Upcoming Dates:

February 20th-24th: NO SCHOOL/Mid Winter Break

March 3rd: End of Second Trimester

March 20th: NO SCHOOL/ Staff Development Day

April 10th-14th: NO SCHOOL/Spring Break

May 29th: NO SCHOOL/Memorial Day

June 9th: Last Day of School

Tentative First Day of School 2023-24 ~ August 24th (not Board Approved yet)

Stay tuned for next year's full calendar (Board approval pending)

 

Principal's Message

 

Families,

 

We had a most unfortunate incident on campus today. One of our students discovered the N-word written on a tile in the boys bathroom. We have investigated the incident and have not yet been able to identify who wrote it.  We take this type of hate speech very seriously and have reported it to the Tiburon Police. These types of words have no place at Del Mar and anyone who uses them will face school disciplinary consequences. I am saddened that this occurred on our campus. If you have any information about this incident, please contact me immediately. 

 

It is ironic that today kicks off Black History Month.  At Del Mar and in the RUSD, we believe it is important to recognize and celebrate this month, and to ensure that our school is as inclusive as possible. In various classes, students will explore the contributions of the Black community to history, science, math, and the arts. I am proud of our staff, students, and community as we continue to celebrate a wide variety of voices and stories while also recognizing that we need to do more to end racism and prejudice against our African-American community.

 

Lastly, I also wanted to inform you that a student fell on the blacktop during the end of school today, injuring an arm. The student  is ok, but we did have to call 911 to help assess the injury. Fire and paramedics were on campus at the end of the day. I wanted to let you know about the situation in case you or your child had questions. 

 

Best Wishes,

 

Chad Stuart (he/him)

Principal

6th Grade Field Trip

 

Yesterday, our 6th graders went on a field trip to the de Young Museum in San Francisco to see the Ramses The Great and The Gold of The Pharaohs exhibit. This capped off their Egypt project and was a perfect opportunity for the students to experience new learning off campus. It was our first grade-level field trip since 2019!!! Our 7th and 8th grade teams are working out details and are hopeful to do a curricular based field trip this spring. 

 

Current 6th Grade Students-we need Proof of Tdap Booster Shot and 2 Varicella Shots

 

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SUBMITTED ALREADY. IF YOU HAVE NOT, PLEASE READ:

 

Parents must submit proof of the following immunizations for their student(s) prior to entering 7th grade:

  • ONE Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) booster (given on or after 7th birthday-typically given at age 10/11)
  • TWO Varicella/Chicken Pox vaccinations (please double check your record)

Please email the record to delmar@reedschools.org or bring in a hard copy. You may also upload the documents into Actionaly through the email that was sent last week. If your student has not had the required immunizations, please contact your child’s healthcare provider as soon as possible to schedule an immunization appointment for any missing vaccinations.  Thank you!

 
 

February Food Drive ~ Please Help!

 

Our Leadership students are partnering with the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank to host Del Mar's annual Food Drive, starting Monday, February 6th!  This is a perfect time to demonstrate acts of kindness by helping others in need. It will run from February 6th-17th, and is a school contest--the Advisory that collects the most food donations will win an ice cream party!

 

Please go to this link to watch an amazing video, produced by our Leadership students, explaining everything you need to know about the food drive!

 

A Note From Reed Union School District -

Home to School Connection

 

From RUSD:

 

For most of us, parenting is hard work. RUSD sees you doing all you can to provide a quality life for your children. We see you checking to make sure your children are prepared to come to school and to leave school with the same items. We see you coaching your children on navigating social situations and sibling relationships. We see you doing your best. We know many of you spend afternoons, evenings and weekends zigzagging around the community to balance homework, playdates, sports, music lessons, camps, birthday parties, doctor appointments and grocery shopping. Sometimes doing your best to raise children can be exhausting and families can benefit from expert advice to continue their tireless efforts.

