Friday, April 30 - Milestones Testing for 8th Grade – Social Studies (F2F Students - Morning/Virtual Students - Evening)

Friday, April 30 - Country Track Championship @ 3:00 PM @ West Forsyth High School

Friday, April 30 - Survey Closes @ 4:00 PM for Selecting Education Setting for the 2021-22 School Year

Friday, April 30 - Dragon Academy @ 4:15 - 6:15 PM

Saturday, May 1 - National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Saturday, May 1 - FCS Middle School Soccer Intramurals Championship Game @ Forsyth Central High School @ TBD

Saturday, May 1 - GMEA Band Solo and Ensemble Performance @ Riverwatch Middle School

Monday, May 3 - Friday, May 7 - National Teacher & School Staff Appreciation Week

Monday, May 3 - Spring Football Practice - Week 2

Monday, May 3 - Milestones Testing for Grade 8 – ELA section 1 (F2F Students - Morning/Virtual Students - Evening)

Tuesday, May 4 - Milestones Testing for Grade 8 – ELA sections 2 & 3 (F2F Students - Morning/Virtual Students - Evening)

Tuesday, May 4 - Rising 6th Grade Advanced Studies Info Meeting in the Chorus Room @ 6:30 PM

Wednesday, May 5 - Milestones Testing for Grade 8 – Physical Science/8th Grade Science (F2F Students - Morning/Virtual Students - Evening)

Wednesday, May 5 - Rising 6th Grade Advanced Studies Info Meeting in the Chorus Room @ 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 6 - Lollipop Fundraiser in the morning in the Commons

Thursday, May 6 - Milestones Grade 8 Make Up Testing Day

Friday, May 7 - National Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Day

Friday, May 7 - Milestones Test for Grade 8 – Algebra I/8th Grade Math (F2F Students - Morning/Virtual Students - Evening)

Friday, May 7 - Dragon Academy @ 4:15 - 6:15 PM

Saturday, May 8 - FCS Honor Band Performance

Monday, May 10 - Milestones Test for Grade 7 – ELA Section 1 (F2F Students - Morning/Virtual Students - Evening)

Monday, May 10 - Grade 8 End-of-Course (EOC) Make Up Day

Tuesday, May 11 - Milestones Test for Grade 7 – ELA Sections 2 & 3 (F2F Students - Morning/Virtual Students - Evening)

Tuesday, May 11 - Grade 8 End-of-Course (EOC) Make Up Day

Wednesday, May 12 - National School Nurse Appreciation Day

Wednesday, May 12 - Milestones Test for Grade 7 – Math (F2F Students - Morning/Virtual Students - Evening)

Wednesday, May 12 - Grade 8 End-of-Course (EOC) Make Up Day

Wednesday, May 12 - 2021 Football & Competition Cheer Squad Clinic @ 4:30 PM in the Gym

Wednesday, May 12 - Denmark Community Family Connect Night - No Homework Tonight!

Wednesday, May 12 - Rising 6th Grade Advanced Studies Info Meeting in the Chorus Room @ 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 13 - Grade 8 End-of-Course (EOC) Make Up Day

Thursday, May 13 - All Grades End-of-Grade (EOG) Make Up Day

Thursday, May 13 - 2021 Football & Competition Cheer Squad Clinic @ 4:30 PM in the Gym

Thursday, May 13 - Rising 6th Grade Advanced Studies Info Meeting in the Cafeteria @ 6:30 PM

Friday, May 14 - LSC Meeting in the Media Center @ 7:30 AM

Friday, May 14 - Lollipop Fundraiser in the morning in the Commons

Friday, May 14 - All Grades End-of-Grade (EOG) Make Up Day

Friday, May 14 - Kindness Matters Award Celebration @ 11:30 AM in the Gym

Friday, May 14 - Dragon Academy @ 4:15 - 6:15 PM

Friday, May 14 - 2021 Football & Competition Cheer Tryouts @ 4:30 PM in the Gym

Saturday, May 15 - Armed Forces Day & Peace Officers Memorial Day

Saturday, May 15 - Rising 6th Grade Advanced Studies Info Meeting in the Cafeteria @ 9:30 AM

Monday, May 17 - 7th Graders Visit JA Finance Park @ Alliance Academy

Monday, May 17 - Chorus Spring Concert for 6th and 7th Grade @ 6:30 PM and for 8th Grade @ 7:30 PM

Tuesday, May 18 - 7th Graders Visit JA Finance Park @ Alliance Academy

Tuesday, May 18 - Band Spring Concert for 6th Grade @ 6:30 PM in the Gym and for 7th/8th Grades @ 7:30 PM in the Gym

Wednesday, May 19 - 7th Graders Visit JA Finance Park @ Alliance Academy

Wednesday, May 19 - SEAD Lesson

Wednesday, May 19 - Rising 6th Grade Advanced Studies Info Meeting in the Cafeteria @ 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 20 - Lollipop Fundraiser in the morning in the Commons

Thursday, May 20 - AOL time in the morning

Friday, May 21 - DeSana Day of Good Deeds (D3 Day)

