The Diley Digest
September 23, 2022
September/October Calendar
SEPTEMBER
September 30: Technology Protection Plan Payment due
OCTOBER
October 3: Cyber Safety Presentation
October 5: Virtual Learning Day (Professional Development)
October 10: No School (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
October 17-21: Scholastic Bookfair
October 18: Mobile Dentist
October 19: PTSO Meeting (7pm)
October 24: No School (Professional Development)
October 25: Virtual Learning Day (Professional Development)
Fundraiser Winner Announcement!
-On October 7th students that sold one or more mums will get a piece of duct tape and be able to help tape our Principal Mr. Koch to the wall in the lunchroom.
-Team Determination had the most participation and wins extra recess and popsicles.
-Tye Wuertz, Celeste Hill, Leeland Bates-Shackelford, and Lillian Hitsman sold the most mums and will each get to enjoy pizza with 2 friends at lunch.
Congratulations everyone!
Volunteers Needed!!!
In order to provide fun opportunities for students, staff and parents to engage beyond the classroom and inspire Diley Pride throughout the school/community – WE NEED YOU!
Looking for a few individuals that are interested in organizing/overseeing different aspects within the PTSO:
Fundraising Chairs – food nights, spirit wear, bookfair, etc
What: Engaging with partners, scheduling/organizing events, communicating opportunities to parents/students
Time Commitment: Can be done any time of day/week – estimated 30-60 mins/month
Teacher Appreciation Chairs
What: Coming up with creative ways to show appreciation to staff, creating sign-ups to allow others to contribute to efforts, executing plans
Time Commitment: Ability to be at school during school day only on scheduled events (if you have a flexible work schedule that works) – estimated 30-60 mins/month
Pickerington Education Foundation Liaison
What: Soliciting donations for raffle tree and reviewing scholarship applications
Time Commitment: Oct – early Nov (create tree); March – April: 1-2 meetings to review applications (couple hours total)
+1 Events Chairs (previously Girl/Boys Events)
What: Organize fun events to allow students, requires planning and execution as well as communication
Time Commitment: Depends on event – doesn’t require school time availability
Email dileyptso56@gmail.com if you are interested in serving in one of these roles.
Plan for Progress Update
The reality is our district is rapidly growing and we are running out of space to continue providing our current level of educational opportunities to our students. If passed, the bond issue will build a new junior high school building, provide renovations and other projects throughout the district including secure entryway upgrades, bring matching dollars from the state to Pickerington, and meet the enrollment growth needs facing our district.
If the Nov. 8 bond issue fails, the district will need to divert money from the daily operating budget in order to pursue temporary options to accommodate enrollment growth. The growth we are experiencing and our facility needs will become even more urgent as classrooms and buildings become more crowded. In addition, there is no guarantee that the state can make available the approximately $75 million in matching funds from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission in future years. Learn more about the upcoming bond issue here. Information about voting is available at www.VoteOhio.gov.
Dashain/Dashara
Dashain is also called “Bijaya Dashami”. It is a religious Hindu festival celebrated annually between the months of September and October. This year, Hindu Nepalese are celebrating Dashain from 10/04-10/08. All government agencies, educational institutions, and other public sectors will be closed down during these festivals in Nepal. This is the longest festival celebrated in Nepal. Usually, Nepalese celebrate this festival for fifteen days. The festival is celebrated by Hindus in Nepal, some parts of India, and elsewhere in the world.
The significance of the festival is the triumph of good over evil, commemorating the victory over the wicked ones, and honors the Victory of God over Demons.
This is a great time for family reunion. Basically, families and relatives visit their elder’s house, get tika(a mixture of rice and red color) and Jamara(yellow plant made of maize, wheat and rice) and blessings, exchange gifts, share sorrow and happiness, and prepare local/traditional dishes and eat together. If a family member has been abroad for education/job/business, they will come back to their home during this festival. Kids and teenagers make colorful kites and enjoy flying them over the sky . Build bamboo swings (Pings) , and get involved in different kinds of entertaining activities. Decorating houses and getting new clothes are part of celebrating this festival too. It is a relaxing time of the year.
Becoming CyberSafe October 3rd
SentinelOne’s CyberSafe.edu curriculum is
an in-school program designed specifically
for grades K-8 and is built to introduce the
concept of cybersecurity and provide a
range of ways that kids can think about their
online activities and privacy.
Students will learn:
-Some of the dangers of being online
-The importance of protecting your online identity
-The importance of protecting your online privacy
Language Assistance Plan
In English:
Pickerington Schools will take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in all services, activities, and programs available throughout the district. It is the policy of PLSD to ensure meaningful communication with LEP students and families and to communicate information related to the education of all students. All services needed to comply with this policy will be provided for students and their families in need of such assistance free of charge. For assistance, please call 614-833-2110.
