News from the Nest

Dacula Middle School

137 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 / 770.963.1110

Dacula Middle School Website

January 30, 2026

Out of an abundance of caution due to potential winter weather, all GCPS events and activities scheduled for Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, are canceled or may be rescheduled.

There are no changes to events or activities scheduled for Friday evening, January 30.

GCPS will continue to closely monitor the weather and will share updates as early as possible if weekend conditions affect Monday's school schedule.

We understand that changes like these can be inconvenient, and we appreciate your flexibility and partnership. The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, and we are committed to providing clear, timely information.

Please continue to watch for updates through official GCPS communication channels.

World Read Aloud Day - Volunteer Sign Up

An educational graphic announcing a GCPS Digital Learning Day on Friday, February 6, 2026, stating that all students will work digitally from home.

Reminders

A notification graphic with the heading "Schedule Changes" written on a white sticky note pinned to a dark blue background. Below the image, bold orange text reads, "Please be mindful that we are not able to accommodate any schedule change requests for Connections classes." At the bottom, a smaller line of blue italicized text says, "Thank you for your understanding!"

Evolv Detection Systems Updates

DMS Arrival Procedures

As part of Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) continued commitment to student and staff safety, we are preparing to implement the Evolv weapons detection system at Dacula Middle School starting on Monday, January 26.

This system will be used during morning arrival at designated entry points. Evolv is a state-of-the-art, touchless screening technology designed to detect potential threats while allowing students and visitors to move quickly and safely into the building.

Here’s what you need to know:

Entry Points: Look for clearly marked entrances with Evolv systems.
There is no need to remove phones, keys, and wallets from your pockets, purses, or bags.
If an alert is triggered, a quick secondary screening may be required.
Arrive early to avoid delays.

The implementation of the Evolv weapons detection system is part of a broader, multi-layered safety strategy that includes:

Enhanced staff training in emergency response and threat detection.
Upgraded surveillance and security monitoring systems
Ongoing collaboration with local law agencies.

We appreciate your support as we work together to maintain a safe and welcoming school environment.

Informational graphic titled "Beginning January 26 Avoid the BLUES," outlining items that must be removed from bags for security screening: Binders, Laptops, Umbrellas, Eyeglass Cases, and Spray Bottles.

An informational graphic titled "Other Items to Carry in Your Hands Beginning January 26," detailing specific items—water bottles, instrument mouthpieces, and Chromebooks—that must be held while passing through school screening.

Safety is a Priority in GCPS

GCPS Parent Alert Information

GCPS News

School Redistricting Information

For information, timeline, maps, and access to the GCPS feedback survey, please visit the

2026 GCPS Redistricting webpage.

8th Grade Events & Information

Flyer for Dacula Middle School’s 8th Grade Dance, "A Night Under the Stars," on March 13 from 5:30–8:00 PM. Features dancing silhouettes and stars. Details coming soon.

Tickets can be purchased on MyPaymentsPlus for $25 each.

As a reminder, starting January 5th, any major discipline referrals will disqualify students from having the opportunity to attend the 8th Grade Dance on March 13th.

Additional information about this event will be sent out shortly so please stay tuned.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this policy.

8th Grade Day ~ Friday, May 15th

Dues for this event are $30 and can be paid on MyPaymentsPlus.

Flyer for Dacula High's 2026 Summer Health/PE. Online program runs June 2–17. Registration: Feb 2–May 29. Cost: $500. Register at gcpsk12.org/daculacommunityschool or call 770-338-4667.

Please Join Us

A promotional flyer for a creative competition at DMS titled "What Does Being a R.E.A.L FALCON Mean to you?" The contest is open to Grades 6–8 and asks students to create a piece representing the R.E.A.L. Falcon values: Respectful, Engaged, Accountable Leaders. Key Details: Formats Allowed: Poetry, Prose (maximum 2 pages), or Artistic Representation. Submission Deadline: January 30, 2026, at the Parent Center. Prizes: Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place, plus a "People’s Choice" award. Winners Announced: Literacy Night on February 24, 2026. Contact: Ms. Johnson, Parent Instructional Support Coordinator, Parent Center Red Hall 7.242. Visuals: The flyer features school-themed illustrations like a laptop, pen, and books, along with a QR code for more information.

EXTENDED DEADLINE ~ Calling All Creative Falcons!

What does it mean to be a R.E.A.L. Falcon? We want to see your creativity shine! DMS students in grades 6–8 are invited to submit an original piece that reflects our core values of being Respectful, Engaged, Accountable Leaders.

Whether you are a writer or an artist, there is a category for you:

Poetry
Prose (2-page limit)
Artistic Representation

The Details:

Deadline: Turn in your best work to the Parent Center by February 5, 2026.
Prizes: We will be awarding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, along with a special "People’s Choice" award!
Celebration: Winners will be announced during Literacy Night on February 24, 2026.

For questions, please visit Ms. Johnson in the Parent Center (Red Hall 7.242). We can’t wait to see what you create!

For additional information, scoring rubric, digital submission link, and much more, visit the DMS Digital Parent Center site.

What's Going on at DMS?

