The Riflemen Review
Week of September 28 - October 2
A Message from DMMS
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month:
Dates: September 15 – October 15, 2026.
2026 Theme: "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together".
We will be celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino communities!Upcoming:
School Picture Day is Coming Soon!
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001415940
Images Available: Approximately two - three weeks after picture day
Ordering Questions?: Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com
November 12th - 5:00pm - 7pm - International Night
- We still have a no cell phone policy in place per the governor of Virginia. If cell phones are on campus, they are to be off and away in a backpack. The first offense is the phone taken from the student for the day, the second offense is to have parents come pick up the phones. Therefore, we should not have headphones or earbuds since we have nothing to listen to. Please help us keep our instruction cell phone free so we can make sure students have all the information needed to be successful.
- Dress code is still the same and is being enforced. Please review here. We are seeing a lot of students with bare midriffs and will be offering shirts for the day as needed.
- Here is the 26-27 Parent Student Handbook for WPS.
Please feel free to call the office if you have any questions or concerns.
Lisa Pluska
Principal, Daniel Morgan Middle School
(540) 667-7171
Referendum Parent Meetings
Join Dr. Van Heukelum and the Winchester Education Foundation to learn about the capital needs of WPS and the Foundation's initiatives prior to the referendum vote in November.
- Tuesday, September 29, 2026 / 12:30-1:00 p.m. / Douglas School, 598 N Kent St
Thursday, October 8, 2026 / 6-6:30 p.m. / Douglas School, 598 N Kent St
October 15, 2026 / 6:00 p.m. / Daniel Morgan Middle School
Winchester Public Schools does not advocate for or against ballot measures. Our role is to share clear, factual information so community members can understand the referendum and the capital needs of the school division.
Academics
After school remediation and clubs have started at DMMS. If your child is interested, we have permission forms in the office. The remediation will help recover any absences as well as help pull up grades. We do have buses to transport students home.
Attendance
One of our priorities this year is attendance. We will be getting in touch at 3 days, 5 days, and more to make sure you are aware of how quickly the absences add up. As students miss days, we have after school remediation available to recover absences. Keep in mind that chronic absenteeism is missing 10% of the school year whether it is excused or unexcused. Please send your students to school unless they are sick. When you miss a day, there is a lot of instruction that is missed and difficult to regain.
PBIS
This is a way to celebrate when students are following the rules and showing PRIDE. Please view the matrix and see what we are teaching students as far as behaviors are concerned. We will be asking students what PRIDE stands for and if they know, there will be prizes. Let us know if you have any concerns.
Important Dates
September 28 - Girls BB @ Admiral Byrd - 5:30pm
September 29 - DM vs Frederick County at home - 5:00pm
October 1 - Pictures
October 1 - Girls BB @ Aylor - 5:30pm
October 2 - World of Work Field Trip for 8th grade
October 2 - Fall Band Concert - 6pm
October 3 - Cross Country 11:30am - 2pm
October 5 - PTO Fundraiser at Chipotle (use code BZVGDR6 if ordering online, show flyer in person)
October 5 - Girls BB vs Johnson Williams at home - 5:00pm
October 6 - Football @ Aylor - 5:00pm
October 7 - Cross Country @ Aylor - 5:30pm
October 8 - Girls BB @ Skyline - 5:30pm
October 10 - Cross Country 3rd Battlefield Invitational
October 12 - No school for students
October 13 - Parent Teacher Conferences 3:45 - 6:00pm
Full Fall Sports Events Calendar
PTO Updates
SPIRIT NIGHT at Chipotle on October 5th from 5-9PM!