DRAGON DIGEST
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 /AUGUST 2019
CALENDAR OF AUGUST EVENTS
- August 12-16 August Grade Level eNewsletters Go Out This Week
- August 13 Dragon Football vs. Riverwatch at Denmark High School 6:30PM
- August 20 Band Fundraiser Begins
- August 20 Dragon Football vs. Lakeside at Lakeside 5:30PM
- August 21-27 Dragon Football Spirit Week
- August 22 Curriculum Night 6:00-8:10PM
- August 23 Dragon Academy 4:15-6:30pm
- August 26-30 September Grade Level eNewsletters Go Out This Week
- August 27 Dragon Football vs. Liberty at DeSana- 5:30PM - - - FIRST HOME GAME!
- August 29 Chick-Fil-A Biscuit Sale in the AM Carpool Line Sponsored by Jr. Beta
- August 29 6th Grade Social 4:15-6:00PM
- August 30 Band Fundraiser Ends
- August 30 Early Release/Professional Dev. Day - - - Students dismissed at 1:30PM
- September 2 Labor Day Holiday - - - No School for Students and Staff
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
Dear DeSana Parents,
We have been super pleased with the start to this new school year! By all accounts on our end, we think this may have been our smoothest one yet! And the past three years of first days of school have all been quite good!! We even set a record yesterday morning with the buses arriving at school in the morning, as they were all here and unloaded by 8:44 Thursday morning . . . the 5th day of school!! And we are just a few minutes shy from having all of our buses loaded and out of here in the afternoons at the normal time. A BIG shout-out to our Transportation Coordinator, Deanna Bowen, and her team of bus drivers!!
In addition, our students have acclimated quite quickly to their new routines and schedules, and our 6th graders have done a terrific job mastering their lockers!! We are quite impressed with all 986 of our young Dragons . . . 336 sixth graders . . . 333 seventh graders . . . and 317 eighth graders . . . and still growing! They are friendly . . . polite . . . helpful to one another and their teachers . . . respectful . . . and for now seem eager to learn! Their energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and they are truly a joy to be around, interact with, and learn from daily! Thank you, parents, for allowing us the privilege of working with your young people each and every day!
Your middle schooler may have come home this week talking about their block days on Wednesday and Thursday, where they only went to half of their classes, but stayed in those classes for almost double the amount of time --- 90 minutes. This is a new master schedule that DeSana is using this year. Throughout at least half of the year last year, one of our teacher leadership teams researched, discussed and debated going to a modified block master schedule, where three days out of the week (M, TU & FR) students would go to all seven of their classes (four core academic classes, Enrichment class for 6th and 7th graders or Spanish 1 for most 8th graders, and two Connections classes), with each class lasting approximately 50 minutes. On Wednesdays, students would go to their 1st period class, 3rd period class, 4th period class and 6th period class, with all of these classes lasting approximately 90 minutes, except for 3rd period, which would be the lunch period, lasting around 100 minutes. On Thursdays, students would attend their 2nd period class, 3rd period class, 5th period class and 7th period class, again with all of these classes lasting approximately 90 minutes, except for 3rd period.
Our teachers liked the possibility of having longer class periods two times a week that would allow their students some extra time to do in-depth science labs in one full class period in Science classes; or to work longer and more intently on a writing project in an ELA class; or to have that time to collaborate with their peers on a Social Studies, Business Ed or Marketing class project; or to have the time to work on real-life, project-based math problem solving learning experiences in a single class period. And so we decided to go for it!
As a faculty, we have discussed the differences in planning for a block class vs a “skinny day” class, as some of us like to call the more traditional 50-minute classes, and the different kinds of instructional strategies one might employ in these longer classes. And we will continue to have meaningful, professional learning workshops throughout the year for how to best teach for maximum learning in a block class.
In doing a quick poll with some of our teachers yesterday, after the first two days of block classes at DeSana, the results were very positive! We still want to survey our kids after we get a few more block days under our belts, to see what feedback and ideas they can give us so that we can maximize the possibilities for these block days!
