The War Cry
Everyone, Everyday; High Standards, High Achievement
Volume 16 - 17: Friday, April 21, 2017
Principally Speaking
We have had a good week at DCMS!
This week seventh and eighth grade students took the online English portion of ISTEP+ testing and started taking math today. They will continue with math testing through Tuesday of next week. The seventh graders will finish with social studies ISTEP+ on Wednesday. Students who were absent or need extended time will continue with testing as needed until the testing window closes on May 5th.
Fifth and sixth grade students will begin their online testing on April 26 and continue until the window closes on May 5th. Reports from the students and teachers thus far are that the students felt confident with their performance on the English portion of the test.
As always, I am blessed to serve as the principal of Danville Community Middle School. Thank you for the opportunity.
Marsha Webster
Principal
4th Graders to Visit DCMS Soon!
Dress Code Reminders
With warm weather here it is a good time to review our dress code expectations. Keep in mind that school for students is their job. Students should treat school as they would their place of employment and dress for learning and success. With that said…
- All shirts and tops should be modest and not reveal stomachs, backs, or chests.
- All shorts and skirts or holes in jeans or shorts should be no shorter/higher than a student's fingertips without shrugging or otherwise altering their stance.
- Hats, bandannas, and/or sunglasses are not to be worn.
- Leggings may be worn if paired with a modest shirt that covers the groin and bottom areas.
Should a student’s dress not meet expectations, he or she will be asked to change into clothing that DOES meet dress code. We are not looking for an argument. We just want students to fix the problem. The expectation is that students would make adjustments quickly and return to class.
Repeat offenders may receive additional consequences. We ask that all students please make wise choices each morning as they dress for school.
New Program Coming to Danville Community Middle School
We are so excited to announce that DCSC is expanding our highly successful high school Agriculture and FFA program to the middle level. Agricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems. We believe that a middle school agriculture program will contribute to making Danville Community School Corporation a special place where the Danville Difference is made. We believe that this choice fits well to contribute to the agrarian community that makes Danville a uniquely desirable place to live and learn.
In grades 5 – 7, students will be exposed to the various state standards of agriculture through an every other day, semester class offering along with the other related arts options of Business Education, Wellness, Band, Art, and Choir. Due to this change in programming, Family and Consumer Science will be offered at Danville High School only. In grade 8, students will take the yearlong Exploring Agriculture Science and Business 8. This course will provide students with high school credit, should a student opt to accept the credit earned.
If your 8th grade student is enrolled in another yearlong related arts course, such as band or choir, and he or she takes the yearlong agriculture course, he or she will only have those two related arts courses all year.
Danville students will have an edge in preparedness to choose from careers that students in other school districts will not. By providing 5 – 12 agriculture educational options for our students, we hope to provide our students a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
Through this effort we are potentially preparing our future biologists, future chemists, future veterinarians, future engineers and future entrepreneurs of America, too.
More Information about Agriculture Education
Through agricultural education, students are exposed to opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success. Agricultural education instruction is delivered through three major components:
· Classroom/Laboratory instruction (contextual learning)
· Supervised Agricultural Experience programs (work-based learning)
· Student leadership organizations (National FFA Organization, National Young Farmer
Educational Association and National Post-secondary Agricultural Student Organization).
The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of the National FFA Organization’s name, but FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers; FFA also assists students who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners and more. In simple terms, this field offers a whole new world of careers that most students had no knowledge of their existence. Did you know there are Agriculture Lawyers? For more career options and potential earnings within the field of agriculture click on the following link: http://www.environmentalscience.org/careers/agriculture-and-forestry.
Attention Parents of 5th Grade Students:
Students entering Grades 6th must have documentation of the following vaccinations on or before the first day of the 2017-18 school year.
· (Tdap) Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis
· Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4-Menactra)
The Indiana State Department of Health also recommends that all students have 2 doses of Hep A. We are sending you this information early enabling you to have your present 5th grade student fully immunized prior to the start of school as he/she enters 6th grade. Most physicians’ and pharmacies offer these vaccines. The Hendricks County Health Department also offers them by appointment during normal scheduled clinic hours. For questions, please contact the Hendricks County Health Department at 317-745-9222.
For further assistance or questions, please contact the school nurse, Diane Petersen, at 317-745-5491 or email: dpetersen@danville.k12.in.us
– Reminder –
Please send documentation to the school after your student has received the immunizations so we may add the dates to their health record prior to the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year.
