As we enter the final week of the first quarter, our Student Services Team is here to help students finish strong. Counselors can meet with students to help them prepare for and even role-play conversations with teachers about missing work, grades, or questions they may have. Our deans can help students better understand teacher policies regarding late and missing assignments and help them determine the appropriate next steps. Student Services can also help students develop a plan, organize their responsibilities, and connect with the adults they need to speak with.

However, the most important piece is student ownership and accountability. Our staff can provide guidance, support, and encouragement, but ultimately, students must take responsibility for their learning, communicate respectfully with their teachers, complete their work, and advocate for themselves. We will help our Dragons—but they must take the lead in finishing the race. 🐉🔥

6th Math: M1T3 (10/01-10/16)

6th Math: M1T2 (10/26-11/09)

6th Accel: M1T3 (09/30-10/15)

6th Accel: M2T1 (10/09-10/26)

7th Math: M2T2 (10/19-11/02)

7th Accel: M2T2 (10/15-10/29)

7th Accel: M2T3 (10/26-11/09)

8th Math: M1T3 (09/28-10/13)

8th Math: M2T1 (10/14-10/28)

Alg 1: Quarterly 1 (10/05-10/16)

Alg 1: (10/21-11/03)

6th: Atmosphere & Life (09/29-10/14)

7th: Evolution (09/30-10/15)

7th: Quarterly (10/05-10/09)

7th Adv: Matter/Energy (09/22-10/07)

7th Adv: Photosynthesis (10/07-10/22)

7th Adv: Quarterly (10/05-10/23)

8th: Sun/Stars (10/07-10/22)

8th: Quarterly (10/05-10/23)

Bio: Quarterly (10/05-10/23)

6th: Civilization (10/21-11/03)

7th: Colonial America (10/02-10/16)

7th: Independence (10/14-10/27)

8th: Constitution (10/01-10/15)

8th: Amendments (10/20 - 11/03)

HS World: World Before 1750 (09/24-10/08)

HS World: West Africa/Mesoamerica (10/13-10/26)

6th ELA: Smart Animals (10/13-10/26)

7th ELA: Disappearing Words (10/05-10/19)

8th ELA: Anne Frank (10/15-10/28)

At Denn John Middle School, we believe that a positive school culture is built through a strong partnership between our school and our families. When students receive consistent expectations and encouragement both at school and at home, they are more likely to develop the habits and character needed to be successful. That's why PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is an essential part of the House of Dragons.

Middle school is a time when students are developing independence, building friendships, and learning how to make responsible decisions. During these important years, students thrive when the adults in their lives work together to provide clear expectations, consistent guidance, and positive encouragement. PBIS helps us teach, reinforce, and celebrate the behaviors that lead to success in the classroom, at home, and throughout our community.

Our PBIS framework is centered around our F.I.R.E. Expectations:

🔥 Focused

🔥 Integrity

🔥 Respect

🔥 Engaged in Learning

These are more than school expectations—they are the values we strive to instill in every Dragon. Whether students are in the classroom, walking through the hallways, riding the bus, participating in athletics, or at home with their families, we encourage them to demonstrate these behaviors every day.

💰 Dragon Dollars: Celebrating Positive Choices

One of the ways we recognize and encourage positive behavior at DJMS is through our Dragon Dollar program.

Dragon Dollars are awarded to students who demonstrate our F.I.R.E. expectations by making positive choices. This may include showing kindness to others, actively participating in class, arriving prepared, displaying integrity, persevering through challenges, or consistently demonstrating respect for others.

We encourage families to ask their child about the Dragon Dollars they earn and celebrate those accomplishments together. A simple conversation about why they received a Dragon Dollar reinforces the positive behaviors we want to continue seeing.

Together, we can help every Dragon develop the character, responsibility, and confidence needed to succeed. Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to build a positive school culture where Dragons Breathe F.I.R.E.

Focused • Integrity • Respect • Engaged in Learning

#LearningIsRequired

Dragon Families, we want to take a moment to address an important life skill that our students are continuing to develop: understanding and accepting the word “no.”

As adults, we know that we will not always get the answer we want. There will be many moments in life when the answer is simply “no,” and sometimes, “no” is the final answer. This does not mean that someone is being disrespectful, unfair, or unwilling to listen. Sometimes, “no” is simply the outcome of a decision. When appropriate, our staff will explain the reasoning behind a decision and help students understand why it was made.

Recently, we have seen an increase in students struggling to accept “no,” which has resulted in arguments, emotional outbursts, and tantrum-like behaviors that can disrupt classrooms, hallways, and overall school operations. While we absolutely recognize that students may feel disappointed, frustrated, or upset, those feelings do not give us permission to respond inappropriately.

Families, please help us teach our Dragons that it is okay to be disappointed. It is okay to disagree respectfully. It is okay to ask questions. But it is also important to accept an answer, regulate emotions, and move forward appropriately.

A simple response such as “Okay, I understand,” “Can you help me understand why?” or “I’m disappointed, but I respect the decision” can go a long way.

This is bigger than school. Learning to accept boundaries, handle disappointment, and respond appropriately when things do not go our way are essential life skills. Our goal is to help students become respectful, resilient, and responsible young adults who can handle both “yes” and “no” with maturity.

Home teaches it. School reinforces it. Together, we build the character our Dragons need to succeed. ❤️🐉🔥