Diplomat ROAR
March 15, 2024
Take Your Game to the Next Level!
A Note from the Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
As we step into the 4th quarter of the academic year, I wanted to take a moment to highlight the significance of the upcoming period. With the testing season approaching rapidly, it's imperative that we gear up and finish this year on a strong note.
This time of the year holds immense importance for our school community. It's a period where we consolidate our efforts, focus on academic achievement, and celebrate the journey we've embarked upon thus far.
I am thrilled to announce that we have an array of exciting activities lined up for the upcoming weeks. From fun-filled events like dances and trips to memorable celebrations, we're dedicated to ensuring that the remainder of the year is both enriching and enjoyable for all our students.
As we navigate through this critical phase, I encourage each and every one of our students to stay committed to their studies, remain engaged in the classroom, and make the most of the resources available to them. Together, let's strive for excellence and conclude this academic year on a high note.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
Warm regards,
Jason Plucker
Principal
No School for Students
End of Quarter 3
Spring Break
Spring Break is March 18- March 22.
FAST/EOC Testing Dates
Testing Dates:
FAST Writing - April 3, 2024 (Whole School)
Civics EOC - May, 9 2024 (Students enrolled in Civics ONLY)
G8 Science EOC - May 9, 2024 (8th Grade ONLY)
FAST Reading - May 14, 2024 (Whole School)
FAST Math - May 15, 2024 (Whole School)
Algebra EOC - May 15, 2024 (Students enrolled in Algebra)
Athletics News
Track and Field has Begun!
Practice Monday-Wednesday 4:15-5:15, Pick up at 5:30! Competition Schedule: (tentative) 3/27 Boys Regional 4/3 Girls Regional 4/8-Make ups if needed 4/16-Boys Final 4/18 Girls Final
There are three forms required before a student is permitted to tryout.
1. Sports Physical
2. After school activity permission form
3. Club permission form
All forms can be obtained on our website or in the front office.
JA Inspire Field Trip for 8th grade
Our 8th graders will be attending a field trip on April 9th to the JA Inspire Career Expo held at Alico Arena. This field trip is free of charge. Students will depart school at 10:00 a.m. and will return at 1:00 p.m. Grab and Go lunches will be provided for students when they return to the school. This is a wonderful opportunity for our 8th graders to explore potential career paths. Permission forms need to be turned in by March 14th to the student's 8th grade language arts teacher. More information is posted in the 8th Grade Google Classroom. Code to join: brbd2fe
Utilities Expansion Project Construction Alert
You may encounter an increased amount of traffic with the adjustment to the elementary school routes. Please be patient.
NE 16th Ter will also be under construction from approximately May through July. If your child is a walker or bike rider, discuss with them the hazards that could arise (bumps in the road, uneven terrain, etc.) while the roads and sidewalks are under construction. If you are able to, we advise using the parent pick up line for any walkers or bike riders during this time.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
School Messenger Emergency Alerts and Notifications
SchoolMessenger® Communicate is a program that enables administration from the District and schools to send families important messages, emergency broadcasts, attendance alerts and event reminders.
There is also a way to receive text messages, however under a rule by the Federal Communications Commission, you must opt in for that service. The process is easy and only takes a few seconds to complete. Simply text any one of these words subscribe, optin or yes to the number 67587.
You will know you were successful if you receive the following reply message:
You are registered 4 School Messenger notifications. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq. varies. schoolmessenger.com/txt
You will want to repeat the opt-in process for any wireless numbers that you wish to include:
Please note, although the district does not charge you for this service, it does not pay for text or phone message charges that may be incurred by you for sending or receiving text messages or receiving phone calls. Check with your wireless carrier for possible charges.
In addition to performing the opt-in process above, you will want to ensure that the district has your wireless number(s) in our student information database. If you have not already provided that information to your school, please contact them directly.
Families may sign up for a free account at go.schoolmessenger.com to set communication preferences for calls and emails.
There is a companion app that schools may or may not choose to use that will allow teachers to communicate directly with you. Please check with your child's school to see if the school is using the app.
