DPNews Weekly Announcements

Mindful, Intentional, and Empowered:

What is learned here, leaves here.

The DPNews is updated once a week on Tuesdays.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
10/12/2026 - No School
10/13/2026 - Panthers Fight Cancer Shirt - Orders DUE!
10/13/2026 - PTO is selling Pink Panther shirts for breast cancer awareness before school by the cafeteria, while supplies last.
10/13/2026 - District 202 Veteran donations due
10/16/2026 - 7th Grade Outdoor Education
10/16/2026 - End of First Quarter

COMING WEEK:
10/20/2026 - Choir Field Trip
10/21/2026 - Unity Day, please wear orange
10/13/2026 - District 202 Veteran donations due
10/22/2026- Choir concert, 7:00pm at PSHS

UNITY DAY

We are excited to share with you that our school community will be celebrating Unity Day on Wednesday, 10/21, this year. Unity Day is an annual event occurring during National Bullying Prevention Month in October that promotes joining together to create healthier communities through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. It was started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in 2011 and is now celebrated around the world. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to talk to your children about bullying prevention and all the positive things we can do to make healthier communities.

We are asking every student to wear Orange that day to show support for Unity Day!

Thank you.

Unity Day

ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Reminder to walkers and bike riders to use sidewalks and avoid cutting through neighbor's yards please.

Oct 24 Mystery@ Museum at Joliet Historical Museum.

Check grades in Home Access Center - Quarter 1 is ending October 16th- next week Friday! Contact your child's teacher for questions or concerns. Reminder parent teacher conferences are November 2 and 3.

PANTHERS FIGHT CANCER SHIRTS 2026

In recognition of Cancer Awareness, we are proud to offer a special Panthers Fight Cancer T-shirt as a way to come together and support members of our community affected by cancer.

Whether you are supporting someone in the fight, honoring a survivor, or remembering someone special, we hope you’ll join us by wearing your shirt and showing that our Panthers stand together.

PANTHER STRONG. FIGHT TOGETHER. NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE.

Panthers Fight Cancer Shirt
Panther Fight Cancer Shirt Order Form

Orders are due Tuesday, October 13th.

Thank you for helping us support our Panther community.

DISTRICT 202 VETERAN DAY ASSEMBLY

Dear Drauden Point Families,
We are planning an assembly to honor our Veterans on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Parents, guardians, and other family members who are Veterans, or currently serving, are invited to attend.
The assembly will start at 8:15am. Assembly highlights include a student color guard, choir and band performances, and a slide show of a current paratroopers battalion answering student questions. A certificate and small gift will be given to veterans in attendance. Veterans will be introduced during the assembly and a picture would be greatly appreciated.
After the assembly, we will have a brief reception for the guests in another room. Students will return to their classes. There will also be pictures of each branch of service on the wall if you would like to take pictures.
Sincerely,
Drauden Point Staff and Veterans Committee

Veteran Day form

DISTRICT 202 VETERAN DONATION DRIVE

September 28th-October 13th

We are asking our staff, students, and community members to join us in supporting the Veterans at Hines VA Hospital by donating much-needed items.

Your generous donations will help stock essential items needed for the Veterans. Every contribution, big or small, can make a meaningful difference in showing our appreciation and support for those who have served our country.

Donations can be dropped off at any District 202 school, sent to school with your child in their backpack, or American Legion 13 located at 24741 W. Renwick

Needed items:

3-in 1 Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash Mouthwash-alcohol free Toothpaste Deodorant Denture Adhesive Toenail Clippers T-Shirts (any size) Sweat Pants (any size) Body wash Coffee (ground)

Thank you for your generosity and support!

Veteran Flyer Veteran Flyer Spanish

PTO PINK PANTHER T-SHIRT SALES

PTO will have Pink Panther t-shirts to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We will sell them at school starting Tuesday, October 7th, before school in the cafeteria. We will sell them each morning until supply runs out. Shirts are $20.00 each, CASH ONLY.

Pink Panther Shirts

THE GREAT APPLE CRUNCH

OrganicLife would like to participate in the great apple crunch with your schools. This event is scheduled for October 15, 2026, when we will provide a variety of local apples to celebrate National Farm to School Month. Here is the link to the announcement:

Apple Crunch Day

PANTHER CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS

Do you have what it takes? Then join our 7th and 8th co-ed cheer team!

Tryouts: October 13th, starts at 3:30pm

You must attend both days of clinics to tryout. Join the Google Classromm for more information. See flyer for more information.

Cheer team flyer

8th GRADE CHOIR FIELD TRIP

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the eighth grade choir will be on a field trip to PSHS for their blue house choir recruitment day. The students will leave at 9:15 a.m. (during choir) and return at approximately 2:00 p.m. Students will be responsible for any missed work. a reminder will send out one week before. Thank you.

YEARBOOK

Panthers, it’s yearbook time!

The Drauden Point Yearbook is now available for purchase! Capture all the memories, friendships, laughs, and unforgettable moments from this school year.

