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Dumbarton Middle School
Susan Harris, Principal
May/June 2021
Dear Families,
It is May 14, 2021 and we are about a month away from ending this school year. My sincere appreciation to you
for your patience, understanding and heroic efforts in supporting your children through challenges that none of
us expected. I truly believe the resilience they have demonstrated will serve as a strong foundation for how they
will be able to persevere in the future. This is our final newsletter for this year. I want to thank you for taking
the time to read these each month. As we progress through the rest of the school year, I will provide you with
updates as information changes and/or becomes available. Below is an update on our in-person enrollment. We
are now at capacity due to BCPS distancing requirements. We have 847 students attending on site for in-person
learning. We are using the entire gymnasium and the entire cafeteria to accommodate all the students who need
to eat lunch in a setting where six feet of distance is maintained. I am grateful to our students and staff for being
so helpful and cooperative throughout this process.
Dumbarton Enrollment Data as of Monday, May 17, 2021
Total Students
Enrolled
At School for 2 or 4 days
Cohorts A, B & D
Virtual Every Day
Cohort C
Grade 6 358 273 85
Grade 7 382 283 99
Grade 8 417 291 126
Total 1157 847 310
Devices/Chromebooks
If your child still has an HP instead of a Chromebook, it should be swapped out prior to the end of the school
year. The HP devices are leased and need to be returned to the vendor. We are required to return the devices
with their chargers. Currently, my understanding is that students will keep their devices over the summer
including our eighth graders who are attending a BCPS school next year. Any student who is not attending a
BCPS school next year will be asked to return their device before the last day of school.
Eighth Grade Information
An electronic Virtual Farewell announcement was emailed home last week. Further details will be forthcoming.
As a reminder, BCPS requires that parents of 5th and 8th grade verify residency prior to the end of the school
year. If you have questions, please call our school, and speak to Ms. Billington.
Thank you!
I wanted to thank all of you who donated to the PTSA sponsored Staff Appreciation Week which took place earlier this month. We value our PTSA and are grateful to Sara Ware, our new PTSA President, for her leadership. What a year it has been! Sincerely,
Susan Harris
Principal
Dumbarton teachers and staff had a phenomenal Teacher Appreciation Week, thanks to Sara Waire and
the entire PTSA and Dumbarton community. Staff received coffee, tea and lemon treats from Atwater’s
on Monday, a scrumptious lunch from Amicci’s on Thursday and breakfast snacks on Friday. Everyone
raved about how delicious the food tasted. It truly brought smiles to many faces. What made the week
extra special was walking into school each morning, surrounded by colorful yard signs, handmade by
students and parents, with positive messages. This was so touching! Thank you!
Welcome to the final stretch of the school year! In a year like no other, our teachers and staff have gone
above and beyond to support our children’s well-being and success, both in and outside of the classroom.
Through the generous contributions from our DMS families and community, we were able to express our
gratitude with student made signs, breakfast, and lunch provided throughout Teacher Appreciation Week.
As a PTSA, our goal is to support and strengthen Dumbarton Middle School and to ensure each student has
the opportunity to reach their full potential. The DMS PTSA Mission is three-fold: To be a powerful voice
for all DMS students, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for the
education and well-being of every DMS student.
Although many of our beloved programs and events have had to be put on hold, we remain committed to
planning and preparing initiatives to enrich our students’ experiences.
Please reach out if you would like more information on how you can help. If you haven’t already, we’d love
to connect.
