Danny Jones Middle School
Bulldog Beat 20-21 Vol. 10
Changes to Absence Protocols for In-Person Students
Please note that beginning Wednesday, Nov. 4, the beginning of the Third Six Weeks grading period, students who have selected in-person instruction will only be counted present when they are physically in class unless they have been quarantined due to COVID-19.
This means that in-person students will no longer be able to turn in assignments by 11:59 p.m. of that day to be counted present. They must be physically present in class to avoid an absence.
Quarantined students will be able to follow current practices to gain attendance for days they are quarantined.
Students enrolled in the MISD Virtual Learning Academy will continue to follow their current attendance practices.
MISD Parent Conferences
Student Clubs and Organizations
Transfer Window
Reminder of Virtual Learning Academy Norms
We continue having concerns about classroom expectations, etiquette, and norms that should be followed by our students while they are a Virtual Academy Learner. These are no different than if the student is sitting in the teachers' classrooms.
Please read the following expectations for ALL classes and discuss with your child:
· Students' Learning Environments should be in a quiet place with a desk or a table for their device and other supplies. They should be sitting upright in a chair so they can actively listen and participate.
· Students should NOT be in their bed, lying on the couch or recliner, playing ball in their room, etc. while they are in class.
· Attendance is taken every period with the exception of lunch. Texas laws regarding attendance are being followed. As always, please communicate with us if there is an illness or extenuating circumstance that prevents attendance for any class(es).
· All students are expected to be dressed in school-appropriate attire and ready for the day to begin at 8:45. Please make sure your child is not in pajamas for the school day.
· Students are expected to be actively engaged and to follow the classroom contracts, expectations and procedures at all times.
· Microphones should be muted unless called on by the teacher or by another student. The "Chat" or raising hand are the best tools for communication if not called on directly and/or for a student to get the teacher's attention.
· Students are not to leave their computer to go to the restroom, take a shower, get a snack, etc. without permission from the teacher.
· Parents, please remember that this is the teacher's classroom. We appreciate your involvement in your child's learning, but the teacher is in charge of that classroom and should be the only adult interacting with the students and the students should only be interacting with the teacher.
· Parents should NEVER get on camera during class to speak, discuss, make comments, etc. This is a classroom for students. If you have questions, concerns, etc., please contact the teacher.
Please be cognizant of the learning environment that can be seen by the entire class.
Be mindful of the clothing that other family members are wearing and conversations that can be heard in the background by the entire class.
Secondary GT Identification Parent Meeting
Do you think your child is academically gifted and has not been identified as GT?
if so, please attend our virtual parent meeting to get information about the GT identification process.
You will also hear an explanation of GT learning needs, versus characteristics of bright students.
Tune in:
If you can’t attend the meeting, you can find the recording on Thursday, October 15 here: https://www.mansfieldisd.org/departments/curriculum-instruction/advanced-academics
Questions? email teresafrancis@misdmail.org
DJMS PTA Still Needs YOU!!!
If you or your student joins the DJMS PTA by Friday, 10/16/20, you will have a chance to be entered in a raffle this month. We will be raffling DJMS T-shirts and more!
Follow these steps after clicking the button below:
Step 1: Select Join PTA
Step 2: Select - Mansfield ISD
Step 3: Select - Danny Jones Middle School
Step 4: Enter all information for the members joining
*Membership cards will automatically be emailed after payment is received.
Thank you again for your support!
DJMS PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Danny Jones Reflection Contest
A Message from our Librarian, Mrs. Silerio
It's TEENtober, Bulldogs! TEENtober celebrates all things TEEN in the library. Mrs. Silerio has a few things planned this month such as contests, activities, and the launch of our DJMS Project LIT Book Club. Click the TEENtober button below or go to the DJMS Library Canvas course for details.
Mansfield ISD Offering Free Meals Through Dec. 17th
Staff Spotlight
Ms. Brister
Toi Brister is a sixteen -year veteran science teacher who began teaching in Beaumont, Texas. During her time in Beaumont she was the 6th/7th grade science team lead. She contributed to frequent professional developments as a presenter, a curriculum writer, Science Summer Camp Invent instructor and a teacher mentor. She is currently the Science Department Chair at Danny Jones Middle School where she teaches 8th/8th Pre-AP grade science. She earned a bachelor's degree in Biology from Stephan F. Austin State University. She is committed to student success inside of the classroom and in life.
