Principal Newsletter

We are off to a fantastic start this school year—one of the best I’ve seen in my over 20 years as an educator. Our students have come to school ready and eager to learn, and this is due in large part to the expectations set by you, our dedicated parents, our committed teachers, and the students themselves taking ownership of their education.

To maintain this momentum, it is crucial that parents continue to reinforce these expectations at home, just as our teachers will continue to do in the classroom. When students take ownership of their learning, they become more engaged and motivated, which leads to greater academic success. By encouraging your child to set goals, reflect on their progress, and take responsibility for their education, you are helping to foster independence and a lifelong love of learning.

I also want to emphasize the importance of the partnership between parents and the school. At Dulles Middle School, we are fortunate to have the best teachers in the world. I don’t say this lightly or simply because I am the principal—I say it because it is a fact. Our teachers come to school every day with a commitment to providing the highest quality educational experiences for our students. I know we have awesome parents, and when the school and parents have synergy, our students are the benefactors.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our teachers. We are off to a great year, and I am confident it will only get better. Here are some updates.

Wearing Student Badges

All students are required to visibly display their Student ID badge during normal school hours while on campus. The badge must be worn above the waist with the student’s picture clearly visible. Exceptions are afforded for students participating in vigorous activity related to recess or a PE credit class. Elementary students in PreK, Kindergarten, first grade, and self-contained classrooms are exempt from displaying badges during the school day.

Student Badge Use

Student badges provide access to services within the building, including the following access/check-ins:

• Cafeteria meal payments

• Library services

• Students who ride the Bus

• Entrance to campus events (dances, pep rallies, etc.)

• Entrance to games

• Students and Staff entering campus locations (effective date TBD)

Student Badge Replacement

There are several reasons a student might need a replacement badge and no badge replacement fee will be required for the following circumstances:

• Student enrolls at a new campus

• Student appearance changes significantly

• Legal name change

Students are expected to turn in their old ID when a new one is provided.

Students who lose their badge will be offered temporary identification. If the old badge cannot be located replacement fees may be required.

Please refer to the Badge Replacement Fee Schedule in Exhibit B

Temporary Identification – Secondary Students Only

If a secondary student arrives at school without a badge, they will be given a temporary wristband to wear during the school day at the beginning of their first period on campus. The student must wear the wristband all day. The student’s name is recorded by the issuing staff member to assist with tracking.

Clinic reminders:

-All medication needs a physician's order to be administered at school that includes OTC medications.

-Please, keep your child home if ill. We have been seeing an increase in clinic visits due to illness.

Welcome to a new school year filled with possibilities and unforgettable moments! Don’t miss the opportunity to preserve your student’s memories with the 2025 Dulles Middle School Yearbook.

Act fast! Lock in the special early bird price of just $40 before September 13, 2024, and take advantage of our limited-time bonus: free personalization icons when you personalize your student’s yearbook.

We’re thrilled to announce the return of our yearbook signing event! This much-anticipated gathering is a chance for students to relive the highlights of the year and leave messages for each other that will last a lifetime.

Plus, with Jostens' interest-free payment plans available online, owning a piece of this year’s history has never been easier.

Don’t wait—secure your copy today!

To purchase online, please visit: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A08606490 or send your student with cash or check made out to “Dulles Middle School” to room 106 on campus. If there are questions or concerns, email david.hale@fortbendisd.gov

Student of the Month RESPECT:

The Character Trait of the Month is RESPECT. In advisory, students are learning about how they can be more respectful to each other, their families, and the school. The goal is to empower future leaders! Students of the Month will be selected by teachers and announced on DMS’ social media channels.

Viking Victory Hour

During Advisory on Wednesdays, students will focus on checking Skyward and Schoology, completing missing assignments, and studying. Please encourage your student to use this time wisely. It will help them develop great study and organization habits.

Check Skyward

Please continue to check Skyward and review your student’s grades and progress. Reach out to your student’s teachers if you have any questions about their grades in a particular class. We are here to support you and your students. Let’s work together as a team!

Want Updates on what’s going on at DMS?

Join our DMS Facebook for pictures, updates, and school news https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550952656159&mibextid=D4KYlr

Follow our www.Instagram.com/dms_vikings_

Career Day

We are currently looking for Career Day Volunteers and would be honored if you could join us and share insights about your career.

If interested, or if you’d like to refer a friend or colleague, please complete the form by scanning the QR code on your phone.

Beginning this year, students in Fort Bend ISD will complete NWEA MAP computer-adaptive assessments three times a year to gain information about what students know and what they are ready to learn next. MAP also gives insight into how students are growing academically, allowing you to track your student's progress throughout the school year and across multiple years. Families will have access to their child's results after each testing window. NWEA MAP is replacing Renaissance 360. For more information, visit the NWEA Family Toolkit linked here or contact your child’s teacher.

Need help with your homework, or just a quiet place to work? Maybe meet with a partner on a class project? The Zone is for you! Please join your fellow Vikings every Tuesday and Thursday

from 4:10 – 5:10 😀

There will be four cores academic DMS teachers along with Dulles HS National Honor Society students on hand to offer tutorials! See the attached flyer for dates and transportation options.

Our distribution of student laptops was recently completed, and student usage is off to a great start. We are working with students as needed to address any technology concerns as they arise with support from district IT support. If you haven’t had a chance to purchase insurance and would like to do so, please use the following link to access RevTrak payments: https://fortbendisd.revtrak.net/departments-group/fbisd-information-technology/fbisd-student-issued-laptop/#/list

Our Fall Book Fair was a huge success. Thank you to everyone for your support. The funds raised support library materials and programming. If you missed out on this fair, mark your calendars for our Spring Fair happening in March.

Finally, we are excited to welcome author J. Scott Savage on Tuesday, September 10. He will be speaking to our 6th grade students during advisory about his soon to be released illustrated novel, Quantum Interstellar Sports League. Families interested in purchasing an autographed copy to be delivered after the publication date should return the attached order form and exact cash payment to Mrs. Hodges by Friday, September 13, 2024. To find out more about Mr. Savage, please visit his website https://www.jscottsavage.com/

Please come out and support our Lady Vikings Volleyball team this season! We would love to see you there! Game tickets can be purchased at www.gofan.co.

. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Student Dress Code

The District believes the Student Dress Code shall promote the attributes of the Profile of a Graduate. Therefore, students are expected to dress in a way that promotes respect for self and others, a safe learning environment, and honors the diversity of the learning community. Students and parent/guardians may determine the student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided they comply with the general guidelines set forth in this Code and Board policy FNCA (Local). Generally, students shall be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat, does not cause distraction from learning, and that does not disrupt the learning environment. The District prohibits pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing that advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other prohibited substance. Students must comply with the following dress and grooming standards, including in online learning platforms

Shirts, Blouses, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Vests •

Shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, sweaters, vests that expose undergarments and/or midriff are prohibited; • Shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, sweaters, vests must not depict or reference alcohol, drugs, tobacco, weapons, nudity, gang affiliation, death, violence, vulgar or obscene language or images, and/or insults to race, religion, gender, or ethnicity, or other emblems or writing that may be expected to cause a material or substantial disruption of, or interference with, normal school operations.

Dresses, Jumpers, Skirts, Shorts, Skorts, Pants, and Jeans •

Dresses, jumpers, skirts, and skorts may be worn at a length that is slightly above mid-thigh; Shorts, jeans, and all pants shall be worn at the hip or higher and must cover undergarments; Shorts may be worn at a length that is approximately above mid-thigh;

Leggings, Stretch pants

Athletic wear, which may include yoga pants, stretch leggings and fitness tights, are permissible as long as they do not reveal undergarments, do not have sections of seethrough material, or are worn with a shirt that covers the posterior, or are not disruptive to the school environment. Shoes • Shoes shall be worn, and if designed to be tied shall be properly tied;

Unsafe footwear is not permitted (i.e., house shoes, slippers); and • Appropriate shoes must be worn during PE/athletics classes, as well as during lab activities in science, CTE, etc.

Hair • All hair, including facial hair, shall be neat, clean, and well groomed, and worn in a style that is not distractive; • Mustaches, beards, or goatees shall be neat, clean, and well groomed, and worn in a style that does not display derogatory remarks, symbols, or statements that disrupts the learning environment. Hair markings must not depict or reference alcohol, drugs, tobacco, weapons, nudity, gang affiliation, violence, vulgar or obscene language, or images that substantially disrupt or interfere with normal school operations. Drawings, icons, and/or other markings cut into the hair, including eyebrows, and not associated with required religious markings or hairstyles are not permitted.

Miscellaneous •

Proper undergarments shall be worn at all times; • Revealing clothing of any type may not be worn; • No clothing that has been ripped, torn, or cut in a way as to reveal undergarments, midriff, chest, or posterior; • Clothing including face coverings with profanity, obscene patches, references to alcohol, drugs, weapons or tobacco, or anything that may be construed as violent, vulgar or obscene Must have straps Length can be slightly above midthigh Entire area from armpit to armpit down to midthigh Clothing must cover areas from one armpit to the other armpit, down to the mid-thigh. Tops must have shoulder straps and be long enough to adequately cover the waistline and not expose the midriff.