This afternoon, every young Dragon --- 6th, 7th & 8th grader --- received a t-shirt from us that espouses our mantra for the year for our students and staff and supports the challenge that we have been discussing with our students in their Dragon Time class throughout this first week of school. Our mantra, and what the t-shirt says on the front: The Impact of MANY Is Greater Than One. And on the back of the t-shirt there is a fabulous quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that sums it all up for us. It says: Life’s most urgent question is: what are you doing for others? The challenge? We have asked our teachers to work with their Dragon Time kids or a class or a team or a club or more than one of these groups to brainstorm ways they may help and/or do for others, and then come up with a plan of action to do something for others . . . working as a team. This is right in line with one of the foundational tenets that our overall program was built upon when we opened DeSana in 2016. The main tenets of our overall program are the 5 As --- Academics (first & foremost always!), The Arts, Athletics, Activities and Altruistic Endeavors. It is this last one that we are challenging our kids to live up to in a big way this year. Yes, we have our DeSana Day of Good Deeds or D3 Day in May, which is a huge undertaking and a fantastic day for our kids and staff as we give back to our community in a big way. But we want our young Dragons to know that doing things for others is not a one-event or one-day thing. And we want them to begin to realize the power in numbers when people --- when kids --- come together and decide to tackle something to help others . . . giving of their time, their talents, their energy, and their hearts. Make sure you ask your middle schooler to see his/her t-shirt and then I hope you will find some time to ask him/her what ideas they have brainstormed in their Dragon Time thus far, and maybe even brainstorm as a family what you can do together to answer Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s question: what are you doing for others?
In the days ahead, we will begin to roll out our clubs and other activities and events. Several of these clubs are beginning to meet next week. Please encourage your young Dragon to pay attention to morning announcements during Dragon Time as that is when we announce upcoming club meetings.
There are several upcoming, important activities and events that we want to make sure are on your radar and your calendar. Our first HOME football game, played under the lights at Denmark High School’s stadium, is next Tuesday, August 13th at 6:30 PM against the Panthers of Riverwatch Middle School. We hope you will bring your young Dragon and the whole family to the game and support our student-athletes as they vie for their first win of the season! Curriculum Night for all three grade levels will be held on Thursday, August 22nd from 6:00 – 8:10 PM. Come join us for the evening, as you walk in your young Dragon’s shoes and see what a day in his/her life is like here at DeSana. You will follow his/her daily schedule for the evening and will have the opportunity to meet and listen to your middle schooler’s teachers share with you all the exciting learning experiences that will be going on in their classrooms this year. On Friday, August 30th FCS will have their first Early Release Day, and our middle schoolers will be released at 1:30. There are no school activities or practices after school dismisses on Early Release Days as our teachers are involved in professional learning sessions or conferences with parents. Then, on Tuesday, September 3rd, the Tuesday after the long Labor Day Holiday weekend, students will receive their 4 ½ week Progress Reports that will give you (and your young Dragon!) a pretty good idea how he/she started off this school year in all classes. See the article under ACADEMICS about 4 ½ week Progress Reports for more information.
We so appreciate all of your help and support, parents, in starting this new school year in such a fabulous way! Thank you for attending Dragon Camp with your 6th grader! Thank you for being at Open House with your 6th, 7th and/or 8th grader! Your support of your young Dragon in attending such events truly plays a key role in your child’s good beginning to the school year. Please know that we want and we value your involvement and support here at DeSana! Even when your middle schooler may tell you otherwise . . . we want and need you here and involved in every facet of their school life!
Here's to another wonderful year here at DeSana . . . one in which our young Dragons truly see that The Impact of MANY is Greater Than One!
DESANA DAY OF GOOD DEEDS
D3 DAY COMMITTEE INFORMATIONAL MEETING
The D3 Day committee is hosting an informational meeting at 8 am on Thursday, August 22nd in room #1102. Please join us if you are interested in volunteering your time at the committee level. We are currently in need of people who will support our committee heads. We will go over each committee and discuss how D3 Day is coordinated throughout the year. This meeting is only for those interested in volunteering at the committee level. We will have meetings for people wanting to volunteer on D3 Day later in the year.