• Stay in touch via our FB Page - Dumbarton Middle School PTSA
• Connect with us over Instagram-@dmsptsa
• http://www.dmsptsa.org
Sara Buth Waire
PTSA President
…Students cited as catalyst for
posthumous pardons of 34 Maryland
lynching victims
Towson, MD – When Governor Larry Hogan last Saturday announced
posthumous pardons for 34 lynching victims in Maryland, he credited teacher Michelle St. Pierre’s students from
Loch Raven Technical Academy for inspiring his action. For more than a year, students at Dumbarton Middle
School (Mr. DePrima’s students), Loch Raven Technical Academy, and Towson High School have been studying the
lynching of 15-year-old Howard Cooper in Towson in 1885. (A 15-minute video about the lynching is available
online.) Some students drafted possible language for a planned memorial marker for the site. A petition to have
Cooper’s conviction overturned was one of the projects that came out of Loch Raven Technical Academy law and
finance magnet students working with the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project. The initial request for a
posthumous pardon was sent from the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project to the governor based on student
ideas. Then a digital petition was created by students to collect signatures. On May 8, a historical marker
identifying the site of Cooper’s lynching was unveiled, and, at the unveiling, the governor made his pardon
announcement – which made both national and international news. The story was covered by NPR, CBS, NBC, CNN,
Rolling Stone, Politico, The Washington Post, New York Post, and by outlets as far away as Australia."I was so
inspired by that group of young middle school students, because we have no greater responsibility as leaders in a
democracy than preserving for future generations the importance of clearly differentiating the difference between
right and wrong, and the power of speaking out in the face of injustice," Hogan said.“…(I)n the interest of equal
justice under law, I have made the decision to grant a posthumous pardon today for Howard Cooper,” Hogan
continued. “And studying this case led me to dig deeper… Today I am also granting pardons to all the 34 victims of
racial lynching in the state of Maryland which occurred between 1854 and 1933.”According to the governor’s
office, these pardons are the first of their kind in the nation by a governor. The Cooper memorial was developed by
the Baltimore County Coalition of the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project in partnership with the national Equal
Justice Initiative and Baltimore County government. =====================================================================================================
STUDENTS FROM 13 MARYLAND COUNTIES AND BALTIMORE CITY WIN AWARDS AT MARYLAND HISTORY DAY
More than 300 middle and high school students submitted projects online to present their extensive historical research at the 2021 Maryland History Day competition. The competition, usually held in person, is the culmination of a year-long program from Maryland Humanities. Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, Maryland Humanities once again administered the contest in a digital format this year, with project evaluation across five categories taking place over several weeks. Last year, more than 33,000 Maryland students participated at the school level. Special Prize Winner: Student: Lila Kassouf Award: Award for Excellence in Legal & Constitutional History, sponsored by Cynthia Raposo and Joseph Furey Topic: How Frederick Douglass Viewed the Constitution School: Dumbarton Middle School
The Baltimore Museum of Art is sponsoring the 32nd
annual Baltimore County "Art is for Everyone!" exhibit. In
addition, Best of Show and Spotlighted artworks will appear
on billboards around the Baltimore metro area in May and
June. We are honored to bring you this incredible
systemwide collection of artworks created by BCPS K-12
students over this past year. And what a year it has been;
students have been making art at home, at school, and
everywhere! So, not only is Art For Everyone, Art Is
Everywhere! We are tremendously proud of our young artists
and their teachers. Spotlighted works will be displayed on
billboards around Baltimore County in late May or June. The
billboard locations have yet to be announced.
• “Playing Cards” by Greer McIntosh, Grade 6, Dumbarton Middle School, teacher: Evan Krantz
Location of Billboard ---Timonium Rd. north side, 200 ft., west of York Rd, facing west
19 (W) Interim Grades – parents and students can view online – set up conferences as needed
31 (M) Memorial Day – Schools and Offices Closed
1 (T) Cohort A at school: periods 1, 2, 3, 4/5 or 5/6 with A day specials
2 (W) Cohort A at school: periods 1, 6/7 or 7/8, 9, 10 with A day specials
3 (Th) Cohort B at school: periods 1, 2, 3, 4/5 or 5/6 with B day specials
4 (F) Cohort B at school: periods 1, 6/7 or 7/8, 9, 10 with B day specials 8th Grade Residency Reverification Deadline is today
7-11 Final week for Dumbarton Clubs/Teams to meet
16 (W) 8th Grade Virtual Farewell via Google Meet at 7 pm (more information to come)
17 (Th) 8th Grade Drive-Thru Parade/Celebration from 4:30-6:30 pm (more information to come)
21 (M) Assessment Day *** Middle Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Students
22 (T) Assessment Day *** Last Day – Middle Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Students
Ms. Ninos, Math Department Chair, will also be providing parents with information on Math course progressions through middle and high school.
Special Education
Please remember to reach out to your child’s case manager should you have any questions or concerns. We
are here to support you and your child through virtual learning. Special Education Case Managers are listed
below:
Kaitlin Feeney [email protected]
Andrew Lovett [email protected]
Brianna Markowitz [email protected]
Martha McCormick-Wright [email protected]
Amanda Shearer [email protected]
Pam VanderVeen [email protected]
Ryan Zuckerman [email protected]
If you have any questions regarding special education, please e-mail Rachel Magill, IEP Chair and Special
Education Department Chair at [email protected].
To view the breakfast/lunch menu, please use Nutrislice on the BCPS website.
To access menus:
Go to the www.bcps.org website.
Scroll down. Under the blue bar that says ‘Highlights’ is listed Food and Nutrition Services.
Click on that.
On the left-hand side of that page scroll down to ‘Breakfast and Lunch Menus’.
Click on that.
Then click on ‘Monthly Interactive Menus – Nutrislice’.
Pick your school.
Click on ‘In School Meals’.
If you click on any food, the picture of that food, the nutritional content and the
allergens associated with that food will appear.
