Driscoll News
Defenders - Defining Excellence Everyday
October 6, 2024
Notes from our Principal
Hello Driscoll community,
This coming week is the last week of the first nine weeks. There are several opportunities to attend events to support your students this week. On Monday, October 7, our Orchestra will have their fall concert in the cafeteria beginning at 6pm. Then, on Tuesday, October 8, our Beginning Band students will hold their showcase in the cafeteria beginning at 6:30pm. On Wednesday, October 9, we are looking forward to our student-led conferences. Students have been compiling a collection of their learning highlights, their goals for next steps, and reflection pieces to share with their parents/guardians at the conferences. Each student's 6th period teacher has reached out with a letter to communicate more details and request RSVP for who will be attending. The conferences will be held in the afternoon from 2 - 3:30pm on October 9.
This week is also our PINK OUT week with fun dress up days and both football and volleyball home games being PINK OUT games. Thank you for encouraging your students to participate as we bring awareness to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, details are included below about the specific details for each day. Several in our community are fighting the battle and we are joining in the effort to find a cure.
Friday is an early release day and then there is NO school on Monday, October 14 for Columbus Day/Indigenous People Day. The second nine weeks begins on Tuesday, October 15. We will be hosting our second Community Café event on that Tuesday morning and would love to have more parents/guardians join us for that event. Please see the RVSP link and more details included below.
Please review the many details included in this week's Driscoll News. If you have specific questions, please reach out so we can assist with those items. If you take photos at games or events that you would like to share with us, feel free to send them to our yearbook sponsor, Mrs. Andersen, sander14@neisd.net or to Mrs. Murach lmurac@neisd.net Let's have a fantastic week.
Mrs. Lori Murach
Driscoll Middle School Principal
Fall Orchestra Concert on Monday, October 7, at 6pm
Beginner Band Showcase on Tuesday, October 8, at 6:30pm
Driscoll's Student-Led Conferences being held on Wednesday, October 9
It’s time for our Student-Led Conferences, and your child has been diligently preparing for this event. They have selected work samples from all their classes, analyzed their strengths and weaknesses as learners, and set potential goals for the future. We’re excited to see their hard work come to life during the conference!
Students are scheduled for a conference on October 9, 2024, in their 6th-period teacher’s classroom. To ensure a smooth experience for everyone, we will be organizing conferences into three time slots as follows:
- Students with last names A-H: 2:00 - 2:30 PM
- Students with last names I-P: 2:30 - 3:00 PM
- Students with last names Q-Z: 3:00 - 3:30 PM
If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so as soon as possible! Your child's 6th-period teacher has sent you a letter with the sign-up link. Completing this form will help streamline the check-in process on conference day.
All attending parents will have their names entered into a drawing for door prizes. We look forward to seeing you on Student-Led Conference Day!
Driscoll ALE students engaged in a cooking lab on Friday & made apple sauce
Parents/Guardians, we hope you can join us for the next Community Café - Oct. 15
Click the image below to access the Driscoll PTA News and Links
Book Bites Book Club on Friday was Fun with Reading, Discussing, & Playing Games
Student Ambassador Program - Deadline is October 11
The Mayor’s office is recruiting for another class of Student Ambassadors to build healthy schools across San Antonio. Several NEISD campuses have participated in this program in the past. If you are interested, please apply by the deadline of October 11.
Health Screenings for Students are Upcoming
SPINAL SCREENINGS:
Nurse Harrison will be doing spinal screenings the week of October 21, 2024. All 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys will be screened during their PE/Athletics/Health class. Please review the letter linked here that includes the purpose of the screening and the screening process.
If you have any questions or do not want your child to be screened, please contact Nurse Harrison via the clinic phone at (210) 356-3203 or by email at sharri9@neisd.net.
Girls in 6th - 8th grade, are you interested in coding, engineering, or tech?
This community partner (Girls Inc of San Antonio) invites students 6th-8th grade to a full day workshop. During the workshop, students will have the opportunity to:
1. Gain insight into education and career paths related to technology
2. Learn technical skills such as coding and game development
3.Explore the world of drones and virtual reality
4. Interact with successful women in IT to learn about their
professional journeys and career paths.
5.Participate in educational and interactive training.
Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. Every Participant will receive a laptop at the end of the event. Space is Limited to 150 students.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024
Time: 8AM-2PM
Location: 2214 Basse Rd. San Antonio, TX 78213
Questions Contact: Sabrina Lara- Family Engagement Liaison-slara3@neisd.net
Defender PRIDE Thursdays continue to help our Students Get Ahead
Teachers can recommend students attend and will be reaching out to parents/guardians to let them know that the students are specifically invited and encouraged to attend. Parents/Guardians can also sign their students up to attend and students can sign themselves up to come for the extra support. We want our Defenders to excel academically and attending Defender PRIDE Thursdays can give them a competive advantage. Check the flyer with a QR code where students can sign up. They should sign up by Wednesday each week before the Thursday they plan to attend.
Defender P.R.I.D.E. Thursday is a student program that focuses on remediation of core instruction and/or reteach of academic behaviors, running from right after school until 5pm in the Driscoll Library. Students can be referred to Thursday sessions by themselves, their parents, a coach/sponsor, their teachers, a counselor, and/or an administrator. During a Defender P.R.I.D.E. Thursday session, a student can complete missing or incomplete assignments (teacher made or web-based) or current assignments with teacher support. Snacks will be provided. Students who attend tutoring for the entire time will earn a free ticket to the volleyball or basketball game on that day (if games are available). If you have any questions about Defender P.R.I.D.E. Thursday sessions, contact our academic dean, Sarah Gonzalez sgonza7@neisd.net
Attendance Matters!
Regular attendance is crucial for academic success. Students who attend consistently tend to excel academically and exhibit positive behavior, setting themselves up for future achievements.