 

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) states that effective parenting practices have lasting effects across settings that promote positive outcomes at home and school for student success. Parenting strategies done through planning can reduce stress in the home when reactionary actions become formulaic insead of emotionally responsive in the heat of the moment. Homes with predictability and communal understanding of expectations allow children to become more independent while also feeling as part of the family team in working together towards common goals and expectations, resulting in reduction of potential feelings of anxiety for children. The NASP highlights four effective parenting strategies that support families across settings and situations:

 

-Set clear expectations,

-Teach and model expected behaviors

-Maintain manageable family routines, and

-Repeatedly acknowledge positive behavior

 

A common classroom technique for establishing shared expectations and behaviors is to involve the students in the processes of defining what expectations are needed for a classroom to run safely and to accomplish the goals of the curriculum within the schedule of the school day. This same technique could also be applied in a home setting. Parent(s)/guardian(s) can facilitate a discussion of what needs to be accomplished daily and the children can provide input on how the family will agree to take action to meet those needs. This allows children to have ownership of their role as part of the family unit and builds family connection with the parent(s)/guardian(s) maintaining the caregiver position. The caregivers become “reminders” of the agreement instead of simply being the authority.

 

When expectations and behaviors are agreed upon by a group, it is important that all members are able to meet the expectations and behaviors. Adults should teach and demonstrate for the children what the expectations and behaviors look, sound and feel like when done correctly before children are to do them independently. This allows for ample opportunities for positive affirmations, corrective feedback and diminishes the potential for a negative reaction. Families will experience success when children know what to do, how to do it, when it is needed, and most importantly, with adults who serve as positive models. 

 

All of us enjoy when we do well at something. We know that success feels good, builds self-confidence and improves mental health. NASP states that children and adults alike will continue to strive towards set expectations and develop positive behaviors when authentic praise is provided frequently in those areas. NASP encourages that praise be specific by highlighting the effort put towards the desired action with an expression of value towards the shared expectation and/or desired behavior. Statements like, “Good job getting dressed.,” can be made more specific by saying, “Wow, you got dressed head to toe on your own. You took time and made choices that help us leave on time. This means you will have more time to play because we left on time. Thank you for helping our family get to school and work on time.

 

RUSD remains committed to strengthening our home to school connection. We are here for you, our dedicated caregivers, with additional information, resources and support. Please reach out to your school site if you would like to talk through effective parenting strategies for your family’s particular need or if you need information or resources with our RUSD and larger Marin County community. 

 

Thank you for your continued work raising the future generation. We appreciate your partnership in this important endeavor.

 

From MCOE:
Supporting Kids in Times of Uncertainty and Stress

 
 
Back by popular demand, the Marin County Office of Education is hosting “Top TIPS for Supporting Kids in Times of Uncertainty and Stress” with author and national speaker Julie Kurtz. Her expertise in training on trauma and resilience promotes the concept of optimal brain integration maximizing the growth of our best selves.
 
Please join us on one or both of the following sessions:
  • Birth to age 6 | March 2, March 9 & March 23, 2023, 6:00-7:00 PM  Registration Link | Session in English
  • Elementary School Age | March 14, 2023, 6-7:30 PM
  • Middle/High School Age | March 21, 2023, 6-7:30 PM
Registration Link | Sessions in English with simultaneous Spanish interpretation
 

Breakfast/Lunch Program

 

Here is the February Breakfast and Lunch Menu:

 
 
Corporate Sponsorships - We have advertising opportunities available at various levels for both the Boutiques Shopping Event and our May Gala.  For information, please contact Michelle Wilson, mwilson@ridgecapitalinv.com or Chuck Hornbrook, clhornbrook@gmail.com
 
Sign Up Parties - Throw a party with your friends!  You host and the proceeds go to our kids.  Contact: Julie Stewart, julie.ohara@gmail.com. or Rachel Berman, rachelberman13@gmail.com - they are happy to give ideas as well.
 
