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Lift-off success! Our 7th grade solar balloons launched this morning, kicking off our Fun Friday events in the coolest way possible! Huge thanks to our amazing partners at Sandia National Labs for helping make this project a reality. The balloon was last tracked near Amarillo!

First-ever Spring Fling in the books—and it was a blast! Huge thanks to Mrs. Cox and her StuCo kiddos for making it all happen. From the DJ and dance floor to game booths, food trucks, and even a dunk tank! With these kind of smiles, it’s safe to say Spring Fling is here to stay!

Second Spring Fling post coming in hot—because the teacher pics and dunk tank moments deserve their own spotlight! Our staff showed UP: dancing, laughing, getting soaked, and making memories with our kids. These are the moments they’ll remember—and so will we. Absolute legends!

Get ready, DRMS! Spirit Week starts tomorrow and there’s something for everyone. Let’s make it a week full of fun and connection!

At DRMS, we celebrate our entire staff this week! It truly takes everyone—teachers, EAs, custodians, clerks, counselors, support staff, and subs—to make this place run smoothly. Take a moment to let a DRMS staff member know how they’ve made a difference to you this year!

Congratulations to our newest NJHS inductees! We’re so proud of your hard work, leadership, and commitment to scholarship. Tonight’s ceremony was a celebration of your achievements—well done, Diamondbacks!

Poetry is alive in the 8th grade hallway! From thoughtful haikus to creative blackout poems and word art, our DRMS students have been exploring powerful ways to express their voice. So impressed by their creativity and heart!

Huge congratulations to DRMS 8th grader Elijah Perea, who competed with the La Cueva team as they won the State 5A Tennis Tournament this past weekend! As the only 8th grader on the team, Elijah’s hard work and dedication helped contribute to their championship win. 🎾

These sweet friends organized a fundraiser last week to support our 7th grader Ryatt in his recovery. We sold out of bracelets and raised over $900—plus made some incredible posters filled with kind messages. So proud of our students for rallying around one of their own! 💙

Our Jazz Bands wrapped up their year on a sweet note at tonight’s “Just Desserts” concert! Great music, tasty treats, and lots of proud smiles—what more could you ask for? Huge shoutout to our talented students and their amazing directors in Mr. Lovato and Mrs. Han!

Some very special visitors made their way to Desert Ridge today! Huge thanks to the SCCV therapy dogs for bringing smiles, snuggles, and so much joy to a few of our favorite classrooms. Not sure who enjoyed it more—the students, the staff, or the pups!

Surprise celebration today for one of our best—Mr. Don Starr! Our students and staff were so excited to help reveal that he has been named as a 2025 Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award winner! Congratulations, Mr. Starr, on this well-deserved honor—we are so proud of you!

Chromebook turn-in is coming up next week on May 28th—make sure you are ready! Don’t forget to bring your charger, remove any personal stickers, and save any Minecraft worlds you want to keep. Leaving early? Turn in your device to Room 409, NOT the front desk.

At our final staff meeting today, we celebrated and honored two incredible retirees. Sue Jacobs and Gena Harris have been amazing, longtime EAs at Desert Ridge—together giving 38 years of service to our school community. Wishing them all the best in their well-earned retirement!

Last concert of the 2024–2025 school year! We wrapped up two weeks of amazing night events with performances from our band groups. The final piece with all four groups playing together was such a fun way to end—awesome to see the progression from beginning to symphonic!

Chromebook collection is coming up on May 28th! Make sure you are ready—remove any personal stickers, give it a quick wipe-down, and don’t forget your charger!

In observance of Memorial Day, there is no school Monday. As you enjoy the long weekend, take time to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Students return Tuesday for the final week of school. Last day for students is Thursday 5/29.

Maybe my favorite project of the year—8th grade science classes wrapped yesterday up with Egg Wars! After weeks of designing and testing, students went shell-to-shell in a literal crash course in physics. Eggs-tra proud of our future scientists! 🥚💥 🤓

Celebrating the final days of middle school with 8th grade—dinner/dance last night, field day today! Days packed with food, music, games, & crafts. But more importantly, smiles, laughter, and memories with friends. Such a special group of kids—we are going to miss them next year!

And just like that, the 2024–2025 school year is a wrap! What a great year with the very BEST kids around. Wishing all our Diamondbacks a summer full of fun, laughter, and well-earned rest. You will be missed—see you in August!