Downing Dispatch- August 2022
Beginning of Year Dates & Welcome to Our New Faculty Members
FAQ's for the First Day
What time do I need to be at school?
Doors open at 7:45 a.m. Most students arrive 8:30-8:50
Where should I go when I arrive?
Report: to the cafeteria until 8:50. 1st period after that
Where do I get my schedule?
Schedule pick-up or Skyward Family Access. We will also have printed schedules in the cafeteria on the first day.
What do I do with my supplies?
If you ordered a wrap pack, they were delivered to your ELAR teacher.
If you purchase on your own, drop them off to your ELAR teacher.
Will the cafeteria be open?
Yes, but many students pack a lunch the first week to avoid the learning curve of the cafeteria staff.
Will I dress out in Athletics or PE the first day?
Athletics will dress out on the first day, but p.e. does not dress out.
May I request a schedule change?
Yes, the counselors have a form for you to fill out and your parent must sign it. Not all requests are honored due to availability of courses.
2022-23 6th Grade Rattler Camp (Orientation)
Parents:
1:30-2:10 meet in the cafeteria for orientation
- General Information- Brandie Harycki and David Hilliard
- Expectations Ladder- Curt Martin
- Canvas- Caitlyn Rhodes
2:10-2:40 go to the big gym to purchase items needed for middle school
2:40-3:55 you may leave campus
3:55- pick up your student in the "South" parking lot bus loop
Students:
1:30-2:10 meet in the cafeteria for orientation
2:15-2:35 NJHS students will escort groups of 6th graders to a teacher's classroom
2:35-3:55 students will travel their schedule
7th/8th Grade Schedule Pick-up/Orientation
Date: July 28, 2022
8th Grade
- 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. Orientation Presentation in the Cafeteria
- 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Purchase Items in the Gym
7th Grade – 10:30 a.m. to 11:30
- 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Orientation Presentation in the Cafeteria
- 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. Purchase Items in the Gym
PTA Membership Drive and Water Party
3:00-5:00
Downing Football Field
We will have: Bubbles, Water Balloons & water sprinklers
What to Bring: A water squirter/super soaker to squirt your friends
Kona Ice will be available for purchase
6th Grade Social
Middle School Fall Open House & Italian Dinner
5:15-6:15 Principal Advisory Council Lasagna Dinner in Cafeteria
($9 pre-pay, $11 at the door)
6:00 PTA General Meeting in Cafeteria
6:30-7:47 Travel your student's schedule
6:30-6:37 1st Period
6:40-6:47 2nd Period
6:50-6:57 3rd Period
7:00-7:07 4th Period
7:10-7:17 5th Period
7:20-7:27 6th Period
7:30-7:37 7th Period
7:40-7:47 8th Period
Welcome Assistant Principal Brandie Harycki
A huge shout out and welcome goes to Brandie Harycki, our new DMS Assistant Principal. Mrs. Harycki has been serving LISD for the last 7 years as the Digital Learning Administrator. Her leadership in that role included leading the district with the fast adoption of Webex and full integration of Canvas during the pandemic. Prior to that, she served LISD as a District Technology Facilitator, Strategic Design Coach, and Classroom Teacher. Brandie has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University.
Mrs. Harycki has tremendous leadership ability, confidence, poise, and a true love for kids. She has thrived at central office, but her heart is leading her to return to the campus to directly support students, teachers, and parents. She is extremely organized, has a tremendous work ethic, and the highest amount of integrity. Mrs. Harycki will be a great addition to our amazing DMS faculty.
Welcome Science Teacher Eric Murphy
We are truly excited to have Eric Murphy join our Diamondback Family. Mr. Murphy completed a career in the Medical Technology Field in numerous positions at Duke University, Med Fusion, and Quest Diagnostics. He is now ready to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams to teach middle school students. Mr. Murphy has a degree in Medical Technology from East Carolina University and. MBA from Averett University.
Mr. Murphy brings a host of knowledge to our school, but more importantly has a true heart for students. He will be teaching 6th and 7th grade STEM Science.
Welcome ELAR/Science Teacher Haylee Tenney
Haylee Tenney will be our new 6th Grade ELAR and Science Teacher. Mrs. Tenney currently teaches 2nd grade at McAuliffe Elementary School. She has taught Kindergarten, 2nd grade, junior high and high school drill team. Mrs. Tenney is a graduate of Brigham Young University and earned a Master of Education Degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Mrs. Tenney’s greatest strengths are her true love and dedication to the children she works with. She is very excited to be coming back to middle school and teaching her two favorite subjects, Reading and Science.
Welcome Coach Ryan Melson
Ryan Melson is our new Boys Athletic Coordinator and Physical Education Teacher. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas, and he has been a head football, basketball, soccer, cross country, and track coach.
Ryan currently serves as a math teacher and the Athletic Coordinator at Coppell Middle School East. He has also taught in Irving ISD at Bowie middle school. Coach Melson lives in Highland Village along with his wife and three boys: Rhett, Baker, and Hayes.
Coach Melson says, "I am very excited to join the amazing community at Downing and continue the tremendous legacy of excellence!"
Welcome Coach Michael Presley
Coach Presley is currently teaching at Coppell Middle School East. He was a campus Teacher of the Year nominee and was named the Coppell ISD Middle School Coach of the Year for 2020-2021.
Mr. Presley is a product of LISD, and he is excited to be able to give back to the district that helped him through his school years. He lives in Lewisville with his wife, Alyson, and their 4 children ranging in age from 5 to 12.
Mr. Presley says, "I can't wait to get next year started so I can get back to helping our kids be better athletes and better young men."
Welcome Orchestra Director Joseph Sipzner
Prior to working with the musicians of Downing Middle school, Mr. Sipzner taught in Plano ISD as well as in Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, where he received the Elementary New Teacher of the Year Award in 2020 from the Fairfax Orchestra Directors’ Association. Outside of teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife, cooking new recipes, and going on walks with their foxhound.
Welcome ALS Teacher Amy Marlin
Mrs. Marlin is joining our faculty as our Academic Life Skills teacher. She has a Bachelor Degree from Indiana State University and a Masters Degree from Middle Tennessee State. Three years ago, she moved to Highland Village from Phoenix when her husband, Ryan, took a position at the University of North Texas.
Mrs. Marlin has been Co-teaching Math and teaching Resource Math at Lake Dallas Middle school. She has experience as a high school sports trainer and has taught Sports Medicine, Trends and Issues in Medicine, Health, Physical Education, and and Adaptive Physical Education. worked as an Athletic Trainer at the University of Kentucky, and has a host of other experiences in and out of education. She brings a tremendous amount of energy and expertise to our school.
Mrs. Marlin lives with her husband and two daughters who attend Marcus and Briarhill. Her daughters play water polo so all of her spare time is spent at the pool!
Mrs. Marlin shares, "I love working with students and helping them discover that no matter who they are, where they are from, or how they learn, they CAN be successful!"
Welcome Math Teacher Tiffany Rabaduex
Tiffany Rabaduex is embarking on her 17th year in education, and she is more excited than ever! She has taught math at 4th and 5th grade, and is super pumped to move to middle school.
Mrs. Rabaduex lives in the Downing Community with her husband and sons. She spent time in Virginia and Indiana (Boiler Up!!) before making Texas our home. She has two amazing sons that keep her busy. They spend their spare time at games and tournaments, traveling to new places, playing board games, and watching movies.
Welcome Library Media Specialist Nicole White
Mrs. White has serves 8 years in LISD as the Library Media Specialist at Degan Elementary School. She is very excited about the transition to middle school!
Mrs. White lives in Highland Village with her husband and son Zac. Her daughter Kaitlyn is at Texas A & M University in College Station. She also lives with a spunky little 14 year old Jack Russell Terrier.
Mrs. White shared, "At Downing, I will create a library program where students gather to explore, inquire, and collaborate and will empower all students to be creative, innovative risk takers. I also look forward to sharing my love of reading with all the students at Downing!"
Nicole is a self-starter and is highly motivated to be the learning hub of the school. We are really going to benefit from her expertise!
Welcome Attendance Clerk Esther Woodson
Esther Woodson will be our new Attendance Clerk. She has been part of the LISD family for 11 years as the secretary of the CHOICES/Counseling department. Prior to that she worked in Finance.
She is very active in the community and has partnered with the DEA at the Medical Take Back events for the past 10 years and volunteered at women’s correctional units for 12 years.
Mrs. Woodson loves travel and has been to every continent except Antarctica. One day she hopes to cross that off her “bucket list”. She also loves to sew, do crafts, ride roller coasters and drive fast cars!
Of all the places she has visited, she says there is no place like the Lone Star State of Texas! She is a native Texan and ya’ll know we wear that proudly!
She lives in Flower Mound with her husband, Bobby, and her daughter. She is also the 4th oldest of 15 kids!
Welcome Nurse Mary Ashmore
Mary Ashmore is our new school nurse. She has been a nurse for over 30 years, 20 years in Cardiac Nursing and 10 in LISD.
Nurse Ashmore is excellent at teaching students how to independent and manage their own health. She believes in open communication between the parent, student, and the nurse.
She has four children who all graduated from Marcus. Her hobby is truly her family… everything she does outside of school centers around them. She has one grandchild and one on the way.
She is very excited to be part of the Downing family, and she hopes you feel comfortable coming to her with any questions or concerns.