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CAPTION: Dewey School kindergarten and first-grade students were among several elementary school classes who attended a skit presented by Janet Barnhart’s eighth-grade drama class on March 25, 2009, in the commons area of Chillicothe Middle School. The play, “Cinderella,” told the story of a basketball-loving prince who became infatuated with “Cinderella,” who wore basketball shoes.

C-T Photo/ 03 25 09

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Behind the Scenes
Published: Thursday, February 26, 2009, C-T

CAPTION: Kindergarten students from Patricia Adkison’s class at Dewey School learn about the path a letter takes once it arrives at the post office. To help understand the process, the students wrote letters, addressed envelopes with their home addresses, dropped them through the mail slot at the post office and then listened to Natalie Stephens (right), lead sales and service associate at the post office, explain how letters go through the cancellation process and are placed for proper distribution. Three kindergarten classes visited the post office today and four yesterday.

C-T Photos/Catherine Stortz Ripley

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“To teach is to touch the future,” Linda Fox, Dewey school teacher told Chillicothe R-2 board members Tuesday night. “A new program within our district is putting the slogan into practice by touching the future generation of education.” Fox and Dewey School Principal Pam Brobst presented a report to the board praising the MU Fellows Program, a program currently in progress at the school.

The MU Fellows Teaching Program is the largest master's induction program in the geographic area from Illinois to Kansas. The program is a rigorous induction program offered by the College of Education and the MU Partnership for Education Renewal (MPER). Teaching fellows are first year teachers who work with a full time mentor and complete a master's degree that first year, too, Fox explained. This program also boasts free tuition, and a salary of about one half what other beginning teachers make.

Fox, who has been teaching for 35 years, 29 of those at Dewey, is currently serving as mentor to Kari Snyder and Erin Beckmann, who are both teaching first grade students. As mentor in the MU Fellows Program, Fox distributes her time between the fellows and Chillicothe R-2 professional development activities. In mid-May, she will also travel to the University of Missouri campus to grade oral presentations. According to Fox, Chillicothe R-2's partnership in this program began several years ago, and this is the second time that the district has participated. “Being a member of the partnership afforded Chillicothe R-2 and Dewey School an opportunity to take advantage of a unique program based on the right set of circumstances coming into play,” Fox explained. “The circumstances being several teaching positions opening up at Dewey at the same time.”

Both fellows at Dewey School receive intensive professional development and support during their fellowship year which usually leads them to excel further in their field later on. The mission of the program is to create an outstanding induction and support system for the first-year teachers. “They have a tremendous amount of talent, but can easily get overwhelmed by the challenges of classroom management and working with parents,” Fox said.

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The Chillicothe R-2 first grade classes presented their Christmas program Thursday evening, December 7, 2006, at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center. The event featured several Christmas songs and narration by several students.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

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Students at Dewey Elementary School enjoyed a visit from Smokey Bear today as part of National Fire Prevention Week. During his visit, he told students about fire prevention laws and how to be careful around fire and matches. The students also read the story about Smokey Bear, which is based upon an actual baby black bear that was found alone, charred, and scared after a devastating wildfire burned through New Mexico.

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley 10 11 06

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Kindergarten and first grade students with their parents flooded into Dewey School August 15, 2006, for a combination open house and curriculum night. The event was held to familiarize students with the school and their teachers. School in the Chillicothe R-2 school district will begin on Monday, Aug. 21.

C-T Photo/Megan Neis

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All but one of the 11 air-conditioning units were being installed July 14, 2006, at Dewey School and Chillicothe R-2 School District officials reported that the air conditioning project is on schedule. Work will be finished by Aug. 1. Work on the air conditioning project has been going on all summer. The cost of the project is $500,000 and $350,000 is being contributed by the Hedrick Foundation and the Lawson Trust. C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

Board Approves Air Conditioning Bid of $444,000
Work on Dewey School to begin this spring
C-T article by Laura Schuler, C-T City Editor 03 22 06

Chillicothe R-2 School Board members approved a $444,000 bid from Case Contracting, LLC, to install air conditioning at Dewey Elementary School on March 21 during the regular March meeting held at district headquarters. The $500,000 air-conditioning project is slated to begin this spring and be completed before the start of the 2006-07 school year.

