For the Parents, Staff, Students & Community of Destin Middle School

MAY 10, 2016Volume 14 • Issue 3

To download a PDF version of this newsletter, go to http://academypublishing.com/schools/destin/destin.php

Okaloosa County School District120 Lowery Place

Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPALDear Parents of the Marlin Nation: As you know, our mission at DMS is to provide each student with every opportunity possible to maximize their learning and become well-rounded, successful individuals. These opportunities are made possible by our incredibly talented and dedicated teachers along with an assist from our extremely helpful and experienced support staff. As the school year begins to wind down and we approach the summer break, let me thank of all you for helping us to be able to offer the finest educational experiences for our students. The months of April and May are some of our busiest and most difficult of the school year. Please stay informed so that you can be a part of all of the end of the year excitement that DMS has to offer. Thank you for your continued support of Destin Middle School and GO MARLINS!

Sincerely,Charlie Marello,Principal

Destin Middle School Calendar*All dates and times are subject to change

May 12, 2016 Spring Awards Band Concert 6:30 pmMay 19, 2016 8th Grade Marlin OlympicsMay 23-27, 2016 Scholastic Book Fair in Media CenterMay 23-25, 2016 EOC Testing ScheduleMay 30, 2016 Memorial Day HolidayMay 26-29, 2016 8th Grade Washington DC TripMay 31, 2016 8th Grade AMC Theatre Movie OutingJune 1, 2016 5th Grade End of Year Awards Ceremony – 9:00 amJune 1, 2016 6th Grade End of Year Awards Ceremony – 11:00 amJune 1, 2016 7th Grade End of Year Awards Ceremony – 2:00 pmJune 2, 2016 8th Grade Aloha Awards Ceremony and Reception – 11:30 amJune 2, 2016 Report Cards go home – Grade 5June 2, 2016 End of Second Semester/Last Day for StudentsJune 6, 2016 Last Day for Teachers

Spring Awards Concert in the gym– 5:00 pm for all band students. Report time TBA.

Band members all dress as follows: “Sunday best” NO JEANS, long skirts/dresses for girls,

collared shirt for boys.

Yearbook Update Thank you to all those who have supported the 2015-2016 DMS Yearbook by pre-paying for a yearbook or an 8th grade Tribute Ad. If you did not pre-order a yearbook, the last day to do that will be May 27th. You can pick up a form in the front office or you can order online at www.balfour.com Yearbooks should be delivered the first week of June! If you do not pre-pay, there may not be any extra when they are delivered. If you are unsure if you already ordered a yearbook, feel free to email Ms. Giraldo at giraldoa@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us, as she has a compiled list.

DMS

2

Okaloosa County School District2016-2017 School Year Calendar

Pre-School Planning Friday-Tuesday August 5-9, 2016First Day of School for Students Wednesday August 10, 2016Labor Day Holiday Monday September 5, 2016End: 1st Grading Period Thursday October 6, 2016Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday Friday October 7, 2016Veterans Day Holiday Friday November 11, 2016Thanksgiving Holidays Monday-Friday November 21-25, 2016End of First Semester Friday December 16, 2017Winter Break Holidays Monday-Monday Dec. 19, 2016-Jan. 2, 2017Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday Tuesday January 3, 2017Students Back after Winter Break Wednesday January 4, 2017Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Monday January 16, 2017President’s Day Holiday Monday February 20, 2017End: 3rd Grading Period Thursday March 9, 2017Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday Friday March 10, 2017Spring Break Holidays Monday-Friday March 13-17, 2017End of Semester/Last Day for Students Friday May 26, 3017Last Day for Teachers Friday June 2, 1017

School Uniform ShirtsRemember, all students are required to wear uniform shirts on

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week. The Destin Middle School Phys. Ed Dept. will be selling DMS uniform dress code shirts. Order forms will be available on the DMS website (http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/destinm/). For more information please contact Coach Daniel Griffin at 850-833-7655 or griffind@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us. Students grade 6th-8th will also be required to have a DMS PE uniform, also on this order form. TSP offers easy ordering by mail or at www.tucknshirt.com. Mail orders and on-line orders will be delivered to DMS campus for pick up. For your convenience in store shopping is available at 968 John Sims Parkway West, Niceville, FL 32578. For more information or directions to the store, please call (850) 729-3000. The Eagles’ Nest in Niceville located in the Publix shopping center also carries DMS uniform shirts. Order forms may be obtained in the front office or student service office. You may order online at www.eaglesnestfl.com or call 850-279-4775 for more information.

