Embedded Files
Dacula Middle School
137 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 / 770.963.1110
October 16, 2020
IMPORTANT ~ WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK!
IMPORTANT ~ WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK!
Click the down arrow next to each item for details and information.
GCPS Spring Instructional Preference Questionnaire
GCPS Spring Instructional Preference Questionnaire
Beginning October 28, Gwinnett parents and guardians will make a decision about how their children will learn during second semester, which begins January 6. Like this semester, families may select either in-person instruction at school or digital learning at home. As students and families are familiar with these two options and what they entail, the decisions families make will be for the entire semester.
The Spring Instructional Preference Questionnaire will be available in your Parent Portal account October 28 through 11:59 p.m. on November 15.
The Spring Instructional Preference Questionnaire will be available in your Parent Portal account October 28 through 11:59 p.m. on November 15.
If you do not have a parent portal account, please go to the school district website for information or contact your local school to request one.
We will remind you on October 28 that the window for making your family’s decision regarding second semester is open.
Attendance for Digital Learners
Attendance for Digital Learners
Whether students are digital or in–person, class attendance is greatly important for the academic success of students. Currently, a digital learning student who logs in any time during the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. during the school day receives a “DL” as their attendance code. While this process provides information as to which digital learners were online that day to access lessons and resources, it did not provide details as to which students were online during class time, benefiting from live instruction and interaction with their teachers.
As we transition into the second nine weeks of the school year, we are updating our attendance procedures for digital learners.
Teachers now have the ability to take attendance for digital learners who are online during live instruction. Digital learners who are not present during teacher-led live instruction will be marked with the code “NPD“, which stands for “Not Present Digitally.” Teacher-led live instruction is generally the first 10-20 minutes of class. Additionally, you will be contacted via automated email if your child is marked “NPD”. Students who are present during live instruction will continue to be marked present digitally with the “DL“ indication.
Teachers now have the ability to take attendance for digital learners who are online during live instruction. Digital learners who are not present during teacher-led live instruction will be marked with the code “NPD“, which stands for “Not Present Digitally.” Teacher-led live instruction is generally the first 10-20 minutes of class. Additionally, you will be contacted via automated email if your child is marked “NPD”. Students who are present during live instruction will continue to be marked present digitally with the “DL“ indication.
The new process is better-aligned to our normal attendance procedures and the expectations of in-person students. More importantly, it will help you better support your child as you can clearly see that he/she was online during class and interacting with the teacher and classmates, not just logging on to the computer at some point during the day. This information will help families as they partner with the school to maximize their child(ren)’s school experience.
2021 - 2022 School Year Calendar Options
2021 - 2022 School Year Calendar Options
GCPS has presented 3 calendar options for the 2021-2022 school year, and Dacula Middle School is gathering your feedback from our school community for your preferred option.
In developing options, the following parameters were taken into consideration: 180 school days, 10 planning/staff development days, two early release days in each semester for ES/MS, three early release days in each semester for HS exams, one week break for Thanksgiving, Winter Break, one week break for Spring Break, end the first semester prior to Winter Break and end second semester prior to Memorial Day.
Of the three calendars currently under consideration, Option 1 is much like the current calendar. It calls for a start date of Aug. 4 and an end date of May 25. Option 2 calls for a start date of Aug. 4. However, with a staggered return to the classroom by grade level, some students will learn remotely until their grade level is scheduled to return to in-person learning. Option 3 also calls for a staggered start for students, with a start date of Aug. 9.
Options 2 and 3 both include six digital learning days—three in first semester and three in second semester. These two options do not include built-in inclement weather days.
After reviewing the options, please access the link to select your preferred option. The link will be active for your feedback until Friday, November 6.
Mark Your Calendar!
Mark Your Calendar!
Early Release Days are scheduled for Wednesday, 10/21st and Thursday, 10/22nd.
Early Release Days are scheduled for Wednesday, 10/21st and Thursday, 10/22nd.
School will end each day/dismissal will begin at 1:20pm.
