1. DMS Parent Orientation November 2018
Sue Harris, Principal
Sue - introduce
National Blue Ribbon School
BCPS Lighthouse School

2. Tonight’s Agenda Welcome and Overview Student Panel Discussion
Tour of Facility
Questions

3. LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOL: NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
We were one of the first BCPS middle schools to provide home-to-school laptops for students. Our staff has been a leader in creating an innovative learning culture, which includes a focus on literacy, experiential learning and personalization to provide digital learning opportunities.
NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
This award acknowledges and validates
the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for and attaining exemplary achievement.
Sue

4. Globally Competitive is our goal
To equip every student with the critical 21stcentury skills, all of our students must have an equitable, effective digital learning environment. This includes:
Digitally-enhanced curriculum supplemented with timely, engaging, adaptive digital resources
A focus on teaching literacy in all subjects (reading, listening, writing & speaking)
Develop social/emotional skills by providing a safe learning environment in which to grow
Develop resilient learners through challenging work that requires collaboration, problem-solving and creativity.
Sue

5. 2018-2019 2019-2020 School capacity 1,114 Total enrollment 2018-19
1,190
Number of classroom teachers 75
Number of classrooms
Portable classrooms 54 2
Percentage of students in GT
62%
Average class size
Average attendance rate
27.6
96%
Cheryl
6th graders expected
386
7th graders expected
415
8th graders expected
405
Total Student Population Projected
1206

6. Next year’s 6th graders will come to us from these elementary schools:
Stoneleigh Elementary
West Towson Elementary
Rodgers Forge Elementary
Hampton Elementary
Riderwood Elementary
Cheryl
Lutherville Elementary
DMS
Home of the Lions!
Cromwell Valley Elementary

7. Diversity makes us stronger
Current Student Population Including our ELL Students: Multi-racial: 8% Hispanic: 10% Asian: 7% Black 12% White: 63%
ELL = English Language Learners make up approximately 200 of 1200 students
Our ELL students come from over 40 countries. They join us from BCPS communities as far away as Hereford, Pikesville & Cockeysville.
Cheryl

8. 6th Grade Courses Language Arts World Cultures Science Math
World Language
Students choose a World Language in 6th grade:
Spanish, French or Latin
Over 50% of our students are enrolled in GT versions of these courses. Elementary schools recommend for GT
Priscilla –

9. Special Area Classes meet every other day (A/B Day)
Art
Music
Physical Education/Health
Business Ed/Digital Literacy
Priscilla – then introduce Mr. Miskimon, Mr. Brinkley

10. Announcements in Period 1 class
6th Grade Schedule
8:00 am- Students enter the building
8:15 am Students report to homeroom/period 1
8:20 am Morning Announcements
Sixth Grade
Period
Time
Minutes
Announcements in Period 1 class
8:15 – 8:25 10 1
8:25 - 9:15 50 2
9:20 – 10:05 45 3
10: :55
4 (Lunch)
10:55-11:25 30
5/6
11:30 -12:15
7/8
12:20 - 1:05 9
1:10 - 1:55
2:00 - 2:47 43
Priscilla

11. SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Organization is key to success!
Binder organization
Agenda/planner to write homework and notes
Staying up to date with assignments
Checking Schoology regularly
Stacie

12. “Our PRIDE IS OUR FUTURE.”
Perseverance
Respect
Intellectual growth
Diligence
Empathy
Stacie

13. Some of our Clubs & Extracurricular Activities
ART STUDIO
LIBRARY HELPERS
BOARD GAMES CLUB
DUMBARTON SINGERS
DMS NEWSPAPER CLUB
FUTURE EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (FEA)
RUNNING CLUB
DEBATE CLUB
STEM CLUB
GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance Club)
THE WRITER’S CLUB
YEARBOOK CLUB
BASKETBALL
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
MATH COUNTS CLUB
See Clubs Brochure for a Comprehensive List
Stacie

14. HOW WILL MY CHILD GET TO SCHOOL?
BCPS Office of Transportation provides bus service to our school. DMS summer mailing will provide bus stops & bus numbers. BCPS determined that middle schoolers who live within one mile of the school are walkers. Questions? BCPS Transportation office:
Cheryl

15. Safety is our first priority
Students meet with their homeroom teacher every morning. We often hold “circles” to discuss concerns and build community.
Administrators have walkie-talkies to communicate with each other.
We promote the “See Something, Say Something” campaign.
We practice safety protocols through numerous drills (ALICE Training).
AP, counselor, Grade Level Coordinator assigned to grade 6.
Assistant Principal attends 6th grade lunch each day.
Officer Ballard is on our staff (all BCPS secondary schools have SROs)
Cheryl

16. Contact Information
Cheryl Scott – Assistant Principal
Priscilla Robinson – School Counselor
Stacie Elliott - Grade Level Coordinator
Deron Brinkley – Physical Education
Laura Coulson – World Languages
Kristi Ninos – Math Department Chair
Howard Miskimon – Music Department Chair
Cheryl

17. Math Night
If you have questions about math placement, Kristi Ninos, Math Department Chair, will host Math Night on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, to provide information about the math program and to answer questions about math placement.

18. Student Panel Discussion

19. DMS Faculty and Staff Guides
SCHOOL TOUR MEETING LOCATIONS
Tour #1
Tour #2
Tour #3
DMS Faculty and Staff Guides
Mr. Hegmann
Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Burnam
Mr. Barone
Mrs. Leon
Mrs. Magill
Ms. Taylor
Meeting Location
Auditorium Lobby
Music Hallway Doors
Top of Stairs Main Hallway
Cheryl
Look for the sign with your tour number.

20. Questions?