DMS January Newsletter
January 30, 2024
DMS ECMEA's
The Erie County Music Educator's Association (ECMEA) hosted solo festivals for Elementary Students on January 6, 2024 and Junior High Students on January 13, 2024. The ECMEA has been supporting students' music education for over 70 years in Western New York. The Elementary Solo Festival was hosted by Depew UFSD. We had over 70 of our students as well as our music faculty participating as hosts. We had many students from all over Erie County participating in the festival. It was a positive experience for those involved, and really puts our district in the spotlight in a good way. We received many compliments about our students' positive attitudes, hustle and helpfulness from teachers around the county. It's a tribute to the hard work we do with our students here in Depew and we are proud of how they represented our district.
DMS 6th Grade ECMEA
Congratulations to our 6th grade students who participated in the Elementary ECMEA's on January 6, 2024. They were Mia M. played 2 solos, Kendall P., Eva T., Jameson M., Jillian M., Izabella B.. and
Harper T. They performed amazingly! DMS is so proud of how they represented us.
7th/8th Grade Band
Some of our very talented Depew Middle 7th and 8th grade band students performed at the Jr. ECMEA's on January 27, 2024 at Orchard Park High School. We want to congratulate Ashley E., Tristan K., Gabriella M., Elliana H., and Carson H. on their fabulous performances.
DMS Spelling Bee
Depew Middle School held its annual Spelling Bee on January 11th in the High School Auditorium. The first spelling bee was in 1925 where nine newspapers joined together to raise literacy. The first ever person to win the bee was Frank Neuhauser who won 500 dollars for spelling gladiolus . The bee eventually evolved to what we have now every year from the small school bees to the huge national Scripps Bee. The bee winners of this year or our school are David Edwards and Ashley Erman. Congratulations to all who participated!
Wtitten by David E., 8th Grade
Cardboard Arcade Challenge at Rich's Atrium
On Friday January 12 2024, the Depew Middle School Innovation Station Class took a field trip to Rich’s Atrium. There we were met by elementary and middle school students from all over western NY to compete against one another in the Cardboard Arcade Challenge. Teams were asked to use innovation, creativity and coding skills to create an arcade game. One of the teams designed a basketball game and another team created a guitar similar to one used in guitar hero. Two of the Depew Middle School teams won awards, one award was for innovation and the other was most likely to be sold in a store. Although not every team took home a win, everyone who attended had a great time and learned a lot about innovation. Congratulations to all of the Depew students who participated.
Written by Anthony B., 8th grader
Mrs. Rosch's Class Learns About Immigration
Students in Mrs. Rosch’s 8th Grade Social Studies classes had the opportunity to show where their families had immigrated from during their Immigration During the Industrial Revolution unit. Each student was given the opportunity to place up to three colorful pins onto a fabric map of the world. Germany, Ireland, Poland, and Italy ended up with the most pins. Pins also appeared in countries such as Japan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Columbia, and more. Two pins were placed in the United States representing students with Native American heritage. Students had fun asking about their own family history at home, and checking to see what appeared on the map.
6th Grade Visits the Planetarium
On Thursday January 25th, a mobile planetarium was brought into the middle school for all of the 6th grade students to experience. Even some of the 7th grade students were able to visit as well. The planetarium presentation was focused on the total solar eclipse that Buffalo, NY will experience on April 8th, 2024. The presenter talked to the students about what to expect during the eclipse and why it is such an amazing phenomenon. It is one thing to learn about moon phases and the eclipse in a classroom but it is a totally different experience when the students are immersed inside a dome of astronomy. This was a great way to learn and we are thankful for this opportunity.
8th Grade Freshman Orientation
On January 31, 8th graders and their parents/ guardians were invited to attend the Freshman Orientation hosted at Depew High School. The High School administration and counselors presented important information about the transition to high school, credits needed to graduate and elective course offerings. Our 8th grade students then toured several elective classrooms to learn about what elective classes they may be interested in at the high school from some of our elective teachers. It was a great and informative night.
Conferences to discuss your child’s course request(s) will be scheduled by our Middle School Counselors. Parents are encouraged to be part of this process. If you have any questions or would like to participate in course selections with your child, an appointment may be arranged by calling your child’s school counselor Joanne Ryder at 686-5052 or Teresa Banasik at 686-5054.
If you were unable to attend, please see the link below to review the presentation that was shared as well as a copy of the 9th grade course selection guide.
Modified Winter Sports Updates
On January 19 and 20th a select few of your middle school classmates traveled with the
Varsity Indoor Track and Field team to NYC to compete at the world famous Armory.
