DRAGON DIGEST
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 / SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
Dear DeSana Parents,
Perhaps, as you’ve visited our school during the last 3 weeks or so, you’ve noticed some new words and phrases on walls and beams throughout our facility. These words and phrases are about who we are and what we believe here at DeSana. Our faculty spent a good part of last year crafting these beliefs about who we are, and we are very proud to now display these words around our school.
On the wall in the front office, and on the wall up high as you exit our main entrance doors, you see our new beliefs. These beliefs are ones that our faculty, staff and administration feel are the essence of who we are at DeSana and what we strive to carry out every single day, as well as instill within each and every young Dragon daily. It is what we believe about who we are and what we do daily.
We are . . .
Diverse thinkers who
Engage across cultures as we
Seek new learning opportunities that
Apply to real-world experiences. We are
Not afraid to fail
And try again!
We are DeSana!
As you walk down our main, front entrance hallway, heading to The Commons, you may have noticed the bold words printed in large font on the green cross beams up high. This is our mission each and every day here at DeSana! We want ALL of our young Dragons and ALL of our staff to . . .
Collaborate . . . Create . . . Innovate . . . Persevere . . . Inspire!
When you walk back towards our front entrance from the media center, you may have noticed the five phrases on the other side of the green cross beams up high. These are five important tenets or principles that we believe are important for our young Dragons to know . . . understand . . . and practice on a regular basis in order to be healthy young adolescents . . . socially, emotionally and academically.
Light the Way
Create Balance
Leave a Legacy
Be There When You’re There
Strengthen Your Community
They are basically about being self-aware, being able to manage oneself, making responsible decisions, knowing how to establish and maintain healthy relationships, and being socially aware and respecting others --- including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. These five tenets are ones that we will explore and help our students learn more about and grow in throughout this year, and the years to come, via our new S.E.A.D. (Social, Emotional & Academic Development) initiative here at DeSana (more about this in a future Principal’s Letter!).
As a school . . . and as the principal of DeSana . . . we/I want to see our young Dragons develop, grow and thrive in all aspects of their being - - - cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally. And so we ask you, our parents, to partner with us as we plant seeds and nurture them so that we may grow strong and healthy hearts and minds here at DeSana.
With warmest regards,
Terri A. North
Principal
ACADEMICS
SCIENCE GRANT FROM SAWNEE ELECTRIC
Sawnee Electric has granted the 8th grade Physical Science team $1,262 for a new, hands-on learning experience during the Physics portion of the standards. Students will be building and testing different rubber band racers to better visualize forces and motion using K’Nex Science Kits.
We are excited to be able to bring something new to the curriculum and hope the students enjoy their racers!
CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. BIGLIANI - - - DESANA'S 2018-2019 TEACHER OF THE YEAR!!!
A BIG shout-out and the heartiest of congratulations go out to DeSana’s chorus teacher and theater director, Mr. Christian Bigliani, who was selected as DeSana’s Teacher of the Year for 2018 – 2019 this past week. What a fabulous teacher he is, as he works with students in his 6th, 7th and 8th grade chorus classes, general music classes, and his musical theater cadre of kids!! Congratulations Mr. Biggles!!!
REACH SCHOLARSHIP WINNER AT DESANA
We are incredibly proud of Judith R. for being selected as DeSana Middle School’s REACH Scholar for the 2018-2019 school year! Judith went through a rigorous application process that included two interviews to earn this scholarship and we are thrilled that she is representing DeSana in such a fantastic way! The REACH scholarship gives students $10,000 to attend one of over 50 private or public Georgia 4-year universities or 2-year institutions. Some universities offer to match or double match the scholarship money, meaning Judith could get $10,000 to $20,000 in addition to the $10,000 that REACH awards her! The REACH scholarship is accepted by Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, Mercer University, University of Georgia, Emory University, Augusta University, Berry College and many more! Way to go, Judith! We're sooooo VERY proud of you!!
