Davidsen Monthly
March 2022
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March: Spring Break & end of the third quarter
Read on for more about what's happening this month. As always, you can scroll down for a list of important March dates.
End of Third Grading Quarter: March 11
Math IXL Challenge: All Grades
Math teachers have been preparing students for a school-wide IXL math challenge. IXL is a software that challenges students by establishing an individual base level and monitors their understanding by increasing difficulty as the student progresses.
For the challenge, classes will rotate between individual laptop work and small groups working on paper. They will be divided by grade and level to form competition groups. The classes with the best scores within their groups will win a special reward to be determined by their teacher.
The first round of the IXL Math Challenge will continue over Spring Break, giving individual students a chance to make progress that could result in a win for their class! So turn off the video games and log in to the IXL Math Challenge!
Media Center
BOOK BINGO: Ice Cream Party
Battle of the Books
Author Visit with Greg Neri
Scholastic Book Fair
Math League
Congratulations to the following students who ranked at the top of Individual Math League scores:
6th Grade: Hudson Werr, Daylen Stoddard, 7th Grade: Yekwon Lee, 8th Grade: Celie Ngo.
We are also very proud of our Math League teams who competed with 70 schools and finished in 9th place, 14th place, and 15th place for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades respectively.
All Math Leaguers were treated to a patio pizza party after a long day of virtual competition.
Math League members: Isabella Rodriguez, Addiel Bosque, Julianna Tran, Daylen Stoddard, Eloise Correa (alternate), Hudson Werr, Paxton Isaac, Paul Meyer, Xavier Stephen, Henry Blosfield, Olivia Mirk, Ryan Carmenate, Shea Sendlenski, Huy Truong, Lillian Kilkelly, Samuel Garmendia, Madalyne Sulzer, Lazaro Borrego, Yekwon Lee, Sebastian Torres, Marlon Gonzale Capdevila, Nathan Curé, Celie Ngo, Angel Torres, Sinchana Kallimath, Laura Smith, and Yena Lee.
If your student is interested in competing in future Math League competitions, contact Ms. Degusipe or Ms. Fernandez. Go Dragons!!
PAPER: Free Tutoring
The parent and student reviews are in: Paper is great!
View a PAPER Parent Info-Session: In English or In Spanish
Athletics
Girls Soccer Scores Historic Davidsen First!
This just in: After finishing the season on March 2nd in a tie for first place, the Dragons have taken home the title of West Cluster Champions by winning the three team tie breaker on March 3rd at Leto. This is the first time Davidsen Girls Soccer has held this title in the history of the school! Congratulations DMS Girls Soccer!
Flag Football season begins this month! Girls' team tryouts will take place on March 8 after school, boys' tryouts will be March 9 after school. Our first game is scheduled for March 30 vs Hill Middle at Gaither High.
You can find tickets to all games at
davidsenptsa.org/davidsen-athletics.html
IN THE CLASSROOM
6th Grade debates
In 6th Grade Language Arts, students are participating in debates on current topics like social media, technology, and homework. Students have been preparing their arguments by writing a persuasive multi-paragraph essay, and will be presenting their ideas to the class throughout the month.
7th Grade Civics Green Dot Challenge
1st place (not pictured)- John Carrothers, 34 green dots and 13 Stars
2nd place- Yekwon Lee, 34 green dots and 12 stars
3rd place- Laine Anderson, 32 green dots7th Grade Civics classes will be playing the Green Dot Challenge again this month. Students who meet their Civics teacher's criteria will participate in a Civics Celebration Pizza Party!
Civics Bootcamp tutoring: Students needing extra help in Civics will be receiving an invitation for tutoring sessions which are scheduled for March 28th and April 4th.
8th Grade Physical Science (IPS)
Physical Science Honors students are learning about speed and force by studying what happens in a controlled collision. Using our new class set of laptops, students can collaborate by sharing their lab data through Office365.
Rocket Launch: the M in STEM
Computer Technology
The Business Technology department is proud to announce that five DIT students have earned the rigorous Industry certification of Social Media Strategist. Congratulations Cole D., and Ryson D., Kierra C., Stephanie B., and Christian G. The class has also completed plans for a Food Truck business, complete with menus and truck designs.
In Coding Fundamentals, students have started programming in JavaScript; learning about object placement via the parameters of x-location, y-location, width, and height. Next they will learn how to program Sprites to animate with properties, loops, conditionals, and user inputs.
Business Keyboarding students are finishing up an Alphabet Book slide presentation with images, transitions, animations, and timings, and will begin learning the basics of Excel.
Music
The State (MPA) Assessments are an important part of measuring progress, as well as a great opportunity to learn and grow with input from high level directors from all over the state. Our music teachers go to great lengths to make sure Davidsen musicians participate in these opportunities, and we thank them for their tireless commitment to achieving the highest standards in musicianship.
Congratulations to the Davidsen Chamber Orchestra who earned Superior ratings at the State MPA Music Assessment in February.
Chorus and Vocal Jazz Ensemble also took home Superior ratings at Solo & Ensemble and MPA Assessments. This is an especially proud moment for our Chorus department as it is their first competition under the direction of our new chorus teacher Ms. Paige Pilkington. Congratulations on perfect scores from the judges! You can watch the Vocal Jazz Ensemble performance here
The Dragon Band had a pre-MPA performance on Feb 25, and will perform for MPA Assessment March 9 at Jefferson High school.
