Welcome!

Congratulations to Teacher of the Year Kari Viland and Staff Employee of the Year Amy Fricks.

DODGEN EARNS GREEN SCHOOL STATUS!
A huge thank you to Dale Moeller, the Environmental Club, and the Dodgen Science teachers. The following Science teachers completed their 'Green' lesson plan logs to achieve the Dodgen Green School status: Ms. Barkley, Ms. Halverson, Ms. Amodeo, Ms. Tubbs, Ms. Stittleburg, and Ms. Sanford. Thank you all for your hard work in helping Dodgen achieve this title.

DODGEN PTSA MEMBER BENEFITS
Don't forget to bookmark your PTA member benefits page so that you always have access to our latest offerings and best deals. Please visit http://www.pta.org/member_benefit_providers.asp

NOMINATIONS FOR DODGEN SCHOOL COUNCIL
Nominations will be accepted until August 17, and elections, if necessary will be held during the week of August 27, 2012.
The Dodgen School Council is accepting nominations to fill two open positions -- a parent representative and a business parent representative. To serve as a parent representative, a parent/guardian must have one or more children enrolled in Dodgen. To serve as a business parent representative, a parent/guardian must have one or more children enrolled in Dodgen and also be a business person. Council membership involves participation in regular meetings, a two-year term, and the willingness to be an active representative of the Dodgen community. The A-Plus Education Reform Act established school councils in all Georgia schools. A council involves at least seven members---two parent/guardians, two business parent representatives, two certified staff members, and the principal. This group is intended to provide advice and recommendations to the school principal and when appropriate, to the local board of education. The council can study issues including but not limited to the:
• Curriculum and instructional program
• School achievement profile and accountability
• Home-school communication procedures
• Extracurricular activities
• Budget priorities, including plans for capital improvement
If you are interested in serving as a parent or business parent representative or you would like to nominate a representative for the Dodgen School Council for the 2012 and 2013 school years, please stop by the Dodgen front office or contact Cindi Cabral at CindiCab@comcast.net for a nomination form.

E-News

8TH GRADE PICNIC VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Tuesday, May 22 from 11am-1pm
We are looking for several Dads to do the grilling and Moms to assist with serving lunch to our 8th graders at the picnic. If you are interested in helping please contact volunteercoordinator@dodgenptsa.org

PTSA OFFICERS NEEDED
Dodgen PTSA Nominating Committee is looking for parents interested in serving as an Officer for the 2012-2013 school year. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact Julie McCarren, Vice President at jmccarren.dodgen@yahoo.com

DODGEN ROBOTICS TEAM RECRUITING MEETINGS
May 14 at 6pm
Dodgen Middle School Room 739
The Dodgen Robotics Team is looking for a few good students to participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge. In order to be considered for the team prospective members and a parent are required to…
1) Attend one of the recruiting meetings with a parent
2) Complete the application process (get details at the recruiting meeting)
Visit usfirst.org to learn more about the First Tech Challenge
If you have questions please email the sponsor Mrs. Dalton at janet.dalton@cobbk12.org

DISCUSSION WITH CCSD SUPERINTENDENT DR. HINOJOSA
Tuesday, May 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
or
Tuesday, May 15 from 4:30 p – 5:30 p.m.
PTA members are cordially invited to a dialogue with Cobb County School District Superintendent, Dr. Michael Hinojosa. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues with the Superintendent.

POPE JR. BASEBALL PARENT MEETING
Wednesday, May 16 at 7pm in the Pope H.S. cafeteria
Pope Jr. Baseball will have a parent meeting for rising 6th, 7th & 8th graders who are interested in trying out for the 2012-2013 season. Jr. Greyhounds Program Director and 14U Head Coach, Alan NeSmith, will be answering questions and discussing player requirements and expectations. The Jr. Greyhounds will also be hosting several player mini-camps throughout the summer. For more information about the Jr. Greyhounds, please visit www.PopeJrGreyhounds.com or call 678-340-3353.

POPE CROSS COUNTRY
Summer Training Program starts Monday, June 4
Rising Pope High School freshmen - are you interested in running Cross Country this fall? Come be a part of one of the state's best programs. Please visit our website at www.popetfxc.com for registration, uniform and physical exam requirements. Please meet at the stone wall in front of the school at 8 a. m. prepared to train. Parents are welcome to attend to hear an overview of the coming season, training program and registration requirements. If you have any immediate questions please e-mail Coach Dahlhauser at Christine. Dahlhauser@cobbk12.org.

KELL ROBOTICS LEGO® BUILDER COMPETITION
Friday May 18
4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grade students are invited to enter the Kell Robotics LEGO® Builder Competition.To learn more or to register visit kellrobotics.org/lego
Enter for a chance to win the LEGO® Star Wars™ DEATH STAR™ set valued at $400, plus other LEGO® prizes! This event is sponsored by COBB EMC.
All proceeds will benefit: Kell High School Robotics, American Cancer Society, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

DODGEN FCA MEETING
Friday, May 18 at 8:15 am in the gym
We will be wrapping up our school year with a special demonstration by Tommy Cho from Tommy Cho Karate. There will be free breakfast, fun and fellowship too. All are welcome. We also want to thank everyone who joined us last week for our pancake breakfast. Our parent volunteers and leadership team were kept very busy making pancakes and feeding over 250 students and faculty. It was a fun event and we appreciated all the polite manners and thank you's from the students. We really appreciate IHOP for their generous donations. *** FCA is a non school sponsored event ***

BLOW OUT SALE AT WALTON SPIRIT SHOP
Friday, May 18 from 10:30am - 1:30pm
The Spirit Shop at Walton is having its end of the year sale! All apparel items are greatly reduced. Don't miss this opportunity to grab some Walton spirit wear at great prices.

8TH GRADE DANCE
Friday, May 18 from 7:00 – 9:00pm
Dodgen Middle School eighth grade students only.
Tickets will be sold in the 8th grade pod May 1 - 16 for $15. To attend the dance, students must be present at school that day. If a student does check out before 12:30, he/she will not be permitted to attend the dance. Everyone knows this is not the high school prom, but it is a time for students to dress nicely and enjoy the evening. Students are expected to follow Dodgen’s dress code. For example, strapless dresses should be worn with an appropriate jacket or sweater, and low cut dresses or tops, which are revealing, may not be worn. We are confident that our students will make good decisions on their attire.

DEAR 8TH GRADE PARENTS
Anticipation for the 8th Grade Party is building. The students are wearing their amazing “World Tour 2012” T-shirts to school, complimentary with their ticket purchase. What a great keepsake for their graduation from Dodgen! Stay tuned, Monday brings yet another surprise in homeroom for all ticket buyers! Some parents have inquired about purchasing one of the cool T’s and we will be glad to sell them on a first-come first-served basis. What a great teacher appreciation gift! Just contact Becky Lawson at rhlawson2@gmail.com with your order.
Because we have had some last minute requests for tickets, we have decided to extend ticket sales to Tuesday and Wednesday of next week! Make your $15 check out to Dodgen PTSA. Don’t let this one get by. Three years ago, one faculty chaperone did “the worm.” Impressive! I’ve heard that it might happen again. Vibe, Pizza, Sushi, Wraps, Cake, Karaoke, Photo Booth, Fantastic Décor. This is not just another dance. This is a party for everyone. Come celebrate!
Parents, please refer to map for drop off and pick-up procedures. The students are brought to the back entrance of the cafeteria queuing and check-in. It will be fast and easy. Remember the dress code ladies and gents. Straps must be wide or covered. Party dresses and nice shorts or khakis are the norm. It’s a special night. Congratulations, Class of 2016!
See you at the party,
Your 8th Grade Party Committee

8TH GRADE PICNIC
Tuesday, May 22 from 11am-1pm
We are looking for several Dads to do the grilling and Moms to assist with serving lunch to our 8th graders at the picnic. If you are interested in helping please contact volunteercoordinator@dodgenptsa.org.

EARLY RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR MAY 23, 24
All Cobb County students will be dismissed early for the final two days of the school year, Wednesday, May 23 and Thursday, May 24.
The early release schedule for each academic level is as follows:
High Schools: ALL Students released at 11:30 a.m. (No regular dismissal at 3:30 p.m.)
Middle Schools: Students released at 1:30 p.m.
Elementary Schools: Students released at 12:30 p.m. (After-School Programs begin immediately after dismissal)
Buses will begin their normal routes at the early dismissal times for each level. These early release times have been added to the Cobb County School District master calendar, available to view and sync with your smartphone at http://www.cobbk12.org/generalinfo/calendars.

TCBY TALENT SHOW
May 25 from 6:00-8:00pm
The talent areas are: Singing, dancing, acting, karaoke, playing musical instruments or other talents. If you are a student that would like to compete, send an email to tcby_eastcobb@yahoo.com by Monday May 21, 2012. The email must include your name, age, and what your area of talent is. TCBY will reply back to you if you are selected based on the information you send them. There will be prizes for 1st ($50.00 TCBY gift card) and 2nd place ($25.00 TCBY gift card. Presented by one of Dodgen's Partners in Education, TCBY. *** This is a non school sponsored event ***

POPE BASEBALL SUMMER CAMP
Fundamentals Camp (Ages 6-11) - Mon 6/4-Thur 6/7
Registration = $100
Defensive Skills Camp (Ages 12-15) - Mon 6/4-Tue 6/5
Registration = $50
Batting Skills Camp (Ages 12-15) - Wed 6/6-Thur 6/7
Registration = $50
Pope Greyhound Baseball invites you to attend the annual Greyhound Summer Camp, June 4-7, at Pope H.S. The high school coaching staff, current and former players will be instructing youth players in all aspects of the game. For more details and registration info, please visit PopeBaseball.com or call 770-578-7925.