Saturday, May 22 - 8th Grade Band Awards Banquet & Social @ Main Event in Alpharetta @ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Monday, May 24 - 4th Quarter Pride Awards @ 9:30 AM in the Cafeteria

Monday, May 24 - Rising 6th Grade Advanced Studies Info Meeting in the Cafeteria @ 6:30 PM

Wednesday, May 26 - Annual 8th Grade Picnic @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Thursday, May 27 - 8th Grade Awards Ceremony in the Gym, Time TBD

Thursday, May 27 - Early Release at 1:30 PM, End of 2nd Semester and the Last Day of School

Thursday, May 27 - Post-Planning Day for Teachers and Staff @ 1:30 - 4:30 PM

Thursday, May 27 - Rising 6th Grade Advanced Studies Info Meeting in the Cafeteria @ 6:30 PM

Friday, May 28 - Post-Planning Day for Teachers and Staff

Friday, May 28 - Unclaimed items from Lost and Found donated to a local charity @ 3:00 PM

Friday, May 28 - Rising 6th Grade Advanced Studies Registration Forms Due by 6:00 PM

Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day Holiday

Tuesday, June 1 - Rising 6th Grade Tour of DeSana - 9:00 - 11:30 AM

Wednesday, June 2 - Rising 6th Grade Tour of DeSana - 1:00 - 3:30 PM

Thursday, June 3 - Rising 6th Grade Tour of DeSana - 9:00 - 11:30 AM

Friday, June 4 - Rising 6th Grade Tour of DeSana - 1:00 - 3:30 PM

Friday, June 4 - Final Grades For The Year Available for Viewing in Parent Portal

Dear DeSana Parents/Guardians,

I truly cannot believe that we are starting our last month of this school year! Even though this has been by far the most extraordinary school year ever . . . at least in my tenure . . . it has flown by! Admittedly, on some occasions it seemed like time was standing still, but here we are with only four more weeks to go!

I am incredibly proud of our young Dragons and how they have risen to the challenge on more than one occasion throughout this year! They have learned some great lessons in perseverance . . . ones that should serve them well throughout the rest of their lives. And I’m quite sure that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many other lessons that our students have learned along the way this year. Having compassion . . . showing kindness . . . how to be disciplined to get work done when you’d rather be doing something else . . . making right choices . . . speaking up for oneself . . . helping family and friends in ways one never considered before . . . adapting to change . . . knowing thyself better . . . having respect for everyone . . . learning to do without some things . . . overcoming one’s anxieties or fears . . . never missing an opportunity to tell someone how much you love them and care about them . . . and giving grace to oneself and to others, are most likely, perhaps, some of the other lessons our young Dragons have experienced and learned throughout this year.

I know for me, many of these and others are the lessons from this year that I will take with me for now and evermore. I hope that as this year winds down, you will find some time as a family to reflect upon this school year and share with one another some of the greatest thoughts and lessons learned that you will keep with you throughout the rest of your life. I do believe that would be time well-spent!

There are not enough words nor the right words to adequately express how deeply appreciative and in awe I am of our teachers and staff for what they have accomplished this year with our young Dragons. In this day and time, being an educator or a support professional in a school is not a simple or easy job under normal circumstances. But in a year like this one, what our entire school staff has done, day in and day out, to bring as much of a sense of normalcy as possible to school this year, and then some . . . to have taught or operated at the very high standard that they have throughout the year . . . to have cared for our young Dragons in the wonderful manner that they have . . . and how they have pivoted on more than one occasion, many times on such short notice . . . has been nothing short of extraordinary! They deserve every bit of praise, accolades and heartfelt appreciation that anyone gives them. For they have been nothing short of SHEROES and HEROES in my book!!

As we wind down this 2020-2021 school year, our message to ALL of our young Dragons is to FINISH STRONG! FINISH STRONG in ALL of their classes and with their behavior! We truly want our students to finish on a high note as they leave for the summer so that they will be well-prepared in every way for the next school year. So parents, I ask that you help us in reiterating this message to your young Dragon every opportunity that you have throughout this next month. I know that we all want the same thing for our students / your children - - - and that is for them to be quite successful in school. Help us spread the message - - - FINISH STRONG!

I must admit, I have procrastinated greatly in writing this Principal’s Letter (I’m now down to the last minute on this Friday!) because it is truly difficult for me to say good-bye to you, our DeSana Family. Serving your children and you, and every member of our DeSana Family, has been such an honor and a privilege. Coming to DeSana each and every day . . . even before we opened our doors in July 2016 . . . has brought so much joy to my life. Watching your kids learn, stretch and grow, mature, blossom, catch their stride, gain their confidence, learn from their mistakes, inspire others, and thrive are wonderful memories I will cherish forever. And I have appreciated more than words can say ALL the support, help, involvement, caring ways, words of encouragement and words of confidence you have given me and our teachers and staff throughout these past five years. As much as I look forward to new adventures in my retirement, it is still difficult to walk away from something I have been involved in and dedicated to for the past 41 years of my life . . . something that has so affected my life in such profound and positive ways. Ending my career here at DeSana has truly been the cherry on top!! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!

