Dragon Community,

As we progress through the school year, I want to emphasize the crucial role you play in your child’s academic success. Your involvement and support at home are key factors in ensuring that your child reaches their full potential.

Monitor Academic Progress: Regularly checking your child’s grades and assignments is essential. This helps you stay informed about their progress and identify any areas where they might need additional support. Many of our students benefit greatly when their parents are actively engaged in their academic journey.

Daily Conversations: I encourage you to ask your child about their school day every day. Simple questions like “What did you learn today?” or “Do you have any homework?” can open up meaningful conversations and help you understand their academic experiences and challenges. These daily check-ins can make a significant difference in their motivation and performance.

Why It Matters: Monitoring your child’s grades and academic activities at home not only keeps you informed but also shows your child that you value their education. This can boost their confidence and encourage them to take their studies seriously. Your involvement can help them develop good study habits and a positive attitude towards learning.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. Together, we can ensure that every student achieves their best.

DJMS Administration

1. Current Gradebook Grades

Parents, I want to give a grade update. Currently, there are 6,400 individual grades inserted in Focus for our students. 706 out of 6,400 grades are an "F." This means 11% of our student body has at least one "F". Please take the time and discuss grades with your students. Note, all teachers are required to insert 1 grade per week.

2. Tutoring

Dragon Community, tutoring will begin soon! This week we will solidify our tutoring plan. Our goal is to begin Tutoring the week of Sept. 30. Please see the next newsletter for updated tutoring information.

3. Hispanic Heritage Night- Wed. Oct. 2- 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Save the date! Our Hispanic Heritage Night will be on 10/02/24. This is a free event for our Dragon parents and community members! Our plans are more than halfway confirmed! More to information to come!

4. No School- Friday, Sept. 27

Dragons, due to a staff development day, there is no school this Friday, Sept. 27! Enjoy this 3-day weekend!! See you back on Monday, Sept. 30!

1. See Something, Say Something

Parents, we want to teach our students the importance of reporting unsafe situations. Whether it may be student harassment, bullying, safety concerns, or anything uncomfortable, please help us reinforce the message of "see something, say something." Any student may report any activity to a school adult. Please ensure to have conversations with your students to refrain from gossip and spread of inaccurate information. Serious and safety concerns need to be transferred to adults immediately. False information that is purposefully known will have serious consequences.

2. Parent Portal Sign Up

The best way to know live data of your student's performance is through the parent portal! Here you can see grades, attendance, discipline referrals, teacher notes, and testing information in live time. For your reference, below you will find the attachment to sign up. I highly recommend this for all parents!

3. Bullying & Harassment

DJMS will be a zero-tolerance school for bullying and harassment. With a lot of negative influences hurting student emotions, we will not cultivate an environment where students do not feel safe. Therefore, if a confirmed student investigation shows to be substantiated, the consequence as outlined in the SDOC Code of Conduct will be fully executed. So please help us teach our students that kindness goes a long way. If there are students that your child does not want to associate with, simply ask them to turn the other way and make friends with those who support them in a positive manner. Also, bystanders are not cool. We want to teach our students that it is expected to report inappropriate behavior or misconduct that can hurt a student emotionally. Any school dean, teacher, counselor, or administrator can receive these concerns.

4. Ask Questions

Parents, please ask your child frequent questions regarding school. Whether it relates to academics, social life, athletics, or extracurriculars, I firmly believe it is important you are always constantly in the know!

Cross Country:

Schedule attached! Mr. Gutierrez will select the specific Cross Country Meets that DJMS will attend.

Open Gym- Volleyball

Open gym volleyball will begin on Thursday, Sept. 26 immediately after school. Interested students will report to the gym. Please see Ms. McKenzie for questions related to Open Gym- Volleyball.

A physical must be on file.

PM 1 Data: To Date

ELA Completion Rate (6-8 Total): 98%

Math Completion Rate (6-8 Total): 86%

Final math wave to be completed early next week. Our final PM 1 Data will be posted on next week's newsletter.

Pep Rally- Thursday, Oct. 10

We will run a Wednesday Schedule on this Thursday (to allow instruction for all 8 periods). From 3:25 - 4:25 pm the Pep Rally will be held in the gym.

Gateway HS will be on campus. Please see the updated schedule below:

• 3:10 pm - 3:25 pm: Drumline march through DJMS Hallways w/ GWHS Cheerleaders
• 3:35 pm - 3:55 pm: Round 1 of Pep Rally (200 students)
• 4:00 pm - 4:25 pm- Round 2 of Pep Rally (200 students)

Attendance Criteria (To Date):

• No Tardies
• No Referrals
• No F's (current grades)

Homecoming Dance- Friday, Oct. 11

• PBIS Free Event
• Criteria yet to be determined
• We will run a modified schedule. Note, the dance will be approximately 2 hours. (more information to come)

Parents,

DJMS needs your help! We would love parent volunteers to assist with the following:

1. Media Center Help- Library Movement and Textbook Organization (requires physical movement)

2. PTA Chapter? I would love to open one!

3. Athletics & Fine Arts Parent Boosters!

4. Mentors for Students

5. 50th Anniversary Committee! DJMS turns 50 this year! Committee Sign Up Link is Below:

https://forms.office.com/r/vGpWPVcaQN

Parents & Community- if any of these items are of interest, simply contact Mr. Hernandez directly at Marc.Hernandez@osceolaschools.net or 689.261.3280 (District Cellphone)

As a friendly reminder, all volunteers must be Oasis Approved. Please see the information below to begin the registration process! It's quick and easy!

Volunteer Application (schoolcheckin.net)

1. Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 - October 15

• Evening Event- 10/02/24- 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
  
  

2. Homecoming Dance- October 11, 2024 (3:25 pm - 4:25 pm)

Committee is meeting this week to finalize qualification details.

3. Dragon Pep Rally- October 10, 2024 (3:25 pm - 4:25 pm)

Committee is meeting this week to finalize qualification details.

4. Algebra I/Geometry/Biology/Pre-AP World History/Spanish Courses:

Ensure daily assignments are completed as this is a high-level course. GPA counts now!

5. SAC Meeting Dates

Next meeting is this Thursday, Oct. 24 @ 4:30 pm (Leadership Conference Room)

6. Coffee w/ Principal Hernandez (Parents)

Thursday, Oct. 3 @ 9:45 am- To review school concerns, provide suggestions, or seek clarity

7. Picture Day- Monday, September 30!

All students received the information regarding picture day! Students will take their school pictures during the social studies period.