
Cheryl Scott, Assistant Principal
Jen Burch, Assistant Principal
From the Principal’s Desk….
April is here and that means students have successfully completed third
quarter at Dumbarton Middle School. Before we know it we will be in June.
This week MAP test results reports were given to students to bring home.
The data show that our students continue to excel at high levels. Should you
have questions about the MAP test home reports feel free to contact Ms.
Cheryl Scott, Assistant Principal & Test Coordinator at cscott2@bcps.org.
As you may know, last month we were selected to be one of seven schools to
become a Lighthouse Middle School next year. That means that our school
will be embarking on a transformation in terms of focusing on increased
student engagement through student-centered learning activities in the
classroom. This also includes personalized and customized learning which
fosters student collaboration and includes providing opportunities for
student choice. Flexible grouping is also used to better meet student needs.
In addition, our incoming 6th graders will be receiving computer devices to
use in the classroom and take home next year. The following year, all middle
school students will be provided with computer devices. We are certainly
excited about this opportunity! Visit the BCPS Website to learn more about
Lighthouse Schools and student-centered learning:
http://lighthouse.bcps.org/learner-centered-environments.html
Spring is here and hopefully we will soon see warm weather returning to
Towson. We sincerely appreciate your monitoring your child’s attire each
morning. Appropriate clothing helps us ensure that there are not
distractions to the learning environment. Our school dress code can be
found in the first few pages of each child’s agenda book. We will also be
utilizing morning announcements to remind our young people to dress for
success at school and avoid wearing clothing more suited to the beach.
We encourage all parents who now have 5th graders to come to our Parent
Orientation on April 22 at 6:30 pm. At that time, we will provide a preview
of a day at DMS for a 6th graders, review the expectations of our academic
program and provide other pertinent information.
May is also a busy month! Did you know that the PARCC test includes two
parts given several months apart? We gave the first part in March and the
PARCC end of year assessments will be administered at BCPS schools the
first week of May. At Dumbarton, May 4 & 5 will be English/Language Arts
PARCC testing and May 7 & 8 will be Math PARCC testing. The tests will be
administered in the morning and should conclude prior to lunch shifts. We
appreciate your ensuring your child arrives on time for school. We also look
forward to seeing you at our grade level concerts in May.
Spring also involves more safety drills. BCPS requires that we complete one
fire drill each month and selected months we also conduct severe weather
drills and lock down drills. All of these practice drills ensure that students
and staff know what to do in case of a real emergency. As we enter into
spring when strong storms sometimes come through Towson please know that
we are prepared as we monitor a NOAA weather radio daily. Officer Brown
also continues to be a wonderful addition to our faculty. He also serves as a
resource for families. He can be reached by calling school or through email
at tbrown@bcps.org. We are very grateful to have such a dedicated, caring
police officer assigned to Dumbarton. 
I wish you and your family a wonderful, sunny spring break. We look forward
to seeing our students back at Dumbarton on Monday, April 13.
Sincerely,
Susan E Harris
Principal
TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY
Thursday, April 23, 2015 is Take Your Child to Work Day: A
national effort to help teach kids about the work-a-day world of
their parents and to get them dreaming about their own grown-up
careers. It is an excused absence as long as DMS receives a parent
signed note informing us that your child was at work with a parent.
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Science 8 MSA
8th grade students will participate in the science MSA on
April 13-14, 2015. The science MSA meets the
requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act
and assesses Maryland content standards in science.
MSA scores will show how well Maryland 8th graders have
learned the science skills specified in the State
Curriculum. To prepare for testing students are encouraged to get a good
night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast the morning and arrive at school on
time with a positive attitude knowing that he/she will do well on the test.