You know I’m going to leave you with a quote! I may have shared this one with some of you before. I discovered it when I was in the eighth grade, Jr. High (many moons ago!), when I had to give a speech to all my classmates. It definitely struck a chord with me then and has continued to be ever-present in my mind and a guiding light in my life. Perhaps, it may resonate with you, as well. It is attributed to both Edward Everett Hale and Helen Keller, and it goes like this:

I am only one,

But still I am one.

I cannot do everything,

But still I can do something;

And because I cannot do everything,

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

Here’s to a strong finish and a wonderful ending to this school year! Wishing you all the very best that life has to offer! Blessings upon you!!

With so much gratitude,

Terri A. North

Principal

Thank you to those who have volunteered for the PTO Board for next year. We still need a couple folks!

Do you enjoy coordinating events and volunteers? Are you comfortable preparing written communication or speaking in front of a group? Are you ready to inspire your fellow board members? Consider serving as President- or find a friend and serve together as co-Presidents!

Maybe balancing a checkbook is your passion. Where are our numbers people? The Treasurer helps with deposits and writes checks. Experience with Quickbooks is a bonus, but we can train. Can we count you in?

The PTO is accepting nominations for PTO officers for the 2021-2022 school year. Many of our Board members have 8th grade students moving to high school next year and we need you to serve! Serving on the PTO Board is a fulfilling way to serve the school and to work closely with teachers and administration. We are looking for volunteers for all positions - President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. We would love to have you! You may nominate yourself or another person. If nominating someone else, please talk with that person before submitting their information. If you have any questions about the specific positions, duties, and requirements, please email desanadragonspto@gmail.com. Submit your nomination online. Thank you!

Online Nomination Form: https://bit.ly/3k30PGG

Each year PTO sponsors the Impressions Art Contest. Students are invited to create unique works of art to portray a specific theme. This year's theme is "New Normal." DeSana students submitted various artwork, writing, and music compositions reflecting their interpretation of that theme. Many congratulations to the following students for their amazing work. Art pieces will be on display in the media center over the next couple weeks.

Visual Arts:

Isaac A.

Aanya G.

Justin M.

Rhea M.

Maria P.

Juliana P.

Riona P.

Diyaa S.

Literature:

Rhea M.

Music Composition:

Aanya G.

Siddharth S.

DeSana families, as the end of the year approaches please accept sincere thanks from the DeSana PTO. Your membership, support of our fundraisers, and willingness to volunteer mean everything to us. PTO would not be able to support students, teachers, and staff without you. We wish you the very best as this year concludes. Have a safe, restful summer and we'll see you in the fall. Let's continue to do great things together.

Our DeSana Day of Good Deeds (or D3 Day, for short!) is back in full force this spring!! D3 Day is a wonderful day for all of our DeSana students and staff to come together . . . engage in community service projects . . . work side-by-side for a common and greater good . . . and make a marked difference in our fabulous community and in the lives of many individuals.

Throughout the morning of Friday May 21st, students and staff will work with different community non-profit and charitable organizations at DeSana, participating in such projects as making blankets for children to snuggle with as they arrive at a hospital emergency room . . . to brightening the day of some of our senior citizens in the community by creating messages of hope and positivity to share with them . . . to writing notes of appreciation to send to our US troops overseas . . . to collecting and sorting food for local food pantries. All these acts of service, and many more, will be the top priority for our young Dragons as they give of their time, their talents, and their hearts throughout the morning to impact the lives of others in a positive way! This year's D3 Day is for both our students at DeSana for face-to-face learning and for our students who are learning virtually. More information will be forthcoming on how all of our students can be involved in this special day of community service.

See below for more information about exciting activities and projects that relate to our wonderful DeSana Day of Good Deeds, as we introduce and reintroduce our young Dragons to this awesome DeSana tradition! And stay tuned for more D3 Day news to come in the weeks ahead!

D3 Day Planning Committee needs your help! We will be collecting homemade or bakery cookies to package for Treat The Troops. The cookies need to be delivered to DeSana from Monday, May 17th - Thursday, May 20th during school hours. Please drop off the homemade or bakery cookies to the front office labeled for D3 Day. The purpose of Treat The Troops is to let our American military personnel who are deployed overseas know that people at home are remembering them. Students will package the cookies and other treats in boxes to ship overseas during our DeSana Day of Good Deeds on Friday, May 21st. Thank you for your support!

Are you a virtual or hybrid student who wants to participate in D3 Day at home on Friday, May 21st? Check out our ideas for things to do at home on our DeSana Day of Good Deeds!

If you are a virtual or hybrid student and are interested in coming to DeSana on Friday, May 21st to participate in D3 Day activities, please email Donna Silva at f39639@forsyth.k12.ga.us by Friday, May 14th. Students can come for the morning or morning and afternoon activities.

8:30 am – 11:30 am: Service Projects

11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Lunch (may get from the cafeteria or bring from home) and Social Time

1:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Virtual Assembly and Reflection Time

Parents are responsible for student transportation.

