DRAGON DIGEST
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 11 / JANUARY 25, 2019
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
Dear DeSana Parents,
I hope everyone is back into the swing of things as we move into our fourth week of the new semester! Activities and events are revving back up, with a full calendar of many exciting events coming up in the next several weeks. I hope you will take a few minutes to look over these events listed below and check out others on our DeSana calendar that is on our DeSana website, on the left-hand side of our Home Page, under Upcoming Events, and mark these dates/events on your calendars now so you won’t miss these informative and fun events AND all of the exciting ways our young Dragons are showcasing their talents and skills.
Upcoming Activities & Events
· Week of January 28th FCS 8th Grade Basketball Tournament for Girls & Boys Teams
· January 30th at 8:00 AM 8th Grade Academic Achievement Celebration in the Gym
· January 31st at 8:00 AM 7th Grade Academic Achievement Celebration in the Gym
· February 1st at 8:00 AM 6th Grade Academic Achievement Celebration in the Gym
· February 1st at 7:30 PM DeSana’s Musical --- The Lion King at Denmark’s Auditorium
· February 2nd at 3:30 PM DeSana’s Musical --- The Lion King at Denmark’s Auditorium
· February 2nd at 7:30 PM DeSana’s Musical --- The Lion King at Denmark’s Auditorium
· February 4th at 6:00 PM Denmark Community Parent Series --- Technology Today: Empowering Parents at Denmark’s Media Center
· February 6th at 6:30 PM Basketball Team & Cheer Squad Banquet in the Cafeteria
· February 7th at 6:00 PM DeSana’s Very First Cultural Arts Night
· February 8th 4 ½ Week Progress Reports Are Sent Home w/Students
· February 8th at 4:45 PM D3 Day BINGO in the Cafeteria w/LOTS of Wonderful Prizes
· February 9th at 9:00 AM Denmark’s Great Dane Experience for Rising 9th Graders/Parents
· February 11th at 6:00 PM Hispanic Parents Learning Academy #3 in the Media Center
There are two upcoming events that I want to draw special attention to as we are most excited about these: our first ever Cultural Arts Night and our 3rd Annual BINGO Night!
· On Thursday, February 7th at 6:00 PM, join other DeSana families and staff for our first ever Cultural Arts Night! As a staff, we believe that one of our greatest strengths here at DeSana is our diversity of cultures, languages and ethnicities among our students and their families, and our staff. So on this evening we will celebrate the richness of our diversity in song, art, dance, foods, conversation, and new knowledge from countries and cultures around the world that represent our DeSana Family! We hope you will make plans now to reserve this evening and join us for what promises to be a wonderful night of celebrating We Are DeSana! Click here to see more information about this evening.
· And on the following evening, Friday, February 8th at 4:45 (Session 1) and at 6:30 PM (Session 2), we hope you will join us for some more family fun at our 3rd Annual BINGO Night, with all proceeds going to support our DeSana Day of Good Deeds (D3 Day) in May! Grab your family and friends and come on out to our cafeteria for one session or two sessions of that time-honored and fun-filled, family and friends game --- BINGO! There will be some fabulous prizes and gift cards for winners of each game, including two wonderful baskets of all things DeSana & Dragons to be awarded to a winner at each session!! Pizza and refreshments will also be sold! This is another awesome family event that you don’t want to miss, so mark your calendars now for this evening! Click here to see more information.
We loooove seeing our parents and families at our DeSana activities and events, and if your young Dragon is involved in one, you know they loooove having you there to support them! I hope you will join us for as many “DeSana happenings” as you can during the winter months and on into Spring! We have something for everyone! As always, we appreciate you being there!
One last note: Have I told you lately how much we looooooove our young Dragons??!! They are THE BEST!!! They are working hard . . . learning, growing, and spreading their Dragon wings . . . and they make us so VERY proud!! Thank you for the privilege of working with your sons and daughters each and every day!!
