DRAGON DIGEST
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 /DECEMBER 14, 2018
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
Dear DeSana Parents,
It has been a very busy and incredibly fast (or so it seems!) first semester that is coming to an end in just four short days --- on December 20th --- here at DeSana! Our young Dragons have learned lots . . . worked hard . . . made some new friends . . . taken part in some new opportunities . . . stretched and grown in a myriad of ways . . . and made us so very proud on many an occasion! Indeed, it has been a fabulous first semester!
And with this first semester coming to a close, we are continuing to encourage our young men and women to finish strong . . . both academically and in their behavior! Thank you, parents, for supporting us and reiterating this mantra at home with your young Dragons these last few weeks. We cannot do it without your support!
I also want to take this opportunity to say thank you for your continued support of our young Dragons at a variety of school activities and events throughout this first semester! They may not remember to tell you so, but trust me, you being present for such activities and events means a great deal to your child(ren) . . . more than they will ever probably let you know.
On behalf of our entire DeSana staff . . . here’s wishing all of our DeSana Family a holiday season that is wonderfully merry and bright! May the joy and wonder of this holiday season linger with you throughout this coming year, and may the dawn of the New Year bring much hope and promise to you and your family. I hope you take some time to rest, relax, and recharge with family and friends, and plan for and enjoy many, many FUN times! Please stay safe in your travels, whether they are near or far. And we look forward to seeing all of our young Dragons back with us . . . safe and sound, and re-energized . . . on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 to begin the second semester of this school year in very fine fashion!
Thank you, parents, for the best gift of all . . . allowing us the pleasure and privilege to work with your young Dragons each and every day here at DeSana! They are awesome!!
Wishing You the Happiest of Holidays!
Terri A. North
Principal
DESANA DAY OF GOOD DEEDS
BINGO COMING IN FEBRUARY
ACADEMICS
FINISHING THIS FIRST SEMESTER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR & WINTER BREAK
Thursday, December 20th is the last day of this first semester. It is hard to believe that the first 18 weeks of this school year have come and gone already! Academic work from all students should be turned in by the 20th, as teachers will be finishing up last minute grading and preparing grades when they come back to school on January 4th for their Teacher Professional Learning Day.
Winter Break for FCS students will begin on Friday, December 21st, with students coming back to begin the second semester on Tuesday, January 8th. Our DeSana office will be closed throughout the Winter Break. Students will receive their schedules for the third quarter when they arrive back at school on January 8th, as we rotate our master schedule one more time. New Connections classes for all grade levels and new Enrichment classes for 6th and 7th graders will begin on January 8th.
All students will receive a printed Report Card for the first semester on Friday, January 11th to take home. This Report Card will show students’ final semester averages for their yearlong courses, that include the core subjects of Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Spanish (8th graders only). Grades for each quarter’s Connections classes and students’ Enrichment classes will also be on this semester Report Card.
Parents, please be on the look-out for your child’s Report Card coming home on January 11th. We hope you and your young Dragon will sit down together and take a look at his/her grades and discuss whether or not he/she is working up to his/her full potential thus far, this year.
FIRST SEMESTER REPORT CARDS ARE COMING YOUR WAY IN JANUARY!
All students will receive a printed Report Card with their grades for the first semester, to take home, after Winter Break, on Friday, January 11th. This Report Card will show your student’s final semester average for their yearlong courses, which includes the core subjects of Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish (8th graders only). Grades for each quarter’s Connection classes and students’ Enrichment classes will also be included on this semester Report Card.
Parents, be on the lookout for your child’s Report Card coming home on January 11th! We hope you and your young Dragon will sit down together and take a look at his/her grades and discuss whether or not he/she is working up to his/her full potential thus far, this year.
DESANA SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR
On December 7th, 2018, the 2nd Annual DeSana Science and Engineering Fair was held in our Media Center. Students in 7th and 8th Grade Advanced Science competed for the opportunity to represent DMS in the Georgia Northwest Regional Science and Engineering Fair on February 2nd, 2019 at Alliance Academy. Students completed an individual or group project on a science or engineering topic of their choice. These students put a lot of time and effort into projects which included a Research Paper, Abstract, Procedures, Data, Analysis, Conclusion, Bibliography, Log Book and Presentation Board. The judges, including many business and community representatives, were impressed with both the content of the projects and the mature and professional way the students handled the questioning and presentation aspect of the competition.
The results were as follows:
In 1st place and the overall champion was Sedona Zeller with her project on Bioluminescent Organisms.
In addition to our overall winner, the following projects and students were also selected as Finalists to represent DeSana at the Regional fair:
7th grade:
• Up,Up and Away by: Sebastian F.
• Sock Cleats v. Regular Cleats by: Elise N.
• Hydroponics by: Alexis B. and Natalie V.
8th grade:
• A Deeper Look into Solving Ocean Acidification by: Kanishka P. and Treya H.