(In Nepali)
भाषा सहायतासम्बन्धी सूचना:
Pickerington Schools ले सीमित अङ्ग्रेजी प्रवीणता (LEP) भएका व्यक्तिहरूसँग डिस्ट्रिक्टभर उपलब्ध सबै सेवा, क्रियाकलाप र कार्यक्रमहरूमा अर्थपूर्ण पहुँच र सहभागी हुन पाउने समान अवसर छ भनी सुनिश्चित गर्नका लागि उचित कदमहरू चाल्ने छ। LEP भएका विद्यार्थी र परिवारहरूसँग अर्थपूर्ण सञ्चार सुनिश्चित गर्ने र सबै विद्यार्थीहरूको शिक्षासँग सम्बन्धित जानकारी सञ्चार गर्ने PLSD को नीति हो। यो नीतिको अनुपालन गर्न आवश्यक पर्ने सबै सेवाहरू यस प्रकारको सहायता आवश्यक भएका विद्यार्थी र उहाँहरूका परिवारहरूलाई निःशुल्क रूपमा उपलब्ध गराइने छ। सहायताको लागि, कृपया 614-833-2110 मा कल गर्नुहोस्
En Español:
Las escuelas de Pickerington tomarán medidas razonables para garantizar que las personas con dominio limitado del inglés (LEP) tengan un acceso fácil y la misma oportunidad de participar en todos los servicios, actividades y programas disponibles en todo el distrito. La política de PLSD es asegurar una comunicación significativa con los estudiantes LEP, sus familias y comunicar información relacionada con la educación de todos los estudiantes. Todos los servicios necesarios para cumplir con esta política se proporcionarán a los estudiantes y sus familias que necesiten dicha asistencia de forma gratuita. Para obtener ayuda, llame al 614-833-2110.
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.
Click here to see September's Bulletin Board: https://rb.gy/l84wrt
Click here to see the Family Resources Board: bit.ly/PLSDfamilyresources
Family Resources
Panorama Fall Survey
We would like your child’s feedback via a 20-30 minute online survey that they will be completing at school. The survey will provide us with social and emotional learning (SEL) information. SEL is the process through which children and adults apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. These are the skill sets that promote success in life.
Please click on the link for more information or to opt out of the survey.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uBU6ZnmnKP9qgqPraI3vIJvQBfBy5oTYHUta1mVWC6Q/edit
Spanish Version: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j-Ub-aaxA4gZLAoNtXfZg0iC6_DaJtDs4ezsTkvwWoo/edit
Active Shooter Threats to Schools
The Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) is aware of active shooter threats that have been made to schools across the U.S. and in Ohio this week. The OSSC is actively working with the Statewide Terrorism Analysis and Crime Center as well as schools and local law enforcement to support their efforts in investigation of these threats.
While some of the threats have been determined to be false through law enforcement investigation, the OSSC takes all threats to schools seriously and recommends that schools and first responders do the same.
The OSSC encourages schools to communicate with students, staff, and community members about the appropriate way to report threats and concerns of safety through the school's anonymous reporting system, directly to local law enforcement or through the use of the state's Safer Ohio School Tip Line.
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/18/fake-school-shooting-threats-us-fbi/10400404002/
- https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/18/fake-school-shooting-threats-us-fbi/10400404002/
- https://www.yahoo.com/now/hoax-school-shooting-reported-akrons-165147488.html
- https://www.wkbn.com/news/ohio/multiple-reports-of-fake-active-shooter-threats-at-local-schools/
Special Note from the Nurse
The in-school dentist is coming to Diley on 10/18/22!
Smile Programs…the mobile dentists is an in-school dental program designed to address today’s dental crisis and keep children healthy. Our innovative model offers state of the art dental care to students in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of their school; keeping them in class and learning. Easy and convenient for parents at no cost to them*, and no cost to your school.
Many children sadly find themselves without affordable access to dental care. Our program uses the latest technology in portable equipment, bringing dental services directly to your school. We use our network of locally licensed dentists, hygienists, and assistants to provide high quality care to your students. Our program sets up a mini dental clinic directly in your school.
Your Students Will Receive
- Complete Oral Exam
- Cleaning
- Fluoride
- Sealants
- X-Rays#
- Fillings#
- Pulpotomies#
- (Treatment of the nerve inside of a baby tooth)
- Simple extractions#
- Oral Health Education
- A Report Card from the dentist
- A Free Toothbrush
- # As needed, in select areas
- * In most states for children with Medicaid
Student Handbook
The Pickerington Schools Board of Education approves student handbooks annually. These handbooks contain most of the rules, regulations, and policies of the district as they relate to our students. Please read through the handbook with your student so our expectations for the upcoming school year are known.
https://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-23-ES.MS-Final-Handbook.pdf
School Fees 2022-2023
2022-2023 School Fees
5th Grade Fees
Digital Learning Fee $5.00
SCI Supplies $6.00
Literacy Consumable $10.00
Hands On Science $15.00
TOTAL $36.00
**Hands on Science fee which is for a proposed field trip to Cosi.**
6th Grade Fees
Digital Learning Fee $5.00
SCI Supplies $6.00
SpringboardWorkbooks $17.00
TOTAL $28.00
Fees can be paid through infinite campus https://pickeringtonoh.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/pickerington.jsp
For instructions on how to pay on-line please watch this short video.
OPTIONAL (but recommended)
THIS MUST BE PAID BY 9/30/22!!
We are once again offering a technology protection plan on the chromebooks. The cost is $40.00 and will cover $400.00 worth of repairs on your child’s device. The device is not covered until payment is received. We highly recommend this plan.
THIS MUST BE PAID BY 9/30/22!!
Food Services (My Payments Plus)
Menus can be found on the Food Service Department website here: http://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1468598051693&page=menus
2022-2023 COST:
Breakfast $1.80
Lunch $3.25
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: Ashleigh Jackson
Secretary: Heather Ferns
Office Assistant: Stacy Gallion
Counselor: Gina Neilson
Nurse: Rhonda Carmel
Health Assistant: Robin May
Email: heather_ferns@plsd.us
Website: https://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/diley-middle-school/
Location: 750 Preston Trails Drive, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-830-2900
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Diley-Middle-School-401947110003982
Twitter: @DMS_Proud