8th Grade Level Coordinator, Ms. Donoho
Well, here we are. It’s almost time to say, farewell. But what it’s truly time to say, is “You can do it! Hang in
there and give it all you have until our final days together.” It has been a fun, interesting, frustrating,
challenging and rewarding school year. I believe we must give credit to students and parents who continued to
persevere throughout the school year, striving to break through barriers and to survive and thrive in this online
and hybrid learning environment. We recently offered a Schoology parent night and parents and teachers had
numerous discussions and learned from each other. Remember, you may still work with your children and book
time together to discuss assignments and grades in Schoology by using the student username and passwords.
You still have access to all the information you would access using your parent account. Let’s stay strong and
focused together on continuing the support we have given the children this year. They need us now to motivate
them as much as they did in the beginning of the school year. We can do this.
In closing, and on behalf of the amazing 8th grade team of teachers at Dumbarton Middle School, thank you for
your partnership this year. We are grateful for you and for the opportunity to teach your children throughout
this remarkable and unparalleled school year. Best wishes to you and your families.
Lisa Donoho, GLC 8th Grade
8th Grade Assistant Principal, Ms. Scott
As we come to the end of what has been a most challenging year for all of us, the 8th grade team would like
to extend our sincere thanks to our students and parents who have gracefully navigated the many changes that
have come our way, a pandemic, virtual school, a ransomware attack, and the return to school for
some students. We appreciate your flexibility, perseverance, and support. We look forward to having you join
us for our Virtual Farewell on 6/16 at 7:00 p.m. and Drive-Through Parade on June 17th from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Cheryl Scott
Assistant Principal, Grade 8
8th Grade School Counseling Update
REMINDER: Confirm Residency
Baltimore County Public Schools’ policy requires that all students transitioning
from Grade 8 to Grade 9 verify residency prior to the start of the school year.
Students enrolled as homeless, shared domicile, or students in state-supervised care
verify residency annually and are exempt from this process. Verification of
residency requires at least five (5) documents from the parent/guardian, including
photo identification, one of the following documents providing proof of domicile:
signed deed or lease, title, mortgage coupon book, real estate tax bill or receipt, and three pieces of business
mail or documentation (from 3 sources) dated within sixty (60) days of the date submitted. All documents must
reflect the same address.
To comply with the re-establishment of your residency, you will need to provide the documents to Dumbarton
Middle School no later than Friday, June 4th, 2021. Failure to do so by this date may interfere with your
student receiving their 9th grade schedule confirmation. Please email your documents to Amy Billington,
Counseling/Records Secretary, at [email protected]. Please contact Ms. Billington at 443-809-5654 if you
have any questions.
Farewell to Our 8th Grade Students
The 2020-2021 school year is quickly coming to an end! This year has been full of many challenges, but most
of all successes and wonderful achievements made by our 8th graders! Congratulations on the completion of
your middle school career! Over the past three years, it has been a pleasure to work with you and your families.
I have watched your children grow into safe, responsible and respectful young ladies and gentlemen. They have
risen to the occasion and not only accomplished this task but have done it with remarkable success. Their hard
work and dedication have paid off and now you can sit back and reap the rewards. I cannot express how proud I
am of every single one of my students! Remember that my door at DMS is always open to our graduating
students. Please keep in touch! I wish you and your families continued success as you transition to high school.
As you embark on the summer months ahead, I wish you a safe, relaxing, fun filled summer!
Priscilla Robinson, M.Ed., NCC, LCPC
8th Grade School Counselor
ELA 8 Students of ELA8 are reading and analyzing a variety of media, including poetry, short stories, plays, personal
memoirs, infographics, and videos. Students will analyze concepts shared through those mediums to evaluate
the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to present a particular topic. They will write
informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the
selection, organization, and analysis of related ideas. Students of GT ELA8 are exploring how common
characters, plots, and themes in storytelling have weaved their way throughout history and have inspired authors
old and new. Students will read examples of myths, folktales, plays, and short stories to analyze literary
archetypes. Additionally, students will critically examine literature through lenses such as feminism,
psychology, philosophy, and sociology.
World Language
In 8th Grade French and Spanish classes, students just completed the third unit of this year, where they were
learning how to express their opinion about different forms of art. They have now begun working on the last
unit of the year, El Mundo de los libros / Le Monde des Livres (the world of books), where they will read,
comment, and give recommendations about Spanish and French children's books.
History
To finish the year, students will be learning about the Civil War and Reconstruction. We will examine events
and the stories behind them so students can understand the impact they had for generations to come. Students
will also be working on their Project Soapbox speeches that provide an opportunity for students to investigate
an issue they care about as well as speak out about it.
Science 8 Currently, the 8th grade science team is concluding its study of genetics and natural selection and moving into
how humans use genetics to enhance agriculture. These topics include genetic modification, diseases in crops,
and artificial selection. In the next unit, Overstepping Our Resources, students will have the opportunity to
evaluate how the human population uses various types of resources and develop a plan to improve their local
environment. This year also presents a unique opportunity to study the Brood X cicada emergence to
understand their life cycle and how they are impacted by natural selection.
