The Community Champion Chronicle 🏆

Dear Pioneer Families,

We are entering an important stretch of the semester as we prepare for our upcoming ACP (semester exams) and SMC 2 assessments. With just five instructional days before testing begins, our focus is on ensuring every student feels confident and prepared.

Our teachers are working hard to review key skills, monitor progress, and provide targeted support so that every student finishes the semester strong. We are committed to helping all of our scholars grow academically and reach their goals.

How Families Can Support at Home

Your partnership truly makes a difference. Here are some ways you can help your child succeed:

📘 Encourage daily attendance. Every day matters, especially as we review for exams.
⏰ Ensure students get plenty of rest. A good night’s sleep helps with focus and learning retention.
📝 Review class notes at home. Ask your child what they are learning and have them explain it to you.
🎒 Check for completed homework or assignments. Staying caught up builds confidence.
💬 Stay in communication with teachers. If you have concerns or questions, we are here to help.

🚨 SMC / ACP Testing Schedule (December 15–19, 2025)

Please note: For smoother and faster entrance during test days, students are encouraged NOT to bring backpacks as all students must go through metal detectors.

Monday, December 15

• 1st Period Assessment
• 2nd Period Assessment

Tuesday, December 16

• 4th Period Assessment
• 5th Period Assessment

Wednesday, December 17

• 3rd Period Assessment
• 6th Period Assessment

Thursday, December 18

• 7th Period Assessment
• 8th Period Assessment

Friday, December 19

• 9th Period Assessment
• 10th Period Assessment

⚠️ Important Notes for Families

• Early Release: December 17–19 at 1:50 PM

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we can ensure every student has the focus, tools, and encouragement they need to finish the semester strong.

Warm regards,

Jessica Weems
Principal, Harold W. Lang Sr. Middle School

💜💛🏆 United in Growth. Driven by Grit. Destined for Greatness.

Queridas familias Pioneer,

Nos acercamos a una etapa importante del semestre mientras nos preparamos para los próximos exámenes ACP (exámenes de semestre) y SMC 2. Con solo cinco días de instrucción antes de que comiencen las pruebas, nuestro enfoque está en asegurar que cada estudiante se sienta seguro y preparado.

Nuestros maestros están trabajando arduamente para repasar habilidades clave, monitorear el progreso y brindar apoyo dirigido, para que cada estudiante termine el semestre con éxito. Estamos comprometidos a ayudar a todos nuestros estudiantes a crecer académicamente y alcanzar sus metas.

Cómo pueden apoyar las familias en casa

Su colaboración realmente hace la diferencia. Aquí hay algunas maneras en que pueden ayudar a su hijo/a a tener éxito:

📘 Fomentar la asistencia diaria. Cada día cuenta, especialmente durante la preparación para los exámenes.
⏰ Asegurarse de que los estudiantes descansen lo suficiente. Dormir bien ayuda a la concentración y a retener lo aprendido.
📝 Revisar las notas de clase en casa. Pregúnteles a sus hijos qué están aprendiendo y pídales que se los expliquen.
🎒 Verificar que las tareas estén completas. Mantenerse al día fortalece la confianza.
💬 Mantener comunicación con los maestros. Si tienen dudas o preguntas, estamos aquí para ayudar.

🚨 Calendario de exámenes SMC / ACP (15–19 de diciembre, 2025)

Nota: Para un ingreso más rápido y ordenado durante los días de examen, se recomienda que los estudiantes NO traigan mochilas, ya que todos deben pasar por los detectores de metal.

Lunes, 15 de diciembre

• Examen de 1er período
• Examen de 2do período

Martes, 16 de diciembre

• Examen de 4to período
• Examen de 5to período

Miércoles, 17 de diciembre

• Examen de 3er período
• Examen de 6to período

Jueves, 18 de diciembre

• Examen de 7mo período
• Examen de 8vo período

Viernes, 19 de diciembre

• Examen de 9no período
• Examen de 10mo período

⚠️ Notas importantes para las familias

• Salida temprana: 17–19 de diciembre a las 1:50 PM

Gracias por su apoyo y colaboración continua. Juntos, podemos asegurarnos de que cada estudiante tenga la concentración, las herramientas y el ánimo necesarios para terminar el semestre con éxito.

