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Dogwood Middle School

Excellence in Motion!

Wolf P.A.C.K. Weekly Student Edition #11

Posted Date: 10/25/26 (05:00 PM)
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Wolf P.A.C.K. Weekly Student Edition

Sunday newsletter

October 25, 2026
DMS
AW

Weekly Principal Message

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

Happy Sunday, Wolf Pack families!

We have had an eventful week! We have seen innovation and creativity happening in our classrooms, with a heavy focus on remaining steady for our children so that learning continues. 

Families and students, we thank you for your commitment to continuing to attend school each day and for your trust in our school community. 

Please continue to check ParentSquare for division, real-time updates daily. 

Monday, October 26th, Dogwood PTA hosts a Spirit Night at Little Mexico! 

Wednesday, October 28th, there will be no school for students as it is a Teacher Work Day. 

This Thursday, Oct. 29th, we hope the entire WolfPack Pink's Out in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Our PTA still needs your help funding the sponsored Howl Harvest Dance 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

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

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

Join the PTA 🎈

PTA website: dogwoodms.givebacks.com/
PTA email address: executiveboard@dogwoodmspta.org

PTA President: Mom Kelly Miller


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!
Kroger

Join Community Rewards to Support the Wolf Pack🏪

SIGN UP FOR THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM

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

 

Weekly Schedules and Calendars

schedule
 

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📆

Houses
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!

bdays

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


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. 

*************************
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

spirit
HH
A promotional flyer for Dogwood Middle School PTA's 'Dads in Schools Program: Hoops & Headsets' event featuring a basketball and game controller.
Support
POETRY FLYER
THANKSGIVING
1st day
1st day 2

Click the flyer below to apply

GOTR
Art after school
 
DMS athletes

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

*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








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.
esport
Athletics

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)



VDOE Family Support Link
 

Need to Know Info🚨

Back to School Title 1 Night
Dogwood Student Handbook 26-27
Dogwood Cell Phone Enforcement
Dogwood PACK C & C Matrix
RPS SCORE 26-27
Dogwood School Quality Profile
Title I Right to Know/Assessment
Extended Day Permission Slip
 
staff pic

Connect with Us

Email/Phone: lyounger2@rvaschools.net/804-389-3813 (Principal Younger)