Administration

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Students:

Middle School is a time of great change and great excitement as students move into adolescence. They face new social situations, explore new activities and discover new abilities. Anxiety and uncertainty can be part of the process, too. The faculty and staff of Dover Middle School have many years of experience working with young adolescents. They understand the needs of middle schoolers for gradually increased independence within a structured, yet nurturing environment. Our team approach allows teachers to work together to meet the needs of a limited number of students. Team leaders act as mentors to provide another level of support for individual students in addition to the services available through their classroom teachers, Guidance Counselors and Tiger RAP (our School-Based Youth Services Program).

Core teams are available during team collaboration periods each day to meet with parents as well. We need you as part of the team to insure your child’s success! Please do not hesitate to call or email us with your concerns. My suggestion is that you start with your child’s teacher (if the concern is related to a particular class), then the child’s mentor, Guidance Counselor, Vice Principal or myself. It is always best to try to resolve the problem closest to the level at which it began. If you are not successful at this level, then you can bring it to the next level. Our job is to work together with you and your child to help him/her reach his/her potential. To find the email address of a particular teacher, go to the Dover Middle School home page, click on Faculty and Staff under Directory, then click on Teachers. The Faculty Directory will open up and you will see all teachers listed in alphabetical order by last name along with their email addresses.

We hope that you and your middle schooler will enjoy your time at DMS. Parents and students should consider joining the PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) which meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the DMS Library. This is an excellent way to get involved and contribute your ideas. Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Casiano, Principal

What is a Middle Schooler

What is a middle schooler?

I was asked one day.

I knew what s/he was

But what should I say?

S/he is noise and confusion.
s/he is silence that is deep.

S/he is sunshine and laughter,

Or a cloud that will weep.

S/he is swift as an arrow

S/he is a waster of time.

S/he wants to be rich,

But cannot save a dime.

S/he is rude and nasty/

S/he is polite as can be.

S/he wants parental guidance,

But fights to be free.

S/he is aggressive and bossy.

S/he knows all the answers,

But still will ask “why?”

S/he is awkward and clumsy.

S/he is graceful and poised.

S/he is ever changing,

But do not be annoyed.

What is a middle schooler?

I was asked one day.

S/he is the future unfolding

So do not stand in the way.

(an eighth grade middle school student)

Remember to enjoy your middle schooler! S/he will be grown before you realize it!

I want to thank you for your continued support and cooperation. We welcome your calls, concerns, criticism, and praise. Please feel free to contact us at Dover Middle School.

Updated:11/02/04

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