Sincerely,
Terri North
Principal
AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT OUR DESANA FOOTBALL PROGRAM
I wanted to share with you a change that is happening with our DeSana Football Program. Patrick Coffield, our Head Football Coach, is stepping down at the end of this month to take on more duties and responsibilities as our DeSana Athletic Director, and with our school in general. We appreciate so very much all of the extra time, hard work, organization, and planning that Coach Coffield has given to starting up our football program and bringing it along in very fine fashion these past three years. Starting a brand new middle school football program from the ground up is never an easy task, and not for the faint of heart! From the moment I first talked to Coach Coffield, I knew he was the right candidate for this herculean task. With his many talents . . . his knowledge of and love for the game . . . his wonderful ability to coach young adolescents --- for many, their first time to ever compete in the game of football --- in the basics and strategies of the game . . . his passion for helping his young players understand those life lessons that are inherent in a team sport such as football . . . and his fondness for the middle school student, believing in them and nurturing their growth in the world of athletics . . . Coach Coffield has established and continued to grow a solid and exciting Football Program here at DeSana. We cannot thank Coach Coffield enough for all that he has done in his role as DeSana’s Head Football Coach!
Ready and very willing . . . actually, extremely excited . . . to step into the role of Head Football Coach at DeSana is Coach Tyler Riddle. Coach Tyler Riddle was born and raised in Forsyth County, Georgia. He attended North Forsyth High School where he played football, baseball and basketball. While playing for the Raiders, he was a four-year football letterman and was selected to the first team All-Region Team for two years. After finishing his high school playing days, Coach Riddle began his coaching career as a coaching intern at Dawson County High School, assisting as a running back/defensive back coach. Coach Riddle then went on to become the Offensive Coordinator at Dawson County Junior High School. Upon graduating from the University of North Georgia, Coach Riddle began his teaching career and continued his coaching career here at DeSana Middle School, where he has served as the Defensive Coordinator for the Dragons for the past three years. He has worked very closely with Coach Coffield in many facets of our football program and is now ready to take the next step and serve as our head coach, as he continues to grow our program. Coach Riddle is excited about the opportunity to lead our Dragons Football Program, and has already begun to make plans for a successful 2019 Dragons Football Season. He is looking forward to developing players of high character and integrity within a culture of greatness. I am quite confident that Coach Riddle is up to the task and am excited to have him serve and work with our young Dragons in this capacity.
On next Wednesday evening, January 30th at 6:30 PM in the DeSana cafeteria, parents of present 6th and 7th grade students who have sons/daughters interested in playing football for DeSana next year, and 6th and 7th graders who are interested in playing football during the Dragons’ 2019 Football Season, will have an opportunity to hear Coach Riddle share his vision for DeSana Football for the upcoming season and beyond, hear about the schedule for team Strength & Conditioning workouts that will begin in several weeks, along with some time for meeting and greeting Coach Riddle. Then on next Friday, February 1st, during Dragon Time, Coach Riddle will meet with all present 6th and 7th grade students who are interested in playing football here at DeSana next year. Parents, knowing how our middle schoolers’ brains can be quite forgetful at times, please help remind your student-athlete about attending this information meeting next Friday morning!
I hope you can join us next Wednesday evening for this brief meeting! And we look forward to your continued support of our DeSana Football Program!
DESANA DAY OF GOOD DEEDS
TIME FOR BINGO!
DESANA DAY OF GOOD DEEDS (D3 DAY) fundraiser
Family BINGO NIGHT
Friday, February 8th, 2019
Session 1: 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 4:15)
Session 2: 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. (doors open at 6:15)
NEW THIS YEAR: Each BINGO pack purchased =
1 entry to win Apple AirPods raffle
Drawing to be held at the end of Session 2. You do not need to be present to win.
FOOD DRIVE
FOOD DRIVE begins on February 1st! Food collected for The Place of Forsyth, Jesse's House, and Bald Ridge Lodge.