SEEKING CORPORATE AND FAMILY LEVEL SPONSORSHIPS
The D3 Day committee is currently seeking corporate and family level sponsorships. If you are interested in information about sponsorship levels or how to get your family name added to the D3 Day t-shirt, please contact:
Dawn Bourg dawn@bourgs.com
Jennifer Harris jharris@campharris.org
PTO
PTO WELCOME
Dragon families, welcome to the 2019-2020 school year! For all who stopped by the PTO table during Dragon Camp and Open House to join PTO or ask questions, thank you! It was a pleasure to meet you and talk with you a bit and we look forward to working with you this year. For those of you who may be new to DeSana or otherwise unfamiliar with the PTO, please take a moment to learn about us.
What is the PTO? The PTO, the Parent Teacher Organization, exists to establish and maintain a working relationship among parents, the school, and the community. We enhance and support the educational programs and extracurricular activities of the school. We encourage parental involvement in educational and social experiences. Our grants help teachers and staff support and enhance the ways they teach the curriculum. Our fundraiser proceeds go directly toward supporting additional programs, equipment, supplies, and services that may not be covered in the school budget. We recruit volunteers to help with PTO and school functions and programs.
What do we need? You! Volunteering with the PTO is an excellent way for you to participate in your middle school child’s education. It allows you to meet and work alongside school staff, teachers, and other parents. There are a variety of volunteer categories listed on the PTO membership form. Please know if you indicate an interest to help it does not mean you will have to lead the activity. We’ll respect your time constraints.
To join the PTO or to view the volunteer opportunities, please visit this online form: https://form.jotform.co/91878479602876
Current Volunteer Opportunities:
We need 3-4 parents, preferably 7th/8th grade parents, to help at the 6th Grade Dance on Thursday, August 29th from 4:15 pm -6:00 pm.
We need 3-4 parents to assist with refreshment setup/cleanup for Academic Achievement Awards the mornings of Thursday, September 19 and Friday, September 20.
We need 1-2 parents to help coordinate restaurant Spirit Nights.
Please email us at desanadragonspto@gmail.com to volunteer or with any questions.
You may also follow us on Facebook.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeSanaDragonsPTO/
Remember, together we can do great things.
ACADEMICS
SAFETY IS . . . AND ALWAYS WILL BE . . . OUR #1 PRIORITY AT DESANA!
Please know that providing a safe and secure environment at DeSana for our students and staff is our #1 Priority each and every day! We know that if our students do not feel safe here, then the learning will not take place. We very much understand that you are sending us your most precious thing in the world daily, and you want them to be in a safe place. This is not something that I, nor the rest of my administrative team or staff, take lightly. That is why safety here at DeSana is and always will be our #1 Priority each and every day.
Forsyth County Schools and DeSana Middle School have many practices and procedures in place to help safeguard your young Dragon every minute of every day to, from and on campus. Detailed safety plans for all kinds of emergencies --- including lockdown situations --- have been carefully planned, written, shared with staff, put in place, and will be practiced frequently with our staff and students as we begin this school year. We will continue to practice these drills in an organized way, and as if they were the real thing, throughout the school year. In regards to practicing our lockdown drill, we have shown our teachers and staff a video about the correct procedures to follow in this scenario so that they can go over these procedures with students, as well. And in the near future, we will be showing all of our students this same video. We will also walk our students through a lockdown drill at least four times this year - - - one time each quarter - - - with the first one happening within the near future. You may access this video via the FCS website by clicking here. I encourage you to view the video together with your son or daughter and also discuss what they need to do in such a situation.
Our school system has an excellent partnership with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. Our School Resource Officer (SRO), Deputy Dobleman, is one of 40+ deputies in the county’s schools, and is assigned to DeSana, checking on things, talking to students, and getting to know them.
DeSana has security cameras throughout the school and lockdown buttons that are connected directly to 911 dispatch. We also have a control access point for entering and exiting our school building. All visitors must come to this single front door and be buzzed in by one of our secretaries who has a wide view of the entire person and the surrounding area. Check-in procedures that are strictly adhered to are in place, and in order for a parent to check-out a child, he/she must enter our front office to do so and present a valid driver’s license. Visitor scanning technology is in place in our front office for any person visiting our school outside of the front office area. Outside doors are checked throughout the school day to make sure they are always locked and no one has left a door propped open.
