THE DILWORTH ExPERIENCE

29 Pages·2014·2.87 MB·English

by  Bodecker, Dena

The Dilworth Experien ce
Washoe County School District
Our mission is to create a safe, effective and rigorous learning culture, which will provide students with the
foundation they need to be college and career ready by the time they graduate from high school.
We believe that students learn best through Project-Based Learning, which is driven by the combined efforts of
students, staff, parents and the community.
Welcome to Dilworth STEM Academy!
As we welcome you and your scholar to Dilworth, it is our goal to make the transition to the middle grades a positive
experience. This is an important time for your child’s personal, social, physical and academic development. Many students
and parents approach this day with both excitement and apprehension.
A good family-school relationship is invaluable for your child’s school success. Remember, you are your child’s most im-
portant teacher and we need you to continue to be involved by supporting your child’s learning at home. Checking your
scholar’s grades using infinite campus, attending STEM tours, STEM exhibitions, student led conferences and communi-
cating with teachers.
Let’s work together to encourage your child’s curiosity, creativity and love of learning. Throughout the year, we plan to
maintain regular communication and to build a foundation of continued collaboration.
We look forward to getting to know you. Working together, we will guide your student toward school success and life-
long achievement!

Sincerely,

The Dilworth STEM Academy Staff
Dilworth STEM Academy & Project-Based Learning?
Project-based learning hails from a tradition of education which asserts that students learn best by experiencing and solving real-world
problems. According to researchers (Barron & Darling-Hammond, 2008 ) project-based learning essentially involves the following:
 students learning knowledge to tackle realistic problems as they would be solved in the real world
 increased student control over his or her learning
 teachers serving as coaches and facilitators of inquiry and reflection
 students (usually, but not always) working in pairs or groups

Project-based learning is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges. With this
type of active and engaged learning, students are inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying.
Did you know PBL students remember learned content for longer periods of time? Did you know PBL students view themselves as
better prepared in problem solving and perform better in tasks that emphasize understanding and application of knowledge?
How can we reduce our school's carbon footprint? How safe is our water? What can we do to protect a special place or species?
Students use technology tools much as professionals do, to communicate, collaborate, conduct research, analyze, create, and
publish their own work for authentic audiences. Instead of writing book reports, for instance, students in a literature project might
produce audio reviews of books, post them on a blog, and invite responses from a partner class in another city or country.

Todays students will face complex challenges when they complete their formal education. Knowing how to solve problems, work
collaboratively, and think innovatively are becoming essential skills -- not only for finding future careers but also for tackling difficult
issues in local communities and around the world.
Source: ( edutopia.org)
The Dilworth Experien ce
Washoe County School District
Our mission is to create a safe, effective and rigorous learning culture, which will provide students with the
foundation they need to be college and career ready by the time they graduate from high school.
We believe that students learn best through Project-Based Learning, which is driven by the combined efforts of
students, staff, parents and the community.
Welcome to Dilworth STEM Academy!
As we welcome you and your scholar to Dilworth, it is our goal to make the transition to the middle grades a positive
experience. This is an important time for your child’s personal, social, physical and academic development. Many students and
parents approach this day with both excitement and apprehension.
A good family-school relationship is invaluable for your child’s school success. Remember, you are your child’s most important
teacher and we need you to continue to be involved by supporting your child’s learning at home. Checking your scholar’s grades
using infinite campus, attending STEM tours, STEM exhibitions, student led conferences and communicating with teachers.
Let’s work together to encourage your child’s curiosity, creativity and love of learning. Throughout the year, we plan to
maintain regular communication and to build a foundation of continued collaboration.
We look forward to getting to know you. Working together, we will guide your student toward school success and lifelong
achievement!

