DRAGON DIGEST
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7 / NOVEMBER 3, 2017
We rise by lifting others.
-Robert Ingersoll
Several years ago, I found a small plaque that says Kindness Matters. Such a simple phrase, yet a very powerful one when one truly believes it is the very core of all essential values. And I do. In essence, it is the heart of the golden rule --- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. But lately in our society, it seems that this belief . . . this core value . . . is in short supply, almost to the point of extinction on some days. I can’t help but wonder what has happened to this simplest of acts. Why it is so scarce? Does kindness really not matter? Do we even care about being kind to others anymore, or is it all about ourselves . . . all about me? And it seems to be slim pickings when it comes to role models out there for our kids to emulate when it comes to practicing kindness. It is difficult to find the famous athlete/singer/musician/ actor/actress/statesman for whom kindness is their first priority . . . rather than themselves.
Unfortunately, I am seeing less acts of kindness from some of our young people here at DeSana and more acts of meanness to others for no other reason than to tear another person down. Working with middle school students for the past 38 years, I have observed many a time the distasteful way that middle schoolers, who are not feeling confident about themselves and who they are, make fun of others, belittle classmates, hurl insults at their peers, which in their minds only serves to build up their own self . . . sadly, at the expense of others. It’s a sick way of interacting with others . . . but one that many a middle school aged student lowers himself/herself to as he/she searches to feel good about himself/herself. At times, the words seem harsher now and race and cultural background seems to enter the picture more often in these situations. I’m not so sure that our students understand what it means to truly accept others, even when they different --- different skin color, different accent, different heritage, different culture --- and know that we must learn to co-exist respectfully and peacefully; looking for what we share in common more than at our differences. When we talk to students about what they have done or said to others in a very mean way, and ask them if this is how they would like to be treated, they say “no” every time. And for most, it then hits them just how bad their words were and how demeaning they have been to another.
So how do we get our students to stop and think before they throw around words that are quite demeaning to another, and many times not fully comprehending the meaning of those words they are hurling at a fellow student? I emphatically do not believe that this is just something we should come to expect in the behavior of young adolescents. They can do better than this, I believe. And we must demand that they will treat others . . . all others . . . with kindness and respect.
If this is the part where you are expecting me to have the magic answer, then you are going to be disappointed. Because I don’t have a magic answer to stop this. But what I do know is that we must work continually with our students on this every single day. We must correct students and hold them accountable for their demeaning words and actions, when they treat others unkind. And we must partner with you, their parents . . . the adults who spend a significant amount of time with them and play significant roles in their lives daily . . . to model what kindness and respect mean and how these two very important values look and feel in everyday life.
Our counselors will soon begin conducting classroom sessions with students at all grade levels on bullying, intimidating and harassing, and how a middle schooler can help put a stop to those who choose to bully and intimidate others. We will also continue to begin each school day with a few words of wisdom centered around being the best you can be and practicing kindness and respect to all. Ongoing conversations with individual students as the need and opportunities present themselves will be a part of what we do daily with our young Dragons. And we will continue to hold students accountable for their actions when they do not meet our expectations.
I would like to encourage you to have a heart-to-heart with your child and see if he/she is being bullied or harassed or intimidated by another student at school. And if so, let us know, so that we can work to put an end to it. And ask the flip side of that question as well: Is he/she being demeaning, unkind and/or a bully to others. Don’t be reticent to dig deeper and question your young Dragon to see if he/she may be saying things or doing things in jest that others may perceive as taunting, intimidating or harassing. Brainstorm ways with your child on how he/she can show kindness every day at school and to whom he/she may want to show that kindness to. Remind your young Dragon each morning as he/she goes out the door to catch the bus or you drop them off at school or you head out the door to work yourself . . . to Be Nice! And then ask your young Dragon each evening what is one act of kindness he/she showed to another that day . . . and share your act(s) of kindness for the day as well.
I wholeheartedly believe that the unkind ways of society today do not have to be the way of our DeSana world. That we can do better. That we are better. And that Kindness Truly Does Matter.
Sincerely,
Terri A. North
Principal
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
Dear DeSana Parents,
‘Tis the season!! With the start of the holiday season quickly coming our way, beginning with Thanksgiving, our young Dragons are in full altruistic endeavors mode. Here are some of the ways that our DeSana clubs and students are reaching out to help those in our community.