February: Mac and cheese
Winning class in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade will gain possession of the coveted Food Drive trophy and enjoy a candy extravaganza!
PTO
OFFICERS NEEDED FOR 2019-2020
The DeSana PTO Board has openings for a President, 2 Vice Presidents and a Secretary for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. Please give consideration to participating. It is such a wonderful way to be involved in the life of the school! Officer nomination forms are available here.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The DeSana Middle School Academic Achievement Awards will be held next week to help celebrate the academic accomplishments of our 6th, 7th and 8th graders during the 1st semester of the 2018-2019 school year. We are in need of volunteers for set up and clean up. If you have a son or daughter who is receiving an award it might be a great way to get there early and save a seat. If you can help we would greatly appreciate it! - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090445ABAF29A75-academic3
ACADEMICS
HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION INFORMATION
DENMARK HIGH SCHOOL TRANSTIION INFORMATION
On January 23rd and 24th, Denmark hosted Rising 9th Grader Student/Parent Information Sessions. One session was recorded and is available on their school’s website.
There are two important dates approaching. Saturday, February 9th, is 9th Grade Great Dane Experience at Denmark from 9:00 – 11:00 AM and Friday, February 22nd, 8th Grade Student Visitation Day at Denmark for 9:30-12:00 PM.
9th Grade Great Dane Experience will be an opportunity for you to explore Denmark, pick up a registration packet (if you do not already have one), meet coaches, club sponsors, counselors and school staff to learn more about all the opportunities that Denmark has to offer.
8th Grade Student Visitation Day will be a field trip where we transport students by bus to Denmark and they will have another opportunity to tour the facility and experience a day in the life of a Denmark student.
In early February, DeSana teachers will do recommendations for the three core required classes of English, Math, and Science. On February 27th at 8:00 AM, the parent/student portal on infinite campus will open and it closes on March 6th at 4:00 PM. During this time, you will need to follow the instructions found in the Denmark Course Registration Packet and sign up for a total of 7 courses and a minimum of 3 alternates. Also at this time, you will see what recommendations for core classes our DeSana teachers made regarding your child. If you are not in agreement with this recommendation, you may follow Denmark’s wavier process found in the Denmark Course Registration Packet. The on-line wavier opens Monday, March 11th at 8:00 AM and closes on Monday, March 18th at 4:00 PM.
Ms. Bell and Mrs. Moore will be working with our students on February 6th, 7th and 8th during classroom guidance to help students develop their individual graduation plan. This will outline courses for registration based on pathways and their requirements for graduation. Our counselors are here to help your students in this process; so, please do not hesitate to contact us, Ms. Bell at abell90@forsyth.k12.ga.us for last names A-L or Mrs. Moore at cmoore29@forsyth.k12.ga.us for last names M-Z.
Click here for an Information Flyer about transition activities for Denmark High School.
ALLIANCE ACADEMY of INNOVATION TRANSITION INFORMATION
The above information about course registration for Denmark holds true for the type of registration process for Alliance Academy of Innovation. Below are special dates they have shared:
Avenger Orientation Night – January 31st 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Avengers Assemble 2023 Date – February 22nd 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Parent Portal opens/closes – February 27th through March 6th
Waiver process opens/closes – March 11th through March 18th
Course verification – March 26th -March 28th
Avenger Day – July 24th
CELEBRATING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AT DESANA!
On Wednesday, January 30th, Thursday, January 31st, and Friday, February 1st, the DeSana faculty and administration will host our first semester Academic Achievement Celebrations. These celebrations will honor those students who excelled academically throughout this first semester of the 2018-2019 school year.
We will recognize our 6th, 7th and 8th grade Honor Roll students - - - those students who earned a grade of 90 or above for their semester grade in each and every class. This includes all 4 core classes --- Math Language Arts, Science and Social Studies --- and Enrichment classes and Spanish class (8th grade only), and all Connections classes taken during the first semester.