Math Students in Math 8 are wrapping up their year-long study of algebraic topics! They have worked for the past 8
months on studying linear equations which is the foundation for success in Algebra 1. We know they will do
great!! Now that algebra studies are over, we will finish the year strong by studying geometry topics, starting
with transformations (rotations, reflections, and translations).
Algebra 1 students are knee-deep in their intensive study of quadratic equations. They will analyze the graphs of
these equations as well as learn several strategies for solutions to quadratic equations. Study of quadratic
equations is foundational for further mathematics class, such as Algebra 2. We realize this is a very deep unit –
please reach out to your child’s teacher and make use of Wednesday coach class for their assistance.
Students in Geometry are finishing up their unit on similarity and trigonometry. They finally know what sine,
cosine, and tangent mean – you should ask them! We will finish the year by investigating relationships in
circles as well as spatial reasoning, perimeter, and area. We are proud of the work they have put in this year,
especially with all of the vocabulary and theorems they have learned and applied to writing proofs!
Physical Education/Health During the 4th quarter students will participate in a backyard games unit. This unit will focus on games that can
be played at home. Students can look forward to playing spike ball, cornhole, bocce ball, table tennis, and kan
jam. Please remember to wear appropriate shoes and clothing as we will continue to go outside as much as
possible.
College and Career Readiness 8th graders are working on Focused Note Taking Skills by identifying informational words when taking notes;
processing notes by categorizing the information words and will soon be connecting thinking, summarizing,
reflecting, and applying their notes for other classes. Students will apply Costa’s Levels of Thinking and
Questioning during the focused note taking process as well. Students continue to expand their vocabulary
relating to college by using the Vocab.com software program.
Art The 4th marking period unit in Art is focused on narrative and time. The theme is story telling from a
variety of perspectives and life experiences. Students will investigate where artists draw inspiration for their
work and they will explore the elements of character, setting and action to create their own
personal narratives. Visually and artistically, they will consider color, composition, placement, and perspective
and learn to convey mood as they hone their storytelling skills.
Tech Ed 8th graders worked to complete the Keyboarding Unit of study. The intended purpose of this unit is to
encourage the use of proper posture and correct typing techniques (the use of 10 fingers, rather than simply one
or two). Learning to type correctly and efficiently is a lifelong skill with many advantages. As with all other
things related to the year, this was certainly a unique experience with online learning. Upon the completion of
the Keyboarding Unit, we have begun a small study of Excel. Students will become familiar with basic Excel
vocabulary, functions of Excel to store, organize, analyze, and present data, and learn to write basic formulas
and apply formatting tools to enhance the presentation of data. To close out the year, students will have the
opportunity to engage with a small Coding Unit of study.
Each month Dumbarton faculty and staff have the opportunity to recognize students who demonstrate our
school’s PRIDE values. April’s focus was intellectual growth: advancement in a student’s ability to think and
reason. While all of our students continue to develop in this area, we would like to congratulate the following
students in 8th grade who have made significant advances in their intellectual growth during the month of April.
Intellectual Growth: Advancement in a student’s ability to think
and reason. Darlin A-P. Eliza A. Polly B. Shantie B. Milo D.
Martha H. Xavior H. Zuhair J. Riley L. Asher M.
Anthony R-G. Meghan S. Mimi S. Cornelius W. Isabelle T-Z.
8th Grade Contact Information
Priscilla Robinson, Counselor [email protected]
Lisa Donoho, Grade Level Coordinator [email protected]
Cheryl Scott, Assistant Principal for 8th Grade [email protected]
7th Grade Level Coordinator, Ms. Zinkham
To our 7th Grade Families,
We are nearing the close of a year we will all remember. The 7th grade team is proud of all of our students for
the many ways that they have persevered through online learning, including many changes and transitions.
Students have shown up in person and virtually ready to learn, with empathy and curiosity to carry all of us
forward. As we near the end of the year, I hope that you and your family take the time to reflect on the many
ways our students have grown this year through the challenges they have faced, both in learning about the world
and about themselves.
There is still much to learn in the next couple of months, and teachers look forward to engaging students in
classes through our final quarter. Encourage your child to continue to attend Wednesday coach classes and
message teachers when they need support. We are beginning to plan for the end of year celebration, which will
be virtual this year to equitably include all students. Please consider sending in a photo or video of students
from this year to include in our end of year video for the 6th and 7th grade classes.
You can submit your photo using the form here: https://forms.gle/srvBSqHixDQre4g2A
Students now have access to the FOCUS site to view their cohort, grades, schedule and course selections for
next year. The site for login is: https://baltimore.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/ Please use this site to see
grades. Should you have questions or wish to schedule a conference, please reach out.
