Davidsen Monthly
April 2022
This Newsletter can be read in any language! ¡Este boletín se puede leer en cualquier idioma!
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April: FSA, Field Trips, Awards, Performances
Read on for more about what's happening this month. As always, you can scroll down for a list of important April dates.
FSA Writing Exams: April 5–8 (updated)
All students will take the FSA Writing Assessments this month. Please note the following schedule updates and general information about these required exams. Further FSA testing will resume in May.
6th Grade (paper based): April 5 - 6
7th Grade (computer based) April 7 - 8
8th Grade (computer based): April 5 - 6
To help your student become comfortable with the testing format, please visit https://fsassessments.org/families.html
6th graders should view resources under the “Paper-Based Practice Tests” tab
7th and 8th Graders should view resources under "Computer -Based Practice Tests" tab
Click Here for general rules and the complete FSA schedule
Algebra EOC
Algebra students are also preparing for the Algebra EOC in May by practicing on Algebra Nation. Students access Algebra Nation via Canvas. A phone app is also available to download. Students may choose from a wide variety of explanatory videos for extra help on Algebra Nation as part of their studies and quizzes. For more information on how our teachers use Algebra Nation, read the attached information which was also sent home with your Algebra student.
PAPER Tutoring
View a PAPER Parent Info-Session: In English or In Spanish
End of Year Field Trips
We hope everyone is excited for grade level field trips this month!
Please make sure to turn in permission slips and any fees required to participate
6th Grade: Laser Ops on April 14th
7th Grade: Altitude Trampoline Park on April 14 (paperwork and fees due April 6)
8th Grade: Celebration Station on April 26 (paperwork and fees due April 8)
Award Ceremonies
Performing Arts: Spring Concerts
Davidsen Dancers wowed audiences with their Spring Showcase on April 1st. A last minute venue change had them performing for the first time in the Davidsen cafeteria which made for a fun new experience for everyone!
Upcoming concerts
Orchestra Spring Concert April 28 (Davidsen Cafeteria)
Chorus Spring Concert May 2 (Davidsen Cafeteria)
Band Spring Concert May 4 (Alonso Auditorium)
Additional Music Dates
Rockathon! April 14
Rockathon is a very special party for all music students and is also our annual music department fundraiser. Make sure to check the flyer sent home with your music student, and turn in money for your ticket no later than April 11th.
Pictures: Band, Orchestra, Chorus
Please look for order forms sent home with your music student this week
or order online at PDIPortraits.com
Get a free photo calendar when you order by picture day.
Portraits will be taken on
Monday April 25 (8th Grade)
Tuesday April 26 (6th and 7th Grade)
Conference Night: April 18
Athletics
Girls Soccer Finishes in Final Four
Congratulations DMS Girls Soccer on winning our Division and going on to finish in the top 4 teams in Hillsborough County!
Flag Football
Flag Football season has kicked off with Dragon girls and boys teams both winning their first game on March 29th. Davidsen takes on Smith Middle on April 5 at Alonso High School. Come out and support Dragon Flag Football!
You can find tickets to all games at
Media Center
BOOK BINGO: Ice Cream Party
Lunch Pass Reminder
How to get a Media Center Lunch Pass:
The sign-up notebook is located on the stage of the cafeteria. Add your name to the list when you enter the cafeteria. After eating lunch, ask for permission to pick up your pass from the stage. Bring your belongings and your pass to the Media Center check out desk and sign in. Stay in the Media Center until the bell rings, then go to your next class.
In the Classroom (and outside)
Gearing up for FSAs and enjoying Spring weather
Language arts classes are busy reviewing and preparing for the writing FSAs next week (see above for schedules and info), and some classes are enjoying the perfect weather. Pictured is one of Mr Perez's classes playing a Social Studies team trivia game on the lawn to review.
7th Grade Civics classes are also playing the Green Dot Challenge again with this round wrapping up on April 22nd. 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 April 4th 3:30-4:30.
Math classes are working through rotations to finish their final new units of learning before beginning FSA review. Students are also competing in the IXL challenge to see which class answers the most questions successfully. See information about Algebra EOC at the top of this newsletter if your student is currently enrolled in Algebra.
Spanish
Ms. Hesson's Spanish students are learning about Spanish culture and how to communicate on different topics. 6th Graders are currently learning vocabulary about families and making cartoons. 7th Graders are talking about fashion and Peruvian food using present tense. 8th Graders in Spanish I are practicing speaking and writing in past tense.
AVID
All AVID students are working on specific skills that will help them in the FSA reading and Writing tests.
6th graders are working with the program No Red Ink, to improve writing, 7th graders are working through a series of Morphology lessons about suffixes and prefixes, and 8th graders have taken notes and practiced author's purpose and POV by analyzing commercials and advertisements.
Culinary
Visual Arts
DMS Yearbook 2022- Last Chance to reserve your copy
To guarantee a copy of the yearbook, order by April 4th. A limited number of copies will be available for purchase at school in May, on a first come basis. Ordering online will ensure you don't miss out!
Order at www.yearbookordercenter.com using school code 21848.
Yearbook signings will take place during the last week of school.
Extracurricular Clubs
Gamers Club
FCA
MakerSpace
Culinary Club
March
SLAM Showcase
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.
April 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!
APRIL DATES
April 1: Dance Spring Showcase 6:30pm
April 5-6: 6th and 8th Grade FSA Writes
April 5: DMS Flag Football vs Smith
April 7-8: 7th Grade FSA Writes
April 7: Jazz Band MPA (8th Graders)
April 11: Principal's Honor Roll Celebration
April 11: Principal's Honor Roll Spirit Night @Tijuana Flats Westchase
April 12: Honor Roll Cookies
April 13: Progress Reports
April 13: DMS Flag Football vs Martinez
April 14: 6th & 7th Grade Field Trips
April 14: Rockathon 6pm (Music Students)
April 15: No School
April 18: DMS Flag Football vs Farnell
April 18: Conference Night 5-7:30pm
April 25: 8th Grade Awards (by invitation)
April 26: 6th & 7th Grade Awards (by invitation)
April 26: 8th Grade Field Trip
April 27: DMS Flag Football vs Walker
April 28: Orchestra Spring Concert
April 29: PTSA Krispy Kreme sales before school
May 2: Chorus Spring Concert
May 4: Band Spring Concert
May 4: Orchestra Trip to Florida Orchestra
*Saturday May 21: 8th Grade Dance
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
We are looking forward to recognizing students for special achievements they may have earned this year and/or over their time in Middle School. Students receiving an award will receive an invitation sent home with them and by email to parents/ guardians.