DMS Panther Pulse
May 2025
Welcome to the Panther Pulse!
Welcome to this edition of the Panther Pulse! Please read through the DMS updates below. Please check this edition throughout the month as it may continue to be updated throughout the month.
Go Panthers!
DMS Mission & Vision
Vision: Each student performing at grade level in all areas.
Important Dates
Week of May 5 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6 - Parents' Club Meeting
May 7 - School Nurse Day
May 8 - 8th Grade Speaker - Internet Awareness (more information to come)
May 13 - Music Celebration
May 15 - End of Year Ice Cream Celebration
May 15 - Washington D.C. Departure Meeting (current 8th graders going to Washington D.C.)
May 16 - No School (Unused Emergency Day)
May 19 - 8th Grade Students'' Last Day
May 20 - 8th Grade Graduation & Awards Ceremony
May 22 - 6th and 7th Grade Awards Program (more information to come)
May 22 - Last Day of School (for 6th and 7th graders)
Newly Added Information (Updated 5.20.25)
Dress Code
With the change in weather, we are starting to see some issues with students adhering to the dress code, particularly regarding the appropriate length of shorts. As a reminder, please review and reinforce the following guidelines for acceptable attire:
Recommendations for Appropriate Shorts Length:
Shorts must be mid-thigh length or longer.
All clothing should provide adequate coverage and be appropriate for a school environment.
Students may be asked to change if their attire does not meet these expectations.
We appreciate your support in helping maintain a respectful and distraction-free learning environment.
Caterpillar 10:1 Match!!!
In connection with the Caterpillar Centennial Celebration, the Caterpillar Foundation will provide a limited-time 10:1 match through our Caterpillar Foundation Matching Gifts Program. This special match is for current global employee gifts paid directly to eligible organizations and submitted for a match from April 21 – May 2, 2025 .
IMPORTANT PROGRAM DETAILS
Donations must be paid directly to the eligible charity between Apr 21 - May 2, enter up to $500 in gifts to be matched 10:1.
Program will close early if the match total reaches $10 million USD before the deadline.
PLEASE NOTE: It is not $500 per charity, but $500 total cap for all submissions combined.
Invoices for 2024-25 School Fees
Are you still receiving invoices and notices for unpaid fees for the current 2024-25 school year? Remember, you now have the option to pay outstanding fees online when it is convenient for you! Use the link below to create your eFunds account and to pay you bill online! Fees for the current 2024-25 school year are the only fees that can be paid using the eFunds account at this time.
Registration for the 2025-26 School Year
Current Dunlap families have begun the registration process for the upcoming school year already. Families have received an email from the district to complete the registration process. Please feel free to contact Mrs. Eckles at ceckles@dunlapcusd.net with questions. Also, if you know that your child will not be returning to DMS for the 2025-26 school year please let Mrs. Eckles know immediately.
K-8 Summer 2025 Offerings
Parent(s) & Guardian(s) of Current Kindergarten through Eighth-Grade Students,
This coming summer, Dunlap CUSD #323 will continue to offer different summer learning opportunities for students in kindergarten through eighth grade who meet specific criteria to ensure the program meets students’ needs. Below, you will find an overview of the different programs offered, including:
Elementary & Middle Summer School (Page 1, below)
Algebra I Boot Camp (Page 2)
Extended School Year (ESY) (Page 3)
English as a Second Language (ESL) Summer School (Page 4)
As we get closer to the start of summer programming, contact information of the lead teachers will be shared with families of students who are invited/sign up, however, in the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the appropriate individual listed below.
Elementary & Middle Summer School & Algebra I Boot Camp
Contact Dr. Matt Andrews, mandrews@dunlapcusd.net
Extended School Year (ESY)
Contact Dr. Jennifer Hastings, jhastings@dunlapcusd.net
English as a Second Language (ESL) Summer School
Contact Amelia Miller, atmiller@dunlapcusd.net
Elementary & Middle Summer School
What is the purpose of the Elementary & Middle Summer School program?
The Elementary & Middle Summer School program is a free program designed to help students who received MTSS services in math, English Language Arts, and/or SEL receive additional level-appropriate interventions to fill skill deficits.
Who is eligible for the elementary & middle-school summer program?
Eligibility is determined by a student’s participation in the Multi-Tiered System of Support in the fourth cycle of intervention during the school year. Families of students who qualify will receive an email with specifics about the program.
Invites will start being sent the week of April 21, 2025.
When do these programs take place?
