September 14, 2009
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
It was truly a joy meeting everyone at Greenback Night. We had a great turn out, although I know many could not make it. We received over $2000 in donations, for which we are very grateful. Everyone seemed to enjoy the new format. Thank you all for making it a wonderful an successful night.
September is National Library Card Month. If your child does not have a San Antonio Public Library Card they will be able to get one through Driscoll during the month of September. Forms are available through the reading teacher and the library. If students fill out the form and turn it in, they will receive their Public Library Card through their reading teacher, once the application is processed.
Each year Duke University conducts a nationwide 7th grade talent search. Students qualify for this search based on standardized test scores. In conjunction with the talent search, Duke University offers students the opportunity to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The aim of the program is to assist youth who have excellent mathematical, verbal or general intellectual ability by providing them with information about their abilities and educational options that may be avail able and beneficial to them. This year, 62 Driscoll 7th graders have been identified as candidates for the 30th annual Talent Identification Program. Our congratulations to all of the candidates and their families. Another addition to Driscoll Pride!
After a long hot and dry summer, we are finally getting some rain relief. Along with the blessing of rain sometimes come a few inconveniences. On Wednesday morning, 9/10/09 there was an interruption in power due to a lightning strike in the immediate area. Driscoll was on partial power while City Public Service worked on fixing the problem. By mid-day, full power was restored. We are predicted to have moderate to heavy rain the rest of this month. Please be careful of low water crossings. We want all of our families to be safe.
Our phone system has changed. The automated attendant is up and running. That means that when you call you will receive an automated response that will ask you to make selections to reach the department you are trying to contact. The homework hotline will now be reached by dialing the general number (210) 491 – 6450. The automated attendant will then direct you to the correct hotline. We are working on the voice mail system for teachers and staff members. We will advise you as soon as those numbers are working.
If you have not returned the information card (Buff Card) or ethnicity survey, please do so as soon as possible. The Buff card is critical in ensuring that we have correct contact information. The ethnicity survey is a federal requirement. If you do not fill it out, we will have to fill it out for you. Understand that we do not have an option to not return the survey. To all of you who have returned both; thank you. Your cooperation and support is greatly appreciated. If you have not returned either or both of them, I respectfully ask that you return them as soon as possible.
During the first two weeks of the school year, attendance ranged from 97% to 99% per grade level. This last week it dropped slightly to 94% to 96%. Our goal this year is to reach 98% attendance. I know, especially after meeting you, that we have the parents and students that can do it. As an incentive, every three weeks we will give a Jean Day to each grade level with at least 97% attendance for the three weeks. And every 9 weeks we will give a Free Dress day to each grade level with a 98% or better.
This first three weeks, all three grade levels met the 97% expectation, so this Friday, 9/18/09, all students will have a Jean Day. That means that students may wear jeans to school this Friday. All other dress code expectations are still in force.
Please remember that student attendance is critical to their success. If your child is going to be absent, please make sure that you call attendance. If we do not hear from you, we will be calling on a daily basis to check on absent students. Also, remember to send or bring in a note as soon as possible. Below are the criteria for excused, unexcused, and extenuated absences:
Excused Absence
1. A doctor or dentist’s signed note verifying appointment (was not in school entire day) (V)*
2. Autism therapy sessions (V)*
3. Student’s required court appearance (C)*
4. Observation of a religious holy days (J)*
5. Pursuing citizenship (C)*
6. College or university visit (2 per junior and senior year) (K)*
7. Deaths outside immediate family**
8. Natural disasters, weather or road conditions as declared by the District
9. Personal or family illness with parent/guardian note limited to eight (8) days per school year.
10. Emergencies recognized and approved by the principal
11. Attending an authorized school function
* Absence is recognized by the TEA with a special code which denotes the student is being
counted as present for ADA.
** Absences of this nature are included in the maximum of eight (8) days excused by parent/
guardian note.
Unexcused Absence
1. Truancy
2. Any absence for a reason not listed on the Excused Absence Reasons list
3. Examples:
a. Vacations
b. Pleasure trips
c. Missing the bus
d. Car problems
e. Overslept
f. Baby sitting
g. Birthday or other personal celebrations
h. Jobs
i. Rare special circumstances not approved by the principal in advance
j. Pop Warner (athletic programs not associated with the District)
k. Cheerleading/dance programs, club sports programs
l. Non-school affiliated fine arts productions
Extenuating Absence***
1. Serious or long-term personal or family illness documented by a doctor
2. Death in the immediate family
3. Military compact (Active military parent being deployed or returning from deployment)
4. Hospitalized
5. 4-H club
6. Sport related competitions for off-campus PE credit
7. Shadowing magnet programs (out of District i.e. Health Careers HS)
8. Olympic tryouts
9. Visit by the religious leaders (Pope) or a major religious event not a holy day
***Absences are considered excused by the District and do not count towards loss or credit
Progress Reports will be sent home with your children this Friday, 9/18/09. Please make sure that you ask for these reports so that you can review your child’s progress. They will be distributed at the end of the day to help ensure that they get home to you.
This week at Driscoll, the following events will be taking place:
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Football vs. Harris Middle School - 4:30 p.m.
7th grade at Driscoll
8th grade at Harris
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Volleyball vs. Harris Middle School 5:30 p.m.
7th grade at Harris
8th grade at Driscoll
Saturday, September 19, 2009
7th Grade Volleyball Tournament at Bradley Middle School
9 to 12:00 for both “A” and “B” teams
Have a great week!
Peter A. Martinez
Principal
Driscoll Middle School