DRJHS
Quarter 4 - 2024
Message from the Principal
Hello Rattler Community,
Welcome to the 4th quarter of the 2023-2024 school year! It is my hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful two week spring break. I must begin with my appreciation to all the families, businesses, and professionals who participated in our “Career Day” on Friday, March 8th. It was such a wonderful experience for all involved. Our students were able to experience many different careers and have positive interactions with local professionals.
I know it may be hard to get back in the swing of things, but there is no time to waste. The fourth quarter ushers in state assessments (AASA), the fourth season of athletics, and the end of year performing arts concerts. The school calendar gets so full that we struggle to find a night that is open for anything new.
As the third quarter ends, we begin planning for all the student recognition assemblies that come with a school year ending. Students eligible for the Gilbert Public Schools “Golden Scholar” award will be posted for students to check soon. We also host an evening award assembly called the “Rattler Recognitions.” These awards are selected by the teachers for efforts, achievements, and character.
It is an exciting time of year, but also emotional for students and staff. Being that we are a transition school between elementary and high school, we only have the students for two years. We welcome in children as 7th graders and promote them to the high school as young men and women. We do our best to help our students through tough years with puberty, higher academic and behavior expectations, and situational/emotional peer relationships. We get proud, but it does hurt as the 8th graders promote to the high school and leave us. We get excited to welcome in our new 6th graders while watching our returning students become our 8th grade leaders.
Academics
With the exception of the 7th grade mini electives, all grades continue from the third quarter and will end at the end of the school year as a semester final grade.
IXL is a supplemental math expectation our students will continue to use through the rest of this year. Students are expected to “Master” two skills a week during their Advisory time or on their personal time. Two skills mastered is a very reasonable expectation. Students can do as many as they want each week as it will only benefit them.
Behavior
Be kind, Be respectful, and Be in control of your words and actions
Classroom expectations
Stay in seat or get permission to move
Wait to be called on to speak
Participate
Cell phones off/silent and in backpacks during all classes. Students are free to use phones outside of class period times.
Follow the district “Dress Code” policy
Wear School ID or Sticker replacement each day
Safety
Cross Madero Ave. with the crossing guard
Avoid walking through vehicles
Walk bikes across intersections (If riding - you are considered a vehicle and must follow vehicle rules)
Thank you for your support of Desert Ridge Junior High staff and administration. We are dedicated to your child and their growth academically.
Mr. Mike Davis
Principal
HONORING STUDENTS EACH MONTH
In January we began Celebrating Students of the Month. Each Teacher nominates a student and can only nominate that student once. But the students’ other teachers can nominate them. So, a student could be nominated 6 times a year. The Students of the Month have their photos taken and they are displayed outside of the classroom for all to see. Each month we will be honoring about 50 students. There is also a monthly drawing from the SOTM, and one lucky student will win a gift card. We love honoring our students for all their hard work and dedication.
✨🎉STUDENT OF THE MONTH💯
JANUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Abby R.
Alaina B.
Austin G. X2 teachers
Avery R.
Brendan M.
Chloe N.
Elizabeth B.
Emme M.
Emily H.
Emma N.
Ephraim B.
Evan M.
Eystein D.
Ezra M.
Gavin T.
Grant C.
Greysen Z.
Hailey L.
Julie L.
Kaia S.
Kamari M.
Keagan T.
Khloe S.
Layla J.
LeAnn J.
Liyah M.
Lucas R.
Mira O.
Maddi D.
Malina Y.
Mazie R.
Miles M.
Nicholas A.
Noah L.
Parker R.
Peyton G.
Rhett O.
Ron C. X2 teachers
Roxy S.
Ryder A.
Sydney G.
Tori J.
Tyler S.
Yamila R.
Zachary S.
FEBRUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Abigail W.
Addison R.
Alaina B.
Alecya L. x2 teachers
Alena A. x2 teachers
Alex W.
Annabelle K.
Ayden W.
Brendan M.
Callen B.
Carson B.
Ellie F.
Emma D.
Emma M.
Emma W.
Ethan S. x2 teachers
Eva S.
Haily F.
Hung P. x2 teachers
Imman K.
Jaxson B.
Kinzie S.
Kyson M.
Layla J.
Leslie D.
Liana B.
Mackenzie A.
Maya C x2 teachers
Macayla K.
Nathan J.
Parker R.
Paxxon W.
Rigby R.
Samantha W.
Seth D.
Sienna G.
Silas L.
Sophia S.
Tyberius W.
Vylet S.
