From Principal Mike King, "You Matter"
This year our school's theme for the year is "We Are the Champions of Student Centered Learning." The theme is supported on all levels of teacher and student interactions as every adult and student was introduced to the two most important words in our school, "You Matter." Speaking these two words of "You Matter" means that everyone in our school is important. It doesn’t matter who speaks them or to whom they are being spoken, the power of recognition is there. Dodge City Middle School has adapted this two word, three syllable, one small sentence to make a difference in every one's life.
You Matter has become an important part of our school culture and each of our students are recognized by knowing that they do matter. These two words are taken from a presentation that I had seen on Ted Talks by Angela Maiers. Angela Maiers states that, "Little by little, we will show the world that MATTERing matters. It is important part of request for recognition; it is a desire and quest for significance. We don’t want to know we matter; we need to know."
I first introduced these two words to our students during our back to school orientation on the "Top Five Things We Believe." Following these assemblies I would make contact with students in the hallway asking them the question "Who Matters?" Students would respond, "We matter." With these two statements I would encourage all students, parents and teachers, to constantly remind each other that if we are to make a difference in this world, people around us must matter. What I hope will happen throughout this school year is that students are given a gift of confidence through recognition as we celebrate this year's theme of "We Are the Champions of Student Centered Learning."
You Matter has become an important part of our school culture and each of our students are recognized by knowing that they do matter. These two words are taken from a presentation that I had seen on Ted Talks by Angela Maiers. Angela Maiers states that, "Little by little, we will show the world that MATTERing matters. It is important part of request for recognition; it is a desire and quest for significance. We don’t want to know we matter; we need to know."
I first introduced these two words to our students during our back to school orientation on the "Top Five Things We Believe." Following these assemblies I would make contact with students in the hallway asking them the question "Who Matters?" Students would respond, "We matter." With these two statements I would encourage all students, parents and teachers, to constantly remind each other that if we are to make a difference in this world, people around us must matter. What I hope will happen throughout this school year is that students are given a gift of confidence through recognition as we celebrate this year's theme of "We Are the Champions of Student Centered Learning."
Digital Parent NightDodge City Middle school believes that the most important two words in our school are "You Matter." That is why as a school we are sponsoring a special Digital Parent Night. This special onetime event for this school year will be held on September 17, 2012 starting at 6:00 P.M. Digital Parent Night will begin in the auditorium with a 20 minute presentation on Digital Citizenship. Mr. King DCMS NASSP National Award winning Digital Principal will discuss how media is different today and how to help kids to be physically and psychologically safe.
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Dodge City Middle School Principal, Mr. King, will also discuss with parents the importance of being responsible and how to maintain a reputable digital footprint. Parents will be provided information on providing safeguards for social networks, texting, cyberbullying, and how to teach kids to be
responsible when using digital media.
After the auditorium keynote presentation, parents will be invited to attend two additional sessions on Skyward access parent portal, presented by Dodge City Middle School connect teachers, Mrs. VanNahmen, Ms. Engelking, and Mrs. Bush. The Skyward parent portal access presentation will provide information for parents on how to receive real time information on student academic progress. The second session will be on iPads in the classroom, presented by Mr. Martin, creative problem solving teacher, and Mrs. Herter, creative writing teacher. The iPads in the classroom will provide parent information on how iPads will be used, student responsibilities, and a hands on demonstration will be provided.
Any student attending Digital Parent Night with their parent or guardian will receive a free uniform day bracelet at the conclusion of the program. The non-uniform day bracelet must be warn the following day and all students must comply with non-uniform day dress code. Free babysitting will be provided by the Heritage Club so please come and help your child’s school year begin the road to success!
After the auditorium keynote presentation, parents will be invited to attend two additional sessions on Skyward access parent portal, presented by Dodge City Middle School connect teachers, Mrs. VanNahmen, Ms. Engelking, and Mrs. Bush. The Skyward parent portal access presentation will provide information for parents on how to receive real time information on student academic progress. The second session will be on iPads in the classroom, presented by Mr. Martin, creative problem solving teacher, and Mrs. Herter, creative writing teacher. The iPads in the classroom will provide parent information on how iPads will be used, student responsibilities, and a hands on demonstration will be provided.
