A few weeks ago, Region 9's Heavy Equipment Instructor, Mr. Trenoweth, came to TWKDMS as part of our "Region 9 Experience" series. Mr. Trenoweth had 30+ students sign up, and they got to check out the excavator he hauled over to the school and compete in a communication challenge. In the challenge, students attempted to assemble an item while getting the directions over a walkie-talkie. The kids had a blast and left with a newfound respect for worksite communication.
Students at TWKDMS earn points throughout the year for things like good attendance, passing grades, positive behaviors, and more. They can save up and spend these points on prizes, gym time, or experiences like this. Region 9 sends us a different program each month. Next up - Culinary Arts. I love seeing how our students save up their points for these opportunities! Go Cougars!
Good vision plays a vital role in every student’s success—both inside and outside the classroom. Uncorrected
vision problems can lead to difficulty concentrating, disruptive behavior, and struggles with learning and
participation. Beyond academics, poor vision can also affect a child’s social and athletic development.
At VIP Eyes Auburn, we understand that for many families, the cost of eyeglasses can be a challenge. That’s
why we’re proud to continue our mission of giving back to our community through our Annual Gives Back
Day, established in 2015. Our goal is simple: to help as many students as possible see clearly and confidently.
Event Details Date: Wednesday, November 26th Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: VIP Eyes Auburn 120 Center St Plaza Auburn
shutdown, help is available.
Attention parents and guardians of 5th-8th graders!!!
Winter sports REGISTRATION DEADLINE is THURSDAY 10/30!
If your child is planning to participate in a middle school sport this winter, check out this website (schools.snap.app/dirigo) to complete all necessary paperwork. If your child played a middle school sport this fall you still need to go to this website, but you will just need to click on the sports they want to participate in (you do not have to create a new account or refill out forms).
Please remember middle school sports are open to grade 5 students when there are spaces available so it might not be and option in every sport.
Let’s kick this fundraiser into gear - TWKDMS has partnered with Hype Socks to bring you high-quality Dirigo athletic socks just in time for the holidays! We are minimizing our profit margin and selling each pair for just $15. We sampled the product and went with Hype Socks because they really are high quality - and they rock with school spirit. Orders need to be placed online by 11/13/25, and then the company will send the socks to TWKDMS by 12/10/25. At that point, we will send socks home with your student, or you can pick them up at the school yourself. See the link below to check them out! This is to raise money for fun stuff at the school, and let folks get a new kind of Dirigo gear. Go Cougars! https://twkellydirigomiddleschoolsocks.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Friends of the River Valley is a nonprofit organization that seeks to better the lives of kids living in the River Valley. They help sponsor a number of activities (including the DDF Toy Drive and the DES Bryant Pond trip for grade 5 students), and are looking for some input from parents in our area. If you are willing, please take this SHORT survey to provide this organization with information and insight regarding the needs and strengths in our area.
Click on the link below to take the survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-AMGwIVWrent5UNkHd1zex2vdtSiWNBl_lU5fri2kOpQakQ/viewform?usp=header
Attention Parents/Guardians: Students are coming home today with a blue paper that has instructions for Parent Teacher Conference sign-ups (first-come, first-served, starts online at 7:00 am on Friday, see the paper for more details) and information about our upcoming Veterans' Day luncheon. (After my pink hair experience last spring, please forgive the remaining bleached top) Go Cougars!
Get ready for our spirit week!
Halloween Fun!
The conference dates are Monday, November 10, 2025, from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. , and Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Sign-ups start ONLINE at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025. Appointments are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call the school at 562-7552 if you need help signing up or to make changes. However, no signs up will happen before the portal goes live this Friday at 7:00 am.
We have seen a major uptick in students bringing energy drinks and Dunkin' into the school. It is not our business to tell parents what to give or not give their children to consume, but we are having an issue: When these spill, it makes a sticky mess.
We already have a rule that only water (sparkling or regular) may be consumed in classrooms. So, what is happening is the kids are putting their half-drank OPEN containers in their lockers. You can guess what happens next. Yuck.
As a fair warning, we need students to finish drinking anything open (other than water) before they go to homeroom at 7:45. If they cannot finish it, then they will need to dump it.
If they are bringing some sort of energy drink for after school, they may keep it in their locker until after school, so long as it is unopened.
These drinks are expensive, and I do not want to offend any parent giving their kids what they want to give them; however, for the sake of the school running smoothly, we are going to tighten this up, and I feel you deserve to know.
