DUMMERSTON SCHOOL (K-8)

Jo Carol Ratti, Principal

Stella White, Administrative Assistant

Hannah Parker, School Counselor

Mary Ann Runge, School Nurse

 

The Community

 

Dummerston, originally chartered as the Town of Fullum in 1753, is a rural community located in the southeast corner of Vermont.  The town is home to fruit and vegetable farms, campgrounds and private home-based businesses.  Dummerston is also the site of Rudyard Kipling’s home, Naulakha.  Dummerston is known for its historic covered bridge that was built in 1872.  In the early 1990’s the bridge was restored and is considered a local landmark.  At one time, Dummerston had two schoolhouses, one located in West Dummerston and another in East Dummerston.  In 1994, the east school was renovated in order to educate students, Kindergarten through eighth grade under one roof, called Dummerston School located on 52 Schoolhouse Road.  The Dummerston School is a beautifully maintained structure surrounded by playgrounds and ball fields for Dummerston students and their families.  The building is an aesthetic mix of traditional architecture integrated with a bright and spacious addition.

 

The Mission

 

The Dummerston School community is committed to creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and personal responsibility, which is safe and accessible to children and their families. To the greatest extent possible, we strive to meet a student's academic and social needs in an atmosphere where success is seen as a shared responsibility among all our constituents.

 

Personnel

 

18.5 Licensed Faculty

  9.0 Highly Qualified Educational Support Staff

 

Overview

Dummerston School serves approximately 150 children in a kindergarten through eighth grade setting.  The average class size in Kindergarten through third grade is 15.  In grades four through 8 the average class size is 16.  Elementary classes are self-contained while middle school classes for grades 6 through 8 are departmentalized. We offer a full day Kindergarten program in a spacious renovated area.

 

Learning Opportunities

 

ž     Academic proficiency and social responsibility are stressed at all grade levels with the expectation that all our students will be proficient with the standards outlined in the WSESU Learning Framework. 

ž     In an effort to eliminate reading failure, students in grades K-4 participate in 75 minutes of Literacy instruction four days a week and 45 minutes one day a week.

ž     The library is opened to the school community and is staffed by a part-time licensed Library Media Specialist three days a week.

ž     Art, Instrumental and Vocal Music are offered, in various forms, at all grade levels.

ž     Students in grades K-4 participate in the Environmental Learning for the Future (ELF) Program offered by volunteers.

ž     Students and staff at all grade levels have access to a full range of technology, software tools and applications. We currently have two portable computer labs which provide classrooms students with laptop computing capabilities.

ž     Chinese language instruction is provided on a limited basis through the Asian Studies Grant.

ž     Fall, winter and spring sports are available to students in grades 6-8.

ž     The Winter Activities program, staffed by parents and volunteers, offers students a variety of indoor and outdoor opportunities for six afternoons during January and February. Activities have included skiing, skating, snowboarding, bowling, drama, and art. All students are expected to participate in Winter Activities. 

 

ž     Students in grades 6-8 participate in a daily Exploratory Block designed for multi-age instruction in Band, Chorus, Art and Technology. 

ž     All students in grades K-8 participate in both Physical Education and Art Education two times a week.  Students in grades K-5 participate in Music twice a week and Library class is scheduled for students in Kindergarten through grade five once a week.  Middle School students have weekly opportunities to check out books from the library and receive library instruction based on specific classroom units of study.

ž     Additional training and learning opportunities for students include Student Mentoring, Adventure groups, Student Council and after school enrichment programs (when available).

ž     Dummerston School offers a Hot Lunch program which meets state and federal guidelines. Snack milk and juice are also available. Students may apply for lunch and/or snack milk/juice at free or reduced prices in accordance with the program regulations.

ž     Full-time nursing and part-time counseling services are provided by licensed professionals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curriculum & Assessment

 

Dummerston participates, along with other WSESU schools, in the continual development and alignment of the WSESU Learning Framework. We offer a comprehensive curriculum that is consistent with the VT Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities.  As a district we promote the development of skills in communication, reasoning & problem solving, personal development, and civic and social responsibility.

 

Students are assessed regularly as part of the teaching/learning process. Formal state assessments include the Developmental Reading Assessment in grade 2 and the New England Common Assessment Program in grades 3-8. Annually, we report our grade level scores to the community at School Report Day in March.  The WSESU Learning Framework provides specific grade level assessment information as well as information on the Standards Based Curriculum and Assessment process.

 

 

 

 

Facts & Figures

 

Dummerston Town School District

 

06-07 district budget                                          $4,107,717.00

07-08  district budget                         $4,138,278.00

 

06-07 per pupil expense                     $12,601.00

07-08  per pupil expense                    $13,131.00

                                               

Length of school day          6.5

Student/Teacher Ratio      14/1 (excludes counselor,                                                                                  nurse, librarian, art, music                                                                                 and phys. ed. teachers)  

 

               

Reporting to Parents

 

Communication with parents occurs on a regular basis at Dummerston School. A school newsletter, outlining school events, is published on a weekly basis and sent home with students. In addition, classroom teachers send home information to keep parents abreast of activities within the classrooms. Parent Teacher Conferences are officially scheduled in January as a means of reporting student progress. Report Cards and Progress Reports are sent home at designated times during the year. Parents are encour­aged to contact teachers throughout the year if they have questions about their child's progress or about school activities. Teachers also contact parents on an individual basis throughout the year by note, telephone call, or personal contact to share successes or concerns.

In addition, and in accordance with Act 60 (currently Act 68) and District policies, Dummerston School's student performance results and other pertinent information are made public at a School Report Day and published in an Annual WSESU School Report, which is available upon request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NECAP Results 2006

 

Number of students per class who are

Proficient or Proficient with Distinction

 

Math
Grade	# of students/class	Percentages
Grade 3	12/17	70%
Grade 4	14/21	67%
Grade 5	7 /12	58%
Grade 6	13/16	81%
Grade 7	16/20	80%
Grade 8	14/26	54%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.DummerstonSchool.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dummerston

School

 

2007-2008

 

Elementary

And

Middle School

 

 

52 Schoolhouse Road

East Dummerston, VT  05346

Phone:  (802) 254-2733

Fax:  (802) 257-5751

 

Office Hours

8:00-3:30