JR. GREYHOUND BOYS SUMMER LACROSSE SKILLS AND DRILLS
June 6 - August 5 at Hightower Middle School
For those players that desire to improve their lax skills or want to learn lax over the summer, Jr. Greyhounds is offering Summer 2012 Lacrosse Skills and Drills. Each age group will be led by coaches with collegiate experience! To register, please go to jrgreyhoundlax.com.
Rising 1st – 5th graders: Mon/Wed nights 6:30 – 8:00 skills and drills with Coach Cantando, Coach Gilbert and Coach Murray
Rising: 6 - 8th graders: Tues/Thurs nights 7 – 8:30 skills and drills with Coach Martin and Coach Mathews.
Total Cost: $125.00

SUMMER DRAMA CAMPS
Presented by Blake Cooper Productions
As a proud Partner In Education with several Cobb County schools, BCP, Inc. is offering a summer filled with drama camps and summer stock shows to be held at Dodgen Middle School. Elementary, Middle and High school students from any school are welcome to attend. Please visit bcprod.org for camp information and registration. Questions? Contact Blake Cooper at director@bcprod.org or Marge Cavitt at mcavitt@bcprod.org.

WALTON ROBOTICS TEAM SUMMER 2012 LEGO ROBOTICS CAMP
June 4 - 7, from 8am-1pm, 8am-3pm on Thursday
For rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
A camp tshirt and daily snacks are provided. Cost is $150 for the session. Information and applications are available at waltonrobotics.org. Applications are online only. Contact us at waltonroboticscamp@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you this summer at camp!

POPE LADIES LACROSSE SUMMER CAMP
June 11-14 from 9:00am until 12:00pm
The camp is open to rising 2nd through 9th grade girls, and is being held You can find the form on our website at popeladieslax.com

WALTON RAIDERS TENNIS CAMP FOR KIDS
June 11-13 or June 18-20 (Mon/Tues/Wed) from 10am - 12:00pm
Walton High School Tennis Courts
This event will provide a fun opportunity for children ages 4 to 12 to learn about playing tennis from the Walton tennis players. Cost for camp is $75, and includes a cute t-shirt for the campers.

2012 WALTON VOLLEYBALL CAMPS
Elementary & Middle School Camp: July 23-27 from 9am-2pm
Elite Middle School Camp: July 23-27 from 9am-2pm
Elite High School Camp: July 23-27 from 3pm-9pm
Camp T-shirt included for all campers that register by June 18. Registration Form at www.waltonvolleyball.org
Elementary & Middle School: This session is for all elementary school students as well as middle school students who are new to the sport or have limited playing experience. This is a fun and instructive camp that builds strong fundamentals while instilling a love and respect for the game. Cost: $175
Elite Middle School: This camp is for rising 6th-8th graders with at least one year of club experience. Players must be able to serve overhand from the end line. Cost: $200
Elite High School: Open to rising 9th-12th graders. This will be an intense, demanding camp for players who are highly motivated to perform and compete at the highest level. Players must have played club or JV/Varsity volleyball to attend. Cost: $250

PTA VOTES!
Make your voice heard by voting in the July 31 General Primary.
Not only will Georgia have a general primary in July, but voters will also be casting ballots on the T-SPLOST. If you are not yet registered to vote, please note that the registration deadline for that election is July 2. Go to the Cobb County Board of Election website for more info.

2012-2013 DODGEN PTSA OFFICE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic parent volunteers to staff the Dodgen Middle School front office. You can maintain a regular schedule which generally occurs twice/month (every other week) and there are three different time slots available: 8:30-11:00 am, 11:00 am-1:30 pm and 1:30-4:15 pm. We also accept substitute positions for last minute fill ins. Full training is provided.
If you are interested in filling one of these sought after positions, please contact Lorra Holman at lorralamar@mindspring.com for more information. When replying, please advise preferred time of day, day of week you are interested in and make sure to include your phone number.

