Danny Jones Middle School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

7th grade STAAR tests will be administered next week. Please note important testing dates below:

• May 17th Math
• May 18th Reading

As you prepare your student for testing, please be mindful of the following:

• Students should plan to arrive between 8:15 and 8:35am. Students will be released from their designated waiting areas to their testing rooms at 8:35am.
• Dress code will be strictly enforced. Students will not be allowed to wear pajamas or bring blankets. Backpacks will not be accessible during testing.
• Cell phones, smart watches, ear buds, or other personal electronic devices and accessories will not be allowed during testing. Students may choose to leave device accessories at home or surrender them to their test administrator prior to testing. These items will be returned after testing has been completed.
• Students will have four hours to complete each test.
• Students should bring a fully-charged MISD issued Chromebook and charging cable. Personal devices are not allowed.
• Students may bring their lunch or eat lunch from the cafeteria. No outside lunches will be allowed as lunch times may vary.
• Once testing has been completed, students will transition to a modified schedule.

Thank you for your support in ensuring a smooth testing experience for your student. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Orr or Mrs. Roberson.

LaDonnaOrr@misdmail.org

ThelmaRoberson@misdmail.org

Happy Testing!

DJMS Admin Team

What influenced you to become a school counselor, college advisor, social worker, or counselor leader?

When I think back, I have always had a passion for listening, helping, and being available to others, so being a school counselor was just a natural fit. At the beginning of working towards this career, the memories of not knowing my school counselor in middle and high school came back, and I felt charged to give students what I needed during those years.

Tell us about an initiative or change that you were a part of that promoted advocacy for fellow counselors or students. Describe how that change has impacted your role or the lives of students.

Until last year, I would have said my Student Ambassador program, but I would have to say the HOPE Squad. I am the advisor for the second year, and I love it and the impact it has had on our students and staff. HOPE Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. The members are nominated by the students and are trained by me to identify at-risk students, provide friendship, and seek help from an adult. We have HOPE Day once a month on our campus, and the amount of smiles and joy this one day brings is immeasurable. Students look forward to having a designated set of students who can listen to them and lead them to an adult to help them through their pains.

What are you most proud of in your current position?

I am most proud of having successful small groups each semester and being able to teach guidance lessons once every four weeks in a middle school. These are the best times of the month and where I feel I make the most impact with my students. Seeing my results in helping students be the best they can be makes me proud.

When the work gets hard, how do you find a balance between your work and personal life?

Finding the balance between work and personal life requires honesty. Honesty to myself means realizing that work will get hard, but you do not have to let it consume you. I do not work late more than once a week. I start my morning with positive affirmations and keep a schedule. I make students a priority when I am working, but my family is first when that day ends.

What advice would you give to future counselors, college advisors, or social workers?

Build relationships with other school counselors of all levels. Know that you cannot and will not fix everything, be everything, and change everything, but you ARE making an impact. If you keep the main thing, the main thing, then it will work out accordingly. Lastly, there will always be a reason to smile, laugh, and make someone else's day!

Parents,

Join us in celebrating the academic accomplishments and uniqueness of your student at the Annual DJMS Awards Ceremony.

8th Grade students will be honored, Wednesday, May 18th. 7th grade students will be honored Thursday, May 19th. Each ceremony will begin at 6pm in our gymnasium.

*If your student will be receiving an award, you will be notified via email.

Channing Collins, 8th Grader, played Volleyball both years starting at the Middle Blocker position. She has played an important role in the Athletic Program at Danny Jones, both 7th and 8th grade years. She is part of the relay teams in track as well as running individual events. She is a dedicated student in the classroom and a great leader for her classmates and teammates. She is also a part of Advanced Choir and is a standout softball player outside of school. Channing will continue to do great things. Congratulations, Channing!

LaQuisha Ross, Female Middle School Coach of the Month from Danny Jones, was selected for her passionate dedication not only to the Track program at Danny Jones but also to the overall campus environment. Coach Ross works hard and inspires student-athletes to perform at the highest level possible within their capabilities. Congratulations, Coach Ross!

