DRAGON DIGEST
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4 / NOVEMBER 2019
NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
11/1-11/13 Thanksgiving Food Drive for The Place Cumming
11/1/2019 4:30 PM Dragon Academy
11/2/2019 Middle School Basketball Jamboree - Girls Teams at Vickery Middle/Boys Teams at DeSana
11/3/2019 Daylight Savings Time Ends
11/4/2019 - 11/8/2019 Furkids Fundraiser
11/5/2019 Breakfast Club Starts
11/5/2019 8:00 AM D3 Day Steering Committee Meeting
11/5/2019 6:00 PM Hispanic Parent Learning Academy #1
11/6/2019 Blue Block Day w/SEAD Time
11/7/2019 Blue Block Day w/AOL Time
11/7/2019 5:00 PM Dragon Basketball (7th & 8th Boys) vs. Lakeside @ DeSana
11/7/2019 5:00 PM Lady Dragons Basketball (7th & 8th) vs. Lakeside@Lakeside
11/8/2019 PJ Day for United Way - $3.00
11/11/2019 - 11/15/2019 Jr. Beta Collects Money for Trees for Troops
11/11/2019 Veteran's Day School-Wide Celebration
11/12/2019 13 1/2 Week Progress Reports Go Home
11/13/2019 Blue Block Day
11/13/2019 Fall Picture Retakes
11/13/19 D3 Day T-shirt Design Entries Due
11/13/19 PTO Impressions Art Work Due
11/13/2019 5:00 PM Dragon Basketball (7th & 8th Gr. Boys) vs. Liberty @DeSana
11/13/2019 5:00 PM Lady Dragon Basketball (7th & 8th) vs. Liberty @Liberty
11/13/2019 FBLA Leadership Conference in Athens
11/14/2019 - 11/15/2019 FCS 8th Grade College and Career Fair
11/14/19 Blue Block Day w/AOL Time
11/15/2019 4:30 PM Dragon Academy
11/15/2019 5:00 PM Dragon Basketball (All 4 teams) vs. Piney Grove @Piney Grive
11/18/2019 December Grade Level eNews Goes Out This Week
11/20/2019 1ST PAYMENT & REGISTRATION FORM DUE For 7TH GRADE WHITEWATER CNTR. TRIP ($50)
11/20/2019 Blue Block Day w/AOL Time
11/21/2019 Blue Block Day w/AOL Time
11/21/2019 5:00 PM Dragon Basketball (7th & 8th gr. Boys) vs. North @NFMS
11/21/2019 5:00 PM Lady Dragons (7th & 8th) vs. North @DeSana
11/22/2019 Sucker Day Sponsored by Just One Africa
11/22/19 Kindness Matters Award Celebration
11/25/2019 - 11/29/2019 Thanksgiving Holiday Break
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
Dear DeSana Parents,
I hate to admit it, but I’ve come to the conclusion that shopping is my therapy! It doesn’t matter what I think I need to shop for, it is “the thrill of the hunt” as I go up and down the aisles, looking for that item(s) I just know I need or must have, or that I discover as a wonderful treasure, that eases my stress and/or returns me to my happy state! And as you may guess, shopping on-line is not quite as therapeutic for me.
During the last several years, as I have visited my favorite haunts on a regular basis, I continually see signs that say something to the effect of Thankful . . . Grateful . . . Blessed! I have thought about it more times than I can remember of purchasing one of these signs for that is truly how I feel about my life. For I have a wonderful family, one that cares deeply about each other and is there for each other when needed. I have a job that I truly enjoy coming to every day, and I work with some of the greatest people you will ever find! And parents, you send us some of the most remarkable kids! They are truly a joy and pleasure to work with and for each and every day! I never take for granted just how supportive you – our parents – are of our work here at DeSana. You offer your help and support in a variety of ways and with a myriad of activities and events, and we could not do it without your support!
I haven’t yet bought one of those signs . . . not sure why . . . but what I do know is that every time I see one, I pause for a moment and think about all the many reasons I am truly Thankful . . . Grateful . . . Blessed! Since it seems I have been out shopping quite a bit lately, and ‘tis the season to see these signs, I have been thinking quite a bit about how fortunate I am in my life.
