The Final Four...

* I cannot believe this is the final Blog for the 2012/2013 school year!  I want to thank all of you for visiting our home page and my website throughout the year!  I hope you found it useful and informative! 

* Thursday, June 6th is the final day of school!  The last day of school is when students and parents cry...  Students cry because they will miss their friends, teachers, and ME!  :-)  Parents cry because it is SUMMER VACATION!!!

* Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are minimum days!  Students will be dismissed at 1:38 p.m.

* Monday is a normal late start day for us.  Students will be dismissed at 3:09 p.m.

* Students may NOT bring backpacks and/or over sized bags to school this entire week.  All bags will be checked into the office for parent pick up.  Female students may bring a small purse for personal items.  All bags are subject to be searched by security and school administration.

* We want our students to have a fun week, but we also want to maintain a safe and structured environment.  Students will receive disciplinary consequences for bringing eggs, shaving cream, whipped cream, silly string, water balloons, and/or other items to school that disrupt the academic environment.  The consequences may also carry over to the next school year!  Please make good choices!!!

* We have a large population of students who have not returned textbooks and/or library books.  Please make sure the books are returned for future access.  Students will not be allowed to check out books next year if they have unpaid fines/unreturned textbooks, this includes high school or transferring to a different middle school.  Unreturned books become a debt to your file.  The debt carries with you from school to school.  The average school textbook is approximately $80.00 - $100.00! 

* Report cards will be mailed home next week.

* Students are not allowed to bring permanent markers to school for signing Yearbooks.  Students can be cited by Indio Police for the possession of a permanent marker within the city of Indio!

* Please be respectful when signing Yearbooks.  Students will receive disciplinary actions for inappropriate/profane/vulgar messages written in a student's Yearbook.  Discipline may include suspension from school (which carries over to next year) and replacing the owner's Yearbook at the cost of $45.00.  Be intelligent when writing a message!!! 

* Students are not allowed to write on shirts, pants, back packs or other clothing items.

* Students are required to wear their ID and lanyard throughout the week while on campus.  Students need their ID for bus purposes, identification by staff members, lunch, and other school functions.

* The sixth and seventh grade award assembly is on Wednesday, June 5th.  The sixth grade assembly will begin at 5:30 p.m.  The seventh grade assembly will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Students should have received an invitation for the awards assembly.

* The eighth grade students have the opportunity to exchange a polo shirt for "polo-free" week.  Eighth grade students have the freedom to wear a shirt different than the polo.  However, the shirt must follow our dress code policy (refer to Agenda).  Sorry sixth and seventh graders...  You will get your turn!  :D

* The last day of school is a "polo-free" day for all students!!!  :-)

* Students are not allowed to wear flip flops or sandals to school!

 * We had the staff versus eighth grade softball game last Wednesday.  The staff put on a hitting clinic and beat the eighth graders!  Staff has a 4 - 0 record playing the eighth graders!!!  We are becoming an elite team!!!

* Eighth grade Award's Night is on Tuesday, June 4th from 5:30 p.m. - ???  We have a lot of awards to hand out!!!  J

* The eighth grade trip to Knott's Berry Farm is on Monday, June 3rd.  All attending students must wear their unaltered eighth grade shirts on the trip.  Buses leave school at 7:00 A.M.  Students will NOT receive a refund if they miss the bus.

* An eighth grade slide & video show will be displayed during the 5th, 6th, and 7th period on Thursday, June 6th.  The slide show will be a look back of pictures throughout their three school years! 

* To our exiting eighth graders... Thank you for allowing me to get to know you and be a part of your middle school experience!  I hope nothing but the best for each of you as you begin a new chapter in your life!  I have always been a dreamer and believer in my students.  I hope you walk away from DRA with some of my hopes and dreams instilled in you!

* To our returning sixth and seventh graders...  Thank you for a great year!  I have had fun getting to know you.  I hope you have an excellent summer break!

