Notes From Mr. Snell's Office

SMART Fair 2005

Today was SMART Fair day! SMART Fair is a Science, Math, Art, Reading, and Technology workshop that provides all Dodgen students with a half-day of interactive, hands-on, creative educational experiences.  The Dodgen PTSA Arts in Education Committee hosted this event for the fifth year.  Pat Giuliani has served as the SMART Fair Chair since its inception in 2001.  What a wonderful way to spend the last day at school before the holidays!

Chorus And Orchestra Students Perform In Halls

Dodgen Chorus and Orchestra students decked the halls with the beautiful sounds of the season this morning.  Various groups stationed themselves throughout the building and played music as staff and fellow students arrived to school.  This has become a much anticipated tradition at Dodgen.  Thank you Ms. Cully and Mr. Whittington.  Check out the photo album in the left margin for pictures of the event.

Band Ensembles Perform In Dodgen Halls

Dodgen Band students decked the halls with the beautiful sounds of the season on this past Monday morning.  Various ensemble groups stationed themselves throughout the building and played music as staff and fellow students arrived to school.  One of the woodwind ensemble groups is pictured here.  This has become a much anticipated tradition at Dodgen.  Thank you Mr. Jackson and Mr. Jeffres.  Check out the photo album in the left margin for more pictures.

Introducing...

Welcome to our newest staff member - Donna Halverson.  Donna serves as a paraprofessional in the Special Education Department at Dodgen.  She is also an active volunteer and the parent of a Dodgen student.  We are happy you are here!

Congratulations To Our Reflections Winners!

The theme for this year's PTSA Reflections contest was "I Wonder Why."  Dodgen students participated in a big way.  Thank you to all of those who provided an entry.  You are all winners in my book.  Following are Dodgen students who won 1st or 2nd place in the competition.  Special congratulations to these individuals: (Group picture coming soon)

Literature - 1st Place 6th Grade/Paige;  1st Place 7th Grade/Nadiyah (Council Winner!)

Visual Arts - 1st Place 6th Grade/Jennifer;  2nd Place 6th Grade/Alex;  1st Place 7th Grade/Max (Council Winner!)

Musical Composition - 1st Place 7th Grade/David;  2nd Place 7th Grade/Kelsey

Photography - 1st Place 6th Grade/Henry (Council Winner!);  1st and 2nd Place 7th Grade/Sarah (Council Winner!);  1st Place 8th Grade/Maxwell

Thank You PTSA!

Dodgen's PTSA provided an incredible spread of food showing appreciation to the teachers and staff on Thursday, December 15, after school.  The food and fellowship was appreciated by all!  Thank you Dodgen PTSA!

Grade Level Tech Labs

The massive construction project is nearing completion.  Students will be able to occupy the 7th grade wing after Christmas!  One of the many benefits of the facility expansion has been the added space that is available for unique school-wide initiatives.  The spaces that were formerly known as the commons areas in each grade, for example, have now been enclosed to create large rooms.  Architectural drawings had specified these areas to be offices for teachers.  Teachers have instead decided to create technology labs for students that will house the school's mobile laptop carts.  The 6th grade lab is pictured here. 

Scrolling Announcements

When you visit our school you will notice that news, information, and general announcements are on display continuously.  This system has been in operation since this past spring.  T.V.s are mounted in the ceiling in dozens of locations throughout the building including the front office.  This allows you to catch up on Dodgen news while picking up your child, or waiting for an appointment.  Thanks to Ms. Klodnicki, and student volunteers, who keep the information flowing!

Principal's Letter - Dodgen Dateline - January 2006

Dodgen PTSA Newsletter Entry January 2005

As you know, the Cobb County Board of Education cast its vote for Redistricting Plan B on December 8, 2005.  I know that each of you, as current Dodgen Middle School parents and students, join me in welcoming our wonderful neighbors and friends.  We have an opportunity to make new friends, and the responsibility to provide an atmosphere of warmth.  Someone recently characterized Dodgen as a school with a nurturing, family-like atmosphere.  I am proud that the teachers and staff at Dodgen have earned such a reputation without having sacrificed the academic rigor that challenges our students to such exceptional achievement.  I am excited to imagine the impact that our new families will afford.

About seven months will pass before our new friends will attend Dodgen Middle School.  From now until August 2006, we should find ways to help those friends who are unsure, and further excite those who are enthusiastic, about their future as part of the Dodgen community.  For this purpose, I have created my own web log (blog) to provide additional information about the remarkable events and opportunities available at Dodgen.  You may visit my blog at www.dodgenms.typepad.com/notes_from_mr_snells_offi/.  As information available on this blog will continue to reassure you, I proudly represent a community of teachers and parents who know how to provide educational value to students that is second to none. 

Miscellany

This web log was created in December, 2005.  Quite a few noteworthy events took place at Dodgen before December.  Here are a few examples:

November 14 - Dodgen Math Team competes at Sprayberry HS;  Places 2nd in the County;  Thank you Mr. Veeder!

November 3 - Dodgen students are given the opportunity to showcase their talents in our school's talent show;  Thank you Ms. Leonard and Ms. Stoller!

November - Recognition from the Georgia Public Policy Foundation Report Card for Parents 2005 Edition ranks Dodgen 6th in the state, moving up from 9th in 2004;  Congratulations students, teachers, and staff!

October 29 - Nine Dodgen Orchestra students passed County-Level All-State auditions;  Thank you Ms. Culley!

October 28 - Pumpkin decorating contest sponsored by Dodgen Student Council;  Thank you Ms. Leonard and Ms. Stoller!

October 28 - Dodgen German Band performs in Helen, GA;  Thank you Mr. Jackson and Mr. Jeffres!

October 26 - Ms. Patty Smith honored as Dodgen's Teacher of the Year;  Congratulations Ms. Smith!

October 24 - Dodgen Math Team competes at Lassiter HS;  Thank you Mr. Veeder!

October 22 - Dodgen Academic Bowl Team competes at Lindley MS;  Dodgen is one of four teams to advance to the District competition in January;  Thank you Ms. Stevens, Ms. Barzegar, Ms. Blakley, Ms. Corey, Ms. Sturtevent, and Mr. Wilson!

October 21 - Notification from the State of Georgia Governor's Office of Student Achievement recognizing Dodgen as a statewide  accountability system award winner for highest percentage of students meeting or exceeding academic standards;  Congratulations students, teachers, and staff!

October 12 - Ribbon cutting for the GO Center!  Thank you Ms. Winther, Dodgen PTSA President!