Welcome back Duanesburg Middle School students and their parents!

It seems like just yesterday we were saying goodbye for the summer. I am very excited about the 2012-13 school year and am looking forward to a year full of promise.  One of our areas of focus this year will be fulfilling the DCS Mission Statement:

"To be a socially responsible school where learning and the pursuit of excellence are valued." 

We, as a middle school, will collectively focus on what it means to be "socially responsible" and what classmates, community members and parents can do to enhance the educational experience here at DCS as we strive to make our already strong academic program even stronger. 

Over the summer a group of middle school teachers, in conjunction with our literacy coach, worked very hard to develop a common writing rubric for the middle school as well as an ELA handbook.  The handbook and rubric will be given to every student to use as a reference.  Students will be encouraged to refer to these whenever they are asked to complete a writing assignment.  The rubric and handbook will be supported in every class, from physical education to math, and will be useful tools whether students are writing a science lab or completing a DBQ for social studies.

Parents, when your child is completing his or her homework, please make sure he or she is using these references.  It is our hope that by using these guides consistently our students will strengthen their writing skills which will better prepare them as they move into high school, college and eventually the work force.

Policy changes:

1) Students are not allowed to carry backpacks to class. In the past this has proven to be a safety issue.  If a student is having difficulty preparing what he needs for class and getting there on time he should talk to his teachers to learn about other arrangements.

2) Electronic devices will be allowed for student use in class at the teachers' discretion.  If you have any questions contact your student's team.


Upcoming dates for the MS:

First day of classes            September 6, 2012
MS Dance                         September 14 at 6:30
NWEA Exams begin           September 17th
MS/HS Open House          September 19th at 6;30
MS Dance                         September 28th at 6:30
Picture Day                       October 2 and 3
Early Dismissal                  October 5 @ 11:10

Winter Update

Hello! I realize this update is long over due, so I will do my best to get you all caught up now.

At the middle school we have been busy working on ways to improve our instructional delivery. As most of you are aware, we were identified as a School in Need of Improvement (SINI) because we did not meet our AYP (annual yearly progress) in English Language Arts (ELA) for the sub group of students with disabilities.

What does that mean? That means that our special education students did not perform as well we would have liked on the ELA exam. Since the notification, we have been working in conjunction with a Special Education School Information Specialist (SESIS) who has been helping us take an in-depth and critical look at how we deliver education to our students with disabilities--and all students, for that matter. Please visit the middle school homepage on the district website at www.duanesburg.org for more information.

Upcoming events

• Bluegrass Concernt fundraiser,  Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the cafeteria.
• NO SCHOOL: Winter break, Feb. 20 to 27.

News and Notes for October

I can't believe we have already completed our fifth week of school! Interim Reports were sent home on Friday, October 14. If you haven't seen your child's report yet, check his/her school bag! Students have been working very hard and I am sure these updates will reflect their efforts. If you have any questions please email or call your child's teacher(s).

Don't forget, Parent-Teacher Conferences are Thursday, Nov. 17 and Friday, Nov.18. This is a good time to talk to the education team your child sees every day, and discuss your child's educational progress. Please contact Mr. Silverman to schedule your day and time--don't delay, slots are filling quickly.

 
Upcoming event

• The MS Halloween Dance is Friday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Students are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank.

• The Media Immersion program begins Monday, Oct. 17. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to work with advanced media production technology under the tutelage of an instructor from Proctor's Theater. It is no too late to sign up. If your child is interested have him/her see Mrs. Longo for information.

• The 7th-grade class is taking a field trip to Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction on Thursday, Oct. 20. Students will observe how the Dutch settlers in the Mohawk Valley lived, watch a Blacksmith and broom maker at work and take a tour of the oldest house in the Mohawk Valley and its slave quarters. This trip coincides with the social studies curriculum and will provide students an opportunity to experience a bit of the history they are currently studying. Students will need to dress for the weather as part of this experience will be outside. Thank you Mrs. Clark and the 7th-grade team.

• On Thursday, Oct. 27 the 8th-grade class will go to New York City to visit the Museum of Natural History. This trip coincides with the 8th-grade science curriculum. I am very excited that the students will get to experience one of my favorite museums! Parents, if you are interested in attending this trip there are seats available. Please contact Mr. Wyanski for more information. Thank you Mr. Wyanski and the 8th-grade team.

