DMS Celebrates 6th Grade Honor Roll Students

principal Debra Gately stood silently for a moment,
looking out at the crowd that had filled her auditorium. With vice principal
Margo Fraczek by her side, a simple "raised hand" quieted the room.

The third term had just ended and report cards had gone home. Plans are 
underway to secure student school supplies for the fall and the DMS TREK
Program for the summer is ready.

But this assembly was about the students in grade six. Ms. Gately and
Dr. Fraczek had called the 200-plus DMS boys and girls together, along with their parents and relatives, to congratulate them all for their hard work.

As she looked around the room, Ms. Gately told the group how proud she was and how far they had come together. Eight months ago, this class of students began as four separate groups - coming in from Oakdale, Avery, Riverdale and Greenlodge. She praised them for putting their "best foot forward" this year and learning how to work together as a community.

Both parents and students listened intently, as she explained that she
has always been "a numbers person." As the school year goes along, the 
classes become more difficult. This past term, however, showed a "very significant improvement in grades" from this group, Gately said.

Then came the moment that everyone had been waiting for. Ms. Gately read the names of the students that had made the Honor Roll, followed by the students that received High Honors. An overwhelming 56 percent of them had achieved this goal. Congratulations on a job well done!