ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN OUR GLOBAL VILLAGE

Dear Denny International Middle School Students and Families,

What an honor it is for me to welcome you to an exciting new year here at Denny International Middle School! Being the principal of Denny is my dream job and I am thrilled to be back for my fifth year. This year, it is an additional pleasure to launch the year as a new “ International School.”

I am very much looking forward to the first day of school and meeting all of our new students and families personally. I am equally excited to see all of our returning students again. The staff and I have been working hard this summer to prepare for September. I am very confident that you will find Denny International Middle School to be a school that:

As a new International School, provides a global perspective in all classes, has new international partnerships, and offers new language classes.

Is safe and personalized. We will build strong relationships and get to know each student and family well.
Holds high expectations for the achievement of academic excellence by every student. Students will be engaged in culturally relevant and rigorous learning activities. We believe that by providing equitable learning opportunities we are helping to prepare every student for college.
Celebrates our wonderful diversity. There is a substantial educational benefit from being part of such a vibrant, racially and culturally diverse school community. Family involvement is critically important and is welcomed and appreciated.

For sixth-graders or other new students to our school, and their families, thinking about the first day of middle school can be worrisome. Relax and rest assured that we have terrific plans in place that will help make a smooth transition to your new school. Those plans will begin with an evening orientation. For those of you who are new to our school, please plan to join us for an…

Evening Orientation, Thursday, September 3rd (6:30 – 8:00 pm), for students and parents/guardians who are new to Denny (all grade levels). This event will be a time to learn more about our school and meet staff. I hope you can join us for this important meeting and for ice cream that will be served after the orientation ends.

As an additional part of our sixth-grade transition program, the first day of school

September 9 th will be for sixth-graders only. September 10 th will be the first day for seventh- and eighth-graders and will be the second day for sixth-graders.

While our new sixth-graders are in school on September 9 th for their full-day orientation, seventh- and eighth-graders do not have school. School for all Denny students will begin on September 10 th. Seventh- and eighth-graders may, however, report to the cafeteria between 2:00 and 2:30 on September 9 th to get their schedule. All seventh- or eighth-graders who wish to pick up their schedule on Wednesday will be responsible for their own transportation.

The following is additional information that will help us all get off to a smooth start this school year:

New Daily Denny School Hours: 8:05 am - 2:35 pm

Students should be in the building no later than 8:00 am in order to be in class by 8:05. School is dismissed at 2:35.

The all-day orientation for sixth-graders only will be on September 9 th, 2009.

Other details pertaining to the first sixth-grade day:

If your student is not taking the bus, please have her/him arrive between 7:30 -8:00 am.
Upon arrival at school, all sixth-graders should report to their “Homeroom.” Your child’s homeroom number is printed on the postcard that you will receive from us in a few weeks. Denny staff members will also be available in the hallways to welcome students and to help them find their Homeroom classes.
Once the students are in class, interested parents/guardians are invited to an optional orientation meeting in the cafeteria.
School is dismissed at 2:35 and busses will leave by 2:45.
On the first day, we will be sending home a manila envelope filled with important papers—please ask your student for it.

The first day of school for the seventh- and eighth-grade students is September 10 th, 2009 (second day for sixth-graders).

Attendance Policy: Attending school every day is very important. Illnesses and family emergencies are valid excuses for an absence. On the day of the absence, a parent/guardian can call the attendance office at 252-9004 to explain the situation. If a call is not made, on the day after the absence, a student must bring a note from a parent/guardian that includes the date, reason for the absence and a parent or guardian signature. Punctuality and regular attendance are top priorities at Denny and help us to make sure every student is successful.

Transportation: the Transportation Office will mail information regarding transportation directly to you. If you have not received your information packet, please call the Transportation Office at 252-0900. Bus cards will not be necessary at Denny International Middle School.

Lunchroom: The breakfast program will not be available the first day, so please remind your son/daughter to eat a good breakfast before coming to school. A hot lunch will be available each day, beginning on September 9 th. Please be sure your student has a sack lunch if he/she does not plan to buy a hot lunch.

Counselors: Starting the last week of August, the counseling staff will be available for parent/guardian consultation. Please call for an appointment with the grade-level counselor, or to simply ask a question.

Mr. Haessly will be counseling eighth-graders this year and half of the sixth-graders (252-9010).
Mr. Bolma will be counseling our seventh-grade students and half of our sixth-grade students this year (252-9011).

Note: For sixth-grade questions prior to the orientation, feel free to contact either counselor.

Student Planner: The Student Planner will be distributed and discussed in Homeroom. Please take a few minutes to review the Student Handbook at the beginning of the planner with your child during the first week of school. Many specifics about the student schedule, student resources, etc. are discussed in the handbook. With a real partnership with families (reviewing the handbook is a great place to start) we can provide the kind of learning environment at Denny that enables us to consistently achieve our mission, “Academic Excellence in Our Global Village!”

School Supplies: We hope that students can bring school supplies, including:

A three-ring binder
Two Composition Notebooks (7 ½ x 9 ¾ in. - 100 sheets – wide ruled)
Five three-hole punched folders (to go in the binder)
Three-hole punched lined paper
Pens
Pencils
Calculator
Backpack

Note: Please notify a Denny staff member if you need assistance obtaining supplies.

August Homework: That’s right, homework in August. Fortunately it is fun—

Reading ! Please read twenty minutes every night—the educational benefit and the enjoyment make the time spent reading rewarding on many levels.

For now, please enjoy the rest of your summer. All of us here at Denny are very much looking forward to seeing you soon. I am confident that with all of us working as a cohesive team, each and every Denny student will excel this year—let’s have an outstanding year together!

Sincerely,

Jeff Clark, Principal

Reminder of Important Dates:

New Student/Family Evening Orientation—Thursday, Sept. 3 rd, 6:30 to 8:00 pm
First day of school for sixth-graders—September 9 th, 8:05 - 2:35
Optional new parent/guardian meeting—September 9 th, 8:05 am, cafeteria
Optional time for seventh- and eighth-graders to pick up their schedules—

September 9 th, 2:00 - 2:30 pm, cafeteria

5. First day of school for seventh- and eighth-graders September 10 th, 8:05 - 2:35.

Denny Middle School

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