We will also recognize our Merit Roll students. For our 6th graders - - - it is those students who earned a grade of 80 of above for their semester grade in each and every class. This, too, includes all 4 core classes --- Math Language Arts, Science and Social Studies --- and Enrichment classes and all Connections classes taken during the first semester. For our 7th and 8th graders - - - it is those students who earned a grade of 85 of above for their semester grade in each and every class. This, too, includes all 4 core classes --- Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies --- and Enrichment classes and Spanish class (8th grade only), and all Connections classes taken during the first semester.
Invitations for honored students and their parents to attend these wonderful ceremonies were sent home with students on Tuesday, January 22nd . The Academic Achievement Celebrations will take place by grade level, with each on separate days:
· 8th Grade – Wednesday, January 30th @ 8:00 AM in the DeSana gym
· 7th Grade – Thursday, January 31st @ 8:00 AM in the DeSana gym
· 6th Grade – Friday, February 1st @ 8:00 AM in the DeSana gym
Parents, we will begin each Celebration promptly at 8:00 so you will want to make your morning plans accordingly as we will be honoring quite a few students at each. Parking will be available in the parking lots by the gym entrance to the school, with overflow parking in the front of the school.
This will be a special event as we take this opportunity to congratulate and honor our young Dragons who continually make school, their learning, and the mastering of academic standards a priority in their lives. We congratulate our Academic Achievement honorees! And we look forward to seeing our students and parents at these special award events!
GEORGIA PARENT SURVEY
It is time to let the Georgia Department of Education (DOE) know what a great school DeSana Middle School is! Each year, the DOE asks schools to survey students, parents, and school personnel to collect perception data on the climate of every school in the state. We have completed the student and school personnel surveys and are now reaching out to you to get your feedback on how we are doing serving your children at DeSana. The survey is only 24 questions, so please take about 3 minutes to fill out the survey. Click here to access the survey or you may fill it out the next time you are in our building checking out your child. Thank you so much for taking the time to fill out the survey!
PARENTS: REVIEW GA STUDENT GROWTH MODEL REPORTS
The 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Georgia Student Growth Model (GSGM) Student Reports are now available to parents in the SLDS Portal. Please read the GSGM Parent Letter for more information regarding GSGM reports. Accessing these downloadable reports through Parent Portal provides parents with individual student performance information. For information on accessing GSGM reports through SLDS Portal, please see the instructions below. For additional information on navigating the SLDS Portal, please refer to the SLDS Parent Portal Guide.
How to Access the Georgia SLDS Portal
Parents can access the Georgia SLDS Parent Portal by following these steps:
- Sign in to Parent Portal.
- Click the SLDS Portal button at the bottom of the list on the left side of the student’s page.
- After clicking the SLDS Portal button, the Parent Portal Welcome Page will open. If you have access to more than one child in the district portal, you will see a dropdown box containing the name of each child.
- If needed, watch the linked video Accessing your Child’s GSGM Reports – Video Tutorial
- For information on reading GSGM reports, watch the linked video Understanding Your Child’s GSGM Reports – Video Tutorial (Spanish)
If you have any questions, you may contact one of our assistant principals, Ms. Sharon Epperson or Mr. Mike Sloop.
DRAGON ACADEMY FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR - - - AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL LEARNING & ASSESSMENT TIME FOR STUDENTS!
Dragon Academy is an opportunity we offer students throughout this year 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 happens 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 are 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 have about two hours to complete their work, once they complete all that they came to accomplish, students are able to call their parent to come pick them up. Snacks and drinks are sold for a very reasonable cost so students may focus on their work, not on their gurgling stomachs! Any necessary school supplies are 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:
·January 25
· February 8 & 22
· March 15 & 29
· April 19 & 26
· May 3 & 10
INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS THIS WINTER = LEARNING AT HOME IN ITSLEARNING!
