During my first year at Del Mar, seven years ago, I experienced my first “90 days of May.”  A few years later, the length of the month seemed to increase and became known as the “100 Days of May.”  I have lost count as to how many days we have this month, perhaps due to both my age and to our growth in vision and productivity—so much going on within this same calendar month. 

But rather than telling you all about the many things we are doing during these next two weeks such as: STAR testing, Track & Field Finals, Yosemite field trip, Family Math Night (thank you, PTA; see photos), 6^thgrade aikido (thank you, Foundation), Talent Show, incoming 6^th Grade Orientation, Del Mar Play (tickets still on sale!), and Parent Ed (May 23 with Drs. Allan and Alan on middle school changes and transitions), I would like to devote this Headline News article to recognizing the Del Mar Staff.

This and next week are the official Staff Appreciation Weeks.  On behalf of all of you, the PTA, the Board of Trustees and the Administration will acknowledge the staff and extend thanks for the work they do.

Ours is a dedicated, professional staff that brings a wealth of experience and expertise to school every day.  They don't settle with being really good; they collaborate, reflect and continue striving to be even better.  I'm very grateful to be working and leading such a talented and wonderful staff.

Please feel free to join me by extending a personal note of appreciation to any and All of the staff members who serve your child.  Small gestures (a student saying a personal thank you or a parent sending a brief email) are meaningful and appreciated.  

This Fortnight’s Photo Gallery features pictures from: 8^th grade students leading 6^th graders in an advisory class WEB activity, Band rehearsal and Family Math Night. 

From the Principal's Desk

CA Distinguished School:  Yesterday four visiting middle school principals and MCOE staff came to Del Mar and conducted a thorough examination of our program.  Based on interviews with staff, parents, and students; classroom observations; and document analysis, they were thoroughly impressed and recommended us to the CA State Department of Education as a CA Distinguished School. Among their commendations:

·      Students are highly proficient and proud of their work

·      Del Mar is a safe place to learn with high level of trust due to a commitment and attention to students’ social/emotional growth

·      Students demonstrate a fluency regarding their use of technology which is an integral part of their learning

·      Students were very impressive as they demonstrated writing, speaking, and presentation skills

·      Clear evidence of a deliberate and thoughtful plan of continuous improvement

Notice the emphasis on students, of that I am both proud and clearly aware that this is due in large part to our outstanding staff and supportive parent community. 

Being Adept Drug and Alcohol Education program begins Thursday, March 21 with a parent education kick-off meeting (8:30am/Information Media Center).  This was a very well attended and highly informative meeting last year.  We are offering this program again to parents to provide: information and strategies to support students in healthy decision-making and a description of the series of three lessons that 7^thand 8^th grade students will receive in the two months, beginning with the first presentation on Thursday/Friday, March 28/29.

Parent Education Opportunity #2 this month focuses on Common Core Writing Across the Curriculum. Please join us on Thursday, April 4 at 8:30am in the Information Media Center.

Second Trimester Report Cards will be mailed home on March 22.

This Fortnight’s Photo Gallery features pictures from: Social Dance unit in PE (all grades), 6^th grade history class, 7/8^th grade art and guitar classes, lunchtime steel pans concert and intramural kickball team huddle, students at a School Site Council meeting and at the middle school dance.

Regards,  

Alan 

Alan Vann Gardner, Ed.D.,

Principal

February 27, 2013

Dear Del Mar Families:

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful mid-winter break. 

I accompanied this year’s student participants on the annual 8^th grade trip to Washington, DC and New York City and had a great time touring historical and cultural sites and visiting with the students.  Seventh grade families: pre-registration for next year’s trip is now officially open.  If interested, you may register online at WorldStrides.org, trip ID number 89087.  Please note that spaces are limited and are at a first come, first serve basis.  A letter to all seventh grade families about the trip is forthcoming.

Engaged Citizens:  One highlight of this trip was our meeting with Senator Feinstein’s staff after our tour of the Capitol.  Del Mar students had the opportunity to read legislative bills they wrote in class based on their research of social issues of interest and the legislative process.  Our students were thoughtful, articulate, understood complex issues from multiple perspectives and presented themselves with confidence and poise.  Capitol Hill staff, our “authentic audience,” was impressed!  This is a testament to not only the students, but our entire Del Mar staff who has been working hard, collaborating across departments and grade levels, finding natural and meaningful ways to integrate curriculum and upgrade and coordinate assignments.

Ongoing and Upcoming…

·      7^th Grade STAR Writing test: Tuesday, March 5.

·      Social Dance unit for all grade levels has begun.  This unit will include line and hip-hop dancing.  Ask you child to show you some moves. Thank you PTA for your support!

·      6^th grade aikido: this week in PE class, with a demo during advisory class today. Ask your child to show you how to “get a CLUE”in order to speak and advocate in assertive and respectful ways.  Thanks to the Foundation!

