Dakota Minute

It is hard to believe we’re already heading into March—the school year is absolutely flying by. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your ongoing support; our community is stronger because of the partnership we have with our families.

I also want to take this opportunity to highlight our attendance trends. While January and February are always tough months for illness, our numbers are actually up compared to this time last year. That’s a huge win! We know that being in the building is the best way for students to stay connected and on track, so please continue to prioritize getting your student to school whenever they are healthy and able.

Let’s keep that momentum going as we head into spring!

Principal Hyer

Nutrition Services at MAPS will be moving to a new menu viewing page starting on Monday, March 2nd. On the morning of March 2nd we will be working as quickly as possible posting menus to the new site. Families will still log in to view menus under the "log in as a guest" button.

Current March menus are available now on our current website.

I am sorry for the confusion around the Summer School Letters that went out this week.

The summer school recommendation list was generated using posted Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 grades. Students who received a “NE” or a “1” during those quarters were included in the notification.

Please note that this does not automatically mean your student is required to attend summer school. Rather, the letter is intended to prompt a review of current progress and determine whether additional support may be beneficial. It may also be an opportunity to discuss completing or revising any incomplete assignments. You do NOT need to complete the form if your student is NOT attending summer programming.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Best regards,

Mrs.Henderson, Assistant Principal

507-207-3219

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to our Middle School Athletic Director, Mr. Hawker at nhawk1@isd77.org

• Anytime your student is absent from school or if you plan on your student being absent from school, please call the office and leave a voicemail with your name, student’s name, grade and reason for absence.

• Verified reasons to excuse your student:

• Illness

• Religious Holidays

• Appointments (Doctor, Dentist, Therapy), Please provide documentation for appointments

• Vacation (5 Days)

• The attendance office can be reached by:

• calling (507)387-5077 Option 1; please leave a detailed message

• via email at: dmmsattendance@isd77.org

• If your student is marked absent for a class the system will send an automated courtesy call/email in the evening to remind you of the absence. All absences not excused within the 48 hour time window will remain unexcused.

• If your student is marked absent and you feel it was made in error, please have your student talk directly with their teacher.

We believe cell phones/electronics devices can cause distractions to the educational environment and our students deserve to learn in a postive environment that is free from avoidable distractions.

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

March 11th. April 8th. May 13th.

Your student will start their day at the normal time of 8:35 am and be released at 1:25 pm. They will receive lunch prior to the 1:25 pm dismissal when buses leave the building. Students participating in varsity co-curriculars will need to go home, then return to practice at the designated practice time. There will be no middle school co-curricular practices on early release Wednesdays. All students need to ensure they have transportation home by 1:25 pm.

• As a reminder, please use Door 1 to pick up and drop off your student during the school day. For example, if your student is arriving late or leaving early due to an appointment or an event please pick up at Door 1. Door 1 is locatated in our middle parking lot by the main office. This is where our new secure entrance is located. Students should not be dropped off or picked up at door 1 before and after school unless approved by Principal Hyer or here for a before school event.
• Please use Door 8 (the cafeteria side parking lot) for pick up and drop off before and after school. We ask that families do not pick up and drop off at Door 1 unless approved by Principal Hyer.
• Door 27 (our pond side parking lot) is used for buses to pick up and drop off students.

• March 2nd- Spring Conferences
• March 5th- Spring Band and Orchestra Concert
• March 9th- 6-8 Band Concert
• March 10- String Fest
• March 11- Early Out
• March 13th- Composer Event Choir & Science Fair Visit to Jefferson
• March 16th- 7th Grade Swag Trip TRAIL TBD
• March 17th- 7th Grade Swag Trip TRAIL TBD
• March 17th- Choir Concert
• March 18th- End of Quarter 3
• March 19th- No School/PREP Day
• March 20th- No School
• March 23rd- PTA Meeting
• March 24th- 6th Grade Biz Town Trail TBD
• March 25th- 6th Grade Biz Town Trail TBD
• March 26th- Secondary Track and Field Day (Middle School AM)
• April 27th- Polar Plunge (more information to come)