UP COMING EVENT SCHEDULE

            November      4          Booster Club Meeting                                     6:00pm

                                    5          School Board Meeting                                    6:30pm

                                    11-13  DMS Book Fair

                                    11        Veterans Day Program                                    8:00am

                                    11        6th Grade - Parent Lunch                               12:20pm

                                    12        7th Grade - Parent Lunch                               12:20pm

                                    12        Delta Family Swim                                         6:00-8:00pm

                                    13        8th Grade - Parent Lunch                               12:20pm

                                    14        Mid Terms Disbursed                        

                                    17        8th Grade - Social Studies: ‘We the People’ Field Trip

                                    18        7th Grade - TERRA NOVA Testing

                                    18        School Board Meeting                                    6:30pm

                                    20        BSU Men’s Volleyball Convocation              8:00am

                                    27-28   No School  - Happy Thanksgiving

School Delays and/or Closings

There may be instances, especially in the winter, when it is necessary to either begin school late, close school early, or close school for an entire day.  In the event of heavy snow, severe fog, etc., parents should listen to WMDH or WLBC radio stations, or watch the school announcements on our local ABC, CBS, or NBC television stations.  Announcements will be made only when schools are closed, dismissing early, or beginning late.  If there are no announcements about Delaware Community School Corporation, then school will be in session as normal.  Please do not call the school office, the radio or TV stations, or our bus transportation office to get the information.

Bus Procedure

The following is the procedure our school bus drivers follow when picking up students that do not respond upon their arrival: Stop, honk, wait 30 seconds and proceed with their route if there is no response from the student.  We are experiencing late arrival time of buses to the schools due to students not being ready and waiting on the bus in the morning.  If a driver makes the stop and does the procedure above with no student response, they will then proceed with their route and will not return for the student.

Chicago Field Trip

The 7^th Grade Field Trip to Chicago will be on May 8, 2009.  All 7^th Graders will be going to Shedd Aquarium and The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.  The cost of the trip this year is $62 (same as last year).  Start saving now for a fantastic trip to Chicago.  We will collect money for the Field Trip in early March.  If you have any question contact Mr. Banta at Delta Middle School.

Going Home with Someone

When students are planning to ride the bus home with a friend they are required to bring a note from home with the date, day time phone number and parent signature. Students are not allowed to call during the school day to see if they can go home with a friend.  Arrangement must be made before your student comes to school. Also, we do not accept emails.

Communication with DMS

Delta Middle School feels it is extremely important that communication occur between the school, students and parent(s). We encourage parents to notify the school with any concerns, questions or comments and speak to an administrator or counselor.  Parents are also welcome to speak to their student’s teacher via the phone 747-0869, email www.delcomschool.org or by scheduling a meeting at the school.

Student Pick-up during School Hours

When taking your child out of school, you need to come into the school office and sign out the student.  No student will be allowed to leave the building without a parent/guardian.  Please do not park outside and expect your student to come to you.  Before and after school, parents are to pick up and drop off in the front of the building (west side).  Parents should park in the parking lot.  Buses are loaded during these times at the curb.  Do not park along the yellow curb at anytime.  No cars are allowed in the gym (east) parking lot from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.

DMS Fundraiser

All students received a packet to begin selling Red Apple and Otis Spunkmeyer product during our kick off rally on Monday, October 6^th.  Pick up day will be Wednesday, November 19^th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm only.  You must make arrangements to pick up your order at this scheduled time, as all items will be returned to Red Apple that evening and monies will not be refunded.  Thank you for allowing your student to participate in our annual fundraiser.

Summer Readers                              

Last spring, summer reading folders were sent home with all fifth, sixth, and seventh grade students.  Students were encouraged to read throughout summer vacation and reading logs were provided for students to record what they read.  Several DMS students completed their summer reading logs and returned them to Mrs. Hunter who will give each of them a treat bag and a certificate worth $10 at the fall book fair.  These students include:  Taylor Sanders, Justus Rife, Kiera Helm, Mitchell Lykins, Devon Current, Elijah May, Billy Cribbs, Rebecca Finley, and Ben Watters.  Congratulations to these summer readers!

Terra Nova Testing

7th grade students will be administered the TERRA NOVA test on Tuesday, November 18.  Please avoid appointments on this day for 7th grade students.  More information will be forwarded to 7th grade parents.

Muncie Area Career Center

On December 1, 2, 3, and 5, all 8th grade student can attend an informational field trip to the Muncie Area Career Center.  The trip is designed to expose our students to the various opportunities the MACC offers.  As high school juniors and seniors,  students can attend the MACC for credit and can even potentially graduate with a license in certain career fields.  Students will sign up for the field trip in mid-November.  Ms. Titus and Mr. Mann can answer any questions you may have!  Please call the office at 747-0869 to reach them.

Notes from Mrs. Brelage, our School Nurse

Please prepare your children for the winter months and the heart of the flu season.  Please send these items with your children as needed: Chap stick, small bottle of hand sanitizer and kleenex.  If a student needs cough drops please send them in with a note with your signature that states they are allowed to carry and use these.  Also, to help keep you child and those around them free of illness please be aware of school health policies.  If your child has a temperature of 99.6 degrees or over he/she MUST NOT return to school until they have been fever-free for 24 hours.  Do not send your child to school if his/her eyes are red, swollen or draining; if he/she has an uncontrollable cough; ears are draining; throat is unusually sore or inflamed; he/she has been vomiting or had diarrhea in the last 12 hours; or he/she has an undiagnosed skin rash.  By following these guidelines, we can hopefully decrease the spread of illness in our school.  If you have questions regarding flu vaccines, or persistent symptoms of illness please contact your child’s primary care physician.

