The War Cry
August 2, 2024
WELCOME BACK WARRIORS!
Thank you to everyone who attended Warrior Welcome Day this week. We took 692 student photos, and it was wonderful to see so many students and families bringing life back into the building after the summer break. I am excited to welcome students back full-time next week!
Many common questions were raised, and I want to ensure everyone has the answers. Below are some of the frequently asked questions from Warrior Welcome Day:
Q1: When will we get our student IDs?
A1: Our students use a four-digit PIN for identification purposes such as checking in late, purchasing lunch, and borrowing books from the library. This year, we decided not to print student IDs as they were not serving any additional purpose.
Q2: What is the backpack policy?
A2: We are asking all students to use their lockers and only carry a string bag for necessary materials between classes. This policy, which was in place before COVID, is being reinstated for several positive reasons:
- Health and Safety: Backpacks can become very heavy to carry, especially for our younger students.
- Skill Development: Using lockers promotes important employability skills such as time-management, organization, and prioritization.
- Compliance with State Requirements: This helps manage the new state-mandated electronic device policy more effectively.
- Classroom Environment: Removing backpacks from classrooms frees up space, allowing for better student collaboration and interaction.
- If students have related arts first period, how will they get their materials to class?
- The bell releases students to the academic wings at 8:22 am, and first period starts at 8:33 am. This provides 11 minutes for students to visit their lockers and collect their materials.
- What if my child doesn't know how to use their locker?
- There is a learning curve, but our teachers are prepared to assist students with patience and guidance. Students will quickly become proficient at using their lockers.
- Why is the policy at the high school different than the one at the middle school?
- We make decisions at each building based on the unique situations of each building, to make the best choice for the safety and well-being of the students we serve.
Q3: What is the electronic device policy?
A3: Students are not allowed to use electronic devices during instructional time, per new state legislation. To comply, we are asking that devices be kept in lockers from 8:33 am to 3:24 pm. This policy minimizes distractions and helps maintain a focused learning environment.
Q4: My child has PLTW on their schedule. What is that?
A4: We are thrilled to offer a new course, PLTW (Project Lead the Way). This program includes the Launch Curriculum for 5th graders and the Design and Modeling Curriculum for 6th and 7th graders. These courses help students explore their interests and make informed decisions as they approach high school.
If you have questions about these points or any other concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher(s) or our front office. We are here to support you and provide insight into our decisions. Our goal is to create a learning environment that fosters academic and social growth for all students.
We look forward to greeting your child on Wednesday, August 7th! I hope you all enjoy this last weekend before the start-of-school kick-off next week!
Amanda Birkey-Principal
DCMS Meet the Teacher Night
District Back-to-School Newsletter
We can't wait to welcome our students back on August 7! To help you better prepare for the first few days of school, we have put together a Back-to-School newsletter. Be sure to check this out for important district-wide back-to-school information, including important dates to know, supply lists, immunization requirements, and more.
District Wide Important Dates
DCMS 24/25 Student Handbook
PLEASE READ-IMPORTANT CHANGES
Please check out the link below for the student-parent handbook. In light of some new state legislation policies, we've updated some of our expectations for students and families to stay in compliance. Notable changes can be found in Student Attendance, the Electronic Device Policy, and our Backpack policy. While the changes to our guidelines are not major, it is important that you are aware. If you have any questions about anything you read in the handbook, please reach out to our office for further guidance.
Back-to-School Drills
During the first few days of school, we will be conducting a fire drill, a tornado drill, and a lock down drill. We conduct these drills at the beginning of the year to make sure students understand our procedures and ensure all of our staff and faculty know how to best keep students safe in the event of an emergency. Sometimes drills can create anxiety for students as they start thinking about what a real emergency might be like, but it's important that if something happens, we all are prepared. We will continue to practice these drills monthly throughout the year to maintain and retain our procedures. Please have these conversations at home, as well, and let us know if you need our support in any way. We do our best to ease student concern and have positive conversations about practicing our emergency procedures.
DCMS 24/25 School Supply Lists
5th
6th
7th
8th
Save the Date
PTO Class Shirts
DCMS Athletics
News from DCSCPD
School Safety...
