Bobcat Bulletin

Hello Bobcats!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend! Can you believe that we are at the end of April?!?! What a quick voyage this school year has been!

We are entering the final week of our STAAR Marathon... 7th & 8th Math STAAR are scheduled for Tuesday and 6th Math STAAR is scheduled for Wednesday. Please do your best to ensure your students eat a healthy breakfast, pack plenty of healthy snacks and water, and make it to campus early on STAAR days. We will NOT be allowing visitors on campus on STAAR days, so please do not plan to eat lunch with your students those days. There is a STAAR calendar below for your reference. Additionally, we respectfully request that you reschedule any appointments so that your students can be present for STAAR. If you have any STAAR related questions, please reach out to Assistant Principal Michele Hamilton at michele.hamilton@midlothianisd.org.

The 8th Grade Crossing Over Ceremony and Celebration is on Friday, May 2nd. We are so excited to celebrate the end of your student's middle school journey. Please let us know if your student will be in attendance by submitting this Google Form. Unfortunately, our gym capacity is 1,300, so students will be receiving 4 wristbands for the event. We ask that all students arrive to campus at 5:00 p.m. so that we can get them lined up in the practice gym and ready to march into the competition gym. Doors will open for parent seating at 5:30 p.m. The ceremony is from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., and the dinner and celebration will follow from 7:45 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. We are asking that students dress nicely for the festivities. Extra wristband requests: This is a first come, first served waiting list, so the quicker you RSVP, the more likely you are to have your request fulfilled. Side Note: Crossing Over Ceremony Practice is Friday, May 2nd from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

This week will be super busy! Lots of great information to share! Make it a great week, and Go Bobcats! 🐾💙

~Mrs. Ricks

Sunday, April 27th: 🎂 Ms. Robertson's Birthday 🎂

Monday, April 28th: 6th Grade Band Rehearsal 4:30 - 6:00

Tuesday, April 29th: 7th & 8th Math STAAR; 6th Grade Band Rehearsal 3:30 - 5:30

Wednesday, April 30th: 6th Math STAAR; 7th/8th Band Epic Waters Music Festival; ABLE Field Trip; Wrestling Meet @ Burleson High School; Soccer vs. WGMS (Girls Home; Boys Away)

Thursday, May 1st: Open

Friday, May 2nd: 8th Grade Crossing Over Ceremony & Celebration (Practice 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; Ceremony 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Celebration 7:45 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.)

Saturday, May 3rd: Dance Team Fitting; Sports Physicals @ MHS Cafeteria; Immunization Clinic @ MHS Cafeteria; Junior VASE Competition @ Coppell Middle School

Looking ahead: 5/5-5/9 Teacher Appreciation Week; 5/5 Science MAP Testing; 5/6 ELAR MAP Testing; 5/7 Math MAP Testing

DMS wants to honor our educators who go above and beyond to provide students with an exceptional learning experience. Using this Google Form, please nominate a staff member who models and encourages the Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) tenets of empathy, self-direction, teamwork, courage, perseverance, and integrity. Please take a moment to recognize anything big or small they've done to make a positive difference at DMS.

We are so excited to share that Dieterich Middle School has been named a 2024-2025 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School, a prestigious honor awarded to campuses that demonstrate excellence in building a culture where students feel safe, connected, and engaged.

The Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools® Award recognizes schools that go above and beyond in creating an environment where students thrive academically and emotionally. Through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process, educators at Dieterich Middle School have been equipped with relationship-building tools and processes that help them foster student success and a positive campus culture.

"I am absolutely beaming with pride as I share that Dieterich Middle School has been named a Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase School for the 2024-2025 school year! This incredible honor is a direct reflection of the hard work, heart, and dedication of our students and educators. Our commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and positivity has not gone unnoticed, and I could not be prouder of our Bobcat family!" – Cassandra Ricks, Principal, Dieterich Middle School

Each year, Capturing Kids’ Hearts recognizes schools across the country for their commitment to transforming their campus environments through a relational approach to education. Schools that receive this designation have shown measurable progress in student connectedness, academic achievement, and overall school culture.

The Navarro College CTE Division would like to invite your 8th through 12th grade students to attend our Explore CTE Sessions to be held on the following dates and locations.

Corsicana: Tuesday, April 29th from 8:30am to 2:00pm. Students will check in at the SEC building.

Waxahachie: Wednesday, April 30th from 8:30am to 2:00pm. Students will check in at Building C in Room 144.

Students will have the opportunity to learn about all of our programs and pathways and explore some hands-on experiences. We will also be providing a yummy lunch.

Please find below the registration links for the events. Please register by April 23rd to reserve your students’ spots and lunch.

