WELCOME BACK NEWS-FLASH: 8.9.22

August 17

6th Grade / New Student Orientation

August 18

First Day of School (2:05 early release)

August 19

Second Day of School (3:10 release)

August 26

Principal's Welcome Back Zoom @ 9AM

September 1

Back-to-School Night

September 5

No School - Labor Day

Dear Del Mar Middle School Families:

On behalf of Assistant Principal Michael Song and the staff at Del Mar Middle School, I am happy to welcome you to the 2022-2023 school year!

I am honored to be writing to you as your new principal. I have already experienced first-hand how terrific the staff and community is at the school. Del Mar is filled with rich traditions that have served as a foundation for amazing educational programs. I am eager to meet the students on the first day! Forming positive relationships is important to me and I am looking forward to doing that with each individual student.

I have been in education for over twenty years, teaching middle school for almost a decade and spending the past 14 years as an administrator in the Tamalpais Union High School District. I grew up in Marin County and currently live in San Anselmo with my wonderful family - my wife is a teacher at Wade Thomas Elementary School and my son (8th grade) and daughter (6th grade) attend White Hill Middle School.

I am committed to creating and maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all students on our campus. We will continue our work in recognizing and respecting diversity to create a more equitable school environment. I believe that all students can be successful when they feel safe, included and connected to their school.

The Del Mar staff is looking forward to a productive school year and partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. As partners, we want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities to help your child grow academically, emotionally and socially. In return, we ask that you guide and support your children’s learning by ensuring that they:

• Attend school daily and arrive on time, ready for the day’s learning experience.
• Share school experiences with you so that you are aware of their school life.
• Inform you when they need additional support in any area or subject.

Please know that we value parents and guardians at our school. We want to include and involve you as much as possible. We understand the very important role you play in your child’s life. I believe that if parents and the school are on the same page, it can be extremely valuable for the success of the student. With that, I will be focusing this year on how to connect you, the parents, to our school community so you have a better feeling of connection with your child’s educational experience.

Below is a compilation of important information and procedures regarding Del Mar that will help you have a smooth transition from summer to the new school year, including information about Orientation for our 6th graders and new students. Please note that the first day of school is an early release day at 2:05 PM. We will send out the bell schedule for the first week of school next week.

I am extremely excited to get started. I feel privileged to call myself principal of this school. I recognize the trust you put in us, as educators, to both teach your children, but also to keep them physically and emotionally safe. With that, I am committed to making this the best possible school for your children.

Sincerely,

Chad Stuart

Del Mar Principal

Welcome New Staff

This school year, we are fortunate to welcome the following highly qualified faculty and staff to Del Mar:

Daniel Edwards - Music Teacher

Dr. Daniel Edwards is a performer, educator, arranger, and composer. Originally from Utah, he received degrees in percussion performance from Brigham Young University-Hawaii, the University of Missouri, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has performed and taught across the United States, as well as abroad in places such as Taiwan, New Zealand, and Kosovo. His research and specialty has been focused on the steel pan, on which he has given several recitals and master classes, and for which he has been an invited guest artist for steel band concerts. Prior to joining the Reed Union School District, he taught music classes in music at the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and taught English as a second language in Taichung, Taiwan. He currently resides in San Francisco with his 5-year-old daughter.

William Borges - Learning Center Aide

Already a familiar face to Del Mar, William Borges will be transitioning from his role as a temporary instructional aide, supporting our EL students, to Learning Center Aide. Born in Brazil, where he received his Bachelor's degree in History from the Federal University of Brasilia, and in 2012 became a credentialed History teacher. He enjoys sports, movies, and has a special interest in languages. He speaks Portuguese, Spanish, English, and started learning French this summer. William has lived in the United States since 2017 and believes a great education is the foundation to a meaningful and successful life!

Changing Positions - We are also incredibly grateful for returning Reed Union School District staff who will be taking on new roles and responsibilities this year:

• Teacher Librarian: Ryan Sonneville
• Learning Center Aide: LaDale McDaniel (from Bel Aire Elementary)

ALL 6th Graders PLUS new-to-the-school 7th and 8th grades students are expected to attend Orientation on Wednesday, August 17th from 9:00AM-12:30PM. Orientation will be a spirited, inclusive event where all students will be welcomed, participate in activities and tours led by our 8th grade WEB leaders (WEB stands for "Where Everybody Belongs") and have a snack at the end. 

STUDENTS ARE TO HEAD DOWN THE RAMP TO THE GYM AT 9 AM

Parents are invited to stay for a quick "meet and greet" from 9-9:20AM. The parent "meet and greet" will be in the quad area (PARENTS GO RIGHT AT THE FLAGPOLE TO THE QUAD).

Please remember: there is no parking in the staff lot. Please be sure to pick up your child after the event, at 12:30. Students will receive quad locks and water bottles at Orientation.

We can use some volunteers to help out at Orientation, starting at around 11AM on 8/17!

If you’d like to help, please go to link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d44a9a82ba4f94-delmar

Here is a link to the BELL SCHEDULE. Every morning the “warning” bell is at 8:15 and school starts promptly at 8:20. Dismissal is at 3:10 every day except Wednesdays when students are dismissed at 2:05.

Please note: the first day of school is an EARLY DISMISSAL DAY (2:05 dismissal).

All returning students will be able to access their schedules on ALMA after 4:00 pm on Monday, August 15th. Please print out your child’s schedule at home if possible. Schedules for 6th graders and new students will be handed out at Orientation. We will also have printed schedules available in the office, beginning at 7:45 am on Thursday, August 18th.

Regarding class schedules, we are busy making final preparations for the start of the year. Our main priority is to minimize and balance class size in all academic classes. Should your child be placed in the wrong math or Spanish level, please contact the office at lkristy@reedschools.org or 415- 435-1468 ext 0. All students will be placed into one of their elective choices, but not necessarily their top choices.

