Letter from Jonathan Davis, Middle School Principal

August 2021

Dear Middle School Families,

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year in the Middle School. September is peeking around the corner, and I’m eager to greet all the children on Thursday, September 9th, our first day of school. In the meantime, I hope you and your family members are enjoying a happy and healthy summer.  I’m looking forward to reconnecting with students and families in just a few short weeks.

As we enter a year that will hopefully feel more normal, it is important to keep in mind the purpose of the middle school years.  I’ve often said, the ages between 11-16 are really the “age of opportunity.”  A middle school-aged student is capable of quickly learning new passions and has a neurological plasticity that adults cannot achieve.  This is not a linear process, and there are ups and downs for everyone in that age group.  Our focus will continue to be on the Student as Learner traits, with the belief that mistakes are just as valuable moments of learning as successes are for the students. 

As you plan for the first days of school, here are some updates that will help you:

Please note:

School will be closed for Rosh Hashanah on Tuesday, September 7, and Wednesday, September 8, as well as Yom Kippur on Thursday, September 16.

↘ Every student must have the state of NJ “Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation” form on file with the school. All required health/medical forms must be completed and uploaded online to the Magnus Health Portal by August 15th..  Please see the attached packet for more details.  

↘The Grade Level Supply Lists are available on this website: www.d-e.org/start ,  as are other important items for the beginning of the year.

↘ Beginning with our first day of school, we will be doing extensive orientation for the students.  The first two days will not feature traditional classes, as we all need to reconnect and adjust to having everyone on campus.                              

↘Our virtual bookstore, mbsdirect.net will be open and ready for middle school purchases beginning August 5th, 2021. Although our Middle School students will not receive schedules until the first day of school, please proceed to order books following these guidelines. 

Go to www.d-e.org/shop and click on the link to mbsdirect.net.

Order books starting August 15th for guaranteed delivery by the start of school. You will receive further information about ordering from MBS Direct from Joan Millien, D-E School Store Manager, shortly.  

*Note: Some books are also available from other online stores. Feel free to comparison shop but please buy the correct ISBN, if you decide to use an alternate source. 

While the first class begins at 8:10 am, I ask that parents recognize that arriving to school at 8:10 am is in effect, late. Children need time to prepare for the school day, to organize their materials, to touch base with a teacher, and to visit with their friends. Please plan on arriving by 8:00 am to ensure that these tasks contribute to a strong start every day.

Please bookmark our D-E Middle School landing page so you can easily access MS blogs, calendar items, and other information throughout the year: www.d-e.org/middle.

The calendar in September is already getting filled with noteworthy dates.  Here are some important ones to be aware of at this time:

↘Returning 6th, 7th,  and 8th grade students  also need to remember that they have a summer math assignment in ALEKS.  Students should have that completed by the start of classes in September.

 ↘Don’t forget the summer reading!  Students have assigned reading from the English classes.  Both lists are online at https://www.d-e.org/academics/middle-school.

Enjoy the remainder of your summer break and see everyone in September.  Go Bulldogs!

Jonathan Davis 

Middle School Principal