The DMS 5
Weekly News for April 20 through April 25
Produced by Digital Journalism students
Written by students in the Digital Journalism class
Email: DMSTrojanTimes@gmail.com
Website: http://www.bcbe.org/dms
Location: Daphne Middle School, Daphne, AL, United States
Phone: 251-626-2845
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMSTrojanTimes?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @DMSTrojanTimes
Message from Superintendent Robbie Owen
DMS Court
Dates to Note
4/20 Last day for Field Day permission slip and money to be turned in
4/21 Chill Yogurt Fundraiser Special Snack payment due
4/22 Chill Yogurt Afternoon Special Snack
4/24 NJHS and FCCLA students to volunteer at Daphne East Field Day4/20 Nettles library
4/20 - 4/21 8th grade Volleyball Tryouts
4/20 Track practices are held at Daphne Middle School from 3:15 until 4:30
4/21 T. Taylor library
4/21 Track County Championship at Gulf Shores Sports Complex.
4/22 Pendley library
4/22-4/23 7th grade Volleyball Tryouts
4/23 Law library
4/24 Madison libraryACT Aspire Standardized Test
April 20, 2015: ACT Aspire Science (Grades 3-8)
April 21, 2015: ACT Aspire Reading (Grades 3-8)
April 22, 2015: ACT Aspire Math (Grades 3-8)
- April 23, 2015: Make-Up Test Day
This upcoming week, students will be taking the ACT Aspire tests. In order to help students, the DMS Peer Helpers have been going to classes and giving tips on how to take the test. More tips are on the DMS Students Moodle page. Peer Helpers included tension and stress relief tips. They also introduced a breathing exercise called Smiling Mind, an Australian program that is about five minutes long and walks you through a deep breathing exercise. Students are reminded to eat a healthy breakfast that includes protein, get lots of rest, dress comfortably (within the uniform policy) and practice stress relief techniques.
Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet.
Read the directions for each test carefully.
Read each question carefully.
Pace yourself—don't spend too much time on a single passage or question.
Pay attention to the announcement of five minutes remaining on each test.
Make notes and do computations in your testing booklet. Examples are to underline main ideas, circle items relating to a story's plot, draw pictures to visualize math problems, "x" out answers that you know are incorrect, and work out all math problems.
Answer the easy questions first, then go back and answer the more difficult ones if you have time remaining on that test.
On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those remaining.
Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing.
If you complete a test before time is called, recheck your work on that test.
- Mark your answers properly. Erase any mark completely and cleanly without smudging.
Yoga Club Has a Few Spots Available
Peer Helper Applications for the 2015-2016 School Year are Now Available
2015-2016 School Year
Deadline for all application requirements is Wednesday, May 6
Peer Helper Program Overview
To equip young people to act as a resource to help other youth with the issues they face, the concept of “peer helping” was developed. Peer Helpers are students who are trained to recognize when their peers may have a problem, listen to fellow students confidentially and assist them with emotional, societal, or academic struggles.
A teacher or school counselor is trained in the certified National Association of Peer Program Professionals curriculum to be prepared to serve as a Peer Program Coordinator. The teacher/counselor Peer Program Coordinator in turn selects students to serve as Peer Helpers and trains them on the peer helping system. They learn a set of skills – attending, empathizing, summarizing, questioning, genuineness, assertiveness, confrontation, problem-solving, conflict resolution and confidentiality – that assist them in meeting the needs of their fellow students. In middle and high school, Peer Helpers are generally taught as a state accredited class; in intermediate and elementary school, Peer Helpers are generally led as a club.
As a part of their training, Peer Helpers agree to keep the issues other students share with them in strict confidence. However, if a student threatens to harm him or herself, exhibits psychotic behavior or reports abuse, the Peer Helper must involve their coordinator, a counselor or administrator immediately.
Peer Helpers not only assist classmates by listening empathetically, providing options for making healthy choices, becoming advocates, and helping them get involved in campus life. In the process of helping others improve their self-esteem, Peer Helpers can themselves become leaders and role models.
Application Requirements:
Digital application completed
Teacher recommendation
Parent recommendation and permission
If you are currently a Peer Helper you must have an additional recommendation from your current sponsor
Personal Interview
Scheduled with Amanda Blake, ablake@bcbe.org, after your application is submitted
Peer Helper Requirements:
Peer Helpers are set at a higher standard than other students and my involvement will be challenging.
I must make Peer Helping a priority. Peer Helping requires time at school both as an elective class and time away from classes in which you will need to complete work independently. It will also require some time after school and weekends.
I must participate in required peer helper training that will be scheduled during the summer as well as throughout the school year.
I must set a positive example for my classmates by being accepting, supportive, and helpful.
I must abstain from negative use of technology/social media involving elicit, threatening, or sexual behavior or innuendos. I must abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal drugs.
I must maintain confidentiality of students and of program related activities. I must document communication I have with other students in which I am performing duties as a Peer Helper.
Let the Games Begin
Throwback to Medieval Times
Art of the Week
Istation Practice
Holocaust Writing Competition
Our Humanities students participated in a Holocaust Writing & Art Competition and were a part of Yom Hashoah on April 15. Lillie Yazdi won Honorable Mention in the art contest and will be given a "Best of School" award. Alyssa Ducote won Honorable Mention in the poetry contest. Lauren Meyer won Honorable Mention in the prose contest. The students Lillie Yazdi, Connor Phillips, Caroline Silva, and Anna Wilson had their art displayed in the event on April 15 in Mobile at the Jewish Synagogue on April 15. We are so proud of our DMS student that participated in the event. Congratulations. It’s amazing how much work they put into making such great pieces.
Waites Interview
by Hudson Arnold and Alex Hayes
Q. Why did you decide to continue teaching after you retired?
A. Because I love my kids! I did not want to leave them with a stranger!
Q. How much did you enjoy teaching?
A. I love teaching, I was born to be a teacher, it is my destiny.
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A. I go to the gym and I play with my grandkids.
Q. How long have you been a teacher?
A. I have been teaching 31 years.
Q. How do you feel about the students having MacBook?
A. I like a mixture of old school science (hands on) and computer science. Sometimes
computers make it too easy to cheat.
Q. What do you think of of the school’s lunch menu?
A. Yuck! We need dessert!
Q. What made you decide to retire?
A. They change the DROP laws so I would’ve lost my benefits. They would of made me a year one teacher again.
Q. What was your favorite aspect of teaching?
A. I love the kids and enjoy interacting with them. I love especially when they get a light bulb moment and you hear them excited about it!