Thank you so much for all of your donations for April! We are collecting PEANUT BUTTER for May. This includes any variety of peanut butter and any size container. Please have your child bring peanut butter to their Dragon Time teacher. Our last day for collection will be Thursday, May 20th. The Dragon Time in each grade with the most food collected (percentage based) will get a special surprise in homeroom. Please remember to support our food drive which helps stock the pantries of The Place of Forsyth and Georgia Mountain Food Bank. We can only make D3 Day a success with all of your help!

The Georgia Milestones Testing has begun and we have just finished up with our 6th grade students taking the ELA and Math EOG tests. DeSana’s 8th grade students begin testing on Friday and go through all of next week covering ELA, Math (EOG & EOC), Science (Physical Science), and Social Studies. The 7th graders will participate in Milestones testing over ELA and Math during the week of May 10th. Our face-to-face students test in the mornings and DeSana’s virtual students participate in the evenings. For those face-to-face students that are not taking the Georgia EOG/EOC Milestones, they will stay in the media center or cafeteria during the testing session to work on projects or other assignments that need to be completed, or they may choose to read. Please review the schedule below to see your child’s up-coming Milestones testing schedule:

8th Grade Face-to-Face Students

• Friday, April 30th – Social Studies sections 1 & 2
• Monday, May 3rd – ELA section 1
• Tuesday, May 4th – ELA sections 2 & 3
• Wednesday May 5th – Physical Science sections 1 & 2
• Friday, May 7th – Math / Algebra sections 1 & 2

8th Grade Virtual Students

• Monday, May 3rd – ELA Section 1 (5:00 pm - 7:30 pm)
• Tuesday, May 4th – ELA Sections 2 & 3 (5:00 pm - 7:45 pm)
• Wednesday, May 5th – Science Sections 1 & 2 (including Physical Science EOC) & Social Studies Sections 1 & 2 (5:00 pm - 7:45 pm)
• Friday, May 7th – Math Sections 1 & 2 (including Algebra EOC) (5:00 pm - 7:45 pm)

7th Grade Face-to-Face Students

• Monday, May 10th – ELA section 1
• Tuesday, May 11th – ELA sections 2 & 3
• Wednesday, May 12th – Math sections 1 & 2

7th Grade Virtual Students

• Monday, May 10th – ELA Section 1 (5:00 pm - 7:00 pm)
• Tuesday, May 11th –ELA Sections 2 & 3 (5:00 pm - 7:45 pm)
• Wednesday, May 12th –Math Sections 1 & 2 (5:00 pm - 7:45 pm)

For questions or concerns regarding test administration, please contact Ashley Starr, Assistant Principal, at 770-667-2591. Thank you for your cooperation during testing.

The last day of school on Thursday, May 27th, will be an early release day and we will dismiss students at 1:30 pm. Please see the period schedule below to see what times we will be having each period.

• 1st Period: 9:00 – 9:28
• 2nd Period: 9:31 – 9:59
• 4th Period: 10:02 – 10:30
• 5th Period: 10:33 – 11:01
• 3rd Period & Lunch: 11:04 – 12:28
• 6th Period: 12:31 – 12:59
• 7th Period: 1:02 – 1:30

Attention parents of rising 6th graders (OR please share this info if you are neighbors/friends with parents of a rising DeSana 6th grader!):

Beginning May 4th, DeSana will host a series of meetings to discuss Advanced Studies with parents and rising 6th grade students. Please watch for this information on our school’s website. This information has also been shared with our feeder elementary schools. Please contact Ashley Starr, Assistant Principal, at astarr@forsyth.k12.ga.us with any questions.

Dragon for a Day

In years past, DeSana counselors invited students from our feeder elementary schools to attend one part of our transition program, Dragon for a Day. During this event, 5th graders were paired with a 6th grade peer Ambassador to follow a middle school schedule for a day. Unfortunately, due to the Pandemic and concern for student health and safety, we are unable to host Dragon for a Day this year. Instead, Mrs. Manos, with her team of 6th grade Ambassadors, have partnered with Mr. Boyett, our Chorus teacher, to make a video to demonstrate what it looks like to be a Dragon for a day. Please take a few moments to watch our video and share with any rising 6th grade Dragons! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfB52RdQBwE

Tours

We have also changed the format of the DeSana tours we offer to rising 6th graders from our feeder schools. This year the DeSana counselors are hosting tours for students Tuesday, June 1st through Friday, June 4th. Each tour group will be limited to 15 students. Any student who is enrolled to attend DeSana Middle School in the fall is welcome to attend a tour (even if you do not currently attend a feeder elementary school). Please sign up your student for a tour click here. If you are unable to attend any of these dates and times, there will be another opportunity to come to DeSana in July! We will host our annual Dragon Camp on Saturday, July 31st. More information about this event will be communicated this Summer.

Ambassador Q&A

This month Mrs. Manos and the 6th grade Ambassadors will host a series of Q&A sessions with students from our three feeder elementary schools. During these sessions, the Ambassadors will answer questions about DeSana and middle school in general, and share about their experiences as Dragons. We look forward to speaking with our future Dragons!

