WHAT AN AMAZING START TO OUR HYBRID LEARNING! After nearly a year of our students working remotely, it was an incredible first week to have students back in our building. Once again this is something new for our community - safety protocols, small in person classes, the use of OWL cameras - but true to the character of our community we worked hard to make the first week a rousing success. Whether our students were online or in person, we saw firsthand the benefit of hybrid learning for so many of our students and we can’t wait to continue improving in this new mode of learning in the months to come.
As the end of this pandemic appears to be somewhat in sight now, we also know that now is not the time to let up on our efforts to create the best learning environment possible for our students. As we reach the end of the second trimester please work with your students to ensure they are putting in their best effort whether working remotely or in person at school. This means completing daily work, participating in class, and using advisory time to build connections and relationships with others. As a staff we are pushing ourselves to innovate and iterate on how to make learning exceptional and to help all students to know they are valued members of our community. That commitment will remain strong now and always!
Go Knights!
John Clark, School Director
Interim Assessments (IA2)
Our second round of of Interim Assessments in Science, Social Studies, and Math 1H will be occurring February 25th and 26th. Our school day will start at 8:15 AM and end early at 12:00 noon these days.
As a note, all students will take the tests remotely and should plan to test from home these days. There will be a select number of students who will specifically be asked to take the exam at school in order to better support their focus and specific accommodations needed. A member of the school will reach out to you if we think this would be a good option for your student. Again, unless your student is specifically asked to attend please plan for your student to work and test remotely these days.
Return to School Updates
Daily Health Screener: Thank you to all who have completed the Health Screener before arriving to school. Our goal is for 100% of students (and staff) to complete their Health Screener first thing in the morning.
Opportunity to have your student attend In-Person Learning: On Wednesday, February 17th we will send a survey to families to once again choose Hybrid, In-Person Learning for your Knight.
Students who are added to In-Person learning during this time will start their classes at the beginning of Trimester 3 in March.
We will NOT be able to offer families the choice of Group A or Group B
students will be assigned their Learning Group
We will ensure that siblings (MS and HS) are assigned the same days
Important Upcoming Dates:
Monday, February 15: No School, President's DayWednesday, February 17: Survey for In-Person Learning Choice sent to families
Deadline to complete survey is Tuesday, February 23
Thursday and Friday, February 25 & 26: Interim Assessments #2 for Science/Social Studies/Math 1H
Friday, February 26: End of Trimester 2
Monday and Tuesday, March 1 & 2: No School for Students
Wednesday, March 3: Start of Trimester 3
Week of March 14-19: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Visions of a Return
In a year of constant firsts, the most exciting thus far was our Return to School. Here are some images that capture some of that experience. (clockwise from left: Lah'Qjuan Pride (6th) goes for the gold in the long jump; Corray Dismuke (8th) and Mr. Harrison play dueling Banjos during recess; Section 604 starts their day; an animated Ms. Meneley joins Section 704
DSST: Montview MS Celebrates Black History Month
Normally, we love inviting parents into our building to observe classes or just to welcome you as you wait to pick up your Knight. Throughout the year, we use our Commons Book Display to highlight events, such as Black History Month. Since you cannot join us for now, here is what we have to celebrate this great tradition, along with our Black History Month Slide Show. Black History Month Slides
Culture Corner
Attendance
The first week of return to school has been great! In-person attendance has been very strong and we want to encourage families to hold students accountable for attendance during remote learning days. Thank you for your continued support with attendance, we are grateful to our families for the support!
Wellness Surveys
Wellness Surveys are our way to hear from students how things are going. We are asking for families to support our efforts in having 100% of our students complete the Wellness Survey. Students will be sent a new Wellness Survey today, February 9th. Please remind your child to complete their Wellness Survey!
End of Trimester 2 & Beginning of Trimester 3
There’s only 17 days remaining until the end of Trimester 3! Here are some key areas of focus as the trimester comes to an end:
Be in attendance
Make-up missing assignments
Be fully engaged-completing all classwork
Advocate for support if help is needed
PBIS Celebrations:
Please checkout the Deans’ Morning Message to see our January Dean’s List Winners. Students on the January Dean’s List showed the highest growth on their iReady Assessments. We are so proud of all their hard work and hope they enjoy their $5 Gift Card!
Dean’s List February- The top 3 students from each section with the highest growth rate on their IAs will be awarded.
Dress Code:
Please make sure your child attends school in the DSST Montview Dresscode! At this time, we will allow students to wear our school colors, red, grey, and black, until uniforms are purchased. Please note, we would like to have all students attending in person in DSST Montview Logo uniform by February 15th!
If your child is attending In-Person:
DSST Montview logo shirt or sweatshirt
Black, red, gray, white, or khaki pants
Black, brown red, or gray close-toed shoes (do not have to be solid)
For an additional layer of warmth, students can wear solid color long sleeve shirts under their DSST logo shirts in black, red, grey, or white
If your child does not have logo gear a this time, they may wear: Black, red, or gray shirt or sweatshirt
NO BLUE JEANS or PANTS with rips
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the dress code policy please reach out to your student’s dean:
Join the DSST: Montview Family Facebook Group! Search "DSST Montview Families" to find the group
We are a group of parents with children attending DSST Montview Middle School. We like to promote community building, friendships, fun ideas, school activities & local resources to both strengthen & build our school, personal relationships & families. An informed parent is a better parent!