So as the Thanksgiving Holiday season comes upon us, and we gather with family and friends, to visit, laugh, play, share about our lives, and eat lots of scrumptious food, I hope we will not forget to take some time to reflect upon how our lives are truly blessed, and about all the many people and things in our lives for which to be thankful and grateful! For as my wonderful mother used to always say to me, “There is always something to be thankful for!”
From our DeSana staff to your family, here’s wishing you a fabulous Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends, and with the hope that everyone will stay safe, whether you are traveling near or far, over the Thanksgiving Break!!
Take Care & Happy Thanksgiving!
Terri A North
Principal
DESANA DAY OF GOOD DEEDS
T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST UNDERWAY!
The D3 Day t-shirt design contest started October 10! The contest theme this year is: D3 Day 20/20: Bringing Community Connectedness Into Focus. Students, use your imagination and create a fantastic drawing that represents our 20/20 theme. Please follow all directions stated on the forms which were handed out by Dragon Time teachers. You may click here for the form. Entries are due on November 13th by 4pm in the front office. This t-shirt will be worn by over 1,000 people! Good luck and thanks so much for participating!
PTO
NEWS FROM THE PTO
Happy fall, DeSana families. I am so glad we finally have cooler temperatures and beautiful fall leaf color. Hope you can find some time to enjoy the outdoors and relax with your family. This time of year is busy for PTO. Below you’ll find information about several current and upcoming events.
IMPRESSIONS ART CONTEST
DeSana students, it's time for this year's Impressions Art Contest. Think about your "Best Day Ever" and express your creativity via a short film, a musical composition, writing, photography, or artwork. Contest information and entry forms are available in the front office, the counseling office, and in the art room or by clicking HERE. Entries are due November 13. Please plan to bring entries to the front office by 9:00am the morning of November 13. A PTO representative will be there to collect entries. All entries will be on display in the DeSana Media Center between November 15 and December 6. Winning entries go to the county level competition!
PTO FUNDRAISER
The PTO annual fundraiser will start by the end of November. PTO directs all money raised back into DeSana. The fundraiser is our primary method of raising funds to support teacher grants, hospitality programs, and support school activities. This year the PTO is selling coupon cards featuring discount offers from local businesses. We will have a sample card to show offers. Cards will be $10 each. If you own a local business and would like to be featured on the coupon card, please contact the PTO at desanadragonspto@gmail.com. We’d love to work with you. Watch for more information and sales incentives!
TEACHER GRANTS
Why does the PTO have a fundraiser? All money raised from membership drives and fundraisers goes directly back to DeSana. The PTO believes in supporting teachers and administration by helping to cover the expense of select classroom supplies and programs.
Having access to a little extra money allows the teachers to offer creative and unique
classroom experiences. Here are a few examples of what donated monies support:
o Purchased a sound system for Band, performance risers for Chorus, displays and materials for Art, sets of literary books for Social Studies, ELA, and the Media Center.
o Provided general supplies for the school Nurse.
o Purchased sets of headphones, atlases, vocabulary books, and science lab supplies.
o Funded iPads, calculators, flexible seating cushions and chairs, and software.
o Helped to sponsor the DeSana Day of Good Deeds, D3 Day, which allows for our students, staff members, and parent volunteers to provide hands-on service throughout the community.
o Provided funding and volunteer support for the 8th grade dance and picnic.
o Celebrated and recognized staff during Staff Appreciation Week with potluck meals.
o Provided refreshments to students and parents at Academic Achievement Award ceremonies and school competitions, including the Oratorical Contest, Geography Bee and the Spelling Bee.
SPIRIT NIGHT - DECEMBER 10
Save the date! Tuesday, December 10 we will have a DeSana benefit at El Don. El Don is located on Highway 9 not far from DeSana. They have generously offered to donate 15% of every check back to DeSana. Take a break from the kitchen and enjoy Taco Tuesday with DeSana friends any time from 11:30 am-9:30 pm.
And, finally, thank you to all the volunteers who have helped with the 6th grade dance, the book fair, the Academic Achievement Awards, and the potluck. Thank you for your time and your generosity. Your participation makes all the difference and we are sincerely thankful for you.
ACADEMICS
13 1/2 WEEK PROGRESS REPORTS COMING YOUR WAY SOON!
