December 9th @ 6:30--PTO--https://meet.google.com/fsn-rarh-cum December 16 @ 6:30 -- Winter Concert Recording December 20 -- Winter Concert Release Date
May 18 @ 6:30 -- K - 2 Spring Concert
May 26 @ 6:30 -- 3 -5 Spring Concert
The PTO will be distributing bags (assorted candy, popcorn and concert scavenger hunt) to enjoy during the virtual winter concert on December 20th. Electronic payments can be made on Venmo @dothanbrookpto, cash or check can be dropped off at school.
Please complete the below survey prior to Wednesday, December 8. We will use the results for planning (quantity). Thank you for your support!
After the 2019/2020 COVID school year, many of us entered this year expecting things to return to “normal.” Unfortunately, that prediction could not have been further from the truth. This school year has posed many unique challenges and in many ways has been harder than last. With this in mind, the Hartford School Board held a community engagement meeting on Tuesday, November 23rd to collect the perspective of the community around how to alleviate staff stress. The meeting was very well attended and personally I appreciated the gracious support that everyone showed.
The primary concerns that were voiced included staffing shortages, student behaviors, and the implementation of the district’s newly adopted EL English Language Arts Curriculum. These concerns are district wide, but they are also impacting DBS. At Dothan Brook, many of these concerns started to become visible during the first weeks of school. After having various conversations about these needs and making some shifts that have worked in the past, Dothan Brook held a staff meeting on October 19th to gain the staff’s perspective. The staff identified the largest pinch points as unexpected student behaviors in kindergarten, the need to shift staff around on a regular basis due to absences and a lack of substitutes, and the amount of time that is required to learn and prep the EL Curriculum.
Since that meeting, we have taken the following steps to address these concerns.
The school hired a second kindergarten aide to support classroom needs.
Due to COVID many students entered school this year without having developed important school readiness skills. With this in mind, an additional teacher was hired to provide small group instruction to support students’ social and emotional learning.
DBS contracted with a local therapist to provide counseling to children with acute emotional needs.
Three substitute teachers were identified who are able to work at the school on a regular (almost daily) basis.
When extra substitute time is available, teachers are provided with additional time for EL Curriculum prep.
While maintaining a high quality approach, teachers have the flexibility to explore and adopt the EL Curriculum at a doable pace.
Dothan Brook has a history of stepping up to the plate to support our students. I am proud of the flexibility and creative thinking that the staff has put into creating the best possible program for our children. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
Rick Dustin-Eichler
Principal
Thank you, Dothan Brook School, for creating such wonderful houses for The Family Place’s Gingerbread House Display and Auction!
Bid to win your favorite! The online auction of the gingerbread houses opened today and will end on Wednesday, 12/8/2021 at 8:00 PM. To view the houses and place your bids, visit the online auction website: https://www.32auctions.com/GingerbreadHouses2021
All proceeds from the auction will benefit The Family Place, a Parent Child Center in Norwich, VT offering comprehensive programs and resources to parents and young children in the Upper Valley.
