PDCMS Panther Update

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we near the end of the semester, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on some of the exciting events and important reminders for our school community.

Last week, we had the privilege of welcoming award-winning author Jasmine Warga to our campus on Wednesday, December 5th. The visit was a tremendous success! Students were captivated by her stories and insights into the writing process. Some lucky students even had the chance to enjoy lunch with her, where they engaged in thoughtful conversations about books, creativity, and inspiration. It was a memorable experience for all involved.

Our "Say Something" assemblies, which focused on the importance of speaking up and seeking help when needed. We encourage you to continue this conversation at home. Talk with your student about identifying a trusted adult at school they can turn to for support if you are not available. Building these connections strengthens our community and ensures every student feels safe and supported.

Important Reminders:

• No Food Deliveries: Beginning immediately, we will no longer be accepting food deliveries for students. Please plan accordingly to ensure your student has their lunch or snack with them before arriving at school.
• Cell Phone Policy: Please remind your student that cell phones must remain in backpacks at all times during the school day. If a student needs to contact home, they may ask an adult, and we will gladly assist them. This policy helps us maintain a focused and respectful learning environment.
• As the semester comes to a close, please take a moment to check your student’s academic progress on ParentVUE. Grades will be issued at the end of December, and it’s important to review any missing assignments or areas where support may be needed. Let’s work together to finish the semester strong!
  

Lastly, December is a month filled with celebrations of diverse holidays and traditions. We encourage a spirit of inclusion and respect for all. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn from one another and embrace the richness of our diverse community.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Let’s finish the semester with positivity, reflection, and celebration!

Warm regards,
Deborah Dolan
Principal, PDCMS

PDCMS recently held its annual spelling bee, showcasing the incredible talents of over 80 student participants. The competition was fierce, with students demonstrating poise, determination, and an impressive command of language. After an intense showdown that lasted 19 thrilling rounds, Katy won, Congratulations to our outstanding winner and our remarkable runner-ups for their hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Their achievement is a testament to the dedication and spirit of excellence that defines the PDCMS community. Please see below for a list of our runner-ups.

2nd place:

David Lee Fulinara-6th grade

3rd place:

Marlo Bachli-8th grade

4th place:

Ava Fitchpatrick-6th grade

Masyn Capraro-8th grade

Jonah Adelman-8th grade

5th place:

Jack Allen-8th grade

Eligh Murrillo-8th grade

Nirvaan Nettimi-6th grade

Arthur Matej-8th grade

Hassan Taher-7th grade

• Dec 11th - Governing Council Meeting 3:30 PM in Room 126 or via Zoom
• Dec 12th - Band Winter Concert 6:00 pm Admission is FREE!
• Dec 13th - Renaissance Rally Assemblies
• Dec 16th - Spirit Week Flannel and Crazy Socks
• Dec 17th - Spirit Week Dress as a Holiday Character
• Dec 18th - Spirit Week wear White for a Whiteout Day
• Dec 19th - Spirit Week Ugly Sweater Day
• Dec 20th - Spirit Week Crazy Hair/Hat Day **Minimum Day**
• Dec 23rd -Jan 5th - Winter Break ** NO SCHOOL**

Our Panthers are preparing for Winter Sports Season featuring Boys and Girls Basketball and Girls Soccer. Games will start in January. Please be on the look out for the calendar in the upcoming Panther Updates.

Special Guest Speaker: Tiffany Norton, Chief Innovation and Information Officer of DSUSD

Join us for "Coffee with the Counselors" at PDCMS in person or via Zoom. Designed for parents to connect with our counselors to gain valuable tools and insights for navigating the challenges of parenting a middle schooler. This informal gathering is the perfect opportunity to discuss strategies for supporting your child’s academic, social, and emotional development, as well as preparing them for the transition to high school. Whether you have specific questions or just want to listen and learn, we encourage all parents to attend and make the most of this resourceful event. Let's work together to ensure your child is ready for the next step in their educational journey!

Below is a link to our Coffee with the Counselor's video library. Here you can catch up on our team presenting a variety of important topics for you and your students.

Coffee with the Counselor's Video Library

Please see below for how you can honor your 8th-Grader in this year's yearbook.

The PDCMS AVID Club and Classes are sponsoring a Toys for Tots drive this year. If we can collect 500 toys between now and December 19th, all PDCMS students will earn a free shirt day. There is a box in the front office, a box in the back office, and a box in front of Mrs. Foster's classroom, room 502. Please bring in new, unwrapped toys and place them in one of the donation boxes by our deadline date, December 19th.

Support the PDCMS Color Guard team on their journey to the 2024 Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships in Dayton, Ohio! This prestigious event, held from April 11–13 brings together top talent from around the world. PDCMS is the only Middle School that participates. Proceeds from ticket sales will directly help fund the team's travel and participation, ensuring they have the opportunity to showcase their skills on this international stage. Your support can help make their championship dreams a reality!

PDCMS PTO will be hosting their 3rd annual chili cook off for faculty and staff on Tuesday, December 17th. They are seeking donations and volunteers. Please see the link below to sign-up.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 12/13 Fun Food Day has been canceled. Refunds will be issued. Cash payments will be returned to your student. PTO will be at school at lunch Monday to process cash refunds and answer questions.

Please feel free to email pdcmspto@gmail.com for any questions or concerns.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please note that on Wednesdays, our minimum day, students will be assigned to a class for the first hour. After that, it is Bridges business as usual, your student can sign up for the enrichment of their choice.

Dear “This I Believe” Wisdom Writer Contest Participant:

Thank you so much for enrolling in the “This I Believe” contest! I hope you find your participation to be rewarding (at multiple levels). It has been quite exciting to see the response so far—and we are just getting started!

It is my unshakeable belief that anyone who sincerely tries can write a very ‘successful’ “This I Believe” essay. Of course, everyone wants to win the cash prizes; yet, there is, I believe, an even greater ‘prize’ in discovering your own, unique writer’s voice. Over the past 20+ years, I have seen students make substantial breakthroughs to produce amazing writing.

Remember, you can always email me (jacob.shefa@desertsands.us) and request to meet so we can discuss your writing. You can also share your Google doc with me and request feedback—in person, or through email. (In person is best; but email is fine, too.) As I said in my Humanities class presentations the past few weeks, you can even send me just a paragraph or two to request feedback. (If you have gotten feedback once or twice, and then add more to your essay that you want me to see, be sure to send another email, which will alert me that I need to look at your essay again. You can even write during the Thanksgiving and Winter Break vacations; I check my email at least once a day during these ‘breaks.’)

My job is to encourage you, challenge you—and hopefully even inspire you!

Here is what I know for sure:
No one has your unique voice.
No one has your unique perspective on life.
No one else can write your “This I Believe” essay!
Write with passion and precision—and with BELIEF (in the fact that you have something important to say, and the power to say it)!

Keep writing!
Dr. Shefa

Did you check the lost and found?

Attention parents: Please check the school's lost and found for any missing items! All unclaimed belongings will be donated if not picked up by December 20th. Encourage your child to look through the lost and found to reclaim any lost items before the deadline. Thank you for your cooperation!

Panther Champions are selected by their peers for contributions to academic achievement and school culture. Congratulations to November's Panther Champions!