DODGEN PTSA NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR
The Dodgen Middle School PTSA Nominating Committee submits the following nominees for election to the Dodgen Middle School PTSA:
For President - Clairevon Nixon
For Co-1st Vice President - Jonna Ewing
For Co-1st Vice President - Julie McCarren
For Co-2nd Vice President - Leticia Bongiovanni
For Co-2nd Vice President - Maddy Devine
For Secretary - Lynne Murphy
For Treasurer - Kit Carlson

» More E-News

Dodgen Dateline

» MARCH 2012 DODGEN DATELINE (.pdf)

Quick Links

» Dodgen Middle School Website
» 2011-2012 CCSD Calendar (.pdf)
» 6th Grade Supply List (.doc)
» 7th Grade Supply List (.doc)
» 8th Grade Supply List (.doc)
» Pinnacle Internet Viewer
   Student Attendance & Grades
» PTSA Membership Benefits
» Parent to Parent Program (.doc)
» School Council Nomination Form
(.doc)
» Spiritwear Order Form (.doc)

Panther Day Info

» Top 11 Things Every Student Should Know (.pdf)
» School Procedues You Should Know (.pdf)
» Helpful Links (.pdf)

Cobb County Board of Education Meetings

Cobb County Board of Education meetings will be streamed live online at www.cobbk12.org and will also be available on COBB edTV at Comcast channel 24 or Smyrna Charter channel 97.

Ongoing

DODGEN HAPPY HOUR AT TCBY
Every Monday-Friday 4-6pm at 4305 Roswell Rd.
Dodgen students, teachers, and staff enjoy a delicious treat and receive 20% off. No coupon needed. Just tell the cashier that your are from Dodgen. Thanks to our Partner in Education TCBY!

DODGEN YEARBOOKS ARE NOW ON SALE!
Over the next few weeks, you will begin receiving information from Jostens on how to order a yearbook. This information will come to you via US mail in an envelope with a return address of Dodgen. If you received one but threw it away, no worries. There will be additional mailings over the next several weeks. PLEASE NOTE: Yearbooks were not sold on Panther Day or through PTSA. Questions? kari.viland@cobbk12.org

REGISTRATION FOR TRIP TO COSTA RICA
Leaving on June 25 for an 8 day excursion to the Eco Havens of Costa Rica.
The trip is now open to not only 7th and 8th grade students, but parents are also invited! For more information, please email Mrs. Becton at costarica2012@hotmail.com

EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
If your student is needing to check out early, to help minimize class disruption please:

1. Send a note with your student with their name, homeroom teacher, time to be dismissed, and reason for dismissal.
2. First thing in the morning, after student checks in at homeroom, have them bring the note to the Front Office to receive a dismissal pass for the assigned time. Student will show this pass to the teacher at beginning of class, or at written dismissal time.
3. In the event a note was forgotten, or an appointment was made for the same day, please call the Dodgen Front Office (770-578-2726) with the information and a dismissal pass will be issued at the earliest class break. This will allow the Front Office Volunteers to find your student in a timely manner.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
We are off to a great start this year. Keep clipping those box tops! Just send them in with your child to school. The box is located in the hall by the front office. Right now you can get double box tops on all Ziploc products. Look for box tops in new spots such as Avery Office products, Boise brand copier and printing paper. Keep a look out at your office as well as your pantry and keep submitting those box tops. Last year America's schools earned $59 million through box tops for education. For a complete list of products, recipes and coupons you can visit www.boxtopsforeducation.com

PUBLIX SHOPPING CARDS AVAILABLE IN LOBBY
Just add them to your keychain, use them at any Publix store and the PTSA will earn credit.

CHORUS UPDATE
Please visit the new chorus website www.dodgenchorus.org to input student information and access all chorus news, forms and information.

SCHOOL STORE
The store is open every morning before school starts, 8:40am-9:10am. It is located near the cafeteria. Vocabulary books, PTSA calendars, spiritwear, magnets and a wide variety of school supplies may be purchased. Questions? Please contact Laura Borel at schoolstore@dodgenptsa.org

DID YOU KNOW?
The Social Work Department also has a database with over 1000 community resources to help assist families, faculty and staff to search for various areas of support? Please feel free to check it out and see how wonderful and supportive our community is - we have so much right in our backyard! The website is www.cobbk12.org/familyresources

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Please visit www.k12specialmarkets.com to enroll. For information on plans available click Coverage Details. To enroll click Enroll Now. Contact information is available on the website to answer your questions.

EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY BRICKS
Would you like to own a piece of East Side history? While we’ve said goodbye to the old building and are enjoying the new school, the East Side Foundation has a way to help you remember your time in the original East Side school building - you can buy a brick! We salvaged bricks from the demolition and have affixed a gold plaque that has a beautiful sketch of the old school on it. For just $25.00, you can own a piece of East Side. There are a limited number of bricks left, so if you are interested, please send an e-mail to ESEBricks@gmail.com and include your name, phone number, e-mail address and number of bricks you’d like to purchase. Thanks for your support!

VOLUNTEERS
PTSA needs all of us Working Together to make this school year a success. If you would like to volunteer and did not get a chance to sign up yet, forms are available in the Dodgen front office or you may email Rani Quirk at volunteercoordinator@dodgenptsa.org