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