Super Viking Parents and Guardians

We are thrilled to report that we have had a fantastic start to the school year at Dulles Middle School! As we move forward, our focus is sharpened on teaching and learning while addressing the needs of the whole student.

Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Our dedicated teachers continue to provide exceptional instruction through well-planned lessons. We utilize Professional Learning Communities (PLC) where our educators collaborate to meet the diverse needs of all our students, tailoring our approach to enhance learning outcomes effectively. However, we have noticed a concerning trend with many students not submitting their assignments. Our teachers have been proactively reminding students, extending deadlines, employing progressive testing strategies, and offering tutorial sessions to support completion of these tasks. It is crucial for you as parents to monitor your child’s progress via Skyward to ensure they are taking ownership of their learning and completing their assignments.

Celebrating Student Achievements
On a positive note, I am proud to share that we have seen a remarkable 50 percent reduction in student referrals this year, building on last year’s 41 percent improvement in overall discipline. This success is partly due to the enhanced systems and structures we have implemented, the invaluable support from our Vikes Dads program, and most importantly, our students' commitment to "living above the line." This initiative has encouraged them to take ownership of their behavior, leading to a more positive school environment. We ask for your help in maintaining this momentum. Please ensure your students feel supported in reporting any instances of bullying or negative interactions. Together, we can further reduce negative behaviors and significantly improve the educational outcomes for all our students.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are making Dulles Middle School a beacon of learning and character development. WE are Dulles... We Live Above the LIne

Here are some updates.

SchooLinks:

Families, please log into SchooLinks, FBISD’s college and career platform for students and familiarize yourself with the platform. Visit app.schoolinks.com/login/member to access the login page for Guardians.

Student of the Month for October INTEGRITY:

The Character Trait of the Month is INTEGRITY. In advisory, students are learning about how they can show integrity and honesty in life. The goal is to empower future leaders! Students of the Month will be selected by teachers and announced on DMS’ social media channels. Check out September’s winners on our DMS YouTube channel, DMS Vikings.

Bully Prevention Month

October is Bully prevention month and students are learning how to avoid bullying, be more kind to each other, and how to work together collaboratively. Monday October 7th is World Bully Prevention Day. Students will wear BLUE. Wednesday October 16th is Unity Day. We will wear orange.

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

8th grade students will participate in Career Day on October 9th. Please allow students to dress up in business attire as if they are going on an interview.

On October 23rd all 8th graders in FBISD will take the College Board PSAT 8/9.

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.

Dulles MS's mission is to provide all students with a quality education that will equip them for a future beyond what they can imagine. In helping us achieve this mission, we will be providing an intervention opportunity for students who need additional support to meet grade level standards on targeted skills.

We are introducing our Viking Voyage program this year to 6-8 Math and ELA and 8 Science and Social Studies. The Viking Voyage sessions will be held from 4:10 – 6:00 PM on specific dates. We will also be providing a 6:00 PM Academic Bus transportation and a light snack will be provided to those who stay. If you are interested in your child participating in this program please reach out to your child's math, ELA, 8th grade science and social studies teacher to sign them up. They will provide you with the exact dates.

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.

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.

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.

Boys’ basketball tryouts will be held on October 28-30, after school from 4:15pm – 6:30pm. Any 7th or 8th grade boy who wishes to tryout for the team must have an athletic physical uploaded and approved in RankOne by October 28th. Please email Coach Powell (Jarold.powell@fortbendisd.gov) with questions or concerns.

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.

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 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.