News from the Nest
Dacula Middle School
137 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 / 770.963.1110
March 11, 2022
Dear Parents:
As spring semester is underway and spring break approaches, we want to share details regarding Honor Roll and Principal’s Honor Roll recognition for our end of year awards., which will be held on May 16 for 6th - 7th grades, and May 17 for 8th grade. You will receive 9-week progress reports noting your child’s performance through March 30th. This report will be emailed home on Friday, April 1. Any missing student work noted on the progress report should be submitted no later than Friday, April 15. Submitting late work after the Friday, April 15 deadline will not change a student's eligibility to be recognized for academic performance. The grades on the April 22nd progress report along with the grades on the first semester report card will determine if a student is recognized at the Awards Ceremony for academic performance this school year.
We encourage parents to monitor their children’s grades every week through the use of the parent portal.
Recognition at the local school this year will include:
Honor Roll - All A’s & B’s for the year (including individual connections classes)
Principal’s Honor Roll - Straight A’s for the year (including individual connections classes)
Recognition Ceremony for specialty awards will be by invitation.
2022-2023 Connections Options Surveys
Current 6th & 7th Grade students completed the Connections Survey during their Advisement period on Friday, 3/11th to select their top 6 preferences for next school year. If you child was absent and needs to complete this form, they are currently posted on the Dacula MS Website in the Top 3 ~ Rising 7th & 8th Grade Connections section.
These surveys will close on Friday, March 18th.
In the event that there are more qualified students than seats available for a particular course, students will be selected randomly. Also expressing interest in a class does not guarantee it will be assigned.
** Please keep in mind that student schedules are not finalized until August 2022. Final course placements will not be available until that time. **
Way to Go Falcons!
Each of the following students scored in the "Superior" category on their media entries, which means they will advance to the state competition.
Vanessa E. 6th-- Public Service Announcement
Annette P. 7th--Live Video Cultural Heritage
Jasmine P. 7th--Interview
Kelly S. 8th--Public Service Announcement
Luna T. 8th--Interview
Congratulation Falcons!
Create City in the House!
Create City is an exceptional experience where young Falcons showcase their entrepreneurial skills. It is a marketplace simulation where students learn the basics of economics, financial management, entrepreneurship and marketing. Classes have been visiting the Create City vendors for this creative and crafty marketplace to see how our young Falcons SOAR as the build their own business.
Mark Your Calendars
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
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)
Testing Corner
Georgia Milestones Assessment (GMAS)
Dacula Middle School will be administering the Georgia Milestones Assessment (GMAS) during the months of April and May. All students are expected to take the Georgia Milestones Assessments.
If you have concerns for your child regarding testing, you should contact Tasha Baumgardner no later than Friday, April 1st.
The calendar below indicates the dates each content area will be testing by grade level.
8th Grade Students Only:
***Please note 8th grade students in High School Algebra I and Accelerated Algebra I will take both the End of Course Milestones Assessment and the End of Grade Milestones Assessment.
***Students enrolled in High School Algebra I and Accelerated Algebra I who do not take the Algebra I EOC will receive a zero in the gradebook for this assessment and it will count as 20% of their overall grade.
Semester 2 Posttests: May 17th - May 18th
Students will be taking their Semester 2 posttests on May 17 and May 18, 2022. The daily schedule will be adjusted both days to accommodate a block scheduling period. These exams are 10% of the student’s overall grade and students are expected to take the exams. Please make sure your student is here on both days to take their exams.
Please contact Tasha Baumgardner if you have any questions related to the upcoming testing dates.
Registration Closes Soon!
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.
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
Reminders
One Week Left to Sign Up!
4th Annual Dacula HS Color Run for the Cure 3k
Saturday, March 19th ~ 7:30am
at Mulberry Elementary School
To register or donate:
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!
In light of this updated guidance and Gwinnett County’s current designation in the “Low” level of community spread, Gwinnett County Public Schools does not require but strongly recommends the use of masks in its facilities.
Masks 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.”
PLEASE NOTE:
School-Issued devices will no longer be offered after Monday, 3/21st.
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.
Current 8th Graders/Rising 9th Graders
Academic Assistance Program (AAP)
Science & Social Studies AAP began 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
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.
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
Reminders
Remember to complete your 2021-2022 Forms!
Please log on to MyPaymentsPlus to complete important documents necessary for the start of school.
Have you joined our amazing DMS PTSA?
Becoming a member helps support the amazing work & events the PTSA does for our students & school!
Community News
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.
