News from the Nest

Dacula Middle School

137 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 / 770.963.1110

Click Here for the Dacula Middle School Website

March 4, 2022

4th Annual Dacula HS Color Run for the Cure 3k

Saturday, March 19th ~ 7:30am

at Mulberry Elementary School

To register or donate:

https://gofan.co/app/events/508281?schoolId=GA4946

Spring Picture Day

Students will take Spring Pictures on Tuesday, March 15th at their assigned grade level's time.

All picture payments need to be placed on-line with Lifetouch.

Please use the following code for payment:

EVT8VWRCH

One Week Left to Register!

Dacula Cluster COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Pilot

Gwinnett County Public Schools is expanding its COVID-19 Surveillance Testing pilot to include students and staff in the Dacula Cluster. This voluntary testing process will begin the week of February 28 and those interested will have until Thursday, February 24, at 11:59 p.m. to sign up to participate.

If you decide to sign up at a later time, the sign-up form will be active Monday – Thursday of each week. Use the appropriate link below to sign up.

Student Sign-up

More about the Dacula Cluster COVID-19 Testing Pilot:

Routine COVID-19 testing (also called surveillance testing) can quickly detect individuals who are positive with COVID-19 and trace contacts who should quarantine. The testing, which is free and will be conducted on a weekly basis at the school, uses a short Qtip-type swab to collect a sample from inside the nose. This testing will allow GCPS to test, receive test results (within 24-48 hours), and notify individuals of a clinically significant reading. By participating, students and staff members can help to minimize the spread of the virus within our schools, which benefits us all.

Although participation in surveillance testing is not required for students or staff members, it is strongly encouraged. Participation will contribute to the success of this mitigation strategy and our schools’ ability to limit the spread of COVID and keep students learning in person.

Learn more about the COVID testing being offered to Dacula Cluster students and staff by reviewing our frequently asked questions.

Dacula COVID Testing Flyer- English Dacula COVID Testing Flyer- Spanish

6th & 8th Grade Scoliosis Screening ~ Friday, 3/18th

All students in grades 6 and 8 will be screened.

On Monday, February 28th, students watched a video that described the screening process.

If you would prefer your child not participate in our school's screenings, you will need to either sign the opt out portion of the scoliosis form or have your physician complete the form.

Scoliosis Parent Letter English Scoliosis Parent Letter Spanish

Scoliosis Form English Scoliosis Form Spanish

Please return the signed form/physician screening letter to school by Wednesday, March 16th.

If you have additional questions, please contact Ms. Charise Deramus

charisse.deramus@gcpsk12.org (678.407.7268)

Assessment Updates

For information, dates, and updates regarding Semester 2 Interim exams, GMAS testing, and Final Exams, please use the link below:

Spring 2022 Assessment Updates

Reminders

Parents should not be cutting through or dropping students off in the Faculty Parking Lot at the back of the school.

Doing this creates a safety hazard for faculty, students, and other drivers.

Please follow the traffic flow pattern for early morning dropoff.

Thank you for your cooperation!

The latest Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) report on community transmission indicates "High" transmission of COVID-19 in Gwinnett County. As a result, masks are required in all GCPS facilities. Masks also are required on buses in compliance with federal mandates.

For the rest of the semester, families and staff will be notified via School Messenger each Monday afternoon about mask guidance for the rest of the week. Under the district’s current COVID-19 protocols, community transmission levels must be maintained at the "Moderate" or "Low" level for two consecutive weeks before district mask guidance transitions to “Strongly Recommended.”

Click here for more on GCPS’ mask guidance.

PLEASE NOTE:

School-Issued devices will no longer be offered after Monday, 3/21st.

Student Device Request Form

Please remember that all students are required to meet the promotion criteria established by GCPS. We encourage all parents to review the grades and the promotion criteria with your child.

GCPS 2021-2022 Middle School Promotion Criteria

Current 8th Graders/Rising 9th Graders

Academic Assistance Program (AAP)

Science & Social Studies AAP will begin Monday, March 7, 2022.

Please see the session dates below. Parents who have registered for their child to attend AAP received an email sent by Tasha Baumgardner

Students are required to pass 5 out of 6 courses each semester to meet the promotion criteria. Language Arts and Mathematics must be two of the five subjects passed.

Dacula Middle School’s Academic Assistance Program (AAP) is an opportunity for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to make up a failing grade (50 – 69) from first semester in Language Arts, Math, Science, or Social Studies to meet promotion criteria.

Students will be retaught and assessed on the AKS that they did not master during first semester.

The cost for each course is $75 and students can take up to 3 courses.

Check your email from your student's teacher about specific AAP information.

For questions, please contact Tasha Baumgardner, Assistant Principal responsible for AAP.

Special Services Support

Virtual Transition Fair 2022

Save-the-Date for the Virtual Transition Fair 2022 for students with disabilities, their families, and educators. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch virtual presentations from local agency representatives regarding various options available for school-aged students as well as transitional services to post-school activities and employment. Presentations and resources will be available virtually, in the following categories: Day Programs, Community Living Supports, Recreation & Leisure, and Vocational & Career Services.

2022 Transition Fair Flyers

Who: For Parents, Students with Disabilities, and Educators

When: Saturday, March 26, 2022, 8:00am

For additional information: https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/23404

Annual Parent Involvement Survey

Who: Families of students who are receiving special education services

What: Each state is required to conduct a parent survey to measure parent/family perceptions of the success of parent engagement between home and local schools.

When: Available January 18, 2022 – May 31, 2022

Where: Parents can complete the survey via the survey link below.

Students will also be bringing home letters on 2/11th with information on how to access this annual survey.

Please use the following link to access the survey: https://survey.gadoe.org/SPEDParentSurvey

What's Happening at DMS?

¿Se habla español en casa?

If you/your 8th grade student understood the message above, we would like your student to take the SNS/Heritage Spanish placement test.

Please have them complete the Google form (after signing into their Gsuite account): https://forms.gle/yosRqhpWDgBuMwUx6

Are you a current 7th Grader interested in becoming a Peer Leader for the 2022-2023 school year?

If so, the application is now open!

Peer leaders will help around the school with different events, participate in community projects, and will meet with DMS counselors on a monthly basis to develop and enhance leadership skills.

Be sure to answer in complete, well thought out sentences. Remember, please fill this out only if you are a current 7th grader.

Current 7th Grader - Peer Leader Application

The deadline to submit the application is Friday, March 4th at 5:00pm.