News from the Nest
Dacula Middle School
137 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 / 770.963.1110
October 7, 2022
Did you know...
Even though the second Monday in October is officially known as Columbus Day, many people are fighting to change the name to Día de la Raza, or Día de la Hispanidad. This honors the many indigenous people who already lived in the Americas.
Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a special holiday celebrated in Mexico and some other countries. It’s a day to remember and celebrate family and friends who have passed on. It is celebrated on November 1st.
Cinco de Mayo is a holiday some people celebrate in Mexico, but it is not their Independence Day. It commemorates a battle in the city of Puebla, Mexico in 1862.
Colombia’s Fiesta de las Flores (flower festival) is a colorful celebration in the city of Medellín during the month of August. The festival features the famous desfile de silleteros, which is a parade of “more than 500 participants carrying floats through town” and is the culmination of the festival.
La Guelaguetza Festival takes place every July in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is one of the largest indigenous events in Mexico and a giant celebration of the indigenous heritage of the country. The Guelaguetza brings together the eight regions of Oaxaca and representatives of each one perform a traditional dance from their region.
2023-24 GCPS School Calendar Feedback - Respond by 10/31st
The following email was sent to families from GCPS on Friday, September 30th:
In Gwinnett County Public Schools (CPS), we aim to create a school calendar that fosters student achievement while at the same time meeting the needs of our students, families, and communities. We design our school calendar around requirements codified in state law (180 school days for students and 190 days for teachers). In addition, staff and community preferences drive the various breaks throughout the school year.
While it is still early in this school year, we are seeking your valuable input and feedback on the calendar options for the 2023-24 school year. The calendar options were built based on feedback we have received from students, staff, families, and our community from previous school calendars. In these options, you will find an option that is very similar to the current 2022-23 calendar, as well as options with different features like the removal of staggered start days, the removal of some or all digital learning days, and the addition of holidays that are inclusive of the rich diversity we have here in Gwinnett County.
Please use this link to review and then share your thoughts on the 2023-24 School Calendar options.
GCPS values your feedback on the calendar options provided for the 2023-24 school year.. Thank you in advance for taking the time to review these options and share your thoughts with us.
Remember to submit your feedback and thoughts by October 31st!
Early Morning Drop Off for Tutoring
If you are bringing your child for tutoring before school on one of the assigned days, please be sure to have your child here before 8:15.
Students may be dropped off as early as 8 am in the bus lanes. Teachers will pick up kids from the cafeteria promptly at 8:15 and escort them to the classroom. Students may not be dropped off at the front of the building.
As a means of safety, students are not allowed up to tutoring past this time.
Monday- Language Arts
Tuesday- Math
Wednesday- Social Studies
Thursday- Science
Friday- Connections
Stay Connected
ParentVUE & StudentVUE App Updates
A recent application update requires you to delete and reinstall the ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile app from your device(s).
This update ensures that you have the newest version of the app and will continue to receive updates. If you do not delete and reinstall the applications, your device may not connect properly and continue to receive updates.
You will use the same username and password to log in after downloading the app.
Android Users will also need to delete the ParentVUE and/or StudentVUE web urls from your devices for the app updates to work correctly.
If you have any questions or need assistance please contact Jessica Curtis at 770-338-4630 or our ITI Coaches at 770-338-4627.
If you are not using the app and want to learn more, visit the GCPS website for information.
Do you have a MyPaymentsPlus account?
Moby Max
MobyMax is an online resource provided by Dacula MS that offers K-8 curriculum that is individualized per student to highlight skills that need attention.
MobyMax offers practice and support in language arts, math, science, and social studies.
Please check with your child for his or her username and password to gain access to this awesome, easy-to-use tool that can be used at home to help practice and strengthen skills.
8th Graders ~ Mark Your Calendars!
The PSAT 8/9 is a test given in 8th grade that helps determine what students need to work on most so that they are ready for college when they graduate from high school. It’s part of the College Board family of assessments that includes the SAT college-admission assessment and the PSAT/NMSQT, a preview of the SAT. The PSAT 8/9 tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT, but in a way that makes sense for 8th graders. It also gives students a chance to preview the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT.
The test focuses on skills and knowledge in the areas of Reading, Writing and Language, and Mathematics— what students have been learning in school and what they’ll need to succeed in college.
Each section takes approximately 35 minutes, for a total of about two hours on the testing day.
What's Going on at DMS?
Progress Report Glitch
Please be aware that there is currently a systems’ glitch that is causing some teachers’ progress reports to be sent multiple times even though the teacher has only sent it once.
If this happens, please delete the additional reports you may have received. You can also clear your browser's cache and cookies to try to alleviate this issue.
We appreciate your understanding while this issue is being resolved.
2022-2023 Clubs at DMS
Clubs and activites have gotten started for the year so come join the fun!
Scroll through the slideshow below for information about each club being offered this year, meeting dates, and how-to-join information.
1:1 Student Device Distribution
All GCPS students in grades 3-12 will be issued a Chromebook to be used at school and taken home to extend learning beyond the school day for the 2022-23 school year.
New students will receive their device/charger the first day they report to school.
While content filtering is applied to devices, parents are responsible for monitoring the appropriate use of technology at home.
Students in households with limited or no access to the internet can request a hotspot from DMS.
Students are expected to use devices following the GCPS Acceptable Use Policy and the Student Conduct Behavior Code.
Students need to arrive at school each day ready for learning with a fully charged device.
Additional information and resources can be found on the 1:1 Parent Support Site.
News from the Clinic
Yearbook Information
Late Buses
We appreciate your patience and understanding with bus dismissal!
As bus drivers get accustomed of their routes and students become accustomed to their routines/expectations, buses may be running a bit late in the mornings and the afternoons. For afternoon dismissal, you can remain abreast of the departure times of your child's bus, by following these easy steps:
Log on to our DMS website.
Click on Parents/Students across the top of the screen.
Click on Afternoon Bus Dismissal you will see the buses that have already left and what time they departed our building.
You will need to refresh the screen periodically for updates.
Please call the GCPS Transportation Customer Service Center for information about bus pickup and drop-off at 770-338-4800.
Car Rider and Early Drop Off Reminders
The bus zone off of Auburn Road is only used for student drop off between 7:55am - 8:30a only!
Students cannot be dropped off in the bus zone after 8:30am due to bus traffic and should not be dropped of in the staff parking lot at any time.
These create safety hazards for staff, students, and bus drivers.
Car Rider Drop Off/Pick Up Information
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Community Events
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.
