August Calendar (First week of school edition)
Sunday, August 13: Back to school pool party 6:30-8:30 (see flyer below for more info)
Monday, August 14: (No School) Open House for families and students (more information to come).
Tuesday, August 15: 5th grader's first day.
Wednesday, August 16: 6th grader's first day.
Thursday, August 17: All students attend school
PLSD QUICK LINKS
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to Diley Middle School!
We are delighted to begin a new academic year and would like to extend a warm welcome to all our returning families as well as those joining our school community for the first time. We believe that with your support and partnership, we can provide a nurturing and enriching educational experience for your child.
At Diley Middle School, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment where every student can thrive. Our dedicated faculty and staff are passionate about education and dedicated to helping each child reach their full potential. We strive to create a culture of academic excellence, character development, and personal growth.
We offer a comprehensive curriculum that is designed to challenge students academically, while also nurturing their social and emotional development. Our teachers utilize innovative teaching strategies and incorporate the latest educational technologies to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. We believe in a well-rounded education that encourages creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Effective communication and collaboration between the school and parents are essential for the success of our students. We encourage you to maintain an open line of communication with your child's teachers and the school administration. We will keep you informed about important school events, activities, and updates through regular newsletters, emails, and our school website.
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Open House Night on Monday, August 14th. It will be an excellent opportunity for you to meet your child's teachers and tour the campus. In addition, the students will be arriving at school on different dates during our staggered start schedule. Please see the information below indicating the date on which your student will start school.
We look forward to partnering with you in your child's educational journey and creating a positive and supportive learning environment. Together, we can empower our students to become confident, compassionate, and successful individuals.
Once again, welcome to Diley. We are excited to have you as part of our school community!
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office. We are here to assist you in any way we can.
Sincerely,
Eric Koch
Principal
Diley Middle School
Pickerington Local School District
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
1) Open house times
2) Student schedule information
3) Student supply lists
4) First-day expectations
5) Arrival and Dismissal Procedures/Times
6) Bussing
7) Student Handbook
8) School Fees
9) Diley Middle School PTSO Information/Events
10) Student Behavior Information
PLSD Message
Dear Parent or Guardian,
The Annual Update for the 2023-2024 school year is now active on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Please complete and submit the Annual Update for your currently enrolled students by Monday, July 28, 2023.
What is the Annual Update? Every academic year, parents /guardians are asked to update and submit the required "Back-to-School Forms" for their currently enrolled student(s). These forms include the Emergency Medical Authorization, Student Handbook Acknowledgement, Device Agreement, Technology Protection Plan and Field Trip Authorization Form. The process of completing these forms is referred to as the Annual Update.
Where do I find the Annual Update? The Annual Update can only be accessed via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. The Annual Update "lives" in the Online Registration area of the Parent Portal. Instructions for accessing and completing the Annual Update can be found here.
Please Note - Address changes cannot be reported on the Annual Update. If you have moved or need to change your address, please complete the Change of Student Information Form and return it to the Welcome Center. COSI/Change of Student Information Form.
Who can fill out the Annual Update? Only parents or legal guardians in the student's custodial household can complete the Annual Update. Students cannot complete this update for themselves.
When is the deadline? Please complete and submit the Annual Update by Monday, July 28, 2023.
Talking Points
A majority of the Diley staff use Talking Points to communicate with families about things going on in class and to send reminders. Talking Points syncs with Infinite Campus so whoever is listed as priority 1 in Infinite Campus receives the Talking Points communication. Also, some families have selected to receive the communication via the Talking Points App instead of as a text message. You may want to login to Talking Points (https://app.talkingpts.org/login) to see your preferences. Just an FYI, you can list more than 1 individual as priority 1 in Infinite Campus so more than 1 parent can receive the Talking Points communications. To change your Infinite Campus settings, please login (https://pickeringtonoh.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/pickerington.jsp) and update your contact information. If you still need assistance, please email Rachael Hanagan (rachael_hanagan@plsd.us) who can add contacts to Talking Points.
parent can receive the Talking Points communications. To change your Infinite Campus settings, please login (https://pickeringtonoh.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/pickerington.jsp) and update your contact information. If you still need assistance, please email Rachael Hanagan (rachael_hanagan@plsd.us) who can add contacts to Talking Points.
Diley Middle School - PBIS information
More information to come at the beginning of the school year!!!
Important information from our Food Service Team
Meal Prices
Breakfast - $1.80
Lunch - Elementary and Middle School - $3.25
Lunch – Junior High and High School - $3.50 regular lunch / $3.75 for a premium lunch which is indicated on the menu
Ala Carte items are offered at various prices
Payment
Food service payments can be made at mypaymentsplus.com beginning August 1, 2023.
My Payments Plus Parent Helpline 1-877-237-0946
We also accept cash and checks made payable to “PLSD Food Service” in the kitchen. No change will be given and funds will be deposited into the student’s meal account.
Free and Reduced Meals
PLSD participates in the USDA National School Lunch Program. Parents/guardians can apply for free and reduced meals by completing an application which can be found on the PLSD website. Online applications will be available after August 1, 2023. Applications for free and reduced meals must be completed each school year.
Notification of eligibility determination is emailed from our point of sale system (Solana), or mailed to the parent/guardian stating if the application was approved for free, reduced, or denied.
Free – Student may receive one breakfast and one lunch daily at no cost
Reduced - breakfast is .30 and lunch is .40
Denied – application does not meet USDA eligibility requirements and meals are full pay
If you have any questions, you can reach the food service office at 614-833-3645
Looking for a job where you can work when your kids are in school and be home when they’re home? Give us a call! This institution is an equal-opportunity provider
The Counselors Corner
Welcome to the Counselor’s Corner! Every month, the middle school counselors will share a bulletin board with the following information: hot topic, theme, and family resources.
Coming in August 2023!!!
A note from the nurse
In the event your child needs to take prescription medication while at school, please be sure to have the Request for administration of prescription medication by school personnel (pdf) form or completed by the child’s physician and parents. Forms are available in the school office and on the website.
Nonprescription medication such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and cough drops may be administered to students if the parent/guardian sends in the medication (in original container) along with written permission for the medication to be given. Dosages cannot exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations for age and weight. (i.e., We cannot administer medication to children under 12 if the label says: “Do not administer to children under 12, except under the direction of a physician.” We need to have a note from the doctor in order to give a dose of medication that is different than the dose stated on the bottle.) All medications, prescription and non-prescription, must be sent in the original container.
Family Resources
Dress Code Reminders
1- No midriff shirts are allowed
2- Shorts and Skirts must be fingertip length
3- Leggings cannot be see-through
4- Hats are not allowed
4- No sagging shorts/ pants
5- No spaghetti straps
PTO is looking for a few volunteers!
Be on the lookout for a back-to-school celebration invitation in the next newsletter.
Keep informed!
Follow Diley on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DMS_Proud?s=20
Follow Principal Koch on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/mrerickoch?s=20
Follow our PTSO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2085717574996931
Is social media not your thing? You can find all sorts of information on the Pickerington School District's website located at: https://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/
Diley Middle School
Assistant Principal: Amanda Stemm
Secretary: Heather Ferns
Office Assistant: Stacy Gallion
Counselor: Gina Neilson
Nurse: Rhonda Carmel
Health Assistant: Robin May
