March 2025 Dragon Digest

Dear DeSana Families,

March is packed with exciting activities and opportunities for us to connect with our Dragons and DeSana families. Please be sure to read through all the items in our newsletter, which is posted below.

As a reminder, the fourth quarter begins on Monday, March 10th, marking the last 9 weeks of the school year. Our schedule rotates each quarter, so the time your child has their core academic classes will also shift. Students who are not enrolled in band or chorus will have new Connections classes.

Additionally, Friday, March 14th, is a student holiday and staff workday. Teachers may contact families to request a conference for students demonstrating deficiencies in readiness for the next grade level. If you do not receive a conference request for your child, they are currently at or above the expected levels of progress for this point in the year. Please remember that you may request a conference with your child’s teachers at any time during the school year.

Sincerely,

Principal Sargent

• March 4th: Rising 6th Grade Parent Night @ 5:30pm in the DMS Gym

• March 10th: 4th Quarter begins (New Connections Classes)

• March 14th: Student Holiday (No School)

• March 19th: Science Fair

• March 21st: Spring Band Trip

• March 25th: Rising 7th/8th Grade Night @ 5:30pm in the DMS Gym

• March 31st: Spring Break Begins!

For only $10, you could win $10,000 and support grants for schools!

The deadline to join the raffle is March 26th at 11:59AM. The Duck Dive drawing on March 28, 2025 at 1PM at the Cumming Aquatic Center, and you can watch here. Students, parents and the community are invited to adopt a duck by paying $10 to enter the raffle. Each duck adoption gives you the chance to win $10,000 and supports grants in our schools. Click here for the rules and regulations.

A Duck Dive is a raffle. When you adopt a duck for only $10, you will be assigned a duck number. The list will be released on March 21st at 5PM here so you know your assigned duck number before the raffle drawing. All numbered ducks will be thrown into a "pond". At the drawing, one lucky duck will be drawn and the winner will win $10,000. Click here to watch the 2024 drawing.

You are strongly encouraged to adopt ducks by the deadline of March 26th at 11:59PM! The hard deadline where the link will be closed for adoptions is 8AM on 3/28.

CLICK HERE TO ADOPT A DUCK AND JOIN

Our end of the year state testing is coming soon! Please see the dates below to know when your child will be testing. A more detailed schedule with testing times for each day will be posted on our school website in the coming weeks.

Milestone testing will take place from April 21st – May 7th.

6th Grade:

• 4/21 – ELA Section 1
• 4/22 – ELA Sections 2 and 3
• 4/23 – Math

8th Grade

• 4/24 – 8th Grade Math
• 4/25 – Physical Science
• 4/28 – Algebra EOC
• 4/30 – ELA Section 1
• 5/1 – ELA Sections 2 & 3
• 5/2 – Social Studies

7th Grade:

• 5/5 – ELA Section 1
• 5/6 – ELA Sections 2 & 3
• 5/7 – Math

For testing related questions, you may contact Assistant Principal, Peyton Maddox.

Please begin making plans with your physician to ensure that your child's immunizations are up to date before the beginning of their 7th grade year. Current 6th graders are required to have been vaccinated with Tdap and meningococcal vaccines before the 25-26 school year. We wanted to communicate this information early and often to our 6th grade families to avoid any disruption at the beginning of next school year.

All parents/guardians of 6th grade students are responsible for ensuring that their students’ immunizations are updated prior to attending middle school next year (25-26).

• Rising 7th grade students are required to have been vaccinated with Tdap and meningococcal vaccines.

• Remember that your child will NOT be able to attend school next year until an updated immunization form (3231) is on file.

• Please check with the school nurse or your physician if you are not sure that your child’s immunizations are current.

Recommended vaccinations according to the CDC:
English version

Spanish version

SAVE THE DATE: We are pleased to announce the date for the 8th Grade Spring trip this year.

On Thursday, May 15th we will be attending a Braves baseball game and visiting the College Football Hall of Fame.

Payments are available on SchoolPay now! The first payment of $40 was due on 2/21 and the final payment of $100 is due on 3/21. You also have the option to pay the full amount at one time. The field trip permission form will be coming home with students soon!

Vision Baptist Church is providing 8 weeks of FREE English classes for the Denmark/DeSana Community:

Girl Scout Troop 17204 is working toward their Silver Award, the highest honor a Cadette can earn.

As part of the project, Isabella B., Mazzy O., and June T.—all DeSana students—are partnering with The Place of Forsyth to support the unhoused in our community.

Throughout March, they will be collecting essential food items to donate, and they need your help!

Here’s how you can support their project:
📦 Drop off donations in the collection box at DeSana front office all month long.

We are collecting:

• Protein beverages or bars
• Water Bottles
• Peanut Butter/Jelly Pouches
• Tuna or Chicken Packets
• Crackers/Snacks
• Fruit Cups
• Pop Top Canned Goods

📢 Listen for weekly announcements and look for our posters around the school.

Your generosity will help make a real difference in the lives of those in need. Thank you for your support!

- Join us for Spirit Night on Saturday, March 15th, 5:30-9:30PM at El Don Mexican Bar and Grill. A portion of all Dine In and To Go sales will go back to our PTO!

- Teacher Appreciation Week is March 17-21st. If you would like to sponsor a treat for our well deserved teachers, please let us know! Email desanadragonspto@gmail.com.

- Save the Date for Donut Friday, March 28th in the Commons. $2 Dunkin Donuts until the final morning bell rings - Cash Only!

- The DeSana Dragons PTO is looking for leaders to join the upcoming 25-26 Board. Our PTO Board relies heavily on volunteers to help reach our yearly initiatives and events. If you enjoy donating your time, sharing ideas, and building community with parents, teachers, and students, WE NEED YOU!

Please email desanadragonspto@gmail.com for more details, or to nominate yourself for the upcoming year.