Some of DeSana's daily standard operating procedures are to have our head custodian check the entire facility and campus early each morning to look for any unusual objects. Phones are in every classroom. Diligent supervision of our students by our entire staff, from the moment they step foot on campus until they leave, is a daily practice. Administrators are out and about the school daily, and are in constant communication with each other, our SRO, and the front office through radios, as well as with the school district's Safety Office via special radios. Our school phones come equipped with sophisticated technology that allows for tracing phone calls in the event of a bomb threat or other threatening phone calls.
All Forsyth County school buses are equipped with two-way radios so that they can be in constant communication with the transportation department and the school. They are also equipped with GPS so that bus locations may be tracked at all times. In addition, our FCS Code of Conduct Dress Code prohibits students from wearing over-sized, over-length or baggy clothing items so that weapons and other contraband are less likely to be hidden on students. The FCS Dress Code is enforced at DeSana.
Parents, one of the biggest things you can do to help us keep our young Dragons safe at DeSana is to have a frank talk with your child(ren) about the importance of them communicating with us here if they see, hear, read (anywhere . . . including on social media), or suspect something that concerns them about their safety at DeSana. They should immediately share their concerns with a teacher, counselor, administrator, or Deputy Dobleman. We take all reports of such concerns seriously and investigate them thoroughly, doing what we need to do in order to insure the safety of everyone at DeSana. There is also our school system’s Campus Crime Stoppers hotline at 770-205-4625, where students may make an anonymous report. Campus Crime Stoppers posters are displayed throughout our school and have the phone number to call or text.
Please also emphasize to your young Dragon that joking around about shooting people, blowing up things, harming others at school, the mall, the movie theater, or anywhere else may get them in serious trouble . . . more trouble than they could ever imagine. People are going to take such statements seriously.
We continue to talk with our students since the very first few days of school about safety being a top priority at DeSana, and letting them know that it is also their responsibility to help keep our school safe by reporting any safety concerns that they have. And we will continue the mantra of if you see/hear/read/suspect something, you need to say something. We will continue to need your help with this parents, as middle schoolers many times see only the social implications of reporting something about another student. Rest assured any information of this nature that is shared with an administrator, counselor or teacher is held in strictest confidence. Please let your child know that it is your expectation that he/she take personal responsibility in reporting anything he/she sees/hears/reads that could jeopardize the safety of any or all of our students and staff.
While I am not a parent myself, I think I do understand, and most definitely share your concern about the safety of your young Dragon here at DeSana. It is something that is always on my mind. I encourage you, parents, that any time you have concerns about the safety or well-being of your child, you will not hesitate to call or email me, or Mr. Starr or Ms. Epperson, our two Assistant Principals, or Mr. Coffield, our Assistant Administrator, to discuss these concerns. We want Desana to be a place where all students, staff and parents feel safe and comfortable. But we need everyone's help to keep it that way throughout this school year. Thanking you in advance for your help and support when it comes to the safety of our young Dragons!
CURRICULUM NIGHT AT DESANA MIDDLE SCHOOL - - - AUGUST 22, 2019 - - - 6:00-8:10PM
Welcome to DeSana! We are so glad you are joining us this evening! Your presence this evening sends a very powerful and lasting message to your middle schooler that his/her education is very important and will be a priority in your family. Thank you for making it a priority!
The first part of the evening will be held in the gym. During this session, you will hear a welcome and a few points of information from Ms. North, the principal, to be followed by a few words from our PTO President and from our DeSana Day of Good Deeds Steering Committee Co-Chairs, introduction of our wonderful DeSana staff, and brief introductions of our DeSana Business Partners thus far. After this opening session, you will locate and travel to your child’s Dragon Time (homeroom) teacher (Don’t worry if you don’t remember who that is as we have an ALPHA list of students at the entrances to the school and at the head of each grade level hallway on which you can locate your child and his/her Dragon Time teacher and room number). When you get to your child’s Dragon Time class, you will receive a copy of your child’s class schedule for you to follow the rest of the evening.