• Effects of Azolla on PLant Growth by: Kunal T. and Shreyas G.
• Creating Biodegradable Plastics Using Common Chemicals by: Druvitha L. and Sneha S.
• Energy Through Door Movement by: Sakthipriya R.
• Degrading Styrofoam by: Navya P. and Kelis K.
• What Storm Drain Design Best Prevents Water Pollution? by: Arin W.
Congratulations to these students and all of our competitors on their outstanding preparation and presentations!
PARENTS: REVIEW GA STUDENT GROWTH MODEL REPORTS
The 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Georgia Student Growth Model (GSGM) Student Reports are now available to parents in the SLDS Portal. Please read the GSGM Parent Letter for more information regarding GSGM reports. Accessing these downloadable reports through Parent Portal provides parents with individual student performance information. For information on accessing GSGM reports through SLDS Portal, please see the instructions below. For additional information on navigating the SLDS Portal, please refer to the SLDS Parent Portal Guide.
How to Access the Georgia SLDS Portal
Parents can access the Georgia SLDS Parent Portal by following these steps:
- Sign in to Parent Portal.
- Click the SLDS Portal button at the bottom of the list on the left side of the student’s page.
- After clicking the SLDS Portal button, the Parent Portal Welcome Page will open. If you have access to more than one child in the district portal, you will see a dropdown box containing the name of each child.
- If needed, watch the linked video Accessing your Child’s GSGM Reports – Video Tutorial
- For information on reading GSGM reports, watch the linked video Understanding Your Child’s GSGM Reports – Video Tutorial (Spanish)
If you have any questions, you may contact one of our assistant principals, Ms. Sharon Epperson or Mr. Mike Sloop.
DRAGON ACADEMY FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR - - - AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL LEARNING & ASSESSMENT TIME FOR STUDENTS!
Dragon Academy is an opportunity we offer students throughout this year from 4:15-6:15 for completing, taking or re-taking formative and/or summative assessments (i.e. unit tests, projects, essays, quizzes. etc.). Dragon Academy happens at least two times a month --- on Fridays --- with teachers and an administrator supervising each session. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to drastically improve both their learning and their grades. Students are be invited by their teachers . . . or they may invite themselves . . . to attend Dragon Academy if they are missing work or need to re-take an assessment to show better mastery of the standards or complete a project. Although students have about two hours to complete their work, once they complete all that they came to accomplish, students are able to call their parent to come pick them up. Snacks and drinks are sold for a very reasonable cost so students may focus on their work, not on their gurgling stomachs! Any necessary school supplies are provided for students to use to complete their work, as needed.
Please mark your calendars now for these Dragon Academy dates for the rest of the school year:
· January 25
· February 8 & 22
· March 15 & 29
· April 19 & 26
· May 3 & 10
ATHLETICS
LADY DRAGONS BASKETBALL
The Lady Dragons’ season is at its halfway mark. The girls continue to fight hard on the court. The 8th Grade Girls even had an awesome comeback win against Piney Grove earlier in the month! Here’s a look at the schedule for the rest of the season:
· Dec. 18th: Vickery Creek at DeSana: 7th Grade tips at 5:00pm and 8th Grade tips around 6:15pm
· Jan. 8th: DeSana at Lakeside: 7th Grade tips at 5:00pm and 8th Grade tips around 6:15pm
· Jan. 10th: DeSana at Little Mill: 7th Grade tips at 5:00pm and 8th Grade tips around 6:15pm
· Jan. 11th: DeSana at Riverwatch: 7th Grade tips at 5:00pm and 8th Grade tips around 7:30pm
· Jan. 15th: South Forsyth at DeSana: Only 7th Grade plays and the game tips off at 5:00pm
· Jan. 17th: South Forsyth at DeSana: Only 8th Grade plays and the game tips off at 5:00pm
· Jan. 18th: DeSana at Piney Grove: 7th Grade tips at 5:00pm and 8th Grade tips around 7:30pm
THE ARTS
ART AND THE COMMUNITY
Our 8th grade advanced art class had so much fun sharing their gingerbread creations with a local assisted living. Students recreated famous landmarks using graham crackers and candy. 6th grade students made holiday themed placemats to give to the assisted living as well!
HOLIDAY UKELELES
DeSana Dragons shared a selection of special of music with the Board of Education this week. All the members of the board loved it! Thank you, Mr. Bigliani, for leading this great group of musicians!
3RD ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ART SPONSORED BY THE DESANA PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
On Thursday evening, December 13th, four young Dragons --- Bella H., Quinn J., Katharine M. and Eowyn S. --- with a keen photographic eye, exhibited their artistic talents in our DeSana 3rd Annual Exhibition of Photographic Art. Each budding photographer created a photo essay centered around a theme of their choosing. Throughout this fall, the DeSana Photography Club traveled on several photography expeditions throughout the Atlanta metro area and beyond, and many of the photographs taken during these outings were the central focus of their exhibits. Eowyn S’s., fabulous photo in black and white, of a meandering mountain stream with water glistening in the morning sun, was unveiled as the Best In Show. It will hang with the past two years’ winners in our new Gallery of Art, located in The Commons. Congratulations to all four young ladies for their fantastic work!