This week, our students are participating in our annual United Way Campaign, by linking DeSana to our community with our spirit links contest. Each link costs 25 cents, with all the money raised going to United Way Forsyth to support many programs and non-profit organizations in our Forsyth community. Then on the day we get out for Thanksgiving Break – Friday, November 17th – we will have our United Way Pajama (PJ) Day. That’s right . . . for a mere donation of $3 a student may wear his/her PJs for the day here at school. Of course they must meet dress code. Talk about a comfy last day before the Break!!
On this Friday morning at 9:00, members of our DeSana Impact Club will host a Veterans Day Breakfast for our DeSana community veterans and present day service men and women, and their families. The breakfast will take place in our media center, with a special video to be viewed by our guests, as well as time spent looking through our special Veterans Day Gallery of Honor. After the breakfast, our special guests will join our entire student body and staff for a school wide assembly to pay tribute to our service men and women.
Our DeSana Impact Club and Jr. Beta Club are the proud sponsors of Trees for Troops, as they team up with Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm here in Forsyth County. The students in these two clubs are excited to sponsor this fantastic fundraiser to support our local military families! Every monetary donation made from our students and parents to this wonderfully worthwhile holiday cause will help send a Christmas tree from Bottoms Tree Farm to a military family on a Georgia military base. Each $40 collected will purchase a 7 – 8 foot tree that will be cut, wrapped and delivered by FedEx to its military base destination. Members of each club will make cards to accompany the donated trees, thanking our service men and women for their service. This holiday activity will happen November 9th – November 17th.
Beginning November 13th and continuing through December 5th, each grade level will be collecting monetary donations for Forsyth County’s Holiday House. The Holiday House is sponsored by The Place of Forsyth County, and collects toys, gift cards and money that will be donated to families in need during this holiday season so that their holidays may be a little brighter with a few presents and food items. This year our 6th and 8th grades will collect money, with 6th grade students traveling to Walmart to practice their real-life math skills while they purchase toys with the money collected. Seventh grade is also collecting monetary donations that will be used to purchase gift cards to donate to the Holiday House.
Sincerely,
Terri A. North
Principal
DESANA DAY OF GOOD DEEDS
The D3 Day T-shirt design contest has begun! Your young Dragon should have received an entry form in Dragon Time. Please start designing what you think will be a perfect representation of D3 Day on our shirts. Please follow the rules laid out on the entry form and return it to the front office by November 16th. Extra copies of the form can be found in Ms. Petit's Art room and in the front office. Three to four finalists will be selected by the D3 Day committee and voted on by the school in December. Your design will not be returned so please make a copy of it before turning it in. Your design could be on over 1,000 T-shirts, so get your entries in before the deadline!
D3 Day has begun our annual collection of magazines, plastic grocery bags, and old towels and blankets. The magazines are packed in our Treat the Troops boxes, the bags are used to make mats for the homeless, and the old towels and blankets will be donated to several animal shelters. The collection boxes will be in The Commons area in front of the main staircase. Start sending in these items!
Sponsorship: If you own a business or know someone who owns a business, we would love to talk to you about sponsorship of D3 Day! The donation is tax deductible and your business will be a part of something big and important...planting the seeds of altruism in our young Dragons! Contact dawn@bourgs.com if you are interested in looking at our Sponsorship Packet.
ACADEMICS
13 1/2 WEEK PROGRESS REPORTS COMING YOUR WAY!
Mark your calendars now . . . Next Monday, November 13th is when all DeSana students will receive their 13 ½ week Progress Reports to inform students and their parents how they are progressing in mastering the standards in their classes with just 4 ½ weeks to go in this first semester. While parents (and students, we hope!) may check their young Dragon’s grades daily/weekly via Parent Portal . . . and we highly encourage you to do so . . . we will be sending home with all 6th grade students a paper copy Progress Report for each core academic class --- Math, Language Arts, Science & Social Studies --- that tells their average thus far and how they have done on each formative and/or summative assessment. For 6th grade Connections and Literacy classes, hard copy Progress Reports will be given only to those students with a present grade of 75% or below.