Notices for Early Release conferences have been emailed. Please reach out to your child's teachers if you did not receive a conference request and would like to schedule one.
Notices for Early Release conferences have been emailed. Please reach out to your child's teachers if you did not receive a conference request and would like to schedule one.
9-Weeks Progress Reports are going home on Monday, 10/19th!
9-Weeks Progress Reports are going home on Monday, 10/19th!
We are now one quarter into the school year. Traditionally, paper copies of progress reports have been sent home to parents at this point in the semester . Due to our current instructional formats, progress reports will be sent electronically rather than as paper copies. Parents will receive an email from your child’s homeroom teacher regarding this process on Monday, October 19th. Though progress reports are sent weekly by teachers, this will serve as official notice of your child’s first semester progress thus far.
Please remember that all students are required to meet the promotion criteria established by GCPS. We encourage all parents to review the grades and promotion criteria with your child. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
Extra Help Sessions for Digital Learners
Extra Help Sessions for Digital Learners
Does your child need extra help for a class?
Does your child need extra help for a class?
For our digital learners, morning help begins at 8:15 each day for designated subject areas.
For our digital learners, morning help begins at 8:15 each day for designated subject areas.
For our Face to Face learners, help is available during ELT each day.
For our Face to Face learners, help is available during ELT each day.
§ Monday - Language Arts
§ Tuesday - Math
§ Wednesday - Social Studies
§ Thursday - Science
§ Friday - Connections
Digital Learning Reminders & Resources
Digital Learning Reminders & Resources
Zoom Access
Zoom Access
Students MUST be using their GCPS G-Suite Account when logging into a Zoom session for their classes.
This means they must be logged in through their Student Portal and see the GCPS logo in the top right corner. If they are not logged in correctly access to Zoom sessions may not work.
CLICK HERE for instructions to make sure everyone is logged in correctly.
Digital Students are expected to Zoom each day in each class period.
Digital Students are expected to Zoom each day in each class period.
The only exception would be if that class's teacher has specifically notified the class that they are not meeting that day and/or working asynchronously.
Digital Must Dos:
Digital Must Dos:
Students need to be doing the following every day during digital learning for each of their classes (academic and Connections):
1) Log into each course's eClass page:
From the Activity Feed, review the Week at a Glance.
2) Go to the course's eClass Calendar for that day:
Log their daily attendance using the link provided by that teacher.
Use the teacher's Zoom link to attend that day's live session.
Complete that day's assignment.
Students MUST attend each class's daily Zoom sessions in order to get attendance credit!
Students MUST attend each class's daily Zoom sessions in order to get attendance credit!
Digital Learning Help:
Digital Learning Help:
Need student password help? Wondering what happened to the Parent or Student Portals? Need help connecting your device to your GCPS account? Have general questions regarding DLD expectations and/or DMS requirements?
Resources from our Virtual Open House, Digital Learning Schedules, Parent Guide to Digital Learning, Portal Updates, Password Resets/Activation, and MUCH MORE can be found and will be updated frequently.
Resources from our Virtual Open House, Digital Learning Schedules, Parent Guide to Digital Learning, Portal Updates, Password Resets/Activation, and MUCH MORE can be found and will be updated frequently.
Face-to-Face Learning Reminders & Resources
Face-to-Face Learning Reminders & Resources
Any student who is a face to face learner will be counted absent if they do not attend school. Face to face learners are expected to be in attendance each day.
Any student who is a face to face learner will be counted absent if they do not attend school. Face to face learners are expected to be in attendance each day.
If your student(s) are not feeling well please remember to keep them at home.
If your student(s) are not feeling well please remember to keep them at home.
Sick students should not be sent to school until they are symptom free to keep themselves, your family, and our school community safe.
Sick students should not be sent to school until they are symptom free to keep themselves, your family, and our school community safe.
Device Information for those Returning to Face-to-Face Instruction:
Device Information for those Returning to Face-to-Face Instruction:
We HIGHLY encourage that students returning to face-to-face instruction that have access to a Chromebook, laptop, or tablet bring it with them to school to ensure greater safety and provide an added level of safety for our students since the sharing of materials is highly discouraged.
Borrow a Chromebook and/or internet hot spot for digital learning?
Borrow a Chromebook and/or internet hot spot for digital learning?
Dacula MS Chromebooks/Devices and hot spots MUST be returned when the student they were assigned to comes back to school.
Dacula MS Chromebooks/Devices and hot spots MUST be returned when the student they were assigned to comes back to school.
All students and visitors must wear face masks when they are in the building.
All students and visitors must wear face masks when they are in the building.
Masks can be purchased on MyPaymentsPlus for $10 under School Fundraisers. Proceeds help raise funds for DMS.
Masks can be purchased on MyPaymentsPlus for $10 under School Fundraisers. Proceeds help raise funds for DMS.
Students returning to DMS need to bring earbuds or headphones with them.
Students returning to DMS need to bring earbuds or headphones with them.
These are also be available for purchase for only $2 at school.
These are also be available for purchase for only $2 at school.
Forms and Information:
Forms and Information:
GCPS to provide meals free of charge to students and to children 18 and younger
GCPS to provide meals free of charge to students and to children 18 and younger
Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted additional waiver extensions that allow school districts to offer meals at no charge through December 31 through the Seamless Summer Option (SSO). This extension, paired with guidance received from the Georgia Department of Education, will allow Gwinnett County Public Schools to offer meals at no charge at school sites to all students. These meals are provided at no cost to the individual through the federal School Nutrition Program.
Students Attending School In-Person:
Those attending school in-person will receive meals free-of-charge during their school’s scheduled meal times.
Curbside Pick-up for Digital Learners:
Digital learners may pick up meals through the curbside pick-up programs at each school, Monday through Thursday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Each day’s pick-up includes both breakfast and lunch with Thursday’s pick-up including meals for Friday. Families should check with their local school for specific curbside pick-up times and the location of the pick-up program. Individuals will not be allowed to enter the school to pick up or eat meals. (Click here for a list of the 132 schools offering curbside pick-up.)
Curbside Pick-up for Others 18 Years of Age or Younger:
As part of the Seamless Summer Option, curbside pick-up meals also will be available at no charge to anyone 18 years of age or younger, even to children who are not a GCPS student. Please check with your local school for curbside pick-up times and the location of the pick-up program. Individuals will not be allowed to enter the school to pick up or eat meals.
Please log on to MyPaymentsPlus to complete important documents necessary for the start of school. These should be completed as soon as possible!
Please see our grade level supply lists below.
Please see our grade level supply lists below.
All three grade levels are listed on this document.
This list includes items students will need as we start the year digitally including optional items and novels needed for their Language Arts course.
Media Center News
Media Center News
Happenings at DMS
Happenings at DMS
6th Grade Students:
6th Grade Students:
We have band, chorus and orchestra classes here at Dacula MS. They are a year-long class.
Orchestra class instrument choices are violin, viola or cello. Band instrument choices are flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone and Chorus would be your voice. It is not too late to sign up for the Fine Arts program!
The benefits of joining the fine arts program are...
You get to make music.
You can make friends very easily.
Based on data, music students score high on SAT exam.
It looks very good on the college resume.
You can get a scholarship when you go to college.
CLICK HERE to fill out the Google Interest Form. Our fine arts teachers will contact your parents to provide further information. We hope you don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity!
8th Grade Students:
8th Grade Students:
Do you have a passion for the arts? Whether you're obsessed with street dance or play an instrument, love recording or illustrate graphic novels, dream of art installations or write your own music, there's a new school opening where you can pursue your artistic vision, explore your creativity, and learn from industry professionals.
Whatever your creative passion, you can explore it at SOTA - the School of the Arts at Central Gwinnett High School!
For more information you can click on the brochures below:
Yearbook Information
Yearbook Information
Home of the R.E.A.L. Falcons
Home of the R.E.A.L. Falcons
Going the Distance
Going the Distance
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.
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.
Report abuse