For complete Indiana immunization information and schedules, please visit:
Indiana Sheriffs' Association Youth Leadership Camp
There is additional information and applications available in the office for any current 7th or 8th grade student who is interested!
Student Cell Phone Policy
While we recognize that cell phones are a normal and often times a necessary piece of technology for students and families for safety and communication, they can be a distraction in the school setting. Please help us by explaining our cell phone policy to your student as outlined below.
1.Cell phones should not be used by students any time during the day between 8:30 AM and 3:24/3:29 PM, unless given express permission by an adult for use in class. *
*Should a student request to use his or her phone to text or call a parent about a change in practice, a forgotten item, or some other legitimate reason, the student simply needs to ask an adult for permission to use the phone for that purpose. If the adult is not comfortable allowing a student to text, he or she will allow the student to use the classroom telephone, office telephone, or student telephone located in the cafeteria. Students should not sneak to use the cell phone, as it is not necessary if being used for a sincere purpose.
2. Devices capable of sending communications (texts, posts, Snapchats, photos, vines, etc.) should not be used between 8:30 AM and 3:24/3:29 PM. Apple Watches may be worn to tell time and to use other non-messaging functions, such as calculator, fitness tracking, etc.
3. At no time can cell phones, or particularly camera phones, be used to invade the privacy of another student. Be aware that taking pictures and/or videos of other students to/from school, while at school, on the bus, or at the bus stop could result in significant disciplinary action.
4. Students who habitually violate the cell phone policy may be placed on a daily check in/out process. See the progressive steps below.
- 1st Cell Phone Offense – Verbal Warning (*If potential/actual harm caused to others/self or any violation of other school rules/laws, consequences will be swifter.)
- 2nd Cell Phone Offense – Phone is confiscated and taken to office for student pick up at the end of the day.
- 3rd Cell Phone Offense – Phone is confiscated and taken to office for parent/guardian pick up; Student is required to call his parent to report the required pick up; Inform the student that if there is a 4th offense, he or she will earn a cell phone check in/check out consequence for a period of time to be determined by the Assistant Principal.
- 4th Cell Phone Offense & Beyond – Phone is confiscated and taken to office for parent/guardian pick up; Student is required to call his parent to report the required pick up; Teacher writes an office referral to allow the Assistant Principal to implement the daily check in/out process for a set duration as determined by the Assistant Principal.
Power Talk 21 Conference
We have received the following information regarding a unique opportunity for our parents and students. Take a moment and read the following information, please.
You are all invited to our first Power Talk 21 Conference, a program on underage drinking prevention. This is a free event for families in Hendricks County. We recommend parents attend this event with their high school aged children. It will be at the Plainfield Aquatic Center and will be on April 22nd from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. We will be splitting the parents up from their youth to deliver our Power of Parents Program to them. We will be delivering our Power of Youth program as well to the kids. SADD will be there along with Lisa Hutchinson from the Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking. We will also be having an expert panel at the end to answer questions from parents and youth about underage drinking. Lastly, we will be having the youth take a pledge at the end to withstand from drinking alcohol until the legal drinking age of 21 and to never get into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking. We would also love to have a few HR booths from local places for teens to work as well as HCN! I attached our flyer as well as our pledge cards! Would love to have your youth and their parents at this event!
· 10:00 AM – Meet and Greet, visit booths and resource tables
· 10:30 AM – Power of Youth/Power of Parents programs (Parents will be split up from youth)
· 12:00 PM - Lunch provided by IU West. Will require parents to sit with their kids and use the skills they learned in Power of Parents to talk to their kids about underage drinking over a meal
· 1:00 PM – SADD presents to youth/Indiana Coalition Against Underage Drinking presents to parents on social host law and other alcohol policy
· 2:00 PM – Expert Panel for participants to ask questions. Expert panel will include, a police officer (still need), a prosecutor, MADD, SADD, Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking, and a IU West Pediatrician
· 3:00 PM – Youth to receive pledge cards pledging to withstand from alcohol until the legal drinking age of 21 and to NEVER get into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking or doing drugs
Danville Builders Club 5K
The Builders Club at Danville Community Middle School will host its inaugural “Earth Day 5K” on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Danville South Elementary School. All proceeds from this event will be donated by the Builders Club to Riley Hospital for Children. The run/walk event will take place on a flat grass trail and is open to all ages. There will be awards for the best times in various age groups. Come join us for a good time and great cause! Check in will begin at 8:00 AM and the race will begin at 9:00 AM with awards at 10:30 AM. The race is open to all ages and there will be awards for best times in various age groups. Registration forms and online registration can be found online at: www.danvillekiwanis.org Register by April 7th for a free t-shirt; registrations after April 7th will not be guaranteed a shirt, and registrations the day of the race will be $25. Businesses, groups or individuals, interested in sponsoring this event can email mcnabb2000@comcast.net for more information.