Dewey School is the third such building within the district to undergo such a project. In 2003, Central School received a new air conditioning system and a year later, a new system was installed in Field School. In all three cases, the district received generous funding from the Hedrick Foundation. The foundation has pledged $300,000 which will go towards the Dewey School project this year. The remaining funds, Superintendent Dale Wallace explained, will come from the school district.

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Mrs. Ferguson's Kindergarten Class
Friday, February 24, 2006

Patricia Ferguson's kindergarten class at Dewey School enjoyed a special party Thursday, February 23, after a week of learning about manners. The party came complete with glass snack trays and cups, a real punch bowl, crystal and silver serving trays, table cloths, flowers and special music. The students wore nice clothes and put their recently-learned lessons in manners to work during the event. The boys even escorted the girls to their seats and then pushed in their chairs. Ferguson provided the treats.
C-T Photo / Andrea Graves

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Contracts For Dewey Air Conditioning Projects Approved
Energy conservation efforts considered
By LAURA SCHULER/C-T City Editor,Wednesday, December 21, 2005

The Chillicothe R-2 School Board approved the engineering and project manager contracts necessary to get the ball rolling on installing air conditioning at Dewey School. The board took the action during the regular December meeting held the night of December 20, 2006 at district headquarters. Specifically, the board approved a contract with Henderson Engineers, Inc., for $37,000 (plus reimbursables) and a contract with Irvinbilt for $16,000.

The Hedrick Foundation is funding the majority of the project, but the school district has budgeted $135,000 for the project this fiscal year, which ends June 30. The same amount will be budgeted for the project during the next fiscal year, since the project (which will begin this spring), is expected to be completed some time next summer. The board also authorized the district to allow guaranteed performance contract companies to conduct an analysis to determine what the district could do in terms of energy conservation in its older buildings. Superintendent Dale Wallace advised the board that the district should keep its improvements limited to good energy savings measurers such as replacing lights because they offer a good payback for the district - i.e., they use less energy.

Replacing the windows in the district's aging buildings is a project that the superintendent advised the board to wait on, at least until the new foundation formula (school funding formula) is fully phased in. Wallace said that once the school funding plan has been phased-in, its financial effects on the district will be known and at that time the district will have paid off some of its capital project debts other than general obligation bonds. Then, Wallace said, the district will be able to look at replacing windows, which he described as a fairly expensive project. 

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Dewey School Kindergartners On Top Of America
Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Caption: These Dewey School kindergartners were standing on top of America - literally as they played on the map of the country at noon recess today Wednesday, January 11, 2006. The playground was swarming with children who, bundled up, were enjoying the freedom that only a playground can offer with brisk 42-degree temperatures.
(C-T Photo by Laura Schuler)

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Christmas Program With Kindergarten
Chillicothe Constitution Tribune / Megan Neis 12 13 05

Caption: Dewey School kindergarten students performed “A Kindergarten Christmas” at Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center. Family members of the young students filled the arts center and were entertained with several Christmas songs sang by the children. 

C-T Photo/Megan Neis

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Hedrick Foundation To Help Fund Air Conditioning At Dewey
Tuesday, December 6, 2005

During the teacher award ceremony held Monday, December 5, 2005, Wallace announced to the crowd that the Hedrick Foundation has again agreed to assist the district in installing air conditioning at Dewey School. The foundation has held a primary role in helping to fund the heating and air conditioning projects at both Central and Field Schools in recent years.

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Dewey Christmas Programs 2005
Chillicothe Constitution Tribune
Megan Neis 12 1 05

Christmas Programs Start With First Grade

Caption: Dewey School's first-graders practiced for their holiday program Dec. 1. The program, “Around the World at Christmas Time,” was held at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center. 

If you're not in the Christmas spirit yet, chances are the lineup of upcoming school Christmas programs this month will get you there by the big day.

In fact, those attending the first grade Christmas program December 1 in the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center will likely experience a whirlwind of festive songs and skits as the R-2 students present “Around the World at Christmas Time.”

The first grade program is, in fact, the first of seven school Christmas programs of the season in Chillicothe.

Caption: The first graders from Dewey School performed several songs during their annual Christmas program “Around the World at Christmas Time,” at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center. A large crowd of parents and grandparents attended the event. C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

The second program of the season will be set in the North Pole as the third grade classes of Field School performed “How the Penguins Saved Christmas.” The program will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center.

Bishop Hogan Memorial School's program is Wednesday, December 7, at 7 p.m. in the school's gymnasium.