* Please visit our home page throughout the summer for updates and dates.

Have a fun final week and a rewarding summer vacation!!!

Ten, Nine, Eight…

The countdown is on and we are down to eight days!

* There is no school on Monday, May 27th is observance of Memorial Day!

* Thursday, June 6th is the final day of school! Students will be dismissed at 1:38 p.m.

* This is the last week that students are allowed to bring backpacks, large purses and oversized bags to school. Students cannot bring backpacks on the busses or to school during the last week.

* During the last week (June 4th, 5th & 6th) , we will be on a minimum schedule on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday! Students will be dismissed at 1:38 p.m. on each of these days.

* On Friday, May 31st, eighth grade students will have the opportunity to exchange their DRA polo shirts for a wristband. The wristband gives students the choice to wear a shirt other than the required polo. However, students must adhere to the district policy, including shirts that show shoulders, stomachs, and/or backs. In addition, students are not allowed to wear jerseys or shirts displaying any type of inappropriate graphics, symbols, and/or words.

* The shirt exchange is for eighth grade students only.  The sixth and seventh graders will get their turn in time!  J   However, the last day of school is a "free" dress day for all students who have returned all textbooks and are debt-free with library fines and fundraising.

* All students should have returned their textbooks by now. If not, please return your books immediately! Any textbooks and library books that are not returned will be added to your personal debt account. Your debt will follow you to any school in Desert Sands Unified School District! Students cannot graduate from high school or receive final report cards with any outstanding debts!

* Our 8th graders had a brief assembly last week regarding the Indio Teen Center.  The Indio Teen Center has a great program and students can engage in a variety of activities that include boxing, music recording, arts, and more.  In addition, they have planned many great trips for this summer.  I have posted a flyer on our main page with a list of trips. 

* The awards night for sixth and seventh grade students will be on Wednesday, June 5th!  The sixth graders will be recognized from 5:30 - 6:30 PM.  The seventh grade assembly will be from 7:00 - 8:00 PM.

* The eighth grade awards night will be on Tuesday, June 4th, from 5:30 - 7:00 PM.

* It is very important for all eighth grade students and families to understand that the awards night for eighth grade students is NOT a promotion night!  Students are not receiving promotion certificates on this night.  Per school board policy, middle schools are not permitted to have a promotion night for middle school students.  Awards will be presented for attendance, honor roll, staff acknowledgements, and other achievements made during the second semester.

* We are playing our annual Staff vs 8th Graders Softball Game on Wednesday, May 29th during lunch.  Students who are on the Exclusion List may not participate in the game.

* The 8th Grade Ball/Dance is on Thursday, May 30th from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.  This is a semi-formal dance.  Tickets can be from the student store or from Mrs. Amidei's room.  Students who are on the Exclusion List may not participate in this activity.

* 8th grade students will receive their Yearbooks on Friday, May 31st.  Students who are NOT on the Exclusion List will be given time during 6th & 7th period to sign Yearbooks.

* Speaking of Yearbooks, students may not bring Sharpies or other permanent markers to school to sign Yearbooks.  In addition, students may face disciplinary consequences for drawing inappropriate graphics and/or writing profane/vulgar words in other students' Yearbooks.  Please be respectful!!!

* In addition, we do not allow students to write on shirts, pants, and/or other articles of clothing.

* The eighth grade trip to Knott's Berry Farm is on Monday, June 3rd.  Students can no longer sign up for this trip.  Reservations have already been made.  Students who are on the Exclusion List may not participate on the field trip.

I hope you have a dandy week!!!

Fasten your seatbelt...

The next three weeks are going to fly by!

* Last week, teachers in Desert Sands Unified School District were recognized for retiring, years of service, and being selected at each site as Teacher(s) of the Year!  We were proud to recognize Mr. McCoy and Ms. Knigge as DRA's Teachers of the Year!  In addition, Mr. McCoy was honored as Desert Sands Unified School District's middle school teacher of the year!!!

