Dakota Middle School

When it came time for me to student teach in order to receive my teaching license, I asked my supervising professor if I should student teach in middle school or high school. He told me that I needed to choose middle school because if I could survive that, I could survive anything. Twenty years later and I am still working in a middle school, helping guide students through three formative years of their lives. This is a time when families send their student to us, a school that is probably much larger than their elementary school, to several more teachers who all have their own set of expectations, and into a pool of several more peers. Friendships may ebb and flow. Brain development is just as much, if not more, significant than a student's early years.

I am thankful for all of our students. Their personalities emerge and shine. They bring unrivaled energy. One of my biggest joys every day is walking through the building and having students stop what they are doing and wave to me. Truly, who else gets to go to a workplace and receive countless waves, hellos, and critiques on your outfit choice every day?!

We do this work because we truly love it. Middle school brings its own set of challenges, but I am grateful to all of the Dakota staff who makes every day worth it. I am thankful that I get to work with such a great set of human beings who all have the same goal of ensuring that our students flourish.

I am thankful for all the families who send their students to us every day. We could not do what we do without your partnerships. For those of you we have not yet met, we look forward to doing so.

I feel truly grateful to be part of the Dakota family. From the adults to the students, it is such a great place to be. Thank you all for supporting this school, for everything it is and everything it will become. We wish you all well during this holiday season!

-Teri Linander, Principal

Nov 27-29: Thanksgiving Break

Dec 5: 6th and 7th grade band concert

Dec 5: Century Panther Night 5:30-7:30pm

Dec 9: 8th grade band concert @ Century 7pm

Dec 10: JM Rocket Night 5:30-7:30pm

Dec 11: PTSA Fundraiser at Noodles 4-8pm

Dec 12: 8th grade chorus concert @ JM 7pm

Dec 13: 6th (6:30pm) and 7th (7:30pm) grade chorus concert

Dec 19: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade orchestra concert

Winter Break: Dec 23-Jan 3

• 7:45am Office Opens
• 8:20am Doors Open (students)
• 8:35am Student Day Begins
• 3:15pm Dismissal
• 4:00pm Office Closes

Please note, if students arrive prior to 8:20am, they will wait outside.

On Friday, December 20, our school day is going to look a bit different. Our staff will be teaching enrichment classes and students will soon have a chance to sign up for the classes in which they are interested.

For those of you who are able, we would appreciate any help for donated supplies for this day. Below are some items needed for our enrichment classes. If you are willing to donate, items can be dropped off in the main office any time between Monday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 18. I will update this list weekly as we receive items. Parents and guardians, if you are interested in hosting or joining a class, please reach out to Principal Teri Linander (telinander@rochesterschools.org)! Thank you!

Items needed:

*Perler Beads Building: perler beads, pegboards, iron, parchment paper

*Candy canes (for candy cane BINGO)

*3D Snowflakes: white, silver, or light blue origami paper

*Fun prizes for our trivia game room

*Embroidery floss - multiple colors

*Rock painting: acrylic paint pens, newspapers (to cover tables), paint brushes

* Moonlight winter painting: 75-pack of paper plates, 12 fan brushes

*Ruler golf/Putt Putt: foam golf balls, ping pong balls

*Lefse making: Hungry Jack potato flakes, butter, half and half, sugar, salt, plastic bags, milk, white flour, white cotton dish towels, plastic gloves (food grade) sizes S, M, L

*Mindfulness Coloring: Coloring Sheets, colored pencils, crayons, popcorn, juice boxes or jugs of juice and paper cups

*Art (landscapes and cards): Card bases, white paper, black paper, green paper, red paper, blue paper, gold paper

*Holiday Baking: Sugar, Hershey's Kisses (x2) , Peanut Butter, brown sugar, flour, vanilla, salted butter (x2), powdered sugar

*String Jewelry: Embroidery thread (lots), 1/4 inch foam sheets x10

*Friendship bracelet making: Beads (letters and more letters, colors) bracelet strings

*Manicures: Nail polish/nail polish remover, cotton balls, nail design stuff

*Yoga mats

*Journals, pens or pencils

*Paper Flowers: rectangular tissue paper and pipe cleaners

*Jigsaw puzzles

* Crochet Creatures: Regular weight yarn, crochet hooks (5 mm), needles, stuffing

*Handwriting/Cards: White Cardstock, black and colorful felt tip pens or fine point markers(multiple sets), colorful paper, glue sticks

*Chocolate Covered Pretzels: pretzel rods, chocolate (milk and white) for melting, borrow a couple of small crock pots

*Slime: small Deli containers with lids, small squeeze bottles, 2 gallons of white glue, 1 gallon clear glue. Food coloring, model magic clay, glitter, plastic spoons

*Tie Blankets: 2 yards of printed fleece x 2 yards of plain fleece per adult blanket. 1.5 x 1.5 yards for dog bed, 1 x 1 yard for cat bed. multiple pairs of fabric sheers

Hello Dakota Middle School Community!

Attention any parents of 8th graders!!!! We are looking for parents who would like to help plan end of the year activities and recognition of our 8th graders before they go on their way to their high schools. Email dakotaptsa@gmail.com to join the group of other parents!

Dakota PTSA

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates from the Dakota PTSA.

Follow Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates from the Dakota PTSA.

1. Download the app.

2. Use the referral code LDVK0GXR (the 0 is the number zero)

Here’s how you can help us reach our goal:

• Buy Box Tops products, scan your receipt with the Box Tops app within 14 days of purchase and earn for DAKOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL with every Box Tops product you buy.
• Refer your friends, family and other parents in the school to download the app. You’ll even get Bonus Box Tops for our school with each referral that successfully scans their first receipt.
• Turn on notifications in your Box Tops app to get scan reminders and stay updated on special offers, new products and opportunities to earn for our school. Go to your Communications Settings by tapping on the person icon in the upper-right corner of the app.

Let’s give our teachers the support they need and give more kids the opportunity to dream. Little by little, we can help make a big difference.

December 11, 2024

4-8pm

25% off

Proceeds will profit Dakota!

Dear RPS families,

Do you have a student starting kindergarten next fall? Do you know of a family who is looking for a neighborhood or districtwide option school for their future kindergartener? Please invite them to our Kindergarten Open Houses starting next week!

We're hosting open houses at our elementary schools. Stop by to see what your future school will look like. Attendees will meet their principal, see a kindergarten classroom, learn about the schedule, and more! Below are our schools and the dates and times they will have their open houses.

• Bamber Valley Elementary: December 3, 5-6 p.m.

• Bishop Elementary: December 2, 5-6 p.m.

• Churchill Elementary: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• Elton Hills Elementary: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• Folwell Elementary: December 10, 5-6 p.m.

• Franklin and Franklin Montessori: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• Gage Elementary: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• Gibbs Elementary: December 4, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

• Jefferson Elementary: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• Lincoln Elementary: December 3, 5-6 p.m.

• Longfellow Elementary: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• MNSync Online (virtual open house): December 3, 5-6 p.m.

• Overland Elementary: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• Pinewood Elementary: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• Riverside Elementary and Spanish Immersion at Riverside: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• Sunset Terrace Elementary: December 5, 5-6 p.m.

• Washington Elementary: December 5 and January 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Enrollment for Kindergarten 2025-2026 begins December 1, 2024.

If you have any questions about kindergarten at RPS, please visit our website at https://www.rochesterschools.org/onmyway2k.

Thank you,

Rochester Public Schools

Once again this year Hy-Vee is partnering with Rochester Public Schools to provide Cash 4 Students. Over $10,000 was donated to our schools in 2023-2024. It's simple and easy to take advantage of this great opportunity.