Transition Activities by Feeder School

Below are links to flyers that advertise the different transition activities available for all rising 6th grade students from our feeder elementary schools. Please follow the link for your school to view these dates and times and plan accordingly.

Big Creek Elementary (English)

Big Creek Elementary (Spanish)

Brandywine Elementary (English)

Brandywine Elementary (Spanish)

Midway Elementary (English)

Midway Elementary (Spanish)

Registration for Advanced Studies Courses for our Rising 6th Grade students will be posted on our DeSana website Monday, May 3rd. We will host eight meetings regarding how we do advanced courses, what advanced courses DeSana offers and what students can expect if they sign up for an advanced course. Parents and students (Yes! We want students to attend as well, because this is about their educations!) only need to attend one meeting. We highly encourage you to attend one! All meetings will start at 6:30 PM during the week and 9:30 AM on the Saturday date. Meetings on May 4th, May 5th and May 12th will be held in the Chorus Room. The rest of the meetings will be held in the cafeteria. These meetings will last approximately 45 minutes. The following are the meeting dates:

• Tuesday, May 4th
• Wednesday, May 5th
• Wednesday, May 12th
• Thursday, May 13th
• Saturday, May 15th (we will have a Spanish interpreter present) This meeting will be at 9:30 AM!
• Wednesday, May 19th
• Monday, May 24th
• Thursday, May 27th

We look forward to sharing a few additions to our Advanced Studies Courses we are making in our 6th grade for the 2021-2022 school year!

Making sure you have a middle school class with your friends?

Yes, please!

Taking a middle school class where everybody wants to be there and work hard?

Yes, please!

Doing something you already love as an actual class?

Yes, please!

Getting to sing every day during school?

YES, PLEASE!

Join Chorus! Click here to sign up: https://forms.gle/YZxeXiiTFYtAem5M7

We are reaching out once again to all of our amazing rising 6th grade students coming from our feeder elementary schools to DeSana next school year. We have already heard from 75 of you who have registered for band and THAT IS EXCITING! You still have time to register! Click here to join band. The deadline is Friday, May 14th.

We are looking to break the record set last year by our 6th grade class. So, let this be your invitation to join one of the most fun, successful and rewarding programs ON THE PLANET - Our Award-winning DeSana Band!

Parents of Students with IEPs should have received before Spring Break an email from your student's case manager regarding our GA DOE parent survey. If you have not been able to complete this survey there is still time. Please help our special education department grow and improve by completing the 10 question survey in the link provided.

https://survey.gadoe.org/SPEDParentSurvey

Advanced science students chose a science competition to compete in this year: Ecybermission, Science Fair, or You be the Chemist. Two 8th grade physical science teams who submitted projects to Ecybermission made it to the finalists. In Ecybermission, students use either the engineering design process or the scientific method to solve a real problem in their community. Students may choose one of the following mission challenges: alternative sources of energy; environment; food, health, and fitness; forces and motion; national security and safety; robotics; or technology. One group consisted of Anika T., Smitha P., and Reeha R. The other team comprised Aneesh G., Arin K., Steven J., and Charith N. . The winners will be selected on May 7th. Well done teams!!

Beginning Monday, May 17th through Wednesday, May 19th (each student will go on one day), seventh grade students will take a Social Studies field trip to the Junior Achievement facility, which is located on the campus of FCS Alliance Academy. There, they will participate in the Junior Achievement Finance Park program. At JA Finance Park students have the rare opportunity to experience their personal financial futures first-hand. Students will have the opportunity to balance a budget and decide between their needs and wants, all within their unique life profile for the day: a career, income, education level and family scenario. This field trip will be the culminating activity for a Social Studies mini-unit on personal finance. Permission slips are required; these were given to students the week of April 26 and are due back to teachers by Thursday, May 6. Parents, we are in the need of volunteers to help make this experience a success. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to your child’s Social Studies teacher.

If your student has medication in the school clinic, please make sure to pick this up before the end of the school year. No medications will be stored in the clinic during summer break. Any medication not picked up by a parent/guardian by Thursday, May 26th, will be disposed of properly.

Medication may be picked up at the school’s front door on the following dates/times:

• Monday, May 24th, 8:15 am - 10:30 am
• Tuesday, May 25th, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
• Wednesday, May 26th, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

If you are unable to pick up your child’s medication during the above times, please contact Nurse Samantha Tilley at 770-667-2591 ext. 491529 or f39768@forsyth.k12.ga.us.

The DeSana Math Club would like to recognize 8th grader Rikhil R. for placing 23rd in the MathCounts State Competition. Rikhil has been an active member of the Math Club here at DeSana since 6th grade and his hard work and dedication paid off. Great job Rikhil!

Strengthen Your Community is our SEAD theme for May. This month focuses on social awareness: the ability to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others. This also includes how we help others by giving back to our community. We will have one lesson this month centered around DeSana’s Day of Good Deeds (D3) and ways in which students can impact the world around them in a positive way.

