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News from the Dothan Brook School
Save the date/upcoming events
2/6- PTO Movie Night @ 6:30 pm
2/10 - PTO Meeting @ 6:00 pm
2/16 - 2 Hour delayed Start
2/23-3/2 - February Break
3/3 - Inservice - No school
3/10- PTO @ 6:00
3/19 - Early Release - Parent Conferences
3/20 - No School Parent Conferences
3/21-27 - Book Fair -Norwich Book Store
3/30 - Two Hour Delayed Start
4/16 - Drama Club Performance of "CATS!"
4/20-24-April Break
Anyone Who Helps a Child is a Hero
“Anyone who helps a child is a hero to me.” — Mr. Rogers
This quote has been running through my mind all week, and for good reason. Every single day, I have the privilege of coming to Dothan Brook School and witnessing the incredible work our staff does to support, teach, love, and guide the Otters who walk through our doors. Each adult at DBS goes the extra mile, taking that additional step to connect with and support every student.
For many of our staff members, this care and dedication do not end at 2:30 when the Otters head home. The commitment to helping every Otter feel successful continues well beyond the school day. Our staff works tirelessly, both inside and outside the walls of DBS, to ensure that each child feels supported, valued, and capable of success.
But the heroes of our school community extend far beyond our building. They include the parents and guardians who love and support their Otters and partner with us to ensure their children have what they need to thrive at DBS. They include the coaches who work with our Otters in basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and so many other activities. They include the adults who offer a kind word, a helping hand, or simply a friendly smile.
We are all part of this learning community, and each of us plays an important role in the success of every Otter at Dothan Brook School. For that, you are all heroes, and we are truly grateful for everything you do to support our students.
Thank you for being such an important part of our learning community and for being our partners. We hope you have a wonderful weekend, and we can’t wait to see your Otter on Monday morning!
Patrick Peters
Interim Principal
Dothan Brook School
Lego Crew Club update
Lego Crew Club in the Library will not meet in February or March. Thank you for understanding.
Ms. Joyce
Spotlight Staff Member: Olivia DeFelice
This week, we are excited to spotlight our 4th Grade ELA teacher, Ms. Olivia DeFelice! Ms. DeFelice has been a teacher in the Dothan Brook learning community for the past four years, but her connection to DBS goes back much further than that. She was once a student here herself, interned at DBS while she was in high school, and later returned as a substitute teacher while she was in college. Ms. DeFelice has truly been part of the Dothan Brook community for most of her life.
Before joining the DBS staff full-time, Ms. DeFelice attended Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, VT, where she double majored in education and psychology. She shares, “I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid, so I knew exactly where I wanted to land after graduating—and lucky for me, that place was here!”
Ms. DeFelice says that her favorite things about Dothan Brook are the students and the staff. “I always feel so uplifted by the amazing kids who go to school here and supported by the care and friendship of my colleagues. We truly have fun here, and I laugh every day—even on the hard days.”
When she’s not at DBS, Ms. DeFelice enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, practicing yoga, listening to music, going to the beach, gardening, and needlepointing.
Dothan Brook is truly lucky to have such a dedicated, passionate, and caring teacher as Ms. DeFelice in our learning community!
Rainbow Club at DBS
Rainbow Club is an exciting new club for third, fourth and fifth graders! This club meets twice a month, the first and third Friday of each month at 7:45 a.m. in Mrs. West’s office.
Rainbow Club is a welcoming and inclusive space where students can come together to celebrate diversity, build friendships, and support one another in being their authentic selves. Through activities and discussions, the club encourages kindness, respect, and belonging for all members of our school community. We welcome any third, fourth and fifth grader to come join in the fun.
Curiosity Corner from Julia
One way to celebrate Black History Month is to learn more about the many accomplishments of African Americans. We must also dive deeper into how racism continues to exist in this country and our role in working towards liberation. Only then can we truly start to truly honor Black History Month.
Here are some different resources to get you started in a multitude of mediums.
Videos:
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
Acho is a New York Times bestselling author, Emmy-winning television broadcaster, former linebacker for two NFL franchises and has a voice of compassion and understanding that he uses to talk about, everything.
Over the course of 51 episodes, we're going to learn about Black American History. Clint Smith will teach you about the experience of Black people in America, from the arrival of the first enslaved Black people who arrived at Jamestown all the way to the Black Lives Matter movement.
In honor of Black History and Women’s History Month, we present this video to encourage and uplift our communities.
Books:
Social Justice Books: Critically reviewed selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.
Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Reading List for Adults from the New York Public Library
Podcasts:
Code Switch: A Playlist For Black History Month
How to Citizen: Baratunde Thurston reimagines the word “citizen” as a verb and reminds us how to wield our collective power. Learn new perspectives and practices from people working to improve society for the many.
Website:
National Museum of African American History and Culture:The National Museum of African American History and Culture captures and shares the unvarnished truth of African American history and culture. We connect stories, scholarship, art, and artifacts from the past and present to illuminate the contributions, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped our nation.
