DMS Community Newsletter 25/26

Dear Defender Families,

No School – Monday, January 19, 2026 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
There will be no school on Monday as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to promoting equality, justice, and nonviolent change. This day encourages us to reflect on his message of kindness, service, and working together to create positive change.

8th Grade Puma 101 Permission Slip was Extended
All 8th-grade students must turn in two completed permission slips in order to attend Puma 101. Permission slips were distributed in Social Studies classes and must be turned in by Wednesday, January 21 to participate. Please check in with your student to ensure both forms are completed and returned on time. Please note: Students must ride the bus in order to attend the event. Permission Slip Link Here.

Lunch With A Loved One

Day Middle School will be hosting Lunch With a Loved One on Friday, February 6, 2026. We are excited to welcome guest speaker Kim Karr from I Can Help, who will provide families with engaging information and activities focused on Digital Citizenship.

Families who wish to attend must complete the Google Form linked below to register for the event:
👉 Lunch With a Loved One Sign-Up

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

– Your Defender Team

2nd Semester Tardy Policy

As we begin a new semester, tardies will reset starting Monday, January 12. Please remember that once a student reaches 10 total tardies, they will be assigned after-school tutoring on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 2:30–3:15 p.m. and will earn one demerit point. Tardies are totaled across Periods 1–6.

Arriving to class on time each day is an important habit for success. Let’s work together to help our Defenders start strong and stay on track!

Students and Families,

Please take a few minutes to check student backpacks for the following essentials. Students need to come to school with pencils every day, along with a highlighter, to be prepared for learning. Are their pencils in your students' backpack?

We also encourage families to help students build the habit of charging iPads and Chromebooks nightly. If students can remember to charge their phones, they can remember to charge their school devices as well. Classroom outlets are limited, and a fully charged device will help students stay connected and ready to learn throughout the school day.

Thank you for your support in helping our students come to school prepared and ready to learn!

Be Alert

Parents, please be alert and use extra caution when driving near the school before and after school hours. We have many students who walk, ride scooters, and bike to and from campus. Your attentiveness and slower speeds help keep everyone safe. We truly appreciate your support in keeping our Defenders safe.

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