The Dragon Chronicle # 10
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House of Dragons,
Can you believe the first quarter is already behind us? That means 25% of the school year is complete! Time is flying! Next week, I will calculate our first-quarter celebrations and share our outcomes and results with the community. We look forward to celebrating our Dragons' progress and accomplishments!
As a friendly reminder, there is no school for students tomorrow, Monday, October 12. Please take this opportunity to recharge, reset, and prepare for a strong start to the second quarter.
By now, all students in Math 6–8 should have completed a minimum of 10% of their Mathia assignments, with the exception of students who enrolled at DJMS before Monday, September 28, 2026. Students enrolled in Advanced/Accelerated Math are expected to have completed 25% of their Mathia assignments. Mathia helps students strengthen essential skills, practice at their individual level, and prepare for continued academic growth. Students who did not meet this expectation will serve in Mathia Accountability Sessions during lunch next week.
Grade Recovery Begins Wednesday, October 14
Beginning Wednesday, October 14, students who earned a 59% or lower in an ELA, math, science, or social studies course will have a schedule adjustment to participate in Grade Recovery.
Depending on the number of failing grades, one or two elective courses will be replaced with a Grade Recovery period. During this time, students must successfully complete the assigned grade recovery program within 10 school days.
Please understand that Grade Recovery is an opportunity for students to take responsibility for their academic progress and recover failing grades. Failure to complete the assigned program within the 10-school-day window will result in disciplinary action.
Parents, please speak with your child about the importance of taking this opportunity seriously, completing all assigned work, and staying focused on academic improvement.
Coming Up: PBIS Pajama Day!
On Friday, October 16, DJMS will host a Pajama Day Dress-Down Fundraiser! For just $3, students can participate in this fun PBIS initiative dedicated to giving back to our students. We look forward to seeing our Dragons participate!
Lastly, Quarter 2 begins Tuesday, October 13! Please take time to review your child's current academic progress, reflect on areas of strength and growth, and identify any outstanding assignments or skills that need additional attention. A new quarter provides a fresh opportunity to reset, establish goals, and build positive academic habits.
At DJMS, we believe that strong schools and strong families create stronger students. Together, we must continue working hand in hand to ensure every Dragon receives the support, encouragement, and opportunities needed to succeed.
New quarter. Fresh start. One Dragon Family! 💙🔥
With F.I.R.E. & Gratitude,
Marc A. Hernandez- Principal
Frankie Franceschi- API
Matt Pelc- APO
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No School for Students
Monday, October 12
Quarter 2 Begins
Tuesday, October 13
SRO Student Presentation on Safety
Tuesday, October 13
Make Up Soccer Game #1 (Home Game)
Tuesday, October 13- 6 pm
Make Up Soccer Game #2 (Away Game)
Wednesday, October 14 @ Kissimmee MS - 6 pm
PBIS Dress Down Fundraiser- Pajama Day
Friday, October 16- Cost: $3
Mathia Completion Update
Math 6 - 8: 20% completion by end of Qtr 2
Adv/Accelerated Math: 50% completion by end of Qtr 2
DJMS A/B Honor Roll Ceremony- Quarter 1 (Invite Only)
Tuesday, October 20 - 9:45 am
Halloween Dragon Dress Down
Friday, October 30
Cost: $5
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As we begin Quarter 2, this is the perfect time to reflect, adjust, and evaluate our students' academic progress before it is too late to make meaningful changes. A new quarter provides an opportunity to reset, establish goals, and develop stronger habits that lead to success!
At Denn John Middle School, our school counselors are available to help students develop individualized academic plans and tutoring structures to support their ongoing growth. Students who are struggling academically, have missing assignments, need help organizing their workload, or want to improve their grades are encouraged to connect with their school counselor.
Our counselors can help students:
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Evaluate Current Progress: Review grades, identify areas of concern, and recognize opportunities for improvement.
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Develop Academic Goals: Establish realistic, measurable goals for Quarter 2 and create a plan to achieve them.
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Create Tutoring Plans: Identify opportunities for additional academic support, including available tutoring resources and teacher assistance.
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Strengthen Organization and Time Management: Develop strategies for tracking assignments, meeting deadlines, preparing for assessments, and managing responsibilities.
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Monitor Progress and Adjust: Check in on academic goals, evaluate progress, and make adjustments when additional support is needed.
Parents, please encourage your child to take ownership of their academic journey. Students should regularly check their grades, communicate with teachers, complete assignments, and seek help when they do not understand the material. Waiting until the end of the quarter can make it much more difficult to recover academically.
We encourage families to partner with our school counselors and teachers to establish a proactive plan for success. Whether your child needs targeted intervention or simply wants to strengthen their academic performance, Quarter 2 is the time to take action!
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Campus Safety and Disciplinary Consequences
Any physical altercation occurring on campus will result in an official DJMS Student Services investigation. Disciplinary consequences will be determined based on the findings of the investigation and aligned with the SDOC Student Code of Conduct. Additionally, all on-campus fights will be reported to law enforcement, regardless of the perceived severity of the incident. In serious cases involving significant bodily injury, law enforcement may pursue criminal charges or make an arrest, depending on the circumstances.
The Role of Teachers and Staff During a Physical Altercation
Student and staff safety remains our highest priority. If a physical altercation occurs, teachers and staff are not authorized to physically intervene unless specifically trained and authorized under applicable district procedures. Their responsibility is to immediately contact administration, school leadership, or law enforcement for assistance, as appropriate. Staff may use verbal directions to encourage students to stop fighting and de-escalate the situation while maintaining their own safety and protecting nearby students to the extent possible.
We appreciate our families understanding this situation as this is often misunderstood.
Off-Campus Incidents Affecting School Operations and Student Safety
Although a physical altercation may occur off campus, subsequent misconduct that carries over into the school environment may fall under the school's disciplinary jurisdiction when it impacts school safety, disrupts the educational environment, or violates the SDOC Student Code of Conduct. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to, threats, harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or continued confrontations related to the original incident.
When applicable, DJMS administration reserves the right to conduct a formal investigation, document the incident, determine each student's involvement, and assign appropriate disciplinary consequences in accordance with the SDOC Student Code of Conduct and applicable district policies and procedures.
Parents and students are expected to understand that off-campus conflicts do not excuse or justify misconduct on campus. Students who continue, escalate, or retaliate over off-campus disputes while on school grounds may be subject to disciplinary action based on the findings of the investigation.
Parents, we need your partnership. Please remind your children that a moment of anger can lead to serious academic, disciplinary, and legal consequences. Encourage them to walk away, seek help, and make choices that protect their future.
At Denn John Middle School, we are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment where every student can learn, grow, and succeed. By working together, we can reinforce accountability, responsible decision-making, and respect for others.
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Welcome to DJMS Athletics! Dragons ready to compete!
Daniel Kim - Athletic Director
Soccer:
- Tuesday, October 13 DJMS vs Bellalago @ DJMS- 6 pm (Make Up Game)
- Wednesday, October 14 DJMS vs Kissimmee MS @ KMMS- 6 pm (Make Up Game)
Coach: Daniel Kim
Practice Time:
4:30 pm - 5:50 pm (Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday)
**Athletes are to report to the cafeteria and check in with Ms. Bailey or Ms. Hennighan after school.
Student physical must be on file via Aktivate. In addition, students must meet grade criteria. No pass, no play. Lastly, all students must complete concussion test and pay an administrative fee of $25.00.
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Math School City Assessments:
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)
Science School City Assessments
7th: Evolution (09/30-10/15)
7th: Quarterly (10/05-10/09)
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)
Social Studies School City Assessments
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)
Literacy School City Assessments
6th ELA: Smart Animals (10/13-10/26)
7th ELA: Disappearing Words (10/05-10/19)
8th ELA: Anne Frank (10/15-10/28)
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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
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We need your partnership in ensuring our Dragons continue to grow academically! As we move through Quarter 2, it is essential that families actively monitor student progress, reinforce positive academic habits, and communicate with the school when additional support is needed.
📚 Monitor Academic Progress
Please take time to review your child's grades, missing assignments, and overall academic performance regularly. Identifying concerns early allows us to work together to develop a plan for improvement before the end of the quarter.
💻 Mathia Completion Expectations
By now, all students in Math 6–8 should have completed at least 10% of their quarterly Mathia assignments. Students enrolled in Advanced/Accelerated Math are expected to have completed 25%. Please check in with your child to ensure these expectations are being met. Consistent Mathia practice helps students strengthen foundational skills and prepare for future assessments.
📖 Read for 30 Minutes Every Day
All students should spend at least 30 minutes reading at home daily. The reading material can be any age-appropriate content your family deems suitable, including books, magazines, articles, or other reading materials. The specific material is less important than building a consistent reading habit. The goal is simple: Just read! Daily reading strengthens comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and overall academic performance.
🤝 Academic Support Is Available
Our school counselors are available to discuss student academic progress, help establish academic goals, and develop plans for additional support. Additionally, Mr. Frankie Franceschi, Assistant Principal over Instruction, is available to meet with families to discuss academic performance and strategies for improving student achievement.
Dragon Families, student success requires a partnership between home and school. By monitoring grades, reinforcing daily reading, and ensuring students meet their Mathia expectations, we can address challenges early and help every Dragon reach their potential.
Together, let's make Quarter 2 a quarter of growth, accountability, and achievement! 🔥💙
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No School for Students
Monday, October 12
Quarter 2 Begins
Tuesday, October 13
SRO Student Presentation on Safety
Tuesday, October 13
Make Up Soccer Game #1 (Home Game)
Tuesday, October 13- 6 pm
Make Up Soccer Game #2 (Away Game)
Wednesday, October 14 @ Kissimmee MS - 6 pm
PBIS Dress Down Fundraiser- Pajama Day
Friday, October 16- Cost: $3
Mathia Completion Update
Math 6 - 8: 20% completion by end of Qtr 2
Adv/Accelerated Math: 50% completion by end of Qtr 2
DJMS A/B Honor Roll Ceremony- Quarter 1 (Invite Only)
Tuesday, October 20 - 9:45 am
SAC- October
Tuesday, October 20
Halloween Dress Down
Friday, October 30
Cost: $5
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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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