September 21, 2009

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

I hope that these newsletters have been helpful to you.   One of our goals at Driscoll is to ensure that we are communicating with you, our parents.  We want you to be informed, and we want you to be involved.  In addition to the e-mails, these newsletters are available through our website, under “Martinez’s Minutes”.

The annual Madison/Macarthur game (M&M) is this Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 7:00 pm.  Driscoll is a feeder for both schools.  Our Driscoll band members will be participating on both sides of the field. 
On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, MacArthur students will be selling T-Shirts during all three lunches.  We will be setting a separate date for Madison T-shirt sales.  I will send out a separate e-mail when that is in place.  Come out next Saturday and support our kids.

TELEVISION SALE!  On Saturday, October 3, 2009, we will have a sale of our surplus televisions from 10 am to 12pm.  Last summer our televisions were replaced with projectors in every classroom.  We will be selling our televisions for $30 each.  They are 27” Magnavox, Zenith, JVC, and RCA televisions.  Proceeds will go to benefit Driscoll Middle School.  The public is welcome.  More details to follow.

On Monday, September 21, 2009, a second request for the ethnicity survey will be sent home to those who have not returned the information to date.  The Ethnicity/Race Questionnaire form has been required by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and Texas Education Agency (TEA).  Texas school districts are mandated to report all data required by PEIMS. Failure to do so can result in sanctions from the TEA. Therefore, school districts have no choice but to collect and report this data.  Even though we are required to collect this information, it is of course the parent/guardian’s right to send the form back to school incomplete.  However, beginning October 1, 2009, school personnel are required to implement the “observer identification” procedure established by the USDE. Although school personnel are required to make the identification, we would much rather prefer you, the parent, provide the information on your child’s ethnicity.  If you would like to share your concerns on this matter beyond the school district, you can contact the TEA and USDE. Your representatives and senators both in Austin and Washington D. C. may also be interested in hearing your concerns.
 
Stop The Spread of Flu - Remember the 3 C’s:        ( www.texasflu.org )

• Clean:  Wash your hands often.  Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, use an alcohol based hand cleaner, or the Kleenhanz wipes(at school).
• Cover:  Cover your cough.  Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, then throw the tissue away.   Don’t have a tissue?  Use the crook of your elbow or your sleeve.  Clean hands if you sneeze or cough into them.
• Contain:  Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick.  If you do get sick, stay home until you are well again and without fever for 24 hours, so you don’t spread germs.  Fever is considered a temperature of 100.0 or more.  Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. 

Sometimes it is difficult to decide if you should keep your child home or send him/her to school.  When students are not feeling well, here are some simple guidelines for parents:  Children with temperatures of 100.0 degrees or higher should stay home from school.  They will be sent home from school with a temperature of 100.0 or higher. 
It is highly recommended that they not return until they have been fever free (temperature less than 100.0) for 24 hours.  This is fever free without the use of medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, etc to bring down their temperature.  
Symptoms of flu include fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and sometimes stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 
Visit www.flu.gov  for official flu information
If your child is tested for flu and they test positive, please notify the school nurse 491-6464 or the attendance office 491-6462.

Progress Reports were sent home with your children on Friday, 9/18/09.  Please make sure that you ask for these reports so that you can review your child’s progress. 

This week at Driscoll, the following events will be taking place:

Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Football vs. Nimitz Middle School
                7th grade at Nimitz – 4:30
                8th grade at Blossom Athletic Center – 5:00

Wednesday, September 23, 2009
MacArthur T-Shirts on sale during all 3 lunches
                Shirts range from $10 to $25

Thursday, September 24, 2009
Volleyball vs. Nimitz Middle School 4:30 p.m.
                7th grade at Driscoll
                8th grade at Nimitz

Saturday, September 26, 2009
8th Grade Volleyball Tournament at Littleton Gym (Blossom Athletic Center)
                Start time 1:00 for both “A” and “B” teams

Madison/MacArthur Game (M&M) – 7:00pm
Heroes Stadium  - Driscoll band members participating on both sides.

Have a great week!
Peter A. Martinez
Principal
Driscoll Middle School