Here is our October lunch menu.
Today was the first session of "Reward Wednesday" this year at TWKDMS. For context, our students earn points weekly for good attendance, good grades, and several other behaviors that we want to encourage. Then, students can "spend" their points on the "prize drawers" or on "reward experiences." Today's reward experience was a fly fishing demonstration and lesson taught by Mr. Rainey and a few of his DHS students from the Region 9 Outdoor Leadership Program! It was awesome, and the kids loved it. This year, we will feature a different Region 9 program each month as a Reward Wednesday activity for our students to experience! A HUGE thank you and Go Cougars to our partners at Region 9 for this collaboration - we are feeling great about this addition to our rewards system. Go Cougars!
Our school picture day is on Tuesday, September 16th. Order envelopes were sent home last week, or you can order online.
Attention Parents/Guardians: Please join us for our Open House tomorrow night (9/4/25) from 5:30 to 7:00. Staff and community partners will be present and are excited to connect with you.
As indicated in the summer mailing, the Open House includes a mandatory technology safety presentation. A parent/guardian attending this presentation is a requirement before we can let a student take home a school iPad.
The technology meetings will start at 5:30, with new sessions starting every 20 minutes in the gym until 7:30 (with a break at 6:00 pm for the fall athletics meeting).
If you are unable to attend, arrangements can be made for you to view the presentation during the school day. Hope to see you there - Go Cougars!
As indicated in the summer mailing, the Open House includes a mandatory technology safety presentation. A parent/guardian attending this presentation is a requirement before we can let a student take home a school iPad.
The technology meetings will start at 5:30, with new sessions starting every 20 minutes in the gym until 7:30 (with a break at 6:00 pm for the fall athletics meeting).
If you are unable to attend, arrangements can be made for you to view the presentation during the school day. Hope to see you there - Go Cougars!
A big "Go Cougars" to the TWKDMS students (Aubrey, Riley, and Gerrit) showing for Conant Acres in Canton. Everyone did an amazing job at the Windsor Fair, and a big set of wins for 7th grader Riley Keene with the Supreme Overall Champion Cow and the Supreme Champion Heifer in the youth shows! Moo Cougars! I mean, Go Cougars!
Here is the September lunch menu.
Dear Dirigo Families,
We are excited to announce that Dirigo Schools have begun using an online registration system for all athletics and activities. Registration is now open for Middle School Soccer, Middle School Cross Country, and Middle School Field Hockey.
Families of students planning to participate this fall must complete registration through the link: schools.snap.app/dirigo or by visiting the TWK Dirigo Middle School website and clicking on Athletics.
When registering, please have the following information ready:
Physician contact information
Insurance provider and policy number
(If the form asks for a tetanus shot date, you may enter “123456.” This information is not required for participation.)
At this time, registration is open for grades 5–8, and practices for grades 6–8 will begin after school on Tuesday, September 2nd and will end at 4:15.
Soccer and Cross Country practices take place at Dirigo Middle School.
Field Hockey players will be bussed after school to Dirigo ELEMENTARY School for practices, and will need to be picked up after practice at DES.
There will NOT be a late bus until September 15th, so please plan accordingly.
Once we know the number of participants in grades 6-8, we will decide whether teams can be opened up to include 5th graders. If your 5th grader is interested, please register them now so that, if approved, they can start participating without delay. A decision will be shared by Friday, September 5th.
Thank you for your support as we get the fall season underway—we’re looking forward to a great year of Dirigo Athletics and Activities!
We are excited to announce that Dirigo Schools have begun using an online registration system for all athletics and activities. Registration is now open for Middle School Soccer, Middle School Cross Country, and Middle School Field Hockey.
Families of students planning to participate this fall must complete registration through the link: schools.snap.app/dirigo or by visiting the TWK Dirigo Middle School website and clicking on Athletics.
When registering, please have the following information ready:
Physician contact information
Insurance provider and policy number
(If the form asks for a tetanus shot date, you may enter “123456.” This information is not required for participation.)
At this time, registration is open for grades 5–8, and practices for grades 6–8 will begin after school on Tuesday, September 2nd and will end at 4:15.
Soccer and Cross Country practices take place at Dirigo Middle School.
