Red Ribbon Week Day 4: Friends don't let friends do drugs or bully!
about 1 month ago, Damascus Middle School
Two students are dressed alike.
Four students are dressed alike.
Two students are dressed alike.
Two students and a teacher are dressed alike.
Two students are dressed alike.
Two students are dressed alike.
Two students are dressed alike.
Three students are dressed alike.
Two students are dressed alike.
A teacher and a student are dressed alike.
Red Ribbon Week Day 3: Give drugs and bullying the boot!
about 1 month ago, Damascus Middle School
A student poses in a cowboy hat and boots.
Students pose in western wear.
A student poses in a cowboy hat.
A student poses in a cowboy hat.
A student poses in a cowboy hat.
A student poses in a cowboy hat.
Teachers pose in cowboy hats and boots.
Teachers pose in cowboy hats and boots.
Students pose in cowboy hats and boots.
Students pose in cowboy hats and boots.
Red Ribbon Week Day 2: DMS teaming up against drugs and bullying!
about 1 month ago, Holston High School
Students pose in team jerseys.
A student poses in a team jersey and gear.
Students pose in team jerseys.
Students pose in team jerseys.
A student poses in a team jersey.
Students pose in team jerseys.
A student poses in a team jersey.
A student poses in a team jersey.
A student poses in a team jersey.
A student poses in a team jersey.
Kicking off Red Ribbon Week by putting drugs and bullying to rest! 💤
about 1 month ago, Damascus Middle School
Students pose in their pajamas.
Students pose in their pajamas.
Students pose in their pajamas.
Students pose in their pajamas.
Students pose in their pajamas.
Students pose in their pajamas.
Students sign the anti-bullying sign.
Students pose in their pajamas.
Students pose in their pajamas.
Principals pose in pajamas.
DMS is hosting a blood drive on Monday, November 17 from 10 am-3 pm. Family, friends, and community members are encouraged to donate. The homeroom class with the most participation will earn an ice cream party. When making an appointment, tell which student you are donating to help. Thank you all; let's make this another great event!
about 1 month ago, Damascus Middle School
Blood Drive Damascus Middle School Monday, Nov. 17 10 am-3 pm
Just a reminder 🎃: Entries for our annual pumpkin contest are due tomorrow!
about 1 month ago, Damascus Middle School
Pumpkin Decorating Contest Details
Sweet DNA 🧬: Students in Ms. Ritter's Science 7 classes built candy models of DNA using Twizzlers and marshmallows. The models helped students visualize the double helix structure and practice complementary base pairing.
about 1 month ago, Damascus Middle School
Students show off their candy DNA models.
Students show off their candy DNA models.
Students show off their candy DNA models.
Students show off their candy DNA models.
Students show off their candy DNA models.
Dr. Matlock Day 🎉🎓: 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 Jason’s family members were also involved in the surprise. His father, Mr. David Matlock, shared stories of Jason’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!
about 1 month 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 Café 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.
about 1 month 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!
about 2 months 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! 🏈📣🏈
about 2 months ago, Damascus Middle School
DMS Cavalier Football VS. RRMS
🎓 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 couldn’t be prouder of this huge accomplishment. Congratulations, Dr. Matlock!
about 2 months ago, WCPS Social Media
Jason Matlock Photo
It's time for the annual pumpkin decorating contest! 🎃
about 2 months 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! 🏈📣
about 2 months ago, Damascus Middle School
DMS Cavalier Football vs. GSMS
DMS was thrilled to welcome Connor Stevens to a Career Café 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!
about 2 months 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! 📣🏈
about 2 months ago, Damascus Middle School
DMS Cavalier Football vs. CMS

Experiential Learning 🥾: Students in Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Lopez, and Ms. Moss’s English 7 classes headed out on the Appalachian Trail to “hike their own hike” after reading Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’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 ABC’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, “it takes five million steps to walk the Appalachian Trail.” Hopefully, these first steps on the trail will bring these students back for more.

2 months 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 🍿: 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.
2 months 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!🏐📣
2 months 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!
2 months ago, Damascus Middle School
Happy National Custodian Day!