The DeSana Counseling Department has been busy assisting our young Dragons throughout April.

As this school year winds down, we encourage families to use this summer break from school to spend quality time together. Middle school students are at a unique time in their lives where they’re not old enough to drive, yet they’re old enough to have relevant conversations and build a bond that will last a lifetime.

Nothing speaks louder to a child than spending quality family time. Our hope is that over the summer break you and your family take time to make new memories and enjoy each other’s company. The time you carve out of your schedule to be with your family creates memories that last beyond life’s hectic moments.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Take on a family activity such as a family project to complete together. Gather everyone’s ideas on how to complete the project.
• Work on a project for the house with the family. Examples: clean up the back yard, build a bird house, paint a picture or a room in the house.
• Enjoy some outdoor time by playing a game such as having a Scavenger Hunt, riding bikes or going on a hike.
• Watch a favorite sports game wearing the team’s colors or flip a coin to decide what movie to watch.

EAT MEALS TOGETHER AS A FAMILY.

You may have heard that it’s important for families to eat dinner together. But other meals count too! If you work late or have activities during dinner time, try to make time for family breakfast or a nighttime board game with popcorn and snacks. Research shows that kids who regularly eat meals with their family tend to do better in school and avoid risk taking behaviors.

Some students simply need the gift of time to master some of the concepts they learn in school. They can master them . . . they just need a little more time. And for some students, coming to school early for a morning help session with their teacher is just not possible. That is why we created AOL Time here at DeSana - - - An Additional Opportunity to Learn time. AOL is a 45 minute block of time that will happen first thing in the morning on Thursdays, and on some Wednesdays (9:05 – 9:50). During this block of time, students have the opportunity to receive re-teaching from their teachers should they need it. If your child is struggling in a class, or if they have a big summative assessment coming up that their teacher is offering a review session for, or if they have received a low score on a summative assessment and need to relearn some concepts before they re-take the summative, please encourage them to take advantage of AOL time! Ask your young Dragon each Wednesday evening/Thursday morning where he/she is going for AOL time on Thursday. Then ask your young Dragon Thursday evening what teacher he/she went to that day for extra help. Truly, taking advantage of our AOL time can make a BIG difference in a child’s success in school. Thanking you in advance for your help in making sure our young Dragons take advantage of this learning opportunity during AOL time!

Dragon Academy is an opportunity we began offering students on Friday, August 28th 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 will happen 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 will 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 will have about two hours to complete their work, once they complete all that they came to accomplish, students will be able to call their parent to come pick them up. Snacks and drinks will be sold for a very reasonable cost so students may focus on their work, not on their grumbling stomachs! Any necessary school supplies will be provided for students to use to complete their work, as needed, or they may bring their own.

Please mark your calendars now for these Dragon Academy dates (all are on a Friday) for the rest of the school year:

May 7

May 14

The Denmark Community of Schools is made up of Denmark High School, Piney Grove Middle School, DeSana Middle School, Shiloh Point Elementary School, Brandywine Elementary School, Midway Elementary School, and Big Creek Elementary School. This group works together to meet the needs of the students and families in our community. As part of the Denmark Community of Schools, DeSana supports the Family Connect Nights. These monthly homework-free evenings provide families time to reconnect with one another without technology, promoting a fun family evening! Please support this initiative by unplugging from technology and designating time to spend together by the pool, playing outside, or even with a boardgame. The Family Connect Nights are for everyone in the Denmark Community of Schools, including our virtual kiddos and families too! As a member of the Denmark Community of Schools, let’s encourage one another to take advantage of these nights to connect and spend time together as a family.

Our final Denmark Community of Schools’ Family Connect Night for the 2020-2021 school year is Wednesday, May 12th.

The United States Department of Agriculture, the administrative agency of the School Nutrition Program, has approved a waiver that will allow schools to provide free meals to all students in Forsyth County. This waiver will last through our last school day in May or until federal funds expire. Below are details for on-campus learners and virtual learners.

On-Campus Students:

• All students currently attending classes on campus can enjoy a free breakfast and lunch at school starting on Wednesday, September 16.
• Families do not need to do anything to take advantage of this waiver. All students will receive meals at no cost through our last school day in May or until federal funds expire.
• A lunch meal consists of an entrée choice, fruit, vegetable, and choice of milk and a breakfast meal consists of an entrée choice, fruit or vegetable, and milk.
• Snacks, bottled water, drinks, and additional meal components may be purchased at regular a la carte prices.

