Cardinal Call

Email: dcms@443mail.org
Website: https://usd443.org/DCMS
Location: Dodge City Middle School, 2000 6th Avenue, Dodge City, KS, USA
Phone: (620) 471-2100
Facebook: facebook.com/dodgecitymiddleschool

DCMS will provide a safe environment where every student is valued and empowered to learn, grow, and advocate for their own success.

Nutrition Information: https://www.usd443.org/75230_3
Meal Prices: https://www.usd443.org/75270_3
Breakfast & Lunch Menus: https://usd443.nutrislice.com/menu

Calendar - https://usd443.org/page/page_calendar?calID=127442

Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year!

Dear Cardinal Families,

Welcome to another exciting year at Dodge City Middle School! Whether you are returning to Cardinal Nation or joining us for the first time, we are excited to have you as part of our school community. It is truly an honor to serve as your principal, and I look forward to partnering with you to make this a successful and memorable year for every student.

Middle school is a time of tremendous growth as students develop academically, socially, emotionally, and personally. Along the way, there will be successes to celebrate and challenges to overcome. Through it all, our staff is committed to ensuring every student feels known, challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

At Dodge City Middle School, we believe every student can succeed when high expectations are paired with meaningful relationships and strong support. Our goal is simple: Every student, every day. We want every Cardinal to leave our building more confident, more capable, and better prepared for the opportunities ahead.

Student success is built through a strong partnership between school and home. Your encouragement, involvement, and communication make a tremendous difference, and we encourage you to reach out whenever you have questions, concerns, or something worth celebrating.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child each day. We are honored to be part of their educational journey and look forward to an outstanding school year filled with learning, growth, and unforgettable experiences.

On behalf of our entire staff, thank you for being part of Cardinal Nation. We can't wait to see you at Open House and kick off another incredible year together!

With gratitude and excitement,

Mr. Still
Principal
Dodge City Middle School

#CardinalNation

DCMS Addendum

DCMS Activities & Athletic Handbook

DCMS & CMS Student Handbook

Non-Uniform Day Policy

Uniform Policy

Our district uses ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically syncs with our Student Information System to generate an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

ParentSquare is a safe, secure, and modern approach to communication and collaboration between school and home.

What is ParentSquare?

ParentSquare is a unified communication platform that offers a whole host of tools which allows district, school administrators and teachers to more effectively communicate and engage with families and students.

Some features include:

• Mass notifications and urgent alerts with two-way communication
• Mobile application for administrators and parents (iOS and Android)
• Teacher and classroom communication
• Direct Messaging with two-way translation
• Appointment Sign Ups (parent-teacher conferences, technology pick-ups)
• Calendar and RSVP
• Volunteering and classroom supply sign-ups
• And so much more!

As a registered parent, you can:

• Receive messages from the school and district via phone, email, text, or app notification
• Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6pm
• Communicate in your preferred language
• Comment on school postings to engage with your school community
• Direct message teachers and staff
• Participate in group messages from schools and teachers
• Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
• Sign up to volunteer, sign up to donate school supplies, and more all from your desktop or mobile device

Students: We are committed to keeping you informed, connected, and engaged in your education. For students in Grades 6-12, the district uses StudentSquare as our official school-to-home communication platform. This free, secure tool is the easiest way to stay up-to-date with district and school announcements, calendar events, sign-up requests, photos, and files. Students can communicate with Teachers, Coaches, Activity Leaders, & Parents. The StudentSquare APP will be available on the school chromebook Classlink dashboard.

For Parents of a 6th-12th Grade Student – You will use your ParentSquare APP to communicate with your child. The ParentSquare APP keeps parents up-to-date with district and school announcements, calendar events, sign-up requests, photos, and files.

Step 1: 6th-12th Grade Students Download the Free Mobile Application

Step 2: You will have access to the StudentSquare login page through the APP on your mobile device or the Classlink dashboard on your school chromebook. Simply sign in using the following instructions:

• Click the ‘Sign in with Google’ button
• Log into your Google email account (firstname studentnumber@443mail.org)
• Follow the prompts
• 
  

• Via Mobile App: Tap the triple bar menu icon (top left) – Tap Account, then Preferences – Tap Language Setting and select your preferred dialect. Save settings!
• Via School Chromebook: Click your name (top right) and select My Account – Select Language Settings – from the left margin, choose the language, and click Save.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why does the system have StudentSquare & ParentSquare?

A: ParentSquare is the App used by ALL USD443 parents to stay up-to-date on school happenings, communicate with teachers, and sign up for events. While StudentSquare App adds additional security settings to protect students as they enter the platform, ONLY 6th-12th grade students have access & can communicate with teachers, coaches, & parents.

In compliance with Kansas law the district is implementing a strict "Bell-to-Bell, Device-Free" in all school buildings.

🚫 If the district did not issue the device, it is not allowed inside the school building. This policy applies to all classrooms, passing periods, lunch, and restrooms. There is an absolute prohibition on personal technology.

Prohibited personal items include, but are not limited to:

• All cell phones and smartphones.
• Smartwatches and GPS-enabled/phone watches (Apple Watch, Garmin, etc.).
• Wireless earbuds and headphones (AirPods, Beats, etc.). (Note: The district will provide required headphones/earbuds for testing or instructional purposes as needed).
• Personal tablets or gaming devices.

