Upcoming events and important information from Dowell Middle School.
From the Principal's Office 

Hello Dowell Family,

Our teachers and staff have been hard at work, preparing materials for testing next week. We will have STAAR testing on Tuesday and Wednesday for 7th and 8th graders. Tuesday will include 7th grade writing and 8th grade math. Wednesday tests will be the 8th graders taking their reading test. We do everything we can to ensure that your child will have the opportunity to be successful, but we need your help. On testing day, please be sure that your student has had a healthy breakfast and is well rested. All electronics should be left at home. Phones will be collected at the start of the test and not given back until the testing period is over. Let's make this a positive experience for your student!

Later in the week, new orchestra students will have a chance to choose instruments. This will take place on Friday evening, 4/1. Tennis and track are in full swing and we have tennis match Monday at Boyd and a track meet at Ron Poe Stadium on Thursday. 

Enjoy the long weekend and we'll see you on Monday!

A lan Arbabi
Dowell Middle School Principal

Reminder that there is NO SCHOOL
on Friday, March 25!
STAAR Testing March 29 - 30.

Tuesday, March 29th - 7th Grade Writing

Tuesday, March 29th - 8th Grade Math

Wednesday, March 30th - 8th Grade Reading

*Teachers and students will NOT have access to technology during testing and can't be disturbed. Teachers can return emails and phone calls after testing on Thursday or Friday. Please eliminate campus visits, (unless an emergency), until after testing is over. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience during these state test days.

Fun Fact!  Fun Fact! Fun Fact! Fun Fact!  Fun Fact!

We are in the process of putting together the Honor Roll lists and are proud to say that 79 students went from the AB Honor Roll first semester to straight A's this quarter! We are so proud of these hard working students! Lists will be posted by the front office, next week.

IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!

Dowell Parents,

If your child selected CHEERLEADING as a class next year, you MUST complete the online forms at:


The online forms are due by Friday, April 01
Thank you so much for your support and interest in our program,

Coach Saxton
Dowell Band welcomes Clinician!

We are excited to announce that on Monday, March 28th in the Dowell Band Hall, Mr. John Benzer will be working with our band students from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Mr. Benzer is visiting us from the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, and is a highly regarded and much sought-after clinician. We are excited for our band students  and believe they will enjoy and learn a great deal from this clinic. Students will be served pizza afterward (5:30 - 5:45 pm). We appreciate our Band Boosters for providing this opportunity to our students. We also thank you, our parents, for finding creative ways to help your young musician share their music with you and continue in their preparation for UIL Contest. It is a busy time of year (in many ways) and your support is essential, and much appreciated.

October 18th - Bond Election Informational Meeting at Dowell

On Monday, October 18th, we will have an opportunity to share information about the upcoming bond election for McKinney ISD. Dr. Rick McDaniel, Superintendent of MISD,  will share important facts and figures and answer questions for any community member who would like to learn more. The meeting will be held in the Dowell Library and begin at 9:00 am.  Dowell has been chosen as an early voting site  and will be open for voting 2 weeks before the election, including election day on May 7th.  We hope to see you there!

New Dowell Weight Room Was Unveiled This Week!

Over Spring Break, the Dowell Weight Room was renovated with New Rubber Flooring and out fitted  with New Weight Racks, Weights, Bars, Dumbells, Benches, Paint. It is now ready to  handle our girls and boys athletes who work so hard to become the best they can be.  Workout area is more efficient and safe for our athletes. This improvement will benefit  our athletes now and for many, many years to come. Huge THANKS to the MISD Athletic  Department and DMS Athletic Booster Club for the funding to provide Dowell Athletes with  the Best! 

It's Almost Time For School Photos! 

Picture Day is almost here! Photos will be taken on Friday, April 08. More information is available in the front office. 
Fill the Bus! Fill the Bus! Fill the Bus!
STUCO has extended the deadline to April 4th!
MISD will collect school supplies to benefit our Title I schools until April 4th. We will accept any of the following:

Markers, Colored Pencils, Pens, Pencils, Notebooks, Paper, Spirals, Binders, Folders, Pencil Sharpeners, Erasers, Crayons, Gently Used Books, Rulers, Highlighters. 
We will also accept monetary donations. For more details, send an email to:  mhsstuco@mckinneyisd.net

If you need a permission slip for the 8th grade Perot trip,
please pick up in the Dowell office. 

All students are required to provide a signed slip.
DMS Calendar - Click below for details
Dowell Calendar
From Nurse Martha
Hand Sanitizer or Soap and Water?

When you want to disinfect your hands fast, you may reach for a bottle of hand sanitizer. But how effective is hand sanitizer compared to washing your hands with soap and water? Hand sanitizers are not effective if your hands are visibly dirty. While alcohol-based hand sanitizers can reduce the number of germs on your hands, they do not eliminate all types of germs. Proper hand washing is best, but when soap and water aren't available, hand sanitizers can be a substitute for on-the-go cleaning
Click below to learn more about Instructional Technology in MISD.
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