The Downing Dispatch: Weekly Update

Monday, Oct. 19th:

• 7th Grade Volleyball District Tournament: D1 vs. McKamy at Arbor Creek MS - 6:30, D2 vs. McKamy at Griffin MS - 6:30
• 7th Grade Football vs. Briarhill at MHS: D1-5:30, D2-6:30

Tuesday, Oct. 20th:

• Binder Hospital: Sign Up Your Child HERE! See more information below!
• All Region Band Auditions at Briarhill MS: 5:00 - 9:00
• 8th Grade Volleyball District Tournament: D2 vs. Lamar MS at Creek Valley MS - 5:30

• 8th Grade Volleyball District Tournament Championships: Teams to be determined - at Hedrick MS - D2 - 5:30, D1 - 6:30
• Choir - Region Master Class @ MHS: 5:30 - 6:30

Friday, Oct. 23rd:

• Choir: Tenor & Bass Hangout at Briarhill MS: 6:00 - 8:00

• Orchestra: All-Region Auditions at Northwest HS: All day
• Band: All-Region Auditions at McKamy MS: 8:30 - 3:00

• Red Ribbon Week Begins
• 7th Grade Football District Championships: teams, locations and times to be determined.

The Downing Band is have their annual pizza fundraiser on Friday, October 30th. In order for your child to participate in this event, you will need to pre-order how many slices of pizza you want. Please click on the following link: https://tinyurl.com/DMSpizza26

Please see the flyer below for more information!

Downing Middle School is proud to host our second Parent University on October 29th. This night we will focus on current trends in drug use that have become apparent in our area. The Flower Mound Police Department will have officers present to discuss their experiences with these new drug trends and provide information on how to keep your family safe.

This event is open to all parents in the Marcus feeder pattern. If you are interested, please RSVP using the following link: Current Drug Trends Informative Meeting. Please see the flyer below for more information.

Red Ribbon Week is COMING!! This year's theme is "Make a Difference and Be A Hero"! Red Ribbon Week is about having fun and dressing up BUT the main purpose is awareness. Helpful tools for parents can be found below:

• Flyers in English & Spanish

• Conversation Starter Cards

• Ask the Experts videos/Parent Preview

• TEA Fentanyl Resources

• Link to www.redribbon.org

• Info about Medication Disposal Day

As the second nine weeks grading period begins, the Downing PTA would like to extend an invitation to all students to join us for "Binder Hospital". What is Binder Hospital you ask? Great question! Binder Hospital is an informal meeting where a student will meet with a volunteer parent to help them get organized. At Binder Hospital, we have an array of helpful supplies that we offer to students in an effort to STAY organized; things like multi-color folders, pencil cases, extra pens/pencils, 3-hole punches and more. Binder Hospital is a time where students can declutter, destress, and be encouraged and supported by a caring, Downing parent. If you would like to sign your student up for a time slot, please complete the following form: Binder Hospital Signup. We will have more opportunities throughout the year for your child(ren) to get help in organizing their school work and backpacks.

In LISD, our vision for students is clear. We want to graduate confident young adults equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive and adapt for their future. For some students, this future involves continuing their education on a college campus. For other students, the future might mean immediate entry into the workforce. And for others, the future might mean enlistment in the Armed Forces to serve our country. For more information about CCMR (College, Career, Military Readiness) click on the following link to open up a SMORE newsletter: LISD CCMR

Enjoy a great meal on Tuesday and help support the Downing PTA. Mark your calendars! Tomorrow night is spirit night at Chipotle! Stop by anytime between 5:00pm - 9:00pm to get dinner, or a snack and part of your purchase will go towards Downing Middle School! See you there!

It's that time of year! COLOR RUN 2026! This is an exciting and highly anticipated event for the students and staff. All students can participate for free, but you can also purchase bundles to enhance their fun. Bundles on sale now through November 2nd.

Purchase bundles here: https://downingpta.org/color-run

Our annual Veteran’s Day Lunch will be held on November 11th to honor and celebrate the brave men and women who have served our country. We warmly invite any relatives of our students who are veterans or active service members to join us for this special event. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our school community to show appreciation and share a meal with those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom. Please fill out the provided form to let us know which family members will be attending so we can plan accordingly. Please RSVP by Friday, October 30th.

