How does the phrase "Middle School" make you feel? What about "PE locker combination"? Or "cafeteria"? If any of these are starting to make you sweat, we have something just for you! We want to ensure you are ready for your entry to Dodgen Middle School and your questions are answered!
Whether you're a rising 6th grader or someone who is new to Dodgen in 7th or 8th grades, look here for insight into what awaits you at Dodgen Middle School. From classrooms to connections and the clinic. Covering busses, carpool, you name it. We are working to ensure your questions are answered and you have a view into all that Dodgen Middle School offers you.
Procedures you Need to Know
What if you need to check your child out early? What if they forget something at home? This flyer answers some key questions about parent related procedures.
Morning Arrival
- All students are encouraged to arrive by 9:05 am
- Morning announcements begin at 9:08 am
- If a student enters the building AFTER 9:08 am the student is directed to sign in at the front office to mark their arrival
- Student arrives PRIOR to 9:11 am the tardy will be deleted and time marked
- Student arrives AFTER 9:11 am student will sign in at the Front Office and student is considered tardy
- School officially begins at 9:13 am
- All students must be seated in their homerooms to be considered present.
Any questions, please contact the Linda Caballero, PPO (attendance) clerk: linda.caballero@cobbk12.org
All students signing in must have a note or parent/guardian to sign them in at any time during the school day.
PARENT INFORMATION GUIDE
The Parent Information Guide above covers details regarding your first day, your first week, before school, during school and after school.
Dodgen 101 is a continual work in progress.
Please enjoy and submit any feedback, suggestions and updates to this email: Dodgen101@dodgenptsa.org
BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS
Create/Update a Dodgen Toolkit Account
The Dodgen Toolkit is the tool that the Dodgen PTSA is now using to communicate with parents. In weekly newsletters, there will be information from the school administration, dates for upcoming events at Dodgen as well as information about upcoming dates and deadlines for a variety of after school activities. Creating an account allows you to update teacher contact preferences, pay student fees, buy dance tickets, and so much more.
If you have already created a Toolkit account at another school, you can visit Dodgen Toolkit and use the same login credentials you've used at other schools. You will then be asked to update your contact & student information for the Dodgen PTSA.
Pay Student Fees
Student fees can be paid through MyPaymentsPlus. If you do not already have an account, click the REGISTER NOW button. The fees vary by grade level and include charges for things like PE locker maintenance, postage, vocabulary books, Olympics t-shirts and treats (school Olympics are held in the spring), etc.
Join the Dodgen PTSA
Why join the Dodgen PTSA? It’s about being part of the school community. Do you think our schools could do better? Join us in advocating for public education at the local, state and national levels. Do you think our schools are under funded? Volunteer with us to help raise funds for our classrooms. Do you think our teachers are overwhelmed by large class sizes? Lighten their load by making copies once or twice a month. Do you think our teachers could be more effective? Help us fund and support training programs to help them be better. Do you think Dodgen is already pretty great? Join us in supporting the programs and activities that keep it great!
So you say you’re a busy, working parent. You have no time to volunteer. Join anyway. Every membership sends a clear message to our legislators, school boards and our Dodgen administrators that public education is a priority to you and you want to be part of the solution. And just maybe, a volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule and your skill set will eventually come along.
Volunteer
Middle school flies by and is a time of transformation in our students’ lives. Being involved at school is an excellent way to be a part of that transformation. Commitments range from a one-time donation of a few hours to regular weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly commitments. Once you register for a Dodgen Toolkit account, the Dodgen PTSA Volunteer Opportunities worksheet will be available on your home page. Additional volunteer opportunities will be available on our Volunteer webpage.
Access the Online Directory/Get the App to view the Directory on the Go
More information on this is available here.
Make a Donation to the PTSA
Have you noticed that no one from the PTSA has asked you to bake cookies, sell wrapping paper, or participate in a “thon” of any kind? The PTSA has chosen to raise funds only by requesting donations. The majority of these funds are used for staff appreciation events and appropriations. This is when a teacher or group of teachers says, “I could really enhance the education of my students if I only had…” and the PTSA works with the administration to evaluate and fulfill those requests. Appropriations have a daily impact on our students. Donations can be made through Dodgen Toolkit or sent to school with your child in an envelope marked Dodgen PTSA Donation.
Make a Donation to the Dodgen Foundation
The Foundation is asking for a $100 donation for each student enrolled at Dodgen. This will allow the Foundation to fund the resource needs that our administration & teachers have identified for the 2022-2023 school year. However, if $100 is out of reach, any amount donated at www.dodgenfoundation.com will be accepted and appreciated.
Subscribe to the online Dodgen PTSA Calendar
The Dodgen School Calendar is available online this year with or without a Dodgen Toolkit account. The calendar can be viewed and/or printed at any time, but since the calendar will continue to be updated throughout the year, the best way to stay up-to-date would be to create a Toolkit account and follow the instructions on the PTSA homepage to subscribe to the calendar.
Attend your child's Open House
Open Houses are scheduled by grade and held in the evening early in the new school year. These are parent-only events. See the Calendar for this year's schedule. Invaluable information will be communicated by the administration and your child's teachers at this event.
Create/Check your ParentVue account
Visit parentvue.cobbk12.org to access your ParentVUE account. There you can view your child's attendance, schedule and grading information. If you are new to Cobb County or have not used ParentVue before, visit the Dodgen front office for assistance (after the second or third week of school) in setting up your account.
Create/Check your CTLS account
CTLS is the communication tool used by Dodgen teachers to keep you and your students informed about what's going on in the classrooms. Teachers will post assignments and due dates, students can ask questions of teachers/classmates, find assignments when they are absent and collaborate on group projects, and parents can keep a watchful eye on it all.
Order a Dodgen Yearbook
The Dodgen Yearbook can be ordered directly from Josten's. There are several options available to personalize your yearbook experience.
Dodgen Connections
Dodgen's Connections programs offer a wealth of opportunity to our students. To be prepared for the particular needs of each program, visit their websites:
Adding Funds to Lunch Accounts/Dodgen Cafeteria
The CCSD Food and Nutrition Services Department has an extensive webpage with lunch menus, information on food allergies & special nutrition needs and information on lunch payment. Register with www.mypaymentsplus.com to make payments for meal accounts, get low balance alerts, and see detailed purchase history online. Payments may also be made by a parent brining in cash or check sending it to school with the student. Contact Dodgen's Cafeteria Manager, Suzanne Leuck if you would like more information regarding monitoring your child’s account.
