Happy Friday on a Thursday DKMS families! It has been a short, but busy week here at the middle school.

We have 7 days left in our first trimester. When students return from Thanksgiving break on December 2nd they will begin a new RASL class. It is important that they use these next 7 days to finish strong and earn the best grade possible. Please have your child check in with their RASL teacher to see if there are assignments they can still complete and turn in for credit before the end of the trimester.

If you did not receive your child's report card via email last Friday, we did mail a physical copy this week. If we do not have your correct email please call our middle school office at (269) 623-1541, so we can update it in PowerSchool.

In staffing news, I would like to formally welcome Ms. Brittany Griffith, who is our new secretary in the office. She has been with us for two weeks and has been doing a phenomenal job in the office with Mrs. Whitmore. Ms. Griffith is a former Delton elementary student, who has come back to join the DKS family! Today was one of our paraprofessional's, Ms. Sandy Odell, last day at DKMS. We want to thank her for her hard work, professionalism, and dedication to our students. Ms. Odell, we wish you good luck and you will truly be missed here at DKMS!

As always I would like to thank our students, staff, families, and community for all of their hard work and support. I want to wish all of our hunters good luck tomorrow on opening day! And to all of the people not hunting, whether you are home with the kids or by yourself, enjoy your three day weekend!

It's a Great Day to be a Panther!!!

Thank you,

Bobby Tillman

Principal

Delton Kellogg Middle School

6325 Delton Rd

Delton, MI 49046

(269) 623-1541

This week we're excited to feature Mrs. Lebeck, one of our dedicated middle school teachers.

A lifelong Delton resident and DKHS graduate, Mrs. Lebeck has been inspiring students here for a decade. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family on their pig farm and supporting her kids in their activities. Read on to learn more about Mrs. Lebeck and what makes her such a valued member of our school community!

Q&A with Mrs. Lebeck

Q: Who’s in your family?
A: I’ve been married to my husband, Brian, for 24 years. We have four children: Lauren (22), Seth (20), Sophie (14), and Briar (5). We also live on a pig farm with chickens, a pot-bellied pig that roams around, two dogs, and some barn cats.

Q: Do you have a special family tradition?

A: My family and I love to have Sunday dinner. My entire family knows that dinner is always at 4:00 p.m. so show up when you can.

Q: What’s your favorite family vacation spot?

A: Grand Marais, Michigan and Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Q: What do weekends with your family look like?

A: BUSY! Our weekends consist of sporting events, family time, and homework.

Q: What inspired you to start working in education?

A: I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I think it was in 4th grade when I decided that’s what I would be. I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher and did my internship with the amazing, Jenny Wandell. After completion, I decided I needed to have students who enjoy conversations as much as I do. Middle School has been a great place for me.

Q: How long have you been a part of our school community?

A: I have lived in Delton my entire life. I am a DKHS graduate of 1997. After completing college I went to teach at KRESA-Croyden Ave. School / WoodsEdge Learning Center. That is where I found my passion for teaching special education. I went back to get a master's degree in special education. I applied for a position here in 2014 and have been teaching here ever since.

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

A: Invisibility- I can listen in on peoples conversations, go to places I would never go and not be seen.

Q: What’s one thing students or staff might not know about you?

A: I have two different colored eye lashes….one is brown and the other is blonde. You won’t see me very often without mascara on. I am also going back to college to work on my PhD in administration.

Q: What’s your favorite book or movie?

A: I love Stephen King books or anything with mystery and a twist.

Q: What advice would you give to students for a successful school year?

A: STAY OUT OF THE DRAMA!

Q: If you weren’t working in education, what do you think you’d be doing?

A: I would be a lawyer. I love the action of the court room. Maybe that will be something I go back for.

Q:If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: Hawaii then Australia.

Q: Who was a teacher or person who inspired you growing up?

A: I had a lot of inspirations….Mrs. Brunner (kindergarten), Mrs. Goebel (3rd), Mrs. Martin (4), Cleveland/Coston (5), Mrs. Finedell (6), Mr. Woj (7), Mr. Wertman (HS), and Mr. Ypma (high school).

Q: What’s one thing that always makes you smile during the school day?

A: My students and the things they say. (Sometimes I cry, sometimes I laugh).

The Student Council is excited to kick off their Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to support local families in need this holiday season. This is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and give back to those who need a little extra help.

Important Dates to Remember:

• Food Collection Starts: November 11th
• Perishable Items: Please bring perishable items (like fresh produce, dairy, or frozen foods) on November 25th only, as we will not have room to store them before that date.
• Food Baskets Distribution: The food baskets will be handed out to families in need on November 26th.

How You Can Help: We are accepting non-perishable food items such as:

• Canned goods (soups, vegetables, fruits, etc.)
• Pasta, rice, and boxed meals
• Boxed stuffing, mashed potatoes, and other holiday staples
• Cereal and granola bars

Gift Cards to Meijer, Aldi, Family Fare

Homeroom Classroom Competition: The class that donates the most food will win a Rootbeer float party! So, be sure to bring in your donations and encourage your friends to do the same.

This year, let’s make the holiday season a little brighter for families in our community. Your generosity will ensure that everyone has something to be thankful for!

A quick shout-out to Denise Ingle for organizing our Lost and Found! Thank you Denise - we appreciate you!

Please follow and double check with Eventlink and your child's coach to ensure there are no schedule changes.

Thank you!

The athletic department has implemented some new tools and strategies to streamline communication and transparency throughout the department. These new programs should help streamline communication, event ticket purchases and potentially some registrations in the near future.

* Eventlink.com is where information for athletic events and facility usage can be found. Tickets and season passes can be purchased through Eventlink, and you are able to customize your experience by choosing which sports you would like communications from.

* Finalforms.com is where physicals and other important documents should go. These documents can be uploaded by your phone by taking a picture of the document.

* The Athletic Department would prefer all pay to participate payments go through this virtual portal for all Middle School and High School athletes.

Pay to Participate Fees can be paid HERE

PDF of Sports Participation Fees

* Hudl.com is where fans can subscribe to watch live streams of home events that occur at the turf stadium or the High School main gymnasium.

Click here to visit the Delton Hudl Fan Account

* You can also stay up to date with our new athletics social media accounts:

Facebook: Delton Kellogg Athletics

Instagram: DKpanthers

Twitter (X): DKpanthers

Email: tammy.whitmore@dkschools.org

Location: 6325 Delton Road, Delton, MI, USA

Phone: 269-623-1542

Email: brittany.griffith@dkschools.org

Location: 6325 Delton Road, Delton, MI, USA

Phone: 269-623-1542