2025-2026 Important S2 Dates

Friday, February 6th: Digital Learning Day
Tuesday, February 10th: Spring Picture Day
Thursday, February 12th - Monday, February 16th: February Break - No School
Monday, March 2nd: Gwinnett Writes Assessment (6th & 7th Grades)
Wednesday, March 4th & Thursday, March 5th: S2 Interim Exams
Wednesday, March 4th & Thursday, March 5th: Early Release Days - Dismissal starts at 1:20pm!
Friday, March 13th: Digital Learning Day
Wednesday, March 18th: Career Fair
Monday, April 6th - Friday, April 10th: Spring Break - No School
Monday, April 20th - Thursday, April 30th: Georgia Milestones Testing
Wednesday, May 20th: Last Day of School

** S2 Final Exam Dates coming soon! **

Dacula Middle School Yearbook Order Form for 2026. Prices: $40 until August 10, $45 from August 11 to November 30, $55 starting December 1 through distribution day. Online orders at YearbookOrderCenter.com, reference number 13868. Cash orders accepted at school; no checks. Name plates cost $5, last day to order is November 30, 2025. Includes fields for student name, grade, homeroom teacher, and total cost. Note: $3.99 fee for credit card orders.

Dacula Community Events

An event flyer for the Miss Dacula Pageant featuring a tall, elegant navy blue silhouette of a woman wearing a crown and a formal gown with gold swirling patterns at the hem. Gold light bursts sparkle on the silhouette against a cream-colored background decorated with gold ribbons.

A promotional flyer for the Dacula Athletic Association 2026 Spring Programs, in partnership with Gwinnett Parks & Recreation. The flyer uses a blue, gold, and white color scheme and includes a row of five photos showing equipment for lacrosse, baseball, softball, football, and basketball.

iReady Tips and Information

Fridge Tips for i-Ready Lessons at Home: Prepare students with quiet space, device, and plan; support motivation and track progress; celebrate milestones and hard work.

iReady Fridge Tips - Printable Version

i-Ready progress tips: Check My Progress for lesson stats, time-on-task, lessons passed, and streak. Use To Do for upcoming lessons and Completed Work for finished ones.

Car Rider Information and Reminders

Morning Car Rider Drop Off:

For your child's safety, car riders drop-off starts 8:55 am morning bell in the car rider lane. The car rider lane will close at 9:20 am, and students must be in class by 9:25 to avoid being marked tardy.

Early drop-off (8:00am-8:35am) must be done in the bus zone at the back of our building. Early students should not be dropped off at the front office or in the car rider lane. Students may be dropped off in the bus lane as early as 8:00 am for study hall in the cafeteria.

As a reminder, there is NO LEFT TURN allowed onto or from Dacula Road during drop off and pick up!

Bus Dismissal:

For your convenience, we post our bus calls on our website to keep you informed of when your student leaves the building by bus. You can access this information each afternoon by logging on to our website.

Click on the Parents/Students tab across the top and then click on Transportation Information. The Bus Call Information button will take you to the real-time slideshow.

Afternoon buses are posted to our website as they arrive at Dacula Middle with the bus call they are part of.

The time that students are called to load that set of buses is listed in the last column.

Buses leave our school approximately 5 - 7 minutes after the time listed in the green column.

** Please refresh your browser page every few minutes for real-time updates. **

Parent Mentors Presents

Save the Date: 2026 GCPS Transition Fair

What: The GCPS Transition fair is the Department of Special Education and Psychological Services’ annual event connecting families of students with special needs to resources that will support their journeys toward adulthood. Featured community organizations specialise in supported employment, day programs and community living, recreation and leisure, vocational and career services for special needs, funding and community resources.

When Saturday, March 14

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Where: Peachtree Ridge High School

1555 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee

For questions, please contact us at Transition.Fair@gcpsk12.org

Special Education Parental Rights Update

Parents,

Schools will no longer receive hard copies of Parental Rights Booklets. You can also find a copy of your Parental Rights on the district’s website under Special Education and Psychological Services Parent Handbook.

If you would prefer a printed copy of your Parental Rights, please contact me, Charisse Deramus at charisse.deramus@gcpsk12.org, or your child's case manager.

We look forward to a great year of making an impact one student at a time!

Charisse Deramus

Special Education Assistant Principal

GCPS Technology Information

ParentSquare

ParentSquare is GCPS's communication tool for families, schools, and teachers.

Be sure you have updated your settings to make sure you are receiving all GCPS and Dacula MS updates and messages:

ParentSquare Tips and How To Information

MyPaymentsPlus

For Gwinnett County Public Schools families, MyPaymentsPlus is the resource for student meal accounts, and accessing options to review and pay for school activities.

MyPaymentsPlus Information and Instructions

Stay Connected

We communicate through our website, social media, ParentSquare, and News from the Nest newsletter.

Please be sure your email is correct on the Parent Portal to ensure you are staying connected.

** If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please contact our registrar's office. **

To find Gwinnett County Food Security Resources:

https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/departments/communityservices/foodsecurityresources

Home of the R.E.A.L. Falcons

Dacula Middle School will become a world-class school that provides a safe and nurturing environment where students acquire the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and beliefs to be successful in college and careers in a diverse society.

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