6th (and new 7th/8th graders): Locks and PE Uniforms

All 6th graders and new 7th/8th graders will be provided with 2 new locks (black for their PE locker and blue for their quad locker), plus PE uniforms. 6th graders and new 7th/8th graders will receive their blue quad lock at Orientation and other supplies will be handed out once school starts. There is plenty of time to practice combinations, and the office staff is always happy to help any student who has trouble with lockers! Del Mar water bottles will also be handed out at Orientation to our 6th graders and new 7th/8th grade students.

To help defray costs to the school for the locks and school supplies we ask for a donation of up to $30.00 (any donation will help). Cash or checks written to "RUSD" can be brought to orientation or to the office. A “Schoolpay” link will be set up in the coming weeks to accept donations for school-bought supplies.

Returning 7th/8th Graders: Locks and PE Uniforms

Returning 7th and 8th graders should locate their PE lock, Quad lock and PE uniform. If any 8th grader needs a replacement quad lock (BLUE), or replacement PE lock (BLACK) the student can purchase them in the office for $8.00. Cash or checks to "RUSD" will be accepted in the office, and a “Schoolpay” link will be set up in the coming week to accept donations. New PE uniforms will be offered to returning students in PE class. Details to follow.

Other supplies/backpacks/cell phones

All students will receive an iPad, keyboard, case and charger that belong to the school, and will receive books and school supplies as needed. These will be handed out during the first week or two at school. Many students prefer to have a different binder, pencil case, pens or other supplies, and you are welcome to purchase them on your own if you prefer; otherwise, the school will supply all necessary items. Students should carry their belongings in a backpack which will be left in their quad locker. If your student has a phone or smart watch, it will need to be powered off and left in their locker during school hours. Smart watches and cell phones are not allowed in any classroom.

We’d love some help with PE uniform distribution (8/15 and 8/16) and Photo Day (9/30). If you are willing to lend a hand, please go to THIS LINK to sign up.

Lunch-Universal Meals Update

Reed Union School District will have a new lunch program starting this year. All students will be able to receive both breakfast and lunch free of charge. Monthly menus will be posted on our school website. Unlike in the past, there will not be a need for parents to make a meal selection. Students may choose to take advantage of the provided meal that day or not. 

While our lunch program is free to all, students are always welcome to bring their own lunch to school. 

We will keep you posted about our new meal programs, with further details, at a later date. 

Volunteers are  needed to make the distribution of breakfasts and lunches run smoothly! Please go to THIS LINK if you are willing to help us distribute breakfasts or lunches.

We do not provide food during our school breaks. Please remember to have your student pack a snack.

iPad Distribution

Students will receive iPads in Advisory on Monday, August 22nd. All students will receive instructions and reminders in each of their classes about proper device usage, and care. This information will be shared with parents.

Please call the office on the day of your child's absence by 8:00 a.m. (435-1468, ext. 4) or email delmar@reedschools.org. This will eliminate the need for a call from the office. We expect students to attend school, unless there is an excused absence-for illness, injury, a medical/dental appointment or a religious holiday. All other absences are marked "unexcused." Absence does not excuse a student from the classroom assignment. All assignments are available on the teacher websites. It is the student's responsibility to check the websites and make up for missed work once they are healthy.

Students arriving late to school must sign in with the office and get a tardy slip before going to class. If you need to pick your child up for a medical appointment, please try to do so between classes, and be sure to remind your child to come to the office to meet you there, without needing a call from the office. If your child must leave in the middle of a class, please send your them with a note to give to that teacher so they can excuse themselves. We do not ever want to call into a classroom unless there is an emergency, so please plan accordingly! Any student leaving before the end of the day must be signed out by their parent or an authorized adult.

Biking

Many students walk or ride bikes to school. We have plenty of bike racks, and students should be sure to lock their bike at all times while at school. Please be sure your child knows proper bike safety protocol, follows all traffic rules and wears a helmet at all times. Once on school grounds, bikes must be walked. 

Bus

Information about our school bus program can be found at the following site: www.buschallenge.org. 

Driving

Please NEVER pull into Del Mar's parking lot to drop off children. The parking lot spots are needed for staff throughout the day. There is often heavy traffic on Tiburon Boulevard during the day, so please allow plenty of time if you are driving. Students may only cross streets in proper crosswalks (on Tiburon Blvd, Avenida Miraflores and in back, on Hilary Drive). Make sure you arrange with your child where to meet you at the end of the day as Del Mar has several entry/exit points.

If you need to drop something off in the middle of the day, there is ONE 5-minute parking spot in the parking lot for a quick drop off.

We have created a school Instagram page! This will be an opportunity for our parents, students (for those who are on Instagram) and community to see all the great things we have going on at the school. 

The new Del Mar Instagram account is: 

        delmar.middleschool.dragons

Please go to THIS LINK to shop for all kinds of fun Del Mar logo-wear!

To see our 2022-2023 Del Mar bell schedule, click HERE

To re-read RUSD District News, click HERE

If you need TECH help, please email: help@reedschools.org. Please state your child's full name and grade, plus the problem with the iPad. Also feel free to call the office at 415-435-1468 ext 0 so we can try to assist as well. We understand your frustration with tech issues!

The front office is here to help!

If you'd like to contact us please dial 415-435-1468 Ext. 0 or email delmar@reedschools.org

The front office managers are:

Laurie Kristy lkristy@reedschools.org

Lisa Grinnell lgrinnell@reedschools.org

We look forward to welcoming your child to Del Mar this year!

RUSD Mission & Vision: Each student will be challenged and inspired to reach their fullest intellectual, social-emotional and creative potential to positively impact the world.