DMS December Newsletter
December 22, 2023
DMS Winter Concerts
DMS Chorus & Band
Congratulations to our very talented DMS Chorus and Band students for their excellent performances on December 6th at our Winter Concert and on December 7th for their peers at our Winter Assembly.
Our 6th Grade Chorus opened up with a wonderful rendition of Winter Wonderland followed by Do Re Mi Fa Solfeggio! and closed with an amazing rendition of When Sweet Winter Comes Again. Next up was our boisterous 6th Grade Band Students playing The Ice Zone, followed by Winter Winds, and ending with an awesome rendition of iJingle.
Our 7th and 8th grade Band students rose to the occasion when they started their performance with Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, followed by Blizzard Warning and closing with an energetic and explosive performance of Santa the Barbarian: Snowpocalypse. Our 7th and 8th grade Chorus students did not disappoint when they sang Carol of the Bells and ended with an enthusiastic performance of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree with Jingle Bell Rock.
Our combined chorus students ended our winter concert with Deck the Hall for All where they got the audience singing along, putting everyone in a festive holiday mood!
If you missed the concert you can view it on Local Live on the link below:
Jazz Band and Show Choir
Our Depew Middle Show Choir and Jazz Band students did a dynamic job when they performed on December 12. The Show Choir opened with a thrilling rendition of Your a Mean One Mr. Grinch, followed by Once Upon a December, and closing with their energetic last piece Cold Snap. Jazz Band brought life to the auditorium with their first piece titled Land of Make Believe followed by a wonderful performance of Green Onions.
If you missed the concert you can view it on Local Live on the link below:
Quarter 1 Honors Breakfasts
6th Grade Honors Students
DMS is proud of the 84 students in our 6th grade class that earned honor roll status for Quarter 1. They were recognized at the 6th Grade Honor's Breakfast on December 5, 2023.
7th Grade Honor Roll Breakfast
DMS is proud of our 7th Grade Honor Roll Students. There were 44 7th graders that earned honor roll status for Quarter 1. They were recognized at the 7th Grade Honor's Breakfast on December 6, 2023.
8th Grade Honor Roll Breakfast
Congratulations to our 8th Grade Honor Roll Students. There were 73 8th graders that earned honor roll status for Quarter 1. They were recognized at the 8th Grade Honor's Breakfast on December 7, 2023.
W.E.B. Wednesday
This month's W.E.B. Wednesday activities focused on the character traits of compassion and team work. Each classroom had students work on decorating doors in different winter themes. Students worked together to come up with the theme they wanted for their homeroom or classroom. All students and staff in the middle school voted on the doors they liked best in each wing of the building. The winning homeroom got ice cream coupons for the cafeteria. This was a fun activity that let us be creative and work together and it made the building get into the Holiday Spirit!
Written by Ian F., 7th grade student
Check Out our Winning Doors!
Mrs. Garver, Ms. Sawicki, Mrs. Kuwik and Mrs. Maryanski were the winning homerooms! Also check out some doors that received honorable mention!
Holiday Disco-Tis the Season to Sparkle!
Winner
Oh Deer!
Winner
Ginger Bread House
Winner
Christmas Classics Door
Winner
Snow Miser
Honorable Mention
Heat Miser
Honorable Mention
Home Alone
Honorable Mention
Hand Tree
Honorable Mention
Thomas the Train
Honorable Mention
👨🍳 Cooking Up Some Fun In FACS Class & FACS Club 👩🍳
8th Grade Family & Consumer Science Class
In 8th grade FACS class, the students practiced their cooking skills with the use of a small appliance. They created a healthier version of a banana split milkshake. All had fun and enjoyed their creations.
Family & Consumer Science Club
The Family and Consumer Science club celebrated this past fall harvest by creating and enjoying an apple harvest dip.
