Dundee Middle School: May 2015 Parent Newsletter
A Message from Dr. Schumacher, Principal
I cannot believe we are already wrapping up the 2014-2015 school year. Students and staff have been
doing a tremendous job both inside and outside the classroom; I look forward to continuing to see
students shine as we approach the final stretch of the year.
Please mark your calendars for some key dates in May:
May 5:
May 15:
May 25:
May 27:
May 29:
Late Start for students (class begins at 10:10 a.m.)
Eighth Grade Dance (7:00-9:00 p.m.)
District 300 is closed
Eighth Grade Recognition Night (7:00-8:00 p.m. at Jacobs)
Eighth Grade Great America Trip and Last Day of School
**Core teams will communicate additional end-of-year activities as the month concludes.
Main Office Notes
Please provide our main office with your most current phone numbers and email address if you have
not done so already. We want to be sure we can contact all families using our RCS system. The RCS
is the system we use to send email and phone “blasts” to DMS families.
We also encourage any family who does not have an IC Parent Portal account to secure one as soon
as possible. Beginning in 2016, it will be used not only for checking student grades and retrieving
report cards, but also to register your student online. Go to http://www.d300.org/node/1924 to sign
up today!
Please return all required registration forms to the DMS Main Office by Monday, May 11.
Report Card Access Dates
Please use Infinite Campus Portal to access your students’ report card as follows:
 Midterm 4 grades on or after May 8
 End of Fourth Term grades on or after June 3
You are able to go back and retrieve previous report cards for the current school year at any time
using Parent or Student Portal.
Eighth Grade Events
Forms to sign up for Great America and an eighth grade video DVD, ticket information about the
dance, and details about Recognition Night were sent to all families in mid-April. If you did not
receive this letter please visit the DMS website and click the “parent” tab on the homepage to retrieve
the documents. Students may also pick up forms in the main office. The eighth grade staff is very
excited about these activities and we know that they are memorable highlights for our middle school
students. While it is always bittersweet when our eighth graders move on to the high schools, we
especially enjoy the final days we have as a DMS family.
Dundee Middle School: May 2015 Parent Newsletter
Student Dress Code Reminder
Please refer to the DMS Student Handbook inside the assignment notebook issued at the beginning of
the year to all students for details on student dress code. This time of year we see an increase in
students wearing shorts that are too short and tops that are too revealing. The rule of thumb is that
shorts should be at least mid-thigh length and spaghetti strap tops/bare midriff tops not be worn.
Thank you for your support in maintaining an environment that is conducive to learning.
Student Involvement
DMS Administration is proud to share that over 75% of DMS students were involved in at least one
club, sport, or other activity during the school year. Our goal for next year will be to increase that to
80%. Please help us in encouraging your child to participate in an interest area next school year! We
will make the Student Activities Guide available on our website and will also give hard copies to all
new students on the first day of school.
Student Services (Counselors)
8th Grade: With the school year coming to an end, we are eagerly preparing for Recognition Night
and hoping that all 8th grade students have a smooth and successful transition into high school. If
parents or students have any questions related to the transition to high school, please feel free to email
the 8th grade school counselor, Mrs. Jagielo.
6th & 7th Grade: We understand the students are anxious for the school year to end as summer is
fast approaching. We want to encourage all students and parents to finish the school year strong and
to continue placing a high emphasis on homework completion, using effective time management
skills and being successful in all of their classes. If you are looking for additional help over the
summer for your student, we will be putting together a list of summer tutors. Please contact Mrs.
Jagielo or Mrs. Hurley for this list.
Parents of Incoming 6th Graders: We are excited to welcome the class of 2018 to Dundee Middle
School next year! If you have any follow-up questions after the 5th Grade Parent Night or questions
regarding the transition to middle school, please feel free to contact Mrs. Jagielo or Mrs. Hurley at
any time.
Note from the Nurse
As the school year is coming to an end, I would like to remind you to pick up any medication or
medical supplies that you have left at Dundee Middle School. There is no one in the Nurse’s office on
a daily basis to retrieve these things for you. I will have medication and care plan forms if you need
them for next year. If you have any questions, please call me at 224-484-4511.
Please remember to complete the health history section on your child’s physical form. The physical is
not considered complete and will be returned to you for completion and signature.
Incoming 6th grade students require:
A current physical examination due the first day of school, completed within one year of entry into
school
Proof of:
Dundee Middle School: May 2015 Parent Newsletter
Two (2) Varicella immunizations
One (1) Meningococcal immunization
One (1) Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis) immunization
Dental examination, due May 15, 2016.
Students entering high school require:
A current physical examination due before the first day of school, complete 1 year prior to entry
into school.
Proof of:
Two (2) varicella immunizations
One (1) meningococcal immunization
One (1) Tdap9tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis) immunization
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at Dundee Middle School at 224-484-4511. I
will be checking my voice mail at least one per week during the summer.
Library (IMC) News
The end of the school year is quickly approaching and all library books are due May 18. Textbooks
will be returned at the end of May. If you have a second set of textbooks please return them during
the last week of school. Please note we will gladly take second sets prior to these dates if you are no
longer using them.
Our Summer Reading List will be coming out soon. While we don’t have assigned reading books
over the summer in middle school, statistics show that reading just five books over the summer can
prevent summer learning loss. According to the California Library Association, “when young people
aren’t engaged in educational activities during the summer, they experience learning loss”. When
students can choose books that reflect their own interests they read more. Therefore, the DMS Library
provides a list of great books that middle school students can use to select from for their summer
reading. Other great lists include the Rebecca Caudill list, ALSC Summer Reading List and YALSA
Summer Reading List. Since our school library is closed over the summer we encourage you to visit
the Dundee Public Library http://www.dundeelibrary.info/dundee/ or the Algonquin Area Public
Library http://www.aapld.org/. Both libraries have summer reading programs that can help encourage
students to read over the summer. They also have great on-line resources like Mango Languages (for
learning new languages), Freegal Music (access to free music) and Learning Express Library
(practice for tests like the ACT or other academic tests).
“California Summer Reading Program: Value of Summer Reading.” California Library Association.
YourMembership.com, 2014. Web. 14 April 2015.