Dr. Matlock Day šŸŽ‰šŸŽ“: Students, faculty, and staff surprised Dr. Jason Matlock with a celebration of his completion of his doctorate and a day named in his honor! The day began with a special announcement made by Layla F. and James K., which was the first hint to Dr. Matlock of what he had in store! He entered the halls to sounds of cheering students and sights of faculty and staff dressed just like him. Dr. Keith Perrigan, Mrs. Debbie Anderson and Jasonā€™s family members were also involved in the surprise. His father, Mr. David Matlock, shared stories of Jasonā€™s desire to make a difference in the lives of others from an early age. His decision to pursue a doctoral degree is an example of his dedication to his children, Nolan and Knox, and to all of the other children he has impacted and will continue to impact throughout his career in education. Congratulations, Dr. Matlock!
1 day ago, Damascus Middle School
A man holds a cup of coffee in an office.
A man walks down a hall lined with students.
A man walks down a hall lined with children holding pictures.
A man walks down a hall lined with children.
A man walks down a hall of children clapping.
A man stands with a boy in a library.
A man talks with a group of people in a library.
Three people hold a diploma in a library.
A man stands with a group of people in a library.
A group of people stand in a library.
DMS welcomed Kevin Kelly, Chief Ranger, and Kathy Miller, Interpretive Ranger, from Grayson Highlands State Park to another exciting Career CafƩ on October 20. The rangers spoke to students about the wide variety of roles and duties within the park service. They educated students about the diverse paths that can lead to a career as a park ranger as well as the benefits, skills, and overall perks within this exciting career. Students walked away more informed about both the park service and the flora and fauna of our region.
3 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Students listen to park rangers while eating lunch.
Students listen to park rangers while eating lunch.
Students listen to park rangers while eating lunch.
Students listen to park rangers while eating lunch.
Students listen to park rangers while eating lunch.
Students listen to park rangers while eating lunch.
Students listen to park rangers while eating lunch.
Students listen to park rangers while eating lunch.
Students listen to park rangers while eating lunch.
My Jersey, Your Impact: In this tradition, 8th-grade athletes recognize a teacher who has impacted their lives, inspiring and encouraging them on and off the playing field or court. The honorees for Fall 2025 were as follows: Mrs. Blackburn, chosen by Mikayla G., Brady H., Jakob L., Savana M., Hunter S., and Landen W.; Mr. Blizzard, chosen by Lucy H. and Carson M.; Mrs. Childress, chosen by Ali P. and Brooklyn W.; Mrs. Foster, chosen by Myah L. and Selena S.; Ms. Bowman (Hilton), chosen by Brantley D.; Ms. Kelly, chosen by Makenna E., Selah J., Case M., Roby O., and Asher T.; Ms. M. Mitten, chosen by Matthew T.; Mrs. Rhudy, chosen by Urijah S.; and Mrs. Taylor, chosen by Dalton M. and Brayden O. Congratulations to the honorees and to these student athletes!
5 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
Student athlete(s) stand with teacher(s) on a court/field.
The DMS Cavalier Football team travels to Rural Retreat to play tonight! Go Cavs! šŸˆšŸ“£šŸˆ
5 days ago, Damascus Middle School
DMS Cavalier Football VS. RRMS
šŸŽ“ Big news from Damascus Middle School

Principal Jason Matlock successfully defended his dissertation last night through Radford University and is officially Dr. Matlock! His research focused on addressing chronic absenteeism through a networked improvement community using improvement science.

We couldnā€™t be prouder of this huge accomplishment. Congratulations, Dr. Matlock!
8 days ago, WCPS Social Media
Jason Matlock Photo
It's time for the annual pumpkin decorating contest! šŸŽƒ
15 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Join us for a spooktacular pumpkin decorating contest!
The DMS Cavalier Football Team returns to the Holston High School field to face the Glade Spring Middle School Rebels tonight at 5:30! Come out and show your support! Go Cavs! šŸˆšŸ“£
16 days ago, Damascus Middle School
DMS Cavalier Football vs. GSMS
DMS was thrilled to welcome Connor Stevens to a Career CafƩ on October
6. Mr. Stevens is a Sound Designer at Barter Theatre and came to
educate our students about this unique and creative career. Students
learned about the intricacies of sound design and how important it is to
storytelling within the theatre setting. They also learned about the wide
variety of fields in which a sound designer could work such as the music
industry, podcasts, or the television and film industry. Mr. Stevens
discussed the math and science involved in sound design and sound
engineering and gave students a broad overview of the skills and
characteristics needed for this vocation. Overall, students heard a lot to
pique their interests!
17 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Students eat lunch while a man talks with them.
Students eat lunch while a man talks with them.
Students eat lunch while a man talks with them.
Students eat lunch while a man talks with them.
Good luck to the DMS Cavalier Football Team as they travel to Chilhowie tonight to face the Warriors! Go Cavs! šŸ“£šŸˆ
19 days ago, Damascus Middle School
DMS Cavalier Football vs. CMS

Experiential Learning šŸ„¾: Students in Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Lopez, and Ms. Mossā€™s English 7 classes headed out on the Appalachian Trail to ā€œhike their own hikeā€ after reading Kimberly Brubaker Bradleyā€™s novel Halfway to the Sky. The day was perfect! It began with trail stories from former thru-hiker Jim Harrison, a bit of trail magic (freeze-dried Skittles) provided by Mrs. Debbie Anderson, and the view of our hometown from 300 feet above. Mr. Brandon Dale shared the ABCā€™s of packing your backpack for a hike, and Coach Michael Ratliff demonstrated how to build a fire. The day continued with a picnic in the Damascus Town Park, a visit to the Damascus Trail Center, mixing up some GORP (trail mix), reflecting on the hike in a hiking log book, and rock painting. Students learned so many things! Most of the students had never taken one step on the AT until this day. In the novel, the main character Dani notes as she takes her first step, ā€œit takes five million steps to walk the Appalachian Trail.ā€ Hopefully, these first steps on the trail will bring these students back for more.