CELEBRATING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AT DESANA
On Wednesday, September 12th and Thursday, September 13th, the DeSana faculty and administration will host our fall Academic Achievement Celebrations. These celebrations will honor those students who excelled academically during the second semester of the 2017 – 2018 school year (last year). What better way to start this new school year than to recognize our young Dragons for their outstanding academic accomplishments last spring!
We will recognize our Honor Roll students - - - those students who earned a grade of 90 or above for their second semester grade (not their final course average) in each and every class. This includes all 4 core classes --- Math Language Arts, Science and Social Studies --- and Literacy classes and Spanish class (8th grade only), and all Connections classes taken during the second semester.
We will also recognize our Merit Roll students. For 6th Grade Students --- those students who earned a grade of 80 or above for their second semester grade (not their final course average) in each and every class. This, too, includes all 4 core classes --- Math Language Arts, Science and Social Studies --- Literacy classes, and all Connections classes taken during the second semester. For 7th Grade & 8th Grade Students --- those students who earned a grade of 85 or above for their second semester grade (not their final course average) in each and every class. This, too, includes all 4 core classes --- Math Language Arts, Science and Social Studies --- Literacy classes or Spanish class (8th grade only), and all Connections classes taken during the second semester.
Invitations for honored students and their parents to attend these wonderful ceremonies were sent home with students on Wednesday, September 5th. The Academic Achievement Celebrations will take place by grade level, with each on separate days:
· Present 8th Grade Students / Last Year’s 7th Grade Students – Wednesday, September 12th @ 8:00 AM in the DeSana cafeteria
· Present 7th Grade Students / Last Year’s 6th Grade Students – Thursday, September 13th @ 8:00 AM in the DeSana cafeteria
Parents, we will begin each Celebration promptly at 8:00 so you will want to make your morning plans accordingly as we will be honoring quite a few students at each. Parking will be available in the parking lots in front of the school and by the gym.
This will be a special event as we take this opportunity to congratulate and honor our young Dragons who continually make school, their learning, and the mastering of academic standards a priority in their lives. We congratulate our Academic Achievement honorees! And we look forward to seeing our students and parents at these special award events!
GRADE LEVEL ENEWSLETTERS
We know that many middle schoolers are not the best conduit of information about what is happening at school in all of their different classes. Itslearning is a BIG help in reminding students about assignments and what they are studying in class, as well as providing a wealth of information for parents. But we want to make doubly sure that our parents are in the knowabout their young Dragon’s academic endeavors, so that is why we will begin publishing our digital, monthly Grade Level eNewsletters beginning next week --- for the rest of August. These eNewsletters are nothing fancy --- just the facts --- and are designed to give you a brief synopsis of what is happening in the four main content areas (five for 8th graders, which includes Spanish) . . . Math, ELA, Science and Social Studies . . . on a monthly basis. Each Grade level eNewsletter (eNews, for short) may contain information about standards/topics/concepts being studied throughout the month, formative and/or summative assessments coming up, project assignments, and/or reminders about other upcoming activities or events. So stay tuned to your email in box as our first eNews will be coming your way electronically within the next week!
ITSLEARNING
What is itsLearning?
ItsLearning is a learning management system (online platform) that allows teachers to have an online component alongside their traditional instruction. Not only can teachers post classroom content but they may also have students participate in online discussions, submit assignments, complete assessments, and create content. In addition to being a vital component for everyday teaching and learning, itsLearning will also be utilized during any days missed due to unscheduled school closures (ex. inclement weather). ItsLearning is also a communication tool for administrators, teachers, students, and parents. Additionally, teachers can utilize the recommendation engine to provide students with either remediation or enrichment on course standards.
What can I do as a parent?