Any student attending Digital Parent Night with their parent or guardian will receive a free uniform day bracelet at the conclusion of the program. The non-uniform day bracelet must be warn the following day and all students must comply with non-uniform day dress code. Free babysitting will be provided by the Heritage Club so please come and help your child’s school year begin the road to success!
Cardinal Award for Educational Excellence
Recognition plays an important role in developing a positive image within our students. A positive self-image will generate a positive attitude, and that will, in turn, contribute to the creation of a healthier learning environment for the entire school. The “Cardinal” award was initiated by the Student Handbook Committee composed of teachers, parents and an administrator in order to address one of the established goals of the Student Handbook Committee. This goal was to provide opportunity for recognition of excellent student achievement.
The student’s GPA will be calculated each nine-week period. Recognition is earned as soon as he/she has achieved the required GPA in any two of the first three nine-week periods; the two nine-week periods do not have to be consecutive. A student may earn this award only once during each year.
The first year of recognition, the student will receive an academic polo shirt and medal of achievement. These shirts can be worn on any school day as long as the student maintains the standards set forth in this policy. Each year thereafter, a new shirt will be awarded as well as a second year medal. Presentation of the“Cardinal Award" is held at the completion of the semester. The “Cardinal Award" will be awarded to students in grades six, seven and eight who meet the following qualifications:
The student’s GPA will be calculated each nine-week period. Recognition is earned as soon as he/she has achieved the required GPA in any two of the first three nine-week periods; the two nine-week periods do not have to be consecutive. A student may earn this award only once during each year.
The first year of recognition, the student will receive an academic polo shirt and medal of achievement. These shirts can be worn on any school day as long as the student maintains the standards set forth in this policy. Each year thereafter, a new shirt will be awarded as well as a second year medal. Presentation of the“Cardinal Award" is held at the completion of the semester. The “Cardinal Award" will be awarded to students in grades six, seven and eight who meet the following qualifications:
- Grade Point Average 3.6 - 4.0 in two out of the first three nine-weeks periods
- No “U” for conduct on the report card each nine weeks
- No more than one“N” on the report card each nine weeks
The Role of Student Advisory
Middle school is recognized by most authorities as a crucial period in a student's life. Middle school students are at the point where schoolwork is becoming more difficult, and grades are being counted on for promotion. These factors alone are formidable but class work is also becoming more involved and abstract. Because this period of a student’s life marks a passage into the adult world of practical knowledge, reasoning, and career study, it is important that students cultivate an effective method of learning. That is why Dodge City Middle School will make every effort to insure students at our school are well prepared for their classes.
The advisory teacher plays an important role for each of our students. These are the teachers who ensure that your child is successful at school. The advisory teacher is your child's first contact at school. They make sure that they have their homework completed, the team expectations for their daily agenda is being fulfilled, and that they are making passing grades in all of their subjects. The advisory teacher is also the parents' first contact at school. Parents needing information on their child's performance should always contact their child's advisory teacher first. The advisory teacher will help parents with school communications, provide access to team meetings, and work directly with other members of the school to devise important plans to ensure your child's success at school.
Advisory teachers will weekly review your child's grades, help them prepare their portfolio for student led conferencing, and help each student write their nine weeks goals. They are also responsible for getting your child ready for scheduling the conference and coordinating follow up communications.
The advisory program is a purposefully planned period in which concerns of the adolescent are addressed. The advisory period is a vehicle for communication and student development to be sustained and supported by a caring adult; the teacher-advisor. At Dodge City Middle School every student will be responsible for writing a goal and sharing it with both their parent and teacher. Goal setting is the first step to a successful academic year as goal statements are reviewed by parents and new goals are provided by parents during conference time. Each month new information will be provided on student led conferencing through our monthly newsletter.