🎒 Authorized Device Storage

Backpacks are NOT considered an authorized storage location. Students are directed to store personal devices in one of two ways:

1. At Home/In Vehicles: Left at home or secured in a locked vehicle.
2. Main Office Check-In: Checked into the Main Office (or other building-designated location) immediately upon entering the building.

🚌 Expectations for Off-Campus, Travel, & Activities

• College / Concurrent Enrollment Classes: Students may use personal devices while off campus. Upon returning, devices must be left in their vehicle or checked into the Main Office immediately.
• Job Shadowing / PLE / WBL: These are school-related learning experiences. Personal devices must be left in the student’s vehicle.
• Instructional Field Trips: Field trips are an extension of the classroom; the Device-Free policy remains in effect for the entire trip.
• Athletic & Activity Travel: Students leaving for school-sponsored away games or competitions may retrieve devices from storage only after they are officially dismissed from academic classes for travel. Once the bus departs, devices may be used at the head coach/sponsor's discretion to coordinate late-night pickups with parents.

📞 Communication & Emergency Procedures

• Parent/Student Contact: Grades 6-12 can communicate through ClassLink (StudentSquare) or the school's Main Office. Grades K-5 all contact will go through the school's Main Office.
• Emergency Student Calls: Students needing emergency communication may use a designated school phone in the Main Office.
• Medical Exceptions: Personal device use is a last resort only for documented IEP/504 requirements or medical necessities. This documentation must be on file with the school administration.

4. Device Policy Discipline Progression

If a personal device is seen or heard and was not properly checked into the office, the following progressive discipline steps will apply. All violations will be officially documented in Skyward.

OffenseAction Taken1st OffenseDevice confiscated and taken to the Main Office. Student picks it up after school.2nd OffenseDevice confiscated and taken to the Main Office. Parent/Guardian must pick it up.

8-17-2026: Open House 5:00pm-6:00pm

8-18-2026: First Day of School 8:05am-3:15pm

9-2-2026: PTO Meeting - Library Conference Room 8am

9-7-2026: Labor Day NO School

9-21/9-25: Fall Individual Picture Day - 6th Grade Makerspace

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Students alternate each day between PE and Connect. You will have access to the Red/White Day Calendar via our monthly newsletter

Key:

Red filled boxes = red day

White filled boxes = white day

6th Grade Team Red Day/White Day Schedule

Spartans (Red Day = P.E.) (White Day = Connect)

Olympians (Red Day = Connect) (White Day = P.E.)

7th Grade Team Red Day/White Day Schedule

Odyssey (Red Day = P.E.) (White Day = Connect)

Voyagers (Red Day = Connect) (White Day = P.E.)

8th Grade Team Red Day/White Day Schedule

All Stars (Red Day = P.E.) (White Day = Connect)

Defenders (Red Day= Connect) (White Day = P.E.)

· Students will not use lockers this school year.

· Backpacks and drawstring bags are permitted.

· Please review the enclosed Middle School Uniform Policy before the first day of school.

· Spirit shirts will be available for purchase during Open House and throughout the school year.

09/03/26 : @Memorial Stadium 4:30pm

09/10/26 : @Great Bend 4:00pm

09/17/26 : @Memorial Stadium 4:30pm

09/24/26 : @Kenneth Henderson 3:30pm

10/01/26 : @Memorial Stadium 4:30pm

10/08/26 : @Horace Good 4:30pm

10/15/26 : @Memorial Stadium 4:30pm

Volleyball

09/01/26: @Pratt Middle 7/8 - 4:00pm

09/05/26: @Great Bend 7th - 9:00am

09/10/26: @Great Bend 7th - 4:00pm

09/12/26: @Great Bend 8th - 9:00am

09/14/26: @Hays 7th - 3:45pm & @Great Bend 8th - 4:00pm

09/17/26: @Great Bend 8th - 4:00pm

09/21/26: @Seymour Rogers 7/8 - 4:00pm

09/26/26: @Seymour Rogers 7th & Eisenhower 8th - 4:00pm

09/28/26: @CMS 7th & @DCMS 8th - 4:00pm

10/01/26: @CMS 7th & @DCMS 8th - 4:00pm

10/05/26: @CMS 7/8 - 4:00pm

10/10/26: @CMS 8th & @DCMS 7th - 9:00am

Cross Country

09/03/26 @Great Bend/Lake Barton 1:00pm

09/08/26 @Liberal/Arkalon Park 4:00pm

09/15/26 @Hays/Enersys Campus 10:30am

09/19/26 @Hugoton Middle School 9:00am

09/22/26 @Ulysses/Bentwood Golf Course 3:00pm

09/29/26 @Garden City (Tangeman Sports Complex) 1:00pm

10/04/26 @ Bishop Carroll 11:00am

10/06/26 @DCHS Demon Lake 4:00pm

10/10/26 @Liberal/Arkalon Park 10:00am

Please call the Dodge City Middle School office at 620-471-2100 and ask to talk with Mrs. Burkhard to help you get started and signed up!