DMS Community Newsletter 26/27

Dear Defender Families,

It was wonderful to see so many families at Back-to-School Night! We look forward to partnering with each of you throughout the year to support our Defenders and their academic success.

Attendance & Tardy Reminder

Our Defenders are moving and grooving around campus! Being on time and present each day is a high priority at DMS so students can make the most of their instructional time.

Our tardy policy is in effect to encourage students to arrive to class on time. Tardies reset at the beginning of each semester.

• 10 tardies per semester: 1 day of after-school detention + 1 demerit
• Every 5 additional tardies: 1 additional day of after-school detention + 1 demerit

We appreciate your partnership in helping our students develop strong habits of punctuality and responsibility.

School Site Council

DMS has a School Site Council (SSC) that meets at least four times each year. We are currently looking for 2 Parent/Guardian/Community members, 2 student members, and 3 teacher members.

Please consider joining us and becoming part of the team that helps support our DMS students and school community. Meeting dates and the nomination form are provided below.

SSC Nominations are due by September 3: Nomination Link

Morning Arrival & Safety Reminder

Just a reminder that school begins at 8:00 AM, and the gates open at 7:45 AM each morning. Please plan your mornings with a little extra time as we continue to adjust to being back on campus and navigate increased morning traffic.

We also ask that everyone use extra caution when driving near campus. Many of our Defenders walk, ride bikes, and ride scooters to school. Slowing down, staying alert, and watching carefully for students will help keep everyone safe.

Mark Your Calendar

• August 24–28: Spirit Week — See the flyer below for the dress-up schedule.
• August 26: Early Release Wednesday — dismissal at 1:30 PM
• August 26: First day students may dress out for PE
• September 7: No School — Labor Day

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are looking forward to a fantastic year together!

Go Defenders!!!

– Your Defender Team

Please consider being a member of DMS SSC. We are looking for 2 parent/community members, 3 teacher members, and 2 student members. Complete the Google Form to nominate yourself or someone else by September 3rd. SSC Nomination Form Link.

SSC Meetings are scheduled for 2:45pm on -

October 29, 2026

January 14, 2027

March 4, 2027

May 6, 2027

If you missed the Title I slides during Back to School Night or want to review them you can access them below.

Title 1 Slides (English)

Title 1 Slides (Spanish)

Please see the links to the Math Smores. The Math Smores will explain what students are learning in math and provides resources to support students at home.

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

When to Keep Your Child Home From School

This list is not all-inclusive. School staff may contact you to pick up your student if they are exhibiting signs of illness or injury that prevent them from participating fully in class or may pose a health risk to others.

Students will be sent home for the following:

• Fever of 100.0°F or higher

• Significant respiratory symptoms, including repeated coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath

• Rash of unknown cause that is systemic (covers multiple areas) or accompanied by fever

• Suspected conjunctivitis (pink eye): red, itchy eyes with discharge or inflamed conjunctiva

• Contagious conditions, such as:

• Untreated ringworm

• Head lice (live lice present)

• Impetigo or similar skin infections

• Vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea

• Suspected fractures (exceptions may be made for minor finger or toe injuries with parent direction)

• Obvious displaced fractures or injuries with significant pain or dysfunction

• Head injury with symptoms of concussion (911 will be called if symptoms are severe)

• Cuts or wounds that are large, deep, bleeding uncontrollably, or show exposed tissue

• Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, body aches, fatigue

Students may return to school when:

• Fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication

• No vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours

• For infectious conjunctivitis, after at least 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and symptom improvement

• With a doctor’s note clearing the student to return and confirming they are no longer contagious (if applicable)

• Injuries requiring wheelchairs, crutches, splints, braces, or casts require:

• A physician’s note stating the condition and any activity restrictions

• Clearance date for return to regular activities

• Temporary exclusion from PE and/or playground as appropriate

Additional Safety Guidelines:

• Students who are ill or injured should not walk or drive home for their safety.

