The Panther Post
February 2020 Edition
Principal's Corner
Panther Families,
Excitement abounds at Discovery! We have students that are showcasing their various talents and winning! It is great to see our students doing what they love and doing it well. We will be kicking off our spring sports season this month. That means there will be lots of opportunities to show our Panther Pride!
We appreciate our ELC students and the joy they bring to Discovery Middle School each day. One special activity the ELC students enjoyed included making bracelets with their buddies after reading a story about a day in the rain. Fun was had by all!
The spring semester is also the time for us to begin preparation for the upcoming school year. We will be hosting our DMS Showcase on February 6 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. and our Panther Parent University for rising 6th graders will be held on Tuesday, February 25. On Thursday, February 27 we will have a Panther Parent University for rising 7th and 8th graders. These sessions will provide lots of helpful information regarding the registration process and the opportunities available to our students. More information will be coming soon. Please continue to check out our newsletter and the DMS website for the latest news and information.
With Panther Pride,
Kim Stewart
Discovery Middle School: A place for innovation, excellence and discovery.
Upcoming Events
February 11: NJHS Induction Ceremony 6:00 p.m.
February 14: Half Day of School w/ Dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
February 17: No School in Observance of President's Day
February 21: Progress Reports
February 25: Panther Parent University (6th grade) 5:30 p.m.
February 27: Panther Parent University (7th & 8th grade) 5:30 p.m.
DMS Showcase
What is the DMS Showcase?
The theme of the DMS Showcase is "Get Connected" -- we want parents and future students to have the opportunity to learn about the different clubs, sports, academic activities, and courses we offer!
Our goal is that every student "Get Connected" by becoming actively involved in one or more of the wonderful activities provided by our school.
The DMS Showcase will be held Thursday, February 6 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Panther Parent University
What is Panther Parent University?
Panther Parent University is an informational meeting provided for parents of rising DMS students. During Panther Parent University sessions parents will receive information about the numerous opportunities available to students at DMS. We are excited to welcome you to our wonderful school, and we encourage you to attend Panther Parent University to learn more about what we have to offer your student.
We understand that the transition to middle school is a significant step for both students and parents, and it is our goal to make the transition a positive experience!
School Board Appreciation
January was national School Board Appreciation Month!
Our Madison City Board of Education deserves a tremendous 'Thank You' for all that they do to make Madison City Schools one of the best school systems in America.
Our Board works with zero compensation, despite the tons of hours and personal devotion they provide in service. They are front and center of all things MCS, whether it's attending Board meetings, visiting classes, speaking to PTAs, or attending plays, athletic events and musical performances.
They work with legislators, State Board of Education members, and keep an open line of communication with city and county leaders.
We are very grateful for their leadership and selfless service to our schools and community.
Be sure to thank our board members the next time you see one: Ranae Bartlett, Tim Holtcamp, Travis Cummings, Luis Ferrer, and Greg Hulsey.
Space Camp
Registration and forms must be completed by March 1, 2020. Please email Mrs. Runnion @ psrunnion@madisoncity.k12.al.us if you have any questions.
Geography Bee
Also, congratulations to Karsten Wallace who was our runner-up.
The Geography Bee is an annual competition sponsored by the National Geographic Society.
DMS Basketball
The 8th grade Lady Panthers also won the Madison County Championship against Monrovia 36-31. The 7th grade Lady Panthers were runners-up in the championship.
DMS CyberPatriot
A team of students from DMS earned a third place finish in the State of Alabama for an exceptional round of competition in the twelfth season of CyberPatriot – the Air Force Association’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition.
The State award winning team members are Pranaav Satheesh (Team Captain), Zane Breen, Liam Cooper, Cameron Gray and Xander Lewis.
The team’s performance earned it the State’s 3rd Place Award in the Middle School Tier and a spot in the National Semifinal Round which was held on January 24.
In addition to the State award winning team, the following DMS CyberPatriot teams were also invited to compete in the CyberPatriot XII National Semi-Finals:
* Drew Crocker (Team Captain), Milind Brijesh , Ben Lambertson, Rigel Mustaikis.