Builders Club is an international student-led organization providing members with opportunities to perform service, build character and develop leadership. Builders Club is the largest service organization for middle school and junior high students, with more than 45,000 members worldwide and is supported by Kiwanis International.
Summer Reading Program Opportunities through IUPUI
Program for Entering 5th Graders:
In these fun and effective summer programs, your child will become a skilled, enthusiastic reader. Students develop strong comprehension skills in both fiction and non-fiction and learn how to read and study textbooks. Your child will gain confidence and develop a lifelong love of books and reading.
Program for Entering 6th-8th Graders:
Students in this program make substantial gains in comprehension while doubling reading speed. They also learn the best way to read textbooks, take notes, and study for tests. As a result, students complete homework more quickly and easily, get better grades, and enjoy reading more.
Program for Entering 9th-11th Graders:
For more information visit the school office regarding online reading skills and speed reading programs offered through IUPUI this summer. Call 1-800-964-9974 to register.
2017 - 2018 School Calendar
Nutrition Club Information
The Nutrition Club provides supplemental weekend food for children at North, South and the Middle School each Friday during the school year. We all struggle at some point. The goal of this program is to ease a bit of the struggle. You are welcome to sign-up at any point during the school year. The food will be sent home in a cinch sack or plastic bag that can fit inside a school backpack or be carried.
Please complete the form below or complete the on-line registration: http://www.kidssummerlunchbunch.org/club.php. You only complete one form per family. List all of your children that you would like to participate. Each child in your family will receive their own cinch sack or bag on Fridays throughout the school year. This program is the result of the generosity of the Danville community!
Please contact Julie Randall with any questions. Randall.6203@gmail.com or 317-694-5097.
21st Century Scholars Indiana
Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars is a needs- and performance-based program that provides students the opportunity to earn up to a four-year scholarship at an Indiana college or university.
Hoosier students who meet income criteria can enroll during their 7th- or 8th-grade year of middle school. Students commit to maintaining academic success, remaining drug and alcohol free, and completing college-preparation activities.
Scholars are provided resources and assistance to help them plan and prepare for college and pay for expenses not covered by their scholarship.
Applications must be submitted by June 30 of the student's 8th grade year.
Apply online only. Eligible 7th and 8th grade students and their parents or legal guardians can access the online application at www.Scholars.IN.gov . Please review income eligibility requirements online before applying by visiting www.Scholars.IN.gov/enroll .
New to ScholarTrack or have questions about completing the Scholar Success Program? Watch this online presentation to view how to register an account and record your progress as you complete the Scholar Success Program through ScholarTrack.
DCMS PTO News
BOX TOPS/CAMPBELL'S SOUP LABELS CONTEST
Just in time for all your Easter cooking and baking! Save your box tops and Campbell's Soup Labels for the spring contest! Tell Grandma, Aunts, neighbors, Mom, everyone! Clip and Save! Winning class on 7/8 and on 5/6 side will receive a coupon to the Dairy Queen and their teacher will get an Amazon gift card! 5/6 graders please turn them into your 1st period teacher and 7/8 turn into your 3rd period teacher. Remember to put them in a zip-lock bag with your teacher’s name so your class will get the credit! Deadline is Friday, May 12th! Which class will collect the most?
DCMS FACULTY BREAKFAST
Thank you to all the parents that donated breakfast items for the monthly DCMS faculty meeting. Everything was delicious and greatly appreciated. DCMS parents ROCK! Please sign up for the May 3 meeting on the link below.
You have been invited by DCMS PTO to donate food for "DCMS Faculty meetings." Please click on the button below to view the online sign-up sheet.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c48aba72aa7f94-dcms
DCMS STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
DCMS PTO will be providing lunch for the staff on Thursday, May 4th. Please sign up on the link below for delicious soups/salads/bread/desserts to show how much we all appreciate our awesome staff!! The staff REALLY enjoys these small gestures of kindness.
