Drexler Middle School
December Family Newsletter
My Kid Has WIN Time, What Is It?
You may have noticed your kids' schedule or heard them refer to WIN time. WIN stands for what I need now and is intended for students to be pulled by teachers for 20 minutes daily to get further support on missed learning or catch-up students who fall behind. If a student isn't pulled by their teacher, they have independent options along with time to do classwork. This time is available to all students regardless of need to help improve all student learning.
Mr. Adam Kedley
Principal, Drexler Middle School
Wednesday, December 17th - 1 hour early dismissal
Monday, December 22nd - 2 hour early dismissal (Start of Christmas break)
Tuesday, December 23rd - Friday, January 2nd Christmas Break. Return to school Monday, January 5th.
Wednesday, January 14th 4-7 PM Parent Teacher Conferences
The holidays can be exciting for middle schoolers-but also overwhelming. Shifting routines, social pressures, and demands of school work often add stress to the season.
Adults can help by keeping routines as consistent as possible and checking in about any worries related to school or social events. Encouraging students to take short breaks, get enough sleep, and practice simple calming activities can make a big difference.
With support, middle schoolers can manage stress more confidently and enjoy the holidays with a healthier balance.
We are wishing all of our families a happy, restful holiday.
Ms. Bryte, Ms. Casey & Mr. Steffen
Winter Health Tips:
*stay hydrated-helps with dry skin and lips (keep chapstick or vaseline in bag or locker), headaches and improves energy
*winter nosebleeds-may be due to dry air, try using a cold humidifier at night and/or saline nose drops
*eat healthy and stay active-extra laps when shopping, mall walking, stairs instead of elevator, outdoor walk with appropriate clothing. Healthy eating includes daily fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and protein.
If you have questions, contact the school nurse, Mrs. Tara Noonan.
🎄 Learning Happens Everywhere — Even Over Winter Break!
As we head into the holiday season, it’s a great time to remember that some of the most meaningful learning opportunities happen outside of the classroom. Whether students are spending time with family, visiting relatives, or enjoying quiet days at home, everyday activities can help strengthen important academic and life skills.
One of the simplest (and most fun!) ways to support learning over break is through board games, card games, puzzles, and hands-on activities. These gifts may look like pure fun, but they build powerful skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and perseverance.
Here are a few family-friendly ideas that double as learning boosters:
🃏 Card Games:
Uno, Skip-Bo, Phase 10, Sleeping Queens – Great for strategic thinking, flexible thinking, number sense, and attention.
🎲 Board Games:
Ticket to Ride, Qwirkle, Blokus, Sequence, Scrabble, Risk Junior – Build planning skills, spatial reasoning, vocabulary, and logical thinking.
🧩 Puzzles & Brain Builders:
Classic jigsaw puzzles, Rush Hour, Gravity Maze, logic puzzle books – Strengthen persistence, pattern recognition, and problem-solving.
🧪 Hands-On Kits:
STEM kits, craft sets, building toys (LEGOs, K’NEX, magnetic tiles) – Encourage creativity, experimenting, and engineering thinking.
🎁 Experience Gifts:
Museum passes, escape room vouchers, cooking classes, or family hiking trips – Build curiosity and real-world connections to what students learn in school.
During the holidays, these small moments of play and connection can make a big impact. Learning doesn’t pause when school does—it simply takes on new forms. We hope your family finds joy, rest, and a little playful learning this winter break!
Contact the instructional coach, Mrs. Sarah Goldsmith
Basketball
This trimester in Mr. Pederson’s P.E class, we are working on a very fun unit, Basketball. We are learning important skills to be able to successfully play basketball. In this unit, we build our knowledge of basketball and the tactics it takes to play successfully. This allows us to be able to experiment with new activities and sports we may want to play. We are learning how to dribble, pass, and shoot the ball correctly and efficiently. Mr. Pederson makes the unit full of fun but also educational.
By: Ella Astgen, Stella Rojemann, and Lyla Schipper
Bobcat Clubs
On Friday December 5, we started new Bobcat Clubs. We have a lot of different clubs to try; for example we have diamond art, dodgeball, basketball, crochet, board games, and many others. We get to pick a different club every trimester. You go to different areas of the building to do what you pick on Friday mornings. We are enjoying these new activities.
By: Dawson Rausch, Dominic Pasker
New menu items
This month there have been some new items added to the lunch and breakfast menu here at Drexler. Some of the new items for breakfast include the Dutch waffle and the new pancake breakfast sandwich. These new breakfast items are also followed with the new steak bites for lunch; these are small link shaped steaks that are cooked as a country fried steak. These new items are going to be adding to the variety of our meals and help expand the pallets of the students. We went to the kitchen and interviewed Clif and tasted some of these new items and we can verify they are amazing.