Our goal this evening is to provide you an opportunity to meet and greet your son’s/daughter’s teachers and to hear a brief overview of what your child has to look forward to in each class this year, all the while working to get everyone back home at a reasonable time. Please remember that tonight is not a conference night, but our teachers will be happy to answer any questions regarding your student as soon as possible in person, or by phone or e-mail. Just let them know you want to talk at a later date.
For our Spanish speaking parents, we will have a translator present for our opening session (6:00 – 6:30) to translate the information shared in this session via the headsets that we use. Parents may pick up a headset in the lobby outside of the gym right before they enter. From 6:30 to 8:10, our Spanish speaking parents will follow their child’s schedule, attending each class, each period. After running through their child’s schedule and attending each of their classes, if there are any questions that our Spanish speaking parents have about anything in regards to their child’s classes or how we “do school” at DeSana, we will have a short meeting in the media center, beginning at 8:10, with some of our Spanish speaking teachers and staff present to help answer parents’ questions.
We hope you enjoy tonight’s event and we welcome your feedback about this evening. Please let us know any suggestions you have for improvement as we are always looking for ways to better ourselves and the programs and opportunities we offer here at DeSana. DeSana administrators will be in the Commons after every parent runs through their child’s schedule for the evening in case there are any questions.
Again, thank you for coming and we hope it is an informative evening for everyone!
Curriculum Night Schedule
6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
We will begin the evening in the gym, with a welcome and a few points of information from Terri North, Principal, a few words from our PTO President and from our DeSana Day of Good Deeds Steering Committee Co-Chairs, introduction of our wonderful DeSana staff, and brief introductions of our DeSana Business Partners thus far.
6:30 – 8:10 p.m.
Follow your child’s schedule to get a “snapshot” of “a day in the life of your middle schooler”. You will follow your student’s 7-period day in the order of his/her daily classes. Please see the schedule below.
You will meet in each teacher’s room for approximately 8 minutes. Each teacher will give a general overview of the Georgia Standards of Excellence for their class, instructional experiences planned throughout the year, and types of assessments students can expect in each class. In addition, each teacher may discuss their classroom daily routine, show examples of student work, or have you participate in a learning activity. There will be approximately 3 minutes between classes for you to travel to your next class. We will announce the beginning and the end of each class over the intercom.
Time Schedule
6:30 – 6:41 Transition from the Gym to Dragon Time, Get Schedule & Hear What Happens in Dragon Time
6:41 – 6:49 Dragon Time
6:49 – 6:52 Change
6:52 – 7:00 1st Period
7:00 – 7:03 Change
7:03 – 7:11 2nd Period
7:11 – 7:14 Change
7:14 – 7:22 3rd Period
7:22 – 7:25 Change
7:25 – 7:33 4th Period
7:33 – 7:36 Change
7:36 – 7:44 5th Period
7:44 – 7:47 Change
7:47 – 7:55 6th Period
7:55 – 7:58 Change
7:58 – 8:06 7th Period
8:06 – 8:15 Thank You for Coming & Good Night!
Again, thank you for coming this evening! We hope you have an informative night. As always, we appreciate your support!
The DeSana Middle School Faculty, Staff & Administration
4 ½ WEEK PROGRESS REPORTS WILL COME YOUR WAY ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD
Friday, August 30th marks the 4 ½ week juncture of this first semester, and thus, students and parents will receive their young Dragon’s Progress Report for the first 4 ½ weeks of this school year on Tuesday, September 3rd. This will be a great time for parents to take note of how their middle schooler is starting off this school year in each class. While parents (and students!) may check their child’s grades daily/weekly via Parent Portal . . . and we highly encourage you to do so . . . we will be sending home with students a paper copy Progress Report for each of their seven classes September 3rd. This will give you and your student an opportunity to see how he/she is progressing in each class. All students --- 6th, 7th & 8th graders --- will be given one Progress Report sheet from each core class (Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Enrichment class and Spanish for 8th graders who take it) that tells their class average thus far and how they have done on each formative and/or summative assessment. For Connections classes, Progress Reports will be given only to those students with a present grade of 75% or below.