This Fortnight’s Photo Gallery features pictures from: 8^th grade physics lab, 7/8 grade integrated projects class, 6-8 grade art electives, 6^th grade David Roche assembly, 8^th grade DC/NYC trip, and aikido.

Regards,  

Alan

Alan Vann Gardner, Ed.D.,

Principal

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Del Mar Families:

It is with pleasure and pride that I announce that Del Mar Middle School is once again being recognized as a California Distinguished School!

We were commended for an impressive application describing two signature practices.  Out of the many wonderful programs, we selected two that apply to what all teachers collaborate in providing for all students.

The first distinguished practice is: How Writing and Technology are Integrated Across the Curriculum to Promote our Vision of Students as Creative Problem Solvers and Effective Communicators.  The second signature practice is our composite of: Restorative Practices—Programs, Leadership Opportunities and Instructional Methods that Promote our Vision of Students as Engaged Citizens and Their Best Self.

Attached is the complete and detailed description that we submitted (Distinguished School). A review committee consisting of Marin County administrators and County Office of Education staff will visit our school on March 12 and meet with staff after school to offer specific commendations as well as suggestions for our ongoing and continued improvement.

Ongoing and Upcoming Events (mostly for students, with links for parents to get more information about our program):

·      Come and root for our girls’ and boys’ 6-8 grade  basketball teams.  Check website for schedule of home and away games.

·      Redwood High School Peer Resource student leaders will meet with 8^th graders during advisory class this Thursday to speak about positive self-image and respect for opposite (and all) genders.

·      The series of 7th Grade Positive Prevention sexual education sessions has just completed and 8th Grade begins next week. http://www.positiveprevention.com

·      6^th Grade Best Self assembly with David Roach: Love at Second Sight is next Thursday.  http://www.davidroche.com/meet-david-roche/

·      Valentine’s Day parties in advisory class next Wednesday andThursday

·      Mid-Winter break (and 8^th grade trip to DC/NYC) February 16-24

This Fortnight’s Photo Gallery features pictures from: 7^th grade Challenge Day,  6^thgrade science lab, 8^th grade intramural lunchtime advisory kickball competition, and the Del Mar Dragon at a recent basketball game.  Enjoy!

Alan

Alan Vann Gardner, Ed.D.,

Principal

Dear Del Mar Families:

This Monday schools were closed to honor the life, dream and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

This week seventh grade students are participating in Challenge Day, an inspiring, fun, and intense day of activity and reflection.  Challenge Day is one of many programs and opportunities at Del Mar devoted to building and deepening our sense of community, to build empathy and respect for one another.  The experience invites participants to “notice, choose, and act” in ways that go beyond prejudices and surface level appearances, to not only believe in, but act upon the belief that as individuals, we can make a positive difference.

This is also the time of year when 8^thgrade social studies and English students are in the process of researching, writing, and presenting legislative bills based upon their knowledge of US history, government, the legislative process, and current issues of particular interest to them.  This year, through our staff’s process of continual review and reflection, the upgraded unit will include writing business letters to community/government leaders to inform and advocate that their ideas and concerns are heard and considered.

This is an ideal time to remind and encourage your child to:

Get involved in community service and make headway on their six hours we require each year.

Come support our basketball teams. 

Be their Best Self, make someone’s day in a positive way by performing any random or not-so-random act of kindness at home, school, or greater community. 

Alan

Alan Vann Gardner, Ed.D.,

Principal

Dear Del Mar Families:

Welcome back!  I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday break.

Staff Development Update: While students stayed at home for their last day of winter vacation, Del Mar staff eased their way back to work with a day-long professional development focus on Common Core writing across the curriculum.

For new entrants with a four-year college diploma, Oral Communication, Written Communication and Critical thinking/problem solving are three of the top five very important career skills.  Based on our Vision and the Common Core, our goals are for students to:

·      Produce effective and well-grounded writing for a range of purposes and audiences.

·      Engage in research/inquiry to investigate topics and to analyze, integrate, and present information.

·      Clearly and precisely construct viable arguments to support their own reasoning and to critique the reasoning of others.

·      Analyze complex, real-world scenarios and construct and use models to interpret and solve problems.

Toward these ends, we deepened our knowledge of Common Core writing expectations in all content areas, worked on adopting a common rubric to be used in all core academic subject areas, and mapped all the ways writing is embedded within our program.  We made great progress in coordinating our program to ensure coherence, rigor, and balance.  We will be scheduling a Parent Education meeting later this year to further inform you of our writing program.

Del Mar Play: Reminder, auditions begin this Monday, January 14, and all forms are due this week.  Students are excited about this year’s production of Grease!

Basketball Season…begins this week.  Please support our teams by attending games.  Follow this link to find the schedule of games.  Go Dragons!

