DON JUAN AVILA MIDDLE SCHOOL
DJAMS NEWS
Principal: Chris Carter
WORLD RARE DISEASE DAY, FEBRUARY 27
Don Juan Avila Middle School is proud to support the first ever World Rare Disease Day this Friday, February 27. DJAMS is one of many middle schools, elementary schools, high schools and colleges across the country participating in creating greater public awareness about Rare Disease. Rare disease affects 1 in 10 Americans and is much more common then we all think! We will be selling smoothies from Smoothie King to raise money for these children and their families. We can all make a difference! So please join us this Friday after school, buy your smoothies and help spread the word.
REMINDER: STAR WRITING TEST NEXT TUESDAY
Please make sure your child is prepared for STAR testing next Tuesday, March 3. We will be on a modified schedule with an extended testing block in the morning following homeroom. Students are expected to arrive at the regular 8:45 a.m. start time and will be dismissed as usual at 3:25 p.m. 8th grade students will be taking a district-wide reading assessment. 7th grade students will be taking the state mandated STAR Writing test. 6th graders will be taking a school-wide Spring writing assessment.
Please stress the importance of these tests which may determine your child’s placement for middle school and high school classes next year and help us to evaluate our academic programs.
Prior to testing, students should:
Get a good night’s sleep
Eat a healthy breakfast
Be at school on time
Bring a bottle of water and a silent reading book
Thank you for your cooperation in scheduling any off-campus appointments outside of our testing day.
EXCESSIVE TARDIES
It has come to our attention that there seems to be an unusually high amount of tardies on our late-start Thursdays. Please remember that our instructional minutes are very valuable especially on late-start days. Students who are continually tardy will serve a consequence. We appreciate your assistance in making sure your child gets to school on time. Thank you.
ELECTION OF NEXT YEAR’S PTSA BOARD AT MARCH MEETING
Join us at our next PTSA meeting Thursday, March 12, at 2:30 pm, in the Library as we elect our PTSA officers for next school year. The following PTSA members have been nominated for office:
President – Michelle Fleming
Executive Vice President – Colleen Moody
Treasurer – Michelle Stablow
Financial Secretary – Trish Fitterer
Recording Secretary – Nancy Copland
Auditor – Johanne Padilla
Historian – Nicole Bryant
If you are a current PTSA member and would like to place your name in nomination for one of the above positions, please contact Michelle Fleming, PTSA President, at mekflem1@cox.net, prior to March 12.
SCHOOL DISTRICT FACES 25 MILLION DOLLAR CUT FOR 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR
School District staff has unveiled the list of recommended cuts to meet the 25 million dollar budget deficit expected for next year. The recommendations include significant staff and program reductions. The School Board will take action at its next meeting scheduled for March 9, in order to meet contractual layoff notice timelines. The list of recommended cuts will be posted on the DJAMS PTSA website at djamsptsa.com as soon as it is made available by the District. All parents are encouraged to review the proposed cuts as well as copies of recent budget presentations at the School District website at http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1219972013336. Parents can provide comments and suggestions regarding the budget at http://elisten.capousd.org/surveys/CommunityInput/comminput.html .
8TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN AT ANHS
Aliso Niguel High School is hosting an 8th Grade Parent Night for Incoming Freshmen on Wednesday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Gym. 8th graders and their parents are welcome to attend. 8th graders will have received their registration forms at DJAMS prior to this meeting. This presentation will explain how to fill out these forms, give advice for classes for next year, and outline requirements for both high school graduation and college admissions. After the presentations, there will be tables set up with information regarding extra-curricular and co-curricular sports, clubs and activities that are offered at Aliso Niguel.
PREVIOUS NEWS
INCOMING 6TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT AT DJAMS
Parents of incoming 6th grade students are invited to attend DJAMS annual Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the MPR. AAA/GATE Parent Meeting will be held from 6:00-6:30 p.m. before the main presentation.
ONGOING WEIGHT TRAINING CLASS
It’s never too late for students to join Mr. Binley’s weight training session. Classes are held from 3:40 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, in our DJAMS Weight Room. This class is designed for all 7th and 8th graders interested in beginning weight training. On-line class registration is available now through Capistrano Community Education, at: www.capousd.org/adult or call 489-7202. Feel free to contact Mr. Binley if you have any questions regarding the class.
DATES TO REMEMBER
February 26 Talent Show, 6:00–7:00 p.m., MPR
February 27 Smoothie King sold after school to support The Project charity (PAL)
March 3 STAR Writing Test, Modified Schedule
March 12 PTSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Library
March 13 Pi Day
March 25 8th Grade Parent Night at Aliso Niguel High School Gym, 6:30 p.m.
March 28 Academic Pentathlon
April 6-10 Spring Recess – No School
April 22 Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night, 6:30 p.m., MPR
May 14 PTSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Library
May 20 Open House, 6:30 p.m.
May 25 Memorial Day, Legal Holiday
May 25 SRLA Team Runs the L.A. Marathon
June 18 Last Day of School
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