A Message from Mr. Bowe

  • Dear Dogwood Hill Community, 

    It is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you to the 2023-24 school year and the Dogwood Hill School website.  This site provides a central location for parents, community members, and students to obtain information about our school and access the resources available to facilitate the educational process.  

    A continued area of focus for Dogwood Hill is our balanced literacy program. Utilizing the Teachers College Readers and Writers Workshop model of instruction as the basis for our program, we provide opportunities for all students to progress at a rate that caters to their individual needs. One component of the program includes the Teachers College reading assessment. It is used to monitor reading progress at multiple points throughout the year. This allows our teachers to identify student growth and assist students in the selection of “just-right” books. Another area of focus is utilizing our guided reading collections to increase fluency and comprehension across the board. Thank you to the PTO and all of the families who have donated books to enhance our leveled classroom libraries and increase the resources available for our students.

    Go Math! is used to facilitate math instruction in grades K-5. This comprehensive program is tailored to address the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) and has differentiated activities to meet the needs of all students. Every lesson includes materials to assist students having difficulty with a concept as well as those who are looking for an extra challenge. Lessons are organized according to the 5 E’s: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, & Evaluate, which is also a component of our science curriculum. Throughout the year, information is disseminated about online resources available to both parents and students to bridge the connection between home and school. 

    Our science program includes both Discovery Education and FOSS kits to meet the requirements of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The combination of each component fosters a student-centered, hands-on approach to science.  Discovery Education is updated with new content continuously and allows our students to see science in motion all over the world. Foss kits facilitate hands-on activities to further explore the scientific process, student engagement, cooperative learning.

    Throughout the school day, students are exposed to different areas of our district's curriculum according to the NJSLS. This includes Social Studies, Health, Physical Education, Art, Music, World Language, and Library.  Technology is also integrated into our curriculum as we continue to develop our learning strategies. We strive to provide educational experiences to develop well-rounded students who are prepared for the next step of their educational journey at Valley Middle School.  

    Along with the curricular experiences described above, we work hand in hand with the Dogwood Hill PTO to provide various enriching opportunities for our students throughout the year. Whether it is an engaging assembly or an evening event, the PTO is there to support interaction between educators and families within the Dogwood Hill community.    

    Thank you for exploring our website, and we look forward to working together to ensure a successful school year for our students!

    Sincerely, 

    Sean Bowe