From the Principal's Office
Dowell Families - 
 
I do not know about you, but the weather this week has been awesome! I love seeing all the trees and flowers blooming around the city. Our students are also really showing growth this nine weeks. This week, I have had several students come and show me their grades on assignments. They are excited to finally "get" that new concept that they have been working on and it is so fun to see the look of accomplishment on their faces. Next week is our first week of testing for our 7th grade writers and 8th grade math and reading students. I have every confidence that our students will be successful because of the great work they have shown this year. Our next PTO meeting is Thursday, May 30th at 9:00am, everyone is welcome to attend. Our spring picture day is coming up on April 7th. Flyers should be coming home with your student from their science teacher. We will also have extra forms in the office if you need one. I hope that everyone has a great weekend!
 
Sincerely,
Holly Rogers
Principal, Dowell Middle School 
Our Book Fair was a huge success. Thank you to all who visited this week and for your continued support of the Dowell Learning Commons.
What's Happening at Dowell
Friday, 3/24
- Spring Book Fair ended today at noon.
Monday, 3/27
- Youth and Government before and after school in G129.
Tuesday, 3/28
- STUCO meeting at 8:15 AM in F Hall Commons area.
- STAAR Testing - 7th Grade Writing/8th Grade Math.
Wednesday, 3/29
- STAAR Testing - 8th Grade Reading.
- Dowell Tennis vs. Johnson @ McKinney Boyd High School from 4:00 - 8:30 PM.
Thursday, 3/30
- Band Wind Ensemble Clinic from 7:00 - 8:30 AM in the DMS Band Hall.
- PTO Meeting from 9:00 - 10:30 AM in the DMS Teacher's Lounge.
- STUCO meeting at 3:50 PM in F Hall Commons area.
- Dowell Drama Spring Play Rehearsal from 4:00 - 6:00 PM in the DMS Cafeteria.
- Dowell Track Meet at Princeton HS vs. area Middle Schools starting at 4:00 PM.
Friday, 3/31
- Orchestra Instrument Selection Night from 5:00 - 7:30 PM in the DMS Cafeteria.
Saturday, 4/1
- Band Beginner Instrument Tryouts in the DMS Band Hall:
     Student currently attends Glen Oaks: 9:00 - 10:00 AM.
     Student currently attends Bennett: 10:00 - 11:00 AM.
     Student currently attends Eddins: 11:00 AM -12:00 Noon.
     Student currently attends McNeil: 1:00 - 2:00 PM.
     Student currently attends Finch: 2:00 - 3:00 PM.
- Physicals at MHS for 8th grade DMS Athletes attending McKinney HS from 3:00 - 6:00 PM.
     $20 cash only accepted.
     McKinney Boyd HS physicals will be on Saturday, 4/29.
Monday, 4/3
- Youth and Government before and after school in G129.
Tuesday, 4/4
- STUCO meeting at 8:15 AM in F Hall Commons area.
- Dowell Drama Spring Play Rehearsal from 4:00 - 6:00 PM in the DMS Cafeteria.
- Dowell Tennis vs Highland Park @ McKinney Boyd HS from 4:00 - 8:30 PM.
Wednesday, 4/5
- UIL Festival for Dowell Sinfonietta Orchestra at McKinney North HS.
Concert at 3:25 PM and Sightreading at 3:50 PM. 
**Arrive early as late arrivals will not be let into the concert hall.
Thursday, 4/6
- UIL Festival for Dowell Honors Orchestra at McKinney North HS.
Concert at 2:00 PM and Sightreading at 2:25 PM.
**Arrive early as late arrivals will not be let into the concert hall.
- STUCO meeting at 3:50 PM in F Hall Commons area.
National Junior Honor Society Meeting (NJHS) in the Learning Commons at 3:50 PM.
- Dowell Track Meet vs. Evans, Faubion and Reynolds at Ron Poe Stadium at 4:00 PM.
- Dowell Drama Spring Play Rehearsal from 4:00 - 6:00 PM in the DMS Cafeteria.
Friday, 4/7
- Spring Individual Pictures Day during the school day at Dowell.
- Dowell Cheer Evaluations in the upstairs hallway from 5:30 - 7:00 PM.
- Dowell 7th Grade Mixer from 6:00 - 8:00 PM in the DMS Cafeteria.
Saturday, 4/8
- Choir Region 25 Auditions all day at Dowell.

*Dates and times may change. Please check the calendar below for most recent events. 
Spring Picture Day - Friday, April 7th
Additional order packets are available in the front office.
7th Grade Mixer Friday, April 7th
Please sign up HERE to donate!
The Academic UIL Celebration will be held in the DMS Cafeteria. See you there!
National Junior Honor Society will be sponsoring the Pasta for Pennies Campaign. The penny drive will run from March 20 - April 7. All types of coins, cash, and checks made out to "The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society" are welcomed. There will be competitions between 2nd period classes with the top class winning catered Olive Garden lunch and the top three classes receiving Urban Air Trampoline Park passes. There will also be school-wide competitions and a spirit week. All money donated will go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help families with expenses and to fund research. You can donate online toward the school goal or for your child's individual class. Please contact Jill Bowman at jbowman@mckinneyisd.net if you have any questions! Thank you for supporting Dowell NJHS and the LLS!
STAAR Testing 

7 Strategies to Help Prepare Your Child for Testing Day.


1. Talk to your kids about what to expect and how the STAAR test is not that different from regular tests and exams. Sometimes just reminding them that they already have the skills and a record of success can build their confidence.