* David Gunasakaren (Team Captain), Caleb Chen, Blake King, Andrew Park, Joseph Strickland
* Kylie Clark (Team Captain), Uriah Chumoitaz, Ada Colburn, Frank Huffman, Jazmine Mello
DMS GreenPower
The 2019-2020 GreenPower teams at Discovery is having a stellar season thus far!. The cars are in 2 separate divisions with the 304(Black Panther) competing in F24 Modified and 305 (SuperNova) competing in Custom.
Black Panther team accomplishments include:
- Whitesburg 3rd Place overall
- Grissom 8th Place Overall
- Oxford 6th Place Overall, 3rd Place Drag Race, 3rd Place Rookie Race.
SuperNova team accomplishments include:
- Whitesburg :1st Place Overall
- Grissom 1st Place Overall
- Santa Sprints 1st Place overall and Endurance
- Oxford 1st Place Overall and 1st Place Tire Changing Challenge
Way to go DMS GreenPower teams!
DMS Band
Congratulations to the following DMS band members who were chosen to perform with the Alabama All-State Band and the District Honor Band. These students have spent numerous hours of hard work practicing their instruments in order to qualify for these positions.
Discovery had 8 students selected for All State Band or All State Alternates, and 15 students selected for our District Honor Band!! Over 700 students tried out from 66 different schools and only 25 were selected for All State Band from our district (Madison, Morgan and Limestone counties). Discovery had 8 of these students!!! We had the most students selected in our district.
All-State Band
- Katerina Fedoseyev – Flute
- Kaitlyn Johnson – Flute (alternate)
- Mason Turesdail – Bassoon
- Samantha Chan – Clarinet
- John Baumback – Baritone Saxophone
- Francois LeRoux – Trumpet
- Anastasia Ballard – Trumpet (alternate)
- Chris Hurley – French Horn
District Honor Band
- Katerina Fedoseyev – Flute
- Kaitlyn Johnson – Flute
- Cate Curry – Flute
- Mason Truesdail – Bassoon
- Samantha Chan – Clarinet
- Rena Kerndl – Clarinet
- John Baumbach – Baritone Saxophone
- Francois LeRoux – Trumpet
- Anastasia Ballard – Trumpet
- Jessica Averitt – Trumpet
- Chris Hurley – French Horn
- Andrew Park – Trombone
- Alex Fedoseyev – Baritone
- Amirali Naderian – Percussion
- Vanya Golos - Percussion
- Lucas Emmons - Percussion
Alabama Lawmaker Visit
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill visited our school on Tuesday, January 7 in order to talk to students about his role in government and how our state government works.
Mr. Merrill spoke to Mr. Brewer's Civics class. Mr. Brewer indicated that the visit came at an opportune time since 2020 is an election year. Students are learning about the election process, state government, and the role government plays in our lives.
Student Health and the Flu
Symptoms: Can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Some people with the flu will not have a fever.
Incubation period: People with the flu are contagious 1 day before getting sick to 5-7 days after. The flu virus is spread by tiny droplets emitted on others when infected people cough. The germs can spread by touching a surface that the droplets landed on and then touching one’s own mouth, eyes, or, nose.
If your child is diagnosed with the flu or has flu-like symptoms, please keep them home from school. If he/she has a fever, he/she must be fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) before returning to school. Students must also be free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school. Do not be tempted to send your child back to school too soon. Children with the flu need time to recover.
DMS 2020 Baseball Schedule
2020 Discovery Baseball Schedule
Pre-Season Games
February 13 (Home) vs Decatur 4:30/6:30 p.m.
February 14 (Home) vs Russellville 4:30/6:30 p.m.
February 15 (Home) vs Florence 11:00 a.m./1:00 p.m.
Regular Season Games
February 25 (Away) vs Meridianville 4:30/6:30 p.m.
February 27 (Home) vs Meridianville 4:45/6:45 p.m.
March 2 (Home) vs Madison Academy 4:45/6:45 p.m.
March 3 (Away) vs Sparkman 4:30/6:30 p.m.
March 5 (Home) vs Sparkman 4:45/6:45 p.m.
March 6 (Home) vs Muscle Shoals 4:45/6:45 p.m.