-Natalie Zinkham, 7th Grade Coordinator
7th Grade Assistant Principal, Mr. Wilde
I have only recently joined the DMS team and will be working with the 7th graders until the end of the year.
What a great bunch of students!!! I look forward to working with my 7th graders and their families. I am
originally from the Boston area and I earned a BA in English Literature and an MLA (Master of Liberal Arts)
both from The Johns Hopkins University here in Baltimore. I have worked with BCPS as a teacher, department
chairman, and assistant principal since the fall of 1984. I look forward to many more years with the county. I
look forward to spending the remainder of the year here with the great students, families, and staff of DMS.
R. Christopher Wilde Assistant Principal, Grade 7
7th Grade School Counseling Program
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, we join the
national movement to raise awareness about mental health. This includes advocating to support people with
mental illness and their families. Please remember, your child’s mental health is just as important as their
physical health! If your child is struggling with how they think, feel, or act, please reach out to me so I can
schedule an appointment to check in! This school year has taught us many things about the world around us and
given us a chance to pause and to tap into reservoirs of empathy and self-care to continue to provide a
challenging, supportive learning environment. As you begin your summer, take some time to reflect on what
you have learned. I look forward to reconnecting with you all in the Fall.
Connecting with Dr. Martin Virtually
Please be sure that your child has joined the DMS 7th Grade School Counseling Group. Schoology Group
Code: JWTCV-M75PR
7th grade students can request an appointment to meet with me using this link.
I can also be reached at [email protected].
Algebra and Pre-Algebra Seventh grade students in Pre-Algebra are just starting their unit 4 – Statistics. They will be looking at box
plots, statistical measures, population samples and probability in this unit. Students enjoy the “real world”
application of statistics and may even ask your opinion on survey questions. Seventh grade students in Algebra
1 are knee-deep in their intensive study of quadratic equations. They have analyzed the graphs of equations and
are learning strategies for solutions to quadratic equations, including our favorite – factoring!! Study of
quadratic equations is foundational for further mathematics class, such as Algebra 2. We realize this is a very
deep unit – please reach out to your child’s teacher and make use of Wednesday coach class for their assistance.
English Language Arts We are finishing up the year with our fourth and final unit of study in both Academic and Advanced Academic
English Language Arts. Students in Academic ELA are participating in a unit titled Examining Our Consumer
Culture. We are reading a variety of articles that explore the effects of how we choose to spend our money and
we are examining how authors present their arguments on topics related to consumerism. The students will use
the information and knowledge they gain from the various texts to write an argument in which they will state
and support a claim about whether or not material possessions contribute to a person’s happiness. Students in
Advanced Academics ELA are participating in a unit titled Finding Your Voice: Exploring Perspective and
Social Activism. Through the analysis of a variety of arguments that represent multiple viewpoints on a variety
of topics related to social activism, the students are evaluating what makes an argument powerful. They are
crafting their own approaches to argument and social activism through writer’s workshops. We are proud of
how hard the students have worked throughout this challenging year.
Social Studies World history is ending the year with a study of the Pre-Columbian cultures of North America, Mesoamerica,
and South America. We will complete a dbq examining the achievements of the Maya and then analyze the
achievements of the Aztec and Inca as well. We will also have the opportunity to learn more about specific
North American cultures such as the Iroquois and Cherokee.
Science The 7th grade Science Unit has just begun the Unit entitled: Awaken the Force. Students will be answering the
question: How can forces be manipulated to change the behavior of objects? In this unit, students learn that non-
contact forces including magnetism, static electricity and gravity can exert forces on other objects event though
they don't touch. They will apply what they learn in the culminating event which will end with students
creating their own superhero using non-contact forces to protect their community against enemies.
Health and Physical Education During the 4th quarter students will participate in a backyard games unit that can be played at home. will be
playing spike ball, cornhole, bocce ball, table tennis, and kan jam. Cohort A and B students, please remember
to wear appropriate shoes and clothing as class will continue outside as much as possible.
Visual Arts The 4th marking period unit in Art is focused on narrative and time. The theme is story telling from a
variety of perspectives and life experiences. Students will investigate where artists draw inspiration for their
work and they will explore the elements of character, setting and action to create their own narratives. Visually
and artistically, they will consider color, composition, placement, and perspective and learn to convey mood.
FACS
Students in FACS 7 have been learning about Financial Literacy-credit and debit, currency exchange rates,
currency from around the world, and banking. The next units of study will focus on food and nutrition.