Media Center News It is hard to believe another school year is drawing to an end. Now is the time to wind down and take inventory. All books are due to the Media Center by May 20, 2016. We need everyone’s help. At this time there are many books that have not been returned…clean out your locker and rooms, look under the bed, maybe your younger brother’s or sister’s bed - whatever it takes to find those books! Remember, if not found you will have to pay for the books or replace them. Don’t forget the Book Fair May 23-27, 2016.

Lost and Found If you have lost anything please check the lost and found located in the cafeteria, each of your classrooms, and the physical education locker rooms. All items not claimed by May 31, 2016 will be donated to local charities. These items will be taken to the local charities on June 1, 2016.

Message from the Clinic Parents , p lease remember that a l l medications should be picked up from the clinic by the end of the school year. All “as needed” medications, which include cough drops, headache, stomachache and allergy meds, may be picked up at any time from now until June 2, before 3:30 pm. Emergency and daily medications should be picked up the last day of school before 2:30. All medications remaining in the clinic after June 2nd will be disposed of. No medications may remain in the clinic for the following school year.Thank you for your understanding.Erica Irizarry, Health Tech

‘Hook, Line & Thinker’Mailed May 10, 2016

Published Four Times Per YearOkaloosa School District

120 Lowery Place SEFort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Issue # 3

3

Keep your child motivated and focused until the last day of school!

Your calendar says May, and your child is already easing into “summer vacation mode.” But this is a critical time, and it’s important for your child to stay focused and take the last few weeks of school seriously. To keep your child motivated through the end of the school year:• Talk about what she’s doing in class every day. Continue to read

the handouts she brings home and keep on top of upcoming tests and quizzes. Show her that her education matters to you and it might become her priority, too.

• Stick to routines. The weather is warmer and the nights are longer, but this is not the time to ease up on routines. They are vital when it comes to keeping your child focused on school. Keep homework and bedtime routines in place. Summer will be here soon enough.

• Head Outside. If the weather is too perfect to stay indoors after school, let your child take her books outside and study there. Even better, grab your own book or magazine and join her!

• Plan a special activity to celebrate the end of school. It doesn’t need to be anything elaborate. A small present or treat may be all the motivation your child needs to keep working hard during those last few weeks! Ways to Avoid the Summer Slide

Summer time is here! But along with the fun vacations and relaxing days comes the dreaded… Summer Slide. Did you know that according to Scholastic?• Learning or reading skill losses during the summer months are

cumulative. By the time a struggling reader reaches middle school, summer reading loss has accumulated to a two-year lag in reading achievement.

• It is estimated that the “Summer Slide” accounts for as much as 85% of the reading achievement gap between lower income students and their middle-and upper-income peers.

• 3rd graders who can’t read on grade level are four times less likely to graduate by age 18 than a proficient reader.

• Studies show that making sure there are always interesting books at home can increase the likelihood of a child being a frequent reader.

How can you help?• Provide your student with access to books they want to read.• Give them the chance to choose what they read.• Motivate them to practice reading.• Get all the family involved.

Prevent Learning Loss Summer vacation means sleeping late and hanging out with friends. Unfortunately, it can also mean learning loss if kids don’t engage in learning –rich activities. According to research, most kids lose roughly two months’ worth of math skills and score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer break. So keep your child’s mind active. Visit the library, the zoo or a museum together. And encourage her to keep reading! Share the newspaper with your child this summer. Summertime is perfect reading time. Tap into your child’s increasing ability to understand and care about current events. Read a newspaper in print or online every day and share an article of interest with your child. Then challenge her to find an interesting article to share with you.

