Wolf P.A.C.K. Weekly Student Edition #10

Posted Date: 10/18/26 (05:00 PM)

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Wolf P.A.C.K. Weekly Student Edition

Sunday newsletter

October 18, 2026

Weekly Principal Message

📣 Families and Wolf Pack Students! Here's What's Happening This Week:

Happy Sunday, Wolf Pack families!

Families, there are a number of things to be excited about with regards to our school's path towards improvement.

Here is the VDOE School Quality Profile for this current school year. During the 24-25 school year, Dogwood's framework score was 71.5. For the 25-26 school year, our Mutli Year Support Plan goal was to receive an overall framework score of 75 points. As you can see from the attachment, Dogwood's current framework score is 77 points, which means we exceeded our annual goal last year and are up 6 points in one year!

Our school is now "fully accredited" (we were "conditionally accredited the previous year) which means we made measurable progress to change our school's state standing.

That incredible work is huge testament to the hard working WolfPack teachers and staff who choose each day to believe in the vision and mission of our school.

Thank you to our WolfPack students and Staff as we hosted our fall showcase this past week.

This week is Anti Bullying Spirit Week! If a student is in need of support at any time, please see this flyer.

Join Higher Achievement for Family High School Night on Oct. 21st from 5:30-7pm in the Dogwood auditorium.

Our PTA needs your help to fund the sponsored Howl Harvest Dance happening on October 30th during school. Please click the link here or within the PTA section to support our PACK.

Costume Expectations:

Book and movie characters are encouraged.
No masks, weapons, blood, or inflatables allowed.
Dress attire must still align with SCORE.

Keep showing up on time, each day, wolves! Each month we will do a raffle for students with excellent attendance (absent 1 day or less).

In solidarity,

Dr. Latrese Younger

Principal, Dogwood Middle School

Cell: 804-389-3813

PTA Corner

Howl Harvest Sign Up Genius Link

Contact executiveboard@dogwoodmspta.org with questions. All meetings take place at 6:30 pm.

Virtual PTA Meeting Link

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ydj-fcxu-fni

Or dial: +1 904-580-9093 PIN: 630502112

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ydj-fcxu-fni?pin=8971924680452

Oct. 15th meeting is in person during the 1st Showcase!

Join the PTA 🎈

PTA website: dogwoodms.givebacks.com/

PTA email address: executiveboard@dogwoodmspta.org

PTA President: Mom Kelly Miller

Benefits of Joining the PTA

By joining the PTA you are supporting educational programs, organizing events, and enhancing our school environment.

You can make a meaningful impact and connect with other caregivers who share your commitment to our children's success.

Support our students and show your Dogwood pride.

It's fun!

Join Community Rewards to Support the Wolf Pack🏪

Earn money for your community organization when you use your loyalty card.

Link your Kroger Card!

Weekly Schedules and Calendars

Lunch Times (7th grade student's have been told their specific lunch)

11:43 - 1:40

Lunches

6th + ½ 7th - 11:50 - 12:15

8th + ½ 7th - 1:15 - 1:40

Dogwood Daily Bell Schedule

House Huddle Schedule

House Cheers Schedule

Dogwood 26-27 School Calendar

Breakfast & Lunch Menus by Week

Important Upcoming Dates📆

October 2026

28-End of 1st 9 weeks (No school for students)

30- Howl Harvest Dance/Canned Food Drive through Tuesday, November 24th

November 2026

2-Wellness Day (No school)

3-Election Day (No school)

9-Diwali Day (No school)

10- Italian Ice Attendance Incentive

12-Parent teacher conferences

13- House Cheers

24- Howlz Huddles

25-27- Thanksgiving Break (No school)

🐺Time to Howl!

Teacher/Staff of the Month-Parents, Students, and Staff Invited to Vote✅

Nominate someone from the WOLF PACK who exemplifies our PACK expectations on the 30th of each month.

Congratulations to Mr. Troy Kershaw, 8th grade ELA teacher, nominated by Makayla Jalal for the month of September!

Thanks for being our Leader of the Pack!

School Improvement Action Plan

Dogwood Middle School is designated a federally identified Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school. Our School's required Evidence and Analysis of Progress are updated mid-month after Alpha Leadership meetings. Here is the most recent update.

This document from New Jersey provides a clear overview of evidence based interventions (EBIs). Below are the selected EBIs for our school used to support learners and improve student outcomes in our federal designated areas according to ESSA. Our EBIs have high efficacy and are proven to raise achievement.

All departments, to include our Electives team, have received an overview and/or initial training on EBI implementation, as we are ALL IN.

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Mathematics: Teach students how to use visual representations.

Reading: Part 3B. Consistently provide students with opportunities to ask and answer questions to better understand the text they read.

Our school is also a Title 1 school. See our Title 1 Family Engagement Letter to families here.

💡 Reminders

Click the flyer below to apply

Fall Sports 🍃

FALL ATHLETICS PRACTICE INFORMATION

Girls Basketball

Coaches: Kalen Carver and Brittney Beasley

Practice: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Time: 3:30–5:00 PM

Email: kcarver@rvaschools.net & Bbeasley22@icloud.com

Soccer

Coach: Matthew Baker

Volunteer Support: William Phillips

Practice: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 3:30– 4:45 PM

Email: mbaker2@rvaschools.net

*Once games begin: Tuesday only

Cheerleading

Coaches: Tiara Harris (Ms. T) and Dejia Graham

Practice: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Time: 3:30–5:00 PM

Email: tharri17@rvaschools.net & Dgraham@rvaschools.net

*Once games begin: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday (subject to change)

Please note: Practice and game schedules are subject to change due to weather, emergencies, school activities, transportation, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Any changes will be communicated as soon as possible via parent square and team chats via the Band app.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES

The following documents are included for review and use:

Middle school Athletic Handbook
DMS Student-Athletic Contract
Athlete Demerit Form/Wolf Way Disciplinary Actions
Off-Campus Practice Permission Slip
Fall Sports Schedules
Coaches and Athletic Information

Demerit Sheet

Soccer Schedule 2026

Girls Basketball Schedule 2026

DMS Middle School Student-Athlete Contract

Off-Campus Practice Permission Slip

Middle School Athletic Handbook

RPS Sports Calendar Link

Important: Each student-athlete is required to return all applicable forms with a parent/guardian signature.

Here are the video and slide deck from the virtual parent meeting.

Email Coach T Harris at tharri17@rvaschools.net with any sports/athletic related questions.

RESOURCES FOR YOUR STUDENT🤗

1) Extended Day tutoring has begun for students in need of additional support after school to be successful. Extended Day takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-5:00pm and both meals and transportation are provided. Have your student return this slip to the main office. A button is also below for downloading the form.

2) Keep Your Child On Track in Middle and High School: Pay Attention to Attendance (Attendance Works)

3) Strengthening Math Skills at Home

4)Strengthening Reading Skills at Home

5) Canvas Support for Students

VDOE Family Support Link