Wine/Spirits - we are looking for wine donations (a nice bottle or small collection) for our silent auction, as well as a sponsor/donor for wine and cocktails for the Gala sit down dinner.  If you could help, please contact Mickey Hubbell, mickeybruce7@gmail.com or Amy Dugdale, amy.dugdale@gmail.com
 
Silent and LIve Auction Donations - we need lots of items to fill our Online Silent Auction and Live Auction at the Gala.  Do you have a vacation home, sports tickets, boat, or other experience you could donate?  Gift certificates, art, or gift baskets?  Please contact Toni Lee, ttoutloff@gmail.com or Katie Leary, khutchinson21@hotmail.com

 

 
 
 
Del Mar PTA Kindness / Valentines Week Project
Del Mar is devoted to kindness projects and service learning as a way of helping students feel part of the larger community.  Over the past few years students have assembled care kits for Marin County homeless shelters, written cards for seniors and prepared craft kits for children at Ritter Center.  This year, to show kindness students will be making cards and décor items for residents at Marin County nursing/assistance care facilities.

 

Students will work on this project in their Advisory classes the week of February 6th. Students not in school that week can complete a card or wall décor at home and drop it off outside the Del Mar office by 2/8/2023. 

 

Completed cards and decor will be delivered to care homes in Marin in time for Valentine’s Day.
 
Spirit Wear Reminder - one week left to order
Be sure to place your orders before the Feb 5 deadline! Order here: https://delmarspirtwear.itemorder.com/
 
From the District PTA:
 
PTA Nominating Committee for 2023

 

Thank you PTA members for your votes, and to all the candidates for volunteering to serve. The following individuals have been elected to this year’s Nominating Committee:

Dana Berhoff
Rachel Berman
Jennifer Feldman
Rebecca Hermanski
Wendy Martin

Robin Wheeler will serve as alternate. The Nominating Committee will meet over the next several weeks to develop a slate of PTA officers for the 2023-2025 school year. Open positions include District President, District Secretary, Bel Aire Site Chair, Bel Aire Treasurer & Del Mar Treasurer. If you are interested in one of these leadership positions, please contact any of the Nominating Committee members.
 

Please follow the RUSD PTA Instagram page @rusdpta. If you have any great photos you’d like to share; please email them to the RUSD PTA Secretary @ mickeybruce7@gmail.com

 

 

 

Please also follow Del Mar's own Instagram page @delmar.middleschool.dragons

 
 

Student Bulletin

 

Here is a LINK to the Student Bulletin, so you can keep up with student news, sports updates, Advisory Challenges, Club News, etc! The Bulletin is generally read aloud on Monday afternoons, and emailed to parents and students.

 

Del Mar Athletics- See Our Website

Attention all golfers - Del Mar's golf team is looking for parents and volunteers to help coach the team this year. If you have any experience and would like to help, please contact Jason Silva at jsilva@reedschools.org. You can also visit the Del Mar Athletics website to find out more information. This is an entirely parent run, parent driven team, so if we do not find coaches, we will not be able to field a team this year. Please consider helping!

Thanks and Go Dragons!!

 

Bell Schedule

Our 2022-23 regular bell schedule can be found HERE.

 

Attendance Instructions

 
Please keep sick children home and please call the office on the day of your child's absence by 8:00 a.m. (415-435-1468, 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." Unexcused absences do not excuse a student from classroom assignments.
Arriving Late? Leaving Early? Follow these instructions:
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 in the middle of the day, 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 they must leave in the middle of a class, please send 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! 
 

We Are Here For You!

 

To locate teacher emails, click HERE, to call the front office dial 415-435-1468 ext. 0. For the office managers contact Laurie Kristy at lkristy@reedschools.org or Lisa Grinnell lgrinnell@reedschools.org, If you or your child need tech help, go to: https://help.reedschools.org/

 

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.

 

Chad Stuart, Principal

 

Del Mar Middle School