Cougar Connection
October 21, 2022
From Principal Dr. Barnette
October 21, 2022
Dear Diegueño Families,
We continue to focus on ways to keep your children safe and to support their success in the classroom. We are fortunate that virtually all students are on time for their classes within the school day, but we would like to see an improvement in the number of students who are on time when they first arrive on campus in the morning. Beginning Monday, we will be enforcing our “3 strikes and you’re out” tardy policy. Students will earn a lunch detention whenever they accumulate three tardies. Please remind your student that they are tardy if they are not in their seat in the classroom. Simply being inside the campus gate is not sufficient. Students who are outside of the classroom when the tardy bell rings will be escorted to the attendance office to get a late pass. Thank you for your support!!
Bike safety continues to be a priority for us since we have over 200 eBike riders each day. We added more bike racks this week and have requested even more. Students are doing a much better job of walking their bikes on campus and wearing their helmets properly. Over the next 2 weeks, we’re going to work with students who haven’t yet met the requirements for a bike permit, including the mandatory bike safety class. Beginning on November 1, students will not be permitted to park their bikes on campus without a bike tag. See this bike safety webpage for more information.
Finally, we held a comprehensive safety drill on Thursday in recognition of the Great American Shakeout Earthquake Drill. Our students and staff members practiced what to do in the unlikely event of an earthquake or fire. The kids were awesome!!! Almost 800 students evacuated single file and in near silence. The adults took lots of notes so we can improve our safety practices, but we were very pleased with this first go around. Additionally, we passed an inspection today by the Encinitas Fire Department Fire Marshal and we continue to work closely with the San Diego Sheriff. All that said, our most important safety measure is fostering open and trusting relationships with our students. Please continue to encourage your students to tell a trusted adult if they see or hear something that is concerning, especially on social media.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend and GO PADRES!!
Kindly,
Dr. Celeste Barnette
Looking ahead, we need a handful of parents to help with a very fun Color Battle event on Thursday, November 3. You can sign up here.
October/November Events
October
Monday, October 24 - Late Start
Monday, October 24 - Friday, November, 4 - ASB Fundraiser - Apex COLOR BATTLE.
Monday, October, 31 - 1, 3, 5 Block Period
Monday, October 31 - Halloween Dress-Up Day. Here are the guidelines to follow regarding costumes.
November
Tuesday, November, 1 - 2, 4, 6 Block Period
Wednesday, November 2 - 1, 3, 5, Block Period
Wednesday, November 2 - Bagels w/Dr. Barnette
Thursday, November 3 - Single Period
ASB & Student Announcements
If your student has lost their sweatshirt, water bottle, or anything else, please have them come check the lost & found by the office!
2023 DNO Yearbooks are on Sale NOW!
Buy your yearbook for the lowest discounted price all year! They are $50 until the end of THIS month. They go up to $55 on Oct. 1 Buy your 2023 Yearbook TODAY!
CLICK HERE to Order!
8th Grade Parents - Yearbook Recognition Ads are now on sale until Feb. 1, 2023
For $35 you can give your amazing student a shout-out in this year's yearbook.
CLICK HERE to start creating your recognition ad!
Business Ads are on sale now until Feb. 1, 2023
Starting at $50 you can create a beautiful color business ad in our yearbook. It's a great way to be seen by your community and support your student's school.
CLICK HERE to start creating your business ad!
Attendance Corner
- Call or email 24-48 in advance for an “Off-Campus” pass, if picking up students early for appointments. Students will need to pick up a pass before school on the day of their appointment.
- For the safety of our students, a Parent or Guardian will need to sign out a student through attendance in the administration building. Students cannot walk or ride their bikes/e-bikes home.
- To minimize class disruption please be aware drop-off items such as Chromebooks, PE clothes, homework, lunches, etc., will not be delivered to class. In the morning announcements, students are told to ONLY come to check the Forgotten Items Cart during the break, CAT and lunch. The office is NOT responsible for items not picked up by students.
- Please do not bring outside food to students. ALL students are able to get free lunch at our Cougar Cafe.
Thank you for your cooperation
HEALTH NOTE
Health Note: Cold and flu season is here!
Help keep your child and family healthy with these few tips:
*Get a flu vaccine each year
*cough into your elbow, not your hand
*wash your hands with warm soapy water often OR use hand sanitizer if no water/soap is available
* wipe doorknobs and surfaces with household disinfectant as the flu virus can live on surfaces for 24 hours
* STAY HOME if you have a temperature over 100 degrees. You must be fever free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication before returning to school.
A few words from our Diegueño PTSA
PTSA Membership
Thank you Cougar Community to all of those who've donated to PTSA and signed up to be members. Strong membership participation allows us to have more of a voice at the state level. If you would like to donate and become a PTSA member please go to www.dieguenoptsa.org/donate. You are welcome to donate all year, however, we would love to see more funds at the beginning of the year so we can plan and do as much for the students as soon as possible.
We would love to hear your thoughts on how we can utilize this money to help all students. Please look out for upcoming events. Everyone's voice is welcome. We are thrilled to have such a generous and active school community.
Sincerely, PTSA
ELAC - English Learner Advisory Committee 2022-2023
Please join us for our ELAC Multilingual Learner Family Welcome Night
Thursday, October 27 at Earl Warren MS Cove from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
See below for more information.
Diegueño Middle School
2022-23 SDUHSD Instructional Calendar
Boys & Girls Club Big Ei8ht Sports
Chromebook Insurance - School Device Coverage
Website: dg.sduhsd.net
Location: 2150 Village Park Way, Encinitas, CA, USA
Phone: (760) 944-1892
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Diegueno-Middle-School-150457255051782