DKMS Newsletter
"It's a great day to be a Panther"
Principal’s Message
Happy Halloween Friday Panther families!!! It was a spooky week here in the middle school!
I want to thank our Student Council, Mrs. Lebeck, students, and staff for showing that school spirit during Halloween Spirit Week. Spirit weeks are a great way to bring some fun and excitement into the building!
As we start to transition to fall and winter, here is a quick reminder about some of our attendance policies:
- Students must be fever (under 100.4), vomit, and diarrhea free for 24 hours before they can return to school.
- Please call (269) 623-1540 if your child is going to be absent.
- To be counted as an EXCUSED absence, the office will need documentation from a doctor, dentist, therapist, etc.
As always, I would like to thank our students, staff, families, and community for their hard work and support. I hope everyone has an awesome Halloween weekend and don't eat too much candy!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
It's a great day to be a Panther!
Mr. Bobby Tillman
Principal | Pre-K–8th Grade
District McKinney-Vento Liaison
📞 Office: (269) 623-1544
📱 Work Cell: (269) 297-1256
✉️ Email: bobby.tillman@dkschools.org
Mrs. Sarah Knash
Assistant Principal | Pre-K–8th Grade
📞 Office: (269) 623-1530
✉️ Email: sarah.knash@dkschools.org
2026-2027 DKMS Calendar Reminders
October 30- Delton Kellogg Trunk or Treat at the Elementary Building in the front drive
November 4 - Mobile Dentist and Kick Start Deposit Day
November 6 - Veterans Day Tribute - High School Gymnasium
November 10 - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:30am
November 14 - Craft Show at DKMS (Over 100 Booths)
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Break
🐾 Panther Paw Drawing Winners! 🐾
At Delton Kellogg Middle School, we love recognizing students who show their Panther Pride by following our SK2R expectations and making good choices throughout the day.
Students can earn Panther Paws when staff members notice them being kind, respectful, helpful, or simply doing the right thing. Each Panther Paw they earn gives them a chance to be included in our Panther Paw drawings.
Congratulations to our latest Panther Paw Drawing winners! Keep up the great work, Panthers. It's always nice to see our students making good choices and being positive examples for others!
Zombie Prom Day!
Frat Boy vs Coastal Grandpa / Grandma Day
Spooky Sports Day
Costume Day
5th Graders Continue Exploring at STARBASE
Our 5th graders had another fun day at STARBASE this week. Students put their engineering skills to the test by designing and building boats to carry cargo across water. They also explored Newton’s Laws of Motion using water rockets and learned more about how forces and motion work. To top it off, students had the chance to listen to a guest speaker from the Air Force. It was another great day of hands-on learning and trying new things at STARBASE.
Science Class Gets a Little Brighter
This week in Mrs. May’s Science class, students did a fun experiment to see if the temperature of water affects how brightly a glow stick glows. Students started by making a hypothesis (an educated guess) about what they thought would happen. They then tested glow sticks in cold, room-temperature, and hot water. About 60% of the students guessed correctly that the hot water would make the glow stick glow brighter. You can even tell from the pictures below which cup has the hot water just by looking at how bright the glow stick is.
Taking Apart Engines in CTE Trades Class
This week in CTE Trades Class, our 8th graders have been getting hands-on experience taking apart small engines. Students are learning about the different parts of an engine, what they do, and how they all work together to make it run. It's a great way for students to get a closer look at how engines work while learning to use tools and gaining some basic mechanical skills.
Getting Creative with Clay in 6th Grade Art
This week in Mr. Gailey’s 6th grade art class, students are learning how to make coil pots out of clay. They are rolling clay into long pieces called coils and stacking them to build their own pots. This project gives students a chance to learn something new while having fun creating their own pottery.
Girls Take the Win in Friendly Volleyball Showdown
It was a fun and exciting Boys vs. Girls volleyball showdown at DKMS. The girls came out on top, beating the boys 2–1.
Our middle school cheerleaders were there cheering everyone on, while a few of the varsity volleyball girls stepped in to help coach the boys. We even had some of our younger students helping out by running the scoreboard.
There were lots of laughs, friendly competition, and school spirit all around. Everyone had a great time, as you can see from the photos below. We've also included a few pictures from the girls' Pink Out volleyball game. What a fun season this has been!
Pink Out Photos
Sometimes All You Need Is Cooper
🦷 In-School Dental Care Coming to DKMS November 4th🦷
We are excited to offer in-school dental care to help make it easier for students to receive important dental services without having to leave school for an appointment.
Through the Smile Programs Mobile Dental Program, a temporary dental clinic is brought directly into the school. Licensed dental professionals provide care in a familiar and comfortable setting, allowing students to receive services while missing as little class time as possible.
Best of all, there is no cost to the school or to families who qualify for the program.
What Services Are Available?
Students may receive a variety of preventive and restorative dental services, including:
- 🪥 Complete dental examination
- ✨ Dental cleaning
- Fluoride treatment
- Dental sealants
- Dental X-rays, when needed
- Fillings, when needed
- Pulpotomies (treatment for the nerve inside a baby tooth), when needed
- Simple extractions, when needed
- 🦷 Oral health education
- A report from the dentist
- 🎁 A free toothbrush
The goal of this program is to help students maintain good oral health and make dental care more accessible and convenient for families.
Veterans Day Tribute
Young Chefs in the Making
Teen Cuisine is back. These free cooking classes are open to all 5th–8th grade students. Students will get hands-on experience in the kitchen while learning about food safety, making their own pizzas, cooking soup, baking cookies, and even having a cookie competition.
Classes begin Wednesday, November 11, and will be held from 3:00–4:30 PM in the high school cafeteria.