• Parents/guardians or emergency contacts must pick up students within 15–30 minutes of notification.

• If medical attention appears urgently necessary and no contact is reachable, 911 may be called.

• School staff are not permitted to transport students.

If you have a student who is riding a bike/scooter/ebike/escooter to school, they need to complete the Safe Riders Course.

Students learning vocabulary terms on Geographic Landforms.

Students participating in a Science Lab based on Facts, Inferences, and Biases in Observations

Students participated in a Balance Experiment. They conducted a number of tests to see if vision effected their balance.

Students creating name cards with light and dark contrasting colors.

Students had 12 minutes to build the tallest tower with only 20 pieces of paper. Then, they reflected on the challenges they faced and tied it into the fall of the Roman Empire.

TVUSD cares deeply about all of our community members, some of which are being impacted by the government shutdown. If your family needs support, or you would like to help our affected students and families, this flyer will connect you to some local resources. See the flyers below or the Link Here

For information regarding the district Student Survey Administration, Parent Preview of the Survey, and Parent Opt-Put form, please use the attached link located in the title above.

• Log into IC as Parent/Student? Click HERE

• Using the IC Mobile App? Click HERE

• How to set notifications on IC? Click HERE

• Canvas Parent Observer Video

• Linking a Canvas Parent Account to a Student Account - Written Directions

• Go to Canvas Parent Account Web Address

These directions can also be found on our school website using this link:

Temecula Valley Unified School District believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. Student attire and grooming must permit the student to participate in learning without posing a risk to the health or safety of any student or school district personnel. The school district is responsible for seeing that student attire does not disrupt school activity or contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student.

1. Students must wear clothing including a shirt with pants or skirt, or the equivalent (for example dresses, leggings, or shorts) and shoes.
   
2. Clothing shall be sufficient to conceal undergarments and buttocks. No underwear, undergarments, or clothing that is comparable to undergarments (e.g, bathing suits that resemble the same coverage of an undergarment) may be visible at any time. Clothing may not be see-through or mesh if underwear is visible underneath.
   
3. Attire may not display images that are violent and/or depict drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, or promote any unlawful act. Additionally, attire may not contain imagery, words or acronyms associated with hate speech, profanity, pornography, or any promotion and/or endorsement of violence, alcohol or drug use.

Dress Code Enforcement

No list of dress and appearance guidelines for students can be written that will anticipate all potential dress and grooming extremes. In the case of questionable dress or grooming that is not specifically covered in the list above, the administration will make the final decision. Appropriate action will be taken at that time, and when necessary, contact will be made seeking parental cooperation and assistance.

School-directed changes to a student’s attire or grooming should be the least restrictive and disruptive to a student’s school day. Any school dress code enforcement actions should minimize the potential loss of education time. Administration and enforcement of the dress code shall be gender neutral and consistent. When a dress code violation occurs, the student will be required to change into proper attire. Continued violations of the dress code will be considered defiance and will be referred to administration for disciplinary action.

Gum is not permitted on campus. Students chewing gum will be assigned Gum Club and receive a discipline point for each infraction.

Gum Club – Students will eat in a designated area under supervision, and serve detention for 3 days. If a student fails to show up for Gum Club, they will receive additional days.

Click on the link to access the Attendance Newsletter from the district office.

TVUSD Community Communication & Non-DiscriminationStatement

• TVUSD Non Discrimation Statements English or Spanish
• Annual Family Notification
• Previous DMS Community Newsletters
• TVUSD Community Connection Newsletters
• Official TVUSD Social Media INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK

• TVUSD Parent Center Instagram Link

• TVUSD is Hiring: Edjoin Link HERE

James L. Day Middle School - One Heart One Mind

• For all DMS updates: DMS ASB on Instagram
• • TVUSD Calendar & Bell Schedules - HERE
  • Join DMS PTSA HERE