Dragon Community,

I hope this message finds you well. As we continue to support your child’s growth and academic success, I wanted to take a moment to emphasize a few key areas that will help us work together to ensure a positive and productive school year.

First, we encourage all students to spend at least 30 minutes reading each evening. Whether it’s a book, article, or any form of reading material, consistent reading builds critical thinking skills and enhances comprehension, which are vital for success across all subjects.

Additionally, we ask that you remind your child to bring their laptop and charger to school daily. These tools are essential for completing assignments and engaging with lessons, and being fully prepared is a crucial part of a student’s academic responsibility.

Finally, we stress the importance of making good choices both inside and outside the classroom. Your continued support in helping your child understand the value of personal responsibility, respect for others, and thoughtful decision-making is invaluable. It sets the foundation for success not just in school, but in life.

We greatly appreciate your partnership in supporting your child’s learning journey. Together, we can ensure they have the tools and mindset needed to thrive.

Thank you for your continued commitment to your child’s education. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

DJMS Administration

1. Junior Achievement- 8th Grade Field Trip

Parents, most 8th graders will be on a SDOC field trip Osceola Heritage Park on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The eligible students are those who completed a permission slip. Unfortunately, if permission was not provided, then those students must stay on campus. Students will depart around 1:15 pm and return to DJMS prior to school dismissal.

2. Parent Success Night- Tuesday, February 4, 2025- 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

DJMS is hosting a parent success night for our current students. This event will cover the following:

• Targeted Invitations- Parents of Operation Hatching
• Academic Session- ESE Parents
• Academic Session- LY Parents (papas que solo hablan espanol)
• Academic Session- Struggling Students
• DJMS Schoolwide Data Review
• Understanding the FAST Tests
• Sport Updates

3. DJMS Spring Pep Rally w/ Osceola High School- Friday, March 28

Students with zero referrals, minor infractions, and tardies will be eligible to participate in our upcoming spring semester pep rally. More details to come closer to the date.

4. 50th Anniversary Party- Saturday, April 12 (12 pm - 4 pm)- Free Event for Community Members & Students

More details to come closer to date.

5. Literacy Week- Starts 01/27: Check Out Daily Themes/Activities Below:

1. Parent Portal Sign Up

The best way to know live data of your student's performance is through the parent portal! Here you can see grades, attendance, discipline referrals, teacher notes, and testing information in live time. For your reference, below you will find the attachment to sign up. I highly recommend this for all parents!

2. Monitor Student Activity @ Home

Parents, students are getting creative with some inappropriate activities at school. Issues such as vaping, bringing medication from home, and student altercations that began the evening before at home were observed this year. When we investigate these issues, over 90% of the initial act started at home. Please help us monitor the safety of your student at home. We will prioritize the safety at school; however, DJMS is in great need of parent intervention.

3. 30 Minutes of Reading- Evening

Parents, ALL students should read 30 minutes (minimum) each evening to improve literacy. Please help us by establishing evening procedures at home to include a structured time of student reading. Whether it be an ebook, online website, actual book, or magazines, reading is fundamental to learning. Our school media center is always opened and ready to have books checked out. More so, this opportunity also includes a mobile book cart during lunches in the cafeteria on Wednesdays.

1. Basketball season

Full Season Scheduled (attached) & DJMS Home Games begin at 6 PM

Next Home Game: Thurs. Feb. 6 vs Celebration K8 (Boys/Girls)

Next Away Game: Mon. Feb. 3 @ Horizon MS (Boys/Girls)

**Note, we are still waiting to hear from other middle schools to determine the start time of basketballs.

2. Parent Volunteers Needed

Team, we always need help when hosting a home game. Ms. McKenzie is looking for volunteers to assist with concessions, door watching, and crowd control. If you are interested, simply send her an email. Note, you must be oasis approved. Link below:

Volunteer Application

A physical must be on file.

Parents, all students (6-8) will participate in the upcoming Osceola Writes exam on Wednesday, Jan. 29 during 1st and 2nd periods. This is a required district formative assessment that will measure the student's writing abilities. The school will shut down during the first half of the day. Therefore, I encourage parents to make arrangements regarding early pickups during the morning session.

2. WIDA Testing Begins

For all ESOL students (LY Status), the WIDA test will begin this week. These students will be pulled by the ESOL compliance specialist and assess all of the required areas. The WIDA test will be finalized during the first week of March.

Parents,

DJMS needs your help! We would love parent volunteers to assist with the following:

1. Dragon's Den Volunteers! Club meetings during lunches.

2. PTA Chapter? I would love to open one!

3. Athletics & Fine Arts Parent Boosters!

4. Mentors for Students

5. 50th Anniversary Committee! DJMS turns 50 this year! Committee Sign Up Link is Below:

https://forms.office.com/r/vGpWPVcaQN

Parents & Community- if any of these items are of interest, simply contact Mr. Hernandez directly at Marc.Hernandez@osceolaschools.net or 689.261.3280 (District Cellphone)

As a friendly reminder, all volunteers must be Oasis Approved. Please see the information below to begin the registration process! It's quick and easy!

Volunteer Application (schoolcheckin.net)

1. SAC Meeting Dates

Next meeting is February 20 @ 5:00 pm (Leadership Conference Room)

2. JA Inspire Field Trip- 8th Grade- Tuesday, Jan. 29 (Afternoon)

3. Parent Success Night- Tuesday, February 4- 5pm - 6:30 pm

4. 50th Anniversary- Meeting 3- Thursday, Feb. 13 @ pm- Admin Conference Room