We encourage each parent to take a few minutes to sit down with his/her young Dragon to go over and discuss his/her academic progress thus far. Let us also give you a word of caution as you look at the averages for your child’s classes at this 4 ½ week juncture. As you hopefully know, this first semester grading period is made up of an 18-week period, so this is just the 4 ½ week mark of the entire 18 week grading period. A student’s average at this point may include few or not any summative assessments, which will count as 80% of his/her total average for the semester. Thus, your child’s course average may be a bit skewed, one way or the other, depending on how many formative (which count 20% of a student’s total average for the semester) and summative assessments have been given, and how your child has performed on any of the assessments given thus far.
Parents, please do not hesitate to contact any of your child’s teachers should you have any questions or concerns about your young Dragon’s academic progress for these first 4 ½ weeks. Please know we want and need you involved in your child’s education during these important middle school years. We appreciate your support so very much!
MEDIA CENTER
We are excited to have students back in our media center for another busy year of books and activities! All of our new 6th graders have come through the media center this week with their ELA classes to check out books and even learn a little about what genres might be best for them when they are choosing a book. Ask your child which genres they like: Mystery? Fantasy? Historical Fiction?
A few media center reminders: students may check out up to 2 books at a time and may keep them for 2 weeks. If a student needs longer to read the book, they should stop into the media center and let the staff know, so that we can renew the book. Overdue books accrue a fine of 5 cents per school day. We open at 8:15 in the morning and are open all day for student check outs.
Students (and parents) can check the catalog from home by going to Classlink and clicking on “Media Center Catalog.”
GRADE LEVEL ENEWSLETTERS
We know that when it comes to sharing information with parents about what is happening in their classes at school, many middle schoolers are not the best conduit of information about what is happening in all of their different classes. Itslearning is a BIG help in reminding students about assignments and what they are studying in class, as well as providing a wealth of information for parents. But we want to make doubly sure that our parents are definitely in the know about their young Dragon’s academic endeavors, so that is why we will begin publishing our digital, monthly, Grade Level eNewsletters beginning next week --- for the rest of August, and again on August 30th for the month of September. These eNewsletters are nothing fancy --- just the facts --- and are designed to give you a brief synopsis of what is happening in the four main content areas (five for 8th graders, which includes Spanish) . . . Math, ELA, Science and Social Studies . . . on a monthly basis. Each Grade level eNewsletter (eNews, for short) may contain information about standards/topics/concepts being studied throughout the month, formative and/or summative assessments coming up, project assignments, and/or reminders about other upcoming activities or events. So stay tuned to your email in box as our first eNews will be coming your way electronically within the next week!
ITSLEARNING
What is itsLearning?
ItsLearning is a learning management system (online platform) that allows teachers to have an online component alongside their traditional instruction. Not only can teachers post classroom content but they may also have students participate in online discussions, submit assignments, complete assessments, and create content. In addition to being a vital component for everyday teaching and learning, itsLearning will also be utilized during any days missed due to unscheduled school closures (ex. inclement weather). ItsLearning is also a communication tool for administrators, teachers, students, and parents. Additionally, teachers can utilize the recommendation engine to provide students with either remediation or enrichment on course standards.
What can I do as a parent?
In all courses, parents can monitor content assigned to their children through itsLearning. Parents can log-in with the same credentials they use to get in Parent Portal or by using their child’s log in information. Here at DeSana we recommend using your child’s log-in information. This will give you a little more access to things when you are trying to assist your child. Be sure to ask your child for their username and password. In both instances, parents can check the Lesson Planner section for the class lesson presented that day, see posted homework or posted ‘no homework’, see class resources used, class activities, and any information about upcoming tests, projects, and quizzes. Using the student log-in will allow parents to find bulletins or reminders in individual courses. Parents can also find links to valuable resources that students may need throughout the year. This can include on-line text books and more.
How do I get there?
There are 2 easy ways to get there: 1. Go to https://forsyth.itslearning.com. Use your child’s username and password to log-in. 2. Visit our DeSana Middle School web site and use the quick link at the top right to access itslearning. Again, use your child’s username and password. If your child does not know their information, they can ask one of their teachers or go see Mrs. Gooch, the DeSana Instructional Technology Specialist in her office located in the Media Center. This information cannot be emailed or given out over the phone. Having this information and checking it regularly are vital for helping your child succeed to the fullest at DeSana.