Winter is here, and with it, there is more than a good chance of feeling the full force of Mother Naturesometime in the not-so-distant-future. That means there is a likelihood of winter snow and/or ice, and thus, possible school closings. As you know, Forsyth County Schools will once again this year recover instructional time lost to school closures by utilizing online learning via our school system’s online learning management system known as itslearning . . . just as we have for the past several years.
Our students should already be quite savvy in using itslearning as all of our DeSana teachers utilize it on a daily basis --- posting class lessons and activities for the day, daily classwork assignments, homework assignments, study guides for assessments, project instructions, and many other helpful resources for students to use in their studies. If, as a parent, you do not feel as familiar with itslearning as you would like, there are several ways you can gain understanding about this online learning resource. First, log onto the DeSana Webpage at http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/desana, and under the Quick Links Button on the right side of the screen you will see an icon with the words itslearning Resources. If, after viewing these resources, you are still not comfortable with itslearning, please contact our DeSana Middle School Instructional Technology Specialist, Lacy Gooch, at 770-667-2591 extension 491590 or by email at lgooch@forsyth.k12.ga.us. Ms. Gooch will be happy to help you!
There are some things that you will want to note about what you can expect from our teachers in regards to their lessons posted on itslearning if / when we have a school closure this winter:
- Teachers will post all assignments by 9:00 AM on itslearning.
- Assignment length for each class should range from 20-30 minutes.
- All teachers will post assignments, so that means our young Dragons can expect to have work to complete in the following classes each day we are out of school: Math, English/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Spanish for 8th grade students who take it, and both of their Connections classes. Teachers will not post work for literacy classes.
- All middle school teachers across the system will have digital office hours on the days that school is closed. Those times are 10:00 - 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 2:00 PM. These are the times you can expect our teachers and administrators to be online to answer any questions students may have about an assignment or to help in any other way.
- Each DeSana teacher will communicate to their students where they may find assignments for their class in itslearning on school closure days and the mode of communication to use to contact their teacher if they have any questions about an assignment.
- Please know that should a teacher lose power at his/her home and not be able to post an assignment, we have a back-up plan in place so that a DeSana colleague can post his/her assignment(s). Also, if a teacher is not able to keep his/her office hours because of an extenuating circumstance, know that we also have a plan in place to post that information on the teacher’s itslearning page so that students/parents will know that teacher will not be available that day.
- If school is closed for more than two (2) days, teachers will provide feedback to students for work submitted electronically.
- Student attendance is not connected to the completion of work.
- Please know that teachers and administrators also have several expectations for our young Dragons on these days when they are out for inclement weather as it is important that instruction carries on so that minimum time is lost in teaching the subject area standards.
- Students should begin working on their assignments/lessons on the day they missed when possible.
- Students should not hesitate to contact their teacher to ask questions about an assignment or ask for extra help with the work assigned. They should contact their teacher by the mode of communication their teacher asked them to use during their digital office hours.
- Student work is due within three school days upon returning to school.
- Students should complete their assignments in every class.
Of course, students should plan out their time carefully on a school closure day so that they take care of their school work with their best efforts and then leave some time for sledding or building a snowman or a good old-fashioned, friendly, family snowball fight!
Please also bear in mind that should you have any questions at all on a day that school is closed for inclement weather that I will be keeping the same digital office hours as our teachers, as well as monitoring my e-mail throughout the day. Please do not hesitate to contact me at tnorth@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
So here’s hoping for maybe a few wintery days at home to enjoy all the fun that comes with a good blanket of snow because we’ve got the teaching and learning time covered! Stay warm!
ATHLETICS
A "MEET AND GREET" WITH DESANA'S NEW HEAD FOOTBALL - - - COACH TYLER RIDDLE
All present 6th and 7th grade students interested in playing DeSana Football next year, and their parents, are invited to meet and greet DeSana’s new Head Football Coach on next Wednesday evening, January 30th from 6:30 – 7:30 in the cafeteria.