2. Get plenty of sleep. A tired child cannot stay focused for hours on end.

3. Eat a healthy breakfast. Minimize sugar and carbohydrates and make sure your child has some protein to help keep their energy stable for a longer period of time.

4. Make sure they get plenty of exercise and free play time after school. Physical activity is also great for helping kids to relax and sleep better!

5. Support and praise them. It may sound simple, but just tell them you are proud of them and know they will do a great job. Knowing you believe in them can help boost confidence.

6. Surprise them with a special note. Put a note in their lunch box to just say hi and you hope they are having a great day. Nothing fancy, just a sticky note saying "I love you" will lift tired spirit.

7. Celebrate when the testing is complete and again when you get the scores. Acknowledge your child for their effort and their success. 

From the Nurse's Office

All current 6th grade students are required by law to have the following immunizations prior to the start of their 7th grade year.
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis-containing vaccine (unless a booster dose received within the past five years).
     
  • Meningococcal vaccine (one dose).
  • Varicella vaccine (two doses received on or after 1st birthday).
The vaccines listed above are required in addition to those required by earlier laws. A signed statement of Varicella disease will count towards the Varicella requirement.
 
The Care Van offers FREE vaccines to children (Infants to 18 years of age) who are uninsured, have Medicaid, are American Indian or Alaskan Native or who have private insurance that does not cover vaccines. Passport Health will be available to vaccinate children ages 6 months to 18 years with AETNA, Blue Cross Blue Shield or United Healthcare insurances.
 
The next Care Van event is scheduled for:
 
WHEN: May 18, 2017 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
 
WHERE: Lawson Early Childhood Center, 500 Dowell St., McKinney, Texas
 
It is necessary for your child to be in compliance before the start of the 2015-2016 school year. Please send updated shot records to Nurse Martha as soon as possible. Without a record of these vaccinations your student will not be able to start 7th grade.

Texas Student Success Initiative
The grade advancement requirements of the Texas Student Success Initiative (SSI), requires that grade 5 and grade 8 students meet the passing standards on STAAR tests in mathematics and reading before they can be promoted to the next grade. The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that every student makes the academic progress necessary to show a sufficient understanding of the knowledge and skills taught and tested at each grade level. 

Each student is given three opportunities to pass the state assessment, with the first assessment date being Tuesday, March 28, 2017 for mathematics and Wednesday, March 29, 2017 for reading. Your child's teacher depend upon and look forward to working with you to help your child succeed. If you have any questions about your child's progress, please feel free to contact your child's teacher.
Iniciativa de éxito de estudiantes de Texas
Los requisitos de la ley estatal La Iniciativa para el Éxito Estudiantil (SSI, por sus siglas en inglés) requiere que los estudiantes de 5 y 8 grado pasen las pruebas de STAAR de lectura y matemáticas antes de pasar a al siguiente grado. El propósito de esta iniciativa es asegurar que cada estudiante ha hecho el progreso académico necesario para mostrar una comprensión suficiente de los conocimientos y destrezas enseñados y evaluado en cada nivel de grado.

Cada estudiante tiene tres oportunidades para pasar la prueba estatal, con la primera fecha de evaluación siendo el martes, 28 de marzo de 2017 para matemáticas y para lectura el miércoles, 29 de marzo de 2017.  El maestro de su hijo depende, y espera trabajar junto con usted para ayudar a su hijo a tener éxito.  Si usted tiene alguna pregunta acerca del progreso de su hijo, no dude en ponerse en contacto con el maestro de su hijo.
McKinney Police Teen Academy Summer Camps
1:World Freshman Laptop Information Meetings

Parents, you only need to come to one meeting and can come to any location, regardless of your home campus for 17-18.
Contact Us

Dowell Main Number 
469-302-6700
Front Office - Pat Gilchrist 469-302-6702,  pgilchrist@mckinneyisd.net
Registrar/Records, - Kim Oberlender 469-302-6709, 
Nurse - Martha Anderson 469-302-6716, maranderson@mckinneyisd.net
Principal - Holly Rogers 469-302-6700, hrogers@mckinneyisd.net
Office ManagerChristy Howley 469-302-6704,   chowley@mckinneyisd.net
Assistant Principal (Last name A-L) - Jesse Abel 469-302-6718, jabel@mckinneyisd.net
Counselor (Last name A-L) - Jennifer Morse 469-302-6713, jmorse@mckinneyisd.net
AP Secretary (Last name A-L) - Pamela Coats 469-302-6707, pcoats@mckinneyisd.net
Assistant Principal (Last name M-Z) - Aretha Jackson 469-302-6711, arjackson@mckinneyisd.net
Counselor (Last name M-Z), Rayshana Adams 469-302-6801, radams@mckinneyisd.net
Special Education Lead - Lori Wilson 469-302-6754,   lwilson@mckinneyisd.net
Gifted and Talented Services, Karen Green 469-302-7913, 
Durham Bus Services  - 972-542-8316
Athletic Coordinator - Tim Knowles  469-302-6728 
Band - Tiffany Lisko 469-302-6777,   tlisko@mckinneyisd.net
Choir - Rebecca Sigman 469-302-6874,   rsigman@mckinneyisd.net
Drama - Colin Wells 469-302-6750,   cwells@mckinneyisd.net
Orchestra - Beth Lawrence 469-302-6738,   blawrence@mckinneyisd.net

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