T.W. Kelly Dirigo Middle School

On this National Principals Day, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible leadership of our Principal, Mr. Long. His dedication to fostering a positive learning environment and ensuring the success of every student does not go unnoticed. From his tireless efforts to his unwavering support, he goes above and beyond each day! Thank you for making DMS a better place!

Attention Students and Parents/Guardians: RSU 56 Policy JICJ prohibits using personal electronic devices in most situations during the school day in grades 6-8. It is a difficult policy to enforce, but we try our best. Unfortunately, the increasing number of students with wireless headphones has made that even more difficult. Despite repeated announcements and warnings at school, students continue to "pair" their wireless headphones with cell phones (even with their peers' cell phones). This allows them to bypass the content firewall in place at the school via personal cell phone data plans. We have tried to manage this problem one student at a time, but it has become too prevalent and contentious. Effective immediately, wireless headphones may not be used at TWKDMS during the school day. Students may continue to use wired headphones connected to school laptops to access appropriate music at the appropriate times. Students without wired headphones will be provided a pair upon request by the Main Office. Thank you for understanding. Go Cougars. https://core-docs.s3.us-east 1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1021/RSU_56/3571885/POLICY__JICJ-_Student_Use_of_Cell_Phones_and_Other_Electronic_Devices__5_.pdf

Here is the lunch menu for May.

Spring sports season has arrived and the TWKDMS PTO is looking for volunteers to help with the snack shack for home baseball and softball games. This can be parents, staff, or supportive community members. The remaining dates are: Thurs. May 2 Thurs. May 16 Thurs. May 28 Games begin at 4 pm and we could use 1 or 2 more people in the snack shack each game. If you are interested in selling concessions for a couple of hours on one of these afternoons, please reply to Jana Richardson (lmnmom316@gmail.com) or Shay Sayer (shay.sayer@gmail.com) Thank you for your continued support! Go Cougars!

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to Mrs. Sanborn! Go Cougars!

Here is the link for tonight's school board meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TlKPho3tNM

Attention TWKDMS guardians - TWKDMS is supporting an independent study conducted by a neighboring administrator. If you are interested in participating, please read the explanation below: Dear Middle School Families, My name is Carrie Luce and I am a doctoral student at the University of New England. I am looking for 10 parents/guardians of middle school students to participate in an exciting study aimed at understanding family engagement at the middle school level. Your participation may help school staff better understand how middle school and home partnerships improve middle schoolers’ academic outcomes, attendance, and motivation during adolescence. More information can be found in the Participant Information Sheet and Recruitment Letter (links at the bottom of this post). If you would be willing to participate in my study, please email me at cluce@une.edu. Thank you for your consideration. Carrie Luce https://drive.google.com/file/d/17VSIO3lqLjEoP_2xf9JIBilFhhbuMX7q/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/12mQ5yidBotp7M4pEKVLbYhAgAyCjQBW3/view

Community posting:

Today we are sending all TWKDMS students home with a pair of eclipse viewing glasses that are ISO 12312-2 & CE certified, and the manufacturer is on the American Astronomical Society (AAS) approved list of manufacturers. Here is some information from NASA about safe viewing (https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/). You will notice in the picture below the glasses we sent home, along with another current "bright spot" - the Wrestling Championship trophies. Go Cougars!

Good Morning from RSU 56. Due to the inclement weather we will have a remote learning day today, April 4, 2024. Have a great day.

JUST IN CASE: If we have a remote learning day tomorrow, students will be counted as present if they email their homeroom teacher before 10:00 am for attendance and do the work posted in Google Classroom. Students can reach their teachers using Google Meets at the same time as they would normally have class (links in Google Classroom). IF a student is without power or without the ability to participate, just let us know and it will be excused (email your homeroom teacher or call us at 562-7552). Go Cougars (but seriously, enough snow already)

All students are bringing home their T-2 report cards today. Please look for them.

***RESCHEDULED*** Dirigo High School Class of 2025 Breakfast with the Easter Bunny March 30th, 2024 8:00am-10:00am Region 9 cafeteria $5 Entrance fee includes: * 2 Pancakes with butter & syrup * Sausage patty * beverage (juice, water, milk, coffee) * Easter basket craft & Easter candy Raffles! Raffles! Raffles! $1.00/ea. or 6/$5.00 or 14/$10.00 You do not have to be present to win! Flyer: https://5il.co/2h0dm The. Easter Bunny will be available for parents to take pictures! Proceeds to support Dirigo High School Class of 2025 Project Graduation.

Good Morning from RSU 56. Due to the weather there will be a 1-Hour delay in RSU 56 today, 3/21/24. Thank you!

April Lunch Menu

As a reminder, Friday March 15th is a teachers workshop day in RSU56. Also, The RSU 56 school board approved having an early release on April 8 so families could observe the Solar Eclipse if desired. Student dismissal will be at 11:30 on April 8th, and Staff dismissal will be after the last bus leaves the school. Go Cougars!

Good Morning from RSU 56. Due to power outages and issues from the storm in some areas, we will be having a remote learning day today, February 29, 2024. Thank you.

Attention TWKDMS: IF there is a delay tomorrow, we will STILL have the ice fishing trip and Winter Extravaganza! Region 9 has 2 aluminum ice shacks and several portable fabric shelters set up with different activities such as hot chocolate, smores, chili, and education centers. They have portable outhouses and a warming bus staffed with student leaders hosting cribbage and UNO games. There will be a taxi service provided by Region 9, Mexico Fire, and Paris Fire- each transport is assigned a rescue bogan for your safety. The weather looks favorable and the ice is holding at over ten inches. We look forward to seeing you all for a fun-filled day! Buses leave TWKDMS 30 minutes after the start of school. Go Cougars!

Pre-K Registration - If you have a child who will be 4 years old by October 15 and you would like to register them for the Pre-K program at Dirigo Elementary School, please contact the school today at 562-4207. We are trying to eliminate our waiting list and potentially plan for a third Pre-K classroom. So please call as soon as possible to register your child.

With conditions later this week looking favorable, TWKDMS will be working with the Region 9 Outdoor Leadership program to allow students to attend an Outdoor Extravaganza up in Roxbury! Many other Region 9 programs are coming out to support this adventure. They are planning to have snacks- chili, smores, hot chocolate, etc. In addition to ice fishing, there will be a snowshoe relay race. A winter "fun" day is a TWKDMS tradition, and this year Region 9 is kicking it up a notch. Students have a choice for their day's activities, and anyone going onto the ice will be coming home on Monday with a permission slip (and proper winter clothing will be required to attend). Go Cougars!