Myles Munson and Julian Gavin both competed in the 1000m run with personal best
times. Myles now ranks as the 3rd fastest 7th grader in the state while Julian is now ranked
number 11 in the state. Bella Petraskas competed in the shot put, placing her 3rd in her
division and earning a medal. Inylah Spain won the 55m dash with a time of 7.40
seconds. She is now the fastest 8th grader in New York State, the fastest girl in Section
6, and has the school Record! Congratulations to all of our middle school track and field stars!
The modified boys and girls swim team traveled to Tonawanda Friday 1/12. The wildcats swam very well, with personal bests by Vilius W., Carson H., Trevor G., Kara B., and Heather Y.. Dave E and Jackson L cheered on their teammates. Way to go Wildcats!
Congratulations to the modified cheer team for taking 2nd place in a cheer competition that was held at JFK High School on Thursday 1/25/24. The team has been doing a magnificent job bringing that Wildcat spirit at our boys modified basketball games.
The modified wrestling team is having an exceptional season thus far, competing in 5 matches attaining an astounding 55-20 record. Captain Owen Muench and Aidan Leazott lead the team both with undefeated records of 10-0. The team looks to finish the season strong hosting 1 more match, also traveling to Tonawanda and Springville to wrap up the season.
The girls and boys modified basketball teams have been working hard this season. They continue to improve each game and are looking forward to finishing the season off strong.
Spring sports sign ups will open on February 11th. Spring sports are boys and girls outdoor track & field, boys baseball, girls softball, boys and girls lacrosse, and boys tennis.
Depew Athletics Game Schedules linked below:
Modified Club Hockey🏒
Sweet Home/Depew 7th/8th Grade Ice Hockey is an independently funded club team that competes in the Western New York Club Hockey League at LECOM Harbor Center.
Tryouts will be Sunday, March 3 at 6:50 p.m. at the Buffalo State Ice Arena.
The season runs through the end of May with one game and one practice per week.
All 7th and 8th graders enrolled in the Sweet Home or Depew school districts are eligible to tryout and must advance register and have proof of AAU insurance.
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please reach out to head coach Jeff Ventura at venturjm@buffalostate.edu or (716) 796-4802 ASAP.
Tryout registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScY_tj3NrOd7G95TLM3iA5SF78fL-w0gd-WXpANb0a52adP3Q/viewform
Free 6th Grade Girls Lacrosse Clinic
The Depew Girls Lacrosse Coach is hosting FREE 1 hour clinics for girls interested in trying lacrosse! The clinics are for girls in grades 2-6. Depew has a modified team that begins in 7th grade, so now is the perfect time for your 6th grader to join us to try a new sport! The deadline has been extended, if interested please sign up today.
Please use the form linked below to sign up for clinic dates:
After School Help
If your student is struggling with getting homework done, needs some help with organization or study skills we have Homework Helpers available Monday through Thursday from 2:20-3:10. Students staying after for homework helpers are eligible to ride the late bus if needed.
Health Office Updates 👩⚕️
As the winter weather has begun, please remember to have your child layer clothes for comfort. Also have your child bring a water bottle so they can stay hydrated throughout the day.
Remember to keep your child home if they are not feeling well to help control the spread of germs and viruses to other students and staff. Students who are experiencing fever, diarrhea or vomiting need to remain home for 24 hours with no symptoms and no medication before they can return to school. Please remember to send in a note with your child when they return to school.
If you have any health related questions please contact Lynne Martin, DMS School Nurse at x5042.
Upcoming Events
1/9-2/10 - 8th Grade Little Caesar's Fundraiser
1/31 - DMS Freshman Orientation for 8th Graders in DHS Aud @ 7:00 PM
2/7 - W.E.B. Wednesday
2/13 - 6th Grade Honor's Breakfast
2/14 - 7th Grade Honor's Breakfast
2/15 - 8th Grade Honor's Breakfast
2/19-2/23 - Mid Winter Recess
*The DMS Winter Dance originally scheduled on 2/2/24 will be moving to spring, we will share more information soon.
DMS Clubs & Activities
There are so many clubs and activities to get involved with at DMS. Club dates and times are posted outside the Counseling Center, during announcements, in student emails and on our Depew Middle Website under events. Monday through Thursday we have a late bus that leaves around 3:15 PM. Joining clubs can be a great way to meet new people with similar interests. We hope to see you there.
- Art Club
- Board Game Club
- Computer Club
- Family & Consumer Science Club
- Foreign Language Club
- Jazz Ensemble
- Math Club
- Newspaper, Depew Voice
- Science Club
- Show Choir
- Social Studies Club
- Technology Club
- Yearbook
DMS Important Phone Numbers
Depew Middle School Main Office
- (716) 686-5045
Attendance Office
- (716) 686-5055
Health Office
- (716) 686-5042
Counseling Center
- (716) 686-5055
Transportation
- (716) 686-5155
Athletic Office
- (716) 686-5078