Headlines and Highlights Across the School District
Fall 2017
Parent Digital Citizenship Night Reinforces Home-School Technology Partnership
Parents engaged with teachers and staff to "walk-through" the K-12 digital citizenship curriculum and to discuss safe and responsible technology use at home. The evening included both low-tech and high-tech parent participation. Presenters were Technology Coach Jennifer Cronk (LHRIC) and teachers Jessica Bauer (Springhurst), Jen Hickey (DFMS) and Michael Meagh (DFHS). The program addressed real challenges that families and schools face in helping children become good digital citizens. Check out parent resources available on Common Sense Media. Couldn't make the meeting? Watch Video of the presentations and discussion on digital citizenship!
Visit Our Newly Renovated HS/MS Library Media Center
The "Genius Bar" in the new Library Media Center and flexible work stations are available to students for group projects or independent study. The room is equipped for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) with wifi and recharging stations .
Now school furniture reflects function. Stabili-T Stools let kids wiggle while they work. Multi-media spaces allow for larger community presentations and class research projects as well as cozy nooks with "lounge" chairs for reading/studying.
Staff Book Chats on "Becoming Nicole"
Superintendent Lisa Brady is holding District-wide book chats for teachers and staff this fall (approximately 100 people participated) in discussions centered around the book Becoming Nicole by author Amy Ellis Nutt. This is the true-life story of a family's journey as they navigate the uncharted waters of having a transgender child.

Ms. Nutt, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist with the Washington Post, is coming to Dobbs Ferry next month to talk about her book with teachers and staff to help raise awareness and understanding of a child's and family's experience at home and in school. The book provides unique insights into "the transformation of an American family."

Click to read Amy Ellis Nutt bio and New York Times review of the book.
School Snapshots
HS MAC Field Day Fundraiser
Freshmen participated in their first MAC Field Day and held their own against the sophomores, juniors and seniors in the annual spirit-week competition.

The students raised over $3,000 for hurricane relief through "One America Appeal", the logo emblazoned on their t-shirts. One-hundred percent of the money goes to the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. The five former living US Presidents banded together to launch this initiative.

MAC Field Day was started in 2007 in memory of Coach Jim Mackenzie, who coached both the varsity boys' football and girls' softball teams. He was famous for his sayings including, "Do what I mean, not what I say" and "Who's better than you?"

Dobbs Ferry prides itself on its history of excellence, both on the field and off, and its tradition of community service.
Middle School Design Class Project Make-a-Shoe Is A Kick!
The first project of the year in 8th grade Design class was a big "step" for students! Working in teams, they had to Make-a-Shoe using only styrofoam, rope, cardboard, cotton balls, glue, colored paper, markers, tape and a glue gun.

Teacher JP Kaminski wanted students to take a chance so there were no grades. The only criteria for the shoes were:
1. They had to be durable; students must be able to walk 45 feet in them upon completion.
2. They must be comfortable.
3. They must be fashionable.
The students learned real-world skills -- drawing a model, following construction plans, thinking out of the box, working collaboratively, figuring out the right questions to ask and completing an open-ended assignment successfully.
Springhurst's Annual Autumn Harvest Soup Day Is Yummy!
Springhurst students went back for seconds of the delicious vegetable soup made with fresh farm-to-table produce from their elementary school’s organic Outdoor Garden at the annual Harvest Soup Day. The soup was served along with home grown pesto dip and carrots, also from the garden. Click here to get a copy of the soup recipe! Thank you to all the parent volunteers for your chopping, cutting and culinary skills and the PTSA for spearheading this terrific event!
    DFSD Feature Video
"Singapore Math"
Math-- no problem! Dr. Ban Har Yeap, the world renown "guru" of Singapore Math visited Springhurst Elementary School to work with teachers K-5 and to conduct two lessons with students in their classes. See how you would tackle this problem!
Mark Your Calendar
  • November 7th- Superintendents Conference Day/NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS; Parent-Teacher Conferences for all schools (8:15 am-3:00 pm)

  • November 8th- DFMS Parent-Teacher Conferences (4:30-8:30 pm)

  • November 10th- Veteran's Day/SCHOOLS CLOSED

  • November 15th- DFHS Parent-Teacher Conferences (4:30-8:30 pm)

  • November 16th- Springhurst Parent-Teacher Conferences (5:00-8:00 pm)

  • November 17th-18th- DFMS Musical "High School Musical, Junior" (11/17 @ 7:00 pm and 11/18 @1:00 pm and 7:00 pm)

  • November 23rd-24th- Thanksgiving Recess/SCHOOLS CLOSED
Dobbs Ferry Schools in the News
The Journal News- "Back to school: Six trends you'll see this year" (9/16/17)
The Rivertowns Enterprise - "Science students aim to better others' lives" (10/13/17)
The Rivertowns Enterprise- "Singapore math guru touches down at elementary school" (10/6/17)
Become a life-long learner today! Register for continuing education classes offered throughout the year for adults and teens. Coordinated by the Dobbs Ferry School District.   http://hrcewestchester.org/
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Dobbs Ferry School District
505 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 | 914-693-1500
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