The Panther Post
DMS News September 2017
Principal's Corner
Panther Families,
Our school year is off to a GREAT start! We are settling in to our daily routines as teachers and students are delving deep in to rich learning experiences. As we move forward throughout the year, it will be important for students to work on developing and practicing time management and organizational skills. These skills are critical for student success. Encourage your student to use his/her planner daily to keep up with assignments, important due dates and extracurricular commitments.
Many students can hardly contain their excitement for the kick-off of our various sports competitions. Volleyball, football, band, cheer and dance team are ready to show their panther pride as they demonstrate their skill on the field and court. We look forward to seeing many of you as we cheer our various sports teams on to victory!
As many of you may already know, the State Board of Education elected not to use the ACT Aspire as the State Assessment for Grades 3-8 and 10. The Aspire Assessment was the instrument used to measure student learning gains and achievement. In place of the Aspire Assessment, the State BOE will require the Scantron assessment for all school districts for the 2017-18 school year. The Scantron will be given to all students in grades 3-8. (Grade 10 will not be required to test this year.) This test will establish a baseline score for each student. Discovery 7th grade students will take the Scantron test on September 7 & 8. Our 8th grade students will take the Scantron test on September 11 & 12. All students will take the Scantron test again April 16 through May 4. (Specific dates will be scheduled later.) The purpose of the second Scantron test is to gain an achievement and learning gains score for each student. Click here for more information about the Scantron Assessment.
September 14th is the first of four homework free nights that will be recognized by all secondary schools. It is a night that we want to encourage families to enjoy PDF—play time, down time and family time.
Our website is a great resource and highlights many things that are happening at DMS. Be sure to check it weekly for updates and the latest news and information.
With Panther Pride,
Kim Stewart
Discovery Middle School: A place for discovery, innovation and excellence.
Discovery Athletics
Discovery athletics, band, and cheerleaders took over the field on the 26th of August as part of the Discovery Football Jamboree. The Bob Jones band joined forces with the Discovery Band to cheer on the Discovery Panthers. Before the band took to the field, they grilled out and had some competition of their own with their annual Alumni game.
The DMS cheerleaders were also there to support the football team, and they helped cheer on the Panthers to a 7 to 0 win over Ardmore!
The DMS Lady Panthers Volleyball team has had a great start to their season with wins at the Huntsville Panther Smash Tournament over Labor Day weekend! It’s a great time to be a part of Discovery Middle School! Go Panthers!
Come out and support our teams!
DMS Panther Football
9/7 Discovery vs Meridianville (home) 5:00 p.m.
9/14 Discovery vs Buckhorn (home) 5:00 p.m.
9/21 Discovery vs Monrovia (away) 5:00 p.m.
DMS Lady Panthers Volleyball
9/5 Discovery vs Sparkman (home) 4:00 p.m.
9/6 Discovery vs Meridianville (away) 4:30 p.m.
9/11 Discovery vs Liberty (@ BJHS) 4:00 p.m.
9/12 Discovery vs Monrovia (home) 4:00 p.m.
Please see the full sports schedule on the DMS website!
DMS Spirit Shirts are Available Now!
Buy yours and show your school spirit! Go Panthers!
Teacher Spotlight
The Teacher Spotlight provides you the opportunity to get to know our wonderful teachers a little better!
7th Grade: Melissa Grayson (Math Teacher)
What’s your favorite ’90s jam? Loved listening to Hootie and the Blowfish.
What was the last gift you gave someone? I gave my son Paw Patrol.
What were you like in high school? In high school, I was a nerd. I was in all the top math classes, co-editor of the literary magazine (English teachers don't laugh...I was technical support), and I programmed computers with my friends.
Why do you like teaching at Discovery Middle School? I love that we are truly a family. I know that I can rely on this family as much as my own. I love that our parents value the relationships we build with our students within our classroom. I know that my colleagues look at my students as theirs as well and will do anything they can to help one of my kids. It takes a village and we truly help one another.
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7th/8th Grade: Sara Baragona (Digital Publishing & Money! Money! Teacher)
Who has inspired you in your life and why? My mom has been an inspiration to me. She had to raise 2 kids while my dad traveled for his job. We moved a lot, but mom always made each move as smooth as possible. She showed me how to handle difficult situations with grace no matter what was going on.
The other inspiration is a former parent, Lisa. Her oldest daughter was in my class when I taught Hearing Impaired Preschool. Lisa has 4 kids. The oldest and youngest are both deaf. The youngest also has some other issues that require a lot of time and attention from Lisa. She has raised 4 beautiful kids while supporting her military husband and working on her college degree. She has a positive spirit that doesn't ever give up no matter what life throws her way.
What’s your favorite thing to order at a restaurant? It's either chips & salsa or fajitas.
What do you do in your free time? I read a lot!
Why do you like teaching at Discovery Middle School? I love teaching at DMS! It's been the longest I have taught anywhere and it has just felt like a family. The teachers support each other and want the best for you. The administration has changed several times while I have been here, but each one has offered support, great leadership and insight into the different teaching roles I have had. I have been allowed to try new and different things in my class to explore the best way to teach kids.
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8th Grade: Adrienne King (Math Teacher)
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently? Well this was about two years ago, it was the first day of school and I was reading the student’s names from my roster. I was very confident that I had practiced and knew how to pronounce each student’s name. With a very confident voice I called one name and the class erupted in laughter; I was very off with that name. I got the class back under control and called the next name...again the class erupted in laughter. Needless to say, I butchered the names. We had a great year after that and I now have the students tell me their names before I ever attempt to say it! LOL
What inspires you? I am inspired by those who have challenges in their lives but refuse to let them hinder them from doing amazing things.
What are you known for? I am known for being a hard worker, a team player, a teacher, and an auntie!!!
Describe the color yellow to somebody who is blind. It feels like the sun shining on you, it smells like a daisy, it tastes like a sweet lemon cake and it sounds like birds chirping in the morning.
You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant? I would teach it to say Roll Tide!!!!
Why do you like teaching at Discovery Middle School? I love that the faculty and staff is a family and I love that the students and parents value relationships just as much as they value the education process.
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Stacey Humes (Instructional Partner / 8th Grade Language Arts)
Hello! I am Stacey Humes and I am serving as Discovery’s temporary Instructional Partner this semester. This is the beginning of my 14th year at DMS, with 18 years total teaching experience. While I am excited to step into this position, I am a little sad to move away from my amazing students. I always have the BEST students ever! ☺
My role as IP creates a huge learning curve for me as I get to experience the “other” side of education. The best way that I can describe my position is to say that I am a liaison between teachers and administrators. I work closely with teachers to assist them with their professional growth goals as a teacher, and I plan and facilitate district- mandated and teacher requested professional development workshops. The greatest trade off of this job is while I have to be away from the day-to day interaction with students, I get to replace it with daily interaction with my fantastic co-workers!
Great Things are Happening at DMS!
Check back each month to see some of the great learning opportunities our students are enjoying!
Language Arts
STEM
Art
Library News
Exciting things are happening in the DMS library! Library orientation is complete, and circulation and fun are in full swing!
Also, we are preparing for our Book Fair, Septermber 11 - 15 in the DMS Library and September 11 - October 1 online.
Visit the DMS library to “check out” incredible resources available for you!
DMS Newsletter Team
K. Stewart
J. Bailey
K. Beavers
L. Collins
F. Griffin
S. Humes
E. Lack
T. McMunn
K. Moody
Website: http://dms.madisoncity.k12.al.us/
Location: 1304 Hughes Rd, Madison, AL 35758, United States
Phone: (256) 837-3735
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverymspanthers/
Twitter: @DMSpanthers1