Parent Education: Reminder for Monday, "The Whole-Brain Child" -- January 14  at 7 pm at the Lark Theater -- Join Author/UCLA Professor Dr. Dan Siegel for an evening to explore the power of mindfulness to help children focus, battle stress and control negative emotions.  Dr. Siegel will discuss research that offers practical guidelines to help parents with the challenges of raising happy and resilient children.  This event is co-sponsored by RUSD PTA and Marin Primary and Middle School. To rsvp and for more information about the event, please go to http://drdansiegel.eventbrite.com/

Alan

Alan Vann Gardner, Ed.D.,

Principal

Dear Del Mar Families:

Happy 12/12/12!

Student-Led Conference Survey Reminder: We would like your feedback about the recent conferences.  We use your input as we continue to reflect and refine ways to make the conference experience a meaningful experience for students and families. Please complete the brief survey by Friday, December14.   http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5PXGXMH

Classroom Highlights:

Science—Lawrence Hall of Science comes to Del Mar 7^th grade for a lesson entitled, “It’s Epidemic.”  View photos of students engaged in hands-on, scientific investigation of how viruses and bacteria spread. 

English—Mice and Men Trial.  8^th grade students turn attorneys, judge, jury, and witnesses as they report on themes, plot, character, conflict, and resolution of this John Steinbeck classic.  See photos.

Lunchtime Enrichment—3-on-3 intramural basketball tournament is in progress with winning student team to challenge staff for the championship.  Staff goal is to have fun and be able to walk during winter break.

Upcoming Events:

·      Wednesday, December 12: Instrumental Band Winter Concert, 7:00pm gym.

·      Thursday, December 13: Steel Band Winter Concert, 7:00pm gym.

·      Friday, December 14: Jingle Bell Jog (and by student request, Hanukkah Hustle) 11:20 blacktop

·      Geography Bee Final Round Competition School-Wide Assembly, Monday, December 18^th at 11:14 in the gym.

Best regards and wishes for a very Happy, Relaxing, Rejuvenating, Festive Holiday Season!!!

Alan

Alan Vann Gardner, Ed.D.,

Principal

Dear Del Mar Families:

As usual, there is a lot going on at Del Mar, within and outside the classroom; before, during and after school.  Most timely and noteworthy…                                     

California Distinguished School: Del Mar has once again met Distinguished School criteria and has been invited to apply for this distinguished recognition.  We are completing our application process which includes writing about two signature practices:    1) How Writing and Technology are Integrated Across the Curriculum to Promote our Vision of Students as Creative Problem Solvers and Effective Communicators and 2) Restorative Practices: Programs, Leadership Opportunities and Instructional Methods that Promote our Vision of Students as Engaged Citizens and Their Best Self.  Stay tuned to hear more about the exemplary work our teachers are doing to facilitate the exemplary work that our students do…

Student-Led Conference Survey: We would like your feedback about the recent conferences.  We use your input as we continue to reflect and refine ways to make the conference experience a meaningful experience for students and families. Please complete the brief survey by Friday, December 14.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5PXGXMH

Middle School Dance: We are looking forward to seeing many of our students at this year’s first middle school dance this Friday evening at 7:00pm in the gym.  Follow the link for a complete set of  Dance Rules and please reinforce these guidelines with your child.  Most notably, students must adhere to the school dress code, arrive no later than 7:30pm, and leave when the dance ends at 9:00pm accompanied by an adult. 

Parent Education: Common Core Math—I encourage all parents to come to school next Wednesday evening, December 5 at 6:00pm to hear Phil Darrow, one of the authors and leading experts on our new Common Core Math Standards.  Math education has changed since we were students—stay informed about these changes and how you can best support your child at home.  

Laptop Inspection: By the end of this week, we will have checked all students’ laptops as we do at the end of every trimester.  We check all laptops for structural damages and conduct random checks with regard to appropriate content and laptop usage. Reminder, along with the digital citizenship education we provide and our monitoring of students’ computer use at school, the best content filters and safeguards of ethical and responsible use of technology…is you, at home!

Basketball Tryouts and Del Mar Play Meeting:  Many students have expressed interest and excitement about these two extracurricular activities.  Students receive many morning announcements and reminders about these and other upcoming events. Please ask your child if s/he is interested in participating and aware of scheduled try-out and meeting times. Check the calendar on our school and PTA website to stay informed of the mandatory parent meeting regarding the school play, and for other events.

Holiday Food Drive: Students are asked to bring non-perishable foods to donate and bring them to their advisory classroom.  As extra incentive to this community service/giving opportunity, the highly coveted grade level shield will be given to the advisory class who donates the most cans to this year’s food drive!

Best regards,

Alan

Alan Vann Gardner, Ed.D.,

Principal