DCMS Digest
September 2018
Principal's Message
Wow! It's hard to believe that we are nearly finished with our first month of school! It was a smooth start to the 2018-2019 school year, and as a staff, we are so very grateful to be part of your child's educational journey. It has been wonderful catching up with our returning students, meeting our new students, and beginning to work and grow together as a school community. Our journey as a Leader in Me school has officially begun, and it has already proven to be exciting and insightful so far--we can't wait to see where this year takes us!
One of the struggles of middle school (for students and for parents) is the (inaccurate) myth that middle school students do not want to talk with adults about important topics. While middle school is a time for students to become more independent and to learn to stand on their own and to advocate for themselves, they still rely on their parents/guardians when it comes to making important decisions. Students look to these adults when it comes to their views about right and wrong, religion, politics, and their parents and family members have a tremendous amount of influence on these views.
While middle school students are working toward independence and establishing their own identities, they are still facing one of the most tumultuous times of their lives, and they still need guidance from trusted adults to help them sort out the confusing and complicated ideas and messages that they are faced with. Just because your student is growing up and maturing physically, this is not indicative of emotional and intellectual maturity. The bottom line--YOUR STUDENT STILL NEEDS YOU.
Our school counselor, Mrs. Bieghler, has worked closely with Jessica Skinner of the Family Health Clinic to bring anti-bullying presentations to our students in the coming weeks. Being present in your child’s conversations and listening to their experiences and comments is vitally important in bringing potential bullying situations to light. Whether it is truly a case of bullying or a case of disagreement/friendship issues, we at DCMS firmly believe that all students have the right to attend school in an environment where they feel safe and valued, and we have a variety of methods and interventions to ensure that they are able to do just that.
Finally, establishing an open line of communication with the school is a great way to assist your student in navigating his/her middle school career. With the approaching midterm and parent/teacher conferences on the horizon, now is the perfect time to open this line of communication if you have not done so already. Your child’s teachers welcome any and all communication, and whether it be through E-mail, phone calls, or grade-level team conferences, we are ready to help you help your child. Together, we can make a difference in
the academic, emotional, and social development of your child!
Warmly,
Sarah
Sarah Tislow Gustin
PROUD Principal of Delphi Community Middle School
Parent/Teacher Conference Information
- Parent/Teacher Conferences at DCMS/DCHS will be held on Wednesday, September 5 from 4:00-8:00 P.M.
- The format of conferences at the middle school is a grade-level team meeting, to which parents are invited. If your student is struggling, you will be contacted by one of your child's teachers to set up a time to meet. If you are not contacted, but you would still like to meet with your child's grade level team of teachers, please contact Mrs. Randolph either by calling (765)564-33411 or by E-mail at randolphr@delphi.k12.in.us to set up an appointment.
- Conferences are usually held in October, but instead of waiting until the nine weeks, our teachers want to be proactive by starting discussions early in order to provide students with the best possible supports and plans to help them be successful prior to the end of the nine weeks.
Planning Ahead...
- Monday, September 3--No School (Labor Day)
- Wednesday, September 5--DCMS Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:00-8:00 P.M.)
- Friday, September 7--eLearning Day/DCSC Active Shooter Training
- Friday, September 7--Middle School Tailgate @ DCES parking lot (5:00-7:00 P.M.)
- Thursday, September 13--Picture Day
- Wednesday, September 26-Thursday, September 27--6th grade field trip to Camp Tecumseh (overnight)
- Tuesday, October 2--Project Lead the Way 2 field trip to Manufacturing Day at Ivy Tech--Lafayette
- Wednesday, October 10--MS band concert @ DCMS cafeteria/stage (7:00 P.M.)
- Friday, October 12--End of Quarter 1
- Monday, October 22-Friday, October 26--Fall Break (No School)
- December 5--MS/HS band concert in DCHS Little Theater (6:30 P.M.)
Attention Sixth Grade Parents:
Field Trip & “2 For 1 Cards” Fundraiser
As part of the sixth grade curriculum, on Wednesday and Thursday, September 26 & 27, our sixth grade students will have the opportunity to participate in a two-day, overnight Outdoor Educational Experience at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana.
Students will be involved in outdoor educational activities that involve physical skills, creative thinking, cooperation, and problem solving. The camp calls it, The Five Foundations of Success: Leadership, Trust, Self-Confidence, Communication, and Problem Solving.
In order to help offset the cost of ALL 6th grade field trips this year, your child has been able to participate in individual fundraiser sales of the “2 For 1 Cards.”
More information about camp specifics and the cost will be sent home with your child soon.
Agenda Checks
Please check your child’s agenda nightly or check the Calendar page in Skyward. Some students are not completing their homework by the date that it is due. Remember--the 6th grade policy on late work is one late assignment per nine weeks per class, due the very next day. This is also called the "Oops Pass." All other late work will receive a zero. Working together, we can achieve success for your child this year and avoid zero grades on homework.
School Supplies
Parents, please make sure that your child has a pair of earbuds at school. Students are unable to complete parts of some lessons without them. Students are also using dry erase markers for math and science, so please check with your child and make sure he/she is well- stocked with these.