Spring is here! And so are the allergies. Pollen is super high right now, and so are the cases of headaches, runny noses, and sore throats in the clinic. If your child takes allergy medicine, please make sure they are taking it before school every day. If you notice headaches and runny noses at home, they may need to start taking medicine if they are not. Help us make sure your child is prepared to learn without distractions!

Happy Friday Bulldog Families!

Next year we are planning to group orchestra students by levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

Beginners Class: No prior experience playing

Intermediate Class: 1 year of experience playing

(Incoming 7th graders currently enrolled in 6th grade orchestra at Mary Lillard)

Advanced Class: 2+ year of experience playing

(Incoming 7th - 8th graders currently enrolled in orchestra at Ben Barber Academy)

We are recruiting students for 6th grade, and would like to extend the invitation to 7th grade and 8th grade students, too. Students can come to the recruiting nights to try out instruments. We will be recruiting students on the following dates: March 31, April 27 at Mary Lillard IS (room 121) and April 28, May 10, and May 18 at Mary Orr IS (room 110).

Click the buttons below for more information!

Please direct questions to Carmen Pizarro, Orchestra Director at Mary Lillard IS:

carmenpizarrodelgado@misdmail.org

Upcoming Events Sponsored by our school counselors, Mrs. Roberson and Mrs. Willis

Parents and Students: Please reach out to your counselors, Mrs. Roberson and Mrs. Willis for any needs you may have. We have access to food, school supplies, and hygiene items. If we do not have it, we will figure out a way to help you.

The Danny Jones Middle School Counseling are pleased to offer several small group counseling opportunities throughout the year to assist students to reach their full personal and academic potential. The groups are usually six to eight sessions meeting weekly/biweekly. The groups are typically closed ended groups, meaning that students are not added to existing groups (after the groups have begun) unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances and group dynamics allow for new members. All groups are confidential. Students are considered for group participation based on teacher/administrator recommendations and parent request.

Time and Duration

Groups will typically meet during the school day(unless before or after school works) for 4-6 sessions approximately 30 minutes.

Confidentiality

Participation is voluntary and student confidentiality will be addressed and respected.

Possible Small groups:(created based on sign up. We prefer groups to be 5-6 people)

Grief

Managing Stress and Anxiety

Peer relations and social skills

Anger Management

Self Esteem

Changing Families and Divorce

If you are interested in having your son/daughter participate in any group, please email one of our counselors.

Danny Jones Parents,

$10 Supports DJMS for the whole year! There is a one time $1.50 processing fee. You can sign up students, friends, parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles! A portion of the funds raised from your membership go to DJMS. Please consider joining this year! Thank you.

Get involved, get informed and join your PTA. Go to www.joinpta.org.

Follow these steps after you click the link:

1. Select Join PTA

2. Select Mansfield ISD

3. Select Danny Jones Middle School

4. Enter your information

Have questions? Call Amber Danford, PTA volunteer and mom of three DJMS students, at 214.995.5216.

Already a member and want to volunteer? Contact us at dannyjonespta@gmail.com for more information.

All you need is your smartphone! Download the mobile app to scan your store receipts within 14 days of purchase. You can instantly add box top $$$ to our Bulldog school's earnings! It's fast, easy, and a great way to help DJMS!

Did you know Kroger has a FREE rewards program that will pay our school money because you shop there? Just link your Kroger Rewards Card, or alternate ID, with Danny Jones, and for a full year Kroger will donate a portion your total purchases to DJMS PTA. Let’s get started!

• Go to: https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow
• Sign in, or create an account if you do not already have one
• Click on “Community” then “Kroger Community Rewards”
• Search for “Danny Jones,” select it, then click “Enroll”
• Even if you selected Danny Jones last year, you must ENROLL AGAIN for Danny Jones to receive proceeds for your purchases for this year. We appreciate your help!

Free meals for all Mansfield ISD students will continue for the 2021-22 school year.

Every MISD student is eligible for one free breakfast meal and one free lunch meal every school day through May 26, the last day of school.

Click the button below for more information!

SchoolCafé is a safe and secure way for parents to monitor student(s) account balance, view purchases and payments and set up low balance email alerts.

For additional information, select the buttons below.