Rattler News
2nd Semester 2019-2020 School Year
Message from Principal Mike Davis
Dear Rattler Families,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. We are excited to welcome back your child(ren). We are meeting with all students on Tuesday, Jan 7th to review expectations and to review rules.
A new semester means all grades are reset back to a “FRESH START.” We encourage our families to sit down weekly with your child(ren) and review their Infinite Campus grade reports. We provided agendas for students to use early in the year for free, and if you need a new one it will cost $5 in the front office. If grades were not what was expected in your homes, we suggest talking through a day with your child(ren) and completing a page in the agenda with your expectations. Our teachers and staff can support you in this.
As we reset for second semester, I have a few reminders and favors to ask:
- Gates to the school open at 8:10 AM.
- When dropping off and picking up your child(ren) please be mindful to pull up as far as possible and keep moving. If you want to wait with your child in the morning, please pull into a parking spot.
- The temperature in the morning is quite chilly, please make sure your child(ren) dress in layers.
-The “Rattler Response” is a tool for your child(ren) to communicate with our administrators and counselors. It is found on our school website and on most teacher Google Classrooms.
- PLEASE remind your child(ren) to lock their bike/scooter/skateboard in the bike rack.
As always if there are any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's classroom teacher, our counselors or the front office. Thank you for all you do to continue to support your child(ren) and Desert Ridge Junior High!
Important Dates - Mark Your Calendar
JANUARY
1/8 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm
1/15 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm
1/20 - Mon. NO School, MLK Day
1/22 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm
1/29 - Wed. Early Release at 12:30 pm (half day schedule)
1/11/2020 - DRJHS phone system is being updated. Beginning Monday 1/13, prompts may be different.
Phone number 480-635-2025 will remain the same, but extensions will change.
Please be patient with us as we learn the new system. Thank you!
FEBRUARY
2/5 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm
2/12 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm
2/17 - NO School, Presidents Day
2/19 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm - DRJHS Parent Night at 6 pm
2/26 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm
MARCH
3/4 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm
3/6 - Fri. Early Release at 12:30 pm (half day schedule)
3/9 through 3/16 - Spring Break
3/17 - School Resumes
3/18 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm
3/25 - Wed. Early Release at 2:30 pm
6th Grade - New Student & Parent Night
Parents and students welcome. Meet a variety of teachers, coaches, administrators, and counselors. Learn about electives, core classes, clubs and sports.
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2020, 06:00 PM
10211 East Madero Avenue, Mesa, AZ, USA
Counseling
Registration
Although it may seem early, your children will come home buzzing about registration by the end of January. Registration is a busy season in the DRJHS counseling office! We work directly with 6th graders as they prepare to become Rattlers for the first time, support 7th graders as they continue to grow and learn how to make the most of their JHS experience, and assist 8th graders in selecting high school coursework that will best prepare them for their college and career plans. Specific registration dates TBA.
Honors placement questions often arise during the registration season. Gilbert Public Schools had developed the following placement recommendation rubric that DRJHS uses to identify students for enrollment in JHS Honors course. Your child’s DRJHS counselor will assist you in determining your child’s eligibility for honors during the registration timeline.
Honors Placement
Any student with gifted eligibility is eligible to participate in Honors Courses (unless there is an individual reason not to do so).
OR
Students not identified as gifted need to meet the following 3 requirements to be placed in Honors Courses:
Previous Year AzMERIT Performance Level
ELA/Math - Proficient or Highly Proficient
District Assessment - End of Year or Course Competency Exams
ELA/Math - Proficient or Highly Proficient
Demonstrated Academic Performance and Commitment as determined by
8 quarters of earning an A or B
OR
Teacher Recommendation (based on the following):
Strong work ethic, intrinsic motivation, grasps concepts quickly, and/or willingness to seek additional assistance outside of class time.
Honors Math
Honors Math 7 is a combination of both JHS levels of pre-Algebra. Incoming 7th graders qualifying for honors placement will be placed in Honors Math 7. All students wanting to advance to Honors Math 8 will need to pass the 8th grade competency assessment at an 80%.
Honors Math 8 is the equivalent of HS Honors Algebra - unlike other JHS grades, Algebra semester grades will be documented on the student’s HS transcript and figured into the cumulative HS GPA.
DRJHS students demonstrating readiness for placement in MA courses higher than Algebra will be placed in high school mathematics on an individual basis.
Your child’s current MA teacher and grade level counselor will help you determine the appropriate placement for your student during the registration timeline.
DRJHS AVID
AVID instructional strategies are designed to increase student engagement and reinforce retention. These learning strategies are utilized school wide - ask your students about Focused Notes, Interactive Notebooks, Socratic Seminars and other high-yield learning strategies.
DRJHS AVID will have an opportunity to Showcase our AVID program by hosting GPS District leaders, educators from around the AVID Western Division, and AVID Center staff in February. Teachers will open their doors to model the AVID instructional strategies in action, current AVID students will discuss their experiences with certain strategies as part of a AVID Strategy Carousel activity and student work will be displayed school wide. We are proud to be an AVID Demonstration School!
AVID Elective is currently accepting applications!
