DMMS School Newsletter
September 2019
Mrs. Buckley’s Update
This month, I would like to explain a few of the instructional initiatives that we are utilizing at DMMS: PBIS, Balanced Literacy, Project Based Learning (PBL), PEDLE, and what is occurring during the A & E time that you see on your child’s schedule.
PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture that is needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success. We have adopted the acronym, SWAG, which stands for Safety First, Work Together Respectfully, Accept Responsibility, and Guide. We recognize the students displaying appropriate behaviors with SWAG tags each week that make them eligible to win prizes in Friday drawings. Additionally, our students will be eligible to be recognized in a school-wide PBIS event that will be held every nine weeks.
During our scheduled A & E (Acceleration and Enrichment) time, our students are benefiting from instruction that will increase their math and literacy skills in all content areas. We are offering support primarily in the form of Balanced Literacy, but students may also utilize specific programs that are intended to rapidly increase their math and language skills. It is our intention to challenge our students, so groupings during this time will be flexible, and revisited often, based upon the data that we have on-hand. Additionally, we are using this time to provide project based learning (PBL) extensions to our students. Some opportunities that we currently offer include an Oil Spill Clean Up Task and a Winchester City Recycling Project.
Balanced Literacy incorporates read aloud, guided reading, shared reading, writer’s workshop, interactive writing, shared writing, and word study. The goal of Balanced Literacy is to find a “balance” between good practices of the past without ignoring current evidence. It is our school’s goal to have evidence of Balanced Literacy present in every classroom.
Project based learning (PBL) , mentioned previously during the A & E description, is a form of personalized learning that starts with a challenging problem or question and ends with a public product. Students are driving their own learning, and their outcome is entirely their creation. We are excited to open two PEDLE (Personalized Education & Digital Learning Experiences) labs this month in our building. These are spaces available to students and teachers that are intended to enhance project-based and personalized learning strategies. Students will work collaboratively and independently with a teacher facilitator in the labs.
Finally, it has been my pleasure to work with the students and staff of DMMS. We have had a smooth start to the year, which should be of credit to the hard work of our students and staff. I would especially like to thank our 7th grade administrator, Mr. Roark, and 8th grade administrator, Ms. Mason, for assisting me in ensuring that our Riflemen have their best year yet. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at buckleyj@wps.k12.va.us or 540-667-7171.
Dates to remember:
From Your School Counselors:
Greetings from your Daniel Morgan Counselors!
It has been so much fun this month, getting to know your wonderful students. We are excited to work with them, whatever their needs may be. We are available to meet with students one on one, in small groups, and in classroom guidance. Some of the subjects we focus on are; identifying and dealing with emotions, working through conflict, and learning how to work through complex human problems.
The time for reviewing school rules and procedures is officially over, and the school year is rolling into new material and new educational experiences. This is the time to make sure that good study habits and routines have been established. Establishing a quiet spot with little to no distraction can be very helpful. Tackling homework around the same time each evening also increases the likelihood that it will get done!
You may find that your student has settled into a morning routine, and things have become slightly less chaotic in the morning. If not, it may help to take a few minutes to write out all of the tasks that must be accomplished before school, and how much time those tasks require. This will allow you to make a solid plan with a realistic timeline. Starting the morning calmly is an important first step to having a good day!
Karen King (ext. 73001) and Josh Miller (ext. 73003)
DMMS School Counselors
540-667-7171
From Instructional Coaches
Acceleration/Enrichment (A/E) is a daily 45min period of time designed to give students the opportunity to work on Literacy through the lens of a scientist, mathematician, historian, musician, etc. This practice is known as Disciplinary Literacy. Students will be exploring project-based learning (PBL), choice boards, and other teacher created resources. Be on the lookout for more information regarding a collimating PBL night in the Spring.
From Technology
Digital Learning Device Agreement papers need to be returned to school ASAP. Students will not be issued a Chromebook until it is returned.
If your student is missing a cord to charge their Chromebook, they can visit the help desk during help desk hours (8:15-9:15 or 1:15-2:15) to pay $20.00 for a new one.
Here is a link to the Chromebook Care video that was shared with students. Additionally, every student has also signed a Digital Citizenship Pledge.
FROM ATHLETICS
Our fall sports are underway. Each student-athlete has been working hard in preparation for their first events. As September begins we will see each fall sports compete multiple times per week. Please come out and support your Riflemen! All events start at 5 pm.
If you haven’t registered to get sports updates through the remind system, please contact your coach to get the information.