Virtual Students:

• Meal service for our virtual learners will begin on Monday, September 28 as a curbside meal service. Families may not enter school.
• Families may pick-up curbside at any one of our 10 schools listed below each day school is in session.
• Big Creek Elementary 11:00-12:00 - Carpool Lane in front of the school
• DeSana Middle 11:30-12:30 - Main entrance in front of the school
• Lakeside Middle 11:30-12:30 - Car Rider Line in front of the school
• Matt Elementary 9:30-10:30 - Back Parking Lot
• North Forsyth Middle 10:00-11:00 - Car Rider lane in front of the school
• Otwell Middle 9:45-10:45 - Car Rider Line at end of the 6th-grade hallway
• Piney Grove Middle 11:00-12:00 - Front entrance of the school
• Sawnee Elementary 10:00-11:00 - Front of the building
• Settles Bridge Elementary 11:30-12:30 - Car Rider Line in front of the school
• Vickery Creek Elementary 9:30-10:30 - In front of Cafe
• Families picking up a meal at school do not need to do anything to take advantage of this waiver.
• Lunch and breakfast for the following day will be available for pick-up. Since hot meals will also be served, food safety and reheating instructions are available at pick-up.
• Curbside meal pick-up at the schools listed above is available for all children ages 0-18.

Families that qualify for meal benefits should still complete free and reduced-price meal applications to avoid a lapse in meal benefits once the waiver has ended. Meal applications are not required to receive free meals during the time the waiver is active. If you have questions about free and reduced-price meal applications please contact Sandra McKinzie at smckinzie@forsyth.k12.ga.us.

If you need further information regarding the free meal waiver, please direct your questions to April Cox at acox@forsyth.k12.ga.us.

DeSana’s Golf Team has exceeded expectations this season! After getting rained out of our first 3 matches, we then beat Liberty before Spring Break, took a tough loss to Riverwatch Middle School, and then had a close loss to Piney Grove Middle School 3 days after that. To finish our regular season, we had a double win against Lakeside Middle School and Little Mill Middle School! At the county tournament, we finished 6th out of 10 teams, finishing ahead of Liberty, Otwell, Lakeside and Little Mill. Our players have been so dedicated and excited to play this season, and they have improved in different ways this season! We should all be very proud of their individual and team accomplishments!

On Friday April 30, 2021, we will conclude our 2021 season by participating in the Forsyth County Middle School Championship Meet at West Forsyth High School beginning at 3:00 pm. It has been a great season and our student athletes have improved quite a bit. We had several athletes that were competing at the “elite level” by the end of the season. The kids have established a solid foundation and many have developed a passion for Track and Field and how to condition themselves to be very successful at the High School level. They have all established a foundation for conditioning and exercise that will last a lifetime. The coaches are so very proud of their accomplishments this season. We will have an end of the year pizza party after school for the students in a few weeks. A message about the party will be sent out via the Remind App as soon as we settle on a date and time. Thank you for sharing your children and allowing them to participate!!!

The players have been working extremely hard and putting a lot of effort into Spring practice. The DeSana Football team is coming together as a family and building team chemistry. We are learning how to be disciplined and how to be successful on and off the field. We are continuing Spring practices through Friday, May 7th. We will be announcing the winner of our raffle Friday, May 7th at the end of practice. Thank you to everyone for all of the support for the Dragon Football Team, and Go Dragons!

If you are interested in playing for the DeSana Dragons, there is still time. Email Coach Riddle (triddle@forsyth.k12.ga.us) for more information.

The DeSana Dragons Soccer Intramural Team enjoyed playing three matches against other middle schools over the past two months. The team has wrapped up for this school year and we are excited with the progress the students have made. Be on the lookout for information in the 2021-22 school year if you are interested in joining the team.

Does your child want to cheer on the Dragons from the sidelines next school year and compete against other middle schools in competition? Tryouts will be held on Wednesday, May 12th, Thursday, May 13th and Friday, 14th in DeSana’s Gym from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm. Students must pass at least 5 classes this semester and have a current athletic participation packet (click here) on file in order to tryout.

If you have questions you can contact:

Coach Weisbrod - f33884@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Coach Smith - aesmith@forsyth.k12.ga.us

We are so excited to host our final chorus concert of the year on Monday, May 17th in the DeSana gymnasium!

6th and 7th Grade: 6:30 pm concert (6:15 pm call time for students)

8th Grade: 7:30 pm concert (7:15 pm call time for students)

To adhere to social distancing guidelines, students will be allowed to have only two audience members at the concert. All audience members must take their temperature before arriving, wear a mask for the duration of the event, and remain socially distanced within the school. Those who are not able to attend the concert will be able to watch via livestream using this link (https://youtu.be/JUl0fM02HWQ)

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Boyett at auboyett@forsyth.k12.ga.us.

This has been a terrific year even with all of the challenges that we have faced in our community. I am so proud of all our kids and their accomplishments and how much they have grown over the year(s). We had 45 kids perform at this year's GMEA Solo and Ensemble festival and 40 received the top rating of SUPERIOR. Eight of our band students participated with the District 9 HONOR BAND. This is a wonderful individual accomplishment and these kids are just terrific. Our final concert is on Tuesday, May 18th in the DeSana gymnasium. The beginning band will perform at 6:30 pm and the Symphonic Band's performance is at 7:30 pm. The Symphonic band will be playing a variety of music from contemporary, jazz and even a movie selection from FROZEN, with one of our own students singing LET IT GO.

To all of my 8th grade students: This has been a great three years with you. I cannot believe our journey, that we began together just a short time ago, is almost over. I still remember when you all walked in the room for the first time not knowing what to expect. But soon after, you began to WOW me with your attitudes and abilities, both academically and musically.