This past week, we reached an attendance rate of 95.9%! We need your help to ensure our students are in class and learning by bringing them to school every day. Your support in reinforcing the importance of regular school attendance and maintaining high academic and behavioral standards is invaluable.
Thank you for partnering with us to foster a positive and productive learning environment. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our dedicated students!
Students of Service Holding a Costume Drive to Benefit St. PJ's
Join Driscoll's Students of Service (SOS) club as they hold a costume drive beginning October 1 - 11 to help kids at St. PJ's. There will be a box new the front foyer/nurses area to put donations in next week. NO costume accessories that look like weapons will be allowed or accepted! Thank you for your help!
Thank you for joining the Driscoll PTA to support our campus!
Join our new Driscoll PTA Facebook page for information about upcoming events and ways to volunteer!
@claradriscollmiddleschoolpta
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/zrSpy8z2wdnB553f/?mibextid=K35XfP
Donate to the Clothes Bin in the Parking Lot & Help our Campus
If you haven't seen it, there is a new green bin in our front parking lot to collect and recycle old clothing, shoes, and textiles. Don't throw those items away, place them in the green bin in our parking lot. The campus benefits from every pound that is placed in the bin. Thank you for spreading the word and asking your family/friends to donate as well.
Madison Dollies Invite you to join them at a Spurs Game
The Madison HS Dollies Varsity Dance Team will be performing during halftime at the Spurs game on October 9 at 7pm.
We would love to see our Maverick family and community at the game.
Please click this link for special pricing.
Thank you so much for your support!
Thank you for continuing to come out and support our volleyball teams!
This week, they take on Harris and would love to have your support. The 8th grade game at home will be a PINK OUT game!
Thank you for cheering on our Defenders in Football.
Come out and support your Defenders on Wednesday this week as they take on Harris Middle School. The 7th grade home game will be a PINK OUT game.
Keep working hard, Defenders!
Students, if you attend the game, be sure to represent with Driscoll PRIDE. Foul language and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. You will be asked to leave the game and will not be allowed to attend future games if inappropriate behavior is observed. Thank you for representing Driscoll with Pride!
Mac Softball is firing up the grill on Saturday, October 26th at 11AM. They would love for you to join them for some BBQ and to meet the current Varsity and JV Softball players! Tickets are $10. They get you a quarter chicken leg, sausage link, beans, potato salad, and a drink.
Driscoll's Bell Schedule for the 2024-2025 School Year
Here is a link to the 2024-2025 Bell Schedule The bell schedule is also pictured below. Most days we will be on the regular bell schedule and only on early release days will we be following the early release bell schedule.
Vaping & Smoking is NOT Allowed on NEISD Campuses
Smoking and Vaping are NOT allowed on any NEISD campuses and disciplinary actions are taken for violations. Texas House Bill 114 was a new law that went into effect on September 1, 2023. Texas House Bill 114 requires a student to be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program for possessing, using, selling, giving, or delivering to another person an e-cigarette or any related component, for example, an empty cartridge or the mouthpiece.
Please communicate with your students about the seriousness and harmful health risks of smoking or vaping.
Order Your Driscoll Yearbook Today!
Athletic Schedules for 2024-2025
Driscoll Volleyball Schedule for 2024-2025
Cross Country Schedule for 2024-2025
Additional Schedules will be added to this section of the Driscoll News when they become available.
Looking Ahead at upcoming events and Important Dates
October 7 - Orchestra Fall Concert - 6:00 pm in the cafeteria, Accessorize in Pink
October 8 - Beginner Band Fall Showcase - 6:30pm in the cafeteria, Pretty in Pink or Tutu Tuesday
October 9 - Student-led Conference day with adjusted bell schedule, Football vs. Harris, 7th grade home, 8th grade away 4:30pm A Team, 5:30pm B Team., Pink and Black Day, Brahma March at Mac
October 10 - Volleyball vs. Harris, 7th grade away, 8th grade home at 4:30pm, Defender PRIDE Thursday Tutoring in Library 4pm - 5pm, New Pink Out Shirt Day
October 11 - Early Release Day, Congressional Debate at Bradley Middle School, 5pm. - 8pm., End of SOS Costume Drive, Dress in ALL Pink
October 12 - Cross Country Meet - 8am Girls' Heat, 8:30am Boys' Heat
October 14 - Columbus Day/Indigenous People Day School Holiday - No School
October 15 - Second Nine Weeks Begins, Community Café at 7:50am
October 16 (date was changed from the 15th) - Volleyball vs. Wood, 7th grade home, 8th grade away at 4:30pm.
October 16 - Football vs. Wood, 7th grade away, 8th grade home 4:30pm A Team, 5:30pm B Team
October 17 - Defender PRIDE Thursday Tutoring in Library 4pm - 5pm., Fall Band Concert 6:30pm. in the Gym.
October 18 - EOS Volleyball Tournament 7th Grade @ Krueger, EOS Volleyball Tournament 8th Grade @ Lopez
October 19 - EOS Volleyball Tournament 7th Grade @ Krueger, EOS Volleyball Tournament 8th
Grade @ Lopez until 6pm. Cross Country Meet - 9am Girls' Heat, 9:30am Boys' Heat
October 21 - 25 - Red Ribbon Week (details for events planned for this week are coming soon)
October 25 - Halloween Dance 4 - 6pm, Reflections Art Deadline
October 29 - 7th Grade Driscoll Stars Ceremony 7:45am in library
October 30 - 8th Grade Driscoll Stars Ceremony 7:45am in library
October 31 - Halloween
November 1 - Picture Retake Day
November 4 - Early Release Day
November 5 - Election Day - No School
November 7 - 6th Grade Driscoll Stars Ceremony 7:45am in library