In all courses, parents can monitor content assigned to their children through itsLearning. Parents can log-in with the same credentials they use to get in Parent Portal or by using their child’s log in information. Here at DeSana we recommend using your child’s log-in information. This will give you a little more access to things when you are trying to assist your child. Be sure to ask your child for their username and password. In both instances, parents can check the Lesson Planner section for the class lesson presented that day, see posted homework or posted ‘no homework’, see class resources used, class activities, and any information about upcoming tests, projects, and quizzes. Using the student log-in will allow parents to find bulletins or reminders in individual courses. Parents can also find links to valuable resources that students may need throughout the year. This can include on-line text books and more.
How do I get there?
There are 2 easy ways to get there: 1. Go to https://forsyth.itslearning.com. Use your child’s username and password to log-in. 2. Visit our DeSana Middle School web site and use the quick link at the top right to access itslearning. Again, use your child’s username and password. If your child does not know their information, they can ask one of their teachers or go see Mrs. Gooch, the DeSana Instructional Technology Specialist in her office located in the Media Center. This information cannot be emailed or given out over the phone. Having this information and checking it regularly are vital for helping your child succeed to the fullest at DeSana.
Still need help?
Visiting the DeSana Webpage will be your first step. On the right side under Quick Links is a link to valuable resources. These resources include print and video resources about using and navigating itsLearning for both parents and students. You can also access these resources through the link here. Please feel free to call or email Mrs. Gooch if you have any questions or need assistance. She is happy to either talk you through it or set-up a time to meet to better assist you. Mrs. Gooch’s contact information is 770-667-2591 ext. 491590 and lgooch@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
ANNOUNCING DRAGON ACADEMY FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR - - - AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL LEARNING & ASSESSMENT TIME FOR STUDENTS!
Dragon Academy is an opportunity we will begin offering students on August 25th from 4:15 – 6:15 for completing, taking or re-taking formative and/or summative assessments (i.e. unit tests, projects, essays, quizzes. etc.). Dragon Academy will happen at least two times a month --- on Fridays ---beginning Friday, August 24th, with teachers and an administrator supervising each session. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to drastically improve both their learning and their grades. Students will be invited by their teachers . . . or they may invite themselves . . . to attend Dragon Academy if they are missing work or need to re-take an assessment to show better mastery of the standards or complete a project. Although students will have about two hours to complete their work, once they complete all that they came to accomplish, students will be able to call their parent to come pick them up. Snacks and drinks will be sold for a very reasonable cost so students may focus on their work, not on their gurgling stomachs! Any necessary school supplies will be provided for students to use to complete their work, as needed.
Please mark your calendars now for these Dragon Academy dates for the rest of the school year:
· September 21
· October 5, 17 (Early Release Day so it will be 1:30 – 4:00) & 26
· November 9 &16
· December 7 & 14
· January 25
· February 8 & 22
· March 15 & 29
· April 19 & 26
· May 3 & 10
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN (AOL) TIME
Has your child learned everything in their life the first time it was presented to them? Does your child really like to come in for early morning help sessions? Does your child really like to stay after school for help sessions? If the answer to any of these questions is “no” then Additional Opportunity to Learn (AOL) time will be great for your child. AOL is a 50 minute block of time that will happen first thing in the morning on Thursdays, and on some Wednesdays (9:00 – 9:50) beginning Thursday, August 23rd. During this block of time, students have the opportunity to receive re-teaching from their teachers should they need it. If your child is struggling in a class or if they have received a low summative score, please encourage them to take advantage of AOL time! Ask your young Dragon each Wednesday evening/Thursday morning where he/she is going for AOL time on Thursday. Then ask your young Dragon Thursday evening what teacher he/she went to that day for extra help. Thanking you in advance for your help in making sure our young Dragons take advantage of this learning opportunity during AOL time!
ACTIVITIES
THIS YEAR WE ARE FORMING AN S!
Mark your calendars . . . On Friday, September 21st, ALL DeSana students, teachers and staff will gather on the football field during the middle part of the day to carry on a fine tradition here at The Lair . . . take a whole school photograph in the shape of one of the letters to help spell out D-E-S-A-N-A. So this year we’re forming an S! Students are encouraged to wear our DeSana school colors that day --- navy blue, lime green or gray!! Can’t wait to add our DeSana S to our wall décor!!
KINDNESS REALLY DOES MATTER!
In continuing our yearlong focus on #BeKind at DeSana, on this Friday, September 7th (today!), DeSana’s faculty and administration will host its inaugural student recognition celebration called Kindness Matters! For each month --- August, September, October, November/December, January, February, March and April/May --- teachers and parapros at DeSana will select one student each whom they have observed firsthand spreading a little kindness throughout the month. We will recognize each student selected for their kind ways. Students will attend a pizza party luncheon and will receive a certificate with their acts of kindness written on each certificate, along with receiving a custom-made pin that reads “Kindness Matters” on our DeSana D. Each month, up to 68 students will be recognized for spreading kindness throughout our school at each of these Kindness Matters Celebrations. Now just how wonderful is that!! Click here to view the names of the honorees of our very first Kindness Matters Award!
THE DENMARK COMMUNITY OF SCHOOLS PRESENTS THE FIRST OF OUR PARENT 411 SERIES!
Mark your calendar for Monday evening, September 17th at 6:30 as our Denmark Community of Schools presents the first of a series of three Parent 411 sessions throughout this school year. This first Parent 411 session is entitled Got Skills? Please join the principals and assistant principals of our Denmark Community’s seven schools --- Big Creek, Brandywine, Midway, Shiloh Pt., DeSana, Piney Grove and Denmark --- as we present a session on developing the necessary skills to promote student success in school and in life. This session will be held in the auditorium at Denmark HS. Childcare will be provided for K-5 children. So grab a friend (as this session, like all the rest, are for parents of children in any and every grade level in our Denmark Community of Schools) and come hear how you can help your child be even more successful! Click here to see a short video about this session. Hope to see you on the 17th at Denmark HS!
PICTURE DAY SEPTEMBER 14TH!
Cady Studios will be here on Friday, 9/14/18 to take every student's school picture. The order forms were distributed to students on Wednesday of this week. Please complete this form with your package choice and return with the payment on 9/14/18 – or by placing your order online prior to picture day. Discounted prices are only available prior to Picture Day. All cash or check orders must be completed on picture day. Only online credit card orders will be accepted after Picture Day. Simply go to cadykids.com to see all your options and pay for beautiful pictures from Cady Studios.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
DESANA'S LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL (LSC)
DeSana’s Local School Council has organized for this 2018-2019 school year and held its first meeting on Friday, August 31st. The LSC will meet monthly (except for January) at 7:30 AM on the following dates:
· September 14. 2018
· October 5, 2018
· November 2, 2018
· December 7, 2018
· February 8, 2019
· March 1, 2019
· April 12, 2019
· May 3, 2019
Members of the DeSana LSC are:
· Barry Herrin Parent / Businessperson Rep
· Christopher Naffky Parent / Businessperson Rep & LSC Vice Chairperson
· Michael Smith Parent Rep
· Victor Williams Parent Rep & LSC Chairperson
· Jennifer Hester-Hall PTO Rep
· Bridget Bryson Teacher Rep
· Laureen Krawiec Teacher Rep & LSC Secretary
· Stacy Dockter Teacher Rep
· Terri North Principal
Members of the DeSana LSC will learn more about DeSana and the educational opportunities and initiatives offered to the students and parents, provide feedback and recommendations to the DeSana administration for continued school improvement, as well as give feedback to the superintendent and FC Board of Education on a variety of topics, when solicited.
FALL BREAK IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!
Even though there does not seem to be even a hint of Fall in the air --- especially when it comes to the daily temperatures --- Forsyth County School’s Fall Break will soon be here, starting in two weeks . . . September 24th – September 28th. During this week, the DeSana office will be closed, as ALL students and staff take some time off to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul. We hope all of our DeSana families stay safe in their travels, and we look forward to seeing all of our young Dragons back at The Lair on Monday, October 1st, ready to engage in some more exciting learning!