Tuesday, November 12th 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 Enrichment classes, hard copy Progress Reports will be given only to those students with a present grade of 75% or below.
For all of 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 Enrichment 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).
With only 4 ½ weeks to go in this first semester, it is our hope that students and parents will take some time to look at their grades/their middle schooler’s grades and see if there is anything that needs to be done in order to make sure mastery of all the standards taught this first semester happens at a high level of learning. Then make a plan to ensure that this happens during these next 4 1/2/ weeks! If a student needs help from a teacher, then please do not hesitate to contact that teacher(s) for the help that is needed.
We want ALL of our young Dragons to finish up on a HIGH NOTE for this 1st Semester . . . whatever it takes!!
ORATORICAL! - - - CALLING ALL ORATORS!
There will be an informational meeting to discuss this year’s topic and important dates on Wednesday, November 6th. Please meet in Ms. Pelletier’s room (1101) from 8:00-8:20 am.
FCS COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR
DeSana Middle School 8th Grade Students will attend FCS College and Career Fair on November 14, 2019. Each year our school system hosts a college and career fair for all 8th grade students at Lanier Tech. This year the date is Thursday, November 14. Students will need a completed permission form returned prior to departure at 11:45 AM. The permission forms will be given to students on November 4th in Dragon Time. There is NO COST for students to participate for this wonderful experience!
Students will visit information booths at the conference center regarding various career pathway exploration and learn more about businesses/industries in our community. We are asking that students dress professional for this event. If you have any questions please email Ms. Baggett at jbaggett@forsyth.k12.ga.us or Ms. Epperson at sepperson@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
DRAGON ACADEMY FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR - - - AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL LEARNING & ASSESSMENT TIME FOR STUDENTS!
Dragon Academy is an opportunity we began offering students on Friday, August 23rd from 4:15 – 6:30 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 ---beginning Friday, August 23rd, 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 grumbling 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 1
November 15
December 6
December 13
January 24
February 7
February 21
March 6
March 20
April 17
May 1
May 15
ATHLETICS
LADY DRAGONS BASKETBALL
Girls basketball is off to a great start! The girls have been working hard everyday in practice and are anxious to get the season started. The season kicks off with a Preseason Jamboree on Saturday, November 2 at Vickery Creek Middle School. The 8th grade session starts at 8:00am and the 7th grade session starts at 12:30pm. The girl’s first regular season game is Thursday, November 7 at Lakeside Middle School. The girls’ first home game is Thursday, November 21 against North Forsyth Middle School. For each game the 7th grade girls tip off at 5:00pm and the 8th grade girls tip off around 6:15pm.
BOYS BASKETBALL
We will be kicking our season off this Saturday, November 2nd with a Preseason Jamboree. Both boys’ teams will be playing at DeSana Middle. The 7th grade boys will play in the morning from 8am-12p. The 8th grade boys will be playing in the afternoon from 1pm-5pm. You can see our full season schedule as well as the detailed jamboree schedule on our DeSana Middle School Boys Basketball webpage. We hope to see all of you at our games this season cheering on our Dragons!
BASKETBALL FUNDRAISER
Would you like to win Customized Nike Shoes that you get to design? How about tickets to an Atlanta Hawks game? Or what about some free DeSana spirit wear? If so, buy a raffle ticket from any DeSana basketball player for your chance to win one of these three prizes. Tickets are only $10. We will draw for our winner on December 6th at our home basketball game. Winners do not have to be present to win!
THE ARTS
CHORUS HOLIDAY CONCERT
The DeSana Chorus Holiday Concert is on December 11th - 7pm at Johns Creek United Methodist. Admission is free, so make sure to come and support our singers!
HONEYBAKED HAM CHORUS FUNDRAISER
Are you planning to buy a ham or turkey any time soon? Do you have any loved ones who would love a gift card? Would you like to support the DeSana Chorus in the process? Well, you’re in luck! The DeSana Chorus Department is holding a HoneyBaked Ham Gift Card Fundraiser from November 5th – December 13th! With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and many other holidays quickly approaching, NOW is the time to start preparing!
Beginning November 5th, you can purchase a HoneyBaked Ham Gift Card, which can be used at any HoneyBaked Ham location at any time! The best way to access our store site is to CLICK HERE.