Limit Summer Media Time Reports show that media time – time spent watching TV, using the computer or cell phone or playing video games – increases dramatically over the summer months. Remember to keep a healthy balance for your child. He should use part of the summer to try new interests and take on new responsibilities. Staring at a screen won’t get him far on that journey.

At the end of the year, review and reset! The end of the school year is a good time to review your goals and expectations for your child. You can discuss how things went this year, and talk about new goals for next year. First, get feedback from your child:

Ø How does your child think he did this year? Did he achieve his goals? What would he like to change for next year?

Ø What would he like to learn in high school? What can he do now to get on the right path?

Ø How is his life outside school? Is he happy with the way he spends his free time?

Ø What does he dream about being or doing someday? Ø Your expectations. Let your child know you expect his best efforts.

But be realistic, and remember most children are strong in some subjects, but not so strong in others.

Ø Goals for next year – or adjust goals for this year. Let your child know that you will support him on the goals you come up with together.

4

8th - Grade Supply ListNotebook paper PencilsPens Color pencilsPencil Sharpener HighlighterFlash Drive (optional**Supplies for each individual teacher will be on their syllabus at the start of the school year.

7th – Grade Supply ListAll Classes Notebook paper Color pencils Pencils Pencil sharpener Thumb Drive (optional)Intensive Reading Composition notebookLanguage Arts Composition notebookAdvanced Science Spiral notebook—8 ½ X

11”, college ruled, 100 pages, reinforced cover

Advisory Class Tissue, Paper towels, Disinfectant wipes (much appreciated donations)

**Supplies for each individual teacher will be on their syllabus at the start of the school year.

Destin Middle School 2016-2017 School Supply List

6th – Grade Supply ListAll Core Classes Pencils – preferably not mechanical, Loose leaf Notebook Paper Hole Reinforcements for papers in binderOptional/Donations Flash Drive to save documents, Plastic Sleeves for Important Papers Colored Pencils, Colored pens and/or Markers, Pencil Sharpener,

ScissorsEnglish Language Art 1 Inch Binder w/ Dividers Highlighters, index cardsMath 1 ½ Inch Binder w/ Dividers Expo MarkersScience 5-subject Notebook (ex: 5 star brand) Scotch tape, scissors, colored pencils, highlightersSocial Studies 3 subject Notebook or 2” Binder (as indicated by individual teacher)Intensive Reading Composition NotebookDonations Any optional items listed above**Additional supplies for each individual teacher will be on their syllabus at the start of the school year.

(Please plan to update your child’s supplies at start of new semester)

Donations of the following items are appreciated for grades 6, 7, & 8:Disinfectant wipes Tissues Paper Towels Hand SanitizerPencils Erasers Expo Markers

5th – Grade Supply ListGraph Paper (1 pkg./ 50 Ct.) Red Ballpoint pen (2)Sharpie Black Fine Perm Marker (2) #2 Pencils (4 dozen)Hand held pencil sharpener (1) (5) 2-Pocket Folders w/Brads Asst. ColorsCrayola Colored Pencil 12 PK (1) 1.5” White 3 ring binder (1)Expo Black Dry Erase Marker (4) Fiskars scissors (1 pair, any style)Index cards Ruled, 3x5 (100 ct) (1 pk) Elmer’s Glue .25 (7g) Glue Stick (2)Notebook paper wide ruled 100Ct. (1 pk)Black wide ruled composition notebook (3)Colored Highlighters (4 yellow, 2 blue, 1 Purple, 1 orange, 1 green, 1 pink)

Donations of the following items are appreciated for 5th grade;Paper towels, band aids, Kleenex, Ziploc bags

®

5

SACDear Parents; Florida Statute requires that every school establish a School Advisory Council (SAC) to serve in an advisory capacity to the school principal. Specific responsibilities of each council are listed below.1. Assist in the preparation and evaluation of the School Performance Plan under the leadership

of the principal.2. Review the results of the needs assessments conducted by the school administration (hard

and soft data).3. Assist in designing the on-site plan to implement state education goals, indicators of student

progress, strategies, and evaluation procedures.4. Perform functions as prescribed by regulations of the School Board.5. Provide such assistance as the principal may request in preparing the school’s annual budget

and plan.6. Receive appropriate training for duties on the SAC.7. Provide the membership of each council access to appropriate documents for review. The

documents include but are not limited to the following:a. Local School Board policy/procedures which have been adopted and which pertain to

school performance and the accountability process.b. Publications of the State Education Reform and Accountability Commission.

