Dahlstrom Middle School
Mustang Minute--Summer Edition #4
Summer Update
The district has sent out a request for the instructional commitment for the upcoming school year. We understand this is a difficult decision and fully support each family's choice. We would love to have all of our students back in school and miss them dearly! However, we also appreciate the need for making decisions based on student and staff safety. There were a few glitches yesterday for some parents logging in and trying to complete the instructional commitment document, the district has corrected those, and it should be accessible again. I would like to give you a little more information as to what school will look like for on-campus and in-person learning as well as the virtual learning platform. Our campus team is hard at work creating and finalizing our DMS Guideline with specific details, below are general guidelines and practices we will be following. Please utilize these in helping you make a decision for your student's instructional commitment for the year.
For on-campus, in-person learning:
- Students and staff will wear masks at all times, with the following exceptions: while eating breakfast or lunch, while taking a sip of water, during times when students are allowed a mask break (proper guidelines for social distancing will be followed during these times)
- Students and staff will need to have a personal, refillable water bottle. Water fountains are being converted to water refill stations.
- Classrooms will maximize space so that we can social distance our students. Students will be at a minimum of 3ft apart. Students desks will all face the front of the classroom.
- Students will rotate through the normal rotation of classes (periods 1-7). Teachers will sanitize desks and high-touch areas between each class period. Passing periods will be longer to allow students to take a break outside and mask break areas will be provided during this time. We will have staggered release from class periods as well as a single direction flow of traffic.
- Students will have a choice to sit outside for lunch or in the cafeteria. Designated areas and seats will be provided so students are sitting 6 feet apart during this time. Students will also be able to utilize shady areas outside and have a picnic-style lunch if they choose.
- Hand sanitizing stations are being added throughout the building
- Protocols for the locker room and lunch procedures are being created to ensure social distancing
- Outdoor areas will be utilized throughout the day (weather permitting). Teachers will have the choice to conduct classes outside and PE and Athletics will also utilize outdoor facilities as much as possible. (weather permitting)
- New arrival and dismissal procedures are being created to ensure social distancing
- We will have two nurse stations this year, similar to the pediatrics office, one area for well-visits and one area for students feeling sick and/or presenting with possible COVID symptoms. New procedures are being put into place to help the teacher and nurse work together to determine which area a student should be assessed and assisted.
- Visitors will not be permitted on campus to limit any potential outside exposure to our students and staff
A comprehensive plan with details of each of these guidelines is being created and will be shared with families soon.
For Virtual Learning:
- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)-aligned curriculum and assessments with content, pacing, and rigor will be aligned to in-person learning
- Students will have a consistent school day schedule: students are expected to attend every class, every day, on time. Attendance will be taken and all Texas attendance laws will still be adhered to.
- Each class period will feature a balance of face-to-face instruction and independent work, just as in-person students experience. Substantial face-to-face (synchronous) learning in real-time with the teacher and classmates and may consist of whole group, small group, and individual conferences. Independent work will also be provided, consisting of activities, projects, practice, and assignments.
- Support from special programs staff and related services, as indicated by Individualized Education Plans and 504 plans will be provided
- Numerical grading system aligned to in-person learning will be utilized
- Teachers will utilize Schoology (our new Learning Management Software) to provide instruction, resources, and support
While we are starting our 2020-2021 school year with all students attending school virtually, parents and guardians have the flexibility to select the learning environment best suited for their student's needs when we can safely open up our schools for in-person learning (the current plan is for September 28th). At that point, students who have selected in-person learning will return to our campus while students who have chosen to continue to learn virtually will do so. Depending on the number of students in each learning modality, there may be a few teacher changes at that time. We will try to minimize this the best we can, but also want to be transparent and let you all know there may be teacher changes based on how many students are returning to campus and how many students are remaining virtual. As of right now, the district's plan is if 50% of the students return to campus, 50% of the teachers will return to campus. In this scenario, if 50% of students and teachers are returning, we would have one teacher for each subject area on campus and one teacher remaining virtual. This is what may cause a change in teacher for your student. Some electives courses will offer in-person class time. If you choose to remain virtual, you will need to provide transportation for your student. Students selecting the virtual learning option after September 28th will still be able to participate in UIL activities but will need their own transportation to and from practices.
For both on-campus and virtual learning:
- Both the in-person and virtual setting will maintain the same grading and attendance expectations. Students will be expected to follow their assigned class schedule, as well as follow the Student Code of Conduct in both formats.
- The instructional delivery of both environments will consist of high-quality teaching and learning
- Special Programs staff will work collaboratively to support individual student needs in both settings.
- Students will be able to change their instructional settings before each nine-week grading period. Students choosing in-person learning for the September 28th start date may change to virtual learning at any time and will need to notify the campus administration of this change. Students wanting to change from virtual to in-person will only be permitted to do so before each nine-weeks. The time table for all of these dates is provided on the instructional commitment form in the parent portal.
Please complete the Instructional Commitment form on your parent portal as soon as possible to help us prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. The question form also includes questions about internet accessibility and if a device is needed for your student so we can work with individual families to ensure connectivity and access to learning resources.
Important Upcoming Dates:
1. In-person Mustang Camp that was scheduled for August 11th has been changed to an online platform. More information will be provided soon to 6th-grade families.
2. August 24th, student schedules will be available to view in both the student and parent portals.
3. All schedule change requests will need to be submitted by August 31st.
4. SAVE THE DATE: September 2nd, we are working on a back to school surprise for our students. More information will be provided soon, but please save the date.
5. Device pick-up for students needing a device for the school year will begin on August 17th
6. September 8th is the first day of virtual learning.
7. September 8th, Middle School sports will begin. More information will be sent by the coaches about football, volleyball and cross country. Dance, cheer, and band sponsors and directors will also share their plans in the upcoming weeks.
For each of these events, details, maps, and other pertinent information will be sent out before the events listed.
School supplies! Our teachers have worked hard to create simple school supply lists so students will be able to keep their own supplies and utilize for both virtual and in-person learning.
Electives teachers will share school supplies needed for in-person learning once student schedules are finalized.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ginn
DMS Choir
Please click here for the choir website.
DMS Cheer
DMS Art
The district has created a special webpage with information, answers to frequently asked questions, and the latest notices about how the district is responding to COVID-19.
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Dahlstrom Middle School
Email: Dedrah.Ginn@hayscisd.net
Website: https://www.hayscisd.net/dms
Location: 3600 FM 967, Buda, TX, USA
Phone: (512)268-8442
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dms.mustangs/