Today, December 13th, is the last day to order Hoodies!!!

Cash or Check (Make checks payable to Desert Sky Middle School)

Adult Sizes Offered:  Small, Medium, Large, XL and XXL

Cost:  $25.00

Hoodie order form

Friday’s Spirit Day is Class Colors!

6th Grade wear red

7th Grade wear blue

8th Grade wear white

Wednesday is Winter Wonderland – dress is silver, gold or white!

Tuesday is Holly Jolly Hat Day!  Wear your favorite holiday hat and show your holiday style!

Hey Cougars, get ready for spirit week!  It starts, Monday, December 9th.  Here are the days:

Monday -  PJ Day
Tuesday -   Holly Jolly Hat Day
Wednesday -  Winter Wonderland Day – wear white, silver or gold
Thursday, – It’s a Blue Christmas – wear  blue attire
Friday -   DSMS Color Day
8th grade -white
7th grade -blue
6th grade -red

High School Information Night for 8th graders and their parents is fast approaching.  Please plan on attending on January 13, 2014 @ 6:30pm here at Desert Sky.  Check out the attached flyer for more details on the night as well as high school open house dates.

8th Grade Choice Flier

Dear Parents,

Attached to this email are two important letters regarding a confirmed case of Pertussis / Whooping Cough at Desert Sky. Please read them carefully, and feel free to contact Mrs. Martinez, the DSMS Heath Aide, at 879-2710 with any questions.

We are following the guidance and protocols of the Pima County Health Department, and we will continue to communicate with you as they inform or update us of any news.

I also encourage you to contact me if you have any questions, at 879-2715. Thank you.

Brent Edwards

DSMS Pertussis letter2
Pima County Pertussis

If you are interested in nominating someone for Teacher, Support Staff or Volunteer of the Year, please click on the appropriate link below.   All nominations are due Friday, December 13, 2013.

Teacher of the Year

Support Staff of the Year

Volunteer Ambassador of the Year

The 2012/2013 free and reduced meal accounts will expire on Monday, August 26th.  Please make sure to complete a new application for the 2013/2014 school year to avoid having an interruption in your child’s eligibility. Applications are available in the front office or online at www.mymealtime.com.  All questions should be directed to Linda Millman at 520.879.2090.

Dear Desert Sky Families,

It’s hard to believe that we are half-way through our first quarter of school — and it’s only August 16! These first several weeks have flown by as students have adapted to a new grade, new teachers, and new expectations, and we are proud of the work our students are doing.

We mailed home progress reports on Friday, August 16 for all students indicating their current class grades. Of course, detailed information about your child’s academic progress is always available to you through PowerSchool. There is a link to PowerSchool on our school webpage (http://dsms.vail.k12.az.us), under the Resources tab.  If you can not access it for some reason, please contact our school office for assistance at 879-2702. Finally, our teachers are always available for questions and concerns via phone, email, and meetings with you.

Attached you will find a letter from our Assistant Superintendent Debbie Hedgepeth that discusses the instructional shifts we are making this year to help students meet the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS). These shifts do come with increased rigor and complexity — and sometimes increased frustration and additional time needed for learning. Our teachers are working right along with your students to support them and help them through this transition.

Please plan now for our parent-teacher conferences September 12 and 13.

Thursday, September 12:        12:30 pm – 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 7:00pm
Friday, September 13:             12:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Thank you for sharing your child with us!

Micah Mortensen
Principal

Common Core Letter to Parents