DKMS Newsletter

Happy Friday on a Thursday, which is the best kind of Thursday! We had another great week in the middle school.

There is no school tomorrow, Friday April 4, 2025. Our spring break is Friday April 4, 2025 through Sunday April 13, 2025. School will resume Monday April 14, 2025.

When students return from spring break they will begin PSAT and M-Step testing. Our testing dates are:

• Wednesday April 16, 2025 5th/6th/7th grade Reading M-STEP and 8th grade PSAT
• Wednesday April 23, 2025 5th/6th/7th grade MAth M-STEP and 8th grade Social Studies and Science M-STEP
• Wednesday April 30, 2025 5th grade Social Studies and Science M-STEP

On these test dates it is very important that students:

• Are present at school each day
• Bring their Chromebook charged to school everyday
• Get a good night's rest
• Eat breakfast
• Try their best

The report cards for the 3rd marking period will be emailed to you as soon as possible. However we are currently experiencing a technical issue that is preventing the Trimester 2 grade from being added to the report cards. Please know that we are working to resolve this issue. Once it's corrected, we will immediately send the finalized report cards to your email.

As always I want to thank our students, staff, families, and community for all of their hard work and support. When we return from spring break this 36 week marathon becomes an 8 week sprint to the finish line. It's important we stay focused and finish strong! I hope everyone takes some time to rest, relax, and enjoy their time off. Have a great spring break Panthers!

It is 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, April 8th - Support the Marching Band at Culver's! 🍔

Friday, April 4th to Friday, April 11th - No school - Spring Break!! 🌞🌻

Wednesday, April 16th - Prodmed Sports Physical

April 21th -25th - Change War 💰💲

Friday, April 25th - Popcorn Friday at lunchtime 🍿

Wednesday, April 30th - Next KICKSTART Deposit Day 💰🏦

Saturday, April 26th - Mother / Son Bowling 🎳

Thursday, May 6th - Vote on Bond Proposal ✅ 🏫

Thursday, May 22- Middle School Career Day - starts at 8:00 a.m.

Monday, May 26th - No school- Memorial Day 🤍

Congrats to last week's and this weeks Panther Paw drawing winners! These students were recognized by their teachers and staff for demonstrating Safe, Kind, Responsible, and Respectful behaviors. As a reward for their positive actions, they were able to choose a snack or treat of their choice. Great job to all of these students—keep up the fantastic work! We’re proud of you!

This week, Mr. Gailey’s 5th grade art students have been working on Optical Art , a style that creates visual illusions using patterns, shapes, and colors. By designing bold, geometric patterns, the students are learning how to make images look like they’re moving or floating.

Through this project, the students are exploring how small changes in design can trick the eye and make a picture appear to shift or vibrate. They’re having fun experimenting with these optical effects. Great job everyone.

Every Friday, our fifth-grade students and teachers, including Mrs. Rhoda, have a fun tradition: the Chicken Dance! As soon as the bell rings, everyone in the hallway who wants to join dances, creating a fun and exciting way to start the morning.

Today was extra fun. Since it's the last day before spring break, Dr. Wright, our superintendent, joined in on the fun, dancing with the students and teachers. It was the perfect way to celebrate both the start of our day and the beginning of spring break! 🐔🎉

Can you tell us about your family and any pets you have?
I’m married to my wife, Michelle, and we have four children: Claire (23), Halena (21), Laurel (19), and Mendan (17). Our family is also joined by six horses, three dogs, and three cats.

Do you have any special family traditions?
We have many, but one of my favorites is our movie mornings. We go early in the morning, pick a "buddy" from the family, and then enjoy popcorn and soda together for breakfast while watching the movie.

How long have you been a part of our school community, and what inspired you to pursue a career in education?
I’ve been part of the school community for 27 years. I’ve had a few inspirations along the way, including my 6th-grade teacher, Mrs. Panko. My dad and grandma, both teachers themselves, also played a big role in inspiring me to pursue education.

Where did you grow up, and what is a fun memory from your childhood?
I grew up in Plymouth, Michigan. One of my favorite childhood memories is riding my bike everywhere. I also have an incredible memory of visiting Africa.

If you could have any superpower or swap places with someone, what would it be?

I’d choose the ability to shapeshift, and if I could swap places with someone, it would be with my wife!

What is a fun fact about you that might surprise people, and do you have a favorite comfort food or special treat?
A fun fact is that I really enjoy watching birds—I have two seed feeders and five suet feeders in my yard! I can also ride horses pretty well. As for food, my favorite meal is chili, and my go-to treat is any kind of pie.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d go to Puerto Rico—it’s a tropical paradise!

Do you have a favorite book or author?

One of my favorites is Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, and I also love reading the Bible.

What is something about our middle school that you appreciate the most, and what do you enjoy most about working with middle school students?

What I appreciate most about our middle school is how accepting it is of all students, so everyone can find a place where they belong. I also love that middle school students are old enough to understand humor but still have a genuine joy for learning.

How do you keep students interested and engaged in your classroom?
I try to stay excited about what I’m teaching because I believe enthusiasm is contagious.

Do you have a memorable or inspiring moment you’ve had with a student?
It’s always inspiring when former students come back to introduce their families and thank me for having a positive influence on their lives.

How do you build positive relationships with your students and colleagues?
By being authentic, I’m able to connect with both students and colleagues in a meaningful way.

What is something your students have taught you or how have they impacted you?
I have seen such great acts of kindness from my students that it inspires me to do better.

What is the best part of your day at school?

Honestly, I enjoy my whole day.

Delton Kellogg Athletics has teamed up with ProMed in Richland to offer sports physicals for our athletes on April 16th, 2025. This physical will fulfill the requirement for the 2025-2026 school year. Athletic staff will be available to upload the physical directly to Final Forms. Please note that you and your student will still need to log into Final Forms to complete the annual sports forms after June 20th. To participate during school hours, your student MUST return this form, the completed MHSAA Sports Physical Form, and payment by April 3rd to the high school office. If these items are not submitted by the deadline, your student may participate during walk-in times after school hours with completed forms and payment in hand between 2:50 - 4:00 pm.

Please sign, complete, submit payment, and return to the office by April 3rd.

What are SUN Bucks?

SUN Bucks is the new name for Summer EBT. Eligible families of school-age children will receive $120 per child for qualifying groceries.

Who Should Apply?

Families that are not automatically enrolled should apply for SUN Bucks directly.

Note: Families will be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks if they are already enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations) benefits or meet the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals. In other words, keep an eye out for $120 per child at the beginning of summer!

Where to Find the Application

This application is available online!

Deadlines: Apply by April 15, 2025, to be eligible for the first issuance of benefits in May. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until August 31, 2025.

PIE is excited to announce that their fundraising website is now live! Each grade level has its own unique code , making it easy for students to participate.

Personalized Fundraising – Within each grade level, students can set up their own individual fundraiser to track their progress. This also allows whoever sets up the fundraiser to receive email updates on the total amount raised.

Maximizing Donations – Donors have the option to cover the 3% processing fee, ensuring that 100% of their donation goes directly to the student’s fundraiser. If they choose not to cover the fee, it will be deducted from the donation amount.

Every contribution helps make our field trips possible and creates unforgettable experiences for our students. Thank you for your support!

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: 269-623-1541

Email: julie.gorter@dkschools.org

Location: 6325 Delton Road, Delton, MI, USA

Phone: 269-623-1542