Middle School Tailgate
- The annual Middle School Tailgate will be held on Friday, September 7 in the DCES parking lot from 5 to 7 P.M. All middle school students are invited and encouraged to attend both the tailgate and the varsity football game afterward. At the tailgate, middle school students may purchase one ticket to the varsity game versus South Newton for $1. Discounted tickets will not be sold at the gate to the varsity football game.
- At the tailgate we will have free food, one free drink, music, games, face painting, dunk tank, bouncy house, selfie station and more.
- Starting Monday, students were able to get a cardboard pizza round from Mr. Gasser for the Monical's Pizza poster competition. The 3 winners will receive free pizzas.
- We can't wait to see everyone there! Please contact Mr. Gasser with any questions.
Athletics
- Click on the link below to access the DCMS/DCHS athletic calendar. https://delphioracleathletics.com/events
- Just a reminder--students must be eligible to participate in DCMS sanctioned sport events. Academically, this means that students must have all passing grades (no F’s) at the time of grade checks. Grades will be checked every two weeks during the season. If a student has an F in ANY subject, the student is ineligible to participate in athletic contests during the following two weeks. The student still must attend practices and contests to show support for his/her team. After two weeks, when grades are rechecked, if the student still has an F in any subject, the student is removed from the sport at that time. Please encourage your child to continue good academic performance throughout the season as well as throughout the school year.
- Students wishing to participate in a winter sport (swimming, girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, cheerleading, or wrestling) need to have their sports physical turned in to the office no later than October 6. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Rettig.
Homework Club
- Delphi Community Middle School is pleased to announce that Homework Club (formerly known as tutoring) is being offered again this year. Homework Club will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:45 P.M. This year’s Homework Club supervisors will be Mrs. Gasser (math) and Miss Newbury (English), along with high school volunteers. Students who attend Homework Club must report to the assigned rooms by 3:30 P.M. and they must be picked up by 4:45 P.M. Students must bring homework/materials to work on and any questions that they may have about any assignments. If your student has signed up and does not attend, you will receive a phone call notifying you that your student did not show up. To sign your student up for tutoring, please contact Mrs. Bieghler at bieghleran@delphi.k12.in.us .
- Homework Club will begin on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.
- If you are interested in your student attending Homework Club, please fill out the Google Form below.
School Counselor's Corner
Mrs. Bieghler is available via E-mail at bieghleran@delphi.k12.in.us or by calling (765)564-3411 ext. 3008.
Calling All Actors/Actresses!
September 7 eLearning Day/DCSC Active Shooter Training Info
- On Friday September 7, 2018, Delphi Community School Corporation will be operating under a scheduled "eLearning day." Delphi Community School Corporation will be hosting an Active Shooter Training for ALL staff members.
- This presentation and demonstration is designed to help Delphi administration and staff members understand what they should do if confronted with an active shooter event. It is our intent to be proactive for a situation of this nature, if it were ever to happen within our corporation.
- The training, designed and built on the RUN, HIDE, FIGHT strategy developed by ALiCE, provides strategies, guidanc,e and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. Topics include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, the role of law enforcement, civilian response options, and wound care.
- The training will be held at Delphi Community High School at 501 Armory Road. ALiCE certified instructor Greg Hennecke of ASTRA Insurance will conduct the training in coordination with local law enforcement.
- The following will be covered during the presentation: Terminology, understanding how “TIME” is the second enemy, actions (Run-Hide-Fight or ALiCE), understanding human response – fight, flight, freeze, OODA Loop, swarming/take down & body control, treating the wounded – all staff will learn to use tourniquets, compression bandages, & chest seals, barricade exercise, gunshot sound acclamation exercise.
- The training presentation will last for approximately five hours.
- Again, this training will include ALL Delphi Community School Corporation staff members. If there are any groups of students who would be interested in participating in this event, please have their sponsor contact Mr. Briles directly. If any staff members have any questions, please contact Mr. Briles.
- Our corporation eLearning policy can be found by clicking here.
Rose-Hulman Homework Help
Homework isn’t always easy. That’s why AskRose is here to help. It’s a free math and science tutoring service for Indiana and other students in grades 6-12.
Tutors are Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students who major in math, science or engineering—which means they’re more than equipped to help with virtually any math or science homework problem.
Student privacy is always protected, and students are never asked for their last name or phone number.
AskRose Homework Help tutors are available to assist with math and science homework, August – May, Sunday – Thursday, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Our new after-school tutoring by appointment is coming soon.
Visit https://askrose.org/ to learn more!
2018 DCMS Triathlon
The 2018 DCMS Triathlon is a wrap! We are so very proud of all of our students who participated in this year's Triathlon! A huge thank you to Mrs. Traver and to all of the amazing volunteers who made this event possible!
PLTW Fundraiser--T-Shirt Order Form
Delphi Community Middle School
Email: gustins@delphi.k12.in.us
Website: http://ms.delphi.k12.in.us/
Location: 401 Armory Road
Phone: (765)564-3411
Facebook: facebook.com/DelphiCommunityMiddleSchool
Twitter: @PrincipalTiz