Volume 1, Issue 3
November /December
2014
Dexter Website: http://www.am.dodea.edu/Benning/
Principal’s Corner
“Today a reader, tomorrow a
leader”
Edwina M. Smith
Principal
Inside this issue:
Red Ribbon Week
2
Street Cultural Fair
2
Native American
3
Pastries for Patriots
3
Important Dates
4
Contact Information
4
your child’s verbal skills.
Margaret Fuller
Research suggests that
there is a strong correlation
between the love of reading
and academic achievement.
In most cases, children who
have a love for reading and
enjoy school were exposed to
reading before pre-school.
One of our goals at Dexter
Elementary School is to improve reading comprehension by helping students
learn to evaluate and extend
the meaning of the text.
This involves developing
their skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and
creativity.
2. It improves focus
and concentration.
3.
Reading improves the imagination and creativity.
4.
It expands a child’s view
of the world.
The benefits of reading are
numerous. Here are just a
few:
Finally, establish a time and
quiet place to read to your
child or for your child to read
independently. Reading at
home 20-25 minutes a day is
sufficient for most 3rd, 4th,
and 5th graders. To improve
your child’s reading comprehension, ask him/her questions about the text. Ask
your child about the author’s
purpose for writing the story.
1.
Remember to communicate
Reading helps to develop
with your child’s teacher
about your child’s progress
in reading. If you have questions about your child’s readcheck with
with the
the
ing ability, check
teacher.
For more information about
improving reading skills, go
to the following websites:
http://www.readingrockets.org/
article/reading-tips-parents
http://whytoread.com/why-toread-10-reasons-why-readingbooks-will-save-your-life/
Dexter Students Pledge to Stay Drug-Free
During the month of October Dexter Elementary
School celebrated “Red Ribbon Week,” a Drug Awareness and Prevention program designed to encourage students to be drugfree. The theme for this
year’s Red Ribbon Week
was to “Love Yourself and
to be drug free by making
healthy choices.” As part of
the event, students had the
opportunity to create a
class poster about how they
will stay drug-free and enter it in a school-wide contest. Each day during Red
Ribbon Week, students
showed their support by
wearing items according to
the following themes: Crazy Socks Day, Wear Your
Dexter T-Shirt or Favorite
Team Shirt, Wear Sneakers, Sunglasses, and Wear
All Red.
Page 2
Dexter Elementary School
Dexter ES Promotes Drug Awareness and Prevention During "Red Ribbon Week"
Red Ribbon Week culminated with
Education. Faith Middle School's
outdoors activities. Dexter staff and
cheerleaders performed for the stu-
students gathered together in the
dents as part of the program. Dexter 's
parking lot to form a giant red ribbon
Drama and Sign Language Clubs led
to show that Dexter Elementary is
the school in a "Drug-Free" pledge. As
committed to a Drug Free school and
part of the celebration, activities in-
community. Afterwards, awards were
cluded face painting, line dancing,
presented to the poster contest win-
cheerleading activities with Faith
ners by Major Carl Warren, Executive
Middle School students, and "Bubble
Officer of the 1st Battalion 10th Field
Dancing" for Pre-K..
Artillery, one of Dexter’s Partners in
Dexter ’s Street Heritage Fair: A Celebration of Cultural Diversity
Dexter Elementary School hosted its
first “Street Heritage Fair.” Students
in Mrs. A’s 5th Grade class and Mrs.
T’s 3rd and 4th Grade combo class
researched their cultural
backgrounds and prepared presentation boards about their heritage.
Some of the countries, regions and
cultures researched included: Egypt,
Haiti, Russia, Micronesia, Slovakia,
the Cherokee Nation, Mexico, Colombia, Germany, and Scotland. The fair
featured national anthems and food
samples from each region. Many students brought other cultural artifacts
to put on display and some wore traditional costumes. Parents and students who visited the fair were given
“passports” and participated in a scavenger hunt.
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 3
Dexter Observes Native American Heritage Month
In remembrance of Native American
History Month, Dexter Elementary
students were visited by "Ms. M", a
member of the Creek Bird Clan from
Oklahoma. She said a few words
in her native language, Muscogee.
“Ms. M” explained how her
ancestors were a part of the "Trail of
Tears" and why many members of
her tribe now live in Oklahoma, instead of their ancestral lands in Alabama and Georgia
“Ms. M” showed the students illustrations of her tribe’s traditional
homes and hunting
instruments, such
as the blow gun
and bow and arrow.
The students had
the opportunity to
ask questions.
They presented
“Ms. M” with
drawings, small
paper dream catchers, and other gifts
as a token of appreciation.
Dexter Students Honor Veterans - Pastries for Patriots
99 Yeager Avenue
Fort Benning, GA 31905
Tel: (706) 545-3424
Fax: (706) 545-9106
Principal.DexterES@am.dodea.edu
Dexter Website:
http://www.am.dodea.edu/Benning/Dexter/