Sincerely,

The Dilworth STEM Academy Staff
Dilworth STEM Academy & Project-Based Learning?
Project-based learning hails from a tradition of education which asserts that students learn best by experiencing and solving real-world
problems. According to researchers (Barron & Darling-Hammond, 2008 ) project-based learning essentially involves the following:
 students learning knowledge to tackle realistic problems as they would be solved in the real world
 increased student control over his or her learning
 teachers serving as coaches and facilitators of inquiry and reflection
 students (usually, but not always) working in pairs or groups

Project-based learning is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges. With this
type of active and engaged learning, students are inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying.
Did you know PBL students remember learned content for longer periods of time? Did you know PBL students view themselves as
better prepared in problem solving and perform better in tasks that emphasize understanding and application of knowledge?
How can we reduce our school's carbon footprint? How safe is our water? What can we do to protect a special place or species?
Students use technology tools much as professionals do, to communicate, collaborate, conduct research, analyze, create, and
publish their own work for authentic audiences. Instead of writing book reports, for instance, students in a literature project might
produce audio reviews of books, post them on a blog, and invite responses from a partner class in another city or country.

Todays students will face complex challenges when they complete their formal education. Knowing how to solve problems, work
collaboratively, and think innovatively are becoming essential skills -- not only for finding future careers but also for tackling difficult
issues in local communities and around the world.
Source: ( edutopia.org)
The Dilworth Experien ce
What is STEM Education
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education focuses on active teaching and
learning, centered on relevant experiences, problem-solving, and critical thinking processes.
STEM education emphasizes the natural interconnectedness of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics and their connections to other disciplines, to produce informed citizen that possess and
supply the necessary understanding to expand Nevada’s STEM—capable workforce in order to compete
in a global society
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ~ STEM, and therefore, STEM education are vital to our
future - STEM is everywhere; it shapes our everyday experiences.
Have you considered how often we experience STEM in our lives? Science is our natural world— sun, moon and
stars…lands and oceans…weather, natural disasters, the diversity of nature, animals (large, small, microbial)…
plants and food…the fuel that heats our homes and powers transportation…The list is almost endless. In today’s
world, technology means computers and smartphones, but it goes back to television, radio, microscopes,
telegraph, telescopes, the compass, and even the first wheel. Yes, engineering designs buildings, roads, and
bridges, but it also tackles today’s challenges of transportation, global warming and environment-friendly
machines, appliances and systems. We only have to look around to see what improvements to our lives and our
homes have been engineered in the last decade alone. We encounter mathematics at the grocery store, the bank,
on tax forms, in dealing with investments and the family budget. Every other STEM field depends on mathematics.
STEM is important, because it pervades every aspect of our lives. Let’s consider how STEM effects what is closest
and dearest to us—our children. STEM is their future—the technological age in which they live, their best career
options, and their key to wise decisions. In 2009, the United States Department of Labor listed the ten most wanted
employees. Eight of those employees were ones with degrees in the STEM fields: accounting, computer science,
electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, information sciences and systems, computer engineering, civil
engineering, and economics and finance. According to the U. S. DOC, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while
others are growing at 9.8%. Health care workers with associate degrees to doctors of medicine will average 20%
more in life time earnings than peers with similar degrees in non-health care. A glance at 2010 starting salaries for
engineers with $47,145 for civil engineers to $60,054 for chemical engineers is strong evidence that STEM related
jobs can be financially rewarding careers for our children.
Families need to get involved and help students see the relevance of STEM in everyday life. Push your children to
do well in STEM and help them see their future. Technology is changing everyday and by the time your students
graduate High School they will need to be Career and or College ready.
Source: www.sciencepioneers.org/parents/why-stem-is-important-to-everyone
The Dilworth Experien ce
What is STEM Education
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education focuses on active teaching and
learning, centered on relevant experiences, problem-solving, and critical thinking processes.
STEM education emphasizes the natural interconnectedness of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics and their connections to other disciplines, to produce informed citizen that possess and
supply the necessary understanding to expand Nevada’s STEM—capable workforce in order to compete
in a global society
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ~ STEM, and therefore, STEM education are vital to our
future - STEM is everywhere; it shapes our everyday experiences.
Have you considered how often we experience STEM in our lives? Science is our natural world— sun, moon and
stars…lands and oceans…weather, natural disasters, the diversity of nature, animals (large, small, microbial)…
plants and food…the fuel that heats our homes and powers transportation…The list is almost endless. In today’s
world, technology means computers and smartphones, but it goes back to television, radio, microscopes,
telegraph, telescopes, the compass, and even the first wheel. Yes, engineering designs buildings, roads, and
bridges, but it also tackles today’s challenges of transportation, global warming and environment-friendly
machines, appliances and systems. We only have to look around to see what improvements to our lives and our
homes have been engineered in the last decade alone. We encounter mathematics at the grocery store, the bank,
on tax forms, in dealing with investments and the family budget. Every other STEM field depends on mathematics.
STEM is important, because it pervades every aspect of our lives. Let’s consider how STEM effects what is closest
and dearest to us—our children. STEM is their future—the technological age in which they live, their best career
options, and their key to wise decisions. In 2009, the United States Department of Labor listed the ten most wanted
employees. Eight of those employees were ones with degrees in the STEM fields: accounting, computer science,
electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, information sciences and systems, computer engineering, civil
engineering, and economics and finance. According to the U. S. DOC, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while
others are growing at 9.8%. Health care workers with associate degrees to doctors of medicine will average 20%
more in life time earnings than peers with similar degrees in non-health care. A glance at 2010 starting salaries for
engineers with $47,145 for civil engineers to $60,054 for chemical engineers is strong evidence that STEM related
jobs can be financially rewarding careers for our children.
Families need to get involved and help students see the relevance of STEM in everyday life. Push your children to
do well in STEM and help them see their future. Technology is changing everyday and by the time your students
graduate High School they will need to be Career and or College ready.
Source: www.sciencepioneers.org/parents/why-stem-is-important-to-everyone
T h e Dil w o rt h ex pe ri en c e
DSA Here On Time (H.O.T.) Policy
Families as you know we at DSA use every minute of a school day to give your students the best
education possible and as much instruction as time will allow to have them ready for high school.
When students are tardy not only do they miss instruction, but they disrupt the learning of others
when walking into class late. Being on time is a much needed life skill.
Every scholar will be “Here On Time” to each class or they will be marked tardy by the teacher.
Being marked tardy will result in the scholar being put on that day’s tardy list.
1 tardy in a day = 10 minute after school detention (no call home) OR the scholar can choose to call home and
inform parents/guardians that detention will be served tomorrow for the full 45 minute administrative detention.
2 tardies in a day = 45 minute administrative detention that day with a call home to parents/guardians.
3 tardies in a day = Saturday school. Our Dean of Students will call the scholar’s parents/guardians.
>3 tardies in a day = The scholar’s parents/guardians will be called in for a conference.
Scholars can earn Here On Time (H.O.T.) passes for completing 2 weeks of school without a tardy or
unexcused absence.
Hot passes can be used for 2 things:
They can be used as a “get out of detention” pass. (10 minute detention only)
They can be used as raffle tickets for monthly drawings.

