[Msparents] January Campus News/Events

[Lori L. Marek]

Happy New Year DMS Parents!

Things are really moving here at DMS!  We're on the fast track now,
preparing for spring success...  Second semester schedules were quickly
distributed to all students before school yesterday, and as I strolled the
halls, all students appeared focused--and BUSY--already.  Your students
were reminded that all schedule change requests must be made in writing,
by a parent, and then turned in to the counselor for consideration by this
Friday, January 11.  No changes will occur after that time unless
administration/team/teacher-initiated.  I took some time to update the
school calendar, too, and there aren't many empty boxes left between now
and May!

First big calendar event of the year:  report cards are coming home today.
 Remember that second nine weeks averages are what is looked at for "No
Pass No Play" extracurricular eligibility (including Medina Co. Stock
Show), and the semester averages are what is looked at to determine course
credit.  All students will be bringing home a copy of our "School Report
Card" issued by the Texas Education Agency as well.  The report is based
upon student performance during the 2006-07 school year.  We are pleased
to have received three Gold Star Acknowledgements this past year, our 5th
year in a row to receive on in attendance!  Thank you so much for all you
do to be sure your student is here every day (especially during 2nd
period, our state-accounting period that determines campus funding).  

Eighth graders will also bring home a letter today regarding the Student
Success Initiative (SSI) and a brochure to help students and parents
understand what all is involved in the process of being promoted from 8th
to 9th grade, as far as TAKS-testing is concerned.  Mrs. Schneider and I
will be holding a parent information meeting regarding SSI and promotion
standards on Monday, January 21, at 6:30 in the DMS Library.  Please come
if you have questions or feel you simply need more information.  All
parents, please don't forget to read your child's grade level newsletter
as well to discover upcoming AR deadlines, what's being covered in core
classes, and grade level news and success stories.

You'll be hearing more this spring about the "CATCH Program," a new
state-wide middle school health and fitness program that DMS is
participating in.  All students will receive training in their P.E. or
athletics classes, and those 8th graders not in a P.E. or athletics class
will also be trained during electives and/or PASS class time.  Coaches
McGinnis, Mangold and Muniz are looking for parent volunteers to assist in
skills testing the students (mainly assisting with recording of data).  If
you have a work schedule that allows you time off certain days of the week
or your schedule is otherwise free during school hours, and you'd like to
help us out for a day of two, please call Coach Shana McGinnis to
coordinate dates/times.  She can be reached by calling the school office
at 830.851.0695.  Her extension in the coaches' office is 662.  This
program has already begun being implemented at Devine Intermediate during
the fall semester, and they seem pleased with the results.  My daughter
has brought home several interesting hand-outs for our family to look at
and discuss a healthy lifestyle.  If you are concerned about your child's
nutrition, weight, level of physical activity, or general fitness, you'll
be receiving some very helpful information and weblinks to learn more.  I
hope you'll be pleased, and I hope you'll share feedback with us once
you've learned a little more about the program.

Speaking of fitness, I'd also like to share with you a site I recently
discovered sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture.  I went there
to learn more about the Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value rules (for
school vending machines, parties, etc...), but discovered suggestions for
teachers and parents to promote more healthy eating habits and physical
activity.  As a parent, I enjoyed looking through information on the site,
and particularly liked the "fun recipes" section which I'm hoping to get
my nine-year old interested in.  The site is called "Squaremeals.org." 
Here is the link: 
http://www.squaremeals.org/sm/front/0,1158,983_985_0_0,00.html.

A little later this month, January 28, to be precise, we'll be kicking off
our annual campus-wide spring fundraiser.  And again this year, it's
COOKIE DOUGH--YUM!!!  Orders will be sent off in time to be received prior
to the spring break/Easter holiday week.  Also, the Student Council is
planning their annual campus-wide spring service project which will be the
Pennies for Patients drive again this year.  We'd love it if your family
would set aside a special piggy bank or jar and start collecting your
loose change NOW so that your ready to contribute in February when the
drive begins.  Last year DMS was recognized as a top fundraising school in
South Texas by the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, and we're hoping to make
as big a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families
again this year!

It's going to be a GREAT spring here at DMS, and YOU, parents, are a big
part of that!  Our students excel in the classroom and extracurriculars,
fundraisers and service projects, as a result of your constant support of
our efforts and theirs.  Thank you so much.

Wishing you a happy and healthy new year,

Lori L. Marek
Principal

Devine Middle School
400 Cardinal
Devine, TX 78016

ph 830.851.0695
fax 830.663.6769

"It's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your
years."  - Abraham Lincoln