Still need help?
Visiting the DeSana Webpage will be your first step. On the right side under Quick Links is a link to valuable resources. These resources include print and video resources about using and navigating itsLearning for both parents and students. You can also access these resources through the link here. Please feel free to call or email Mrs. Gooch if you have any questions or need assistance. She is happy to either talk you through it or set-up a time to meet to better assist you. Mrs. Gooch’s contact information is 770-667-2591 ext. 491590 and lgooch@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN (AOL) TIME
Some students simply need the gift of time to master some of the concepts they learn in school. They can master them . . . they just need a little more time. And for some students, coming to school early for a morning help session with their teacher is just not possible. That is why we created AOL Time here at DeSana - - - An Additional Opportunity to Learn time. AOL is a 45 minute block of time that will happen first thing in the morning on Thursdays, and on some Wednesdays (9:05 – 9:45) beginning Thursday, August 22nd. During this block of time, students have the opportunity to receive re-teaching from their teachers should they need it. If your child is struggling in a class, or if they have a big summative assessment coming up that their teacher is offering a review session for, or if they have received a low score on a summative assessment and need to relearn some concepts before they re-take the summative, please encourage them to take advantage of AOL time! Ask your young Dragon each Wednesday evening/Thursday morning where he/she is going for AOL time on Thursday. Then ask your young Dragon Thursday evening what teacher he/she went to that day for extra help. Truly, taking advantage of our AOL time can make a BIG difference in a child’s success in school. Thanking you in advance for your help in making sure our young Dragons take advantage of this learning opportunity during AOL time!
EARLY RELEASE DAYS & PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAYS FOR FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOLS
This year’s Forsyth County Schools’ calendar has for the first semester: one (1) Early Release/Professional Learning Day on Friday, August 30th; two (2) Early Release/Conference Days, on October 23rd and 24th; and one (1) full-day, Professional Development Day on October 25th. For the second semester, there is one (1) Early Release/Conference Day on and March 8th and three (3) full-day, Professional Development Days on January 6th, February 18th and March 13th. For all Early Release Days, middle school students will be released at 1:30 PM . We hope that our DeSana parents will take advantage of these days by scheduling your child’s doctor and dentist appointments on these afternoons in order to minimize time spent missing classroom instruction. During the afternoon of August 31st, all DeSana teachers and administrators will be involved in meaningful, professional learning and collaborative planning as they enhance their instructional knowledge, strategies and skills; therefore, no after school activities, club meetings or team practices will occur on this afternoon.
For the four (4) Professional Development Days on the student calendar for this year, students have a holiday from school while teachers and staff engage in meaningful professional learning sessions and activities throughout the day.
ANNOUNCING DRAGON ACADEMY FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR - - - AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL LEARNING & ASSESSMENT TIME FOR STUDENTS!
Dragon Academy is an opportunity we will begin offering students on Friday, August 23rd from 4:15 – 6:30 for completing, taking or re-taking formative and/or summative assessments (i.e. unit tests, projects, essays, quizzes. etc.). Dragon Academy will happen at least two times a month --- on Fridays ---beginning Friday, August 23rd, with teachers and an administrator supervising each session. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to drastically improve both their learning and their grades. Students will be invited by their teachers . . . or they may invite themselves . . . to attend Dragon Academy if they are missing work, or need to re-take an assessment to show better mastery of the standards, or complete a project. Although students will have about two hours to complete their work, once they complete all that they came to accomplish, students will be able to call their parent to come pick them up. Snacks and drinks will be sold for a very reasonable cost so students may focus on their work, not on their grumbling stomachs! Any necessary school supplies will be provided for students to use to complete their work, as needed.