World Languages ESOL: 7th graders are learning how to become virtual influencers. They have been
researching whether or not social media is healthy or unhealthy, dangerous or safe,
beneficial or a waste of time. They will take positions on this controversial issue and
gather data to support their arguments. By the end of the quarter, they will publish their
research findings through mock websites (the best of which will be distributed to school
and staff in order to widen our knowledge of social media usage among teenagers). This project will require
students to read and write in multiple genres and study multiple writing skills. We look forward to seeing what
the ESOL 7th graders produce.
Spanish: Students will discuss their daily routines and compare them with those of students in Spanish-
speaking countries. Students will compare the ideal routines with their actual routines. Big Idea: Our routines
reflect our culture and beliefs systems.
Latin: Unit 4 – # Ubi Legenda Fiunt Theme 1: Theme 1: Legends—Classical Themes. Students will: identify
why people read Legends, identify morals expressed in a legend, identify the different personalities of each
animal used in a legend, express and justify my opinion about a legend and recommend it to others, ask and
answer questions about legends.
French: In this unit, students will learn how to describe their clothing and style and explain how these reflect
their personality and interests. Big Idea: Clothing choices reflect culture, geography, and personals interests.
College and Career Readiness 7th graders are working on Focused Note Taking Skills by identifying informational words when taking notes;
processing notes by categorizing the information words and will soon be connecting thinking, summarizing and
reflecting and applying their notes for other classes. Students will apply Costa’s Levels of Thinking and
Questioning during the focused note taking process as well. Students continue to expand their vocabulary
relating to college by using the Vocab.com software program.
Each month Dumbarton faculty and staff have the opportunity to recognize students who demonstrate our
school’s PRIDE values. April’s focus was intellectual growth: advancement in a student’s ability to think and
reason. While all of our students continue to develop in this area, we would like to congratulate the following
students in 7th grade who have made significant advances in their intellectual growth during the month of April.
Intellectual Growth: Advancement in a student’s ability to think and reason. Azan B. Finnegan C. Hazel D. Eve F. Dessa H.
Claudia H-M. Tucker J. Anisa K. Muhammed K. Aayusha N.
Ra’Shad N. Safora N. Sunaina O. Yancy P. Addison S.
Joseph S. Chloe S. James S. Caroline V. Sabrina W.
7th Grade Contact Information Dr. Taisha Martin, Counselor & Counseling Chair, [email protected]
Natalie Zinkham, Grade Level Coordinator, [email protected]
Roger (Chris) Wilde, Assistant Principal for 7th Grade [email protected]
6th Grade Level Coordinator, Ms. Elliott Spring is in the air and we are well into the fourth and final quarter of the 2020-2021 school year. What a
historic year it has been with weathering not only virtual learning but the transition to hybrid learning as well. I
would like to commend all of our 6th grade students on their patience, flexibility, and positivity through the
most recent transition to hybrid learning. Our 6th graders in Cohorts A and B have adjusted so quickly to the
new normal in the building and our 6th graders in Cohort C have quickly adapted to the new normal online.
What other 6th graders in history can say their middle school experience started quite like this first year of
middle school your children have had! I hope that as the year winds down in the next few weeks, you and your
children take time to reflect on their many accomplishments this year and the many ways each has experienced
personal growth. As the 6th grade team plans end of year activities for all our students, we too want to celebrate
these accomplishments. Although we are in the home stretch, there are still skills to learn and objectives to
master, so please help your children maintain their work ethic over the next few weeks. As always, please
continue to reach out to your child’s teachers with any questions or concerns to ensure a successful conclusion
to the school year.
Thanks,
Stacie Elliott and the 6th Grade Team
6th Grade Assistant Principal, Mrs. Stathopoulos The countdown is on as we wind down the school year and gear up for summer vacation! This year has been
like no other and will be remembered as one that required us to have a growth mindset by adapting and finding
new ways to teach, learn, and communicate. I encourage my students to finish this school year strong by
focusing on and making progress on the goals they set for fourth quarter. As we break for summer and get
much needed rest and relaxation, I urge my students to continue to think creatively, read for pleasure, and enjoy
being with friends and family. I am honored and privileged to be your administrator and I look forward to next
year as we journey through middle school together.
With gratitude,
Stacy Stathopoulos
From the 6th Grade Counselor, Mrs. Murphy As summer approaches and our students have more free time, parents will benefit from setting ground rules
for social media usage. Our kids spend a lot of time socializing digitally. Let them know that you are ready to
listen if problems arise. Here are some tips from Common Sense Media (2021).
What are the basic social media rules for middle schoolers? The reality is that most kids start developing online relationships around the age of 8, usually through virtual worlds
such as Club Penguin. By age 10, they've progressed to multiplayer games and sharing their digital creations and
homemade videos on sites such as YouTube. By age 13, millions of kids have created accounts on social-networking sites
such as Facebook. Here are the essential safety and responsibility guidelines for middle schoolers:
• Follow the rules. Many social sites have an age minimum of 13 for both legal and safety/privacy reasons.