For our 7th and 8th grade students, only those with a present grade of 75% or below in their core academic classes --- Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies & Spanish for eighth graders who take it --- will receive a hard copy Progress Report of their grades (both formative and summative assessments) to take home to share with their parents. Also, for 7th and 8th grade students’ Connections classes and Literacy classes, hard copy Progress Reports will only be given to those students who have a present average of 75% or below.
At any time a parent may request a hard copy of their student’s grades by contacting the teacher directly. Should a family not have access to the internet to check their student’s grades on Parent Portal at Progress Report time, please do not hesitate to notify your young person’s teacher(s).
DRAGON ACADEMY FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL
Dragon Academy is an opportunity we offer students on a couple of Fridays per month, from 4:15 – 6:15 for completing, taking or re-taking formative and/or summative assessments (i.e. unit tests, projects, essays, quizzes. etc.). Dragon Academy will happen at least two times a month --- on Fridays with teachers and an administrator supervising each session. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to drastically improve both their learning and their grades. Students will be invited by their teachers . . . or they may invite themselves . . . to attend Dragon Academy if they are missing work or need to re-take an assessment to show better mastery of the standards or complete a project. Although students will have about two hours to complete their work, once they complete all that they came to accomplish, students will be able to call their parent to come pick them up. Snacks and drinks will be sold for a very reasonable cost so students may focus on their work, not on their gurgling stomachs! Any necessary school supplies will be provided for students to use to complete their work, as needed.
Please mark your calendars now for these Dragon Academy dates for the rest of the school year:
· November 10 &17
· December 1 & 15
· January 26
· February 9 & 23
· March 9 (Early Release Day so it will be 1:30 – 4:00), 16 & 30
· April 27
· May 4 & 18
WHAT IS ITSLEARNING?
Itslearning is an online learning management system that allows teachers to have an online component alongside their traditional instruction. Not only can teachers post classroom content, but they may also have students participate in online discussions, submit assignments, complete assessments, and create content. In addition to being a vital component for everyday teaching and learning, itslearning will also be utilized during any days missed due to unscheduled school closures (ex. inclement weather). Itslearning is also a communication tool for administrators, teachers, students, and parents.
What can I do as a parent? In all courses, parents can monitor content assigned to their children through itslearning. Parents can log-in with the same credentials they use to get in Parent Portal or by using their child’s log-in information. Here at DeSana we recommend using your child’s log-in information. This will give you a little more access to things when you are trying to assist your child. Be sure to ask your child for their username and password. In both instances, parents can check the Lesson Planner section for the class lesson presented that day, see posted homework or posted ‘no homework’, see class resources used, class activities, and any information about upcoming tests, projects, and quizzes. Using the student log-in will allow parents to find bulletins or reminders in individual courses. Parents can also find links to valuable resources that students may need throughout the year. This can include on-line text books and more. How do I get there? There are 2 easy ways to get there: 1. Go to https://forsyth.itslearning.com. Use your child’s username and password to log-in. 2. Visit our DeSana Middle School web site and use the quick link at the top right to access Classlink (itslearning.) Again, use your child’s username and password. If your child does not know their information, they can ask one of their teachers or go see Mr. Crowder, the DeSana Instructional Technology Specialist, in his office located in the Media Center. This information cannot be emailed or given out over the phone. Having this information and checking it regularly are vital for helping your child succeed to the fullest at DeSana.
I still need help! Visiting the DeSana Webpage will be your first step. On the right side under Quick Links is a link to valuable resources. These resources include print and video resources about using and navigating itslearning for both parents and students. Mr. Crowder has made this video you can watch by clicking here on itslearning basics. You may also call or email Mr. Crowder 770-667-2591 Ext. 491590 ncrowder@forsyth.k12.ga.us. He will try to answer your questions or set an individual meeting with you.
ATHLETICS
BASKETBALL SEASON KICKS OFF THIS WEEK!
LADIES . . .
Girls Basketball is off to a great start! We are looking forward to our first game which is this week at Lakeside Middle School on Thursday, November 9th. The 7th Grade girls will play at 5pm and the 8th Grade girls’ game will start around 6:15pm. Our first home game will also be against Lakeside on Thursday, November 30th. Go Dragons!
. . . AND GENTLEMEN
Congratulations to the boys who made the 7th and 8th grade Dragons basketball team.
