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Dakota Middle School

Community Newsletter - November 8, 2024

Dakota Middle SchoolCommunity Newsletter - November 8, 2024

Important Dates

Nov 12: 8th Grade STEAM Summit (10:00-11:15 @ RCTC)

Nov 28-29: Thanksgiving Break

Dec 5: 6th and 7th grade band concert

Dec 9: 8th grade band concert

Dec 13: 6th and 7th grade chorus concert

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

Building Hours

  • 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.

Dakota PTSA

Spirit Wear

Now Taking Orders thru Nov 17


Sponsored by the Dakota PTSA: dakotaptsa@gmail.com


https://dakotamiddleschool.givebacks.com/store

Fundraiser

Tuesday, November 12

Chick-fil-A

Next PTSA Meeting: Nov 11, 7pm

Hello Dakota Middle School Community,

Please join us for our November PTSA meeting on Monday, November 11th, at 7:00 pm. The agenda is available online. We will be meeting in-person in room A114 (office area) or virtually at https://meet.google.com/haf-zszt-vdp. Members and non-members are welcome to attend.

Also, we will be having a fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A on Tuesday, November 12th from 3:00-7:00 pm. Mention the Dakota PTSA and 15% of the profits will go to the Dakota PTSA.


We hope you can join us!

Dakota PTSA



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

JM Rocket Night

RPS Referendum

Dakota Canned Food Drive: Nov 4-15

Box Top$ for Education

Hello DAKOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL families! My name is Lucy B. and I am the Box Tops for Education Coordinator for our school.

During the ups and downs of the past couple of school years, one thing is certain: teachers and students need more help than ever before. Box Tops is a fast and easy way for you to support DAKOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL.


Our goal is to earn $1,000.00 through Box Tops this year. We have currently earned $0.00 and we need your help to hit our goal!


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



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.

Lucy B.

Mental Health Resource

Hy-Vee Cash for Students

Bring your receipts to Dakota and drop them off in the main office!

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.

Student Nutrition Services Free Meals Info

Rochester Public Schools Cell Phone Policy

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROCEDURE

If students choose to bring a cell phone/device to school, the device(s) will remain in student lockers during the full school day, including lunch/recess. Smart watches may be worn for telling time only.


ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES

1. Students who use their cell phone to monitor a medical condition (i.e. diabetes, epilepsy) may have their cell phone with them at all times, but must adhere to all other cell phone procedures. Please contact school administration if there is an essential need for a phone. In the case of medical necessity or emergency, a student should have a health plan or prior approval.


2. Students who need to be in contact with their family during the academic day are to ask permission to use one of our school phones. Parents and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to contact our main office if there is a message that needs to be relayed.


3. Students assume the risk of damage, theft, or loss when choosing to bring a phone to school.


4. Cell phone/device use of any kind is not permitted in locker rooms or bathrooms.


5. Wired headphones may be allowed at designated times for instructional purposes on school-issued devices.


6. Cell phone/device usage during lockdown and fire drills is prohibited.


7. Guidelines for cell phone/device use for off-campus school activities (i.e. extracurricular activities, outdoor and service trips, school field trips) will be individualized depending on the specific trip and activities. Teachers, coaches or advisors will provide guidance.

Tech Consequences for Use of Cell Phones and Personal Devices

First Instance

  • The staff member holds the device or turns it into the office.
  • Device is returned to student at end of day.
  • Document internally.
  • Caregiver is notified by staff.

Second Instance

  • The staff member holds the device or turns it into the office.
  • Device is returned to student at end of day.
  • Document internally.

  • School Administration notifies the caregiver that the next step will require caregiver pick up.

Third Instance

  • The device is turned in to the school office for a caregiver to pick up.
  • Document internally.
  • A plan is created with School Administration and caregiver (device is held by admin during the day OR no devices on site).

Dakota Backpack Policy

Along with cell phones, backpacks will be required to be kept in student lockers. Please contact school administration if there is an essential need for a backpack. In the case of medical necessity or emergency, a student should have a health plan or prior approval.

We are asking for no backpacks due primarily for safety. With sometimes up to 32 students in a classroom, space is limited. We also often saw backpacks left in hallways or under stairwells instead of using lockers during lunch and PE (students have traditionally been asked to store their backpacks in their lockers during lunch and PE). Having personal items stored safely in lockers is another reason for this change.

Staff will be in the hallways to help students navigate the hallways and to learn how to use the locker combinations!

Anouska Kurer
Implementation Manager @ Smore

👋 Need more help? Reach out to support@smore.com