Order yours today at www.yearbookforever.com

Don’t miss your chance to remember this year forever!
Once a Panther, always a Panther!

Fall Yearbook FLyer

PTO MEMBERSHIP

Congratulations to the Danielle Andruszko for winning our PTO membership raffle!

Join today and make an IMPACT! By joining PTO, you are not commiting your time, but simply helping support our school. The volunteer efforts put forth by the PTO at DPMS benefit the entire middle school community of students, and staff.

PTO MEMBERSHIP FORM

PTO MEMBERSHIP PAYMENT LINK

PTO MEETING DATES

Meetings will be at 5:00pm.

November 3rd, December 1st, January 5th, February 2nd, March 2nd, April 6th, May 4th

SPORTS

All athletic and sport physical questions reach out to Mrs. Hall at: Thall@psd202.org or 815-577-4995

Click here for Athletic Tryout Information

See calendar at the top of communication for game dates

CONNIE

Connie the service dog

MEET CONNIE:

Connie is Drauden Point's facility dog. Please review the Slide presentation to answer all of your questions about Connie. There is also a Google form included you can fill out if your child has allergies or restictions, as well as a link to help support Connie with items on her Amazon wish list.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1NAWP6mhL7cJBQSEAOmk2ljXnO-UVix5Z

Connie's Instagram?

Any parent or student may join it to follow her day to day journey at:

Service Dog Instagram

Please help us support Connie this school year!

Please see her Amazon wish list.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y3L222X7QI5G?ref_=wl_share

Thank you!

CLUBS:

DRAMA CLUB

Auditions for LEAD ROLES ONLY are on Wednesday 10/21 or Thursday 10/22. Choose one day and time to audition. Sign ups are outside room 239 ( Ms. Hefka's room)

If you would like to be a part of the ensemble or crew, an audition is not necessary.

Student contracts and fee for all drama clubs members are due Wednesday 10/21 to Ms Hefka in 239

COOKING CLUB

Laure Rice

The sign up for cooking days is open on Google Classroom! Sign up is Due Tuesday the 13th.

Time: 3-5pm Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Fall Party Cooking Lab Only 30 syudents will be selected. I will prioritize those who have not yet cooked** Sign up link will be sent out on 10/19/26.

Thursday, October 29th: Time 3-4:30pm Recipre: Graveyard Pudding Cups & a special snack

CLUB FUSE

Club Fuse is back, and it’s time to kick off an amazing new year!

Next meeting date: November 12th

Calling all BUDDIES: our very first meeting of the year is officially here! If you're ready to make new friends, hang out with great people, and help build a school community focused on inclusion, acceptance, and fun, this is where you need to be.

We can't wait to see all the familiar faces returning and welcome plenty of awesome new ones to the crew!

The Details:

Who: Club Fuse Buddies ONLY (Note: This event is specifically for Buddies; FBI or Select friends will join us at a later meeting!)
When: Thursday, NOvember 12th | Right after school until 3:30 PM
Where: Room 129

Bring your energy, bring your smile, and bring a friend who wants to get involved. Let’s make this our best year yet see you there!

GAME CLUB

Join the Game Club!

Looking for a fun place to hang out, make new friends, and play awesome games? Come check out the Game Club! Whether you love board games, card games, or are looking for a spot to meet up with your Dungeons & Dragons group, there’s a table for you.

When: November 5th

Where: LRC (Library Media Center)

Bring your favorite games or just bring yourself all skill levels and gamers are welcome! See you there!

HOMEWORK CLUB & FRIDAY SCHOOL

Need directions again? Want a teacher to show you what to do? Come to Homework Club.

Homework Club: is every Tuesday & Thursday from 3:00-3:45pm in room 106. homework Club is a quiet place for all students to complete schoolwork after school hours. A teacher will be available to assist with work and answer any questions. No pressure, just a casual place to get work done. Students can simply show up, sign in, and get to work. No club pass required. In cases of work completion concerns or excessive absence, attendance may be required by teachers, administrators, or parents.

Homework Club

Friday School: is every Friday from 3:00-6:00pm in room 111.

Both are great ways for kids to get help with their homework with teacher assistance.

MULTICULTURAL CLUB

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

Next meeting: Wed, October 21st from 3-4pm in the media center.

November meeting: Tuesday the 10th.

Advisers: Mrs. Carolyn Licata and Senora Jaclyn Weber

BOOK CLUB

Do you like to read books? Come to Book club to talk to other book lovers about what books you are reading? We also enjoy playing word games like Outburst and Scattergories and doing crafts like coloring book marks and origami.

Sponsor: Mrs. Carolyn Licata

October Dates: Wednesday, October 14th

INTRAMURALS

Mr. Gardner

Tuesdays: 3-3:45pm

Thursdays: 7:00am through Door D

STUDENT SUPPORT CENTER

Mrs. Henes

Welcome new and returnng Panthers! We look forward to seeing you all in the Student Support Center (SSC) Room 160.

Thank you for your support.

Support Center Amazon Wish List:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/VBNPOZ66NUGE?ref_=wl_share