Dakota Minute

We continue to have a great year at DMMS. I want to thank students, staff, and families for their hard work making DMMS a place focused on learning and development of each student. I am excited to share that construction on the pool and storm shelter addition will begin in late March or early April. The pool is scheduled to be completed in August of 2025. The secure entrance at Dakota Meadows will be ready for the beginning of next school year. There will also be some improvements made to our parking lot with the goal improving pick up and drop off.

Gratefully,

Principal Hyer

At DMMS, we follow "Away for the Day". Please see THIS flyer of the steps we follow in regards to cell phones and electronic devices.

Our November Student vs. Staff Volleyball Game was great fun! 171 students entered the drawing to play! We were able to include almost all of them...except 6th grade which had 100 kids wanting to play! Future school-wide games and competitions will come in 2024. Student input will be gathered for things they'd like to see.

In December we focus on community.

Our advisory classes will support the student council fundraiser for The Sharing Tree - an effort to provide holiday gifts for members of our community.

Each trail of teachers has planned activities to celebrate and support their students during the month of December. Some days will be dedicated to friendly competition and projects, while others still continue a focus on social emotional skills and awareness, along with study time.

Join us on Monday, December 11th for our Band and Orchestra concert here at DMMS!

Location: DMMS Gym

When:

• 4:00pm- 6th grade Band & Orchestra
• 6:00pm- 7th & 8th grade Band & Orchestra

Please enter Door 8, Cafeteria side doors.

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

December 13th, 2023. January 10th, 2024. 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.

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."

We will be sharing relevant newsletters as a resource for your family. Please see this Wellness Today Newsletter discussing Understanding Risk Factors and Protective Factors for Suicide.

"Risk factors are personal or environmental characteristics that can increase the likelihood of someone dying by suicide. Suicide prevention strives to increase the amount of protective factors an indivdual has while decreasing the amount of risk factors."

Visit hopesquad.com for more information and resources!

Hello DMMS families!

As we continue into the second corner, here’s a quick review of what PTA is working on and a list of ways you can get involved. As always, if you have any questions about any of the items listed, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at ptadmms@gmail.com.

1) Conferences have wrapped up and PTA would like to give a huge thanks to Atomic Star, Cub Foods, and HyVee for their generous donations that helped us feed staff both nights of conferences.

2) We are still collecting money for the One and Done fundraiser! Our school doesn't sell wrapping paper or magazines, instead we just ask families for a one time donation to our general PTA fund. Donations are accepted all year long and a donut party will be awarded to the advisory with the highest collection of funds each quarter. Donations for the One and Done fundraiser can be made here: https://dmms.memberhub.com/store/items/907498. Are you interested in helping with the promotion of the One and Done fundraiser? Reach out via email or facebook and let's connect!

3) We are getting ready to organize our spring fun run and 8th grade graduation celebratory events. If you’re interested in helping with either event, let us know!

4) Looking for the latest announcement? School and district updates? Ways to get involved? Like us on facebook and join us at our monthly PTA meetings! Our next meeting will be held 12/11, 6:15pm, at Dakota Meadows.

Thank you again for your continuous support as we work to create a positive environment for all at DMMS.

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.

• December 11th- Band and Orchestra Concert

• December 11th- DMMS PTA Meeting

• December 13th- Early Release

• December 25th- January 2nd- No School

• January 10th- Early Release

• January 15th- No School

• 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 5th-8th- Reading NWEA Testing

• February 14th- Early Release

• February 23rd- Shining Scarlet Breakfast

• February 29th- Spring Conference

• March 4th- Spring Conferences