Principal Message January 14, 2024

Dear Dragon Families,

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their time with family over this 3-day weekend, where we recognize and celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In honor of his legacy this weekend, please consider an act of kindness for a family member, friend, neighbor, or stranger in the community.  As a reminder, the marking period will end on January 23. Teachers will communicate with students about missing work and deadlines to turn in work that is outstanding. Please make sure to check with your students and review their current grades. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions!

ACTION NEEDED - It is time again to vote for Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School as the BEST public school in Western Wake. Last year, we were third. This year, we are looking to move into the top spot. You can also vote in other educational categories and vote for your local favorites. Click HERE to visit Cary Magazine’s website to vote. There are GOOD things happening at DDMMS, so let’s allow others to know how awesome we are!

IMPORTANT – All students will be taking the NC CHECKINs on Wednesday and Thursday next week. Please have students be on time for the assessments as we will take them first thing in the morning. These are required by the State, and we use the data to adapt our instruction.

ASK YOUR CHILD WHAT HAPPENED AT DDMMS THIS WEEK:

6th Grade – How was the field trip to the North Carolina Museum of Art?

7th Grade – Ask what they know about Working Conditions and the movie Lyddie.

8th Grade – Ask how they did on the science midterm and about their presentation in ELA.

 

Your Proud Principal,

Margaret Feldman

 

THE WEEK AHEAD

  • Monday, January 15th – NO SCHOOL (MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY)
  • Tuesday, January 16th – A Day – Core 1
  • Wednesday, January 17th – B Day – Core 2
  • Thursday, January 18th – A Day – Core 3
  • Friday, January 19th – B Day – Core 4

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

  • Wednesday, January 17th – BASKETBALL @ Home 4PM
  • Wednesday, January 17th – PTA MEETING
  • Thursday, January 18th – BASKETBALL @ WENDELL
  • Wednesday, January 23rd – End of the 2nd Quarter
  • Friday, January 26th – WINTER DANCE 5:30pm – 7:30pm
  • March 12th at 5:30 – Rising 9th Grade / High School Information Night – more information to come.
  • March 12th 6:00 – 7:30 – Math Night – Come learn about DDMMS’s math and stem program and how you as parents can support your mathematician.
  • May 17th – PTA DDMMS Spring Fling! More information coming soon.

PTA MEETING – We have lots to share this month and Mrs. Feldman will be sharing the State of the School. Please sign-up https://forms.gle/pHRnuGYDw8sjAdhe8

to receive the link on January 17, 2024 at 6:00pm.

 

INTERESTED IN TRAVELING TO NORTHERN AFRICA? – Emerald Student Travel, who organizes several of our student field trips, has created an opportunity to travel in the summer of 2025. Please CLICK HERE for more information.

 

NCSU STEM OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENT WITH DISABILITIES – CLICK HERE for more information.

 

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY - 2024 Teen Play Corp applications are officially open, and we would love to have your students apply. Teen play Corp is a volunteer-based cohort for 7th -10th graders who are looking to build leadership skills and work alongside Team Marbles to spark imagination, discovery, and learning through play! Marbles Teen Play Corps participants playfully engage with younger kids through hands-on learning and play in Marbles exhibits, programs, camps, events, and the community. This is an application-based program and all applications and application requirements are due March 3rd .

For more information: Marbles Teen Play Corps (marbleskidsmuseum.org)

PTA NEEDS YOUR HELP - Will it snow this winter?  Well, either way, our next staff appreciation event will be Friday, Jan 26.  We will be making grilled cheese and soup, plus any of YOUR snow day favorites. All items should be dropped off to the one-and-only Liz at the front desk by Friday, Jan 26.  Perishable items can be dropped off in advance and stored in our refrigerator. We also need volunteers to help make the sandwiches. If you can donate items or your time, please sign up at http://tinyurl.com/DDMMSCheese24

 

YEARBOOK - Hello Dillard Families! This year we are looking to make the yearbook amazing, and we need your help! We want the yearbook to represent all of the students that make up our Dragon family and to do that we need as many photos as possible. If you have any photos from school events that could be put into the yearbook, please contact Christeanna Friend (cfriend2@wcpss.net). Remember yearbooks can also be purchased online at https://jostensyearbooks.com?ref=A01097836

 

FROM THE HALLS

 

MAGNET INFORMATION – 

  • Students in 5th and 8th grade who would like to continue in a magnet school at the next level MUST apply. Apply at wcpss.schoolmint.com. The deadline is January 25.
  • Students may apply to any magnet school that is an option for their address (review at wcpss.net/eligible)
  • Students with magnet status should be selected if they request their pathway school. See pathways at wcpss.net/pathways.
  • ENTRY Grade siblings - those rising into grades K, 6 or 9 - MUST apply and will be assigned with an older sibling who will still be assigned to that magnet school for the 24-25 school year. Any questions, contact Jessica Nelson jnelson1@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.