Corsicana RSVP Link: https://forms.office.com/r/DCh0kfckpk

Waxahachie RSVP Link: https://forms.office.com/r/fx2vYYnbBX

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.

Thank you!

~Renae

Renae Tribble
Director of Dual Credit
Office Phone: 972-923-6421
renae.tribble@navarrocollege.edu

Hello current 7th Grade Bobcat Parents! This is Heather Adams with the PTO sharing some important information, hoping to clear up any confusion about Project Graduation 2030!

First Off, What is Project Graduation and why should I care about it now, when my kid is in 7th grade?!

"Project Graduation" includes Middle School graduation (8th grade, or May 2026) AND High School Graduation (12th grade, or May 2030)!

That's right, our kids are about to graduate MIDDLE SCHOOL next year!! This next school year's (25/26) fundraising efforts with not only make their 8th grade graduation events unforgettable celebrations, it will also kickstart the celebrations for their SENIOR YEAR! (29/30)

Being new to Texas, I struggled to grasp this concept, but once you do- it makes total sense! As to not complete with current seniors trying to raise money at Midlothian High School, the lowerclassmen (9th, 10th, and 11th graders) are NOT eligible to fundraise for their own senior year until the current senior class has graduated. Therefore, whatever we raise in 8th grade is all we get until they're seniors- so the more we do now, the less strain it will be on us starting senior year!

The first step of getting started is to elect a board for the Class of 2030- it's just a one year commitment to help organize fundraisers and events happening in 8th grade. If you're interested in being on the board, please fill out the interest form (attached below) and let us know! Below is a list of open positions and tentative student and fundraising events.

PTO meets every month (every other month is virtual or in-person), so if project graduation meets right after the PTO meeting, it would be a monthly meeting. If you haven't joined the 2030 Project Graduation on the SPORTSYOU app, please do! LOTS of valuable 8th grade info will be posted there! Code: ZSN4-ETZ6.

Please feel free to respond via email with any questions you may have and follow Dieterich Bobcats PTO on Facebook!

Thanks for your time!

24/25 PTO Secretary,

Heather Adams

Feedback is a blessing! Please provide us with your feedback so that we can make any needed adjustments for the 2025-2026 school year. Your voice matters, and we appreciate your partnership!

Don’t put it off till summer; complete registration today

All returning students must complete annual student registration online to update family information. Families, please click the "Returning Student Registration" tile in your Skyward Family Access account today.

Parents are encouraged to complete by June 1

Families of returning students no longer wait until July to complete next year's registration. Students returning to Midlothian ISD in 1st through 12th grade can now register for the upcoming 2025-26 school year through the end of May. Families are encouraged to finalize their 2025-26 returning student registration before the last day of school.

Register early and save your seat!

If you do not see the registration tile in your Skyward account, email skyward.student@midlothianisd.org for assistance.

Online Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year opened April 1, 2025 for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students. Families are encouraged to complete the enrollment process by June 1. Visit the MISD New Student Enrollment webpage for helpful resources and information including how-to steps for enrolling, links to the online enrollment portal, eligibility criteria for enrolling, current school supply lists, and more.

MISD will host an informative parent night on April 29 for families preparing to enroll their eligible four-year old in Pre-K for the fall 2025-26 school year. Families will learn what students learn in Pre-Kindergarten, how to prepare their child for success, enrollment procedures and what state eligibility requirements are in place for enrollment.

Attending families will be able to enroll onsite that night during the Parent Information Night. To take advantage of this assistance, families will need to bring with them all the required documents. Visit the MISD website to learn more.

MISD is forming a Facility Planning Committee to assess and prioritize facility needs as our district grows — and we want YOU to be a part of it. We’re looking for a diverse group of 80 individuals: parents, alumni, staff, business and civic leaders, and more. If you live within MISD boundaries, fill out our interest form today to help shape the future of Midlothian ISD!

The committee will meet six times between May and July, plus take part in a guided tour of the district.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4lDXeP6

Apply today! https://bit.ly/42hMYnW

Will your student ride the bus in 2025-26?

Please complete a bus rider contract and submit by July 11, 2025. All students must have a current Bus Rider Contract on file for each year. If you did not submit a contract during your 2025-26 Returning Student Registration, please click the link below for the contract, fill it out, and return to the Transportation Department. Email all contracts to bus_contracts@midlothianisd.org or deliver to 601 E. Avenue E, Midlothian, TX 76065.

Just in case you missed the Dual Credit information session on March 31st, here is a link to the presentation. As a reminder MISD Enrollment Process is due by April 30th. If you have any questions regarding dual credit, please contact MHS Counselor Tonya Colman at tonya.colman@midlothianisd.org.

Athletic physical dates for the 2025-26 school year have been set. Physicals are required for all 7th-12th grade students involved in athletics, dance, cheer, ROTC, and the high school marching band. Incoming 6th graders are not required to have a physical.