Practice at home You can support your student by helping them set and maintain a time and place to practice their instrument regularly.
AVID
6th grade AVID students are improving their spelling skills by learning about the most commonly misspelled words and how to avoid making mistakes in writing them.
In 7th grade, AVID students are increasing their vocabulary and comprehension by studying word morphology.
8th graders in AVID are currently preparing for college by gaining experience in the application process. Students are "applying for a scholarship" by writing a practice scholarship essay and filling out a practice application. This practice will give students a great head start!
Visual Arts
Visual Art students are also encouraged to enter their work in the Florida Salvador Dali student exhibition and competition. Due date for the Dali exhibition is March 31. See or contact Ms. Smith for details.
DMS Yearbook 2022 Dedications
Remember to pre-order your copy of the 2021-22 Davidsen Yearbook at www.yearbookordercenter.com using school code 21848.
Have pictures to submit to the yearbook? Upload them at www.HJeShare.com using the same school code.
Clean Slate for events and field trips
Congratulations and thank you to all students who have adhered to the DMS dress code, attendance, and behavioral requirements throughout the year. The DMS administration would like to offer any students who have struggled with these parameters the opportunity to begin building good habits by resetting student records. All students who maintain proper dress code and have no more than 8 tardies for the rest of the term (with no behavioral referrals) will be able to attend special events and field trips. Please support your student at home by helping them understand the importance of time management and listening skills in the classroom and beyond. While it's not unusual for middle schoolers to sometimes struggle with these skills, it is imperative that they begin to learn and develop them for the future. We thank you for your partnership!
Extracurricular Clubs
Gamers Club
FCA
MakerSpace
Culinary Club
February
Dragon Blast 2022
Thurgood Marshall Club Outing
PTSA
Join the PTSA Board
The PTSA board and committees support students, parents, and teachers by planning, raising funds, and volunteering in the areas of special events, academic incentives, teacher grants, and many other ways that help make middle school a fun and fruitful time for our kids.
You do not need to be a stay-at-home parent to be a committee or board member! Most of our Board and committee members also work outside of their roles in the PTSA. The number one predictor of student success is parental involvement. If you have any time in your schedule, joining our PTSA as a committee or board member is one of the most valuable ways to invest that time. Email PTSA president Scott Heydt if you would like to learn more about how to get more involved in supporting your student and the Dragon family by joining the PTSA Board.
March Stock the Teachers' Lounge
We would love to be able to continue this effort all year. If you can help the PTSA "Stock the Teachers' Lounge", just click here! Select an amount and let the PTSA take care of the shopping. Your name (and/or student's name) will be listed as a sponsor on a sign displayed in the lounge each month. If you would like to donate something else, or if you have a business who would like to participate, please contact our PTSA President, Scott.
Let's help keep our teachers energized for our students!
Discount PDQ Cards: Get 33% off!
MARCH DATES
March 1: Chorus MPA
March 2: Soccer vs. Smith @Alonso 6pm
March 2: Flag football paperwork due
March 2-4: Scholastic Book fair
March 4: College T-Shirt Day
March 7: No School (Monday)
March 8: Girls Soccer vs Rampello (Playoffs) @ Leto 6pm
March 8: Girls Flag Football tryouts 4:30-6
March 9: Boys Flag Football tryouts 4:30-6
March 9: Band MPA
March 10: Wear Red to support our troops
March 14-18: Spring Break
March 21: No School
March 22: Beginning of 4th grading quarter
March 25: PTSA Krispy Kreme Donut Sales
March 29: Dance Showcase dress rehearsal at Alonso 5pm
March 30: Flag Football DMS @Hill 6pm
April 1: Dance Showcase at Alonso 6pm
April 14: End of Year Field trips
6th Grade - Laser Ops
7th Grade - Altitudes
8th Grade - Celebration Station
OAR (extra help) Schedule
Teachers offer OAR for students who would like to receive extra help in a core subject. Students who have questions or need extra help outside of regular class time should plan to attend their teacher’s OAR during lunch.
OAR Schedule by subject:
Reading/Language Arts: Tuesday
Math: Wednesday
Science: Thursday
History: Friday
Reminders
Join Davidsen Dragons on Facebook
Canvas Grades
https://hcpscanvasproject.azurewebsites.net
For more information on setting up Canvas, click here
College Readiness and AVID
Ms. Wilton also keeps a collection of gently worn college tees to give out as prizes, and for students who would like to wear, but do not have the means to purchase one. If you have college apparel that you would like to donate to our AVID sponsored college readiness initiative, please contact Ms Wilton or drop off a bag labeled "Wilton, room 407"
Cell Phone Policy
School Hours and lunch times
Davidsen PTSA
You can also sign up to volunteer with the PTSA by emailing dmsvols@gmail.com
Volunteers must also complete the district volunteer form.
Davidsen Middle School Center for the Arts
Email: stacy.arena@hcps.net
Website: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/davidsen
Location: 10501 Montague Street, Tampa, FL 33626, USA
Phone: (813) 558-5300
Facebook: facebook.com/davidsenptsa
Twitter: @davidsendragons