Dear House of Dragons Community,

Welcome to Week 18 of the Fall Semester—we almost made it! As we close out this final instructional week before Winter Break, we appreciate your continued support and partnership.

Please remember that 8th Grade PM 2 Math testing will take place on Tuesday, December 16. We encourage students to arrive well-rested and ready to do their best.

Although Quarter 2 officially ends on Thursday, January 8, 2026, it is important for students to begin organizing their grades and assignments this week. Staying on top of academic progress now will help prevent concerns later.

As a reminder, summer school is not an option this school year. Therefore, schedule changes will be made as needed to ensure students remain on track for promotion and academic success. Early attention to grades and assignments is critical.

On behalf of the entire Dragon family, we wish everyone a fun, restful, and safe Winter Break. Please encourage students to take this time to recharge, rest, and read at least 30 minutes each day—because when we return, important and rigorous work will be waiting for us.

Please note: The DJMS newsletter will return on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

Happy Holidays, and thank you for your continued support!

With F.I.R.E. & Gratitude, 

-Administration

We want to share an important message regarding student safety, behavior, and academic expectations. Verbal altercations and bullying behaviors are not tolerated at DJMS. This week alone, we addressed more than five incidents related to bullying, which is a serious concern.

Florida State Statute provides a clear definition of bullying, and DJMS will continue to follow the required investigation process thoroughly and consistently for every reported concern. All reports are taken seriously, and appropriate action is taken to ensure student safety.

The safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority. We are committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, supported, and comfortable at school. Students may report concerns to any adult on campus, and we appreciate families reinforcing respectful behavior at home.

As we look ahead to the spring semester, we will also be reviewing student work habits, motivation, and overall effort. Learning Is Required conferences will be scheduled for students who do not demonstrate breathing F.I.R.E. in their academics and behavior. Recently, our school performance has been impacted by a lack of student will and participation, and we are taking steps to address this in partnership with families.

At Denn John Middle School, we believe that positive behaviors should be recognized and celebrated. That’s why we use the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) framework to help students grow not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.

Our PBIS values are represented by F.I.R.E.:

Students are rewarded with Dragon Dollars when they show these values in action. Each month, students can use their Dragon Dollars to participate in exciting school events and activities. This not only motivates students but also reinforces the importance of good behavior and strong character.

Thank you, parents, for supporting us in encouraging students to live out our values each day! Together, we are building a school culture where #LearningIsRequired and Dragons thrive.