The boys have been working hard to prepare for our first game at home versus the Lakeside Lions. 7th grade boys will play at 5:00 PM immediately followed by the 8th grade boys team. Admission is $3.00 for students and $5.00 for adults and concessions will be available. Please click here for a student permission form to stay after for the games and come out and support our boys teams!
The full schedule of games is on the DeSana Boys Basketball website.
THE ARTS
CHORUS NEWS
Congratulations to the following students participating in District 9 Honor Chorus!
6th Grade Choir
Diego R.
Colin P.
Isabella B.
Navya T.
Treble Choir (8th Grade)
Lexi B. (soprano 1)
Caitlin M. (soprano 2)
Lana A. (alto)
Mixed Choir (8th Grade)
Delaney B. (soprano)
Makenna T. (alto)
John M. (baritone)
Thank you all for your continued support of the DeSana Fine Arts!
ACTIVITIES
PAJAMA DAY FOR UNITED WAY
Did you know that UNITED WAY has been supporting our Forsyth County Schools since 2006, helping many of our own teachers, students and their families in times of need? In 2016, with the help of local businesses, civic clubs, individuals and families, United Way’s Stuff the Bus initiative collected 49,000 school supply items that were distributed to students in need through Forsyth County Schools, The Place and other nonprofits in the community. Last year, DeSana Middle School was the TOP Middle School in donations, thanks to the generosity of our teachers, students, and their families.
Our UNITED WAY PAJAMA DAY is schedule for Friday, November 17th. Students and teachers will be able to wear comfy pajamas the whole day, for a donation of $3. We appreciate YOU helping us support this AWESOME Institution!! THANK YOU…
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION AT DESANA ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH
On Friday morning, November 10th DeSana students and staff will host our first Veterans Day Celebration as we pay tribute to veterans and service men and women still serving in our armed forces today. We want to invite any and all veterans of past wars, and men and women still serving our country today, who are a part of our DeSana community to a special breakfast in their honor, to be followed by a school wide assembly at which we will pay tribute to their great sacrifice and love of country. It might be a father or a mother of one of our students . . . a brother or sister . . . a grandfather . . . a cousin . . . an uncle or an aunt . . . a neighbor down the street . . . or a member of our DeSana community that you know. Whoever they are, we would love to have them and their family members join us for the morning - - - a breakfast in their honor from 9:00 – 9:40 and then our school wide Veterans Day Celebration from 10:00 – 11:00.
This day will also be wear your red, white and/or blue day for students and staff as we honor our service men and women. We hope to see a sea of red, white and blue filling our gym on this morning! Whether or not you have a veteran or service man or woman in your family, we hope you will come join us for this special morning and help us honor our heroes and she-roes!
TECHNOLOGY FAIR
The registration for the Forsyth County Technology Fair is open until November 16th!! The Fair will be held at Whitlow Elementary School on December 2. Last year, DeSana had more participants than any other Middle School, which made Ms. North very proud. AND to encourage participation, SHE HAS PAID YOUR REGISTRATION FOR THIS YEAR'S FAIR!!!
Students are sure to find an interesting area in which to compete it, most of which will tie into a career pathway that is taught in Forsyth County high schools, as well as various college majors. Plus, the Tech Fair is a lot of fun!!
The areas of competition are:
3D Modeling
Animation
Audio Production
Device Modification
Digital Photo Production
Video Production
Graphic Design
Internet Applications
Mobile Apps
Multimedia Applications
Productivity Design
Project Programming
Robotics
Technology Literacy Challenge
Tech Programming Challenge
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER The Deadline is NOVEMBER 16!
QUESTIONS? Email Mr. Crowder, ITS, at DeSana Middle School at ncrowder@forsyth.k12.ga.us
ALTRUISTIC ENDEAVORS
HOLIDAY HOUSE DONATIONS
Holidays are quickly approaching and we are gearing up for our Holiday House fundraiser! Holiday house is put on by The Place of Forsyth County and collects toys, gift cards and money that will be given to families in need in our community. Parents go to the Holiday House and apply for toys for their children ages 0 through 18 and will be able to get toys for their children during the first two weekends of December. We appreciate all the support we get from our wonderful DeSana families and are so thankful for your generosity to help everyone have a happy holiday season! This year 6th grade and 8th grade are collecting money, with 6th grade going to Walmart to buy toys with the money collected for the Holiday House. Seventh grade is collecting money that will be used to buy gift cards to donate. We will start collecting donations on November 13 and finish on December 5. Thank you for your generosity and have a safe and happy holiday season!