Monday through Thursday, June 9 - July 3 (no class on June 19th)
Kindergarten - Fourth Grade: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Fifth-Eighth Grade: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Where will these programs take place?
Ridgeview Elementary School will host students in kindergarten through fourth grade.
Dunlap Valley Middle School will host students in fifth through seventh grade.
Dunlap High School will host eighth-grade students.
Algebra I Boot Camp
What is the schedule for Algebra I Boot Camp?
Algebra I Boot Camp will follow the same timeline as the 5-8 summer school program at Dunlap Valley Middle School:
Monday through Thursday, June 9 - July 3 (no class on June 19th)
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Who is eligible for “Algebra I Boot Camp”?
Current seventh-grade students who have finished seventh-grade math or Advanced Math and intend to take Algebra I or Algebra I Honors during their eighth-grade year.
Will my student be recommended for Algebra I/Algebra I Honors?
Students take an exam to help families determine which mathematics course will be the best fit for their students. In the end, it is a family’s decision, however, as to which math course a student takes during eighth grade
What is the purpose of Algebra I Boot Camp?
Algebra I Boot Camp is to help students prepare for the rigor of Algebra I by reviewing critical pre-algebraic mathematics concepts that students need for success.
Advanced Math (the seventh-grade enriched math course) is designed to prepare students for Algebra I by addressing both seventh and eighth-grade learning standards. By going from the regular seventh-grade math course to Algebra I, students are missing a year’s worth of math instruction, so the Boot Camp is designed to fill the skill gap.
Is there a participation fee for Algebra I Boot Camp?
Yes, Algebra I Boot Camp has a $100 participation fee. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch will have the fee waived. Directions to submit the registration fee will be included once families sign up for the Boot Camp.
When can I sign up for Algebra I Boot Camp?
Your child’s seventh-grade math teacher will communicate when the sign-up will occur for Algebra I Boot Camp in May.
Eighth Grade Graduation Letter to Parents
Eighth Grade Families,
We are excited to announce that Dunlap Middle School will honor our 8th grade students on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 during our annual Graduation/Awards ceremony. The ceremony will take place at the Dunlap High School auditorium beginning at 7:00 PM. Our goal is to continue the tradition of ensuring the evening is a special event for all students. There will be a variety of awards presented that deserve a high level of respect. Therefore, we are asking for your cooperation in the following areas:
Be respectful of each other during the ceremony. Children attending the ceremony must sit with their parents, remain seated at all times and refrain from screaming and/or yelling.
Do not block off and reserve large groups of seating. The auditorium is wheelchair accessible.
If you are planning to take pictures and/or video during the ceremony, please be courteous of families in attendance.
We ask that students refrain from wearing t-shirts and jeans. Girls may wear nice skirts, pant outfits, etc. Wearing a formal dress is not a requirement. Boys MUST wear dress slacks and a tie to this event.
It is important that students be in attendance for school on Monday, May 19, 2025 due to our scheduled graduation practices. While this is the last day of attendance for 8th graders, students will have the opportunity to enjoy their last day with a variety of planned activities. The last day of school for 8th grade students is Monday, May 19, 2025. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Antonio L. Johnson
Principal
Dunlap Middle School
Panther Moment of the Month - April
DMS 2025-2026 Fall Sports Information
General Information
All parents whose students wish to participate in extracurricular activities at DMS for the 2025-26 school year will be required to view an Activity Code Presentation online with their son or daughter before their respective season begins. **Please note that the student handbook requires both a parent and student to view the activity code presentation.
The Activity Code Presentation is available online by clicking on the Athletics/Activities tab on the Dunlap Middle School homepage (https://dms.dunlapcusd.net/). The presentation and sign-off will also be available during the registration process.
If your child plans to participate in an activity, they will be required to register online through 8to18. More information regarding the registration process can be found here:https://dms.dunlapcusd.net/athletics_activities. We encourage parents to register for an 8to18 account if they do not already have one. Athletic/Activity registration will be available on 8to18 about one month before the start of tryouts/participation. 8to18 Online Registration for 2025-26 Fall Sports will open in June 2025. Students are expected to attend all three days of tryouts. We are unable to provide alternate arrangements.
The following items must be turned into the DMS office before participation in sports:
An updated physical (Valid for 395 days)
$90 Activity Fee
The following forms will be completed electronically through 8 to 18:
Concussion Form
Insurance Waiver
Athletic Code Agreement
Parent-Teacher Communication
Parent communication is important to the overall success and experience your child has at school. While email and/or other electronic means is often the easiest way to communicate with a teacher, please understand that your teacher may be unable to respond in real time. Their focus during the school day is on teaching. As a general rule, teachers will respond to emails within 24 hours. Emails sent/received over the weekend will be handled as time allows when school resumes the next week. Please call the office at (309) 243-7778 if you need immediate assistance.