Holiday Food Drive Success
For the last month, DMS students and staff have been donating canned goods and non-perishable food items to the Student Council Holiday Food Drive. In conjunction with the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Depew, who run their own food drive at the same time, hundreds of pounds of donations were collected at the school. The Eagles Club combines their donations with the middle school, and all the donations go to needy families with children in the building. A competition was held between the grade levels, with 8th grade leading the way with the most donations. The students and staff of Depew helped make the season brighter once again for deserving students and their families. The Eagles Club picked up the donations on Friday December 8th to distribute to the families. In recognition of the yearly collaboration, The Eagles Club made a generous donation to Student Council which will be used to purchase a lunch treat for all three grades. The food drive was organized by Student Council co-advisors Mr. Carlino and Mr. Teresa, along with the Student Council Officers. The National Junior Honor Society, led by Mrs. Iwanicki and Mrs. Garver also contributed to the food drive to help make it successful.
Written by DMS Student Council
The12 Holiday Theme Days
The 12 days Before Holiday Break
During the month of December, the middle school had some fun with the "Twelve Holiday Theme Days" that were promoted leading up to winter break. Every day they dressed up with a different holiday theme. Each day on the announcements another verse of the song was sung with the theme for the day and the following day. Please check out the entire song sponsored by our student council:
"On the 1st Holiday Theme Day, Student Council Said to me Dress like it was Christmas in July.
😎
On the 2nd Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress in Buffalo Plaid and Flannel.
On the 3rd Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress like your favorite Holiday Character. ⛄
On the 4th Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress like a Reindeer.
On the 5th Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress like White Out or a Snowy Blizzard. ❄️
On the 6th Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress like a Grinch.
On the 7th Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress like its Hanukkah.
🕎
On the 8th Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress like an Elf.
On the 9th Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress in your holiday or Christmas PJs.
On the 10th Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress in your best Santa gear.
🎅
On the 11th Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress in Kwanzaa Colors.
On the 12 Holiday Theme Day, Student Council said to me Dress in your ugliest festive sweater.
Song Written by DMS Student Council
Article Written by Radfan S.,
Photos by Radfan S. & E'Miyah H. 8th Grade Students
Christmas in July
Buffalo Plaid & Flannel Day
Holiday Character Day
Santa Day
Kwanza Day
(Red/ Black/ Green)
Ugly & Festive Sweater Day
NJHS Holiday Babysitting Night
National Junior Honor Society hosted a Babysitting Night on Friday December 15 at the middle school for Cayuga parents looking for some time to get their holiday shopping done. There were 50 Cayuga kids who attended this fun event. Students were grouped by grade level and worked with NJHS and NHS students who volunteered their time to babysit and create a fun night for the Cayuga kids. NJHS students planned and ran the activities and all the students went through the different stations. Some of the activities the kids had fun doing were games in the gym which consisted of Christmas Present Relay Race, Scooter Sleigh Races, Duck Duck Goose and Snowman Decorating. It seemed that the kids really liked using toilet paper to wrap someone up and decorate them like a snowman.
Cayuga students had Holiday stories read to them. They decorated Christmas cookies and made the very important Reindeer Food. They created many Holiday crafts including reindeer bags, ornaments, and Holiday Pictures. Lastly, they got to write a letter to Santa asking for their holiday wishes to come true.
I think we had just as much fun as they did. Many Cayuga kids didn't even want to leave. It was a Great Night and It was a lot of fun hanging out with the younger kids! This was an awesome event for DMS and Cayuga students!
Written by Emily and Aidan, 8th Grade NJHS members
Modified Winter Sports Updates
The Varsity Indoor Track and Field team competed at Houghton College in the first meet of the season on December 2, 2023. 8th grader Henry J. competed in the 1000m race and finished with a time of 4:31.49. 8th grader Bella P. threw a personal best distance in the weight throw of 21 feet, 3.5 inches, breaking the middle school/freshman record. Finally, 8th grader Inylah S. competed in the 55 meter dash. Inylah ran a time of 7.59 seconds which puts her as #2 in all of section 6, #3 in Depew Indoor Track and Field History, and currently ranks her as the #1 8th grader in the COUNTRY in that event. Congratulations to all middle school students who competed at this meet and the ones on 12/9 and 12/15. Our middle school kids are doing great competing at the Varsity level.
Henry J.
Boys 1000 m on 12/15/23
Inylah S.
Girls 300m on 12/15/23
Julian G.
