Littlefield Unified School District #9 News

How many cups are in a pint? How many inches in a yard? How many feet are in a mile? The third grade students at Beaver Dam Elementary have been learning about measurement. In order to help the students understand this concept better they were able to make gallon people out of construction paper. The measurements gallon, quart, pint, and cup were used to create their people. Third grade student Bobby Chacon commented, “Mine is like a brother to me because I made it, and now I know the size of a gallon, cups, pints, and quarts.” The third graders were ‘busily engaged in lively conversation, and enjoyed what they learned and created,’ said third grade teacher Mrs. Winkler. The gallon people activity was completed in one day by both third grade classes, but is still being used as a teaching tool.

The gallon people are now displayed in the Beaver Dam Elementary hallway and have been observed by other teachers who now have a desire to use the idea in their classes. “The idea was given to us by another school and we have now implemented it into our classes for the last couple of years,” said Mrs. Winkler. “We have learned that if the students are able to have more hands-on activities in their instruction their knowledge base increases dramatically.” So whenever you have a question of how many cups are in a pint or how many quarts in a gallon? Come and walk the halls of Beaver Dam Elementary and check out these fun gallon people conversion tools.

Wendy Dotson, a third grade teacher at Beaver Dam Elementary School, has been recognized as the November Employee of the Month for the Littlefield Unified School District. Mrs. Dotson is a wonderful choice due to her many contributions in educating the students in Beaver Dam. First, she is an excellent teacher. Mrs. Dotson has high expectations both behaviorally and academically for the third graders in her classroom. She sets the bar high for her students and her students feel motivated to reach their goals. Next, she is a “go getter” who brings a vivacious energy to the school. In fact, in addition to her wonderful work in her classroom, Mrs. Dotson has spent the first half of the school year as an administrative intern where she has written grants, supervised after school tutoring, supervised the students on the playground before school, and has filled in whenever and wherever she has been needed.

Mrs. Dotson was born in Cedar City, Utah and grew up in Parowan, Utah where she attended and graduated from Parowan High School. Mrs. Dotson is married to Paul Dotson, has 5 amazing children and 6 incredible grandchildren whom she adores.

Mrs. Dotson has dedicated a large portion of her life to educating children. In her own words, “I became a teacher because I love learning and helping others learn. I want to help others reach their individual personal potential. Having a good education lets people be in control of what happens in their lives and elevates the quality of life for everyone.” Dotson was a preschool teacher and ran her own preschool for 12 years before she went back to college and certified to teach in the public schools. Dotson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in education from Arizona State University. She has also earned a Master of Education degree from Southern Utah University and is currently working on an administrative endorsement from Southern Utah University.

Mrs. Dotson has been teaching at Beaver Dam Elementary for about 15 years. “I love the students in the Littlefield School District. Everyone matters here and we rely on each other in order to be successful.”

Mrs. Dotson has many goals for the future. Her first choice would be to stay where she is and be the best third grade teacher on earth. However she will soon be able to do whatever is necessary as a teacher, or an administrator, to make sure that students in the Littlefield School District receive the highest quality education possible.

Littlefield Unified School District wishes to thank and congratulate Mrs. Dotson for all of her work in inspiring the students at Beaver Dam Elementary.

Picture:
Mrs. Wendy Dotson

Three students from Beaver Dam Middle School were honored at the December 4th meeting of the Littlefield Unified School District Board as students of the month. Each month the teachers and staff at the school select one student from each grade who exemplifies a particular character trait, November’s trait was caring.

Lidia Hermosillo was selected to represent the 6th grade. One of her teachers said; “Lidia is a great student, I watch her work with other students and help them when ever she can.” Lidia’s parents are Agustin and Olga Hermosillo.

Joseph Sherman, the son of Harold Sherman and Pamela Leavitt, is the 7th Grade honoree. His PE teacher reports that; “Joe has a big heart and tries his hardest to get along with everyone. He shows concern for everyone in the class.”

The 8th Grade student of the month is Ana Gomez, the daughter of Joaquin and Lisa Gomez. Ana’s history teacher noted that; “Ana is a great friend to everyone around her. She works hard to help others to understand the material and I believe she truly cares about everyone.”

On Wednesday December 3rd the students in Mrs. Dotson and Mrs. Winkler’s classes went to St. George, Utah on a field trip. Their first stop was Zion’s Bank. Throughout the month of November these students led the Beaver Dam Elementary “Turkey Pennies” drive. All month long students, parents, and staff members have been bringing their extra change into Mrs. Dotson and Mrs. Winkler’s classrooms. At Zion’s Bank the children were given a tour of the bank, sang Christmas songs, and exchanged their Turkey Penny money for a cashiers check. This year the students were able to collect $423.84 that will be given to a local agency to help needy families have happy holidays. We want to give a special thanks to Zion’s Bank for adding $50.00 to our total as part of our visit to their bank.

Our second stop was The St. George Art Museum. The students really enjoyed viewing the extensive display of art featuring Zion National Park. Each group of students was shown around the Museum by a volunteer docent. They were taught about the different mediums the artist use to create their art as well as the difference between abstract, impressionistic, and realistic art.

In connection with a unit on Early North American Explorers and Immigration, the students toured The Brigham Young Home. They learned more about Brigham Young and his influence in the settlement of Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. The students enjoyed learning more about how early settlers survived in the desert. They were especially interested in learning that the early settlers made their own cotton and silk fabrics from the cotton they grew and the silk worms they raised.

The students in Mrs. Dotson and Mrs. Winkler’s classes had an exciting and educational day in St. George. We want to thank the people at Zion’s Bank, The St. George Art Museum, and The Brigham Young home for everything they did to make it a great day for us.

The students and staff at Beaver Dam Middle School were the recent recipients of a new rock sign showing the school name and depicting their scorpion mascot. The sign was a gift to the school from Gaylen and Maria Stevens , owners of Stevens Engraving located in Scenic, Arizona.

Mr. Stevens engraved the stone and he and his family came to the school and st it in place with the help of a few of the students. After the concrete was set and area cleaned up, he returned and made a presentation to the Student Council. He described the process of selecting a stone that fit the needs of the sign to be made, locating where the lettering and logos will go, and preparing it for engraving. He told the students that the design is then prepared on a computer which controls the engraving process.

Students at the school are excited about the new sign and are looking for additional ways in which they can improve the campus as well. Several projects have been suggested and some are already in progress. All of the BDMS students and staff thank the Stevens family for their contribution to school spirit.