By Blake Goldsmith, Bryce Kremer, Johnathan Busch, and Owen Heacock
Science
In 6th grade science, students have been learning about the basics of sound waves with various projects and hands on activities such as constructing a paper cup telephone and working with a partner to explore how sound traveled through the system.
Math
In 6th grade math, the students will be finishing up their unit on multiplying and dividing fractions.
Social Studies
Students are starting their learning about Financial Literacy.
Language Arts
Amplify reading focus is The Secret of the Yellow Death: A True Story of Medical Sleuthing where students are learning about and discussing the disease, the doctors, and the theories behind the disease. Through the reading and discussions students are then ask to identify the various writing techniques used in the reading that will be applied in their own writing at the end of the unit.
Band
The 12 Days of Bandmas kicked off on Thursday, December 4th! What's the 12 Days of Bandmas you ask? Twelve days of band students playing holiday music in the entranceway of Drexler to spread holiday cheer and music with all.
Dare Graduation
The 6th graders had their DARE graduation on Tuesday, Dec 2nd. We are proud of their hard work over the last 11 weeks. Each student wrote an essay and had completed a booklet to take home to share. The students pictured read their essays at the graduation; pictured left to right are Officer Kamm, Jillianna Sheber, Alainah Roe, Ryker Roussel, (not pictured George Miller). We had special guest speakers and guests attend our ceremony. We thank Officer Kamm for the time she spends with our students here at DMS!
PE
6th Grade PE has been working on basketball and volleyball skills, and playing games.
Art
Trimester 2 artists are currently working on multiple projects for different classes. This group of 6th graders are doing an AMAZING job of learning a tough skill of grid drawing. I am so impressed with their work ethic and abilities thus far!
Math
We will be finishing our unit on Integers and testing before break.
Social Studies
In 7th Grade Social Studies, we are discussing the different behavioral sciences factors that influence the way people behave.
Language Arts
Before break, we plan to finish our unit on A Raisin in the Sun, where we are analyzing characters' points-of-view. After break, we will begin a unit entitled: "Brain Science," focusing on argumentative writing.
Science
Students in 7th grade science are wrapping up the unit where they have been exploring and learning about ecosystems and importance of balance with resources, predators, prey, and many more factors. They are currently working on a research project diving into native and invasive species.
ART
Trimester 2 artists are currently working on multiple projects for different classes. This group of 6th graders are doing an AMAZING job of learning a tough skill of grid drawing. I am so impressed with their work ethic and abilities thus far!
Strength & Conditioning
7th and 8th grade strength and conditioning students are working on hang clean technique and proper sprinting form. Students are working hard to becoming better everyday.
Heath
7th graders are starting their mental health unit this week. They will have a guest speaker, Mrs. Smith, our mental health counselor, come in to talk about mental health, the brain, and the stigma behind it. We will be learning a lot about stress, how to recognize when we are stressed, and coping strategies they can try if they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Science
Students are observing albino squirrels and other albino organisms to understand how genetic traits are passed from generation to generation. We have been discussing chromosomes, genes, proteins, and traits.
Social Studies
In 8th grade social studies, students are about to begin a unit on the creation of our Constitution. Students will better understand our our three branches of government were created and how they help support our balanced democracy.
Language Arts
Students will be reading and analyzing the graphic novel Frankenstein by Gris Grimley.
Math
Students in Math 8 are graphing in slope-intercept form. By starting at the intercept and using the slope to rise and run, students are quickly building confidence in creating accurate graphs.
Art
Trimester 2 artists are currently working on multiple projects for different classes. This group of 6th graders are doing an AMAZING job of learning a tough skill of grid drawing. I am so impressed with their work ethic and abilities thus far!
Strength & Conditioning
Angel Tree Fundraiser
We are running the Drexler Angel Tree fundraiser that provides gifts and essentials to those who might otherwise go without. Donations will be collected from December 10th to December 17th Leadership students will take the funds and purchase gifts. This will be a grade level competition, with students who bring in the most money will earn individual prizes for their Bobcat period. Help us make a meaningful difference for our Bobcat families by making a donation today. The top 10 Individual students who can raise the most money will receive a Happy Joe's Pizza Party, and the top individual student will go Angel Tree shopping with the Leadership class (and possibly Pancheros...) on December 18th. If you have
Here is the link to make a donation
https://w-dubuque.revtrak.net/dms-angel-tree-fundraiser/#/list
Activities Update
We have been busy this past month and will continue to be going into the new year, and that's how we like it! We want all of our Bobcats to be involved in something. Please encourage your child to get involved in school activities. Research show earning better grades and having good attendance have direct connections to extra-curricular activities.
Below are just a coupe updates on activities at happening at Drexler.