Mr. Lichter
Mr. Lichter began his career in education in the state of Arizona, and has been teaching in Texas since 2014. This is his 13th year in education, and his first year in Mansfield ISD and at Danny Jones MS. Mr. Lichter graduated from Arizona State University and also earned a Master of Education degree there as well. As a former college athlete, Mr. Lichter believes that education is vital to one’s success, and is needed no matter what direction life takes you. This quote from Nelson Mandela captures his beliefs about the importance of education. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
He look forward to being a part of the Danny Jones Community for many years to come.
Mr. Ellisor
MISD Stadium Reminders
Early Bird Arrivals
Our doors will open for entry into the building at 8:15 AM each morning. For health and safety reasons, we strongly encourage students do not arrive any earlier to campus.
Campus Visitors
Reminder
Students will also need a refillable water bottle!
Don't Forget Your Mask!
MISD School Cafe
COVID Screening Proceedures
Parents are the first step in reducing the spread of illness at school! Check in with your child each morning for signs of illness. If your child has any of the following symptoms, keep them home.
• Temperature 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when taken by mouth
• Sore throat
• New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing ( for students with chronic
allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)
• Diarrhea • Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal taste and/or smell
• New onset of severe headache ( especially with a fever)
• Has had close contact ( within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes)
with a person with confirmed COVID-19
• Contact your campus nurse if your child has any of the above symptoms and keep your child home.
Individuals Confirmed or Suspected with COVID-19
Any individuals who themselves either: (a) are lab-confirmed to have COVID-19; or (b) experience the symptoms of COVID-19, must stay at home throughout the infection period of ten days and cannot return to campus until the school nurse screens the individual to determine that ALL conditions below have been met for re-entry.
o 24 hours have passed without fever or the use of fever reducing medicines
o Improvement in respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath)
o At least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
·
In the case of an individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and who is not evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, such individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to the campus until the individual has completed the same three-step set of criteria listed above.
If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to school before completing the above 10 day stay at home period, the individual must either:
o Obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an
alternative diagnosis or o Obtain an acute infection test at an approved testing location (https://tdem.texas.gov/covid-19/) that comes back negative for COVID-19.
· Your child will not be permitted back on campus until the campus nurse has completed a screening (phone or in person) for re-entry. Please contact your campus nurse for this screening before sending your child back to school.
Students who keep medicines for Asthma in the clinic
· During the COVID-19 pandemic we will not be providing nebulizer treatments in the clinic, except in emergencies. Please contact student's healthcare provider for alternative treatments.
Student who receive daily medications
· We will only be accepting a 30-day supply of medication for students during this time.
VACCINATIONS: School vaccine rules still apply regardless of whether the education is received via virtual or in-person. Please make sure your student's vaccines are up to date so that your student can remained enrolled.
Screening: The campus nurse will communicate with parents regarding their child's screening date/time. If a parent does not want their child screened by the school, they can (1.) Provide a screening record provided by a licensed professional or (2.) Provide a signed statement that the student will not participate for religious reasons.
CAMPUS CLINICS: Campus clinics will look a little different with a “well clinic” and a “sick clinic” to serve students depending on their needs. All medications and routine healthcare needs will be treated in the “well clinic” and students with symptoms of illness will be treated in the “sick clinic.”
Parents, if you are contacted to pick up an ill child from school please make every attempt to do so within 30 minutes.
Kroger Community Rewards Program
Did you know Kroger has a FREE rewards program that will pay our school money because you shop there? Just link your Kroger Rewards Card, or alternate ID, with Danny Jones, and for a full year Kroger will donate a portion your total purchases to DJMS PTA. Let’s get started!
- Go to: https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow
- Sign in, or create an account if you do not already have one
- Click on “Community” then “Kroger Community Rewards”
- Search for “Danny Jones,” select it, then click “Enroll”
- Even if you selected Danny Jones last year, you must ENROLL AGAIN for Danny Jones to receive proceeds for your purchases for this year. We appreciate your help!
Box Tops App!
All you need is your smartphone! Download the mobile app to scan your store receipts within 14 days of purchase. You can instantly add box top $$$ to our Bulldog school's earnings! It's fast, easy, and a great way to help DJMS!