21 days ago, Damascus Middle School
A woman gives two students some candy before they walk on a trail.
A man talks to students in front of an Appalachian Trail sign.
Two students stand next to a tree marked with a white blaze.
Students walk up a trail.
A man talks to students about packing a backpack.
A man demonstrates how to build a fire.
A woman demonstrates the tools she uses for clearing trails.
Students look at a model of the Appalachian Trail.
Two students show off their painted rocks.
A woman puts candy in a student's bag of trail mix.
Popcorn Science šŸæ: Students in Mrs. Caywood's Science 6 classes modeled each type of heat transfer--conduction, convection, and radiation--as they popped popcorn three different ways.
22 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Students pop popcorn with an air popper.
Students pop popcorn with an air popper.
Students pop popcorn on a stovetop.
Students pop popcorn in a microwave.
Students pop popcorn on a stovetop.
Students put popcorn in a paper bag.
Good luck to the DMS Cavalier Volleyball Team in the semifinals against Glade Spring Middle School! Go Cavs!šŸšŸ“£
23 days ago, Damascus Middle School
DMS Cavalier Volleyball vs. GSMS
It is National Custodian Appreciation Day! We appreciate Mr. Rabbit Sullivan and Mr. Damon Rose and the work they do every day!
23 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Happy National Custodian Day!
HOCO 2025 Spirit Day: The building was filled with our school colors, bulletin boards and posters, and the sounds of loud cheers--all in support of the Cavaliers! šŸ“£šŸˆ The week ended with a pep rally where Spirit Awards were given. 8th grade won for most participation throughout the week, 7th grade won the Spirit Stick, and 6th grade won the Bulletin Board competition. The Spirit Queens and Kings were as follows: Paige D. and Archer A. (6th grade), Lily D. and Brayden J. (7th grade), and Selena S. and Weston C. (8th grade).
24 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Students wearing crowns pose in a gym.
Students cheer in a gym.
Students cheer in a gym.
Students cheer in a gym.
Cheerleaders sit in a gym.
Cheerleaders cheer in a gym.
A teacher crowns a student in a gym.
A student wears a crown.
Students cheer in a gym.
Students cheer in a gym.
Marching CavaliersšŸ„: Two 8th-grade students, Sophie B. and Matthew T., are marching with the Holston Cavalier Band this season, getting some wonderful experience in the percussion section before they head to high school next year!
24 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Two students play xylophone on a football field.
Edible Cells : Students in Ms. Ritter's 7th-grade science classes created models of animal and plant cells that were good enough to eat!
24 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Students display their edible cell project.
Students display their edible cell project.
Students display their edible cell project.
Students display their edible cell project.
Students display their edible cell project.
Students display their edible cell project.
Students display their edible cell project.
Students display their edible cell project.
Students display their edible cell project.
Students display their edible cell project.
Hunting for Answers: Ms. Kelly and Ms. Moss's 7th-grade math students were on the hunt for answers during CAMO DAY! Dressed head-to-toe in camo, our Cavaliers blended in while solving problems, searching for clues, and showing off their math skills. From solving problems to tracking down hidden answers, these students proved that math is not only about numbers, it's about teamwork, strategy, and a little bit of adventure.

Way to go 7th graders!!! YOU HIT THE TARGET! šŸŽÆ
26 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Students dressed in camo work on math problems.
Students dressed in camo work on math problems.
Students dressed in camo work on math problems.
Students dressed in camo work on math problems.
Students dressed in camo work on math problems.
The DMS Cavalier Football Team heads to Battle Hill to face the Trojans tonight! Go Cavs! šŸˆšŸ“£
26 days ago, Damascus Middle School
DMS Cavalier Football vs. WMS
HOCO 2025: "Quite the Characters!"
Character Day brought out the personality of our students, faculty and staff!
26 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Students in costume pose in a school.
Students in costume pose in a school.
Teachers in costume pose in a school.
Students in costume pose in a school.
The office staff in costume poses in a library.
Students in costume pose in a school.
A student in costume poses in a school.
A student in costume poses in a school.
A student in costume poses in a school.
Students in costume pose in a school.
Damascus Middle School welcomed the second presenter of the year to Career
CafƩ on September 24. Dr. Mark Hainsworth from Emory and Henry University
came to talk with students about the fields of engineering and engineering
education. He informed students about the many types of engineering
specializations and the personal characteristics that might lead students to consider
careers in engineering or education. He challenged students to notice their own
engineering mindsets any time they notice a problem and think about ways to solve
it both in school and their daily lives.
29 days ago, Damascus Middle School
Students listen to a speaker while eating lunch in a classroom.
Students listen to a speaker while eating lunch in a classroom.
Students listen to a speaker while eating lunch in a classroom.
Students listen to a speaker while eating lunch in a classroom.