THE ARTS
THE LION KING IS NEXT WEEKEND!
Hakuna matata! It means... come one, come all to DeSana’s third annual musical, Lion King Jr.! Students have been working incredibly hard to put this wonderful musical together and we’re so excited to share it with you!
Performances take place at Denmark High School on February 1st at 7:30pm and on February 2nd at 3:30pm AND 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students.
Can’t wait to see you there!
CULTURAL ARTS NIGHT
On Thursday, February 7th at 6:00 PM, join other DeSana families and staff for our first ever Cultural Arts Night! As a staff, we believe that one of our greatest strengths here at DeSana is our diversity of cultures, languages and ethnicities among our students and their families, and our staff. So on this evening we will celebrate the richness of our diversity in song, art, dance, foods, conversation, and new knowledge from countries and cultures around the world that represent our DeSana Family! We hope you will make plans now to reserve this evening and join us for what promises to be a wonderful night of celebrating We Are DeSana! Click here to see more information about this evening.
ACTIVITIES
VALENTINE'S DAY CANDYGRAMS
Send a Valentine’s Day Candygram and help Support the 8th Grade Field Trips! Do you have someone you want to say Happy Valentine’s Day too? If so, what better way than to send them a personalized candy gram on Valentine’s Day! Each Candy Gram will be delivered to their 7th period class with your message attached! Candy Grams will be on Sale in the Commons before school from February 4th – February 8th for $1.00 each. See Mrs. Lyons for order forms and information.
ROBOTICS NEWS
Congratulations to our DeSana Robotics Teams for Placing 1st and 2nd in last night’s VEX IQ competition at Alliance Academy. The 8th Grade team of Pranav, Logan, Chida, Shrey, Aryan, Humza, and Ritvik finished in 2nd place overall, and the 7th grade team of Sebastian, Christo, Dhru, Ian, and Abhishek placed 1st overall, and Qualified for the State Championship. Last night was the final competition for our “regular season” and we want to congratulate all of our robotics team members for a great competition season.
YEARBOOKS!
2018-2019 DeSana Yearbooks are on sale. Visit balfour.com and order yours today! The price is $45. Students can also see Mrs. West on the 7th grade hall with cash or check.
**students are only guaranteed a yearbook if purchased by January 31st
8th graders! Don’t miss out on the chance for an 8th grade ad. They are 1/8 of a page, cost $15, and are due by January 31, 2019. Directions are attached HERE.
DESANA'S NEXT LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING
The next meeting of DeSana’s Local School Council (LSC) is scheduled for Friday, February 8th at 7:30 AM in the front office conference room.
PARENT 411 - HELPFUL LINKS FOR YOU
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP AND OUR STUDENTS
Our students love to instantly share photos of themselves, their friends, and their family online. There are some cases, however, when a photo shouldn’t be posted or shared. This poster is great for starting a family discussion about what’s good to share and what’s not!
LOST AND FOUND
Our LOST AND FOUND is overflowing with jackets, sweaters, lunchboxes and water bottles. Please encourage your student to check all of the collection areas to claim lost items:
- The bins on each grade level hallway
- The table in the Hex, and
- With Ms. Supple in the Counseling Office
MANY THANKS TO OUR AMAZING BUSINESS PARTNERS!
*ALL AMERICAN SPECIALTIES
*BROWNS BRIDGE CHURCH
*CHICK-FIL-A @ THE COLLECTION
*DUNKIN DONUTS
*DR. HOM PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ALPHARETTA COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY
*HI FIVE SPORTS
*MARVEL SOCCER
*MILTON DENTAL SPECIALISTS
*NORTH GEORGIA PROMOTIONS
*OMEGA LEARNING
*RBM OF ALPHARETTA
*RISPA
*VERTICAL CHURCH
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.