The advisory teacher plays an important role for each of our students. These are the teachers who ensure that your child is successful at school. The advisory teacher is your child's first contact at school. They make sure that they have their homework completed, the team expectations for their daily agenda is being fulfilled, and that they are making passing grades in all of their subjects. The advisory teacher is also the parents' first contact at school. Parents needing information on their child's performance should always contact their child's advisory teacher first. The advisory teacher will help parents with school communications, provide access to team meetings, and work directly with other members of the school to devise important plans to ensure your child's success at school.
Advisory teachers will weekly review your child's grades, help them prepare their portfolio for student led conferencing, and help each student write their nine weeks goals. They are also responsible for getting your child ready for scheduling the conference and coordinating follow up communications.
The advisory program is a purposefully planned period in which concerns of the adolescent are addressed. The advisory period is a vehicle for communication and student development to be sustained and supported by a caring adult; the teacher-advisor. At Dodge City Middle School every student will be responsible for writing a goal and sharing it with both their parent and teacher. Goal setting is the first step to a successful academic year as goal statements are reviewed by parents and new goals are provided by parents during conference time. Each month new information will be provided on student led conferencing through our monthly newsletter.
Summer ReadingAttention parents: even though summer is over, it’s not too late to help your child become a better reader as the new school year begins. If your child hasn’t been reading regularly this summer, they may be in danger of the “summer slide”—a decline in their reading ability. Numerous studies indicate that students who don’t read or read infrequently during their summer vacation see their reading abilities stagnate or decline. This effect becomes more pronounced as students get older and advance through the school system.
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The situation for economically disadvantaged students is especially grim: if students from low-income families don’t read over the summer, they are much more likely to fall behind their more privileged peers, widening the “achievement gap.” “It’s like if you play an instrument but put it down for three months,” said principal Mike King at the summer reading awards ceremony, “You’re not going to be as good as a person who continues to play the instrument over those three months.” However, it is not ever too late to catch up on reading skills by ensuring that children are as engaged as possible in whatever they choose to read—just as long as they’re reading every day. The following students in grades six, seven and eight were recognized for the DCMS summer reading program.
What I Would Tell America's Founding Fathers
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The Patriot's Pen Essay contest sponsored by the Dodge City Veterans of Foreign Wars is now open for student participation. Students in grade six through eight are encourage to participate by writing a 300 to 400 word essay on the topic of "What I Would Tell America's Founding Fathers." All participants will be recognized at our annual Veterans Day assembly and first through third place winners will be recognized at the annual local VFW Christmas dinner in December. Winners will also receive a check for $50.00 for first place and second place will be $37.50. The third place winner will receive a $25.00 check. All essays are not to exceed 400 words, be type-written and submitted no later than November 1, 2012.
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We encourage all of our DCMS students to participate in making their writing talents known by making a contribution to our community. Remember each and every student at our school matters and the world is waiting for their contributions. The entry from is available through the advisory teacher.
Junior American Citizens Awards Contest
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution provides Junior American Citizens opportunities for students to demonstrate their creative thought. Students have opportunities to demonstrate their creativity in seven different ways by participating in a contest. All entries in the contest must follow this year's theme of "Invest in America's Future."
These are the ways that students at DCMS can contribute to our community in thought, artistic talent, or service. They can design a stamp, create a poster, develop a photography essay, fashion a banner, write a story, enter a poem or participate in a community service project. January 11, 2013 is the deadline for participation in "Invest in America's Future" entries.
All students with winning entries will be invited to an Awards Ceremony which will be held at Fort Dodge on March 23, 2013. First place winning enteries will earn the right to advance to the South-Central Division and possibly to State competition. We encourage all of our DCMS students to participate in making their creative talents known by making a contribution to our community. Remember each and every student at our school matters and the world is waiting for their contributions. The entry from is available through the advisory teacher.