Con aprecio,

Jessica Weems
Directora, Harold W. Lang Sr. Middle School

💜💛🏆 Unidos en el crecimiento. Impulsados por la determinación. Destinados a la grandeza.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Your voice matters to us! 💜

We invite you to take a few minutes to complete our Fall Parent Survey. Your feedback will help us strengthen our school, better support our students, and continue building a positive partnership with families.

🔍 Why Your Feedback is Important:

• Helps us improve academics and instruction.

• Guides how we communicate with families.

• Shapes the school environment and student experience.

All responses are confidential. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for being such an important part of our Lang community.

Together, we are Champions in the Making!

Sincerely,
Bianca Robles
Parent Support Specialist

Estimados Padres y Tutores,

¡Su voz es importante para nosotros! 💜

Los invitamos a tomar unos minutos para completar nuestra Encuesta de Padres de Otoño. Sus comentarios nos ayudarán a fortalecer nuestra escuela, apoyar mejor a nuestros estudiantes y continuar construyendo una relación positiva con las familias.

🔍 Por qué su opinión es importante:

• Nos ayuda a mejorar lo académico y la instrucción.

• Orienta cómo nos comunicamos con las familias.

• Da forma al ambiente escolar y a la experiencia de los estudiantes.

Todas las respuestas son confidenciales. Gracias por compartir sus ideas y por ser una parte tan importante de nuestra comunidad Lang.

¡Juntos, somos Campeones en Proceso de Formación!

Atentamente,
Bianca Robles
Especialista de Apoyo a Padres

The Family and Community Engagement Office assists parents who currently have a pre-existing PowerSchool/Parent Portal account and parents who would like to create a PowerSchool/Parent Portal account.

Families can now easily check their student’s outstanding balances online!

Visit our Student Balance Lookup page to view your child’s current balance and payment options.

Simply enter the student’s ID number and date of birth to access the information instantly.

¡Ahora las familias pueden ver fácilmente los saldos pendientes de sus hijos en línea!

Visite nuestra página de Balance de Saldos para ver el saldo actual de su hijo y las opciones de pago.

Solo ingrese el número de identificación y la fecha de nacimiento del estudiante para acceder a la información al instante.

All student is the building have received their ID Badges as of Wednesday Sept. 17th, the policy for the badges is as follows:

ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR ID BADGES. IT IS PART OF THEIR DAILY DRESS CODE.

The ID badge policy is for the safety and security of EVERYONE on campus.

• Students will receive their first ID badge for free.
• A lost ID badge must be replaced. Replacement badges are $5.00.
• Student ID badges must be worn on lanyards around the neck.
• Replacement lanyards are $2.00.
• Student ID badges must be visible, with pictures facing forward.
• Students are not allowed to tamper or alter ID badges or photos.

Students who forget their ID badges are required to get a temporary ID sticker for $1.00 before school.

Students are given the chance to pay TEMP IDs at a later time, they are recommended to pay no later then end of that week.

This being said, students who do not pay for their TEMP IDs (or lanyards) are being logged into an ongoing list, we will be using an automated system to send both an email and a text using the email & number provided during registration for the student.

If you are not sure what email or phone number is being used please contact our Registrar Ms. Herrera at (972) 925-2403 to make sure your contact information is up to date and a registration has been completed.

We will also be working on making personal phone calls as well. Once a student reaches $5 owed, we encourage the student to at this point buy a replacement badge, since the badge is $5. Our Admin team will begin having conferences with students who owe over $5.

Students who are missing required immunizations have now received their second notice.

All students in Dallas ISD must have up-to-date immunization records on file before attending school, as required by the Texas Department of State Health Services and TEA. These vaccines help protect students and prevent disease outbreaks.

👉 If your child has already received their vaccines, please provide the updated records to the nurse.

👉 If your child still needs vaccines, please schedule them as soon as possible. Nurse Carrizales will begin calling parents/guardians for pickup.

For questions about requirements or exemptions, contact Nurse Carrizales at (972) 925-2423 or vcarrizales@dallasisd.org

Under Senate Bill 12, Dallas ISD (and all Texas schools) must have SIGNED parent/guardian Permission Form before providing any health-related services to students—even for simple care like band-aids or temperature checks.