I have really enjoyed my time with you and although this year has been totally different and a huge challenge, we have accomplished AMAZING things, including our Symphonic Band performance traveling to Lambert for our Annual LGPE performance. Once again, we WOWed the judges with STRAIGHT SUPERIOR RATINGS. You have stepped up to the plate after being challenged and have made me the proudest director in the world. The only thing that could make it better is if I could continue with you!

You have overachieved and gone far beyond my expectations. You have laid the foundation for all others who will follow-and for that I am grateful. THANK YOU for what you have meant to the band, but moreover, THANK YOU for what you have meant to me! I love you all and you will be forever in my heart!

It's been a great year! Thank you, parents, for the opportunity to work with your kids...they are truly all treasures!

As the end of the school year quickly approaches, 8th grade is gearing up for some end- of- middle- school fun! On Wednesday, May 26th we will host our Annual 8th Grade Picnic here on campus. Virtual students will be given the opportunity to attend lunch and outdoor game rotations with us from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm and/or join us for autograph book signing and classroom fun in the afternoon from 1:00 pm - 4:15 pm. In order to attend, virtual students must respond to the survey provided by their virtual teacher by Friday, May 7th.

On Thursday, May 27th we will have our 8th Grade Awards Celebration in the DeSana Gym. Students who are receiving an award will be given an invitation ahead of time. The invitation will provide both face-to-face and virtual students the opportunity to join us in-person to obtain their award. We are truly sorry, but parents will not be able to join us this year for the celebration as we continue to work to keep everyone safe and healthy. For all parents and any students who would like to tune into the ceremony virtually, a link will be made available the day before.

The 2020-2021 DeSana Yearbook will be delivered to the school over the summer during the month of July. We will communicate information about how and when students may pick up their yearbook later in May.

We will be providing student autograph pages to all students, and they will have an opportunity to get friend/teacher signatures at the end of the school year. These pages will have an adhesive to be placed inside of the yearbook.

If you did not order a 2020-2021 DeSana Yearbook and would like to purchase one, please email Mrs. West: mwest@forsyth.k12.ga.us as we have a limited amount left.

We will have Lollipop Fundraisers on the following dates:

May 6th, 14th and 20th

Students can purchase lollipops for themselves, friends, family or even their teachers! The lollipops will be sold in the commons from 8:30 am - 8:55 am and are all $1. Students can choose from a variety of flavors including Raspberry Lemonade, Sour Apple, Wild Cherry, Sour Cherry, Watermelon, Strawberry, Sweet Freedom, Cotton Candy, Cherry Limeade, Sour Pink Lemonade and Island Punch.

DeSana’s 2020-2021 Local School Council (LSC) will hold its last meeting on Friday, May 14th at 7:30 AM in the Media Center.

Students born on or after January 1, 2002, who are entering the 7th grade, are required by Georgia state law to have Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and MCV (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) immunizations prior to starting school. This law went into effect with the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and taking care of it early on so that your child may begin his/her 7th grade year on time next school year. Once your child has received his/her immunizations, please make sure that you send a record to DeSana Nurse, Samantha Tilley so that she may update his/her file.

If we do not have an updated 3231 Immunization Form by July 31, 2021 your child will not be given a schedule nor begin school until we receive this updated form. Please contact Nurse Samantha Tilley with any questions at f39768@forsyth.k12.ga.us or 770-667-2591, extension 491529.

If your student has misplaced an item at school, please remind him/her to check the Lost and Found table outside the media center. All unclaimed items will be donated on Friday, May 28th @ 3:00 pm.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and Forsyth County Schools work together to provide P3 Campus Reporting, which provides an avenue for all members of the community to submit anonymous tips about non-urgent illegal activities such as unsolved cases, vandalism, theft, the sale and distribution of drugs, possession of weapons or information about crimes that are being planned on their schools' campus.

Students are encouraged to report information about dangerous or harmful situations to the principal, an assistant principal, a teacher, or another trusted adult. Anonymous TIPS can also be reported to the Forsyth County Schools P3 Campus Anonymous Reporting in one of three ways.

1. Download the App from Apple Store or Google Play

2. ANONYMOUS Web tip at https://www.p3campus.com

3. Call the ANONYMOUS tip line at 770-888-3466 ext. 1 or 3.

Anonymous reports can also be made by calling the State of Georgia School Safety Hotline Number, 1-877-SAY-STOP (1-877-729-7867).

Callers will not be asked to reveal their identity.

May Middle Years Newsletter

*ALL AMERICAN SPECIALTIES

*BROWNS BRIDGE CHURCH

*CHICK-FIL-A @ THE COLLECTION

*CITY CHURCH

*GEORGIA ORTHODONTICS AND CHILDREN'S DENTISTRY

*MAYNARD REALTY (TIM ROSE - REALTOR)

*NORTH GEORGIA PROMOTIONS

*OMEGA LEARNING

*RBM OF ALPHARETTA

Forsyth County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities.