Dragon Community Newsletter #31
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Dear House of Dragons Community,
Happy Easter to all of our families who celebrate! We hope you enjoy this special time with your loved ones.
April is here, and we are officially in the most critical part of the school year. I cannot stress enough the importance of daily attendance during the 4th quarter. Every day matters as we prepare for state testing and finalize grades.
By Tuesday, all students should have a minimum of two grades entered in each class. If this is not the case, please reach out directly to Mr. Franceschi for support and clarification.
This week is National Assistant Principal Week, and I want to take a moment to recognize two incredible leaders at DJMS. I am truly honored to have Mr. Franceschi and Mr. Booker serving alongside me each and every day. Their dedication, leadership, and tireless commitment to our students, staff, and school community do not go unnoticed. They work behind the scenes and on the front lines to ensure our campus runs smoothly and that our students are supported at all levels. Please join me in celebrating these outstanding gentlemen this week — they are truly hardworking administrators who make a difference at DJMS every single day.
In our classrooms, spiral reviews are now in full effect:
- In 8th Grade Civics, new content has concluded, and students are reviewing material taught since August
- In 8th Grade Science, students are reviewing content from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, as the EOC covers all three years of instruction
Athletics are also ramping up! Track season is in full motion, and Flag Football will be starting soon. Please check the athletics section below for more details and opportunities for involvement.
I also want to address an important safety concern. This past week, we encountered a vaping incident. Since November 2025, DJMS had not experienced a major incident of this nature until now. Please remember that illegal THC vapes may result in a recommendation for expulsion. We ask for your support in reinforcing this message at home and having conversations with your child about making safe and responsible choices.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we will ensure our students finish strong.
#LearningIsRequired 🔥🐉
With F.I.R.E. & Gratitude,
-Administration
- Marc A. Hernandez (Principal)
- Frankie Franceschi (Assistant Principal of Instruction)
- Rafael Booker (Assistant Principal of Discipline & Operations)
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Mathia Detentions
Parents, as you know, #Learning is required at DJMS! For the most recent wave, we have several students who did not achieve the 65% completion rate for Mathia. Therefore, these students will have a lunch detention on Monday, April 7 and Tuesday, April 8. Note, then enrollment date was verified for newer students. Parents will be informed directly if their student(s) have a Mathia detention.
Battle of the Books
Thursday, April 9- Next week on Thursday we have ~BATTLE OF THE BOOKS~ which is a competition with other middle schools where students will be quizzed on content from Sunshine State Books. Our team has been reading and reading so feel free to stop by and watch a little bit of the competition.
8th Grade Events!
Parents, 8th grade events are in motion! Save the dates and review the important events below! Note, there is a change to the Level Up Ceremony. Due to the fire code, we will need to host 2 separate Level Up Ceremonies. Students with last names A - L will have the first ceremony at 9:45 am. Students with last names M - Z will participate in the 2nd ceremony beginning at 11:00 am.
Our event will be in the DJMS cafeteria. Note, due to the fire code, DJMS may not allow more than 3 guests per student. We also recognize that some families are larger and have special circumstances. We will begin the waitlist today. Should you need more than 3 tickets, simply sign up below outlining your request. Note, receiving more than 3 tickets is not a guaranteed.
Link to Request Additional Tickets:
West Ed- Student Survey
Parents, DJMS partners with Carnegie Learning for our math curriculum. DJMS does NOT use the SDOC math curriculum.
This year, a research company is evaluating the effectiveness of this program at DJMS. We need your help. Students are to complete survey; however, this requires parent consent. Any student who participates in this task will receive free Takis! Yum! Help us maximize this effort!
Link:
Yearbooks! For Sale!
DJMS will sale yearbooks for $30 until Feb. 28. After Feb. 28, the prices go to $35. See the flyer below for the URL purchase link. Only online transactions will be accepted.
Link: tinyurl.com/djmsyearbook
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Lately, we have noticed an increase in students attempting to leave class in order to pass time away from instruction. At DJMS, our expectation is clear: no more than one student may exit a classroom at a time, and this rule will be strictly reinforced moving forward.
As we continue through this critical 4th quarter, instruction is fast-paced and highly important. Every moment counts, and students need to remain in class, engaged in learning, and focused on their academic success.
Additionally, please remember that cellphone usage is not permitted during instructional time. We ask for your support in reinforcing this expectation at home so that students understand the importance of staying focused during class.
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We want to take a moment to address an important concern regarding vaping. Recently, during student investigations, we have found that in many cases students report accessing vapes from home. While this is often done without parent permission, it highlights the need for increased awareness and conversations at home.