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Several members of Chillicothe High School's SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) led an assembly at Dewey School Friday, October 28, 2005, designed to teach the children what to do if they're ever frightened by a stranger. The SADD students led a “No! Go! Tell!” cheer to help the students learn. The event coincided with the observation of Red Ribbon Week, which began Monday and continued through today.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler 10-28-05

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With her students holding their art kits and lined up to leave the art classroom at Dewey School, art teacher Susan Keller shows some of the self-portraits they made during class the first day of school.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler 08 22 05

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler 08 18 05

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Just prior to the start of the Chillicothe R-2 Kindergarten Christmas program last Thursday evening, members of each of the seven classes participating took turns waving at their parents and grandparents in the audience. The program featured several Christmas songs and fingerplays and was directed by Debra Brick. -- C-T Photo by Laura Schuler

The first grade classes performed their holiday concert, "Around the World at Christmas Time," at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center last night (Tuesday). The students sang several Christmas songs under the direction of Debra Brick, to a large crowd of family and friends. C-T Photo / Megan Neis

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Editor's Note: Brenda O'Halloran is a reading teacher at Dewey Elementary School. She has been employed by the Chillicothe R-2 School District for 25 years and has been at Dewey School for the last six years.

Caption: The student body and teachers of Dewey School are celebrating the school's 50th birthday. Pictured here are current Dewey School students who are great-grandchildren of former R-2 School District board members that served on the board either when the building was being planned or built (1948 or 1953) along with the school principal.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

Fifty years ago the doors of the new Dewey School opened and the first group of boys and girls entered the sparkling halls and shining classrooms, eager to learn. The students and staff of Dewey School are celebrating the building's 50th birthday this fall by dedicating a new addition to the playground equipment in honor of this milestone.

In the early 1950s, the post-war baby boom caused the Chillicothe Board of Education to build new neighborhood elementary schools as the need for classrooms increased throughout the city. The Irvinbilt Company constructed the building at 905 Dickinson Street as the schoolhouse for the fast-growing west side of town. For only $248,000, the first floor was finished and
opened in the fall of 1953. The eight classrooms were bursting with 334 students in grades kindergarten through fifth. With this new school overcrowded from the start, the school board elected to continue construction, adding the second floor and kitchen the following year.

Imagine building three elementary schools across town, followed by a junior high school, in the span of only a few years. The school board and administration predicted an explosion of students. The large number of first graders in 1953, the children born in 1947, represented the first wave of what was to become the Baby Boomers. The Dewey enrollment figures nearly doubled from the 160 elementary students housed at the High School building the year before, to the 334 students who were the first to attend the new building in the fall of 1953. The voters passed the bonds and the tax-payers of Chillicothe took on the obligation gladly. They knew the value of an education. They did it for the children.

Dewey School has been the place of learning for an estimated 300 students each year for 50 years. At one time students from kindergarten through seventh grade attended Dewey. For many years Dewey was a K-6 building. In the early 70s the schools of the district were realigned into attendance centers and Dewey became home to all the first and second graders of the district. When the current high school opened in 2000, the elementary schools were once again reorganized and Dewey became the kindergarten-grade 1 center.

School life was different in the 1950s. Most students walked to Dewey School from the nearby blocks. The city did not stretch as far west and north as it does currently, and the whole west side was within walking distance. Most mothers did not work outside the home. All the children from a family attended the same building, and most walked home for lunch each day. Children dressed up for school. Skirts or dresses were the norm for girls. Boys wore slacks to class, seldom attired in jeans for school. Teachers worked in suits and high heeled pumps, clothing well suited for teaching from a chair behind the desk. . . . . .

Caption: The new playground behind Dewey School was officially opened Monday during an assembly to the delight of the entire student body. The students also celebrated the school's 50th birthday during the event and four children whose great-grandfathers served on the school board when the school was built a half century ago, cut the ribbon which officially opened the playground. Money was raised for the playground last year during a PTO fund-raiser.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

CAPTION: Patricia Ferguson, kindergarten teacher at Dewey Elementary school, explained to her students' parents a typical day in her classroom and what curriculum the students will be focusing on throughout the school year. Dewey Elementary School held Kindergarten Curriculum Night on Tuesday evening. First Grade Curriculum Night at Dewey will be held on Thursday.