SAFETY IS . . . AND ALWAYS WILL BE . . . OUR #1 PRIORITY AT DESANA!
Please know that providing a safe and secure environment at DeSana for our students and staff is our #1 Priority each and every day! We know that if our students do not feel safe here, then the learning will not take place. We very much understand that you are sending us your most precious thing in the world daily, and you want them to be in a safe place. This is not something that I, nor the rest of my administrative team or staff, take lightly. That is why safety here at DeSana is and always will be our #1 Priority each and every day.
Forsyth County Schools and DeSana Middle School have many practices and procedures in place to help safeguard your young Dragon every minute of every day to, from and on campus. Detailed safety plans for all kinds of emergencies --- including lockdown situations --- have been carefully planned, written, shared with staff, put in place, and will be practiced frequently with our staff and students as we begin this school year. We will continue to practice these drills in an organized way, and as if they were the real thing, throughout the school year. In regards to practicing our lockdown drill, we have shown our teachers and staff a video about the correct procedures to follow in this scenario so that they can go over these procedures with students, as well. And in the near future, we will be showing all of our students this same video. You may access this video via the FCS website at https://vimeo.com/112519042. I encourage you to view the video together with your son or daughter and also discuss what they need to do in such a situation.
Our school system has an excellent partnership with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. Our School Resource Officer (SRO), Deputy Lavin, is one of 28+ deputies in the county’s schools, and is assigned to DeSana, and on our campus daily, checking on things, talking to students, and getting to know them.
DeSana has security cameras throughout the school and lockdown buttons that are connected directly to 911 dispatch. We also have a control access point for entering and exiting our school building. All visitors must come to this single front door and be buzzed in by one of our secretaries who has a wide view of the entire person and the surrounding area. Check-in procedures that are strictly adhered to are in place, and in order for a parent to check-out a child, he/she must enter our front office to do so and present a valid driver’s license. Visitor scanning technology is in place in our front office for any person visiting our school outside of the front office area. Outside doors are checked throughout the school day to make sure they are always locked and no one has left a door propped open.
Some of DeSana's daily standard operating procedures are to have our head custodian check the entire facility and campus early each morning to look for any unusual objects. Phones are in every classroom. Diligent supervision of our students by our entire staff, from the moment they step foot on campus until they leave, is a daily practice. Administrators are out and about the school daily, and are in constant communication with each other, our SRO, and the front office through radios, as well as with the school district's Safety Office via special radios. Our school phones come equipped with sophisticated technology that allows for tracing phone calls in the event of a bomb threat or other threatening phone calls.
All Forsyth County school buses are equipped with two-way radios so that they can be in constant communication with the transportation department and the school. They are also equipped with GPS so that bus locations may be tracked at all times. In addition, our FCS Code of Conduct Dress Code prohibits students from wearing over-sized, over-length or baggy clothing items so that weapons and other contraband are less likely to be hidden on students. The FCS Dress Code is enforced at DeSana.
Parents, one of the biggest things you can do to help us keep our young Dragons safe at DeSana is to have a frank talk with your child(ren) about the importance of them communicating with us here if they see, hear, read (anywhere . . . including on social media), or suspect something that concerns them about their safety at DeSana. They should immediately share their concerns with a teacher, counselor, administrator, or Deputy Lavin. We take all reports of such concerns seriously and investigate them thoroughly, doing what we need to do in order to insure the safety of everyone at DeSana. There is also our school system’s Campus Crime Stoppers hotline at 770-205-4625, where students may make an anonymous report. Campus Crime Stoppers posters are displayed throughout our school and have the phone number to call or text.
Please also emphasize to your young Dragon that joking around about shooting people, blowing up things, harming others at school, the mall, the movie theater, or anywhere else may get them in serious trouble . . . more trouble than they could ever imagine. People are going to take such statements seriously.