District Attendance Policy Changes
A district goal for the coming school year will be to improve student attendance. Our attendance practices and policies have been aligned to the Illinois State Board of Education requirements and Illinois School Law. Students will be allowed up to 7 days per semester as excused for illness, mental health, etc... Absences for travel or other reasons not excused by a doctor beyond the 7 days will be considered unexcused. Make-up work and credit for unexcused absences will not be provided and students will receive zeros for this assignments. Please make every effort to avoid extended absences due to travel outside of the scheduled breaks from school. A missed school day is a missed opportunity for student learning. Additional information on the attendance policy is available in the student handbook.
DMS Parents' Club
DMS Parents, we need you! Attend a DMS PTO meeting. Our meetings provide updates from our Principal as well as needs that are identified and discussed to support our students, staff and school.
DMS PTO meetings are held at DMS in the school library. We also offer a virtual option by clicking here. All of our meetings begin at 5 PM.
May 6
Don’t worry the time commitment for middle school PTO is NOT as intense as elementary PTO positions. Our meetings are all after school/work once a month. We have many roles on our board which helps us break up the duties so they are more manageable. Please consider volunteering for a position during the 2025-26 school year. You can find out about any open volunteer spots by attending our September meeting! There is a spot for everyone at our PTO so please join us!
Questions - contact presidentdmspto@gmail.com
Housekeeping Items Below
Daily Announcements
DMS Bell Schedule
The DMS school day starts at 8:20 AM. School is dismissed at 3:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 3:00 PM on Wednesday for PLCs. Our bells schedule can be found on our website by clicking here.
Communication of Absences & Early Dismissals
It is best to communicate first thing in the morning or the previous day so that we can update our attendance accordingly or so that a pass can be written for your child. If you have your child bring in a note, please have them bring it to the office upon arrival that day.
School Security & Visitors
In an effort to maintain the safest environment possible for our children, security measures have been implemented in all buildings throughout the district. All school doors, including the front entrance, will be locked during school hours. Visitors to the school will need to press the buzzer located to the left of the main entrance and wait to be let in by office staff.
Upon entering the building, visitors will be asked to present a US government issued ID such as a Driver’s License, which can either be scanned or manually entered into our electronic sign in system. Once entry is approved, a badge will be issued that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit. Upon exiting the school, visitors will be asked to give their visitors badge to the office staff when checking out.
Tech Support for Students
The District has a 1:1 Technology website that will help answer questions regarding Canvas FAQ, Chromebook care and Google/Chromebook FAQ.
If you are experiencing any issues with your Chromebook, and cannot find the answers to your questions, please contact the Dunlap IT help desk at helpdesk@dunlapstudents.net.
Classroom teachers and the office may not be able to support any issues with technology aside from general login instructions for district platforms.
Lunch Accounts
Dear Dunlap CUSD #323 Parents and Guardians:
Welcome Back! The new school year is fast approaching and the Dunlap Food Service
department is busy preparing for our students to arrive. Please take a moment to review some
important information that will assist you in a successfully navigating the food service program.
Below are the prices of school meals for the 2024-25 school year:
School lunch prices for school year 2024-25
Grades K-5 - $2.65
Grades 6-8 - $2.85
Grades 9-12 - $3.05
Reduced Price Lunch - $0.40
Milk - $0.50 per carton
Free/Reduced Applications Available August 1, 2024. Apply online using MySchoolApps. Use the
link below.
https://www.dunlapcusd.net/cms/one.aspx?pageId=3071539
Special Note: If approved for Free or Reduced meal benefits and your student needs a milk for
their lunch brought from home, the student will need to purchase at .50 cents. Milk is only
provided with the school meal.
Adding Money to Lunch Accounts: Middle school students can add money as they go through the lunch line using cash or check.
Preferred Payment for all schools, MySchoolbucks.com. See link below.
*Please be advised, (All Schools) if you deposit money on your child’s account after 9:30 am
using myschoolbucks.com, there’s a good chance the deposit will not post to your child’s
lunch account until after 12:00pm.
Connect with Us!
Email: ajohnson@dunlapcusd.net
Website: https://dms.dunlapcusd.net/
Location: 5200 West Cedar Hills Drive, Dunlap, IL, USA
Phone: 309-243-7778
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DunlapMiddleSchool/
Twitter: @DMSPanthers