It is time to select our parent representatives for the 2016-2017 school year. If you would like to serve on the 2016-2017 School Advisory Council, please complete the following information and return it to Mrs. Hall.

School Advisory CouncilAs a parent/guardian of a 2016-2017 Destin Middle School student, I would like to serve on the School Advisory Council. I understand that meetings are at 7:30 a.m. the first Thursday of each month and regular attendance is expected.

Name __________________________

Address __________________________

__________________________

Phone Number _____________________

Email __________________________

Child(ren) Names

________________________ Grade ____

________________________ Grade ____

Child’s Present School

__________________________________

6

How to Monitor Your Kid’s iPhone or Android Text Messages

Here’s some exciting news for parents looking to monitor their child’s text message activity. Child safety website TeenSafe has launched a new version of their app, which not only lets you view your child’s Facebook and Instagram activity, but also lets you read the text messages they send and receive on their Android or iPhone. Better still, you can even read text messages that have been DELETED on the phone! Text message monitoring has been of huge interest in recent years. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, kids spend an average of 7 hours, 38 minutes a day connected to some type of electronic device. The big worry for parents is that they don’t often know what their child is doing on their phone, online, or in the real world — and their kids aren’t always forthcoming with what’s going on in their lives. From sending friends seemingly innocent (but potentially provocative) photos, to online solicitations, sexting, or befriending some less-than-desirable characters, kids can make mistakes caused by youthful inexperience. Those actions can end up haunting a child and parent forever, but TeenSafe gives parents access and visibility into their child’s world. TeenSafe also works on an iPhone. According to the website, you don’t need your teen’s phone to set it up, and you can monitor the iPhone without needing to jailbreak it, which can invalidate the iPhone warranty. All you need is your child’s Apple ID and password. The application for Android smartphone installation is slightly different, but just as easy. Just enter some basic info, accept the app on the phone, and you’re good go.Visit TeenSafe.com - TeenSafe enables you to:• View your Teen’s text messages, including deleted texts.• See Your Teen’s Device Location.• Monitor Calls.• Monitor Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Kik Messages, web activity and more. Once you register with TeenSafe, the information gets downloaded to your private login page where you can read all the iPhone or Android text messages your child has sent and received. You can also view their phone call logs, phone contacts and web browsing history, as well as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp activity. TeenSafe also uses the phone’s GPS to track its location on a map. And nothing shows up on your child’s phone, so they won’t know about it unless you tell them. Admittedly, it can sound a little sneaky, but as long as you are the parent or guardian of the child it’s legal. As for whether or not you should tell your child, TeenSafe goes the common sense route by explaining that the decision is up to you. Every family is different, and when it comes to protecting your children it’s sometimes good to open a dialogue. Other times it’s better to be discreet, such as when your child has already run into some trouble and you’re now trying to prevent him or her from encountering bigger problems. So, whether you’re giving your child a cell phone for the first time and just want to keep an eye on them or you have a teen exposed to more than they’re ready to handle, TeenSafe could be your way to safely and anonymously observe them without being a helicopter parent.