These are the ways that students at DCMS can contribute to our community in thought, artistic talent, or service. They can design a stamp, create a poster, develop a photography essay, fashion a banner, write a story, enter a poem or participate in a community service project. January 11, 2013 is the deadline for participation in "Invest in America's Future" entries.
All students with winning entries will be invited to an Awards Ceremony which will be held at Fort Dodge on March 23, 2013. First place winning enteries will earn the right to advance to the South-Central Division and possibly to State competition. We encourage all of our DCMS students to participate in making their creative talents known by making a contribution to our community. Remember each and every student at our school matters and the world is waiting for their contributions. The entry from is available through the advisory teacher.
Game Day Expectations
Middle School Students are encouraged to participate in as many extra-curricular activities as possible. When students are not actively participating in an activity, or competition, they are encouraged to attend middle school activities to support their fellow classmates. School pride is exhibited when students show up to cheer for the home team.
Students who are not in good standing (Detentions, OSS, ISP, STP, Choice) will not be allowed to attend these activities. If a student is removed from an activity, they may be suspended indefinitely from all future middle school events. School spirit is a positive expression of school pride and support for our student athletes and is the expectation at Middle School.
Athletic Activity/Entry: Students from DCMS or CMS may attend games free of charge by wearing their school uniform. When school ID’s are available, the ID will become the students pass into any game for the year. (Each student 6th-8th grade, at both DCMS and CMS, will receive a student ID when they receive their fall pictures. Dodge City Middle School students will have the Cardinal on their ID’s, and Comanche students will have the Coyote Mascot on their ID’s. The ID’s will be used for free admittance to any Middle School Activity. No ID-No free admittance.)
Seating: All students (6,7&8) are to be seated in the student(s) section at any activity. If accompanied by parents, students may sit with parents.
Cheerleadersand Drill Team members will be asked to sit in their designated sections with their sponsors. Students will be permitted to visit the concessions and restrooms at the end of quarters, half-time, and between games. Students will then be required to return to the student section at the beginning of the next quarter. When coaches of other sports dismiss their students early to support the activity, we request these students to be seated in the student section as well.
Behavior In The Stands: Stand up and Cheer. Have fun: yell, enjoy yourselves, but use common sense and do not disrespect our team, the opposing team or ourselves. If a student is defiant in any manner, their student ID will be confiscated, and the student will be asked to leave. Parents will be notified, and the student may be banned from attending other activities.
Pick-Up Time: Students should be picked up immediately after an activity.
Students who are not in good standing (Detentions, OSS, ISP, STP, Choice) will not be allowed to attend these activities. If a student is removed from an activity, they may be suspended indefinitely from all future middle school events. School spirit is a positive expression of school pride and support for our student athletes and is the expectation at Middle School.
Athletic Activity/Entry: Students from DCMS or CMS may attend games free of charge by wearing their school uniform. When school ID’s are available, the ID will become the students pass into any game for the year. (Each student 6th-8th grade, at both DCMS and CMS, will receive a student ID when they receive their fall pictures. Dodge City Middle School students will have the Cardinal on their ID’s, and Comanche students will have the Coyote Mascot on their ID’s. The ID’s will be used for free admittance to any Middle School Activity. No ID-No free admittance.)
Seating: All students (6,7&8) are to be seated in the student(s) section at any activity. If accompanied by parents, students may sit with parents.
Cheerleadersand Drill Team members will be asked to sit in their designated sections with their sponsors. Students will be permitted to visit the concessions and restrooms at the end of quarters, half-time, and between games. Students will then be required to return to the student section at the beginning of the next quarter. When coaches of other sports dismiss their students early to support the activity, we request these students to be seated in the student section as well.
Behavior In The Stands: Stand up and Cheer. Have fun: yell, enjoy yourselves, but use common sense and do not disrespect our team, the opposing team or ourselves. If a student is defiant in any manner, their student ID will be confiscated, and the student will be asked to leave. Parents will be notified, and the student may be banned from attending other activities.
Pick-Up Time: Students should be picked up immediately after an activity.