- Important Safety Info:
- STOPit Info
- SAFETY Hub Link https://poplme.co/dcscpolice
- Volunteer Background Check Procedures (see below)
- New Volunteer Background Check Procedures
- For the 2024-2025 school year, we are implementing a new procedure for volunteers. All new and existing volunteers will need to complete the Verkada application. This process consists of two steps: Step one involves filling out the application, and step two involves undergoing a background check. Step two is not required if a volunteer already has a current background check on file. Please view the file below for more information.
Please contact Chief of Police Matthew Oliphant at moliphant@danville.k12.in.us with any questions or concerns.
Welcome to the “Did you know” Blog!
Danville Community School Corporation
Police Department
Lunch Menu
Wednesday, August 7 Biscuit Sticks & Gravy w/ Scrambled Eggs, Seasoned Diced Potatoes, Nachos w/ Beef or Chicken, Fiesta Black Beans, BBQ Boneless Wings w/ Onion Rings, Spicy French Fries
Thursday, August 8 Pizza Hut Pizza, Brown Sugar Baked Beans, Asian Chicken Bar, Brown Rice, Asian Blend Vegetables, Buffalo Chicken Dip w/ Tortilla Chips, French Fries
Friday, August 9 Popcorn Chicken Mashed Potato Bowl w/ Biscuit, Corn, Chicken Tikka Masala w/ Naan Bread, Corn, King Size Soft Pretzel w/ Cheese Sauce, Tater Tots
Daily Options: Smart Mouth Pizza (Cheese, Pepperoni, Sausage, Combo or Cheesy Bread-Stuffed crust served on Thursdays only), Bosco Sticks, Smuckers Uncrustables (Strawberry or Grape), Double Decker PBJ Sandwich, Wrap/Salad/Sub Variety, Clux Deluxe Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Backyard Griller Burger, Fruit/Vegetable Bar(Slushy Juice/Sherbet on Fridays), Milk.
**Substitutions may occur due to shortages and demand. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
August Character Trait: Kindness
kind·ness
/ˈkīn(d)nəs/
noun
the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
· a kind act.
Nutrition Club
The Nutrition Club provides supplemental weekend food for children at North, South, and Middle School each Friday during the school year. We all struggle at some point. The goal of this program is to ease a bit of the struggle. You are welcome to sign-up at any point during the school year. The food will be sent home in a plastic bag that can fit inside a school backpack or be carried. You only complete one form per family. List all of your children that you would like to participate. Each child in your family will receive their own cinch sack or bag on Fridays throughout the school year. This program is the result of the generosity of the Danville community! Please contact Chrissy Larkin with any questions. clarkin9893@aol.com or 317-563-2498.
Sign up with the form below.
Free Science & Math Tutoring
Rose-Hulman’s AskRose Homework Help will open for calls, chat, email or video to get math and science homework help Sunday-Thursday, 5 PM to 10 PM EST by contacting 877-Ask-Rose or AskRose.org.
Tutors are available to help students in grades 6-12 through the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology by calling the Homework Hotline @ 1.877.275.7673 or by accessing the website via www.AskRose.org. Call toll-free from 7 PM to 10 PM (EDT) Sunday through Thursday.
Reporting Absences
Please call or email to report your student's absence. If your student is absent or late for any reason, please call 317-718-2331 or email msattendance@danville.k12.in.us to report the absence. This number and email are available 24 hours a day seven days a week.
About Us
DCSC Mission Statement: We commit to maximize our students' success through personalized experiences, so they make a difference in any community.
Attendance Line/Email - 317-718-2331 or msattendance@danville.k12.in.us (Available 24 hours a Day)
Please call or email by 8 A.M. if your child will be late to school or absent all day.
Student Hours
- Breakfast-eaters Only - 8:00 AM
- Locker - 8:22 AM
- Warning Bell - 8:31 AM
- Classes Start - at 8:33 AM; Be in your seat, please.
- Bus/Car Rider Dismissal - 3:24 PM
- Walkers - 3:32 PM
Bus Transportation Line - 317-745-6875
School Telephone # - 317-745-5491
Weekly Events
Monday, August 5
Football Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Volleyball Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday, August 6
Cross Country Practice-3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Football Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Volleyball Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Back to School Night -6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Wednesday, August 7
First Student Day
Cross Country Practice-3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Football Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Volleyball Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Thursday, August 8
Cross Country Practice-3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Football Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Volleyball Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Friday, August 9
Cross Country Practice-3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Football Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Volleyball Practice -3:30 PM to 5:30 PM