Severe Weather Drill
On Wednesday, March 25, 2015, Dumbarton Middle School participated in
its first severe weather drill of the school year. The drill required students
and teachers to leave their classrooms and sit in designated safe areas
located in hallways away from windows and doors. Once students were
staged on the first and second floors, we practiced
moving students and staff from the second floor down
to the first floor. This is an important step to
practice since some weather emergencies require all
students and staff to be on the first floor. The drill
was well executed as students and staff did an excellent job moving quickly
and quietly to their designated locations.
8th Grade Field Trip to Towson High School
As part of the county’s articulation plan to help students transition to
feeder elementary and high schools, 8th grade students will be visiting
Towson High School (THS) on the afternoon of April 14, 2015. During the
visit students will see a dress rehearsal of Towson High School’s
presentation of Hairspray, the THS administration will address the group,
and there will be a brief tour given by the THS student government
association.
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Ship Trip Update
The finalized date for the 8th grade tour of the Baltimore
harbor is Thursday, May 21, 2015. This is a change from the
May 22 date that was originally published. Please update your
calendars. Also note that the trip occurs during the school day so students
should dress in accordance with the guidelines established in the Student
Handbook. Detailed information, including permission forms for the “Ship
Trip” will be sent home soon.
Nurses Notes
Another friendly reminder to the parents of our 6th
graders:
Please send in the required up-dated vaccine information
before school ends in June if at all possible. Please refer
to the information on the yellow flyer which was sent home
with interim reports a couple weeks ago.
Proof of
vaccination can be sent in with your child or e-mailed to
Mrs. Miedusiewski at dmiedusiewski@bcps.org. Please use
“Vaccine update” on your subject line. A reply will confirm receipt and updating
of your child’s health file per the State guidelines.
KINDNESS CLUB
Thank You!!!
The Kindness Club and Committee would like to
thank everyone who participated in our Cereal
Drive during the week of March 17th. The
Sarah’s Hope and the Hannah More Shelter
were overjoyed at your generosity
[4]
8th Graders:
8th grade students will be visiting Towson High School on Tuesday, April 14th
from 1:10-2:30. We are excited that our students are getting this
opportunity to visit Towson High. Please be on the lookout for permission
slips coming home soon! This is a FREE trip! All students will still be joining
us on the trip to Towson High School even if they do not plan to attend
Towson.
SCHOOL RECORDS FOR STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING TOWSON HIGH:
If your child will be attending another school other than their geographically
zoned school (i.e. private schools, etc.) please send us this information in
writing. This ensures that your child’s information and file are correctly
forwarded. If you have questions contact Ms. Stockton-Porter in the School
Counseling Office at 410 887-5654.
CAREER DAY FOR 8th GRADERS
The School Counseling Department at Dumbarton Middle will be hosting
an 8th Grade Career Day on Friday, May 29th from 8:30-12:35. We are
looking for speakers from all career fields to speak with the 8th grade
classes about their jobs. If you are interested in being a speaker or would
like to know more, please contact the 8th grade counselor, Ms. Campbell for
more information at 410-887-5654 or scampbell3@bcps.org.
[5]
Instilling a Growth Mindset:
The Power of Yet!
Dumbarton Middle School provides a culture of encouragement fostering continual
student growth with the belief that through effort, motivation and resilience, all students
will improve academically and achieve personal success.
Work harder, get smarter!
How easy is it to change a fixed mindset to a growth mindset?
It’s as easy as one word: yet.
The next time you hear your child say, “I can’t do so-and-so”, add “yet”.
Think about the fixed finality of “can’t”: it implies that not only am I unable to do
something now, but I will never be able to do it.
“Can’t” stifles growth, but by adding “yet”, you open the door for improvement: “I
can’t do so-and-so yet, but I may
be able to in the future.”
“Yet” also implies desire: if I can’t
do something, I may not care
enough to try again, but if I can’t
do something yet, that means that
I want to be able to do it, and I am
willing to continue trying in order
to be able to do it. That desire,
that motivation, is key because
developing new abilities requires
effort, hard work, and
perseverance—it doesn’t just happen overnight.
