Hey PTAers!  Did you know the #1 reason people join the PTA?  It's to be informed.  I know, that's me, too.  That is just one goal of our PTA to keep you, the parents, informed about what is going on at our school.  Because if you are like me, you are juggling.  All.The.Things. So we are here, to help!

And thank you!! The competition between the grades led to our DMS PTA earning the Early Bird Award!  That award is given when you reach 100% of the previous year's membership. If you didn't happen to be an Early Bird this year and haven't had the opportunity to join yet, it's OK!  There is still time!  Just click HERE to join!  Adult memberships are $20 and Student memberships are just $5.  

We greatly appreciate all you are doing to support our students, teachers and staff by being a member of our Downing PTA!


Congratulations to SIXTH GRADE for going all in and winning the PTA Member Contest! 
We hope you enjoyed the treats (and bragging rights)!

DOWNING PTA COMMUNITY HERO

Please join us in commending Downing alum Heidy Williams for her extensive work planning, preparing, organizing volunteers and executing a total revamp of our Legacy Garden at the front of Downing Middle School (by the big "D" on Bridlewood Blvd.). As part of her Eagle Scout project, Heidy spent over 150 hours planning the overhaul; she organized several dozen volunteers to help tame the wilderness the Legacy Garden had become and directed their efforts on a Saturday workday. Heidy has restored serenity to the garden with beautiful flowers, benches and landscaping. We will present Heidy with a Downing PTA Community Hero award at our next evening general PTA meeting in February. Many thanks to Heidy for focusing her time and talents on Downing Middle School! 

KENDRA SCOTT

Join us for some early holiday shopping at Kendra Scott and support Downing Middle School PTA! On November 5th from 5-8pm, shop in-store at the Highland Village Kendra Scott, and 20% of the proceeds will be donated to support our Downing teachers and students. Can’t make it to the store? You can also shop online November 5th and 6th by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to use the code GIVEBACK-AWZYR when you check out! Please see our fundraiser website for more details.

PRINCIPALS AND PRESIDENTS LUNCH

As part of National Principals Month, we celebrated Principal Martin at the LISD Council Principals and President Lunch. Mr. Martin, President Tish Raymond and principals and presidents from around the district enjoyed a tour of the TECC-West facility and filled their plates at a buffet luncheon created and served by TECC-West students. Everything from the menu to the service to the floral centerpieces were provided by the students in the career-preparatory TECC-West classes. We appreciate our involved, fun-loving and engaging principal — thank you for all you do, Mr. Martin!

SENIOR ALUM SCHOLARSHIP

Once again, Downing PTA will be sponsoring a $500 scholarship to be awarded to a former DMS student and PTA member. Our scholarship is administered through the Lewisville Education Foundation. Please let parents of high-school senior alumni know that applications open on Friday, Nov. 5 and will be open until January 7th. We have many deserving Downing Middle School alumni and are proud to support their pursuit of higher education! 

DRESSED TO LEARN

This month, Lewisville ISD's Dressed to Learn team provides emergency clothing and necessities to students in our district. They have created a closet of shoes, socks, underwear, clothing and school items for students in desperate need. Dressed to Learn is currently hosting a personal-hygiene drive to collect deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrushes, shaving items, feminine hygiene products and the like for LISD students in need. Please drop off donation at the DMS office and the PTA will deliver the items to the Dressed to Learn team to help support our LISD families. 

HOSPITALITY
 
 No Tricks...Just Treats... and LoTs of SmiLeS from our Downing teachers as they loaded their trick-or-treat bags with snacks.   
THANK YOU to all those that donated for this event! Without you, it would have been a very sad Halloween.
SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to Cecilia Goeke for her beautiful decorations that turned a drab conference room into an adorable yet spooktacular space!
We'll give thanks for our teachers at our next get together on Tuesday, November 16th. More information coming soon.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Thank you to those of you that sent items through our Amazon list to help with our Community Outreach pantry inventory! Thanks to your generosity, we have enough pantry items to make it almost to Thanksgiving! If you would like to help us get ahead of the holiday needs for our community, please consider picking up our greatest needs: boxed milk, juice pouches, or pop-top canned fruits or vegetables and deliver them to Downing, OR take the simpler route, and click on the link to our Amazon list HERE.
Thank you for your support of our Diamondback community!”

Lose the clutter and earn cash for your school -- Downing PTA will be holding its fall recycling event on December 4 from 9 a.m. - noon in the South Parking Lot (by the track). Our recycling partners have an extensive list of items they'll take -- clothing to household goods to electronics. Clear out those closets before Christmas and help the Downing PTA!
For more information about what items are acceptable, individuals can click HERE. 

LEGACY GARDEN
Are you looking for a great way to contribute to our school and leave a lasting legacy for your student?  Ordering a personalized brick for our Legacy Garden is only $25.  After placing your order, you'll be contacted to provide up to 3 lines (13 characters each) to be engraved on a brick for the Legacy Garden.
Click HERE to order.

BIRTHDAY GRAM

Celebrate your child and help Downing PTA all in one with a BirthdayGram—a birthday note, special candy delivery and lunchtime announcement for $15.
Click HERE to purchase a Birthday Gram