Bobcat Bulletin

Hello Bobcats!

My apologies for the tardiness of this week's newsletter. My daughter, Alexandra, graduated from Texas State University this past weekend, and we celebrated her and all of her accomplishments as a family. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a double minor in Honors Studies and Pre-Medical Studies. She is taking a gap year to work as an EMT before beginning her medical school journey, and we could not be any prouder of her!

Thank you for all of the appreciation that was shown for each of our educators last week! We definitely felt the love!

As we wrap up the school year and continue celebrating the many accomplishments of our Bobcats, I could not be prouder. Thank you for entrusting us with your children each and every day—it’s a responsibility we never take lightly. The end of the school year always feels like a marathon, not a sprint, but it’s also a time to reflect on the incredible growth our students have shown—not just academically, but in their extracurricular passions as well. From band concerts and dance recitals to fine arts showcases and athletic competitions, our Bobcats continue to shine with creativity, passion, and poise in everything they do.

This week will be super busy! Lots of great information to share! Make it a great week, and Go Bobcats! 🐾💙

~Mrs. Ricks

Monday, May 12th: Golf @ Waxahachie

Tuesday, May 13th:🎂 Adrienne Austin's Birthday 🎂; 🎂 Lisa Wood's Birthday 🎂; Band Solo Performances/Concert

Wednesday, May 14th:🎂 Dana Caudle's Birthday 🎂; DMS Field Day & Kickbrawl Tournament

Thursday, May 15th:🎂 Emma Adair's Birthday 🎂; Dance Spring Showcase Dress Rehearsal

Friday, May 16th: 5th Grade Visits; Spring Dance Showcase

Saturday, May 17th: MHS/MHHS Graduation

Looking ahead: 5/19 🎂 Jenny Brown's Birthday 🎂; StuCo Field Trip; mxINCedu Pitch Day; Cleburne Golf Tournament; Virtual PTO Meeting; 5/20 High School Course Semester Exams; DMS Fine Arts Showcase; 6th Grade Laptop Collection; 5/21 High School Course Semester Exams; 7th Grade Laptop Collection; 5/22 Last Day of School Early Release @ 1:00 p.m. with 8th Grade Clap Out @ 12:45; 8th Grade Laptop Collection

Students will NOT get to keep their MISD issued Chromebooks over the summer. We will be collecting the devices through ELAR classes next week. Please ensure that your student turns in both his/her laptop and charger on the designated day. If your student will be absent next week, he/she must turn in the device to the Technology Hub before the end of this week.

Hey Team – Get Your School Gear for Next Year!

Our online store is officially open, and we’d love for you to grab some awesome gear for next year!

Important details:

• The store will close next Friday, so be sure to get your order in before then.

• Orders will not be processed until the store closes.

• Please allow 5–10 days for processing after the store closes.

• All items will be shipped directly to your home.

Let’s show our school spirit in style! Reach out to Coach Lupe Brister if you have any questions.

Check it out HERE

DMS wants to honor our educators who go above and beyond to provide students with an exceptional learning experience. Using this Google Form, please nominate a staff member who models and encourages the Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) tenets of empathy, self-direction, teamwork, courage, perseverance, and integrity. Please take a moment to recognize anything big or small they've done to make a positive difference at DMS.

The following food trucks will be on site for Wednesday's Field Day:

• MISD Food Truck (students can use their lunch accounts to pay for their meals; free/reduced lunch fees are honored)
• Crazy 8's BBQ
• King-A-Ling Truck (Burgers)
• Nacho Loco
• Porch Swing Iced Tea
• Travelin' Tom's Coffee
• Donut NV
• PTO Concessions

Students may use cash, card, or Apple Pay for the majority of the trucks (except MISD truck). The pre-order deadline closed last Friday, but they can wait in line to order. The lunch periods will be 1 hour long on Wednesday to accommodate everyone making it through the lines.

Hello current 7th Grade Bobcat Parents! This is Heather Adams with the PTO sharing some important information, hoping to clear up any confusion about Project Graduation 2030!

First Off, What is Project Graduation and why should I care about it now, when my kid is in 7th grade?!

"Project Graduation" includes Middle School graduation (8th grade, or May 2026) AND High School Graduation (12th grade, or May 2030)!

That's right, our kids are about to graduate MIDDLE SCHOOL next year!! This next school year's (25/26) fundraising efforts with not only make their 8th grade graduation events unforgettable celebrations, it will also kickstart the celebrations for their SENIOR YEAR! (29/30)

Being new to Texas, I struggled to grasp this concept, but once you do- it makes total sense! As to not complete with current seniors trying to raise money at Midlothian High School, the lowerclassmen (9th, 10th, and 11th graders) are NOT eligible to fundraise for their own senior year until the current senior class has graduated. Therefore, whatever we raise in 8th grade is all we get until they're seniors- so the more we do now, the less strain it will be on us starting senior year!

