John Y. Dater Elementary School is located on School Street and houses all fourth and fifth grade students in the Ramsey Public Schools. Total enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year is approximately 420 students. We have nine sections of fourth grade and nine sections of fifth grade. A total of 48 teaching and support staff service our students.
The mission of The John Y. Dater School is to provide each student with a shared educational experience developed from comprehensive challenging curriculum. In the classrooms, students are engaged in activities that build critical thinking and evaluate skills in an atmosphere that recognizes and appreciates students' efforts.
Our curriculum consists of reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, library, physical education, world language and health. We are monitoring and adjusting our curriculum areas to be sure our students meet and exceed state and national standards. A district approved long term curriculum revision process drives the review, revision and adoption of new curriculum and text series every four years. Staff, subject supervisors and administrators work together to bring recommendations of new texts series to our Board of Education each spring.Additionally, we strive for our students to demonstrate the ability to work well with others and communicate effectively. These are skills consistent with the mission of all Ramsey's Schools.
Along with these main curriculum areas, programs in enrichment, basic skills and English as a second language (ESL) are available to the students of Dater School. Our enrichment program is designed to offer activities to students on both a pullout and interest basis. A program that parallels this is our Ramsey Alive television production. In this activity, grade 5 students produce a weekly television show that is broadcast to the community every Friday during an 18-week season. Our basic skills program provides remediation for students needing assistance in the areas of mathematics, reading and language arts. The ESL program provides services to students who have not yet mastered the English language. Finally, a diverse intramural program offers many opportunities for students to develop an appreciation of physical fitness.
Our facility offers a full sized gymnasium/multi-purpose room, a music complex including a sound proof practice room and permanent classrooms for all special area subjects. In the area of technology, each classroom has two networked personal computers and a color printer. In the Media Center, twelve computers are utilized by students to electronically locate books and conduct research using district software and the Internet. Our computer lab consists of 28 networked computers and a Smart Board. Students have full E-mail capabilities and participate in activities and projects infusing technology into our curriculum. In addition, about 90 wireless laptops are available, which enables us to make every classroom into its own computer lab. Finally, each homeroom now has a Smart Board.
Parents are always welcomed in Dater School. They are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom and in the Media Center. Allowing parents to share in their children's educational experience is an enriching and positive part of a child's academic growth. We, at Dater, fully support this belief.
The staff at Dater School demonstrates an ongoing commitment to professional growth. This is evidenced by their participation in workshops, courses and other professional development initiatives. Their efforts have brought new educational strategies and practices to our students.
Dater School provides an exciting, educationally challenging environment for the fourth and fifth grade students of Ramsey. We are proud of our accomplishments and we look to continue to provide an outstanding educational experience to all our students.