On our digital fundraising page, you will be able to choose the amount of the gift card, put in payment information, and choose whether you’d like your gift card delivered electronically or through good ‘ole snail mail! There is absolutely no extra cost to you by doing so, and DeSana Chorus will receive 20% of the all profits! Talk about a “win-win”!
Be sure to get your order in before the deadline and share the website with everyone you know!
ALTRUISTIC ENDEAVORS
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
The counseling department is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive for The Place of Forsyth County and our school has been asked to collect hearty soups! Think chunky soups/chilis/etc. but all soup will be appreciated! Students will bring the cans to their Dragon Time teacher but this will be a grade level competition. The grade level that brings in the most soups will win a day of free seating in the cafeteria! Collections have already begun and will continue until November 13! Happy collecting!!!
FURKIDS DONATIONS NEEDED
We are collecting supplies to send to Furkids Animal Shelter as part of our Impact project this semester. If you are able to, please donate trash bags, paper towels, or Clorox wipes from November 4-8. Please bring all donations to Mrs. Stavropoulos’s room, 1102. Thank you!
TREES FOR TROOPS
Deck the Halls.... Help Beta Club collect change for the Trees for the Troops Drive. This year we are teaming with Bottoms Christmas Tree Farm. We will be collecting change donations to purchase trees for families of armed service members November 11 through November 15. Please click here for the flyer with full details.
HOLIDAY HOUSE
In the holiday spirit of giving, DeSana Middle School will be partnering with The Place of Forsyth, to donate toys to the Forsyth County Holiday House. The Holiday House provides families in need with toys, wrapping paper, and food, so they can have a happy, stress-free holiday season. DeSana Middle School will begin collecting money in Dragon Time classes December 3rd- December 10th. 6th grade students who donate money will then be put in a raffle to take a field trip to Wal-Mart to pick out the toys to donate. Collected money from 7th and 8th grade will go in the donation fund for 6th graders to purchase these toys. Happy Holidays!
ACTIVITIES
DESANA’S VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
On Monday morning, November 11th, DeSana students and staff will host our third annual 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.
If you are a veteran or a service man or woman still serving our country today OR if you have a family relative who is a veteran or a service man or woman still serving in our armed forces OR if you know a veteran or a present day service man or woman who lives in our community, we would love for you to send us their name and either their mailing address or email address so that we may send them an invitation to our Veterans Day Celebration on Monday, November 11th. Please send this information to Therese Batson, one of our wonderful DeSana secretaries, at TBatson27@forsyth.k12.ga.us, and she will send them an invitation to join us, with the times and other important information.
We also want to create a Gallery of Honor for the day of our Veterans Day Celebration, filled with photos of our veterans and service men and women still serving in our armed forces. We could use your help with this as well! If you could bring to the school or send by your young Dragon a photo of the veteran(s) in your family and/or a photo of any service men or women in your family or neighborhood still serving today, we promise to take good care of the photo and will display it on November 11th for all or our students, staff and visitors to see throughout this day. Photos should be sent to Therese Batson, DeSana school secretary, no later than Friday, November 1st by 4:30.
We are truly excited as we make plans for our third Veterans Day Celebration! Our last two Celebrations were such wonderful events! A committee of volunteer DeSana staff members are working diligently to bring this day of tribute to life for the veterans and service men and women in our community, and for our young Dragons. We look forward to continuing this awesome DeSana tradition for many more years to come!
Maya Angelou once said: “How important it is to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” In our world today, it oftentimes seems that we do not take the time to pause and reflect upon the invaluable contributions of our country’s service men and women, and pay tribute to them for their patriotism . . . love of country . . . and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the greater good. For they have made sacrifices that most of us . . . that many of our young Dragons . . . cannot even begin to imagine. Those who have served our nation in uniform are the best people our society has to offer. We owe them our full support, but most of all . . . . . we owe them our heartfelt thanks.
Here’s hoping you can help us make November 11th a wonderful day of celebration and paying tribute to the many veterans and service men and women still serving in our armed forces today, who are a part of our DeSana community, by sending us their names! And please . . . whether or not you have a veteran or service man or woman in your family, come join us for the morning and help us honor our heroes and she-roes!