To foster the power of “yet”, Carol Dweck, the main proponent of developing a
growth mindset, recommends praising students for their process, not for their
intelligence, and rewarding their effort, strategy, and progress, not just their
achievement.
She believes that by embracing the power of “yet”, parents and teachers can help
students break out of the “tyranny of now”—the unrealistic expectation that they
must be masters of academic skills now or not at all—and build their confidence to
embrace challenge and risk the possibility of failure that goes hand-in-hand with
learning new skills.
Watch Carol Dweck’s TED Talk on “The Power of Yet” to learn more about instilling
a growth mindset in your children:
http://unclutteredwhitespaces.com/2014/12/the-power-of-yet/
[6]
Greetings from the PTA
We are busy planning some spring activities after a long winter!! The PTA
and the Kindness Club just finished collecting many, many cereal boxes for
Sarah's Hope at Hannah More. Thank you so much to Susanna DeRocco for
organizing. The Lion's Den will be hosting Game Night on April 24. Listen to
morning announcements and follow us on Facebook to hear the details. Also,
we are planning a special Teacher Appreciation Week for May 4-8 please
email Karen Rodriguez (krodasada@yahoo.com)if you can help. We were
pleased to present the teachers with $20 gift cards at their March 16
Faculty Meeting. Far too many times teachers are using their own funds to
purchase items for classrooms; this is just a small way for all of us to help.
Finally, we are looking for new PTA officers for next year. It is a simple and
fun way to stay connected with your middle schooler. Please contact me
(amykline@att.net) if you are interested!!
Best Regards,
Amy Kline
PTSA Membership Update
As of March 27th, 545 parents and teachers have joined the DMS
PTSA. We'd like to thank each of you for joining the PTSA and contributing
your dues. The money we collect from your membership dues provides
multiple opportunities for our students and teachers throughout the school
year. Some of these activities include sponsoring the Lion's Den social
events, grade-level assemblies and classroom enrichment materials, as well
as supporting Teacher Appreciation Week.
It's not too late to join the DMS PTSA! The cost is $10 for one adult and
$20 for two adults. Please contact Rebecca Kliman
at rebecca.kliman@gmail.com if you'd like to join. Happy Spring!
[7]
APRIL FITNESS CALENDAR
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
Cardio
Arms & Abs
Cardio
Cardio
30 min. end of
the week
walk/jog/run
Scavenger Hunt
or
Geocaching
Power up your
day
30 sec. plank
20 tricep
extensions
15 minute walk 30 sec. bicycles
during your
20 arm curls
lunch break
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Cardio
Energize your
week
Leg Work
Cardio
Arms & Abs
Cardio
Cardio
4 x 10 squats
25 Calf Raises
2 x 20 walking
lunges
Power up your
day
35 min. end of
the week
walk/jog/run
30+ minutes of
outdoor activity
with a friend or
your family
Rest Day
1 mile
walk/run/jog
10 x 3 push ups
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Cardio
Energize your
week
Leg Work
Cardio
Arms & Abs
Cardio
Cardio
4 x 10 squats
25 Calf Raises
2 x 20 walking
lunges
Power up your
day
40 min. end of
the week
walk/jog/run
30+ minutes of
outdoor activity
with a friend or
your family
Rest Day
1.5 mile
walk/run/jog
10 x 3 push ups
19
30 sec. plank
20 tricep
extensions
15 minute walk 30 sec. bicycles
during your
20 arm curls
lunch break
20
21
22
23
24
25
Cardio
Energize your
week
Leg Work
Cardio
Arms & Abs
Cardio
Cardio
4 x 10 squats
25 Calf Raises
2 x 20 walking
lunges
Power up your
day
45 min. end of
the week
walk/jog/run
30+ minutes of
outdoor activity
with a friend or
your family
Rest Day
1.5 mile
walk/run/jog
10 x 3 push ups
26
30 sec. plank
20 tricep
extensions
15 minute walk 30 sec. bicycles
during your
20 arm curls
lunch break
30 sec. plank
20 tricep
extensions
15 minute walk 30 sec. bicycles
during your
20 arm curls
lunch break
27
28
29
30
Cardio
Energize your
week
Leg Work
Cardio
Arms & Abs
4 x 10 squats
25 Calf Raises
2 x 20 walking
lunges
Power up your
day
Rest Day
2 mile
walk/run/jog
10 x 3 push ups
30 sec. plank
20 tricep
extensions
15 minute walk 30 sec. bicycles
during your
20 arm curls
lunch break
[8]
DUMBARTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Spring 2015
April
13-14
13
14
22
23
24
Grade 8 MSA Science Test (8:00 - 10:00 AM)
PTSA Executive Board Meeting 6:00 PM
Towso n High School trip – 8th grade (1:00-2:30 PM)
Grade 5 Parent Orientation 6:30
Report Card Distribution
PTSA Event – Game Night
May
1
4,5 & 7,8
8
11
18
20
21
25
27
29
June
1
3
17
18
19
Radical Roper Showcase 7:00 PM
PARCC Testing (8:00- 11:00AM)
Grade 8 Farewell Dance 7:00PM
PTSA Executive Board Meeting 6:00 PM
Grade 6 Spring Concert 7:00 PM
Interims Distributed
Grade 7 Spring Concert 7:00 PM
Grade 8 Ship Trip (during school)
Memorial Day: Schools Closed
Grade 8 Concert 7:00 PM
Career Day for 8th graders
Honors Spring Concert 7:00 PM
National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony
Grade 8 Awards Assembly 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Schools close 3 hours early
* Last Day of School: Schools Close 3 Hours Early
Eighth Grade Farewell Assembly 9:00 – 10:30
* Last day/dates are subject to change.
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Math 24 Club
The MATH 24 club would like to congratulate and
recognize Max M, Ben W, Miguel I. and Aaron C. for all
advancing to the semifinals of the county wide - Math 24
tournament and capturing silver medals. The club also
would like to recognize Sophie M. for winning a bronze
medal in the integer’s competition.
For March 2015
Bryce E.
Caroline C.
Hannah E.
Shayna B.
Max B.
Miguel I.
Luke G.P.
Margo G.
Rose R.
Laurel B.
Steffi C.
Caroline M.
Max G.
Sarah K.
Oliver W.
Caroline R.
Kristina R.
Elisabeth Sw.
Ms. Sharbonda would like to congratulate the above students for
working especially hard in Algebra & Geometry.
[11]
Meet Dumbarton Middle’s Radical Ropers
Student Spotlight is a regularly-updated feature that highlights Baltimore
County Public Schools students involved in a wide range of activities and
programs. To see more student spotlights, click here.
Dumbarton Middle School is very proud to be the home to the only jump rope
team in Baltimore County. This will be the Radical Ropers’ 17th year at
Dumbarton Middle School.
These hard workers practice
on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 3 to 4:30 p.m. There are
33 jumpers all together,
including a team manager. The
coaches of the Radical Ropers
are Mr. Overtoom and Ms.
Morrison. They push the
jumpers to be the best they
can be. The travel team (pictured) is the team that goes on the road. They
travel at to at least four to 10 schools a year. The cub team stays at
Dumbarton and performs at other events.
These jumpers perform many jumping tricks, from doing a cartwheel into the
rope to doing solid butt bounces. These jumpers are not just great jump
ropers, but they are also wonderful role models for other students. The
best part about being a Radical Roper for most of the team is to simply
entertain. The team works together through tough and easy times.
If you want to see the jumpers in action join us May 1 at Dumbarton Middle
School. The show is at 7 p.m. and costs $2 a person. You will be amazed at
how talented they are!
[12]
Tickets will be sold during lunch shifts several days prior to April 24. We hope
your child joins us!
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At DMS,
Our pride is
Our future!
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