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080C48ABA72AA7F94-dcms1
5th and 6th GRADE AFTER SCHOOL BASH
Mark your calendars for Wednesday May 3rd, 3:30 PM -5:30 PM. PTO will be hosting an after school bash for all 5th and 6th graders. Admission will be $5 with a 2 liter bottle or $7 without. Tickets will be sold during lunch Monday-Wednesday, May 1-3. Wristbands will be passed out during lunch on 5/3. No admission without a wristband. Bring your 2 liter to school on day of ticket purchase. The bash will include a DJ, popcorn, cookies, water, and pop. Come as you are dressed for school and have a fun afternoon hanging out with friends before summer!
DCMS PTO has a Facebook page! It is listed as Danville Community Middle School PTO. Like it and start following us!
Do you grocery shop at Marsh? It's time to renew, or sign up for their Marsh Fresh Ideas for Education Program. By registering, our school will receive a kickback from your purchases that can be used for items for our school. Go to Fresh Ideas for Education.com and enter school code 28547 to sign up. Thank you!
ELECTIONS WILL BE MAY 8 for 2017-2018 BOARD
The next PTO meeting will be Monday May 8th at 3:30pm in the conference room. It's not too early to be thinking about running for the PTO board for next school year. Position descriptions are available. Email dcms4PTO@gmail.com for more details. YOU can make a difference at your child's school.
VOLUNTEERS are needed for working the bookstore and making teacher copies on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Hours are from 8:10 AM to 9-10 AM, depending on how much copying is needed. This is a great way to get involved in your child's school AND help our awesome teachers! The kids LOVE buying items at the bookstore! Please go to http://signup.com/go/LtcGhz to sign up for once a week, or once a month. Giving of your time is greatly appreciated! Bookstore hours are Tuesday,Thursday and Friday from the first bell to start of school bell on the 5th and 6th side. Thursday there is a cart on the 7th and 8th side before the start of school. Bring in your loose change from the couch cushions, allowance money, or your piggy bank money! Bookstore items cost from 10 cents to a few dollars and consist off all school supply list items, staplers, fun pencils, pens, erasers, lead, folders, and much more!
The bookstore will be closed during ISTEP testing (April 17 through May 5).
New items often!
Any comments or suggestions for DCMS PTO, please send them to dcms4pto@gmail.com. We appreciate your support!
2016-2017 PTO Board:
President: Beth Walliser
Vice-President: Carrie Kirk
Treasurer: Keri McRoberts
Secretary and Box Top Coordinator: Abby Bickel
Upcoming Events
4/24
ISTEP Testing Begins through May 5
Science Academic Team - 7:30 AM to 8:22 AM
Track Practice - 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
4/25
FCA - 7:45 AM to 8:22 AM
English Academic Team - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Builder's Club - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Track 3-Way Meet @Home - 5:30 PM to 7:45 PM
4/26
Track Practice - 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Boys (6, 7 & 8 Grade) Basketball Open Gym – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
4/27
Track 3-Way Meet @Cascade - 5:00 PM to 7:45 PM
Social Studies Academic Team - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Band Instrument Sample Night - 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
4/28
Math Academic Team - 7:30 AM to 8:22 AM
Track Practice - 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
4/29
Academic Team Competition @Zionsville West Middle School - 9:00 AM
Special Olympics Track - 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
5/1
Science Academic Team - 7:30 AM to 8:22 AM
Track Meet @Southmont - 4:45 PM to 7:00 PM
5/2
FCA - 7:45 AM to 8:22 AM
English Academic Team - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Builder's Club - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Track Practice - 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
5/3
5/6 PTO After School Bash - 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Track County Meet @Plainfield - 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Boys (6, 7 & 8 Grade) Basketball Open Gym – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
5/4
Track County Meet Rain Date @Plainfield - 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Social Studies Academic Team - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Girls (5, 6, & 7 Grade) Basketball Open Gym – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
5/5
Math Academic Team - 7:30 AM to 8:22 AM
Student Council Meeting - 7:45 AM to 8:22 AM
Track Practice - 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
5/6
Fundraiser & 8th Grade Kings Island Trip - 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Special Olympics Track - 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
About Us
Please call by 8 AM if your child will be late to school or absent all day.
Student Hours
- Doors Open - 8:15 AM
- Locker/Breakfast - 8:22 AM
- Warning Bell - 8:31 AM
- Classes Start - 8:33 AM Be in your seat, please.
- Bus Rider Dismissal - 3:24 PM
- Car Riders/Walkers - 3:30 PM
Bus Transportation Line - 317-745-6875
Email: tlucas@danville.k12.in.us
Website: www.danville.k12.in.us/middle
Location: 1425 W Lincoln St, Danville, IN, United States
Phone: 317-745-5491