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST
Our Dragons have really outdone themselves this year! This year we had 23 entries in our Pumpkin Decorating Contest, and students got to vote for their favorites! First place was "Middle School is a Walk in the (Jurassic) Park" by Jamie S. Second place was "Bedazzled Dragon," created by Ms. Foster's Dragon Time. Third place was the "Baby Shark Family" by Alyssa V. Winners received Target gift cards, but the real winners were the students at DeSana, who get to enjoy the pumpkins throughout the week!
7TH GRADE FIELD TRIP
Hello Parents! This is a reminder about the 7th-grade field trip to the US National Whitewater Center to study ecology and participate in high and low ropes course activities on May 8th, 2020. The cost is $130 and the deadline for registration and the initial payment of $50 has been extended to November 20th. All forms and payments need to be turned in to Ms. Isner in Room 2106 on the 7th-grade hallway. The forms can be picked up from Ms. Isner's classroom or downloaded from the DeSana Middle School website at: https://bit.ly/334U9Pi. Please email pisner19@forsyth.k12.ga.us or call Ms. Isner at 770-667-2591, EXT: 492106 if you have any questions!
PAJAMA DAY COMING!
It’s Pajama Day at DeSana! On Friday, November 8th, get ready to spend the entire day wearing your pajamas. For only $3, students may wear school APPROPRIATE pajamas to school. Pajama Day at DeSana is a chance for our students to spend the day in their most comfortable jammies surrounded by their favorite pals, all the while supporting students like them who rely on support from United Way of Forsyth to have a healthy community life. We want them to have fun; therefore, keep in mind that students must wear proper footwear for safety reasons (no slippers are allowed). Also, please remember that this is for a good cause. We expect students to DO THE RIGHT THING… if they wear their PJs don’t forget to pay.
Did you know…
· The word pajama is derived from the Indian word “piejamah.”
· PJs are regularly worn in public by people in some Asian countries.
· PJs and nightcaps were popular during the 19th century.
SUCKER DAY
Did I hear that Sucker Day is coming?! Yes, you heard correctly!! On Friday, November 22 members from DeSana’s Just One Africa club will be selling suckers for $1 a piece in the Hex before school. Please support a very worthy cause and enjoy a delicious sucker. All funds collected will go to Just One Africa’s clean water program that provides clean, life-saving water to communities in rural Kenya.
PARENT 411 - HELPFUL LINKS FOR YOU
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Students in Forsyth County Schools will be out for Thanksgiving Break the week of November 25th - 29th. Our office will be closed throughout the week as teachers and support staff also enjoy the week-long break. We hope you and your family have a fabulous Thanksgiving with family and friends, and that you enjoy the break by taking some time to relax and enjoy some fun times together. Whether you are traveling near or far, we hope you stay safe in your travels! We look forward to seeing all of our young Dragons back at The Lair on Monday, December 1st, rested, rejuvenated, and ready to go to finish out this first semester in a strong way!
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
Couldn’t find that perfect outfit? Missed school that day? Lifetouch will be at DeSana on Wednesday, November 13th for picture retakes. Any student that was not photographed on the original picture day will have their photo made for the yearbook. Please visit Lifetouch if you would like to order pictures in advance.
YEARBOOKS NOW ON SALE!
The 2019-2020 DeSana Yearbook is now on sale! Please visit: balfour.com to order yours today. Cost is $45 but will go up to $50 on November 1st.
You may also bring cash or check to Mrs. West on the 7th grade hall. Don’t miss out!!!
8TH GRADE ADS
8th graders!! Ads are available- 1/9 of a page for $15. Click here for directions for creating an 8th grade ad.
LOST AND FOUND
Parents, Please encourage your student to label his/her name on all personal items. If your student has misplaced a personal item at school, he/she can claim it from the lost and found table located outside the media center or in the bin on each grade level hallway.
MANY THANKS TO OUR FANTASTIC BUSINESS PARTNERS!
*ALL AMERICAN SPECIALTIES
*BROWNS BRIDGE CHURCH
*CHICK-FIL-A @ THE COLLECTION
*CITY CHURCH
*DR. HOM PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ALPHARETTA COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY
*GEORGIA ORTHODONTICS AND CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY
*MARVEL SOCCER
*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.