Fall '09 Blog

December 2, 2009  Congratulations to the recipients of Term I International Baccalaureate Awards:


November 25, 2009  Thank you parents, grandparents, and siblings for attending our Honors Assembly today!  It was so nice to have you with us as we celebrated the accomplishments of your children.  A special thanks to those students who honored their Person of Inspiration:

November 23, 2009  During Parent-Teacher conferences, many parents had questions about the amount of time their children are spending on technology.  (for school... very little!  Average homework time per night - 1 1/2 hours - and most of that is NOT technology related).  Here's a website that gives some helpful answers/advice:
www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents

November 16, 2009  ln Language Arts, students have been writing about the movie they saw at the Omni Theater in Boston.  Check out what they have to say on the Mystic India thread!

November 16, 2009  In Global Studies, students are learning about Quality of Life.  The Essential Questions include the following:
1. Why do we study other cultures?
2. How is India connected to the US?
3. How do cultures found in India and East Asia effect our day to day lives?
4. Is life fair for all people?
5. How does opportunity effect day to day life?
6. How can I make a difference?
Please click on Ms. Meinders website for details and due dates for this exciting unit connected to our Boston Culture Trip.

November 1, 2009  The Dalton Team Honors Assembly will be held on Wednesday, November 25th.  Parents are encouraged to attend!  We'll be providing juice, fruit, and muffins... feel free to add to our brunch if you'd like to contribute.
Some students in Mrs. Hebert's Language Arts classes are inviting their PERSON of INSPIRATION to be honored at this assembly!

November 1, 2009  The parent portal opens November 2 and will remain open for the rest of the year.  If your child has absent, late, or missing work encourage him/her to hand it in ASAP.  Grades close November 6th.  Students with a "W" will not be able to participate in school sports.  Reports cards will be carried home on November 13th. 

***In order to be an HONOR ROLL STUDENT, all achievement grades must be A/B range, and all approaches to learning marks must be 3/4.

November 1, 2009 We're off for our Boston Culture Trip next week.  Information about Mystic India can be found here:

October 29, 2009  Laptop download reminder... NO programs may be downloaded onto these computers... that includes SKYPE. 

October 24, 2009  This week, permission slips were sent home for the Boston Cultural Trip -  Nov. 10th (7:45-3:30) The cost is $15 for the bus and the Omni movie (bring a bag lunch).  We also have space on the bus for one parent chaperone per advisory.  Permission Slip

October 21, 2009  Congratulations to Luke and Cindy Howell on birth of their son, Jackson!  Jackson weighed  9lbs 4 oz and was 21 inches long!  Welcome to the world, Jackson!

October 21, 2009.  Frequently Asked Questions by parents about the laptops...

October 19, 2009  Have you signed off on the green Challenge Course Forms?  We've been preparing for the permanent elements by working on focus, trust, and cooperation.  Some groups are ready to take on the higher challenge, but your child needs your written consent to do so.  Just click on the link above for easy access to the forms.  Thanks.

October 18, 2009  Please check out the LA@MSK Blog!  Your children have been doing some remarkable writing!

October 16, 2009  Had you had a chance to check out your son/daughter's grades on the Parent Portal?  Good opportunity for a conversation around goal setting and establishing good work habits. 

October 9, 2009  If you checked off the box that laptops could come home with your child, Tuesday (the 13th) is the day.  Reminder that students should always be working under supervision - in an open family space such as the kitchen table- with the laptops.  The child's bedroom is NOT the place for laptop use.  Reminder: the laptop is a school tool designated for teaching and learning. 

October 2, 2009  On Friday, your son/daughter was asked to bring home 3 important forms: Pictures, NECAPs, Challenge Course.  Please ask your student to see these... thanks!   We'd like to start using the Challenge Course during Advisory on Friday, but need your permission to proceed. Challenge Course Forms.
          Mon - Tues - Wed   - NECAP testing.  Snacks appreciated.
          Fri - Picture day
          Fri - Challenge Course Inititatives

September 30, 2009 We have our laptops and are loving them!  Students have changed their passwords, investigated the dock, made class folders, and set the Dalton Team as their homepage.  During advisory, the acceptable use policy was discussed along with consequences for infractions.  Each student has a copy of those details on a yellow half sheet of paper.  Insurance - we are now officially covered with a binder, so before too long, you'll see those laptops make their way home IF you gave permission for this.  Reminder:  students must use their laptops in a supervised location.

September 25, 2009 The Team met in the library with Mr. Shuman and Mrs. Savage, our laptop coordinators, to go over the Acceptable and Unacceptable Use Policies for the district.  The kids are so eager to get their laptops, and we think we finally have a roll-out date for this huge endeavor - Tues, Sept. 29th.  All your students have in their possession THREE VERY IMPORTANT forms that need to be signed.  If you missed the Open House Laptop information, the forms and a keynote presentation are located under MSK - Documents.  Thank you to those parents who have already sent in their forms!

September 24, 2009  A huge thank you to Mr. John Curtis, our guest speaker in Language Arts, who is telling students about kids' lives in Africa.  Mr. Curtis has built village schools in Zambia and has started an international school in Switzerland called The Winter Term.  He is definitely a "Person of Inspiration!"  Mr. Curtis is also offering a Creative Writing After School Session on Tuesdays and Thursdays - free of charge - so encourage your son or daughter to enroll!

September 22, 2009     NECAP testing for 6th, 7th,  and 8th grade students begins Monday, October 5th and continues through Wednesday, October 7th.  You can help your child succeed by assuring that they get a good night’s rest and eat a healthy breakfast on the mornings of testing.  This will guarantee your child will be mentally sharp for the day.  

We understand that sometimes the morning can be rushed and often there isn’t always time for a sit down breakfast.  So we are asking for some parental assistance in providing a healthy snack for students.   If at all possible, we would like parents to donate some healthy snacks for the 3 days of testing for their child's homeroom class.

If you are willing to donate fruits, cereal bars, juices, yogurt, or other simple breakfast foods please send the items in to your child's teacher.  We appreciate your assistance in assuring that all of our students at MSK have a successful testing session.  Thank you for your support.

September 18, 2009 Thank you parents for all your help today with our picnic lunch!  We had a great team building day and couldn't have done it without you!  (Results of class vote)

September 14, 2009 Addendum to River Trip Info:  In support of our Freshwater Ecosystems Unit, the Dalton Team has been given the opportunity to tour the Kennebunk Kennebunkport Wells Water filtration facilities on Tuesday, September 22.  This is the same day as our previously scheduled river trips.  Students do not need to bring anything else in addition to their water shoes and a change of clothes as requested for the river trip.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  lhowell@rsu21.net (467-8004 x 2051)
River Trip Permission Slip

September 3, 2009 Our Team Building Day will be Sept 18th (7:45 am -1:45 pm) on the MSK campus.  Food for the cook-out is needed (salads, fruits, water, drinks, deserts) as well as parent volunteers to help with the picnic lunch.  Contact emcenaney@rsu21.net
Team Day Permission Slip