Boys 1600m on 12/15/23
Our modified sports teams have been practicing and working hard this past month developing their skills. Both the girls and boys modified basketball teams are currently 1-2 for the season. The modified cheer team was bringing spirit to the courts this week during the boys first home basketball game. Our modified swim team has won their first meet. The wrestling team is combined with West Seneca this year and they are looking forward to hitting the mats this week and taking home their first win. Go Wildcats!
Congratulations to all of our middle school students who are playing up on JV and Varsity Teams for the winter season. Good Luck on a Great Season! This includes:
JV Girls Basketball:
Maggie H. (8th)
Varsity Boys Swim:
Mason N. (7th)
Varsity Girls Bowling:
Zoe F. (8th), McKenna G. (7th), Emily L. (8th), Ella M. (7th), Athena M. (8th), Zoey Z. (7th)
Varsity Boys Bowling:
Geoffrey J. (8th), Robert L. (8th), Joseph L. (8th), Caleb L. (8th), Jamie T. (8th)
Varsity Girls Indoor Track:
Bella P. (8th), Inylah S. (8th)
Varsity Boys Indoor Track:
Julian G. (7th), Henry J. (8th), Myles M. (7th)
Depew Athletics Game Schedules linked below:
DMS Learns About Different Holidays
Written by Madelyn, Jillian, & Rhiannon 6th Grade Students and Morning Announcers
🍬 Houses Made of Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice! 🍭
Gingerbread Fun
Our W.E.B. Leaders were hard at work constructing Gingerbread houses this week to wrap up the holiday season at DMS. These 8th graders are always giving it their all so its no surprise how amazing their Gingerbread houses came out.
Which one is your favorite?
Barbie & Ken's Christmas
Barbie's Dream House
Preppy Winter Wonderland
Northern Raiders
All I Want for Christmas is a Superbowl Win!
WINNER
Wonderland
After School Help
If your student is struggling with getting homework done, needs some help with organization or study skills we have Homework Helpers available Monday through Thursday from 2:20-3:10. Students staying after for homework helpers are eligible to ride the late bus if needed.
Health Office Updates 👩⚕️
As the winter weather has begun, please remember to have your child layer clothes for comfort. Also have your child bring a water bottle so they can stay hydrated throughout the day.
Remember to keep your child home if they are not feeling well to help control the spread of germs and viruses to other students and staff. Students who are experiencing fever, diarrhea or vomiting need to remain home for 24 hours with no symptoms and no medication before they can return to school. Please remember to send in a note with your child when they return to school.
If you have any health related questions please contact Lynne Martin, DMS School Nurse at x5042.
Upcoming Events
12/25 - 1/1 - Winter Recess
1/4 - Early Dismissal @ 11:18 AM
1/9 - 2/8 - 8th Grade Little Caesars Fundraiser
1/11 - Spelling Bee
1/12 - Innovation Station Field Trip
1/13 - ECMEA Jr. High Solo Festival
1/15 - MLK Day - No School
1/16 - Board of Education Meeting in DHS Cafeteria @ 6:30 PM
1/17 - DMS/DHS PTSO Mtg @ DHS
1/26 - End of 2nd Quarter
1/29 - Reorganization Day - No School For Students
1/31 - DMS Freshman Orientation for 8th Graders in DHA Aud @ 7:00 PM
DMS Clubs & Activities
There are so many clubs and activities to get involved with at DMS. Club dates and times are posted outside the Counseling Center, during announcements, in student emails and on our Depew Middle Website under events. Monday through Thursday we have a late bus that leaves around 3:15 PM. Joining clubs can be a great way to meet new people with similar interests. We hope to see you there.
- Art Club
- Board Game Club
- Computer Club
- Family & Consumer Science Club
- Foreign Language Club
- Jazz Ensemble
- Math Club
- Newspaper, Depew Voice
- Science Club
- Show Choir
- Social Studies Club
- Technology Club
- Yearbook
DMS Important Phone Numbers
Depew Middle School Main Office
- (716) 686-5045
Attendance Office
- (716) 686-5055
Health Office
- (716) 686-5042
Counseling Center
- (716) 686-5055
Transportation
- (716) 686-5155
Athletic Office
- (716) 686-5078