We have talked with our students since the very first few days of school about safety being a top priority at DeSana, and letting them know that it is also their responsibility to help keep our school safe by reporting any safety concerns that they have. And we will continue the mantra of if you see/hear/read/suspect something, you need to say something. We will continue to need your help with this parents, as middle schoolers many times see only the social implications of reporting something about another student. Rest assured any information of this nature that is shared with an administrator, counselor or teacher is held in strictest confidence. Please let your child know that it is your expectation that he/she take personal responsibility in reporting anything he/she sees/hears/reads that could jeopardize the safety of any or all of our students and staff.
While I am not a parent myself, I think I do understand, and most definitely share your concern about the safety of your young Dragon here at DeSana. It is something that is always on my mind. I encourage you, parents, that any time you have concerns about the safety or well-being of your child, you will not hesitate to call or email me, or Mr. Sloop or Ms. Epperson, our two Assistant Principals, to discuss these concerns. We want Desana to be a place where all students, staff and parents feel safe and comfortable. But we need everyone's help to keep it that way throughout this school year. Thanking you in advance for your help and support when it comes to the safety of our young Dragons!
FAQS ABOUT HOW DESANA'S FRONT OFFICE OPERATES
FRONT OFFICE
o The Front Office hours are 8:15AM to 5PM. Although students may enter the building at 7:30AM, the Front Office does not open until 8:15AM.
o The Front Office will not interrupt classes for items forgotten at home; however, teachers will be notified of forgotten lunches or eyeglasses. You may feel free to leave any other items that are labeled with your student’s name. It will be the student’s responsibility to retrieve their item.
STUDENT CHECK IN
o Students are allowed to check themselves in. Parents are not required to come in.
o Students are expected to be in class and ready to learn by 9:00AM. Students who arrive after the 9:00AM bell will check in through the Front Office and be counted as tardy or absent.
o A medical or parent note explaining student tardiness or absence should be submitted to the Front Office within 5 business days.
o Medical or parent notes may be submitted in person to the Front Office, or by emailing lgarcia@forsyth.k12.ga.us, or by fax at 770-667-2592.
o Please note that leaving a voice message is not an acceptable form of communicating a student’s absence to the school. A physical note must be submitted.
STUDENT CHECK OUT
o Only authorized individuals listed in Parent Portal will be allowed to check out students.
o Proper identification must be presented to the Front Office upon student check out.
o Notes stating that you will be checking out your child(ren) are not required in advance.
o The Front Office will call for your child(ren) after you come in and present proper identification. Please know that this process may take a few minutes and is dependent on where your student is at the time of check out. It is important for you to allow ample time, especially when you are trying to make it to an appointment.
o No check outs are allowed after 3:45PM, except in case of an emergency.
o Please submit medical or all other notes within 5 business days of the student’s absence.
TRANSPORTATION
o Please decide your student’s mode of transportation prior to your student leaving home in the morning. Be sure your student knows whether he/she will be a bus rider or a car rider before he/she leaves for the day.
o Car riders do not need notes or carpool numbers to be picked up. Once car riders are dismissed, they depart through the front of the building and look for their car.
o Students wanting to walk or bike ride home must have their parent complete and sign a “Walker/Biker Permission Form.” This form can be picked up in the Front Office and should be turned back in there.
PARENT 411 - HELPFUL LINKS FOR YOU
THANKS TO OUR AMAZING BUSINESS PARTNERS!
*ALL AMERICAN SPECIALTIES
*BROWNS BRIDGE CHURCH
*CHICK-FIL-A @ THE COLLECTION
*DUNKIN DONUTS
*DR. HOM PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ALPHARETTA COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY
*MARVEL SOCCER
*MILTON DENTAL SPECIALISTS
*NORTH GEORGIA PROMOTIONS
*OMEGA LEARNING
*RBM OF ALPHARETTA
*RISPA
*VERTICAL CHURCH
Forsyth County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities.