Happy Monday Panther families and Happy New Year! Lots of great things going on in the middle school!

On Tuesday and Thursday this week students will be taking their second round of NWEA tests. Testing will begin at 9:15 am. It is important students get a good night's rest, eat breakfast, come to school, and try their best on these tests. These mid-year tests help teachers see where students are academically, lesson plan, and it prepares students for their M-STEP/PSAT tests they take in April.

Friday January 17, 2025 will be the last day for students to switch to our online program. While we strongly encourage students to come to school in-person for its academic and social aspects, we understand students and families may need to use our online program for different reasons. Please contact the middle school office at (269) 623-1540 if you need more information.

Finally, as we start the second semester I just wanted to reiterate the importance of students regularly attending school. We completely understand that it is "sick" season and if your child needs to stay home please call the attendance line at (269) 623-1540. For absences to be EXCUSED you will need to bring in documentation to the middle school office. If you need more information about our attendance policies or your child's attendance please contact the middle school office.

As always I would like to thank our students, staff, families, and community for all of their hard work and support. Time continues to fly as we are already in the second semester and in 2025!

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

Tuesday, January 14th - NWEA Testing

Thursday, January 16th - NWEA Testing

Monday, January 20th - No School for Students - Staff Development

Friday, January 24th - Popcorn Friday at the Middle School during lunch

Monday, January 27th through Friday, January 31st- The Great Kindness Challenge Week

Monday, February 3rd - PIE Meeting in the Elementary Library

Wednesday, February 5th - KickStart Deposit Day

Saturday, February 8th - Father / Daughter Dance Middle School Cafeteria

Monday, February 17th - No School for Students - Staff Development

Friday, February 28th - The End of the second trimester

DKMS will be joining schools across America and creating kindness by taking part in The Great Kindness Challenge 2025!

From January 27-31, our DKMS students and staff will be asked to engage in acts of kindness through daily themes and activities. All of which focus on care, respect, and inclusion.

This week is designed to recognize and promote kindness across our DK Community and beyond.

More info coming soon!

1. Who’s in your family? I am married and have 3 boys: Cooper, Eli, & Emmett. We also have a golden retriever named Tilly, another dog named Dinky, and a cat named Albert.

2. Do you have a special family tradition? I decorate the boys’ bedroom doors for their birthday. I also always make my Nana's cinnamon rolls and deliver them to family and friends for Christmas just like my Grandma used to do for her friends and family for over 30 years.

3. What’s your favorite family vacation spot? Anywhere warm. I would love to travel to Italy or Australia.

4. What do weekends with your family look like? The boys like to play video games in their rooms. My husband and I usually play cards with the neighbors.

5. Is there a favorite meal you all enjoy together? Anything on the grill.

6. What inspired you to start working in education? I had amazing teachers and I like helping people. I was always good at tutoring my step brother and sister who had learning disabilities.

7. How long have you been a part of our school community? Almost 19 years.

8. What’s your favorite thing about working here? The staff. We are a family.

9. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? To teleport so I wouldn't have to drive so far to get here and I could go on vacations all over the world very inexpensively.

10. What’s one thing students or staff might not know about you? I took tap dancing lessons for 15 years.

11. What’s one thing you enjoy doing outside of school? I love to read and play cards or board games. I also like to do Zumba.

12. What advice would you give to students for a successful school year? Use some sort of planner to keep yourself organized. Read every day. Put your phone on do not disturb before bed. Get 8 hours or more of sleep.

13. If you weren’t working in education, what do you think you’d be doing? Probably a lawyer or an author.

14. What’s a fun fact about your family? We love to sit in the hot tub together and relax at night before bed.

15. If your family had a theme song, what would it be? Something classic rock.

16. What was your favorite subject in school, and why? English because I love to read. Band because it was fun.

17. What advice would you give to students about staying motivated? Being successful is a choice. It’s not about what you want; it’s about what you DO and how you do it. Learning is a lifelong skill. You are never done.

18. What’s a book, movie, or music recommendation you’d give to students? The Housemaid (Book Series) and Mulan the original because it has a strong female character and is about a different culture.

19. Who was a teacher or person who inspired you growing up? Mrs. Dudley (2nd grade teacher) , and Mrs. Anderson (5th grade teacher).

20. What’s one thing that always makes you smile during the school day? Student artwork and writings in the halls.

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

Wednesday January 15th, 2025

Basketball (G-6th) - Plainwell High School

When: Wed, Jan 15, 4:00 PM EST - 5:00 PM EST

Location: Plainwell High School

Basketball (G-7th) - Plainwell High School

When: Wed, Jan 15, 5:00 PM EST - 6:00 PM EST

Basketball (G-8th) - Plainwell High School

When: Wed, Jan 15, 6:00 PM EST - 7:00 PM EST

Thursday January 16th, 2025

Wrestling (Coed-MS) - Delton-Kellogg Middle School

When:Thu, Jan 16, 5:30 PM EST - 6:30 PM EST

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