Field Hockey players will be bussed after school to Dirigo ELEMENTARY School for practices, and will need to be picked up after practice at DES.
There will NOT be a late bus until September 15th, so please plan accordingly.
Once we know the number of participants in grades 6-8, we will decide whether teams can be opened up to include 5th graders. If your 5th grader is interested, please register them now so that, if approved, they can start participating without delay. A decision will be shared by Friday, September 5th.
Thank you for your support as we get the fall season underway—we’re looking forward to a great year of Dirigo Athletics and Activities!
It was a very special day today at T.W. Kelly Dirigo Middle School! Our incoming 6th-grade students had their welcome message delivered by T. W. Kelly himself! The staff and students were very grateful to meet Mr. Kelly, the man who led our school's creation 45 years ago. With his encouragement, we're excited to launch into another year of enriching the legacy that is Dirigo Magic at TWKDMS. Go Cougars!
Just a reminder that tomorrow 8/27/25 is the first day of school for grades K-6 and Grade 9. Tomorrow is not a late arrival Wednesday,
Grades 7 -8 & 10-12 will start on Thursday, 8/28/25.
PreK will start on 9/2/25.
Grades 7 -8 & 10-12 will start on Thursday, 8/28/25.
PreK will start on 9/2/25.
Here is our lunch menu for August. See you soon!
Upcoming fun community event to celebrate the new dog park at McGouldrick Park. Check it out! Go Cougars!
Here is the link to today's Final Assembly at DMS:
https://youtube.com/live/gnDzj4qaPi8?feature=share
Report Cards were distributed this morning to all students, so please keep an eye out for them today. Tomorrow is an early release, so it is not a late arrival. The day starts at 7:55 for students, doors open for guests to attend the Final Assembly at 8:30, the assembly begins at 9:00, and dismissal will start around 11:30. (And, for those who need it, Summer School starts on July 7th) Go Cougars!
Reminders about the 7th and 8th grade semi-formal dance tonight: 1) No tickets will be sold at the door, so only come if you already have your ticket (if you misplaced your ticket, but purchased one, we have your name on a list, so you're ok). 2) The 8th grade red carpet introduction happens at 6:35, please be there by 6:30 to line up. 3) Parents are welcome to stay and take pictures until 7:00 pm, at which time they must leave, and the dance will start. 4) No students will be admitted after 7:30, no exceptions. 5) The dance is over at 9:00 pm, so please make sure your ride is here. If you need to leave the dance early, you need to let Mr. Long know so that we can check with a parent/guardian. 6) No one is coming into the building until 6:15, so please do not be too early. Go Cougars!
Back in April, I made a deal with the students. If we could, overall as an entire school, show nationally above-average growth on the State Assessments in both reading and math, I would dye my hair and beard pink. Test scores are not the most important thing to me, but we want our students to give their best effort in all their endeavors, and it seemed like they needed a little jolt for the spring tests. Well, they delivered, and now I am going to have a colorful summer. Thank you to DES's multitalented Tricia Fletcher and P'Zazz in Dixfield for helping me fulfill my promise! And, as always, Go Cougars!
Attention 8th Grade Parents - The 8th grade trip is 25 minutes ahead of schedule. If you are picking up your student at the Canton Big Apple, please be there a little after 5:00. If you are picking up your student at the Middle School, please be there by 5:30. Go Cougars!
June Lunch Menu
Attention 7th and 8th Grade Community: The annual Semi-Formal Dance (for 7th and 8th grade students only) is scheduled for Saturday, June 7th, from 6:30-9:00. The traditional "red carpet" arrival and announcement of 8th graders will take place around 6:35. Parents are welcome to stay and take pictures until 7:00. Then, the doors close at 7:00 and just chaperones and students remain until 9:00. No student will be admitted after 7:30. This is firm. Tickets are for sale ($5 each) this week at the school, but will not be for sale at the door. Students have heard about this in the announcements for weeks, but we wanted to put it here, too. Go Cougars! (This is a dressy dance. Students can wear regular clothes, but as a semi-formal, they should know that most of their peers will be on the dressy side).
Here is the link to tonight's RSU56 Budget / Board meeting:
https://www.youtube.com/live/gw-aW84dFs8?si=AyNVK1yct8Nfvk3S