Focus Parent Portal
Safety First
When dropping students off in the morning, the safest way is through our parent drop off loop. Stopping along the roadway to drop off students creates a safety issue for you and those travelling the roadway. No drop offs should occur in the DMS faculty lot or the elementary school parking lot.
When picking up students in the afternoon, the safest way is through our parent pick up loop. Our parent pick up line moves quickly and clear by 4:25 each afternoon. As a reminder, school dismisses at 4:00 and students need to be picked up from school 4:30, if they are normally a parent pick up student.
To keep the flow of traffic moving, remember that to exit campus from parent pick up, you need to make a right turn and go around behind the school. When entering the driveway for parent pick up, you must turn left into the driveway.
January Students of the Month
February Students of the Month
7th Grade Immunization Requirement
Attention all incoming Seventh Grade students: In addition to kindergarten through twelfth grade vaccines, students entering or attending seventh grade need the following vaccinations:
• One dose of tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine in grades seven through twelve
• An updated DH 680 form to include Tdap, must be obtained for submission to the school
Students will not receive a schedule or be allowed to attend class at the start of the 2024-2025 school year without the updated immunization record. Be sure our clinic has this on file.
Please visit the school district website for more information.
https://www.leeschools.net/cms/one.aspx?portalId=676305&pageId=1336425
Reporting Student Absences
SAC Meeting Dates
We hope to have a great turnout to our School Advisory Committee meetings this school year.
School Advisory Committee meetings are all 5:30 - 6:30 in our media center.
The meeting dates for the year are:
March 27, 2024
May 22, 2024
Please join us.
News from our Music Department
Congratulations All County Jazz Musicians!
Let’s whoop and holler for Avril Gonzalez and Mason Willnecker for making the All-County Honor Jazz Band! These two were selected to be a part of this elite 24-piece band. Their concert was March 14th at Cape Coral High School.
Congratulations Superior and Excellent Solo and Ensemble students!
These students attend the Florida Bandmasters Association District Solo Music Performance Assessment on Friday, February 9th and took home top honors. These musicians practiced and honed their expertise on a solo. Played it in front of a professional adjudicator at North Fort Myers High School while being accompanied by a pianist and simply slay the competition. Congratulations to the following students earning the highest rating of SUPERIOR: Tatiana Almodovar, John Belcastro, Jaheem Buckley, Jaeleen Caba, Kaleen Caba, Avril Gonzalez, Cooper Kohnke, Nicholas Aldrich, Eliza Odom, Travis O’Palski, Evelyn Pritchard, and Mason Willnecker (two solo’s). Congratulations to Estefany Brenes for earning an EXCELLENT rating.
Congratulations All County Band Musicians!
Let’s whoop and holler for Avril Gonzalez and Mason Willnecker for making the All-County Honor Concert Band. These two were selected to be a part of this elite 50 piece Honor Band
Congratulations Diplomat Orchestra!
Diplomat Orchestra Leveled Up on Saturday at the Florida Orchestra Music Performance
Assessment. These kids have laid the groundwork for amazing things to come.
The downtown Fort Myers River District hosts a monthly Art & Music Walk that occurs during the first Friday of each month. During the month of March, they generously provide an opportunity for Lee County Schools students to showcase their talents in the fine & performing arts. This event attracts thousands of visitors. Our DMS students represented us well and the feedback we received was very positive. We have some very talented WILDCATS and we are so proud of the work they do!
Counselor's Corner
Kiersten Mears – School Counseling Intern – FGCU
Noemi Pena – School Counseling Secretary
Notice
School Board of Lee County
Samuel Fisher, District 1 (Chair)
Jada Langford Fleming, District 6 (Vice Chair)
Melisa W. Giovannelli, District 2
Chris N. Patricca, District 3
Debbie Jordan, District 4
Armor Persons, District 5
Cathleen O'Daniel Morgan, District 7
Diplomat Middle School
Website: dpm.leeschools.net
Location: 1039 Northeast 16th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL, USA
Phone: 239-574-5257
Twitter: @DiplomatMiddle
Facebook: Diplomat Middle School
Instagram: @diplomatwildcats