On Dec. 6th we had 4 students competing at the NEIBA Honor Band competition in Oelwein: Owen Paisley, Simon Bingham, Ben Skinner, and Faith Boyle.
Archery Club begins competitions this month. Follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19nmQAg4JY/
Mock Trial had their first competition on Nov. 21st.
Quiz Bowl had their first competition on Nov. 15th, upcoming is Dec. 7th and Dec. 14th.
Show Choir has started and are practicing twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays.
Boys wrestling will be ending Dec. 12th, we had around 44 students out and thus far a great year! Students have been attentive and their willingness to get better has been evident every practice and meet. Very proud of their commitment and efforts this season.
Girls basketball will be ending Dec. 18th, 7th grade had 33 students out and 8th grade had around 17. Some injuries have plagued the 8th grade this year, but the girls continue to play hard despite low numbers. 7th graders have been having lots of fun and getting better every night. Ball-handling has been a focus for us this season. It's important for the girls to continue to play after the season, if you want information on how to get on a travelling team please reach out to Mr. Hatcher.
Youth Night is Jan. 27th, at WDHS high school. Students will be recognized and admittance is free for all Drexler ballers.
We are always looking for help at the score tables and concessions stands during basketball games. If you are willing to help out we can give you free admittance to games and working 3 times will earn you a admittance pass for all of Drexler events for remainder of the year. Please reach out to Kim Casey for sign-up information. kim.casey@wdbqschools.org.
Drama Sign-up information:
Auditions for the spring play, “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster will be Wednesday, December 10th and Friday December 19th after school. Sign up sheet will be in the Commons. Sign up for either December 10th or the 19th. After you sign up, see Ms. Maki to get a packet you will need to fill out and return on the date you chose. Open to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Auditions will take place until 5:15 p.m. All students who want to be on stage will be cast. Scripts will be handed out before the holiday break. Rehearsals will start January 7th after school. The performances will be at Western Dubuque High School on April 17 & 18th 2026
Rehearsals will take place on alternating Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with additional days being added in March and April. Full calendar will be sent out by December 19th to all families with students involved.
If school is canceled or there is an early dismissal, character specific virtual rehearsal may be held, as needed, via Zoom.
*If your student cannot audition one of those days after school, please see Ms. Maki to schedule an appointment.
Spring Play Crew sign up: Are you interested in learning about working on lights, sound effects, props, costumes, creating a set, working backstage? you’d like to work on painting, lights, sound, or work backstage for the spring play, please sign up in the Commons and see Ms. Maki for a packet. Interested crew members should attend one of the audition dates on December 10th or 19th after school. If you are unable to make one of those days, please see Ms. Maki to schedule an appointment.
Crew meetings are every Wednesday after school. Students can choose which area of the crew they want to focus
on, though all are invited to help with painting and construction of props and set.
*Crew members will need black shirts, shoes, and pants for the performances in April.
*If school is canceled or there is an early dismissal, virtual crew meetings may be held those days via
Zoom.
Cast & Crew communications: done through Remind App & Campus.
To join Remind: text 81010 this message: @roadbeyond
Boys Basketball and Girls Wrestling practices begin on Monday, Jan. 5th when we return from Winter Break. If you haven't already done so, please register your student on Bound for the sport they will be participating in. A current physical signed by a doctor and a signed concussion form and uniform agreement need to be uploaded and you need to acknowledge that you read the Drexler Activities Handbook. If the forms are already uploaded, please check if they will need a new physical before the season starts or during the season. Links to Bound information and to the required forms can be found at DMS Quick Links
Late-run bus passes can be purchased on Campus under Optional Payments if your student needs to ride the bus after practice. A winter pass is $50. If you paid for a Fall pass and purchase a Winter pass, your student will get a Year-round pass. Information on late run bus drop-offs and an Optional payments step-by-step guide are also available on the DMS Quick Links page.
As we stated before, always a lot going on! Reach out with any and all questions and have a great holiday season!
Contact the Asst.Principal/Athletic Director, Mr. Rich Hatcher
rich.hatcher@wdbqschools.org
Athletic Secretary, Ms. Kim Casey
Activities Schedules
Schedules, scores, news, rosters and stats found at Bound.
Bound Access HERE: https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/drexlerms
School Attendance
Regular school attendance is vital for all students. When children do not show up for school regularly, they miss out on fundamental reading and math skills and the chance to build a habit of good attendance that will carry with them into their middle and high school years, college and careers.
Students are expected to be at school except in the event of illness or emergency. The state requires students to attend 148 days per year which is 37 days per quarter. Attendance letters may be sent if your child is not meeting the attendance requirements.
If your child is ill, please call the office, 563-275-5189, or email amy.mcgovern@wdbqschools.org or dms.receptionist@wdbqschools.org
