Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I help my child be successful in middle school?

The best way to help students be successful in school, is to help them to acquire the necessary tools & skills. When students take ownership of these skills, they will also take ownership of their own learning, which will lead to a more successful student.

Organization: Encourage your child to stay organized, and use the resources available to help them. This is not a skill that comes naturally to most middle school students.

Utilize SMART Block: SMART Block is available on a daily basis to offer students extra help & enrichment, as well as organization & study skills. Offerings are posted, and most students will have a choice as to where they spend their SMART Block. Encourage your child to make wise choices, and think about what will benefit them the most.

Be a self-advocate: Encourage your child to advocate for themselves. Whether they are struggling with a concept, can't see from their seat, or simply have a question about last night's homework, encourage your child to communicate with his or her teachers.

How can I help organize my student?

We do not require students to follow any specific organization structure. Rather, we will work with students to help them find a system that works for them. We believe that it is an important part of students' development to uncover for one's self the strategies that help them manage their academics and activities. Don't worry -- we won't turn them loose, entirely! We will provide suggestions and follow up with students who are struggling in this area. For example, we ask students to consider if 4 binders for the 4 classes is the best personal fit or whether 2 binders, each holding 2 classes is more manageable. Students who gravitate towards the latter option are encouraged to use dividers to keep subjects divided. As a parent, we ask that you help your child determine the method of organization that will work best for him or her.

We will periodically spend time in class helping students to purge their binders of materials that are no longer necessary to their success in class. Parents can use the info our our class websites to help students determine the best way to organize the information. For students who would like additional help developing and following their own organization plan, we will help to connect students with available assistance that is offered during Smart Block through the media center and student services. If you notice that your student is struggling in this area and having trouble advocating for themselves, please reach out to us!

What is SMART Block?

Short answer: a daily 30-minute period of awesome student-driven learning! Longer explanation: This 30-minute period, held everyday in between 1st and 2nd periods, allows students to seek out assistance from their teachers, enjoy enrichment, read a book for fun, get a head start on homework, catch up after an absence, meet up with peers to work on a group project, or participate in a variety of other activities.

While students may choose how to spend this time, they may also be "stamped" by a teacher. If a teacher stamps their name in a student's agenda, that student goes to them for Smart Block on the day indicated in their agenda. While students are required to attend sessions for which they were stamped in advance, teachers also have priority days for their subjects.

Teachers also stamp students who come to their sessions voluntarily so that students, parents, and teachers can reflect on how time is being spent during this period.

What is the IMPACT Card?

The IMPACT card is a part of our school's Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports system. We use this card, located in the agenda, to help students track any choices that are having a negative impact on their learning or that of their peers. Our goal is to be proactive in stating our expectations and to reinforce positive behaviors. Consequences are not automatic but they do build in severity if a student continues to receive signatures on their IMPACT card.

Our school policy is to notify a student's parents when they receive their 3rd signature on their IMPACT card. Parents are not notified for signatures in "warning" boxes but are contacted when students receive consequences.

What do I do when my child is absent?

Please encourage your student to check the website to see what was covered in class and what assignments need to be made up. Students may alsoduring SMART Block.

Per school policy, students have 2 days to make up their work for every day absent. If an assignment was given while your student was in school, they are still expected to submit it on the original deadline. Please contact us if you feel there are extenuating circumstances. Long term projects are expected to be turned in on the day a student returns from an absence.

Please provide any paperwork to excuse absences to the front office.

How are Grades Calculated?

All grades at DDMS are calculated based on total points. Each assignment is given a pre-determined point value. At the end of the grading period, the grade is determined by the percentage of points that were earned, out of the points possible. Because all assignments do not have the same point value, grades cannot be determined by calculating the average of all your child assignments. The Wake County Grading Scale is as follows:

A : 90 - 100

B : 80 - 89

C : 70 - 79

D : 60 - 69

F : < 60

Is my child required to bring a personal electronic device to school with them?

Although personal devices are encouraged, no student is required to bring a device with them to class. Each teacher has a limited number of devices to supplement the class for students who do not have a personal device. However, students may have to share these, and having a personal device often makes digital learning easier on the students. Check out the school's BYOD policy for more information about bringing a personal device to school.