News from Dummerston School                                                                                        Winter 2009

 

As we move into the second half of the academic year, I would like to highlight some of the many acts of student citizenship, talent and scholarship here at Dummerston School.  The past several months have been very busy.  In addition to NECAP testing, we observed Fire Safety Week; fifth graders started reporting the weather on WTSA and the eighth graders held their first Middle School dance of the year.  Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students traveled to Landmark to see The Mongolian Performance; and thanks to Christie Herbert, Dummerston Middle School received a personalized workshop with the performers the day before the performance.  Students had an opportunity to work directly with 15 of the Mongolian dancers and musicians learning their distinctive dances and playing their unique instruments. 

 

Since our last article we held Student Council elections and congratulate our Executive Board members: Eric Foss-President, Natasha Clark-Vice President, Shelby Goddard-Secretary and Sophie Finnerty-Treasurer.  Once again, Student Council members were busy organizing Spirit Weeks, raising money and running food drives over the holiday season and, once again, our Holiday Program was filled to capacity.  We hope you had a chance to see our production of Santa Goes Green!

 

Our 8th Grade Class elected a three-person Leadership Council to lead the Class of 2009.  They are Theresa Glabach, Galen Finnerty, Hannah Reichel.  We would also like to congratulations this year’s ASSET Team members:  Maddy Rollins, Kara Piergentili, Lydia Garland, Michael Cioffi, and Jesse Brown.  Team members will represent Dummerston School at this year’s Middle School Youth Assets Retreat.  Their goal is to work in cooperation with our Student Council and 8th Grade Leadership Team to enrich our school community so that all students feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for Dummerston School’s success. 

 

In November, one of our very talented 8^th grade students traveled to Haiti with the Servants for Haiti organization.  Lydia Garland, along with her mother, Laurie traveled to Haiti to share their energy and talent with Haitian youth.  While Lydia’s assignment focused on “youth soccer,” both Lydia and her mom knew that they would be entering an impoverished country that had been recently hit by four consecutive hurricanes.   Along with donated soccer balls, the Garlands also brought many of the essential supplies that we take for granted.  When Lydia returned 10 days later, she was determined to continue her efforts on behalf of Haitian students.

 

This edition of The Views approaches its deadline on January 20th, all of us at Dummerston School are anxiously watching TV in hopes of seeing the BUHS Marching Band pass the review stand at President Obama’s Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.  We are especially excited because we know 6 band members are Dummerston School graduates!  Congratulations to Bryce Bandish, Amy and Melanie Murphy, Sam Grubinger and Andrea and Sarah Given-VanLeeuwen.  Applause also goes to our Band Director, Mary Harvey-Bandish who helped chaperone the trip (and who taught our talented musicians).  Two members of our Faculty, Mary Goodemote and Bob Glennon, have sons marching in the Inaugural Parade, Riley Goodemote and Clark Glennon.