News from the Nest
Dacula Middle School
137 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 / 770.963.1110
April 29, 2022
GMAS Testing Continues Next Week
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.
The calendar below indicates the remaining dates each content area will be testing by grade level.
** As a reminder, students need to report to school ON TIME for testing. **
To ensure a smooth testing process, please make sure your student is on-time for school in the morning. Please also refrain from scheduling appointments and/or early check-out during their grade level testing dates listed below.
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 (EOC) Milestones Assessment and the End of Grade (EOG) 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.
If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Tasha Baumgardner.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Spring Book Fair
Cell Phone Reminder
Parents/Guardians:
Our expectation has always been that cell phones are turned off and put away during the school day. Due to a significant amount of issues related to cell phone use, we will be heavily enforcing this expectation during this final 9 weeks of the school year and assigning consequences as necessary. Parents, please help us to enforce this expectation by speaking with your child. You can support us in the following ways:
Speak with your child about the expectations for cell phones and the inappropriateness of using them during school unless directed by a staff member. Some students are making the poor choices of taking pictures, taking videos, sending texts, and posting to social media.
We ask that you not text your child during the school day—especially since phones are to be off and put away. We are happy to allow students to check at the end of the day in case there is an important message that they need from you. (You can always feel free to phone the school, and we will relay a message to your child. Likewise your child may use a grade level phone or ask permission to use his/her phone to contact you).
If your child does not need his/her cell phone, please have him/her leave it at home.
Thank you for your partnership as we aim to remain focused on instruction and finish our year strong.
End of the Year Information
8th Grade Families: Have you paid your student's $20 fee?
Don't forget, all fees need to be paid by Friday, May 6 via My Payments Plus.
Testing Corner
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.
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 clinÂically 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
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 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
Special Services Support
Virtual Transition Fair 2022 is now available
The Virtual Transition Fair 2022 for students with disabilities, their families, and educators is now available. 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 - May 25, 2022
Where: Website ~ 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 brought 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?
Parent Corner
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.
