Panther Press Volume 27
Excellence,Everywhere,Everyday
Greetings Panther Nation
Happy May! I can’t believe this is the last month of school. This year will definitely go down in the history books! We have 19 days of school left, but who's counting...
As we begin Week 8 of Remote Learning, I just want to let you know that you are doing an amazing job! The partnership between school and home has always been important, but never has it been more important than now. We thank you for your patience, your optimism, and your participation.
This week, we will be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week at Duncanville High School. I would once again like to thank our teachers for the job they do for all our students every day. At DHS we have great students and families, but we also have the quality teaching staff to teach and support our students and bring out their best.
Our teachers, teacher assistants, and office staff have stepped up to the plate again and again and again. They are working morning, noon, and night to deliver good instruction, provide written feedback, and make personal contacts with our students. They have served our students as teachers, social workers, therapists, and friends. We are now seven weeks strong and can say that Remote Learning has improved each and every week.
Thank you for doing what needs to be done for each of our students every day, and for ensuring both as individuals and as a school, we always do what is “best for kids!”
WeAreDville
Updated Graduation Information
Graduation has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Graduation has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Last week the University of Texas at Arlington leadership and College Park Center management made the decision to cancel all events in May and June. This decision is based on current requirements for reduced capacity and social distancing that prohibit normal operations of events, and to further mitigate health risks associated with large events.
The University will review and make a decision on July events by June 1. If the July date is canceled, we will move forward with a Virtual Commencement.
We understand that many of you have already made graduation accommodations so you will receive an update as soon as possible once a decision has been made.
Senior year is a very special time for students and we want to ensure that the graduation experience and tradition continues. The safety of our students, staff and families come first, and we have to adhere to the recommendations of our local and state authorities for the health and well-being of the community.
Cap and Gowns will be here May 21, 2020. We will be scheduling a pick-up date on May 27, 2020.
With that being said, we need you to make sure that you have ordered your cap and gown. If you have not already, please visit dallasbalfour.com and make that order as soon as possible.
Again, we appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we all attempt to navigate through this difficult time.
Yard Signs are ready for distribution on Wednesday, May 6, from 11:00am- 2:00pm.
Senior yard signs are ready for distribution on Wednesday, May 6, from 11:00am - 2:00pm. Please come to the front of the building and remain in your car. We must continue to practice social distancing. Go Panthers class of 2020! #WeAreDville #DHS2020
Seniors 2020 Frequently Asked Questions
Progress Report
Your child’s progress report for the 4th 9 weeks is now posted to Skyward Family Access for you to review. You can access your child’s progress report by logging into your Skyward Family Access account. If you need assistance with your password visit www.duncanvilleisd.org. Click on Parents/Skyward Family Access Help. A Frequently Asked Questions link will give you the guidance to access your password.
Due to our current circumstances, the progress report is being provided to communicate the work your child has submitted to date. We recognize some students have been delayed in getting started due to access to technology and/or receipt of work packets. It is not too late to submit any missing assignments. The progress report serves as a reminder of the work your child still needs to complete.
Earlier this month, Dr. Smith notified families of the adjusted grading guidelines for our district. I am including the grading guidelines chart here for your reference. We want every student to continue to engage in daily learning activities and submit their best work. Please review your child’s progress and communicate to your child’s teacher any questions or needs. We are here to support your student during this unprecedented time.
OnRamps Parent Pamphlet
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN TAKING ONRAMPS COURSES?
Why OnRamps Dual Credit from UT?
Many of our best-prepared students –even those who have taken the most rigorous coursework offered to them-still struggle in entry-level courses at universities. OnRamps Dual Credit gives high school students the opportunity to earn college credit from The University of Texas at Austin while engaging with rigorous content and practicing crucial skills to prepare them for success in university-level coursework.
Not only is OnRamps Dual Credit a cost-effective way for students to earn college credit, these Dual Credit courses provide some safety nets for students that is typically not part of the Dual credit experience, making OnRamps Dual Credit a solid option for students in Duncanville ISD.
What is OnRamps Dual Credit from UT?
OnRamps Dual Enrollment is a blended learning course to be offered to juniors and seniors for dual credit from the University of Texas at Austin.
OnRamps Dual Enrollment is an opportunity for students to receive UT content and UT credit without having to pass the TSI assessment. OnRamps Dual Enrollment courses are developed by the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin. DISD teachers receive course materials that:
- Align directly with content and skill expectations of entry-level university classes
- Applies the latest research about how students learn best.
OnRamps Dual Enrollment is an economical way for high school students to earn three to six hours of college math credit or college english credit prior to high school graduation.
Available 2020-2021 OnRamps Courses:
- Introduction to Rhetoric: Reading, Writing & Research/English 4
- College Algebra
- Discovery Pre-Calculus
Tools to Learn More
For more information, please visit UT OnRamps Overview
For a fun, informative video, please visit UT OnRamps Video
For information about the Pre-Calculus Course, please visit Pre-Calculus
For information about the College Algebra Course, please visit College Algebra
For information about the Rhetoric & Writing (English 4) Course, please visit English 4
If interested in taking an OnRamps course, please contact your counselor.
Advance Academic Updates
Hello Parents of AP Scholars,
We are one week away from the start of College Board AP Testing: May 11 - May 22.
AP Exam updates and information will be shared with your scholars via their AP teachers, but is included here to keep you apprised as well.
Please see linked here the AP Testing Guide. Comprehensive information regarding the Exam is included.
On May 4th, AP Exam Demos will be available and assigned for scholars to become familiar and comfortable with the exam process.
To prepare for test days, scholars will be asked to complete the 5 steps to take before test day checklist and keep it handy when they test.