Please understand that bringing any vape device to school — especially illegal THC vapes — is a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct and may result in a recommendation for expulsion.
Beyond school consequences, vaping has serious health risks, especially for middle school students. These include:
- Harm to developing brains, impacting memory, attention, and learning
- Increased risk of addiction due to nicotine and other substances
- Lung damage and breathing difficulties
- Exposure to harmful chemicals that can affect long-term health
This is a critical time in your child’s development, and these choices can have lasting effects.
We are asking for your partnership. Please take time to:
- Have open and honest conversations with your child about vaping
- Monitor and secure any items at home that could be accessed
- Reinforce the importance of making safe and responsible choices
Together, we can help protect our students and maintain a safe learning environment. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
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Track & Field (Co-Ed Team)
- Coach: Robby Suarez
- Practice: 4:30 pm - 5:50 pm (Tuesdays/Thursdays)
Schedule:
Wednesday, April 1 - Celebration HS @ 6 PM
Tuesday, April 7 - Kissimmee MS @ 6 PM
Monday, April 13 - Kissimmee MS @ 6 PM
Wednesday, April 15 - Gateway HS @ 5:30 PM (Regionals)
Wednesday, April 22 - Tohopekaliga HS @ 5:30 PM
Flag Football (Co-Ed Team)
- Coach: Daniel Kim
- Practice: 4:30 pm - 5:50 pm (Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays)
Schedule: All games start at 6 PM
- 04/14/26 - Discovery @ Denn John**
- 04/15/26 - Denn John @ Westside
- 04/21/26 - Denn John @ Horizon
- 04/23/26 - Celebration @ Denn John**
- 04/27/26 - Bellalago @ Denn John**
- 04/29/26 - Denn John @ Kissimmee
- 04/30/26 - Knights Pt @ Denn John**
All athletes report to the cafeteria and check in with Ms. Bailey daily during dismissal.
Physical must be on file for any SDOC sport/athletics.
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Parents, B.E.S.T. Writes is nearly complete! We have an approximate 93% completion rate. We need about 30 more students to test. On Monday, April 6, make-up testing will continue.
Thank you for your support!
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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.:
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Focused – Staying on task and giving your best effort.
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Integrity – Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
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Respect – Treating yourself, others, and property with care.
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Engaged in Learning – Actively participating in lessons and school activities.
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.
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As we continue through this critical 4th quarter, your support at home plays a major role in your child’s success. Below are a few key ways you can help your student stay on track and finish the year strong:
📊 Monitor Mathia Progress Daily
Check your child’s Mathia completion rate regularly and encourage consistent progress toward their goals.
🏫 Prioritize Daily Attendance
Every day counts during 4th quarter. Instruction, spiral review, and testing preparation are happening daily — missing school means missing critical learning.
📚 Review Grades Weekly
Take time each week to review your child’s grades and ensure their averages are well above 60% in all core classes. Early action prevents end-of-year concerns.
✅ Promote Positive Behavior
Encourage your child to make positive choices, follow school expectations, and contribute to a respectful learning environment.
🎉 Stay Motivated for End-of-Year Celebrations
Remind your student that exciting end-of-year events and celebrations are in the works — and participation is tied to effort, behavior, and performance.
🔥 Reinforce the Mindset: #LearningIsRequired
Help your child stay focused, motivated, and committed to their goals each and every day.
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National Asst. Principal Week
April 6 - April 10
Mathia Detentions
Monday, April 6 and Tuesday April 7
Track & Field Meet
- Tuesday, April 7 @ Kissimmee MS - 6 PM
Battle of the Books
Thursday, April 9
PBIS Staff vs. Student - Volleyball Game
Friday, April 17
SAC
Tuesday, April 21 - 5 pm - Media Center
Orchestra & Band Spring Concert
Thursday, April 30 @ 6 PM - Gateway HS
Yearbooks For Sale!
$35.00
tinyurl.com/djmsyearbook
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Parent Volunteers @ School
Teacher assistants, hallway monitors, restroom monitors, lunches, & front desk assistance
As a friendly reminder, all volunteers must be Oasis Approved. Please see the information below to begin the registration process! It's quick and easy!
Parent Boosters- Build Programs @ School
Band, Orchestra, & Sports!
School Donations
Should you wish to donate (any item) to DJMS, contact Mr. Hernandez to seek more information about the process.
Parents & Community- if any of these items are of interest, simply contact Mr. Hernandez directly at Marc.Hernandez@osceolaschools.net or 689.261.3280 (District Cellphone)
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