HURRICANE HELP UPDATE
Nickels, Dimes, Quarters and Pennies added up quickly in the Beta Club’s Hurricane Help Change Drive. The DeSana Dragon family raised $500 to help those in need! The money raised will help fund drawstring bags for Houston Middle School Students and school supplies for middle school students in Everglades City, FL. Thank you for your support and donations!
TREES FOR THE TROOPS
THE IMPORTANCE OF ALTRUISTIC ENDEAVORS
Altruistic Endeavors is one of the five key facets of our overall program. It is one of our core values, so to speak. We want our young Dragons to not only know what it is like to give back to their wonderful community and others, but to also experience it firsthand. Through many different DeSana service clubs, school wide charitable endeavors, and our first DeSana Day of Good Deeds (or D3 Day for short!) in the spring, we will work to provide our students with a variety of community service opportunities throughout the school year, in our local community, and in different parts of our country and the world.
So why encourage our young Dragons to get involved in community service? Well, first and foremost, it is the right thing to do; to learn to give freely and happily of one's time and talents and heart to help others, expecting nothing in return! But here are a few other reasons to consider encouraging your child to get involved in community service:
· To help someone in need.
· Those who give of themselves and their resources and help others, say they receive a great feeling in return.
· Helping others can expand your world and help you better understand what is happening in your community.
· Meet new people and make new friends.
· To improve our world by caring for the environment.
· Giving back to one's community and others is an "added value" on your college resume.
Please check out opportunities for serving and helping others right here in the Dragon Digest and for students, on morning announcements!
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
LOST AND FOUND
Is your child missing a coat, a lunch box, gym clothes, notebooks , a water bottle or more? You are welcome to sign in at the front office for a visitor pass to come and take a look at our lost and found table, located outside of the media center! All unclaimed items will be packed away before we leave for the Winter Break.
WANT TO OWN A 2017-2018 DESANA YEARBOOK?
Don’t miss out on the best memory book created by the BEST yearbook staff.
Go to: balfour.com and click: shop your school. Students may also bring cash or check to Mrs. West on the 7th grade hall.
The price is $35 and will go up after March 31, 2018. On-line sales will END March 31st.
8TH GRADE YEARBOOK ADS
Want to purchase an 8th grade Yearbook ad for your child? You must purchase a Yearbook first (balfour.com)- cost is $35. Please click here for instructions for submitting ads. 8th grade ads are 1/8 of a page, cost $15, and are due by January 31, 2018.
SCHOOL SAFETY VIDEO
Your student’s safety is the number one priority of DeSana’s Administration. As a school, we practice fire drills, severe weather drills, and code yellow lockdown drills in order for your student to know what to do in case an emergency should arise at DeSana Middle School. There are a few aspects of a code red lockdown that we do not practice during a code yellow lockdown drill. We do not practice gathering students in classrooms with the lights off, what to do if you are in the bathroom, what to do if you are in the cafeteria, what to do if you are in the hallway, what do you do if you are outside, etc. Our teachers do a wonderful job with discussing these with the students, but the students are not able see it in action. The Forsyth County School Safety Department has provided a fantastic video for students to watch in order to better prepare them for situations that we do not practice at school. We encourage you to view the video with your student. Click here to watch it.
PARENT 411 - HELPFUL LINKS FOR YOU
THANKS TO OUR AMAZING BUSINESS PARTNERS
*ALL AMERICAN SPECIALTIES
*ARCTEC
*BROWNS BRIDGE CHURCH
*CHICK-FIL-A @ THE COLLECTION
*DR. HOM PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ALPHARETTA COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY
*MARVEL SOCCER
*MILTON DENTAL SPECIALISTS
*MONDO ITALIAN KITCHEN
*NORTH GEORGIA PROMOTIONS
*OMEGA LEARNING
*RBM OF ALPHARETTA
*RISPA
Forsyth County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities.