Dragon Digest
Volume 6, Issue 1 - August 2021
Welcome Back!
I hope that you and your family had some time to get away this summer and enjoy some quality time together. As we enter the first full week of school, it is always a busy and exciting time of year. We had an amazing first day of school and challenged teachers to make the first day of school the best first day ever for our students. I hope that your child returned home with excitement and had the best first day ever! The administrative team also met with each individual grade level and discussed the Dragon Way. I also challenged students to do three things: Be Kind, Be Better, and Be Proud!
I know things like COVID-19, traffic in the car rider line, and delays with bus transportation are concerning. Traffic and delays with bus transportation will improve as we settle into new routines. As our district continues to monitor COVID-19 related data within our community, we will be implementing mitigation strategies at the secondary level including DeSana Middle School. While masks continue to remain optional for all students and staff, we will be spreading students out more during lunch. In addition, Curriculum Night which was originally scheduled for Thursday, August 26, will now be virtual. We will send out further information about our virtual curriculum night as we get closer to August 26. While parents are still welcomed to attend meetings face-to-face with staff, we will also offer virtual options. We are also not holding any more large gatherings such as assemblies.
As always we are seeking ways to improve our customer services with parents and community partners. We are currently looking for parents who would like to join our Local School Council (LSC). The LSC is composed of administrators, teachers, and parents. The LSC is a great way to be involved. LSCs are advisory bodies that provide recommendations to the school principal and Forsyth County Board of Education. LSC meetings are monthly and usually last for about an hour. If you would like more information about how to join the LSC, please reach out to Principal Keith Sargent at ksargent@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
COVID-19 Updates
Please click here to review updated mitigation strategies from the district for middle schools.
If your child is showing symptoms, please do not send them to school.
If your child has a positive test for COVID-19, contact our nurse, Samantha Tilley at f39768@forsyth.k12.ga.us
If a child tests positive, any students or staff members who were in the same classroom (or bus) will be notified via Campus Messenger using the primary email that is listed. It is important that all parents check the email that is listed in the Parent Portal daily to stay informed.
Families may choose to self-quarantine their child once notified of possible exposure. Please contact our nurse, Samantha Tilley at f39768@forsyth.k12.ga.us of your decision to self-quarantine.
Students learning in person who are quarantined due to a positive test and students who self-quarantine may continue to stay up to date using ItsLearning.
Bell Schedule
Please click here for an updated copy of our bell schedule.
Car Rider Line
We will continue to make adjustments to the car rider line to improve traffic flow. Please be sure to pull all the way up as directed by staff to ensure that we are maximizing the loading area for student pick-up. Please also review our new traffic pattern which will hopefully improve the flow of traffic. Parents will be allowed to pull up to the red arrow beginning at 3:50 pm.
Free Breakfast and Lunch For All Students
All Forsyth County students will be eligible for free breakfast and lunch each day of the 2021-2022 school year. Extra items like bottled water, ice cream, and chips are still for sale and not included in the free meals, so we encourage parents to use My Payments Plus to fund school lunch accounts.
Counseling Corner
We are excited to welcome two new counselors. Ms. Sarah Coats is our new 6th grade counselor and Ms. Georgie Walters is our new 7th grade counselor. In addition, Ms. Aimee Tarver who worked with our 7th grade students last year will be working with our 8th grade students this year. We have also added a new position to our student support team. Ms. Jamie Baggett will be our Student Support Specialist. Her primary roles will be 504s, MTSS, and supporting students academically.
Sarah Coats: 6th grade
Georgie Walters: 7th grade
Aimee Traver: 8th grade
Jamie Baggett: Student Support Specialist
Please reach out to your child’s counselor if you have any concerns.
Parents of current 8th grade students - Save the Date for Coffee & Conversation with Ms. Tarver and Denmark High School counselors Tuesday, October 12th at 9:15 am.
DMS Spirit Wear
Please click here for information about how to order school spirit wear for your child!
Clubs & Activities
Robotics Club
Robotics Club sign up will begin on Wednesday, Aug 25, through Wednesday, September 1. There are 20 spots available. The signup sheet/information will be distributed through Infinite Campus messenger and in person. A mandatory virtual parent meeting will be held Friday, September 3 (time TBD) and the first club meeting for students will be held Tuesday, September 7 (time TBD).
Volleyball Club
6th-8th grade girls will start on August 17th. It will be on Tuesday mornings 7:45-8:45am and Thursday afternoons 4:30-5:30pm. All girls will need a physical on file which can be picked up and turned back into the front office. Contact Mr. Dipboye (DDipboye@forsyth.k12.ga.us) or Ms. Bailey (KBailey58@forsyth.k12.ga.us) if you have any questions.
ESOL Parent Information Night
ESOL Information Night will take place on Thursday, August 19th, 2021 for all ESOL students and families from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The meeting will be virtual again this year. Please join us to find out the most important information! The link for the meeting will be posted on DeSana’s website on the 19th.
La Noche de Información de ESOL se llevará a cabo el jueves 19 de agosto de 2021 para todos los estudiantes de ESOL y sus familias de 6:00 pm a 7:00 pm. El encuentro volverá a ser virtual este año. ¡Únase a nosotros para conocer la información más importante! El enlace a la reunión se publicará en el sitio web de DeSana el día 19.
August Events
- August 13: Deadline to sign up for the 8th grade field trip to the Braves game! Email Ms. Lyons with any questions.
August 17: Football vs. SFMS @ 6:30 pm (game played at South Forsyth High School)
August 17: Volleyball Club 6th-8th grader girls. Contact Mr. Dipboye or Ms. Bailey
August 19: ESOL Virtual parent informational meeting.
August 24: Football vs. RWMS @ 6:30 pm (game played at Lambert High School)
August 25-September 1: Robotics Club Sign-up (limited availability, look for an email from Mr. Bunn)
August 26: Virtual Curriculum Night (further information will be coming soon)
August 31: Football vs. LMMS @ 6:30 pm (game played at Denmark High School)