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8/7/2026 Family Friday Five

Posted Date: 08/07/26 (05:10 PM)
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Text reads 'The BEST Middle School in INDIANA Dekalb Middle School' with a knight helmet logo.

Family Friday Five

DMS Principal's Weekly Newsletter

Great First Week!

It has been absolutely wonderful having all of our students back in the building! We have had a wonderful SHORT first week!

Here are a few reminders:



  1. Parent Square is the best spot for you to find out what's going on at DMS and in your student's classrooms.
  2. You can also message teachers, administrators, and guidance on Parent Square! Please reach out earlier rather than later!
  3. I always say, "Ask, don't assume!" If you are unsure or are wondering about something, please ask the question!
  4. Please remind your student to keep his/her phone POWERED OFF and in their locker. This includes smart watches, Air Pods, and other wireless communication devices.
  5. Breakfast is available every morning before school. Please encourage your student to grab something healthy to eat!

**Below find our Family Guide for 6th grade parents --- which actually has a lot of great information for ANY parents! It's a great review!
DeKalb Middle School's New Family Guide for 6th Grade Parents, 2026-2027, with sections on daily schedules, contacts, attendance, cell phone policy, dress code, grading, and school meals.
A document titled 'Helping Your Baron Thrive' provides a checklist for evenings, information on Google Classroom, and frequently asked questions for parents.

Upcoming Events

FILL THE TEACHER'S LOUNGE!

For the next two weeks (until Friday, August 28), we will be collecting items to fill out teacher's lounge with snacks, drink mixes, and fun!

See the image below for ideas OR use some links from our DMS Wish List. This wish list will be updated all year long with needs for our teachers, DMS Care Closet, DMS Food Pantry, and other events!

Back to School Dance
Friday, August 28
6-8 p.m
DMS Commons
$5 Entry

Bring Cash for Concessions!

We will send out a Parent Square this week for dance volunteers! It's always great having parents and guardians at our dances! Please encourage your student to attend!
A colorful graphic promotes a "Teacher's Lounge" donation drive, requesting snacks and treats.
DeKalb Middle School presents a Back to School Dance on Friday, August 28, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
A large, illuminated number '3' with red and yellow lights on a black background.

Wireless Communication Device Policy

Students are doing GREAT with our new Wireless Communication Device policy!

Highlights:
ALL devices in their lockers and powered OFF from 8:10 - 3:20.

Students and parents have access to Student Square and Parent Square for communication during the day. Students can also call home from the main office.

Here are just a few benefits of this policy!


  • Sharper focus during instruction — without notifications competing for attention, students engage more deeply with lessons and retain more of what's taught.
  • Stronger face-to-face relationships — kids talk, laugh, and connect with friends directly at lunch and between classes instead of through a screen.
  • Fewer classroom disruptions — teachers spend less time redirecting off-task behavior and more time actually teaching.
  • Reduced social drama and cyberbullying during the school day — conflicts that start on social media or group chats can't escalate in real time between classes.
  • Better academic performance — several studies (including UK and Spanish research on school phone bans) have linked reduced phone access to measurable gains in test scores, especially for lower-performing students.
  • Lower anxiety and social comparison — stepping away from social media for the day gives students a mental break from the pressure to constantly check in, respond, or compare themselves to others.
  • More present in community-building moments — things like Morning Meeting and Community Circles work better when students are actually looking up and participating instead of half-checked-out.
  • Practice with healthy boundaries — learning to disconnect for a set stretch of the day is a skill that serves students well beyond middle school.
A red, illuminated marquee number '4' with a yellow outline on a black background.

Summer Trip 2027

Please join us in enrolling for our 2027 summer trip to Washington, D.C. and NYC! No problem if you weren't able to make the meetings - Mrs. Wisehart can give you any additional information you might need. Feel free to email her at cwisehart@dekalbcentral.net or message her here on Parent Square. 

No need to do ANYTHING ELSE but enroll HERE -- get your student (and you, if you'd like to join!) enrolled so you make sure they don't miss this AWESOME TRIP. There is a 7 day risk free enrollment
Advertisement for a Washington D.C. and New York City trip in June 2027, highlighting iconic landmarks and an all-inclusive experience.

Order DMS Merchandise!

If you would like to order merchandise from our DMS Spirit Store, it will be open for 9 more days!

Please check out THIS LINK to see all the amazing shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and other items you can purchase to cheer on our DMS Barons!

See the flyer below!
A webpage displays DeKalb Middle School spirit wear, featuring t-shirts and sweatshirts with school slogans.
A grey crewneck sweatshirt with the text 'WE ARE' in red and white.
A display of school-themed apparel including hoodies, tie-dye t-shirts, and long-sleeve tees in various colors and designs.
White text on a black background reads 'questions to ask your student'.

Questions to ask your student...

Every week I will use the "goings-on" at DMS to create some questions you can ask your student to talk about school!

I know that sometimes they come home and you ask, "How was school?" The answer is usually, "Fine." Then you ask, "What did you do?" And the student says, "Not much."

I've been there. Hopefully these questions will get them to chat about some of the things we've been doing together at DMS!

  1. Mrs. Wisehart used a brown bag in Morning Meeting on Friday. What was in the bag, and what was the lesson?
  2. You had your first Community Circle in SST this week. What did you talk about and what was your answer?
  3. What club are you interested in participating in during SST?
A collage of photos featuring a woman in a red hat and a t-shirt with text, a group of women in formal wear, a basketball team, and people in outdoor attire.

Mrs. Wisehart

Principal, DMS