If you are interested in more information about LISD's Free and Reduced Lunch Program, please visit the following website for more information: Child Nutrition - Free and Reduced Lunch. If your child(ren) were enrolled in the program last year, you will need to apply again this year. The above link will take you to the correct page where you apply online. If you have any questions on the application or whether or not your family is elibible, please contact the Child Nutrition office at 469-713-5207.

All-Region choir auditions were held this past Saturday at Strickland MS in Denton ISD. The contest included 800+ singers auditioning from LISD, Northwest ISD, Denton ISD, and Argyle ISD. Downing Choir sent 29 singers to compete this year!

Downing had 10 outstanding musicians earn spots in the 2026 TMEA Region 2 Choirs, which is listed below. Congratulations to Mr. Price and his students on this huge accomplishment! Way to go Choir!

The Downing Band also participated in LISD's All-District Band Auditions this past weekend. There were also over 800 students that participated in this event! Downing had 4 students that earned a position on the All-District Band. We also had 4 students named alternates for the All-District Band as well! Congratulations Ms. Willis and these talented musicians, GREAT JOB!

Every Friday, we celebrate one of Downing's Amazing teachers with the Player of the Week Award! Teachers are selected by the previous weeks winner for going above and beyond helping students and staff in and out of the classroom! Here is last week's winner ( I think this guy needs to clean off his desk)!

P.S. - I did not know about this... I PROMISE!!!!

October 26:

• Red Ribbon Week Begins: Wear Red
• 7th Grade Football - TBD

• Red Ribbon Week - Hat Day
• 7th Grade Social: 3:45 - 6:45
• 8th Grade Football - TBD

• Red Ribbon Week - Workout Gear

• Red Ribbon Week - Wear a Cape
• 6th Grade Field Trip
• Current Drug Trends Presentation in DMS Cafeteria
• Band/Choir/Orchestra/Theater Masquerade Ball at InterSkate

October 30:

• Red Ribbon Week - PJ's Day
• FIne Arts Picture Day
• AVLS/ALS Classes at Marcus Halloween Bash
• LISD Collegiate Academy Lunch Visit for 8th Graders
• End of 3-Weeks Grading Period

• Early Mental Health Information Lessons through Math classes
• 7th Grade Football - TBD

• Election Day - No School for Students

• Early Mental Health Information Lessons through Math classes
• Downing Theater: Spring Musical Auditions

• Kindness Club Meeting in morning
• Early Mental Health Information Lessons through Math classes
• Downing Theater: Spring Musical Auditions
  

• Early Mental Health Information Lessons through Math classes
• PTA Color Run
• Theater UIL - One Act Play Clinic at FMHS

All teachers are required to provide tutoring at least 2 times a week. Please refer to the schedule below to determine when your child can see a specific teacher. If you have specific questions about tutoring times please contact your child's teachers. This schedule will be updated regularly.

The new bell schedule is below. Remember that the arrival and dismissal times for all LISD middle schools have changed this year. Doors will open at 7:40 am and students will be dismissed at 3:40 pm. Instructional time will be from 8:15 am to 3:40 pm.

Why Should I Join the PTA?

PTA membership and dues support your child by funding essential educational and curriculum needs; advocating on behalf of children and educators at the local, state and national levels, and building an inclusive school community for all families.

Join PTA for your child because increasing our membership, even by one, makes it possible to provide important educational resources, speak up on important issues and create a stronger school community. Click on the graphic at the right to join!

To view more a more comprehensive calendar of events please click here for the Downing Calendar.

Visit LISD.net/Calendar for additional information on district-wide events. To download the 2024-2025 Academic Calendar, click HERE.

Please consider sharing your appreciation with a District Recognize Someone Card during the upcoming year! You can even have your students participate!

Want to share how a Downing or LISD staff member has gone above and beyond! Click here for the district Recognize Someone form. These submissions are printed and then shared at staff meetings to celebrate each other!