* There is no school on Monday, May 27th, in observance of Memorial Day!

* Please continue to check your HAC for late and missing work.  The last week of school will be here before we know it!  Please do not wait until the last minute to check on grades!

* Students will not be allowed to bring backpacks, large purses, and over-sized bags to school during the last week. 

* The last day of school is Thursday, June 6th!  Students will be dismissed at 1:38 p.m.

* The last three days of school (June 4th, 5th & 6th) are all minimum days.  Students will be dismissed at 1:38 p.m.  Please mark your calendar so our students are not sitting in the heat waiting to be picked up.

* Our ASES after school program operates until the final day of school.  We are not taking applications for next year yet.  You can submit an application during the orientation days prior to the first day of school in September.

* The library is closed for AR testing and book check out during the school day.  Students and teachers will begin returning textbooks this week for end-of-year clearance.  Students can still take AR tests before and after school.

* Eighth graders are scheduled to return all textbooks and library books on Monday, May 20th and Tuesday, May 21st!  Eighth graders will not be allowed to participate in the "free dress week" if they have missing books and/or unpaid fines.

* Seventh graders will begin turning in books on Wednesday, May 22nd! 

* Sixth graders will begin returning books on Tuesday, May 28th.

* Incoming sixth graders from Reagan Elementary and James Monroe Elementary will visit our school on Tuesday, May 21st!

* The awards night for sixth and seventh grade students will be on Wednesday, June 5th!  The sixth graders will be recognized from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.  The seventh grade assembly will be from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

* The eighth grade awards night will be on Tuesday, June 4th, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

* It is very important for all eighth grade students and families to understand that the awards night for eighth grade students is NOT a promotion night!  Students are not receiving promotion certificates on this night.  Per school board policy, middle schools are not permitted to have a promotion night for middle school students.  Awards will be presented for attendance, honor roll, staff acknowledgements, and other achievements made during the second semester.

* Students are not allowed to have laser pointers/pens at school and/or on the bus.  This is a district policy.  Students will receive disciplinary consequences for having laser pointers/pens at school.

* Students may not wear basketball and/or sports shorts to school! 

* All students must wear their lanyard and ID while on campus.  This rule will be enforced until the final day of school.  In addition, students will continue to receive disciplinary actions for violating school rules.

* The eighth grade trip to Knott's Berry Farm is on Monday, June 3rd.  Students can no longer sign up for this trip.  Reservations have already been made.

I hope you have a great week and enjoy the weekend!!!

My, my...  We are Midway through May!

* Sunday is/was Mother's Day!  I hope you had a special day!!!

* Thursday, May 16th is Mr. Borgen's birthday!  Please stop by and wish him a happy birthday!

* We are recognizing and celebrating our Teachers of the Year this Thursday at the district ceremony!  Our teachers of the year are Mr. McCoy and Ms. Knigge!!!  

* The eighth grade Award's Night is invitation only.  It is not a "Promotion" ceremony.  Per school board policy, middle schools are not permitted to host a promotion night from middle school.  

* We still have a lot of school left!  We are not going relax on school-wide expectations and rules.  Students are expected to wear lanyards/ID's at all times.  In addition, we will enforce the dress code until the last day of school!

* There is no school on Monday, May 27th in honor of Memorial Day.

* Our teachers are not done teaching until the final day, June 6th!  This means that our students are not done learning and working until June 6th either!  Please keep up with your grades!  Let's finish strong!

* Any type of physical horseplay is not allowed.  Too many times horseplay gets taken too far and turns into a fight.  A fight leads to a suspension and a citation via Indio Police. 

* We will start collecting textbooks!  Please begin organizing your school books for your check in day.  Textbooks can range from $80.00 - $120.00.  YIKES!!!  Please clear your debt by either returning books or paying the book fine/fee.  All unreturned books become fines on your record.  Students cannot graduate from high school with any unpaid debts.  We will start with 8th graders on May 20th!!!