If your child would like to join an AVID Elective class beginning January 2020, please have him/her submit an AVID Elective Application by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/DRJHSAVIDapp Students who apply for AVID over break will participate in a short interview with AVID Elective teachers during the first week of January and will potentially be enrolled in the AVID Elective after that.
SEL - Social Emotional Learning
DRJHS is excited to begin using the Second Step SEL curriculum to provide opportunities for your children to learn and practice social-emotional skills such as setting goals, making positive choices, developing healthy friendships and managing strong emotions. Second Step is a research based program, developed specifically for students in the middle grade levels to manage the social/emotional demands faced in a junior high setting. You will begin to hear more about this opportunity as teachers become trained and as we roll this curriculum out through Mindset Monday.
Health Office ~ Barb Naleski, RN
A number of students returned from the holiday with colds and stomach ailments. Can this teaching information from the CDC be read during announcements?
Healthy Habits to Help Prevent Flu and Colds (CDC)
1. The most important step you can take to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination every year.
2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others too.
3. Stay home when you are sick to help prevent spreading your illness to others.
4. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow or shirt sleeve when coughing or sneezing. This may prevent those around you from getting sick.
5. Clean your hands! Use soap and water or hand sanitizer often, especially before eating or after using a tissue.
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread when you touch something that was contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
7. Get plenty of sleep. Eight to nine hours each night is ideal. (health.gov)
8. Be physically active, one hour of moderate-vigorous activity per day is recommended. (health.gov)
9. Drink plenty of fluids, water is best and your goal should be 64 ounces each day.
10. Eat nutritious meals, less than 10% of American adolescents eat enough fruit and vegetables.
Athletics ~ SPRING
TRYOUTS BEGIN:
Cheer Tryouts begin: 2-10-2020
Remaining Sports Tryouts Begin: 2-18-2020
Games Begin at 4:30 pm
BASEBALL
3/4/2020 Away Highland Jr. High
3/18/2020 Home vs Gilbert Classical Academy (GCA)
3/23/2020 Home vs South Valley Jr. High (SVJH)
3/25/2020 Away Mesquite Jr. High (MJH)
3/30/2020 Home vs Greenfiled Jr. High (GrJH)
4/1/2020 Home vs Highland Jr. High
4/6/2020 Away Gilbert Classical Academy (GCA)
4/8/2020 Away South Valley Jr. High (SVJH)
4/15/2020 Home vs Mesquite Jr. High (MJH)
4/20/2020 Away Greenfiled Jr. High (GrJH)
GIRLS BASKETBALL/BASKETBALL CHEER
3/4/2020 Away Highland Jr. High
3/18/2020 Home vs Gilbert Classical Academy (GCA)
3/23/2020 Home vs South Valley Jr. High (SVJH)
3/25/2020 Away Mesquite Jr. High (MSJH)
3/30/2020 Home vs Greenfiled Jr. High (GrJH)
4/1/2020 Home vs Highland Jr. High
4/6/2020 Away Gilbert Classical Academy (GCA)
4/8/2020 Away South Valley Jr. High (SVJH)
4/15/2020 Home vs Mesquite Jr. High (MSJH)
4/20/2020 Away Greenfiled Jr. High (GrJH)
TRACK
3/19/2020 Away Gilbert Classical Academy (GCA)
3/24/2020 @ Home
3/26/2020 Away Highland Jr. High
3/31/2020 Away South Valley Jr. High (SVJH)
4/7/2020 @ Home
4/16/2020 Away Greenfiled Jr. High (GrJH)
4/21/2019 @ Home
Athletic Director
James Louzek
Gilbert Youth Athletics
7am-8:15am Tuesday and Thursday
Session 1: 1/7/2020 - 2/13/2020
Session 2: 3/17/2020 - 4/23/2020
Coaching: Ken Kleman & Jeff Schafer
Location:
Desert Ridge Junior High
10211 E. Madero Ave.
Mesa, AZ 85209
Contact:
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
6839 E GUADALUPE RD.
MESA, AZ 85209
480-892-9089
Band ~ Director, Brian Mabry
Band Feeder Festival - Thursday, January 30 @ 6:30 pm - DRHS Auditorium
Spring Band Concert - Wednesday, February 26 @ 7:00 pm - DRHS Auditorium
Gilbert District Band Festival - 7th grade band only - Friday, February 28th - Mesquite Junior High field trip during day
ABODA Concert Festival - 8th grade band only - Wednesday, March 4th - Tempe High School field trip during day
Yearbook ~ Mrs. Diaz
Please send high resolution files to drjhsyearbook@gilbertschools.net
2020-2021 Freshman Parent Night @ DR High School
DRHS Auditorium
This night is for parents and students. This is a great way to see the different programs available at DRHS, gather information to help your son/daughter register for high school classes and meet a variety of teachers, coaches, administrators, and counselors.Thursday, Feb 20, 2020, 06:00 PM
Desert Ridge High School, East Madero Avenue, Mesa, AZ, USA
Annual Washington DC Trip
WASHINGTON D.C.
MAY 26, 2020 - MAY 30, 2020
Worldstrides.org. Group # 173368
Questions? Contact Mr. Matt Livingston
480-635-2025