DESANA BAND
Congratulations to the following DeSana Band students who qualified for the second round of All State Auditions to be held in Perry Georgia in January.
Zac B.
Kai Kai B.
Saahil G.
Kyle G.
Treya H.
Christopher K.
Kelis K.
Thomas P.
Kanishka P.
Kunal T.
These students have worked very hard, mastering their instruments, and we wish them the best of luck as they prepare for the 2nd round of auditions.
ALSO…
Congratulations to these band students for making it into the Georgia Music Educators Associations District 9 Honor Band for 2019
Kanishka P.
Saahil G.
Chris K.
Zach B.
Treya H.
Kunal T.
Kai Kai B.
Kyle G.
Sakthipriya R.
Kelis K.
Selena C.Thomas P.
They will be traveling to Fannin County in February to perform with the best of the best kids in our district. Congratulations to each of these wonderful musicians!!!
CULTURAL ARTS NIGHT TABLE SPONSORS
DeSana is hosting its first ever Cultural Arts Night on February 7, 2019! We are looking for families willing to sponsor a table to represent their culture. Table sponsors are responsible for making a traditional food dish to share, decorating the table, and standing at the table the night of the event. One family can sponsor a table or multiple families can contribute. If interested, please email Sarah Fogg at sfogg@forsyth.k12.ga.us
CULTURAL ARTS NIGHT COOKBOOK
DeSana will be hosting our first ever Cultural Arts Night on February 7th! Along with showcasing a variety of cultures from our own community with informational tables, food, and artwork/performances, we will also be selling a cookbook with recipes contributed (hopefully!) by our very own DeSana community. If you have a favorite recipe from your culture/family that you would like to include, please email apetit@forsyth.k12.ga.us the recipe by December 20th. Don’t forget to include what category the dish belongs in (e.g. appetizer, main course, side dish, dessert, etc.).
ACTIVITIES
SAVANNAH TRIP
We are so excited about this year’s 8th grade trip to Savannah, GA scheduled for May 8 through May 10! We have 180 students signed up to go which is awesome! If your student is signed up, you should have paid at least $240.00 so far. The first payment of $140.00 was due with the application on or before September 14. The second payment of $100.00 was due on or before November 2. The third and final payment of $100.00 will be due on or before February 1. If you have any questions please email Ms. Baggett at jbaggett@forsyth.k12.ga.us .
TECHNOLOGY FAIR RESULTS
Congratulations to the following students for placing in the 2019 Technology Fair:
Humza F., 1st place in Internet Applications - Humza is now eligible to compete in the state competition which will be help in Macon on March 9th!
Shloka B. and Divya J., 2nd place in Digital Photo Production
Shyama B. and Aanya J., 2nd place in Graphic Design
Karthik H., 3rd place in 3D Modeling
Arka B., 3rd place in Audio Production
We are very proud of these Dragons!!
PAJAMA DAY IS DECEMBER 20TH!
DeSana is starting a new holiday tradition . . .Pajama Day on the last day! So on Thursday, December 20, students may wear pajamas for $3. All money collected will go to a charitable cause. Get comfy in your pajamas, but please be sure they are dress code appropriate and that you wear shoes!
CHICK FIL A FUNDRAISER
Math club will be selling Chick-fil-A biscuits in the car rider line on Wednesday December, 19. $3 for plain biscuits and $4 for chicken biscuits.
PARENT 411 - HELPFUL LINK FOR YOU
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
FROM THE MEDIA CENTER
Parents, are you struggling with keeping your child’s “screen time” in check? Are you worried about them spending too much time with their devices over the upcoming break? Click here for a quick read with some practical tips on easing the frustration this holiday season!
YEARBOOKS!
2018-2019 DeSana Yearbooks are on sale. Visit balfour.com and order yours today! The price is $45. Students can also see Mrs. West on the 7th grade hall with cash or check.
**students are only guaranteed a yearbook if purchased by January 31st
8th graders! Don’t miss out on the chance for an 8th grade ad. They are 1/8 of a page, cost $15, and are due by January 31, 2019. Directions are attached HERE.
MANY THANKS TO OUR AMAZING BUSINESS PARTNERS!
*ALL AMERICAN SPECIALTIES
*BROWNS BRIDGE CHURCH
*CHICK-FIL-A @ THE COLLECTION
*DUNKIN DONUTS
*DR. HOM PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ALPHARETTA COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY
*HI FIVE SPORTS
*MARVEL SOCCER
*MILTON DENTAL SPECIALISTS
*NORTH GEORGIA PROMOTIONS
*OMEGA LEARNING
*RBM OF ALPHARETTA
*RISPA
*VERTICAL CHURCH