As you know, this is Teacher Appreciation Week. Today our staff enjoyed an assortment of treats provided by community businesses and we want to say thank you for their support: Franklin Savings Bank, Conant Acres, On the Go Toes, Dixfield Discount Fuel, and Houghton Homestead. If you have a staff member you particularly appreciate, this is a great week to send an email or thank you note. Go Cougars!
Last Friday we honored our AMAZING school nutrition workers with gifts from the Student Council and PTO. This week ahead is Teacher Appreciation Week. It has been a tough year - floods, local tragedies, etc - and our staff has made many sacrifices to support the kids and their academic progress. Go Cougars to ALL of the amazing people that keep our school going!
Attention Parents/Guardians: TWKDMS is conducting spring state testing one test at a time. The 8th grade will take the NWEA in reading on 5/9 and in math on 5/14; both times will be in the morning so that the students with DHS classes in the afternoon will keep a regular schedule. The 7th grade will take the NWEA in reading on the same dates but in the afternoon. The 6th grade already completed its reading NWEA on 5/1 and will take the math NWEA on 5/8. The 8th grade also will complete the required MEA Science exam on 5/16. That should wrap up another year's worth of assessments. To try and make things a little more positive for our students, the PTO has sponsored some prizes that students can earn raffle tickets to try and win. Go Cougars!
On this National Principals Day, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible leadership of our Principal, Mr. Long. His dedication to fostering a positive learning environment and ensuring the success of every student does not go unnoticed. From his tireless efforts to his unwavering support, he goes above and beyond each day! Thank you for making DMS a better place!
Attention Students and Parents/Guardians: RSU 56 Policy JICJ prohibits using personal electronic devices in most situations during the school day in grades 6-8. It is a difficult policy to enforce, but we try our best. Unfortunately, the increasing number of students with wireless headphones has made that even more difficult. Despite repeated announcements and warnings at school, students continue to "pair" their wireless headphones with cell phones (even with their peers' cell phones). This allows them to bypass the content firewall in place at the school via personal cell phone data plans. We have tried to manage this problem one student at a time, but it has become too prevalent and contentious. Effective immediately, wireless headphones may not be used at TWKDMS during the school day. Students may continue to use wired headphones connected to school laptops to access appropriate music at the appropriate times. Students without wired headphones will be provided a pair upon request by the Main Office. Thank you for understanding. Go Cougars.
https://core-docs.s3.us-east 1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1021/RSU_56/3571885/POLICY__JICJ-_Student_Use_of_Cell_Phones_and_Other_Electronic_Devices__5_.pdf
Here is the lunch menu for May.
Spring sports season has arrived and the TWKDMS PTO is looking for volunteers to help with the snack shack for home baseball and softball games. This can be parents, staff, or supportive community members.
The remaining dates are:
Thurs. May 2
Thurs. May 16
Thurs. May 28
Games begin at 4 pm and we could use 1 or 2 more people in the snack shack each game. If you are interested in selling concessions for a couple of hours on one of these afternoons, please reply to Jana Richardson (lmnmom316@gmail.com)
or Shay Sayer (shay.sayer@gmail.com)
Thank you for your continued support! Go Cougars!
Happy Administrative Professionals Day to Mrs. Sanborn! Go Cougars!
Here is the link for tonight's school board meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TlKPho3tNM
Attention TWKDMS guardians - TWKDMS is supporting an independent study conducted by a neighboring administrator. If you are interested in participating, please read the explanation below:
Dear Middle School Families,
My name is Carrie Luce and I am a doctoral student at the University of New England.
I am looking for 10 parents/guardians of middle school students to participate in an exciting study aimed at understanding family engagement at the middle school level.
Your participation may help school staff better understand how middle school and home partnerships improve middle schoolers’ academic outcomes, attendance, and motivation during adolescence. More information can be found in the Participant Information Sheet and Recruitment Letter (links at the bottom of this post).
If you would be willing to participate in my study, please email me at cluce@une.edu.
Thank you for your consideration.
Carrie Luce
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17VSIO3lqLjEoP_2xf9JIBilFhhbuMX7q/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12mQ5yidBotp7M4pEKVLbYhAgAyCjQBW3/view
Community posting:
Today we are sending all TWKDMS students home with a pair of eclipse viewing glasses that are ISO 12312-2 & CE certified, and the manufacturer is on the American Astronomical Society (AAS) approved list of manufacturers. Here is some information from NASA about safe viewing (https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/). You will notice in the picture below the glasses we sent home, along with another current "bright spot" - the Wrestling Championship trophies. Go Cougars!
Good Morning from RSU 56. Due to the inclement weather we will have a remote learning day today, April 4, 2024. Have a great day.
JUST IN CASE: If we have a remote learning day tomorrow, students will be counted as present if they email their homeroom teacher before 10:00 am for attendance and do the work posted in Google Classroom. Students can reach their teachers using Google Meets at the same time as they would normally have class (links in Google Classroom). IF a student is without power or without the ability to participate, just let us know and it will be excused (email your homeroom teacher or call us at 562-7552). Go Cougars (but seriously, enough snow already)
All students are bringing home their T-2 report cards today. Please look for them.
***RESCHEDULED***
Dirigo High School Class of 2025
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
March 30th, 2024
8:00am-10:00am
Region 9 cafeteria
$5 Entrance fee includes:
* 2 Pancakes with butter & syrup
* Sausage patty
* beverage (juice, water, milk, coffee)
* Easter basket craft & Easter candy
Raffles! Raffles! Raffles! $1.00/ea. or 6/$5.00 or
14/$10.00 You do not have to be present to win!
Flyer: https://5il.co/2h0dm
The. Easter Bunny will be available for parents to take pictures!
Proceeds to support Dirigo High School Class of 2025 Project Graduation.
Good Morning from RSU 56. Due to the weather there will be a 1-Hour delay in RSU 56 today, 3/21/24. Thank you!
April Lunch Menu
As a reminder, Friday March 15th is a teachers workshop day in RSU56.
Also, The RSU 56 school board approved having an early release on April 8 so families could observe the Solar Eclipse if desired. Student dismissal will be at 11:30 on April 8th, and Staff dismissal will be after the last bus leaves the school.
Go Cougars!
Good Morning from RSU 56. Due to power outages and issues from the storm in some areas, we will be having a remote learning day today, February 29, 2024. Thank you.