DMIS Morgan Messenger

We’ve reached the final week before winter break, and there’s a lot of learning and fun packed into these last few days! Here’s what to expect:

Spirit Week — December 16–20

• Monday (12/16): Holiday Lights/Headwear
• Tuesday (12/17): Wear Red & Green
• Wednesday (12/18): Pajama Day
• Thursday (12/19): Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian gear)
• Friday (12/20): Ugly Christmas Sweater

We encourage both students and staff to join in the fun!

End-of-Week Celebrations

• December 19: Our band students will be performing for their peers during electives. 5th and 6th grades will swap lunch times this day to accommodate the performances.
• December 20: We’ll start the morning with chorus caroling, followed by fun activities throughout the day. Early dismissal is at 1:00 PM. Make sure your child has transportation arrangements in place.

Family Life Education

This week in P.E. classes, students will cover their Family Life unit. Virginia’s standards include topics such as family relationships, safety, puberty, and more. If you’d like to preview the Winchester Public Schools’ family life curriculum pacing guide, you can find it on the WPS website. Please see the letter attached below for more information. A copy was given to students. Only return the document to your child’s teacher if you opt out.

Weapons Detectors Starting in January

Beginning in January, the Daniel Morgan Campus will implement weapons detectors to enhance school safety.

• January 6 (DMMS) and January 13 (DMIS): Students will remove their Chromebooks from their backpacks before passing through the detectors.
• Common Items That May Set Off Detectors (not a complete list):
  • Adult-size scissors
  • Aerosol cans
  • Cameras
  • Chromebooks and laptops (remove before entering)
  • Eyeglass cases
  • iPads and tablets
  • Metal utensils (e.g., forks)
  • Three-ring binders larger than 1.5 inches
  • Umbrellas
  • Water bottles with metal components
  • Wheeled, rolling backpacks

Note: Keys and cell phones do not typically set off alarms. We’ll review these procedures with students before winter break so they’re prepared when they return in January.

We appreciate your continued support and enthusiasm. Let’s make this last week before break a great one!

Warm regards,
Sam Gates
Principal

• December 16th: DMMS Wrestling Home (5:15) & DMMS Volleyball @ Warren County (5:15)
• December 17th: DMMS Volleyball Home (5:15)
• December 19th: DMMS Wrestling @ Warren County (5:15) & DMMS Volleyball Home (5:15)
• December 20th: End of Grading Period and Early Dismissal

• December 23rd-January 3rd- No school for students

December 20th: Early dismissal @ 1:00 for students

• Did anyone do anything silly to make you laugh?
• What did you do that was creative?
• What was the best thing that happened today?

Our SEL curriculum is currently focusing on teaching students about social awareness. To help your child learn about the need for respectful behavior, talk with them about your beliefs and expectations, and work with them to come up with a list of your family’s values, like trust, respect, kindness, and generosity. After you have this list, ask your child to identify three different ways that your child can apply these values in social situations. You may also want to write out all of this information on a poster board and hang it in a central area in your home as a reminder of your family’s values and expectations.