10 • WINTER, 2007 • Views of Dummerston
school news
Students Expand Knowledge and Experience Outside the Walls:
Band.
On Thursday, October 26th, eighth grade stuAs we begin the second half of the school year I dents participated in the first, hopefully of sevwould like to highlight some of the exciting things eral, group discussions based on the results of the
that have taken place at Dummerston School.
Asset Youth Profile Survey given to students last
October was Fire Prevention month. Larry winter. In reviewing the forty Developmental Assets, the students chose to focus on Group Building, Social Competence and Positive Identity as
a way to help prepare themselves for next year’s
transition to the high school. Bill Pelz-Walsh, a
Dummerston School parent and mental health
counselor, met with the boys and explored some
of the cultural influences that impact their lives.
Specifically, Bill shared with the group how the
media influences images and expectations of
boys and men in society. The girls met with Mrs.
Parker and me and did the same.
The third grade sponsored Trick or Treat for
UNICEF in October. Students in grades K-5
raised $500 to support this worthwhile organization.
Dummerston School initiated a Community
Walking Program after Thanksgiving. Community members are invited to walk in the gymnasium on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from
8:45-9:45 a.m. Consider joining other commu-
By JoCarol Ratti
nity members who walk and talk on Tuesdays and
Thursdays. It’s a great way to get some exercise
during the winter months. You may also get to
hear a Brattleboro Music Center concert or see
some phenomenal student artwork!
Congratulations to Chelsey Gray, Dummerston School Class of 2006 and Patrick Clark,
Class of 2008. Both were chosen to participate in
the People to People Student Program. They will
travel to Japan this summer as members of the
Windham County delegation. As we congratulate
student achievement, I hope you noticed the 48
distinguished Dummerston students who made
the Honor Roll at BUHS during the first semester.
The PTFO sponsored a visit from Sturbridge
Shakers and writiers (from right): yearbook editor
Jen Butts, dance chair Max Oriabse, and yearbook
photo editor Landis Field.
Sam Finnerty serves lunch at the Windham Regional
Career Center. Full story of the event on page 13.
Lynch pulled the usual strings to bring the simulated fire house from Massachusetts to Dummerston School. Students had the opportunity
to experience first-hand how quickly a room can
fill with smoke as well as learn strategies to
keep themselves and their families safe in a fire
emergency. Thank you to Larry Lynch and the
Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department for their
guidance and support with our students.
The Fall Fling was lots of fun this year. Thank
you to the PTFO and the Student Council for arranging this family get-together. Consider joining
us next year for some miniature golf, pumpkin
tossing and Karaoke!
Congratulations to Jen Butts, Landis Field,
Sarah Given, Ari Wolfe, Ashley Korenewsky,
Ambria Momaney, Shelby Davis-Lane and Amy
Murphy who performed in the Fall District Music Festival at Brattleboro Union High School
in November and to Hannah Reynolds, Dominique Italia, Sam Grubinger, and Bryce Bandish
who successfully auditioned for the District Jazz
Village entitled, Old Sturbridge Village in the
Classroom in November. Students in grades 1-4
participated in a simulation of an 1830 one-room
schoolhouse and students in grades 5-8 participated in a 19th century court. It was a real eyeopener for our students!
The first Brattleboro Music Concert of the year,
Taino, was held in the gymnasium on November
1st. The performers, who have traveled around
the world with their Caribbean music, performed
for students in grades K-8.
The second concert presented by the Brattleboro Music Center this year was “African
Rhythms and World Music,” which was held on
January 18th in the gymnasium. Students clapped
out rhythms from Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean. They also heard African influenced music
from Colombia and the United States.
For two days in December, students in grades
K-8 participated in Mix It Up Day. Mix It Up
Day gave students an opportunity to meet and
get to know students other than their usual pals.
Grade 8 Class Officers (clockwise from top left):
Travis Elliot-Knaggs, Maureen Spicer, Katy Annis, The goal for the day was to give each student a
chance to sit with students other than their usual
and Amy Murphy