Encourage kids to stick with age-appropriate sites.
• Tell your kids to think before they post. Remind them that everything can be seen by a vast, invisible audience
(otherwise known as friends-of-friends-of-friends). Each family will have different rules, but, for middle school
kids, it is a good idea for parents to have access to what their kids are doing online, at least at first, to be sure that
what is being posted is appropriate. Parents can help keep kids from doing something they will regret later.
• Make sure kids set their privacy settings. Privacy settings aren't foolproof, but they can be helpful. Take the
time to learn about default settings and how to change privacy settings on your kids' favorite sites and teach your
kids how to control their privacy.
• Kindness counts. Lots of sites have anonymous applications such as "bathroom walls" or "honesty boxes" that
allow users to tell their friends what they think of them. Rule of thumb: If your kids would not say it to someone's
face, they should not post it.
Connecting with Mrs. Murphy Virtually
Students can request an appointment to meet with Mrs. Murphy by using this form OR by sending a Schoology
message to Erin Murphy @ Dumbarton Middle.
Please be sure that your child has joined the DMS 6th Grade Counseling Group. Schoology Group Code:
2W9G-7CR8-S7TDS
Erin Murphy, 6th Grade Counselor
World History 6 6th Grade World History just finished up Unit 3 and is moving forward with Unit 4. In Unit 4 students will
cover Ancient China and Ancient Rome. Students will look at the economics, government, and religions of
each civilization, as well as the fall of each civilization.
Language Arts 6 In ELA, all students have begun their fourth and final unit of study. In Academic Unit 4: Making Decisions that
Make a Difference, students will read a variety of informational texts to learn information about making good
decisions in various aspects of life. They will also examine life choices made my two different authors to
understand the impact of these choices and also to determine what they can learn from the decisions made by
others. As part of their studies, students will identify and explain author’s purpose and point of view reflected
in an author’s writing. They will also trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text and
distinguish claims that are well supported with strong evidence as opposed to those claims that are not. Finally,
they will compare and contrast the events of an author’s life as they are presented through different genres and
mediums. In GT Unit 4: Choose Your Own Identity, students will explore a variety of first-person accounts that
illustrate voice and point of view regarding life choices. As they analyze TED Talks, personal essays and
narratives, speeches, and editorials, students will evaluate arguments and apply the philosophical and
biographical approaches to literary criticism. The unit culminates with a PBA in which students analyze the
point of view and evaluate the argument of a TED Talk, and then compose their own. In their TED Talk,
students will argue how a particular life experience shaped their point of view and/or choices.
Physical Education 6 During the 4th quarter students will participate in a backyard games unit. This unit will focus on games that can
be played at home. Students can look forward to playing spike ball, cornhole, bocce ball, table tennis, and kan
jam. Cohort A and B students, please remember to wear appropriate shoes and clothing as class will continue
outside as much as possible.
Math 6 Spring has sprung and feels great. It has been fantastic to have the students return in the hybrid model. The
math curriculum plunges forward. Currently, entering the final quarter, Math 6 completed the Unit 4
Assessment. This unit covered the topics of equivalent expressions. Exponents, order of operations, and
working with expressions were the highlights. Moving forward, Unit 5 will stress equations and
inequalities. In Advanced Mathematics, students have neared the completion of chapter 8, which is the basis
of algebraic thinking. This unit emphasized the use of negative numbers, using one step equations to solve
percent problems, and two step equations, including combining like terms and the distributive property. As
students continue, they will further their pursuit of algebraic topics in chapter 9.
World Language 6 Spanish and French students are learning to discuss their weekend activities, daily routines and plans for the
summer. Latin students are describing their daily activities in order to prepare themselves to read Aesop's
Fables in Latin and eventually compose their own fables for assessment.
Science 6 Students are finishing up the Astronomy Unit. The new unit will be starting soon called Earth Systems. It was
a perfect transition to acknowledge Earth Day on April 22 where students had an opportunity to play Earth Day
Bingo in the hybrid setting. Earth Systems will challenge student to learn all about Earth processes and the
result of energy flowing and matter cycling within it. Earth changes addressed within this unit include the rock
cycle, plate tectonics, geologic events, and continental drift. Throughout the unit, students will investigate in
order to support or refute whether or not a volcano or earthquake could occur in Maryland.
ESOL Level 2 ESOL students have started their final unit: journalism. They are reading current event articles in an
effort to expand level 2 vocabulary, as well as examine examples of current event articles. Ultimately, students
will begin writing their own current event articles and will compile them to publish a classroom newspaper.