Please mark your calendars now for these Dragon Academy dates for the rest of the school year:
September 6
September 20
October 18
November 1
November 15
December 6
December 13
January 24
February 7
February 21
March 6
March 20
April 17
May 1
May 15
ATHLETICS
DESANA DRAGON FOOTBALL 2019
DeSana Dragons Football is looking forward to a great 2019 season! The players have worked extremely hard over the summer to prepare them to face their opponents. Coach Riddle challenged the Dragons to “ATTACK THE DAY” every day to ensure we leave everything out on the field. The Dragons will kick off the season versus Little Mill Mustangs then head to Denmark High School for the Home start versus the Riverwatch Panthers. The Dragons will then battle away against the Lakeside Lions August 20th and then engage the students and staff in our annual Spirit Week to play up a rivalry game versus the Liberty Patriots, August 27th. The Dragons will be led by Quarterback- Jaiden J., Linebacker- Juan B., and DE- Aidan S.. The DeSana Dragons look forward to all of the support from the school and the community. Come cheer on the DeSana Dragons as they look to make their first playoff appearance in school history. Go Dragons!
HOME GAME PERMISSION SLIPS
We love to have our students stay after school for our home football games to cheer for our Dragons! If your student would like to stay after, he or she must have a signed permission slip for each game as well as the admission price ($4). And, of course, concessions will be sold at the game. Permission forms are available in the front office or you can download either English or Spanish permission forms now by clicking the language of your choice. Students keep their permission forms and money to be collected right before they head to the game. Pick up times and further information are on the permission form.
THE ARTS
MUSICAL AUDITIONS
Once Upon a Mattress auditions will be on September 4th and 5th from 4:30 to 6:30PM. Keep an eye out on the Drama page on the DeSana website for sign-ups, forms, and audition materials.
ACTIVITIES
6TH GRADE SOCIAL
The 6th grade is sponsoring a social for 6th grade DMS students on Thursday, August 29, 2019. The social will begin at 4:15 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the cafeteria. Admission is $5.00 per person along with a signed permission form. Teachers will hand out permission forms the week of the social. Students may purchase refreshments at the concession stand. Teachers, parents, and administrators will chaperone this event. We are looking forward to a very special, fun-filled afternoon!
HELP DONATE GENTLY USED T-SHIRTS!
This year Mrs. Arend’s and Mrs. Strader’s homeroom classes are taking on a new project to help ease landfill waste. Did you know that 84% of donated clothing ends up in landfills? Retail shopping has gone up by 400%, but the average American does not wear the majority of the clothing they own.
In coordination with the efforts of Desana Middle School this year to be bigger than ourselves, we would like to collect any gently used t-shirts that are destined for the donation bins. We will be recycling them into a variety of useful items in order to prolong the life of the garment. Some examples are dog toys, dog beds, reusable shopping bags, braided rugs and ottomans.
Please send your gently used garments to Mrs. Arends or Mrs. Strader, in the 8th grade hallway, room 2207.
Thank you for your contribution!
PARENT 411 - HELPFUL LINKS FOR YOU
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS SENT HOME WITH STUDENTS
On Monday, August 5th, students were asked to take home several (six, to be exact!) important documents to review with their parents, and to have their parent and the student sign off on some of these documents and return to their Dragon Time teacher. These documents are required by Georgia law or Forsyth County Schools' policy. They include:
1. FCS 2019-2020 Code of Conduct
2. DeSana's 2019 - 2020 Student/Parent Handbook (on line on our DeSana webpage)
3. 2019 – 2020 DeSana Club Flyer
4. Responsible Use Guidelines for FCS's Community / BYOT Protocol for Use and Permission Form
5. 2019-2020 Parent Permission Form and Student & Parent Signatures Sheet
6. Web App Parent Permission Slip
7. Parent Occupational Survey
Students MUST bring back to their Dragon Time teacher #4, #5, #6 and #7 signed by their parent and/or the student as soon as possible. Thank you for your help and support in getting these important documents completed and turned-in in a timely manner!
Denmark Community of Schools Curriculum Nights Announcement
MANY THANKS TO OUR AMAZING BUSINESS PARTNERS!
*ALL AMERICAN SPECIALTIES
*BROWNS BRIDGE CHURCH
*CHICK-FIL-A @ THE COLLECTION
*CITY CHURCH
*DR. HOM PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ALPHARETTA COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY
*GEORGIA ORTHODONTICS AND CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY
*MARVEL SOCCER
*NORTH GEORGIA PROMOTIONS
*OMEGA LEARNING
*RBM OF ALPHARETTA
*RISPA
Forsyth County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities.