3/23/18

Hello Doolittle Families,

The Doolittle teachers and I have been happy to see so many families
come in for conferences this week. If you have not had a chance to
set up a conference with your child’s teacher and would like to do so,
just call the Doolittle office - 203-272-3549.

A note about class placement for the 18-19 School Year should have
come home with report cards on Monday. If you have not seen it, here
is a link: Doolittle Class Placement 18-19

We have had a few early dismissals this week including one unusual
early dismissal. We appreciate everyone’s patience as students are
dismissed. Obviously the safety of children is our priority. Please also
keep in mind the following information from the Doolittle Handbook:

Parents who choose to drive their children to school, must drop them off at the Oak Avenue
entrance drop-off area only. Please pull all the way up before letting your child exit your vehicle.
In the AM please do NOT park in the circle.

Students assigned by their parents as walkers are allowed to leave the building on their own
at dismissal time. There is NO supervision for them outside of the school building.

Students assigned by their parents as Parent Pick-up, walk to the gym at dismissal time and
wait there for parents to get them.  Parents picking up children are asked to please park in
the Oak Avenue parking lot or at the end of the Cornwall Avenue driveway and then walk to
the gym to sign out their children with the teacher on duty.  ID may be required.

Pictures of the week:

Signs of Spring: We have one lone purple flower in the courtyard!

Construction in art!

3/16/18

Hello Doolittle Families,

Report Cards come home on Monday and conferences are scheduled
for next week. We have early dismissals planned for Tuesday 3/20 and
Thursday 3/21 for conferences. Friday 3/29 is an early dismissal too.

Below is some information from the
CPS Parent Handbook for Report Cards

Elementary School grades in Cheshire are based on a rubric score of 1-4 and are not a
numeric average of test scores, work scores, etc. Our Report Cards are intended to
communicate with parents about how their child is progressing toward our end of year
common standards.  

The following information comes from the Parent Report Card Handbook.

Teachers use number and letter codes to answer three evaluation questions for each student:

1. To what extent has this student achieved grade level expectations and standards?

2. To what degree does this student demonstrate effort during learning, especially when
tackling challenging, new content and skills?

3. To what extent is this child developing the characteristics of successful learners?

Grading Keys:

The report card uses two different grading keys to communicate the answers to these three
questions:

One for the academic areas (Question 1) and one to describe learning behaviors and effort
(Questions 2-3).

Within the academic areas there are four numerical codes that will be used to tell parents and
students how student work compares to grade level expectations and standards:

4: Exceeds the Grade Level Standards/Expectations: The student consistently and
independently applies the grade level standards/expectations in this category to advanced
content.

3: Meets the Grade Level Standards/Expectations: The student independently demonstrates
the grade level standards/expectations in this category.

2: Approaches the Grade Level Standards/Expectations: The student requires some teacher
assistance to demonstrate the grade level standards/expectations in this category.

1: Not Meeting the Grade Level Standards/Expectations: The student does not yet
demonstrate the grade level standards/expectations in this category.

Picture of the week:

Leprechaun Traps:

2nd Graders create Leprechaun Traps by using all the knowledge
they have gained about simple machines in science class.

Unfortunately it seems like we never catch any Leprechauns!

Enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day Weekend.

3/2/18

All CPS Schools have an Emergency Early Dismissal today due to weather.

Happy Dr. Seuss Day!

As part of our celebration today members of our afterschool
book club were scheduled to read Dr. Seuss books to our first
and second graders.

Due to our Emergency Early Dismissal today we will
reschedule for next week.

We began our Look for the Good program this week.
Each morning students write statements of gratitude on
stickie notes. These notes are then hung in the cafeteria.
Our Gratitude Wall in the Cafeteria has evolved quickly!

We encourage families to take part in our Look for the Good
and Gratitude campaign. Talk with your child about the things
for which they are grateful.

5th and 6th graders have been invited to create one Google
Slide with an appropriate statement of gratitude and image
and share it with me at rhinckley@cheshire.k12.ct.us.
I will put together a slideshow of these statements for next week.

2/23/18

Hello Doolittle Families,

70 degrees and sunny on Wednesday then cold and snow yesterday!
That’s why they say if you don’t like the weather in New England,
just wait a minute.

Doolittle School held a successful Fire Drill today. All student exited
the school in about one minute and we accounted for all students
just a few minutes after that. First responders gave us some good
feedback and suggestions about our fire doors and use of walkie-
talkies.

The transportation department has asked us to prevent folks from
parking on the corners of the parking lot in the Cornwall lot because
it makes it difficult for buses to get through. We have put up some
"No Parking" signs to help communicate this request.

Pictures of the week:

2nd graders learning about simple machines:

Students’ reaction when the teacher asked, “Who’s ready for a challenge?”

2/2/18

Happy Groundhog Day!

Unfortunately Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and we will to wait
6 more weeks. Hopefully by March 20th it will actually feel like spring!

So the most important question for this weekend... Who will win the
Super Bowl. Those of us in New England have been very fortunate
over the last number of years. The Super Bowl with all its fanfare
and many folks talking about who will win is a great time to talk with
your child about GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP. At Doolittle we highlight
rooting FOR your team and not rooting AGAINST the other team.
We want students to understand how to win with humility and lose
with dignity. Win or lose it is important for participants to show respect
for the other team.

Picture of the Week:

Last Friday, Mr. Delucia ran our Geography Bee for students in grades 4-6.

1/26/18

Hello Doolittle Families,

Once per month we hold a safety drill such as a Fire Drill, Lockdown
or other drill. Doolittle School held a lockdown drill today. Classroom
doors are locked and students and teachers move to an area of the
classroom away from windows. During every safety drill, first responders
from the Cheshire Fire Department and Cheshire Police Department
attend to observe the drill and give us feedback.

We encourage students to wash their hands at different points during
the day - especially at this time of year! There are several handwashing
stations with hand sanitizer throughout the building. We have some
students who have been out with a stomach bug but fewer than
compared to other schools. We’d like to keep it that way!

Picture of the week:

Last week students wore PJ’s in support of children who have to
wear PJ’s because they are hospitalized while fighting cancer and
other serious illness.

1/9/18

​

Happy New Year!



Below is a link to the schedule of upcoming Budget meetings.  Tonight's meeting is the Presentation of the Superintendent's Recommended Budget and will be held at Dodd Middle School at 7:00 p.m. 

2018-2019 Budget Meeting Schedule