Key Dates and Events
Friday, March 29, 2024 No School
April 1, 2, and 4, 2024 AZSCI Testing 8th graders
Monday, April 8, 2024 AASA Writing
Thursday, April 11, 2024 AASA Math Part 1
Friday, April 12, 2024 AASA Reading Part 1
Monday, April 15, 2024 AASA Math Part 2
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 AASA Reading Part 2
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 @ 6 PM at DRHS Spring Choir Concert
Thursday, May 9, 2024 @ 10 AM in the Gym Golden Scholar Ceremony
Thursday, May 9, 2024 @ 6 PM in the Gym Rattler Recognition Ceremony
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 @ 6 PM at DRHS Spring Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, May 15,2024 @ 7 PM at DRHS Spring Band Concert
Friday, May 17, 2024 @ 3:30 - 5 PM in the Courtyard 8th Grade Promotion Festival
(This is like a dance/social party for the 8th grade students only)
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - No lunch served - Half Day - Dismissal at 12:30
Thursday, May 23, 2024 - No lunch served - Last Day of School - Half Day - Dismissal at 12:30
CAREER DAY - FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH
✏️📝Student Supplies ~ Charge Chromebook💻
As we are about to enter the 4th qtr. of the 2023/2024 school year, many students are missing simple supplies such as pencils, paper, notebooks etc. Please restock any items that students are missing. Also, it is extremely important that each student charge their CHROMEBOOK each night.
Learning Lab Room 226
Our Learning Lab is a place during the school day that students with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) can go to work independently or with a staff member on homework or even for a better testing environment. We are excited to offer after school hours to those students beginning on August 15th.
Students can be picked up before 4:30 on any day, but if taking the bus on Tuesday and/or Thursdays - they must stay in tutoring until 4:30
TUTORING
DRJHS has TUTORING available to ALL students in the library on Tuesdays and Thursday with a general education bus at 4:30 for students eligible for the bus.
MATH
SHIRT - $13.00
Youth & Adult sizes available
Cleats Sports
(623) 537-3374
SHORTS - $12.00
Youth & Adult sizes available
Health Office
Physical Education Excuses
Gilbert Public School Health Website
Students with Physical Limitations
A child returning to school following a visit with a medical provider, with sutures (stitches - staples), an ace bandage wrap, sling, crutches, cane, walker, knee walker/scooter, or wheelchair - must have a licensed medical provider's written permission to attend school that includes any recommendations and/or restrictions related to physical activity, mobility and safety. All equipment must be provided by the parent/guardian.
A note from the physician is required for the child to be excused from PE or other strenuous activity after 3 consecutive days of a parent note. Please contact your child's health office staff for more clarification if needed.
Parents/Guardians must contact their child's health office regarding the short term use of crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs or other assistive walking devices. A physician's note is required after a 72-hour "grace" period. This additional information from the physician helps us to make emergency plans in the event of potential problems with ambulating or in the participation of activities such as recess or PE.
Our goal is to create a safe environment for them while avoiding any further injury. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. We appreciate your understanding and collaboration in ensuring our students' well-being during this period.
Thank you,
Belle White RN
Desert Ridge Junior High
School Nurse
Phone-(480) 635-2025
Fax-(480) 635-2044
Measles
You may have seen in the news that there have been two cases of Measles in the East Valley recently. While we hope that these are the last of the cases, it is important to acknowledge that Measles is extremely contagious and that there is a possibility that this could impact our schools at some point.
Therefore, we would like to share some helpful and important information with our families. Typically, the illness starts off with a fever, cough and runny nose. It is soon followed by a rash that typically starts at the head and soon covers the entire body. If Measles does spread in to our school community we will immediately begin working with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) and you will be notified. Any students who are not vaccinated with be identified and MCDPH will determine when they can safely return to school. Unvaccinated students may need to be out as long as 21 days and if more cases arise, it could be longer.
If you have any questions regarding Measles or would like resources on vaccinations, please reach out to our Health Office.
NUTRITION SERVICES
Junior High Breakfast $2.25
Junior High Lunch $3.65
Deadline Date - April 6th
📛Student ID Badges📛
Key Information:
- Please work with your students to ensure they bring their ID badge with them to school every day.
- When students arrive at school, they will enter through a secured door or gate and will be required to have their ID badge for entrance.
- Bus riders will use the barcode on their ID badge for getting on and off the bus. As a parent, you will be able to view the whereabouts of the bus using the Here Comes the Bus - www.gilbertschools.net/bus to learn more.
- Students will continue to use the barcode on their ID badges to access nutrition services (cafeteria), library, and bookstore.
- If a student forgets their badge, they will be issued a temporary sticker badge for a small $1 cost.
- Cost for replacement badges (lost ID’s) will remain at $5.00.
The Gilbert Public School Safety and Security Department is committed to providing a safe learning and working environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Security Department supports all the district’s security needs ranging from securing the district’s assets, training security staff, emergency planning, as well as developing and implementing new innovative safety and security related protocols.
Our plans are scalable, flexible and adaptable to meet the evolving needs of our students, campuses and District. They are routinely reviewed, optimized and practiced to ensure that if an incident should occur, our staff, students, parents and authorities are familiar with the procedures, the facility and their role in maintaining the safety of our campuses to ensure that everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.
Principal - Mike Davis
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director - James Louzek
Dean of Students - Angie Barnard
Location: 10211 East Madero Avenue, Mesa, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-635-2025