Danielson Digest

"Para ver el boletín en español, por favor haga clic arriba en "Translate Newsletter" En su teléfono haga clic en la parte inferior derecha y luego "translate"

We have a lot of exciting events coming up! I am also reposting a copy of our grading policy with key points, and more.

I would also like to pass along a few requests from our front office staff as well as reminders about student deliveries.

• Birthday balloons or birthday flower deliveries for students aren't allowed at school. We would love for your child to be celebrated but we are not able to hold their balloons in the front office and they are quite distracting in the classrooms.
• We do not accept any food deliveries for students from outside companies such as DoorDash, Favor, UberEats, etc. Our office staff doesn't have enough time to ensure deliveries make it to your children during the day. You are more than welcome to drop off any special food for your student, though!
• Game Day Meals for Student Athletes: All food, snacks, water bottles, etc must be delivered to the front office and labeled with your child's name before 2:30 PM. This is the only way we can guarantee that the items will make it to your child before they leave for away games.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend,

Dr. Cruz 💙🧡

10/7: Volleyball vs. Leander MS

• 7th @ DMS - 5:30pm
• 8th @ Glenn HS - 5:30pm

10/8: Football vs. Wiley MS

• 7th @ Rouse HS 6pm
• 8th @ Glenn HS- 6pm

10/18: Monster Mash ( 6th Grade Dance)

10/28: Reunion Ranch (8th Grade Only)

Our Monster Mash Dance is on October 18th, 2024, from 6pm-8pm . Parents, we want to extend the opportunity for you to enjoy the dance as a parent volunteer. We have also set up a sign up genius link if you would like to donate to the concession stand.

Tickets will be on sale next Friday, October 11th during lunch and the week of 10/15-10/18. (Cash Only)

Tickets are $5 and $10 at the door. Concession tickets are also on sale $1 each.

Please reach out to Natalie Hernandez if you have any questions. natalie.hernandez@leanderisd.org

Parent Volunteer Sign Up

Concession Stand Donations Sign Up

Hello 8th Grade Families,

We have so many students who have already paid for the Reunion Ranch Field Trip. Great job! Parents, we want to extend the opportunity for you to enjoy the day with your 8th grader as a parent volunteer. We need additional supervision and assistance monitoring different stations. Please find information and sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vJn2uNAgfSTLqf1ySpbTAj1EivVIpXPViVXFYjo3Q_E/edit?gid=1134013330#gid=1134013330

If you still need to make a payment for your 8th Grader to attend, you can do that here: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZJE0AQLWM0RU2D_ZZ64GB3ZGCJSTYP

Permission Form: https://forms.gle/MhQWeGc8np2xWErE8

Thank you,

Ms. Moore (8th Grade Assistant Principal)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SwnmAyrcBFCPdwfbIc3wDGjYoASeG5f7/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100830589832356146757&rtpof=true&sd=true

For Spanish, click the link below

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18wVqh0c4kFRJfhAdcPy1B_Ps-Pyq70Bq/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100830589832356146757&rtpof=true&sd=true

*Please download the file above for a copy of the grading policy*

Outcomes Based Grading is a system that evaluates students’ progress towards mastering specific learning outcomes. In OBG, standards are reported individually and factors unrelated to a student's understanding of the content, like effort and on-time performance, are reported separately.

Reporting on Outcomes

We strive to give our students learning experiences that are engaging and allow students to find personal relevance in the learning. We do this through Project Based Learning (PBL) and our model for this emphasizes 5 Learning Outcomes that we want all of our learners to grow in. You will see the percentage for each outcome below.

What is Knowledge and Thinking?

This is our content/academic learning! Knowledge and Thinking outcomes will be assessed with performance levels spanning from emerging to advanced, correlating to 50-100 on the report card. It is important to note that this differs from the traditional grading system that uses a 0-100 point scale. For example, in a traditional grading system a 70 might reflect a student got 70% of the material correct on an assignment. In our system, a 70 would reflect that the student is just starting to gain an understanding of the content and is still working towards proficiency.

What is Agency and Collaboration?

Agency is a combination of academic mindsets and the ability to take ownership of one's learning. This looks like getting work completed in a timely manner, actively participating in the classroom, using feedback to make progress, putting in effort to improve and finding personal relevance in learning.

Collaboration is all about working with others. As a PBL campus, our students are constantly working with others which helps prepare them for the real world! We ask our students to be respectful in words and actions, fulfill their roles, participate in group discussion, and contribute to the work of the group.

Late Work Policy: Students are encouraged to complete all assignments and submit them on time! Assignments not turned in by its original due date must be turned in within 5 school days of the due date to be eligible for up to a 80. Work turned in after the 5 school days will not be accepted and will be entered as a zero or "M". “M”will only be replaced with a grade up to a 80 if the missing work was turned in by the 5-day deadline. This is in alignment with LISD Grading Policy.

Missed assignments due to student absences will be eligible to earn full credit with an additional school day given for each day absent. Communication with your teacher is essential when absent.

Continuous Improvement (Re-do) Policy: At DMS we want to encourage growth mindsets in our students therefore we will allow for up to two opportunities for demonstrating proficiency in each skill that the student previously scored below an 80 on. When a student shows growth on a skill, we will replace a grade below 80 in the gradebook with one that reflects their level of understanding up to an 80 (proficient). This is in alignment with LISD Grading Policy.

Academic Integrity Policy: To ensure academic integrity, any demonstration of plagiarism, cheating, and/or copying of work will not be tolerated. Students who engage in these behaviors will receive a 0 for the assignment/assessment. Teachers have discretion to allow students to attempt an alternative assignment for up to a 50 but the student is not eligible to retake or redo the same assignment. This is in alignment with LISD Grading Policy.

*Final report card grades below a 50 at the end of each grading period will be entered as a 50 for the report card. Individual assignment grades will remain as the grade that was earned.

Please remember that grades are a “snapshot” taken at various times throughout the year. The goal is for every student to master content and skills by the END of the school year, not necessarily the end of a grading period.

• Students are there to watch the performance.
• Show respect at all times.
• Cheer on/encourage your peers.
• Stay in the designated area.
• Only event participants on the court/field/stage or locker room.
• Keep area clean and pick up your trash.
• Make sure you have a ride at the end of the performance.

Each week we will send the link to this page, the Danielson Digest, to communicate important information on everything happening on campus. There are also various ways you can connect to DMS to ensure that you are in the know of all things within our community:

• Remind is the official platform that DMS uses to communicate with parents. To join Remind text LISDDMS to 81010.
• The DMS Website
• Facebook: Stacy K Danielson Middle School
• Follow us on X (Twitter): @DanielsonMiddle
• Bookmark the calendar page: DMS Calendar