Book Store Items

The book store is fully stocked!   We have a new shipment of Hooded Sweat Shirts.  Our navy blue T-shirts are available in the range of $10.00-$20.00. We also have toboggans and clothing bags (which can also be used as book bags).  All items are Delta wear and priced reasonably.  HURRY…. they make great gifts!!!!

American Education Week

The week of November 10—14 is American Education Week throughout the United States. This is a time that parents, teachers, and staff may be honored for the cooperation in educating the youth of our communities. In recognition of American Education Week, we would like to invite all parents/guardians to attend our grade level lunches and book fair.  We do ask parents/guardians to attend designated days for particular grade level lunches:

      6th grade    November 11th               12:20 PM

      7th grade    November 12th       12:20 PM

      8th grade    November 13th       12:20 PM

Lunch prices for adults are $2.75.  Please be reminded that if food is brought into Delta Middle School for lunch, the student and parents/guardians will eat at tables on the stage area.

We also encourage everyone to attend our book fair during the lunches as well as visit a booth in which a representative from the 21st Century Scholars will be available to answer questions.

School Book Fair November 10-14

The fall Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the wrestling room during the week of November 10—14.  Parents/guardians are welcome to visit the fair during their students’ grade level parent lunch times on Nov. 11—13.

Language arts classes will preview the fair on Friday, November 7 and Monday, November 10.  Sales will begin on Tuesday.

Book fair brochures will be sent home with students on Thursday,  November 6.  A wide variety of books and gift items will be available.  Your support of the book fair is appreciated!

VolleyBall Club

The Delta Junior Volleyball Club is available for ages 14 and under.  There will be a parent meeting sometime in November or December with more information to follow.

Red Ribbon Week

Drug Free-The Healthy

Way To Be

Delta Middle School will celebrate the nationally recognized drug, tobacco, and alcohol awareness program, Red Ribbon Week, on October 28-31.  Students will be given red bracelets to help remind them to make healthy choices.  They will also participate in dress-up theme days, announcements, and lunchtime activities centered around saying no.  Prizes will be awarded to students for outstanding participation!  Students will sign pledge cards vowing to remain drug, tobacco, and alcohol free and then tie the card to something they see everyday.  Delta Middle School students: —— Don’t get “tied” up with drugs!

Mix-It Up Day 2008-8002 yaD pU tI-xiM

On November 14th, students will be participating in National “Mix-It-Up” Day. During lunch, students will be “mixed up” and seated at different lunch tables. Most students say that lunch time is when social groups are most clearly defined. The goal of “Mix-It-Up” Day is to help students cross social boundaries and interact with students they may not normally interact with. Activities dealing with similar issues of tolerance will be held during the students’ Eagle’s Nest classes throughout the month of November. As a treat, students are invited to “Mix-It-Up” their outfits that day!

Recycling Program

We will be recycling paper to earn money for the Delta Dollars for Scholars program.  Delta Dollars for Scholars is a non-profit, tax-exempt, scholarship program established to expand access to educational opportunities for Delta students.  Rock-Tenn has provided us with a large recycling container for our paper recycling.  Paper material that is recyclable includes: all types and colors of paper, newspapers and magazines, all types of cardboard boxes; including cereal, pizza, and packing cartons.  It is not necessary to separate different colors of paper or cardboard.  Everything can be mixed in the recycling bin.  It would be helpful if boxes could be flattened.  No plastic material can be recycled.  Laminated or plastic coated paper and envelopes with windows cannot be recycled. Metal fasteners also need to be removed.  These include metal prongs from folders, spirals that bind booklets, and staples.  These need to be ripped off before the paper is recycled, if possible. 

  We will have our paper drive collection on the first Saturday of each month, from 10:00 AM to noon.  Our wonderful Honor Society students will be helping us with the collection.  Just drive your car to the north gate and follow the driveway to the recycling bin.  We will unload for you!

  We also are recycling computer ink cartridges and cell phones with Advantage Cartridge.  Please place ink cartridges in plastic bags in case they leak.  A recycling container is in the cafetorium area in front of the office.  The ink cartridges and cell phones can also be given to Mrs. Gonser for recycling.  Please help us earn cash for trash and help to save our natural resources!  Contact Mrs. Gonser with questions.

Dates for Paper Drive Collection:

Saturday from 10:00 to Noon

November 8^th

December through February no collection

March 7^th

April 4^th

May 2^nd

Parents/Guardians:

Starting this school year per state law (I.C. 20.30), all Indiana students are required to develop graduation plans with their parents or guardians by the end of 6^th grade.  The plans should then go with students when they transfer schools, as they are considered part of students’ permanent records.  (Modifications to the plans can still be made later on.)  School counselors are required to further develop the graduation plans- with the students and parents- by the end of 9^th grade and then annually review them with the students.

  Many parents/guardians have already signed the Graduation Plan with their student during Open House.  Please be prepared upon arrival at the student parent lunches on Nov. 11, 12, and 13 to sign this portfolio if you haven’t done so.  If you are unable to attend the parent lunches and haven’t signed the portfolio, please contact the school at 747-0869 and ask for the counselors Mr. Mann and Miss Titus.  Thank you for your cooperation!