Principal Message August 19, 2022
Dear Dragon Families,
We are now officially 1 week away from the start of school. We were thrilled to meet our new 6th graders on Tuesday and have our staff back on campus this past Wednesday to begin preparing for students to arrive on Monday, August 29. Thank you to our PTA and supporting families for providing us with lunch on our kick-off day. Below, please find a few pieces of information and several important updates as we near the start of the year.
CARPOOL NUMBERS – EVERYONE GETS ONE! Even if your student is a walker or a bus rider, we assign a number to every student. There will be that one time that you need pick your child up in carpool, and by having the carpool tag on your rearview mirror, helps speed up the process. 6th graders received their carpool tags at Dragon Camp and 7th and 8th grade students can pick their up this week at the 7thand 8th grade open house, August 25th at 4:00 – 6:30. If you were not able to pick up your carpool number, students will get them on the first day of school. However, if you need the number before Monday, please email Mrs. Feldman at mfeldman@wcpss.net.
7th AND 8th GRADE OPEN HOUSE - We are trying something a little new this year. Our doors will open at 4:00pm on Thursday, 8/25. Students will go to their grade-level hallway. There will be a list posted with all the students and their homeroom teacher. They will go to their homeroom teacher, meet their teachers and get their schedules. Then they will be able to tour the school and see where all their classes are.
- Welcome Session with Mrs. Feldman and Staff (Students should attend with their parent)
Session 1 - 4:15pm in the auditorium
Session 2 - 5:15pm in the auditorium
JOIN THE PTA - The Dillard Drive PTA is a wonderful support function for everything that we do here at Dillard. They have supported our staff immensely over the last few years. The registration portal to join is now open. Please consider joining and donating so that we can continue to build the Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School Community for our students, staff, and families. The PTA will be in the cafeteria on 8/25, so please stop by! Don't want to wait August 25th or can't make it to the event? Join online by CLICKING HERE and purchase your Spirit Wear at the same time.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- Open House for 7th and 8th Grades – 8/25 – 4:00 pm– 6:30pm. There will be two welcome sessions with Mrs. Feldman and the team. One at 4:15pm and one at 5:15pm.
- First Day of School – August 29, 2022. Doors will open at 7:45am
CHEERLEADING - We are excited to share that Coach Nelson will be leading the DDMMS Cheerleaders this year. Coach Davis will still be assisting. Please visit www.ddmmscheer.weebly.com for information on the 2022-2023 cheer squad and tryouts. A mandatory interest meeting will be held on August 30, 2022 at 3:15 in the DDMMS's media center."
DDMMS SPORTS – If your student plans to tryout and participate in ANY DDMMS sport, they MUST complete the Wake County physical and upload it on dragonfly. All the instructions are on the DDMMS athletics tab on the school’s main website.
FOOTBALL - There are voluntary football workouts starting Tuesday the 16th from 6 :00 PM to 7:30 PM and go through the following week on the 26th of Friday 6:00 to 7:30 PM. All your child needs to participate is to complete the Wake County physical and upload it on dragonfly. All the instructions are on the DDMMS athletics tab on the school’s main website.
TIME TO SUPPORT THE DDMMS STAFF – Please use the link below for the sign-up genius with opportunities to support in the coming weeks. Mrs. Feldman has asked for assistance with a few items to help welcome our teachers back on campus. We also need volunteers to help with the PTA tables on August 16 at the 6th grade Dragon camp and 7th/8th Grade Open House on 8/25. Please sign up if you can and let me know if you have questions! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FA8AA2EABF4C25-back
ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB – We are excited to share that Coach Tanis will not only be teaching this year, but he is the new DDMMS Athletic Director. Also, shout out to Ms. VanOostrum-Reed who will serve as our DDMMS Athletic Booster Chair. Please look forward to ways to support our Dragon Athletes and Coaches. Go Dragons!
BUS REGISTRATION - Please register ASAP for DDMMS Transportation. Even if you had it last year, you need to do it again each year. - https://www.wcpss.net/Page/51640
SCHOOL SUPPLIES –
FREE/REDUCED LUNCH - WCPSS needs you to complete a 2022-2023 meal benefits application for next year. If you have not completed a free or reduced-price meal application and think your child may be eligible, pick up an application at your child’s school or apply online. Paper applications can also be requested by calling 919-588-3535 or 919-856-2920 or emailing cnsmealbenefits@wcpss.net
MESSAGE FROM THE DDMMS SCHOOL NURSE –
Hello Dillard Drive Families!
My name is Heide Cassimatis, and I am the school nurse for both Dillard Middle and Dillard Elementary Schools. I am excited for another great year with your students!
If you are planning to attend the Dragon Camp or Opens House events, please consider bringing your student's medication along with a completed 1702 form, and I will check in the medication. Need a 1702 form? Your physician should have them available, or you can download it here: https://www.wcpss.net/cms/lib/NC01911451/Centricity/Domain/5175/1702_parent_request_and_physicians_order.pdf
I will also be available to collect any medical paperwork and answer any questions you may have. Or feel free to just stop by and introduce yourself! Remember that by keeping your student healthy, we are giving them the best chance for success in school! Please don't hesitate to reach out at 919-524-1894 or hcassimatis@wcpss.net.
REMEMBER TO STAY IN THE LOOP - Follow Mrs. Feldman, DDMMS, and WCPSS on Twitter. Even if you don't ever tweet, it's a great source of information. @msfeldman and @DDMMSDragons. We also have a DDMMS Facebook page.
Your Proud Principal,
Margaret Feldman