March 10 (Away) vs Buckhorn 4:30/6:30 p.m.
March 12 (Home) vs Buckhorn 4:45/6:45 p.m.
March 13 (Away) vs Athens 4:45/6:45 p.m.
March 17 (Home) vs Liberty 1:30/3:30 p.m.
March 20 (Away) vs Liberty 1:30/3:30 p.m.
March 21 (Away) vs Madison Academy 11:00 a.m.
March 21 (Away) vs Hartselle at Madison Academy 1:00 p.m.
March 24 (Home) vs Monrovia 4:45/6:45 p.m.
March 25 (Away) vs Monrovia 4:30 p.m.
March 26 (Away) vs Monrovia 4:30 p.m.
March 27 (Away) vs Muscle Shoals 4:30/6:30 p.m.
March 28 (Home) Athens/Austin
* DMS A vs Austin A - 9:00 a.m.
* Athens A vs Austin A – 11:00 a.m.
* DMS A vs Athens A – 1:00 p.m.
* Athens B vs Austin B – 3:00 p.m.
* Athens B vs DMS B – 5:00 p.m.
* DMS B vs Austin B – 7:00 p.m.
County Tournament
April 10-14 (Away) @ Sparkman Middle
DMS 2020 Softball Schedule
2020 DMS Softball Schedule
February 18 (Away) vs Sparkman 4:00 p.m.
February 21-22 (Away) Hartselle Tournament Times TBA
February 25 (Home) vs Meridianville 4:30 p.m.
February 27 (Home) vs Central 4:30 p.m.
February 28-29 (Away) Muscle Shoals Tournament Times TBA
March 3 (Home) vs Buckhorn 4:30 p.m.
March 5 (Home) vs Monrovia 4:30 p.m.
March 6-7 Discovery Tournament @ Palmer Park Times TBA
March 10 (Home) vs New Hope 4:00 p.m.
March 12 (Home) Sparkman 4:00 p.m.
March 13-14 (Away) Calhoun Tournament @ Wilson Morgan Park Times TBA
March 17 (Home) vs Liberty 1:30 p.m.
March 19 (Away) vs Meridianville 4:30 p.m.
March 20 (Away) vs Liberty 1:30 p.m.
March 24 (Away) vs Central
March 26 (Away) vs Buckhorn
April 7 (Away) vs Monrovia
April 9 (Away) vs New Hope
County Tournament
April 16-23 (Away) @ Sparkman Times TBA
DMS 2020 Soccer Schedule
2020 DMS Soccer Schedule
February 8 (Away) vs Monrovia G/11:00 a.m. & B/12:30 p.m.
February 11 (Home) vs Decatur G/5:00 p.m.
February 12 (Home) vs Sparkman G/6:30 p.m. & B/5:00 p.m.
February 15 (Home) vs Florence G/10:00 a.m.
February 19 (Home) vs Catholic B/5:00 p.m.
February 20 (Home) vs Westminster B/5:00 p.m.
February 21 (Home) vs Thompson G/4:00 p.m.
February 22 (Away) vs Catholic B/11:00 a.m.
February 28 (Home) vs Randolph G/5:00 p.m. & B/6:30 p.m.
March 2 (Home) vs Meridianville G/5:00 p.m. & B/6:30 p.m.
March 4 (Away) vs Liberty G/6:30 p.m. & B/5:00 p.m.
March 7 (Away) vs Meridianville G/12:30 p.m. & B/11:00 a.m.
March 10 (Away) vs Sparkman G/5:00 p.m. & B/6:30 p.m.
March 19 (Away) vs Randolph G/5:00 p.m. & B/6:30 p.m.
March 20 (Away) vs Thompson G/4:00 p.m.
March 21 (Home) vs Monrovia G/12:30 p.m. & B/11:00 a.m.
March 23 (Away) vs Westminster B/5:00 p.m.
County Tournament
April 12-18 (Away) @ Sparkman Middle School Times TBA
Discovery Middle School
Website: https://www.madisoncity.k12.al.us/discovery
Location: 1304 Hughes Road, Madison, AL, USA
Phone: 256-837-3735
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverymspanthers/