DON JUAN AVILA MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal: Chris Carter
October 2009
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RED RIBBON WEEK
We will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week on Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 23. DJAMS will be hosting the Rachel’s Challenge assembly on Monday, October 19, to help kick off the week’s events. In addition, DJAMS will be providing several activities during the week to encourage and support a healthy, drug free lifestyle. This would be an excellent opportunity to share your own family values with your child. We will be ending the week with a special dance on Friday, October 23. Details to follow.
DJAMS PTSA WRITES CHECK FOR $8,000
Thank you parents! Your membership dues and generous donations have made it possible for us to present DJAMS with a check for $8,000 that will be used to purchase 9 new computers for the Library computer lab. Please continue to support our Restaurant Nights and sign up to participate in Escrip and with the Ralph’s Community Partners program. Your participation will buy more computers! Stay tuned for more opportunities to help.
Michelle Fleming
DJAMS PTSA President
CHILI’S RESTAURANT NIGHT – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009, 4 TO 10:30 P.M.
Chili’s Aliso Viejo
26631 Aliso Creek Road
Print out the flyer from Edline or the PTSA website at djamsptsa.org and present it to your server on Tuesday, November 3. Chili’s will donate 10% of the ticket to the DJAMS PTSA. Offer good on dine-in our take out orders.
RACHEL’S CHALLENGE
“You just may start a chain reaction”
You are invited to come hear an incredible story of courage and hope.
Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School Tragedy on April 20, 1999. She left behind an amazing legacy and simple challenge to anyone who will accept it – treat others with kindness and compassion and you just may change the world you live in.
Rachel’s Challenge Community Event
Monday, October 19, 2009, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Don Juan Avila Middle School Multi-Purpose Room
26278 Wood Canyon, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
DJAMS will be hosting the Rachel’s Challenge assembly on Monday, October 19, 2009. Students will attend one of two assemblies during the day and parents and community members are invited to view a similar presentation at 7:00 pm that evening. This program motivates students to positive change in the way they treat others. Parents are encouraged to attend the one-hour evening presentation and to discuss the message of this powerful program with their children.
Further information on Rachel’s Challenge is available at www.rachelschallenge.com.
BEAUTY IS . . .
The PTSA Reflections Art Program entries are rolling in! Entries are due to the Attendance Office by the end of school on Monday, October 19. Entry forms are available from your English, Art, Drama, or Music teacher, or on the PTSA website at djamsptsa.org. Complete contest rules are available at, www.pta.org (under programs). Contact the PTSA Reflections Chairperson, Chris Taylor with questions at 949-285-3910.
WEIGHT TRAINING CLASS OFFERED
Mr. Binley’s first session of weight training has begun. Classes are held from 3:40 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays in the Fitness Center. This class is designed for all 7th and 8th graders interested in beginning weight training. To register for this class or other classes offered through Capistrano Community Education, please log on to: http://cusd.capousd.org/adult. Feel free to contact Mr. Binley if you have any questions regarding the weight training class.
DJAMS SURF CLUB
First practice is Thursday, October 15, 7:00 a.m. to 8 a.m., at Salt Creek Beach. Check online at www.djamssurf.com for more information.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
If you have a child who has lost a close family member and want him/her to be part of a support group with other students dealing with a similar loss, please call or email Maureen Smith, school counselor. mesmith@capousd.org
ATTENTION ZERO PERIOD PARENTS
When dropping your child off inside the school parking lot, please pull up as far as possible making sure to let your child out beyond the administration building. Do not stop and drop off your child before the crosswalk area. Thank you.
GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS CLASS NEWS
Global Communications students are working on a web site project based on the National History Day theme, Innovations in History: Impact and Change. Students have completed their general research and narrowed their topic selection. During the next three weeks students will complete their research. In addition to learning different tools for online research, students are utilizing online tools to construct and organize the bibliography. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, students will start organizing and designing their webs.
HOMEWORK CLUB
Does your child need a quiet place to study and receive homework assistance? If so, please have your child attend DJAMS’ Homework Club. Students may attend on a drop-in basis 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. with the following teachers:
Mondays, Mr. Backal, Room 706
Tuesdays, Mr. Waterman, Room 806
Wednesdays, Ms. Nicol, Room 602
Fridays, Mrs. Arsala, Room 902
There is no Homework Club on late-start Thursdays.
PLASTIC/CAN RECYCLING FUNDRAISER
Please bring in any of your recyclable plastic bottles and aluminum cans to the main office for our DJAMS recycling fundraiser. Please separate the plastic from the cans by putting them in separate white plastic bags. Our goal is to fill our recycling bin every month. The funds will be used to buy student computers.
CUSD GATE TESTING INFORMATION
Dear Parents,
If you are interested in having your child tested for the Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE), please read the information below:
Criteria Based GATE Testing Requirements:
During the first week of December, all CUSD 3rd-7th grade students who meet the Criteria Based GATE Test requirements will be mailed an invitation for the Criteria Based GATE Test. Due to budget constraints, GATE testing will no longer be administered at individual school sites during the school hours. Instead, GATE testing will now be conducted on two Saturdays in January at Niguel Hills Middle School in Laguna Niguel. To view the Criteria Based GATE Testing requirements and the GATE testing dates, please visit the CUSD GATE website at http://gate.schoolloop.com .
Fee-Based OLSAT GATE Testing:
Parents may nominate 3rd -7th grade students who do NOT meet the requirements for January Criteria Based GATE testing to take the OLSAT for a non-refundable fee on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at Niguel Hills Middle School. The Fee Based OLSAT GATE Test is available to all 3rd -7th grade public and private school students residing within the CUSD District boundaries. Applications for the Fee Based OLSAT GATE Test can be printed from the CUSD GATE website at http://gate.schoolloop.com . The Fee Based OLSAT GATE Test application deadline is January 27, 2010.
ATTENTION DJAMS SPORTS FIELD USERS
It has come to our attention that sporting groups using our school fields after school hours have been bringing their pets and not picking up after them. This is just a reminder to any group using our DJAMS facility to please remember, no dogs are allowed on DJAMS campus or fields at any time. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our fields and campus clean.
FLU SEASON
Flu season is unfortunately upon us. People who are sick should stay home from work or school and avoid other people until they are fever free for 24 hours, and are no longer presenting symptoms of illness. See OCDE H1N1/FLU website www.ocde.k12.ca.us/flu for further details.
YEARBOOK EIGHTH GRADE ADS
The first deadline for yearbook ads is Monday, November 2, 2009. If you are interested in buying an ad for your son/daughter and need the order form, either check Edline or email Stacey Olson at seolson@capousd.org.
DATES TO REMEMBER
October 19 Last day to turn in Reflections Art Program Entries
October 19 Rachel’s Challenge, 7-8:00 p.m., MPR
October 19-23 Red Ribbon Week
October 23 First Dance of the Year
October 30 Professional Growth Day – No School
November 3 Chili’s Restaurant Night, 4 – 10:30 p.m.
November 6 End of First Quarter
November 11 Veterans Day Holiday – No School
November 12 PTSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Library
November 23-27 Thanksgiving Recess – No School
December 21-Jan. 1 Winter Recess – No School
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