Cougar Connection
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
From Principal Dr. Barnette
September 16, 2022
Dear Cougar Families,
Now that the year is very much underway, we’re focused on helping kids find ways to meaningfully connect with each other and with the school community. In preparation for Club Day later this month, we are encouraging students to create new clubs based on their passions, talents or something they are curious about. Students can pick up a club application from Ms. Mallory in the Assistant Principal’s Office. Clubs that submit their applications before September 23 will be able to recruit for members on Club Day (Wednesday, September 28).
We continue to focus on student safety. I’d like to remind you about our Bike Safety Class during Late Start on Monday, September 26. Students must participate in a bike safety course in order to be issued a bike permit. We need a few more adults to help check kids in between 8:15 and 8:30 AM on September 26. Please email me if you can help us out!
You might have heard that San Diego Sheriff Deputy Kombo was on campus this week (photo below). Deputy Kombo walked the campus with me, our assistant principal, our plant supervisor, and the district’s risk management analyst to determine ways we can shore up our comprehensive campus safety plan. Deputy Kombo also popped into a few classrooms to chat with students.
Finally, I want to share the good news that our board of trustees approved an architect for an eight-million-dollar modernization project that will take place over the next two years. The final result will include a dramatic makeover of Cougar Hall (our multipurpose building) and our music room. Our math, social studies, English, and science classrooms will also be upgraded with new technology and increased safety features. I’ll share more as we start meeting with the architect. This is your Proposition AA funds at work!!
Thank you for your ongoing support. Go Cougars!
Dr. Celeste Barnette
Upcoming September Events
Monday, September 19 - Picture Day & Cougar Week
- Picture day is this Monday, September 19. Pictures will be taken in your student's PE classes. If your student has ISPE, they will be taking pictures during your ISPE period, so they will be staying on campus until they are done. For the 7th-period ISPE, we will work with your schedule to get your pictures taken throughout the day. Please click this link for more information!
Wednesday, September 21 - Club Day is postponed until Wednesday, September 28
Monday, September 26 - Late Start - School starts at 9:45 a.m.
Dropping Off Forgotten Items
To minimize class disruption please be aware drop-off items such as Chromebooks, PE clothes, homework, lunches, etc., will not be delivered to class.
In morning announcements, students are told to ONLY come to check the Forgotten Items Cart during the break, CAT and lunch. The office is NOT responsible for items not picked up by students.
From our Counseling Office
Some Study Skills Tips
Determine your Student’s Learning Style
Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic/Tactile
Students can take a learning style assessment here, and read about tools they can use for their specific learning style: https://www.how-to-study.com/learning-style-assessment/
Model and Demonstrate Organizational Skills WITH Student(s)
Creating grocery lists
Organizing dishwasher
Creating note cards for tasks
Following multi-step instructions
Sitting with your child to help them organize their backpack, school supplies, binders, agendas, etc.
Tips for Creating Strong Study Skills
Encourage students to:
Put definitions in their own words, so it makes sense to them
Stay on top of the homework
Check teacher websites and google classroom
Communicate with the teacher
Take advantage of supports offered on campus
Teacher office hours
After school tutoring
Student peer support groups
Make the most of the time when working on homework
Maintaining Strong Communication with your Student
Keep communication light and open when discussing school:
“What was your favorite part of lunch today?”
“Tell me something that made you laugh today.”
“What was your most challenging assignment today?”
Contact your counselor if you need help!
A Message from the Health Office
With the start of PE in the last few weeks and the recent hot weather, there have been a large number of students reporting symptoms of dehydration. Please make sure your student has a refillable water bottle in their backpack and to be drinking water throughout the day. Additionally, there are many students who are reporting that they are not eating breakfast, snacks, or lunch. Physical exercise on an empty stomach and dehydration is a recipe for disaster. Please encourage your child to eat breakfast or come to school early and access the free food provided by nutrition services.
Our brains and bodies work much better when we have fuel in our tanks!
Attendance Corner
· Report all absences to the Attendance office. Parents/guardians have 48 hours following the absence to verify and clear absences. After 48 hours, any unverified absences will automatically be considered truant.
· Call or email 24-48 in advance for an “Off-Campus” pass, if picking up students early for appointments. Students will need to pick up a pass before school on the day of their appointment.
· For the safety of our students, a Parent or Guardian will need to sign out a student through attendance in the administration building. Students cannot walk or ride their bikes/e-bikes home.
Thank you for your cooperation
A few words from our Diegueño PTSA
Calling all artists!! The 2022-2023 National PTA Reflections art program is here!
Do you enjoy art, music, and dance, or have an interest in writing, producing films, and taking photos? Then join us and have fun unleashing your inner artist with PTA Reflections! This year's theme is "Show Your Voice". Students are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:
- Dance Choreography
- Literature
- Photography
- Film Production
- Music Composition
- Visual Arts
Experienced artists will review your work for interpretation of theme, creativity, and technique. We look forward to celebrating your artistry and achievement in the arts!
Click here for submission guidelines and an entry form. Physical forms are also available in the Diegueno office.
Submissions are due to the Reflections box in the Diegueno office by October 7, 2022.
For more information please contact Stephanie Turl at stephanie.turl@gmail.com.
PTSA Membership
Thank you to all of you who have donated to the PTSA. We are now at 13% participation.
Your child will benefit from the funds we raise THIS year.
- We already got all the agendas that your children are using
- We are granting teacher mini-grants
- We had our first successful Frozen Friday last week
We want to bring back normality and fun social events to our children. Historically, 70%-80% of elementary school families donate to their PTA, let’s keep this going now that our children actually notice.
If you haven’t donated yet please consider doing it now at: https://www.dieguenoptsa.org/donate
Thank you so much for your support!
DNO PTSA
ASB & Student Announcements
Want to Start a club on campus?
- Starting on Monday, 9/19, see Mallory in the office to pick up an application.
- Turn in applications in the office or to Mrs. VonBorstel (P1 or G7) by FRIDAY, 9/23.
- If your club is approved, you will have a table to promote your club. a
- If you are interested in joining a club you will have the opportunity to sign up on Club Day!
2023 DNO Yearbooks are on Sale NOW!
Buy your yearbook for the lowest discounted price all year! They are $50 until the end of THIS month. They go up to $55 on Oct. 1 Buy your 2023 Yearbook TODAY!
CLICK HERE to Order!
8th Grade Parents - Yearbook Recognition Ads are now on sale until Feb. 1, 2023
For $35 you can give your amazing student a shout-out in this year's yearbook.
CLICK HERE to start creating your recognition ad!
Business Ads are on sale now until Feb. 1, 2023
Starting at $50 you can create a beautiful color business ad in our yearbook. It's a great way to be seen by your community and support your student's school.
CLICK HERE to start creating your business ad!
Optional Chromebook Insurance - Deadline to register is October 15
Once again the District Office has partnered with School Device Coverage to offer Optional Chromebook Insurance to all our families.
The deadline to register is October 15 and will cover the entire year from the moment of purchase until August 2023.
Community Information & News
Girls in STEM Program...
Opportunity for an all-girls team that provides an environment for students to explore STEM.
Students from Diegueño are welcome to join us! We hope to reach and inspire more elementary and middle school girls to pursue computer science and engineering.
The Girls in STEM program is entirely student-run. Our group of student mentors has created a lecture series on Frontend Web Development. The topics include elements of web design, web publication, animations, and more.
This course will start on September 19th (09/19/2022), and meetings will be held through Google Meet on Mondays and Fridays. Our course will operate similarly to that of a webinar series, and each session will cover a different topic.
All genders are welcome, and girls are highly encouraged! We would love everyone to join our lecture series program, but we market the program as “Girls in STEM” as per our club mission.
Click below for information:
Google Form for sign-ups: https://bit.ly/3KNNzDG
QR Code for sign-up form: https://bit.ly/3eqTsdN
You can find our curriculum here: http://ccagirlswhocode.weebly.com/webdev.html (work in progress)
Diegueño Middle School
2022-23 SDUHSD Instructional Calendar
Boys & Girls Club Big Ei8ht Sports
Chromebook Insurance - School Device Coverage
Website: dg.sduhsd.net
Location: 2150 Village Park Way, Encinitas, CA, USA
Phone: (760) 944-1892
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Diegueno-Middle-School-150457255051782