Scholars will receive an AP Exam E-Ticket via email and in their MYAP account two days prior to each exam.
Scholars should login 30 minutes prior to the start of the test using the information on the E-Ticket.
Tests are open book and open note, however security measures are in place to guard against plagiarism and collaboration. Scholar entries should reflect their own thinking and work.
There are 3 ways to submit work:
- attach a file
- copy and paste the response
- attach a picture of hand written work
The exam will take 45 minutes in most cases in addition to the 30 minutes before the exam begins. You can help your scholar by ensuring a testing environment that is free from distractions, as much as you are able to do so. Additionally, a dependable internet connection will be necessary to submit responses. It may be helpful to reduce multi use of wifi bandwidth during the test. Should technical challenges keep your scholar from completing the exam, they will have the opportunity to request a make up exam. Make up exams are scheduled for June.
Thank you for your support! It is our hope that in spite of these challenging times, our scholars are able to earn the college credit they have been working towards all year.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your scholar’s teacher or Amy Anderson at aanderson@duncanvilleisd.org.
#WeAreDVille
Skyward Update
If you need to update your email address or phone numbers, please know you can make those changes in Family Access.
Follow the steps below on how to make those changes in Family Access:
- Log into Family Access
- Click on My Account (top right corner)
- When the Account Settings screen opens, there is place for your email address and up to three phone numbers.
Please note – Each parent/guardian can enter one email address to receive communication via Skyward Message Center.
- Once changes are made, click Save.
If you're unable to log into Family Access, please try this additional options.
- Use the Forgot Your Password link from the Family Access login page
Need a Transcript or VOE? We are here to help!
If you are needing a Transcript for Scholarship Application or VOE, we are able to help you remotely via email! See directions below. Please allow 24 hour (business day) turn around on all requests.
Transcript for a Scholarship Application
- Email Marya Dancer, DHS Record Clerk @MDancer@duncanvilleisd.org
- Include full student name and ID number
VOE (Verification of Enrollment) for Driver's Permit/License
- 9th Grade, Email Brigitte Neal, Attendance Clerk @BNeal@duncanvilleisd.org
- 10th & 11th Grade, Email Anne Kimple, Attendance Clerk @ AKimple@duncanvilleisd.org
- 12th Grade, Email Elsa Gonzalez, Attendance Clerk, @ Elsgonzalez@duncanvilleisd.org
- Include full student name and ID number
DHS Library Still Open Online
Hi DHS Students!
We wanted to remind you that the library is still here to serve you virtually. We have a number of eBooks and audiobooks available through our Sora app so you can still check out books digitally! We also have a variety of online databases to help you with research, as well as individual codes to Open eBooks for authentic, safe online access to hundreds of popular books.
Miss chatting about books, anime, and more? We do too! Let’s meet virtually. Use the codes below to join our “clubs” via Google Classroom and check the stream often for updates. We are here to help with access to any of these resources. If you’re not able to find a book you’d like or if you need help finding resources for your research, please email us and we will be happy to help.
Anime Club Google Classroom code: pfqtri2.
Book Club Google Classroom code: kg44oi4
#WeAreDville
Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Garcia
DHS - Learning Online
Click here to directly access DHS learning online resource. For your convenience, individual grade levels have been provided below.
Remote Learning Tips
By now, you have already received work for various classes. It is really important, now more than ever to stay on top of your work. Here are a few tips to help you make your time meaningful and productive:
1. Try active study. This means asking yourself questions before, during, and after your studying. Questions such as, what do I already know about this topic, or while doing the work, what did I just read, can I paraphrase it, and then when you are done, what do I need to review before studying again.
2. Get a good night's sleep. It is really important to maintain a regular bedtime routine.
3. Study at the right time. This could be early morning or later in the day. You know yourself better than anyone, find the right time to do work.
4. Have a designated study area. This could be the kitchen table, or at a desk, if you have one. It is really important, though, to study away from the TV or other screens, such as your phone.
5. Eat properly. If you can, have snacks ready to go before you study.
6. Get chores out of the way. Many of your parents or guardians may have given you chores to do while you are at home. If this is the case, make sure they are done before studying.
7. Create a timetable. This is a fancy way of saying come up with a schedule. This means figure out how much time, and none is not an option, you need to spend on each subject. For instance, maybe you need to schedule more time for language arts, but not as much for social studies.
8. Set a timer. Your phone has one important use while you study, it has clock. If you know how, set a timer so you can keep track of your time spent on each subject.
Duncanville GO Center Virtual Hours
Duncanville ISD family,
During this time when Duncanville ISD is closed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we remain committed to taking care of children, in particular those who depend on meals served at school each day.
Beginning Monday, March 23, district nutrition services staff will distribute grab-and-go lunches to all school-age children.
The child does not need to be a student in the district. The child must be present to receive a meal and there is a limit of one meal per child. The lunches will be distributed through curbside pickup at the following schools.
Meal distribution will take place starting Monday, March 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Monday through Friday.
Fairmeadows Elementary School
101 E Fairmeadows Dr.
Duncanville, TX 75116
Merrifield Elementary School
102 E. Vinyard Rd.
Duncanville, TX 75137
Hyman Elementary School
8441 Fox Creek Trail
Dallas, TX 75249
Kennemer Middle School
7101 W Wheatland Rd.
Dallas, TX 75249
If you have questions about this program, email Director of Nutrition Services Donna Woodard-Thomas at dwoodardthomas@duncanvilleisd.org. Thank you.
STAAR TEST CANCELLED
What you Need to Know About Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Stop the Spread of Germs
Michael McDonald
Location: 900 West Camp Wisdom Road, Duncanville, TX 75116, USA
Phone: 972-708-3700