Space is limited to 19 students, so be sure to sign up! Sign-up sheets and parent consent packets are available in the middle school office. A waiting list will also be available if the class fills up.
Delton Kellogg Craft Show
5th Grade Camp: Save the Date & Payment Info
DKMS Success Center is Open - Mondays & Tuesdays After School !
Don't Miss Out: Order Your DKMS Yearbook Today!
Help Us Celebrate Our DKMS Students!
Spiritual Care at DKMS: A Resource for Students
For the past seven years, Spiritual Care Consultants has been available to support students at Delton Kellogg Middle School. Sometimes students just need someone to talk to, a place to share what they’re going through, or a little extra support. Take a look below to learn more about this resource and how students can get connected.
Powerschool Directions for Parents
Food Service Information and October DKMS Breakfast and Lunch Menu
All Delton Kellogg Middle School students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch during the 2026–2027 school year through Michigan’s “Free Meals for All” legislation.
Students who bring a cold lunch and would like to purchase milk will need to have funds available in their school meal account. Parents can view balances and meal history and make online deposits.
Even though meals are free, all families are required to complete a new Educational Benefit Form (EBF) each school year. These forms help determine the district’s eligibility for important funding, grants, and other programs.
One application is required per family—not per student. Please scan the QR code below or visit deltonkellogg.familyportal.cloud to complete the form.
Thank you for helping support DKMS and our students!
October Breakfast Menu
November Lunch Menu
Free Weekend Food Bags Available for Your Student!
DKMS is excited to continue to partner with Hand2Hand, a local non-profit program that helps make sure every student has plenty of nourishing food over the weekends and school breaks!
How Hand2Hand Helps
Weekend Packs: Students receive a bag filled with simple, kid-friendly meals and snacks to enjoy when school isn't in session.
100% Confidential: Food bags are discreetly placed directly into participating students' backpacks or lockers on Friday afternoons before dismissal.
Community Supported: Local volunteers and church partners pack and deliver the meals each week to support our school family.
How to Sign Up
Signing up is fast, easy, and completely private. Scan the QR code below with your phone camera or click the link button to register your student today.
KICKSTART Deposit Days and Information
Student Medication Administration Information
Welcome back to school, DK families! Please review the key requirements below to ensure your child’s health needs and medications are safely managed at school.
General Medication Policy
Every medication (prescription or over-the-counter) requires a completed Medication Authorization Form signed by both a parent and a licensed healthcare prescriber. New forms are required each school year.
Download the 5703 - 2026 medication authorization form DKS.
Adult Delivery Required: All medications must be brought directly to the school office by an adult in their original container.
Self-Carry Emergency Medications: Students carrying emergency medications (such as inhalers, EpiPens, or diabetes supplies) must have explicit permission checked on the form by both parent and physician. Alternatively, emergency medications may be stored in the main office.
Student Registration: Please complete online registration prior to the first day of school, ensuring medical concerns, emergency contacts, and physician information are fully updated.
Requirements by Health Condition
Severe Allergies
Medication Authorization Form (one for each medication, e.g., Epi, oral antihistamines)
Allergy Action Plan signed by physician
For special dietary needs or food allergies, submit the SNP_Special_Dietary_Accommodations_Form__92018.pdf signed by parent/guardian and physician.
Asthma
Medication Authorization Form for inhaler(s)
Asthma Action Plan signed by physician
Seizures
Medication Authorization Form for emergency medications
Seizure Action Plan signed by physician
Diabetes
Diabetes Medical Management Plan signed by physician and parent
Medication Authorization Form for emergency medications
Other Life-Threatening Conditions (e.g., Bleeding Disorders)
Action Plan signed by physician
Medication Authorization Form for any required medication
Overnight Field Trips
For all overnight field trips (e.g., Mackinac, 5th grade camp, band, FFA, HOSA, ect.), please ensure the following safety protocols are followed:
Authorization Required: All medications—both prescription and over-the-counter (including Tylenol, Motrin, etc.)—must have a completed Medication Authorization Form on file prior to departure. School staff are not authorized to administer any medication to students without this form.
A parent may carry their own student's medication on the trip and no forms are neededNo Unapproved Carry: Students are strictly prohibited from carrying medications (including ADHD medications or over-the-counter pain relievers) on their person or in their luggage. All medications must be given to designated staff prior to departure. A parent may carry their own student's medication on the trip and no forms are needed.
Self-Carry Exception: The only exception is for emergency medications (e.g., EpiPens, inhalers, diabetes medications) explicitly authorized for self-carry on the Medication Authorization Form by both a parent and a physician.
Original Packaging: All medications must be provided by the family in their original container
Please reach out with any questions. We look forward to a great school year!
Rhonda Lundquist, BSN, RN
District Nurse, Delton Kellogg Schools
BISD/Corewell Health Pennock
Phone: 616-240-5636
Support the DKMS Panther Den! 🐾
October Sports Schedule
*Sports Schedule Reminder:
Please always double-check EventLink.com or check with your child’s coach for the most up-to-date information regarding sports schedules, dates, and times. Our newsletter calendar is updated in advance and may not reflect daily schedule changes, cancellations, or updates. Thank you for helping us make sure everyone has the most current information!Athletic / Sports Sign-up Information
* 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.
Volunteer / Visitor Information
Background checks for volunteers are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of students.This helps keep our school environment secure and positive for all students.Therefore in a continued effort to keep our schools as safe as possible, all volunteer parents and community members, as well as classroom visitors, must submit to criminal background checks.Field trip chaperones are also considered volunteers. Visitor and Volunteer Consent forms must be completed each year and should be turned into the middle school office. You can pick up a volunteer form in the office or click below to print one.