Without a signed consent form, schools may only give life-saving care. To allow Nurse Carrizales & Nurse Carbajal to provide other services (such as first aid, screenings, or administering medication), parents must check “Yes” and sign the Parental Consent for School Health-Related Services form.

👉 Please complete and return this form as soon as possible. It will remain on file for the entire school year.

For questions, contact Nurse Carrizales at (972) 925-2423 or vcarrizales@dallasisd.org

As flu and COVID cases are on the rise, we ask for your help in keeping our campus healthy.

👉 If your child has flu-like symptoms, please keep them home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication (100.2°F or higher).
👉 A doctor’s note is required if your child misses 5 OR MORE consecutive school days.
👉 For absences between 1 - 4 days, please send a handwritten Parent Excuse Note, as soon as the student returns to campus.

📵House Bill 1481 now requires Texas schools to limit or secure personal electronic devices during the instructional day. In alignment with Dallas ISD, Lang Middle School will implement the use of Yondr pouches to secure student cell phones during the school day.

Students will place their phones in a Yondr pouch, keep the pouch with them throughout the day, and return it at dismissal to be unlocked at a designated station. This new policy is designed to reduce distractions, protect instructional time, and promote a more engaged and connected learning environment.

🚫 Reminders on Prohibited Items:

Students may not bring:

• Phones, Smartwatches (Apple Watch, Fitbit, etc.), Wireless earbuds or headphones that do not fit inside their school-issued pouch

• Gaming devices, tablets, or laptops

What happens if my child needs to make a call?

Student's have been told to ask their teacher for permission to make a phone call.

📞 Students can contact parents/guardians using:

• Campus Phones (Main Office, Counselor’s Office, or Clinic)
• Email or Remind on their Chromebook

✅ Parent Tip: Check your student’s backpack before they leave home to ensure they aren’t carrying any prohibited devices.

Our goal is to protect instructional time and support student focus. Thank you for your partnership in making this successful.

Under Senate Bill 12, Dallas ISD (and all Texas schools) must have SIGNED parent/guardian Permission Form before providing any health-related services to students, this includes speaking to the counselors about topics like Bullying and harassment prevention.

This is the SAME consent form used for the nurse, teachers, athletic trainers, administrators, and other staff who supervise children. Without a signed consent form, schools may only give life-saving care.

To allow Ms. Lincecum & Ms. Sims to speak with the students, parents must check “Yes” and sign the Parental Consent for School Health-Related Services form.

👉 Please complete and return this form as soon as possible. It will remain on file for the entire school year.

November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, and Dallas ISD wants to create a strong awareness of the homeless youth who attend district schools and the challenges faced they and their families face.

Each year, more than 3,900 students across Dallas ISD experience some form of homelessness or housing instability. These students and their families have shown they are resilient and, like all of us, deserving of equal education and social and emotional support.

The Dallas ISD Homeless Education Program trains staff, connects families to resources and engages students to build a bridge toward their academic and future success.

If you have any questions, please contact the HEP at 972-749-5750 or homelesseducation@dallasisd.org, or visit the Dallas ISD Homeless Education Program website.

The A/B Honor Roll recognizes students who have earned all A’s and B’s on their report cards! 🎉 This achievement celebrates their hard work, dedication, and commitment to learning. We’re so proud of our Pioneers who continue to push themselves and shine in the classroom!

Big News, Lang Community!

The Texas Education Agency released the 2025 campus ratings on Friday, August 15, and Harold W. Lang Sr. Middle School is officially a C campus! This is a huge step forward from where we started — and it’s a direct result of the growth, grit, and greatness our students, staff, and families bring every single day.

We’ve moved up, and now our eyes are on the next prize — earning that B rating. Just like champions on the field, we will keep training, strategizing, and playing to win. Every practice, every lesson, every day counts toward our goal.

#WeAre26 – United in Growth. Driven by Grit. Destined for Greatness.

Email: jweems@dallasisd.org

Website: https://lang.dallasisd.org/

Location: 1678 Chenault St. Dallas TX 75228

Phone: (972) 925-2400

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lang_hw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haroldwlangms/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hwlangms