• The 6th-grade team will go to Proctor's Theater in Schenectady to see two Giant Screen Films: Forces of Nature and Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs. These films align nicely with the social studies and science curricula. This is a free event for students and Proctors will support nine free admissions for chaperones. If more than nine parents would like to attend, names will be drawn from a hat to determine who receives the free admission. Tickets may also be purchased from the Proctor's Box Office. Parents, if you would like to attend this performance, please contact Deb Tarmey. Chaperones may either ride the bus or drive independently. Thank you to the 6th-grade team

Students in grades 7 and 8 who are interested in participating on a modified sports team should pick up a pink slip from PE teachers and return the completed forms to the nurse.

Open House was a hit...and upcoming dates

I would like to thank all of the parents who attended the Middle School Open House on Thursday night. It is always nice to see everyone as they walk an evening in their children's footsteps.

It is hard to believe we are already into our third week of classes. Some upcoming events for the MS include Picture Day on October 5 and 6. Students will have their pictures taken in their Physical Education classes on those days.

We also have our second MS Dance on September 30th. This dance is sponsored by the class of 2013.

In October we will also be conducting the first round of a new assessment called the NWEA. This assessment will be given three times a year in math. reading, and language. Its purpose is to provide teachers with an accurate, measurable benchmark of student knowledge, skill level, and progress so they can better meet the needs of our students. There will be more information on the NWEA in the upcoming weeks.

On Oct. 4, the sixth-grade class will be attending a concert entitled "Bach to Beatles". The concert will take place in the afternoon at the Elementary School. Students will be bused to the ES at 12:30 p.m. for the 1 p.m. concert. After the concert students will either participate in a band clinic or music activity hosted by the DCS Music Department. The students will board the buses at the Elementary School on time for a regular dismissal. Thank you Mrs. Waltz for inviting us!

MS Dance & Open House Reminders

We are one week into the new school year and things are going very well. Mrs. Longo and I are settling in to our new space nicely and although we are still putting the finishing touches on it, it is beginning to feel like home.

This Friday is the first in a series of MS dances. This week the dance is sponsored by the Class of 2012. These dances are always a lot of fun for the students, and we have had some wonderful DJs over the years. The dress attire is "School Casual". We ask students to dress comfortably but remember to abide by the school dress code. The dance will begin at 6:30p.m.  and end promptly at 9 p.m. We hope to see you all there!

Parents, don't forget that the MS/HS Open House is Thursday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you!

First Day Success!

Welcome back, everyone. We had a terrific first day of school today! It was great to see all of the returning--and new--students walking the halls and attending classes today.

Among the many new happenings in the Duanesburg Middle School this year, one of them is this blog. One of my personal goals as the Middle School Principal this year is to communicate more with parents and students about all the fantastic things happening in our school and classrooms.

I've decided to take a 21st-century approach to reaching out to parents by using this blog as a way to keep people informed, to remind parents and students of important dates and school events, and announce other school-related information.

I, of course, can still be reached via the school voicemail system and through email, but I am hoping that my blog will keep everyone informed. Don't forget to check back again.

September 2011 Middle School News

On Tuesday, August 23 students from this year's 6th grade class visited the middle school where they located the lockers they will use next year as well as practiced working the combinations on their locks.  At the same time athletes arrived on campus to begin practice for fall sports. This annual tradition signaled the end of summer and the rapidly approaching 2011-2012 school year. 

When the rest of the Duanesburg middle school students arrive on the first day of school, Thursday, September 8, they will find a few new changes:

• The Middle School Main Office has moved! You can find Mrs. Longo and me in the former Guidance Office Suite across from the Nurse's Office. We are excited about our new office and look forward to being located in the middle school section of the building. 
• Middle School teacher Mrs. Molyneaux has accepted a position in the Elementary School.  We wish her the best of luck.
• We welcome Ms. Lisa DiBella as our new 6th grade teacher.  Ms. DiBella will be teaching ELA 6 and science and will be located in Room 305. Look for her bio in the September 2011 Back-to-School newsletter that was mailed to all residents in late August or visit the district website, http://www.duanesburg.org/ to view it online

We are excited about the upcoming year and the challenges we will face together.  If you have questions or concerns please call or email me.

Mark Your Calendar: 

• September 8: Classes begin
• September 22: Open House at 6:30 p.m.
• October 5: Picture Day
• October 7: Professional Development/Half-day, 11:10 a.m. dismissal

School starts on Sept. 8

Just a reminder that the first day of school is Thursday, September 8. See you then!