Physical Dates:

• April 12th at Methodist Clinic Midlothian
• May 3rd at MHS Cafeteria

Please review this newsletter for all of the details!

Student safety is our top priority! PLEASE SLOW DOWN IN THE FRONT PARKING LOT!!! WE HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW NEAR MISSES LATELY, SO PLEASE DO YOUR PART IN ENSURING OUR STUDENTS' SAFETY!!!

Please review the campus traffic map below regarding parent pick-up and drop-off. The "Buses Only" box indicates the bus lane...parents are NOT allowed to drop-off or pick-up in the rear of the school or front parking lot (SPED buses only). The blue line indicates the parent drop-off/pick-up traffic pattern. There are two lanes for drop-off/pick-up. If you are in the right lane (building side), your student will need to exit/enter the vehicle on the right side of the vehicle. If you are in the left lane (parking lot side), your student will need to exit/enter the vehicle on the left side of the vehicle. When in line, please pull forward as close to the front crosswalk as possible instead of stopping and waiting for your student to find you... this keeps the traffic moving smoothly. Please encourage your child to always use the crosswalks when crossing the street or parking lot. There is a new crosswalk near the Somercrest neighborhood. If your student needs to cross the street to get home, please bring this new crosswalk to his/her attention. Please do NOT encourage your child to meet you where any of the X's are marked on the map, and please do not stop on the street to pick up your student. Additionally, please avoid making u-turns while in our school zone. We appreciate your support in ensuring our Bobcats are safe and the traffic flow is followed appropriately.

Just a reminder that Student IDs are a REQUIRED part of our dress code and safety protocols. All students MUST wear their Student IDs on a lanyard around their necks daily. Because students are forgetting their IDs at home, we are having to print around 100 temporary IDs daily, which is time consuming and costly. Each temporary badge costs $1, a new plastic badge costs $3, and a lanyard and plastic sleeve cost $1 each. Students who do not bring cash with them have charges to their accounts in Skyward. Please check your student's Skyward account, take care of outstanding balances as soon as possible, and remind students to wear their Student IDs daily. We appreciate your support and assistance!

Please remind your kiddos to wash their hands frequently, drink plenty of water, and get plenty of rest in an effort to mitigate illnesses.

Just a few attendance reminders:

• Absence notes should be emailed to lisa.wood@midlothianisd.org within 24 hours of the absence.
• When you email the school, please include the student's first name, last name, and ID#. Student nicknames can cause confusion with attendance coding.
• If you feel that there is an error for a particular class period, please email the teacher directly first. For example, if your student was tardy and the teacher accidentally marked your student absent, please email the teacher so the teacher can submit an absence correction form.
• Please remember that we have approximately 1,000 students on campus, so it may take 1-2 business days for the update to show in Skyward. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Midlothian ISD recognizes and celebrates our students with Autism

Midlothian ISD proudly recognizes and celebrates our students with Autism during Autism Awareness Month. We honor their unique strengths, talents, and perspectives that enrich our school community every day. Kerry Wilcox, ABLE (Autism Behavior and Learning Environment) teacher at Baxter Elementary, shares a meaningful quote from the "Joy of Autism" Facebook page.

At MISD, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all students thrive and are celebrated for who they are.

MISD Athletic Summer Camps - Registration is Open!

Staff Discount – Summer Camp

MISD Athletics is excited to offer a special $25 discount for MISD employees on summer camp registration! To use the discount, simply enter the code MISDSUMMER25 at checkout.

🔹 This discount is only for MISD employees and their children.
🔹 It does not apply to non-custodial grandchildren, nieces/nephews, or friends’ children.
🔹 Be ready to show your MISD ID badge at camp check-in.

Thank you for helping us keep this benefit exclusive to our amazing staff!

All Texas school districts are required by law to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. House Bill 3, Section 19 added Section 37.222 to the Texas Education Code, which requires the Texas School Safety Center, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety, to provide information and resources to school districts for the purpose of disseminating the information to parents. The Texas DPS launched a Keep ‘Em Safe Texas website that provides safety resources, materials, and tips for practicing safe gun storage to prevent accidents and keep children safe. Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com.

MISD prioritizes the safety and security of our staff and students. We ask our MISD visitors to help us in the effort to keep kids as safe as possible. MISD appreciates your patience as we follow these procedures. To learn more about campus security and visitor guidelines, visit https://bit.ly/3QqqQzl.

Website: https://dms.midlothianisd.org/
Location: Dieterich Middle School, 2881 Ledgestone Lane, Midlothian, TX 76065
Phone: (469) 856 - 5800

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dieterichMS/
Instagram: @dms.bobcats
X: @Principal_Ricks