C-T Photo Megan Neis

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CAPTION: A few Dewey School students and Pam Brobst, principal, stand by a Bradford Pear tree, which was donated to the school by Wal-Mart as part of a $500 beautification grant. The tree will be planted on the north side of the school, and a few bushes will be planted elsewhere on the grounds.

Earlier in the year, CMU had donated a tree to Dewey, and a ceremony was held to celebrate in April (see photo at right).

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CAPTION: Students in Tami Riekena's first-grade class at Dewey Elementary School learn at the computer. Dewey Principal Pam Brobst recently picked up 26 computers at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, which the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard, donated to Dewey because of Brobst's grant request under the federal Computers for Learning program. Riekena's classroom is home to one of the school's three "mini-labs," which are three or four-computer clusters. The other 12 classrooms at Dewey have at least one computer in the classroom.

A Chillicothe principal has proven that if you look hard enough and ask persuasively enough, you can have your cake and eat it, too. In these times of cost-cutting and increased frugality in our schools and the economy generally, Dewey School Principal Pam Brobst succeeded in capitalizing on a free way to add computers and monitors to her school and the Chillicothe R-2 School District. Brobst applied for a computer technology grant through the federal Computer for Learning program.

The Missouri Air National Guard's 139th Airlift Wing, headquartered at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, was convinced by Brobst's grant request and granted Dewey School 26 computers and 19 monitors, an estimated $72,628 worth of equipment, said Master Sgt. Doug Phillips, of the 139th Airlift Wing. "The purpose of the Computers for Learning program is to re-utilize
government assets in education," Phillips said. "I love the program because instead of sending the surplus equipment to the melt down center, we're re-distributing them to the taxpayers, who paid for them in the first place."

Each computer has at least 10 gigabytes of hard drive capacity, Phillips said, which is well above the power needs of most schools. The meltdown center is a federal government General Services Administration building outside Missouri where surplus property is stripped down and used for spare parts, metals are melted and re-used and the excess is disposed of.

Dewey School, like all Chillicothe schools, relies heavily on computers to teach children. In fact, Dewey pioneered a program in the district to teach children reading and math using the computer. Imple-mented with a $22,000 grant back in 1997, the Computer Curriculum Corporation (CCC) program identifies the reading levels of individual students and then crafts a program specific to that reading level, said reading instructor Brenda O'Halloran. The CCC has been so successful over the years that it has been expanded, O'Halloran said. The 26 donated computers will help the CCC expand even more.

Though their final disposition hasn't been definitely decided yet, Brobst said that the Air Guard's donation should allow her to place one more computer in 12 of Dewey's 15 classrooms and possibly more. Brobst and her staff are still thinking the process through. Part of that process includes doing power supply and voltage assessments within the school, which they're still doing.

All of Dewey's 15 classrooms currently have at least one computer. Three of them have four-computer clusters, called mini-labs," in the room, so those three rooms will probably not receive any of the Air Guard computers, Brobst explained. Any computers not used at Dewey will be allocated for use by the school district, Brobst said. Brobst is just thrilled her grant letter was approved by Lt. Col. Carl Johnson and Phillips, both of the 139th Airlift Wing. "We were just so excited when we found out we had been approved," Brobst said. "Sometimes with budget cuts and tighter economies, it's hard to fund the technology. The Computers for Learning has helped us meet some of our technology requirements at no cost to the district."

Brobst said she was also pleased with the reaction of the staff and students who have heard about the new computers, which haven't been installed until the site tests and final disposition are made. "Anytime you can do something like this and see the expressions on the students and staff members' faces, it makes it all worthwhile," Brobst said.

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Two schools in the Chillicothe R-2 School District are among the first 98 elementary schools in the state to receive grants under a new, innovative childhood reading program.

Dewey and Field schools are receiving grants totaling $36,364 to help improve reading instruction in the early grades, announced today (Tuesday) by Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Through the Read to Ready program, all public schools in Missouri can apply for four-year competitive grants to help fund reading programs for students in kindergarten through third grade.Each participating school is allowed to design its own reading improvement plan within the guidelines established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The funds may be used to help teachers implement new reading instruction methods and better techniques for assessing children's reading problems and progress, and may also may be used to purchase appropriate reading and evaluation materials.

The Read to be Ready program was established under legislation sponsored by Missouri House Speaker Steve Gaw and passed by the Legislature in 1999. Gaw said the program's purpose is to improve reading skills of Missouri's school children while providing local control and accountability on the part of the state's school districts.

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C-T Photo by Laura Schuler

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