Any questions or concerns please contact me at anytime dorseyb@wps.k12.va.us.
September Events:
4th - Cross Country (Skyline/Powhatan @ DMMS)
5th - Girls Basketball (Aylor @ DMMS)
9th - Girls Basketball (DMMS @ Frederick Co.)
10th - Football (DMMS @ James Wood Middle) - played at James Wood High School
11th - Cross Country (@ Johnson-Williams)
12th - Girls Basketball (James Wood @ DMMS)
14th - Cross Country (@Billmeyer Invitational) - Frederick Co Middle School
16th - Girls Basketball (DMMS @ Skyline)
18th - Football (DMMS @ Shepherdstown WV)
18th - Cross Country (@Warren Co.)
19th - Girls Basketball (Warren Co @ DMMS)
23rd - Football (James Wood @ DMMS) - played at Handley High School
24th - Girls Basketball (Adm. Byrd @ DMMS)
25th - Cross Country (@James Wood)
26th - Girls Basketball (Johnson-Williams @ DMMS)
28th - Cross Country (@Apple Harvest Invitational) - James Wood High School
30th - Girls Basketball (DMMS @ Aylor)
From the Nurse
What a GREAT start to the school year!
This month I will be screening all 7th grade students for hearing and vision. If your child has any defect of hearing or vision you will be notified in writing with that specific defect.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child PLEASE feel free to contact me. I’m here to assist in any way that I possibly can.
I have listed below some resources with helpful information regarding the flu and colds, and information on when to keep your child at home when they are not feeling well.
Resources Regarding Colds, Flu, and Hand Washing
Infuenza: The Disease- from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
How to tell the difference between a cold and flu
Health Matters: Flu- from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Why is hand washing so important?
Why do I need to wash my hands?
Also just a friendly reminder:If your child is vomiting the night before school and/or has a temperature of 100 or above they should remain home the next school day and not return to school until they are afebrile without the use of medication to control the fever.
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Also, I will be sending letters or calling the parents of students that were listed in Power School that had Medical Alerts stating that he or she had asthma, a food allergy, or a seizure disorder, and the clinic does NOT have an inhaler and/or an Epi-pen or emergency medication. If it states in Power School that your child has a food allergy, asthma, or any other disorder that requires medical attention the clinic MUST have those medications on site. If not, it needs to be made clear whether the clinic needs an inhaler or Epi-pen, or any other emergency medication.
You may contact me at kuykendall@wps.k12.va.us , or call me at 540-667-7171, #72000.
We as nurses are constantly asking ourselves how we can make a difference. School Nurses make a difference everyday.
From ESOL
Greetings from the ESOL Department! The goal of our ESOL Program is to provide language development instruction simultaneously with academic content instruction, so that students will become fully proficient in English while meeting the same challenging state standards. English Learners receive individualized ESOL services by certified ESOL teachers who provide instruction in English language acquisition while also teaching grade level SOL objectives in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. ESOL instruction is provided through an in-class/inclusion model, sheltered instruction, or targeted small group instruction to meet the educational strengths and needs of the student, so that they will meet the academic achievement standards for their grade level.
This month, we will also start the ESOL Club after school. If students need help with homework, completing assignments, and studying or revising concepts and ideas that are covered in the content classes, they can stay after school on Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. In order to attend, they need the intramural permission form signed. There will be more information coming soon.
If you have any questions, you can contact Dr. Glatzel at (540) 667-7173, ext. 75233, or by email at glatzel@wps.k12.va.us
From PTO
News
Welcome! We have a new PTO Board. We are working hard to organize events for this year. Please look out for updates on social media. We had our first spirit night at Sweet Frog.
Thank you for your support!
What’s Next -
Spirit Nights: Sept. TBD
Oct. 24th at TGIF
Nov. 11th at Chipotle
In October, there will be our first parent-teacher conference.
Fundraising
Our spirit nights
Spirit wear
Please consider a direct donation with a check payable to the DM PTO. The DM Campus students and staff appreciates your support.
The main goal for PTO is to generate enough funding to support field trip funding for the DM campus.
We would love to hear from you. Please email us at dmpto@wps.k12.va.us to get involved or to just get your email contact added to the database.
If everyone volunteers just a little, a lot can be done. It is so important for your child’s educational experience to see parents and loved ones engaged, interested, and involved. We need YOU!
Check us out on Facebook & Twitter @DanielMorganPTO as we post upcoming school and community events
Daniel Morgan Middle School
48 S. Purcell St.
Winchester, VA 22601