Thank you for helping DSA scholars be
“Here on Time”
L A E XP ERI E NC IA Di lw o rt h
DSA Aqui en Tiempo (H.O.T.) Poliza
Familias como ustedes saben en DSA usamos cada minuto de la escuela para
darles a los estudiantes la mejor educacion posible asi como toda la
instruccion para que esten listos para la preparatoria. Cuando los
estudiantes llegan tarde no solo pierden su instruccion, pero distraen el
aprendizaje de otros cuando entran a clase tarde. Llegar a tiempo es mucho
mas que una destreza de vida.
Cada estudiantes estara “Aqui a tiempo” a cada clase o seran marcados tarde por el maestro(a).
Al ser marcados tarde como resultado el estudiante sera colocado en la lista de tarde para ese dia..
1 tardanza en un dia = 10 minutos detenidos despues de la escuela (no llamada a casa) O el estudinate puede
elegir llamar a casa e informar a los padres/guardians que serviran en detencion al dia siguiente por 45 minutos
detencion administrativa.
2 tardanzas en un dia = 45 minutos detencion administrativa con una llamada a los padres o guardianes.
3 tardanzas en un dia = Escuela de Sabado. Dean of Students le llamara a los padres/guardianes.
3 tardanzas en un dia = Se llamara a los padres /guardianes para una conferencia.
Estudiantes podran ganar Aqui en Tiempo (H.O.T.) pases por completar 2 semanas de escuela sin una tarde o
falta injustificada.
Hot pases podran ser usadas para 2 cosas:
Pueden usarlos como pase de “fuera de detencion”. (10 minutos solo de detencion)
Pueden ser usados como boletos para una rifa mensual.

Gracias por ayudar a los estudiantes de DSA “llegar a Tiempo”
T h e Dil w o rt h ex pe ri en c e
Attendance is critical to Middle School Success and will set the Standard
for high school attendance…… Know the risks
When it comes to your middle schooler heading out Follow the rules. If your child misses a day
the door each morning, a little foot-dragging is of school, write a note explaining his absence.
normal. After all, who wants to leave a cozy bed Show him that you take the school’s attendance
for a day of classes? But your middle schooler rules seriously.
won’t learn much at school if he doesn’t spend Ask for help. If your middle schooler falls into a
enough time there. It’s critical that you insist on pattern of skipping school, ask the counselor for
and enforce good attendance. It’s your job to make help. You’ll have a better chance of solving the
sure your child is in class every day. problem if you work with the school.
A student with poor school attendance: Use routines Following routines is a simple way
to help your child get to school on time every day:
 May get behind in work. Missing school can Enforce a sensible bedtime.
really hurt classroom performance. Most children Middle schoolers need sleep to function, so be sure
have trouble keeping up if they miss more than a
your child gets enough. Occasionally staying up
few days.
late to finish a project isn’t a crisis, but it shouldn’t
 Is at risk of falling in with the wrong crowd or
be a habit.
getting into trouble.
 May become a victim of crime (especially if she Stick to a morning routine. Have your child wake up
skips school to hang out (away from home). at the same time each day. Once he’s up, offer a
healthy breakfast (or set one out before you leave
Make attendance a top priority for work).
You can preserve your Prep the night before. Don’t leave for tomorrow
child’s good attendance if you: what you can finish tonight! That means the back-
Communicate. If your middle schooler starts miss- pack is loaded and waiting at the door. Clothes are
ing school, find out what’s going on immediately. laid out. Lunch is packed. The less scrambling your
Help him deal with the problem before it snowballs child has to do, the less likely she’ll be to miss the
out of control. bus.
Schedule vacations during school breaks or week- If your student does not make it to school, it is their
ends. Consider the school calendar as written in responsibility to make sure they pick up any missing
stone. assignments from their teachers.
Keep your child home only if she is sick or if there
is a family emergency. Don’t take your child out of
school to care for family members or to do erands.
Dilworth STEM Academy Attendance
775-353-5740
L A E XP ERI E NC IA Di lw o rt h
La asistencia es vital para tener éxito en la escuela intermedia
Cuando se trata de que su escolar intermedio salga a la Deja que su niño permanezca en casa solo si está enfer-
puerta cada mañana, es normal que haya que sacarlo ar- mo o en caso de una emergencia. No saque a su niño de
rastrando los pies. Después de todo ¿quién quiere dejar la escuela para encargarle que se ocupe de miembros de
una cómoda cama para ir a la escuela a un día de clases? la familia o para que haga mandados.
Pero su escolar intermedio no aprenderá mucho en la es-
Siga las reglas. Si su niño falta un día a la escuela, envíe
cuela si no quiere permanecer suficiente tiempo ahí. Es
una nota explicando el motivo de su ausencia. Muéstrele
vital que usted insista en y haga que se cumpla la buena
a su niño que usted toma con seriedad las reglas de asis-
asistencia. Es tarea suya asegurarse que su niño asista a
tencia establecidas por la escuela.
clase todos los días.
Pide ayuda. Si su escolar intermedio cae en un patrón
Conozca los riesgos
de faltar a la escuela, pídale ayuda al orientador. Usted
Un estudiante con asistencia escolar pobre: Puede at-
tendrá una mejor oportunidad de resolver el problema
rasarse en sus estudios. Faltar a la escuela puede per-
si trabaja en coordinación con la escuela.
judicar el rendimiento escolar. La mayoría de los niños
tienen problemas para mantenerse al nivel de ense- Use rutinas
ñanza si faltan a la escuela más de unos cuantos días.
Seguir las rutinas es una manera sencilla de ayudar a su
Corre el riesgo de hacer amistad con chicos de mala niño a llegar a tiempo a la escuela todos los días:
influencia o de meterse en problemas.
Haga que se cumpla una hora de acostarse razonable.
Puede convertirse en una víctima de la delincuencia Los escolares intermedios necesitan dormer para fun-
(especialmente si falta para irse a haraganear lejos de la cionar, de modo que asegúrese que su niño duerma sufi-
casa). ciente. Ocasionalmente, el hecho de desvelarse para
terminar un proyecto no es una crisis, pero no debe con-
Haga que la asistencia sea la prioridad
vertirse en un hábito.
Usted puede mantener la buena asistencia si: Se
Ajústese a una rutina de la mañana. Haga que su niño
comunica. Si su escolar comienza a faltar a la escuela,
se despierte a la misma hora todos los días. Una vez que
averigüe qué está sucediendo inmediatamente. Ayúdelo
se haya levantado, déle un desayuno saludable (o
a enfrentar el problema antes que aumente
prepárele uno antes de irse a trabajar).
de tal manera que quede fuera de control.
• Prepárese la noche anterior. ¡No deje para mañana lo
Programe las vacaciones durante los descansos esco-
que pueden terminar hoy en la noche! Eso quiere decir
lares o los fines de semana. Ajústese al calendario esco-
que la mochila esté lista y colocada cerca de la puerta.
lar como si estuviera escrito en piedra.
Que la ropa esté preparada.
Dilworth STEM Academy Attendance
775-353-5740
The Dilworth experience
Parent Involvement Policy
2014-2015
A major goal of Dilworth STEM Academy and the Title I program is to promote and support parent engagement in the
education of their children. Families are encouraged and are given the opportunity to actively participate in the life of their
children and the education process. Every effort will be made to help the parents feel welcomed, and a valued part of what
students are learning and doing in class. Information concerning the state academic and achievement standards,
proficiency level targets, alternate assessments, and the school curriculum will be shared with parents, as well as infor-
mation on the use of technology, including Infinite Campus. Parents will be invited and encouraged to attend the Annual
Title I meeting which is held during Open House at the beginning of each school year. This invitation will be offered via a
letter home from the school. Additionally, Title I staff will follow up with phone calls to parents and the use of child care and
transportation will be provided when applicable. The annual parent meeting will focus on the types and kinds of services
offered through the Title I program such as transition to High School, signature Academies, quality after school programs
such as Team Up, and other programs and services. A time for questions and answers will be provided.
During the school year, additional meetings will be held and a Title I representative, the Parent Involvement Facilitators
(PIF’s) will be available to provide additional information and assistance to the parents. Topics for the meetings will be drawn
from suggestions made by the parents both informally and from an annual parent survey. Parents will be offered suggestions
in ways to monitor their child’s progress, trainings for Infinite Campus and how to work with educators. When possible, Title I
meetings will be held with or in proximity of our Parent Faculty meetings and or school events to increase the number of
parents in attendance. Every effort will be made to increase communication with parents to ensure that students are treated
fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success. School Parent Accords will be attached to the
spring registration forms and upon registering a new student. Dilworth will provide notes, thank you letters, classroom and
school wide flyers, phone calls, meetings, conferences, school website, and home visits whenever possible. In an effort to
honor and respect our limited or non-English speaking families, translations of written materials and interpreters for meetings
and conferences will be made available.
Dilworth STEM Academy encourages our families to be advocates for the students that attend Dilworth STEM Academy and
those within our community. Families, school staff, and our community are equal partners in the decisions that affect our
children. Teachers and staff will reach out to communicate and work with parents. Parents will be active participants in the
school improvement planning and evaluation processes and in the parent involvement plan. Together we will inform, em-
power, and create policies, practices, and programs that will better our students’ future.
Dilworth recognizes that family involvement at school is a key component of the overall school goals and mission. We have
confidence that together our families, staff and community will engage in regular, two-way, meaningful communication about
student learning. The principals commit to leading the staff and providing professional development in their efforts to in-
volve parents in the education of their children and in the life of the school and other such reasonable support as possible.
L A E XP ERI E NC IA Di lw o rt h
Poliza de Involucramiento de Padres
2014~ 2015

Nuestra meta mayor en la Academia Dilworth STEM y el programa de Titulo I es promover y apoyar el involucramiento
de padres en la educacion de sus hijos. Se anima a las familias a que participen activamente en la vida de sus hijos y en el
proceso educativo. Haremos todos los esfuerzos para que los padres se sientan bienvenidos, y valorados como parte
del aprendizaje que se hace en clase. La informacion academica concerniente del estado y los estandares, dirigidos al
nivel o blanco, examenes alternativos, y el curriculum sera compartidos con los padres, asi como toda la informacion en
el uso de la tecnología incluyendo el Portal para Padres.

Se invitara y animara a que los padres atiendan la junta Annual de Titulo I que se llevara a cabo durante nuesta Casa Ab-
ierta al comienzo del año escolar. Esta invitacion se ofrecera por medio del envoi de cartas a casa. Adicionalmente , el
personal de Titulo I hara llamadas a los padres, cuidado de niños y transportacion sera proveido cuando aplique. La jun-
ta anual se enfocara en los tipos y clases de servicio ofrecidos a través del programa de Titulo I como la transicion a la
Preparatoria, Academias de Firma, programas de calidad despues de la escuela Team Up, SES y otros programas y ser-
vicios. Se proverá con tiempo para preguntas y respuestas.

Durante el año escolar,se incluirán juntas adicionales y un representante de TItulo I, el Involucrador de Padres de Famil-
ia (PIF) estara disponible para proporcionarle informacion adicional a los padres. Temas par alas juntas seran de sug-
erencias hechas por los padres informales y por la encuesta anual de padres. se ofreceran sugerencias para que los pa-
dres monitoren el progreso de sus hijos, entrenamiento para el Portal para Padres y como trabajar con los educadores.
Cuando sea posible, juntas de Titulo I se desarrollaran en o en la proximidad de las juntas de Padres con el Personal
en o en la escuela para incrementar la asistencia de los padres.

Se hara cada esfuerzo para incrementar la comunicacion con los padres para asegurarse que los estudiantes sean trata-
dos justamente y tengan acceso a las oportunidades de aprendizaje que apoyaran su exito. El Accord para Padres se
anexara a la matricula de primavera, y durante todo el año escolar al registrarse. Dilworth proveera notas, cartas de
agradecimiento, bolantes del salon y de la escuela, llamadas de telefono, juntas conferencias, pagina escolar, y visitas a
casa cuando sea possible.

En un esfuerzo en honor y respeto a las familias que no hablan Ingles, traducciones, materiales escritos e interpretes
para juntas y conferencias seran proveidos.

La Academia Dilworth STEM anima a nuestras familias a infundir que los estudiantes atiendan la Academia Dilworth
STEM. Familias, personal escolar, y nuestra comunidad son compañeros iguales en la desiciones que afectan nuestros
niños. Maestros y personal se comunicarann y trabajaran con padres. Padres participaran activamente en planear la
mejorar el plan escolar evaluando el proceso y La Poliza de Involucramiento Familiar. Juntos informaremos, facul-
taremos, y crearemos polizas, practicas y programas que hagan un mejor futuro para los estudiantes.

Dilworth reconoce que el involucramiento familiar en la escuela es la llave clave en general para las metas y misiones.
Tenemos confianza que junto a nuestras familias, personal y comunidad no envolveremos en dos caminos regulares
significativos en el aprendizaje del estudiante. Los cometidos principales apuntan al personal con desarrollo profession-
al en sus esfuerzos para involucrar a los padres en la educacion de sus hijos en la vida de la escuela y otros apoyos ra-
zonables posibles.