Dakota Minute

We are almost half way through the school year and I am proud to say that Dakota Meadows is having a great year. Our halls and classrooms feel the way they did pre-pandemic. There is much to celebrate at Dakota Meadows and I want to thank our parents and families for their roles in supporting our students. One area that has not rebounded since the pandemic is student attendance. We are working as a school to help make sure students are in school as much as possible. You will see increased communication around student attendance. Please see the note below about excusable absences. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to myself or Assistant Principal Buttell. Thank you for your cooperation.

Gratefully,

Principal Hyer

Please remember to contact the Attendance Office in regards to your student and their absences. Please provide a reason for your student's absence. Without a reason, it is hard to know whether an absence is excusable.

You can reach the attendance office

• via phone (507) 387-5077 option 1
• via email at dmmsattendance@isd77.org
• via note/medical letter

Please note, if you reach out to your student's teacher, you must also notify the Attendance Office of the absence/s. A reminder is sent out at the end of the day for any absences that are not verified, please follow up with the Attendance Office as soon as possible to clear the absence.

Absences that are excusable are as follows:

• illness
• vacation
• hospitalization
• funeral/death of family member
• medical appointments
• school related sports/activities
• leaving early for a non school related sport
• a religious holiday

Absences that are not excusable are as follows:

• running late (beyond the first time)
• missing the bus (beyond the first time)
• section and state sport tournaments not school related with school transportation
  
• anything that is not in the above excused absences

With the last day of the quarter being January 19th, please make sure to connect with your students in regards to any missing or outstanding work. If you have any questions or need to reach out to any teachers, you are more than welcome to!

We are excited for the 3rd quarter! Please make sure you and your student(s) check their 3rd quarter schedule as classes and or room numbers could change! You can see this by loggining into Infinite Campus.

The safety of our students and staff is the utmost important thing, espeically at drop off and pick up. Please be mindful of those in the parking lot and being aware of your surroundings.

Remember for dropping off and picking up at door 8 to:

Stop: your vehicle

Drop: off your student

Roll: your vehicle out of the parking lot

**It is OK to drop off by the basketball hoops. Please do not wait in the drop off lane.

Diagram here.

We will be opening up the cafeteria doors at 7:45am due to the cooler weather. Students will be supervised in the cafeteria by staff until 8:10 when the rest of the building is open. Please do not have your student/s wait in the foyer at Door 1. This creates a safety concern when substitues, visitors or staff cannot pass through these doors.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Principal Hyer.

This week in advisory we reminded students about boundaries. For young adolescents, it is important to revisit ways they can set and respect boundaries.

The entry forms for the 2024 Laws of Life Essay Contest are now available. There are two entry forms, one for the junior high contest and one for the senior high contest.

Students can contact their English teacher or guidance department or myself for a copy of the entry form.

We hope that you will announce the contest and give your students an opportunity to win cash or a scholarship. This contest is open to students in grade 7 through grade 12 in the Mankato Area Public Schools, the Parochial Schools within the district, and home-schooled students within the district.

Essays are due in your principal’s office on or before noon Thursday March 7, 2024.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Frank Brandt at fxbrandt@gmail.com or 507-327-8889 or his State Farm insurance office at 507-345-4560.

Thank you for your support of the Laws of Life Essay contest.

Spring Conferences for DMMS will be Thursday, February 29th and Monday, March 4th. More information and a sign up link to follow!

Two hour early releases will take place on the following dates:

February 14th, 2024. March 13th, 2024. April 17th, 2024. May 15th, 2024.

There are no middle school practices on early release days. ALL DMMS student athletes should be picked up or use bus transportation home on these days.There is also no activity bus to Mankato West on Early release days. Student Athletes that participate at the high school level may have practices as normal but will have to provide their own transportation or contact their coach.

Welcome to the new year, 2024! As we are approaching the second half of the school year, it is important to stay on track and motivated. One way to do this is actively practice and cultivate optimism! Check out this Wellness Today Newsletter from Hope Squad on HOW TO HAVE OPTIMISM.

"The goal of Hope Squad is to "prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma, and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide." Visit hopesquad.com for more information and resources!

DMMS Families and Friends:

PTA is in the midst of our One and Done campaign and we thank those who have donated and supported our efforts thus far. Currently we are hoping to raise another $15,000 by mid March. Funds from the One and Done collections help us to provide countless opportunities and resources to our staff and students. Further donations can be made here: Givebacks (memberhub.com)

This year alone, PTA has been asked to sponsor the purchase of supplemental educational programming, two field trips, recess equipment, Positive Behavior Incentives, and staff incentives. Still ahead, we anticipate the request of financial support for at least 2 more field trips, meals for the Spring Parent/Teacher conferences, the 8th Grade Celebration Event, track and field days, and additional maintenance and PBIS rewards. Unfortunately, without the funds from the One and Done fundraiser, we won’t be able to fulfill these requests.

In addition to raising funds to financially support DMMS activities and resources, PTA takes on the role of organizing events such as our Fun Run, 8th Grade Celebration, Teacher Appreciation Week, conference meals for DMMS staff, and the Scholastic Book Fair that helps to keep our classroom and library shelves full of a variety of quality literature for our students.

Here's how you can help:

1) Donate. If every student donated $25, we’d surpass our goal! If you’re able, please consider giving to our cause.

2) Spread the word! Anyone can donate to our efforts through online donations or with cash/check. If you have friends or family that are looking for ways to support your middle schooler, encourage them to support us in this way.

3) Get involved. Whether you are chaperoning a school dance, or giving feedback at a PTA meeting, your involvement helps us to better serve the Dakota Meadows community, making it easier for PTA to meet the needs of our school, staff, and students. If you have an interest in participating in any capacity, please reach out via email at ptadmms@gmail.com

This school year has had many great moments and the DMMS PTA is excited to have your help in ensuring our school community continues to have more as we head into the new year.

With Much Appreciation,

Natalie Casper

DMMS PTA President

ptadmms@gmail.com

Please make sure to view the student calendar on our district website. This will have our early releases and no school days. In addition, the Google Calendar will have DMMS Specific information.

• January 19th- End of Quarter
• January 22nd- No School/Teacher PREP Day
  
• January 23rd-26th- Math NWEA Testing
  
• January 26th- Shining Scarlet Breakfast
  
• February 2nd- 6th Grade Ski Trip
  
• February 2nd- All School Dance
  
• February 5th-8th- Reading NWEA Testing
  
• February 14th- Early Release
  
• February 19th- DMMS Connects and PTA Meeting
  
• February 23rd- Shining Scarlet Breakfast
  
• February 29th- Spring Conferences
  
• March 4th- Spring Conferences
  
• March 5th- String Fest 2024
  
• March 8th- No School
  
• March 13th- Early Release
  
• March 18th- DMMS Connects and PTA Meeting
  
• March 22nd- Last Day of 3rd Quarter
  
• March 25th- No School/Teacher PREP Day
  
• March 26th-29th- No School