Perf ectionCarpet Care

7

5th Grade NewsFIELD DAYThursday, May 12th 9:15 a.m. DMS Football Field Students will be participating in a variety of teambuilding, athletic activities that promote good citizenship and sportsmanship. We encourage students to wear both sunscreen and sunglasses, as well as bring a bottle of water to keep themselves hydrated. Family and friends are welcomed to join us as event spectators. Guests, we ask that you please sign in with the DMS Front Office before reporting to the football field. Lunch will be 11:50 a.m. – 12:18 p.m. If you plan to eat lunch with your student and would like to purchase a cafeteria lunch for yourself, please notify the cafeteria by May 11th.MOVIE FIELD TRIPFriday, May 13th 9:30a.m. Destin Commons AMC Theater Students will be walking with their grade level teachers and approved chaperones to the Destin Commons AMC Movie Theater to view Disney’s new release of The Jungle Book. The group will leave DMS at 9:20 a.m. and return to DMS at approximately 12:00 p.m. In case of rain, students will be shuttled to-and-from the movies by a school bus. Monday, May 2nd is the deadline for completed parent permission form and $12.00 fee. The fee includes one movie ticket and a snack-pack. Students must bring a sack lunch or purchase a sack lunch from the DMS cafeteria, if attending the field trip. Since we will miss our regularly schedule lunchtime at school, we will be eating as a grade level on the green space at DMS. Students should wear comfortable shoes, fit for walking and attire that is appropriate for being inside of the theater, in case it is cold. AWARDS CEREMONYWednesday, June 1st 9:00a.m. DMS Gym On this day, our administrators and teaching team will recognize top academic averages, citizenship awards, perfect attendance, honor roll, and more. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. Each student is asked to wear semi-formal attire for this special event.

A Consulate Health Care Facility

Contact Us:

Destin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center195 Mattie M. Kelly BoulevardDestin, FL 32541Phone (850) 654-4588 | Fax (850) 654-3944

At Destin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, we provide a full array of quality skilled nursing, rehabilitation and specialty medical services. Our dedicated team of health care professionals help patients regain strength, function, mobility and independence following an illness or injury. Many of our patients return home following a brief rehabilitative stay at our center.

Whether you need us for a few days, a few weeks or longer, we’ll be here for you every step of the way.

About Destin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center:

• 24-Hour Skilled Nursing Care• Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services • Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies,• Short-term “Rehab-to-Home” Programs• Orthopedic Rehabilitation• Specialty Medical Services• Long-Term Care Services• 119 beds• Warm, Comfortable and Home-Like Setting• Personalized Care by a Compassionate

and Competent team• A Commitment to Exceptional

Customer Services

A Consulate Health Care Facility

Your Choice for Skilled Nursing Care and Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services

Okaloosa School DistrictDestin Middle School4608 Legendary Marina DriveDestin, FL 32541

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDOrlando, FL

Permit # 2346

8

To Addressee or Current Resident

Aca

dem

y Pu

blis

hing

Sch

ool N

ewsl

ette

r Pro

gram

™ 8

00-6

44-3

541

Cheer Team Update Cheer Tryouts will be May 23-26. All participants must have a current physical and notarized parent permission form on file before student may tryout. They will be practicing throughout the summer and attending Cheer Camp at UCF in Orlando in July. Please be on the lookout for our Fundraisers! Thank you to all of you in the Destin community that support our Award winning team!

Attention Sixth-Grade ParentsImmunization Requirements for Seventh-Grade Students For the 2016 – 2017 school year, students entering, repeating or transferring into 7th grade will need to provide documentation for having the TDAP vaccine administered. This requirement is in addition to the previous grade appropriate immunization requirements.

Ø If your child has had the required immunizations for seventh-grade, please take the immunization record to the school now! Only the Florida Department of Health Form 680 will be accepted as proof of the immunization.

Ø If your child has not had the required immunizations for seventh grade, he/she may not enter school until the State of FloridaCertificateofImmunization(Form680)orcertificateof religious or medical exemption has been turned in to the schooloffice.

The CDC has posted TDAP/Td Vaccine information on their website. For further information, please go to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines. If you have any questions, please call Judy Hall at DMS (833-7655) or the Okaloosa County Health Department at 833-9240.

Okaloosa County Health Department221 Hospital Drive, Ft. Walton Beach, FL

Immunization Clinic HoursMonday and Wednesday morning 7:30 AM to 10:30 AMMonday and Wednesday afternoon 12:30 PM to 3:30 PMTuesday morning* 7:30 AM to 10:30 AMTuesday afternoon 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM

*Clinic will be closed the 3rd Tuesday morning of every month for staff training.