Art 6 The 4th marking period unit in Art is focused on narrative and time. The theme is story telling from a
variety of perspectives and life experiences. Students will investigate where artists draw inspiration for their
work and they will explore the elements of character, setting and action to create their own
personal narratives. Visually and artistically, they will consider color, composition, placement, and perspective
and learn to convey mood as they hone their storytelling skills.
FACS 6 Students in FACS 6 have been learning about a variety of subjects related to Family and Consumer Sciences.
Currently, students have been learning about interior design and have created their own floor plans.
Business Consumer Science 6 6th graders finished a unit on Microsoft Excel and are now learning more about the Microsoft PowerPoint
interface. They will expand their knowledge of the nuances of PowerPoint including shortcut keys, adding
hyperlinks, action buttons as well as how to make more appealing presentations. In addition, students continue
to improve keyboarding skills by using the Edutyping software program.
Each month Dumbarton faculty and staff have the opportunity to recognize students who demonstrate our
school’s PRIDE values. April’s focus was intellectual growth: advancement in a student’s ability to think and
reason. While all of our students continue to develop in this area, we would like to congratulate the following
students in 6thgrade who have made significant advances in their intellectual growth during the month of April.
Intellectual Growth: Advancement in a student’s ability to think and reason. Annabel A. Josie B. Kamian C. Gwen D.
Jaxson D. Brenton E. Paul H. Calleigh K.
Rachel K. John L. Aria M. Sawyer P.
Ineza R-R. Valentina R. Audrey S. Gabby T.
Hannah W.
6th Grade Contact Information
Erin Murphy, Counselor [email protected]
Stacie Elliott, Grade Level Coordinator [email protected]
Stacy Stathopoulos, Assistant Principal for 6th grade [email protected]
From the Media Center Greetings, Dumbarton families! It has been wonderful to see some activity in the media center again. Although, we are not inviting full classes to the library to check out books, we are encouraging students to ask for a pass to browse the book collection when they have time. English Language Arts teachers have been especially open to encourage a trip to the media center. Students can also come by before and after school. There has been a real increase in the check-out of eBooks since the start of COVID. Students are welcome to go to https://baltimore.follettdestiny.com to see our DMS collection. Once signed in, they can check out any of the available eBooks. I have categorized them by genre for easy browsing. In-person attendees can use the Destiny catalog to scour our print resources, too. More electronic books and resources can be found using BCPS-licensed Tumble Books.
• Tumblebook Cloud Jr. is accessible using this link
http://www.tbcjr.com/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
Username: bcps2 Password: login
• Tumblebook Library
https://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f Username: bcps Password: tumble
Please return library books from last year! We had record-breaking check-out data when we closed for COVID. We are still waiting on many, many books to be returned. Even if your child has books from their elementary schools, I can easily get them there. Please return any library books to me at Dumbarton, and I’ll gladly check them in and return them where they belong. We want students to have access to our full collections. It’s always a great day in the Media Center! Susan Smith, [email protected]
A message from Green School
The Cicadas are coming! By this point I am sure you are aware of the Brood X emergence coming in the month of May. When the
ground temperatures warm to 64 degrees Fahrenheit the begin to emerge from the ground where they
have been developing for the last 17 years. When the cicadas emerge, they will make their way to the
trees and the males will begin to sing, in hopes of finding a mate. For more information check out the
Cicada Crew at UMD: https://cicadacrewumd.weebly.com/
Spring and Summer Planting It’s my favorite time of the year – Planting Season! To avoid frost damage, it is recommended to wait
until after Mother’s Day to plant your annuals. Herbs and vegetables can be started inside and then
transferred to the garden. Check out University Maryland Extension Planting Guide for more guidance
on when to plant your vegetable gardens. Happy planting.
Vegetable Planting Calendar for Central Maryland (English)
Vegetable Planting Calendar for Central Maryland (Spanish)
For Questions or Comments, [email protected]
Last week for DMS Clubs/Teams is June 7-11, 2021
Last week for DMS Clubs/Teams is June 7-11, 2021
Last week for DMS Clubs/Teams is June 7-11, 2021
Help is available!
Dumbarton School Counselors Call DMS at 443-809-3176 8th Grade – Priscilla Robinson [email protected]
7th Grade – Dr. Taisha Martin [email protected]
6th Grade – Erin Murphy [email protected]
Local Resources:
· Baltimore County DSS: 410-887-TIME
· Baltimore County Crisis Response: 410-931-2214
· Crisis text line: Text the word "HOME" to 741741 for free 24 hour support
· Maryland Food Bank: 410-737-8282
· 211 Maryland: 211, https://211md.org/
· Maryland Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1-800-422-0009
· National Suicide Prevention Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741
· National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
Sheppard Pratt's Urgent Walk-In clinic is available through virtual appointments.
https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-finder/virtual-crisis-walk-in-clinic/
