Dakota Minute
As we approach the final month of what has been a truly successful 2024-2025 school year, filled with significant academic and developmental milestones for our students, I want to express my sincere appreciation for our strong partnership. Your consistent involvement and unwavering support have been invaluable in creating such a positive and enriching learning environment. Now, as we enter these final weeks, let's collaborate to ensure a powerful and focused finish to the year, encouraging our students to maintain their engagement, commitment, and drive in their learning. Thank you again for being such vital members of our middle school family; we deeply value your partnership and eagerly anticipate celebrating a successful conclusion to the school year.
Gratefully,
Principal Hyer
We’re excited to welcome students to middle school and want to make sure families feel informed and supported as we approach the start of the school year. The first day of school for our incoming 6th graders will be TUESDAY, August 26. On this day, 6th grade students will have the building to themselves—a great opportunity to ease into middle school life. They’ll spend the day getting comfortable with their new surroundings, practicing locker combinations, walking through their schedules, and building connections with teachers and classmates. While the optional 6th grade transition camp is no longer taking place in the middle of summer break, this first-day experience is designed to offer all students similar support in a more focused, real-time setting.
Our 7th and 8th grade students will join us starting WEDNESDAY, August 27. We’ve heard a few questions from families and elementary school staff about the transition camp, so we wanted to provide this update and will continue to communicate clearly as the first day approaches. We’re looking forward to a great start to the year for all of our students!
Please contact the Attendance Office if your student will be absent, arriving late or leaving early.
You can do this by:
- Calling the attendance line at (507) 387-5077, option 2---please leave a detailed message.
- Emailing dmmsattendance@isd77.org.
It is helpful for the Attendance Office to be notified in advance, ideally on the morning of or the day before, so they can prepare passes for students. While last-minute notifications are understood, planning ahead is appreciated to minimize disruptions to classroom and office.
Future Chaperones:
Turnaround times have been up to 6 weeks when submitting to the BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension). Be sure you get your applications in as soon as possible if you have an upcoming field trip you are volunteering for. You may fill out an application in the office and submit a copy of your valid driver's license. There is a $15 filing fee.
Construction will continue throughout the 2024-25 school year as work on the new pool progresses. Construction fences and concrete barriers (see attachment) remain in place around the parent drop-off/pick-up area.
To help reduce congestion on Howard Drive and in the DMMS parking lot, we offer the following suggestions:
Student Pick-Up and Drop-Off Areas:
School Lot: Please use both lanes and take turns merging near the pick-up/drop-off area.
Crossview Church: Please enter the parking lot and find a parking space. DO NOT stop or park in the roundabout, as this may result in a ticket.
Caswell North: Please find a place to park and wait for your student. Students may use the trail from campus to Caswell North.
Two hour early releases will take place on the following dates:
May 14th, 2025.
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.