Hello Dexter Parents:

We are already at the end

of the 1st semester of school!

The semester has been filled

with many learning experi-

ences. Based our student

achievement data, we have

developed two school-wide

goals to increase student

achievement in the areas of

writing and mathematics.

Our first goal is that Dex-

ter students improve in writ-

ing by applying the writing

process and integrating their

writing across the curricu-

lum. Our math goal is that

our students improve in

math by using models, math

tools, games, writing, and

vocabulary to solve mathe-

matical problems.

To accomplish these goals

we have implemented a

number of strategies. First-

ly, our staff is engaged in

ongoing professional devel-

opment to effectively imple-

ment the College and Career

Ready (CCR) math stand-

ards with our new curricu-

lum “Go Math!” as the pri-

mary resource.

In addition, teachers col-

laborate and co-plan with

their colleagues and the

math instructional support

teacher to provide mean-

ingful learning experiences

for our students.

To support us with our

writing goal, the district

literacy specialist has been

working with our staff on

best practices for teaching

writing. Our gifted education

teacher and special educa-

tion teacher collaborate with

our teachers to maximize

instruction for all students.

I am proud of the work

that we are doing to increase

student achievement. As a

result of collaboration and

professional development, we

are effectively impacting

student learning.

DoDEA Community Strategic Plan (CSP)

Goal 1 of DoDEA’ s Com-

munity Strategic Plan focus-

es on Student Excellence.

The goal is to “challenge

each student to maximize his

or her potential and to excel

academically, socially, emo-

tionally and physically for

life, college and career readi-

ness.” The performance

measure is that 80% of stu-

dents in grades 3-9 will score

in the top two quarters and

no more than 5% in the bot-

tom quarter on the system-

wide standardized assess-

ment in math, science, read-

ing, language arts, and social

studies by SY 2017-18.

The other performance

measure is that all 3rd grade

students will meet or exceed

DoDEA CSP 2

Holiday Concert 2

Cultural Diversity 3

5th Grade Tour 4

Dexter’s PIE Partners 4

Spirit Week 5

Think Central Math 5

Important Dates 6

Inside this issue:

Principal’s Corner

Dexter Elementary School

November/December 2016 Volume 1, Issue 2

Edwina M. Smith

Principal

Dexter Website: http://www.dodea.edu/DexterES/index.cfm

the end-of-the year grade-level

“individual” reading proficiency

benchmark by SY 2017-18. K-3

students not meeting grade level

“individual” reading proficiency

benchmarks will be enrolled in a

reading intervention program by

SY 2016-17.

At the end of SY 2015-16, 66%

of Dexter students in grades K-3

met or exceeded the reading

proficiency benchmark as meas-

ured by Benchmark Assess-

ment System (BAS). Our goal

is that all K-3 students meet or

exceed the reading proficiency

benchmark by May 2017. To

accomplish this goal, we have

implemented early screening

to determine which students

could benefit from our Leveled

Literacy Intervention (LLI)

Program. If you have concerns

about your child’s reading,

please contact the classroom

teacher.

For more information about

DoDEA’s Community Strategic Plan,

you can visit:

http://www.dodea.edu/CSP/

On the evening of December 13th

Dexter’s K-5 grade students under

the leadership of Ms. R., our music

teacher, participated in Dexter

Elementary Surround Sound Holi-

day Program. The students com-

bined witty songs with gestures and

dance steps to create an unforgetta-

ble and entertaining musical experi-

ence.

Two of Dexter's 4th grade stu-

dents hosted the event and an-

nounced each class before they took

the stage. The melodious school choir

also performed.

Dexter staff and students would like

to thank our parents, teachers, and stu-

dents who made this event possible.

Have an enjoyable holiday season and

Happy New Year!

DoDEA Community Strategic Plan (CSP)

Page 2 Dexter Elementary School

Dexter Elementary Holiday Concert

Dexter Students Celebrate Cultural Diversity

Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 3

Mrs. C. W., wife of Maj. Gen. E. J. W., commanding general of the Maneuver

Center of Excellence, gave a guided

tour of historic Riverside to 5th graders

from EA White and Dex-ter Elementary

Schools December 13th. The white-

columned frame house had been the

home to a succession of commanding

generals. Featured in the front hall

were portraits of distinguished sol-

diers and prominent military generals.

Among the portraits were those of Gen-

eral Dwight Eisenhower, General

Omar Bradley, and CPL Freddie

Stowers, who was the first African-

American soldier to earn the Medal of

Honor in World War I.

It was a great experience for the 5th

graders to visit such a historic land-

mark.

Dexter ‘s Partners-in-Education (PIE)

are the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and

the Army National Guard. They support the

school’s mission and vision in multiple ways

with their time and expertise. Every

Wednesday our PIE partners support our

students by reading with them. In addition,

they assist with our monthly fun run/ walks

and other activities. We are fortunate to

have them work with our staff and students.

Dexter 5th Grade Tour of the Historic Riverside

Page 4 Dexter Elementary School

Dexter’s Partners-in-Education Support School Activities

Dexter Staff Shows School Spirit!

Math Online Resource-Think Central

Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 5

Think Central is an online math resource that gives students in grades K-6 and their

parents access to the Go Math! program.

Follow these steps to access the online materials and assignments.

1. Go to http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com

2. Select DoDEA as State

3. Select DoDEA AMERICAS, SOUTHEAST AMERICAS 0000 as District

4. Select DEXTER as School

5. Enter your child’s username and password— You can get this information from your

child’s teacher.

6. Click Login

Once logged in, the Welcome Page will appear. This page allows you to access three

areas:

“Things To Do”

“My Library”

“My Test Scores”

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/

Mission Statement

To provide a safe and supportive learning environment

enabling military children to develop their fullest poten-

tial. We offer all students the opportunity to achieve the

skills and confidence necessary to develop into independ-

ent thinkers-capable of creating a vision for their own

future.

Vision Statement

To learn from the past to create our own future

Dexter School Improvement Goals

Writing Goal—By May 2017, all students will improve in

writing by applying the writing process and integrating

their writing across the curriculum.

Math Goal—By May 2017, all Dexter students will improve

in math by using models, math tools, games, writing, and

vocabulary to solve mathematical problems.

UPCOMING EVENTS and ACTIVITIES

January 3rd—Report Card Prep Day

(No school for students)

January 4th—School resumes

January 6th— Frost Bite Fun Run/Walk

January 10th—Report Cards Go Home

January 19th — Honor Roll ( Grades 4 and 5)

January 16th— Holiday—MLK Observance (No School)

January 23 &24—CCRSM Staff Development

(No school for students)

January 30th—NAEP Testing (4th grade)

February 13-17th —Terra Nova Testing

(3rd-5th grades)