The first step of getting started is to elect a board for the Class of 2030- it's just a one year commitment to help organize fundraisers and events happening in 8th grade. If you're interested in being on the board, please fill out the interest form (attached below) and let us know! Below is a list of open positions and tentative student and fundraising events.

PTO meets every month (every other month is virtual or in-person), so if project graduation meets right after the PTO meeting, it would be a monthly meeting. If you haven't joined the 2030 Project Graduation on the SPORTSYOU app, please do! LOTS of valuable 8th grade info will be posted there! Code: ZSN4-ETZ6.

Please feel free to respond via email with any questions you may have and follow Dieterich Bobcats PTO on Facebook!

Thanks for your time!

24/25 PTO Secretary,

Heather Adams

Feedback is a blessing! Please provide us with your feedback so that we can make any needed adjustments for the 2025-2026 school year. Your voice matters, and we appreciate your partnership!

Student safety is our top priority! PLEASE SLOW DOWN IN THE FRONT PARKING LOT!!! WE HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW NEAR MISSES LATELY, SO PLEASE DO YOUR PART IN ENSURING OUR STUDENTS' SAFETY!!!

Please review the campus traffic map below regarding parent pick-up and drop-off. The "Buses Only" box indicates the bus lane...parents are NOT allowed to drop-off or pick-up in the rear of the school or front parking lot (SPED buses only). The blue line indicates the parent drop-off/pick-up traffic pattern. There are two lanes for drop-off/pick-up. If you are in the right lane (building side), your student will need to exit/enter the vehicle on the right side of the vehicle. If you are in the left lane (parking lot side), your student will need to exit/enter the vehicle on the left side of the vehicle. When in line, please pull forward as close to the front crosswalk as possible instead of stopping and waiting for your student to find you... this keeps the traffic moving smoothly. Please encourage your child to always use the crosswalks when crossing the street or parking lot. There is a new crosswalk near the Somercrest neighborhood. If your student needs to cross the street to get home, please bring this new crosswalk to his/her attention. Please do NOT encourage your child to meet you where any of the X's are marked on the map, and please do not stop on the street to pick up your student. Additionally, please avoid making u-turns while in our school zone. We appreciate your support in ensuring our Bobcats are safe and the traffic flow is followed appropriately.

Please remind your kiddos to wash their hands frequently, drink plenty of water, and get plenty of rest in an effort to mitigate illnesses.

Just a few attendance reminders:

• Absence notes should be emailed to lisa.wood@midlothianisd.org within 24 hours of the absence.
• When you email the school, please include the student's first name, last name, and ID#. Student nicknames can cause confusion with attendance coding.
• If you feel that there is an error for a particular class period, please email the teacher directly first. For example, if your student was tardy and the teacher accidentally marked your student absent, please email the teacher so the teacher can submit an absence correction form.
• Please remember that we have approximately 1,000 students on campus, so it may take 1-2 business days for the update to show in Skyward. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Will your student ride the bus in 2025-26?

Please complete a bus rider contract and submit by July 11, 2025. All students must have a current Bus Rider Contract on file for each year. If you did not submit a contract during your 2025-26 Returning Student Registration, please click the link below for the contract, fill it out, and return to the Transportation Department. Email all contracts to bus_contracts@midlothianisd.org or deliver to 601 E. Avenue E, Midlothian, TX 76065.

MISD Athletic Summer Camps - Registration is Open!

Staff Discount – Summer Camp

MISD Athletics is excited to offer a special $25 discount for MISD employees on summer camp registration! To use the discount, simply enter the code MISDSUMMER25 at checkout.

🔹 This discount is only for MISD employees and their children.
🔹 It does not apply to non-custodial grandchildren, nieces/nephews, or friends’ children.
🔹 Be ready to show your MISD ID badge at camp check-in.

Thank you for helping us keep this benefit exclusive to our amazing staff!

All Texas school districts are required by law to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. House Bill 3, Section 19 added Section 37.222 to the Texas Education Code, which requires the Texas School Safety Center, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety, to provide information and resources to school districts for the purpose of disseminating the information to parents. The Texas DPS launched a Keep ‘Em Safe Texas website that provides safety resources, materials, and tips for practicing safe gun storage to prevent accidents and keep children safe. Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com.

MISD prioritizes the safety and security of our staff and students. We ask our MISD visitors to help us in the effort to keep kids as safe as possible. MISD appreciates your patience as we follow these procedures. To learn more about campus security and visitor guidelines, visit https://bit.ly/3QqqQzl.

Website: https://dms.midlothianisd.org/
Location: Dieterich Middle School, 2881 Ledgestone Lane, Midlothian, TX 76065
Phone: (469) 856 - 5800

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dieterichMS/
Instagram: @dms.bobcats
X: @Principal_Ricks