* Please check your child's HAC account for grades, behavior, and tardies.  Our tardy numbers are ridiculous!!!  There is no excuse for students entering classrooms late.  In addition, students who enter late disrupt the learning environment for everyone else.  Unexcused tardies will lead to lunch detention, suspension from school, and exclusion from all eighth grade activities.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Back to normal schedules, routines, and procedures! 

Thank goodness!!!  :D

* Sunday, May 12th is Mother's Day!!!  I hope you all have a great day!  I appreciate all you do!!!

* The state testing is complete for most of our students!  We only have make-ups for the students who missed the regular assessment day! 

* Therefore, we are back to our normal daily schedule!

* In addition, we will resume with our Tutorial periods on Tuesday and Thursday.

* There is no school on Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day!

* Thursday, May 9th will be the final day for our after school tutoring program.  Our ASES program will continue until the final day of school.

* The 6th and 7th grade Moving Up Dance is on Thursday, May 9th in the MPR from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.  This will be the final dance of the year for sixth and seventh grade students.

* The eighth grade dance/ball will be on Thursday, May 30th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.  Students who are on the exclusion list CANNOT attend this dance/ball.

* The third and fourth quarter awards for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students will be held after school.  The eighth grade awards night will be on June 4th.  The sixth and seventh grader awards night will be on June 5th.

* All awards nights will be invite only for students.  Per school board guidelines, there will not be a promotion ceremony for eighth grade students.  Eighth grade students will not be receiving promotion/completion certificates at the eighth grade awards celebration.

* We are getting close to the eighth grade end-of-year activities.  I encourage all eighth grade students to stay focused and disciplined in order to stay on the active list.  Students are placed on the exclusion list for being suspended, excessive absences/tardies, excessive referrals, poor grades, and/or excessive dress code violations (including P.E. and ID/lanyard).

* The final day of school will be here before we know it!  The final day is on Thursday, June 6th!!!  Students will be dismissed at at 1:38 PM.  In fact, the last three days of school (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) are minimum days.  All students will be dismissedat 1:38 PM.

* I would like to get us all on the same page with dress code issues.  Here are some reminders regarding our dress code policy: 

*** Basketball and athletic shorts are not allowed.  Students will receive a dress code violation and will call home for a change of clothes.

*** Students have been coming through the gates with shorts meeting our dress code policy (finger tip in length).  HOWEVER, once inside the gate, many students are rolling the shorts to where they are now out of compliance.  Students will receive a citation and will be sent to the office for a change of clothes if any staff member sees a student with rolled shorts that do not meet our policy.  No exceptions!!!

*** Students are also violating our dress code policy by changing clothes once they are on campus.  Students will receive a citation and will be sent to the office for a change of clothes if any staff member sees a student who is not in compliance with school rules.

*** Students are not allowed to wear their P.E. clothes under their school uniform!  Students will remove the shorts if seen by a staff member.

*** All undershirts are to be tucked in!  Undershirts should not be longer than the polo shirt.  After a warning to tuck in the undershirt, students will have to remove the undershirt and check it into the office if students continue to violate this policy!

*** Students should not be wearing stickers on their face!  This is a distraction and disruption to the learning environment.  Please have students remove stickers before they enter your room.  Students may receive a referral and disciplinary consequences for disrupting the learning environment if they do not adhere to this policy!

*** Students are also drawing on their hands, neck, face, arms, and legs.  This is also a distraction and disruption to the learning environment.  Please have students report to the office to wash the ink from the body.  Students may receive a referral and disciplinary consequences for disrupting the learning environment if they do not adhere to this policy!

*** Students are not allowed to wear temporary tattoos on their necks and faces.  This is a distraction and disruption to the learning environment.  Students should be sent to the office to remove the tattoo.

*** Students are expected to wear the school ID and lanyard at all times when on campus.  Students receive a citation and face after school detention for violating this policy.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!