DTMS
DOWNTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
02
Message of Gratitude
11
Spotlight: Ms. Jones
03
Campus
13
Spotlight: Ms. Perez
04
Scholar Photos
15
Notes of Appreciation
07
Notes of Appreciation
17
Scholar Photos
09
Scholar Photos
20
Scholar Photos
THE STUDENTS AND STAFF OF DTMS PRESENT THIS BOOK AS A TOKEN OF OUR GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION FOR ALL YOU DO!
DOWNTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL
“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” – Karl Barth
“The root of joy is gratefulness.” - David Steindl-Rast
We Appreciate your HARD WORK
We Appreciate you BEING ALL HANDS
To the world you may an educator, and school leader, but to your students you are a HERO!
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” – Flora Edwards
Melissa Goncalves Nikki, Thank goodness for you! You are the kind of leader that not only inspires your staff, but also one that truly seeks to understand and know your staff as individuals. You respect us for our differences and try to find ways in which we can showcase our uniqueness to our children. You encourage us to share our passions with our students in order to build strong bonds between ourselves and our students. Thank you for always being open to new ideas and allowing us to attempt innovative teaching techniques! I am so grateful to be under your stewardship!
Melissa Goncalves Sophia, You are the definition of ruling with grace. With all that you manage (you know, a whole school), you do it with pose and calm and kindness. I always feel comfortable coming to you with an issue or concern because I know it will be treated with respect. Not to mention, that you are super organized-I need some life tips. Are you willing to teach a master class? But truthfully, you carry our school without a hitch. Thank you for being a warm presence in our school. We are so lucky to have you!
Alexus Perry Dear Nikki, Thank you for being the model. Thank you for establishing the culture in our community that creates agents of change and young entrepreneurs who strive to be better versions of themselves. I still think back and reflect on the moment you called me and offered me the opportunity to teach at DTMS and I use that moment to motivate me and remind me of how far I’ve come in my journey. You’ve been an essential part of my betterment by pushing me out of my comfort zone, challenging me to think about things differently, and making sure I felt supported and confident during my most challenging times. Please know that I am grateful for you and I appreciate you.
Christopher Rodeschin Nikki, Thank you for being such a strong leader in such trying times! You have provided such a steadfast, continuous focus to our work as educators, and continually strive for greatness no matter what the situation! I appreciate all of the work you are doing, both at the forefront as well as behind the scenes. You have helped me grow as a leader, and I am immensely grateful for your support at every stage throughout the year.
Christopher Rodeschin Sophia, You have been so flexible and resilient with all of the changes and system changes over the last couple of months. Additionally, you have taken on such a strong leadership role in the school in this first year! Thank you for your strong leadership, support, and your ability to respond to each challenge that comes your way!
We Appreciate Your KINDNESS & SMILE
We Appreciate You MAKING US FEEL HEARD
“A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” – William Hazlitt
"The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them." — Ralph Nichols
We Appreciate Your "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." LEADERSHIP -John C. Maxwell
We Appreciate Your STRENGTH
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve
MS. JONES, WE APPRECIATE YOU “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer
MS. JONES WE APPRECIATE YOU
“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.” – Lionel Hampton
MS. PEREZ WE APPRECIATE YOU “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” – Gilbert C. Chesterton
MS. PEREZ WE APPRECIATE YOU
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” – Henri Frederic Amiel
Brian Smith Nikki, I think your leadership style and spirit can be best captured in the fact that you created a “girls empowerment group” and freed some of our toughest nuts to crack into strong and open minded future leaders when no one else could reach them or wouldn’t even try. I thank you for having heart to do this to allow the rest of the world to see these children the way you do. You do this every day, please don’t every stop empowering young people.
Katherine Goett Nikki- You had a huge impact on me when we started to teach 8th Grade at DTMS 7 years ago! I am forever grateful for that support. Now, we continue to work at DTMS and I am honored to work for such an inspiring principal! I appreciate your Leadership, Dedication, and Humor. - Katherine
Brian Smith Sophia, you have set the standard for what a DOO should be. Trust me, in twenty some years I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of Ops, you are by far superior to any that have come before, don’t tell Nihir, you are also very personable and quick to respond which can’t be noted enough. I love what you have brought to Downtown from the details of having fabric on bulletin boards before the first day of school to whatever ridiculous formula you create for Google Sheets cells that none of us will ever see, I appreciate you immensely.
Katherine Goett Sophia- I am constantly in awe of how well you manage all of the tasks you encounter each day! All of the support you give (particularly Doc Cam/Tech support for me!) and quick responses are greatly appreciated. It is hard to believe you have not been working here for multiple years—I am so grateful you are at DTMS!
“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” – Karl Barth