Dakota Minute

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We hope you have had a wonderful summer break and are ready to start learning. Below you will find important information, dates, and events for the upcoming school year.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office at (507) 387-5077.

Gratefully,

Principal Hyer

• We are expecting students to remain in the trails they have been assigned to for the purpose of keeping balanced trails.

• We understand there are situations that are unique to a student that may result in switching a student to a different trail. These situations are rare and will require discussion with administrators. A change in a trail assignment is not guaranteed.

• We understand there will likely be mistakes in the process of assigning students to trails, if you see an error in your trail assignment, please contact our school with your concerns or questions.

Conferences will be held on September 8th (6-8th Grade Teachers) and 9th (7-8th Grade Teachers). Dakota Meadows uses the PTCFast system to have families sign up online.

Select your student's Multi Age Advisory Teacher name and click submit at the bottom to choose which date and time works best for your schedule. Click here for the conference schedule and link.

Annual census verification forms were emailed to all families in July. Mankato Area Public Schools asks families to review and update census information through the online census verification. This ensures that student information is accurate. Please complete your family’s census verification form online through your Infinite Campus parent account HERE. For assistance, please email icsupport@isd77.org

We are thrilled to welcome your student to Dakota Meadows Middle School and look forward to seeing them at our 6th Grade Orientation Day on Wedesday, September 9th 2026. Our WEB Program is designed to help get your 6th grader off to a fantastic start!

Please see THIS letter.

6th Grade: Wednesday, September 9th

7th and 8th Grade: Thursday, September 10th

School day hours - 8:35 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.

• We ask that students not arrive at school prior to 8:10 am and leave campus by 3:35 pm

• Doors to the school will open at 8:10 am. Students are to be dropped off at Door 8.

DMMS Bell Schedule

Here at DMMS we follow an A Day/ B Day schedule. An "A/B day schedule" means classes are divided and students attend one elective class on one day and the other elective class on the next.

• September 9th = A Day (First day 6th grade)

• September 10th = A Day (First day 7th - 8th grade)

• September 11th = B Day

Please see the scheduled dates HERE.

HERE you will find the DMMS Daily Bulletin. This Bulletin is updated daily to show:

• the date
• day
• and other information such as sports, etc.

All 7th grade students must have their required immunizations completed before the first day of school. This is according to the Minnesota School Immunization law. Please contact our Licensed School Nurse (LSN) Laurel Dorn at 507-207-3287 if you have questions regarding the required immunizations.

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

September 16th. October 7th. November 11th. December 9th. January 13th. February 10th. March 10th. April 14th. May 12th.

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.

Middle School After School is an after school club program provided by Mankato Area Public Schools’ Community Education, serving youth in grades 6-8. The program offers a variety of interest based clubs. Students meet each day in the cafeteria at 3:30 pm, and proceed to club activities from there. Fees are assigned to each club. If you are in need of financial assistance, you may contact their office (507) 387-5501. Please note: you will need to provide transportation for your student, as this is NOT PROVIDED by the district. You must register for each day / activity you plan to attend MSAS. For more information, please go online and visit www.mankatocer.com.

Our American Indian Education (AIE) Program supports the academic, personal, and cultural success of Native students, closely guided by our American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) to ensure that parental and community voices shape our educational offerings.

We are excited to welcome our new AIPAC Co-Chairs for the 2026-27 school year, Abby Dubois and Stacy Hillesheim. Our upcoming AIPAC Fall Kick-Off at the Wacipi is on September 18, 2026. Please check out our website for more information. Please email AIE staff or our co-chairs to join our group!

AIE Staff: Ayasha Williams awilli4@isd7.org, 507-990-3937

Winona Williams wwilli1@isd7.org, 507-990-3937

Co-chairs:

Abby Dubois abbydubois8@outlook.com

Stacy Hillesheim stacy.hillesheim@gmail.com

AIPAC DATES 2026-27

Friday, September 18th, 4:30 - 6:30, Floyd Roberts Jr. Pavilion at Land of Memories Park

Tuesday, October 20th 5:30 PM, Franklin Elementary

Tuesday, January 19th 5:30 PM, Franklin Elementary

Monday, February 1st: 5:30, Intergovernmental Center, Mankato Room

Tuesday, March 16th 5:30PM, Franklin Elementary

Tentative: Sunday, May 16th AIPAC Celebration

• Anytime your student is absent from school or if you plan on your student being absent from school, please call the office and leave 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

• The attendance office can be reached by:

• calling (507)387-5077 Option 1

• 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 to excuse 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 them talk directly with their teacher.

• If you are needing to report an absence, please make sure to call or email the attendance line. You can always call or email ahead of time. Please leave a detailed message with your students name, grade and reason of their absence.
• please call (507)387-5077 Option 1 or via email at: dmmsattendance@isd77.org

• If you are needing to reach the Health Office in regards to questions or medications
• please call (507)387-5077 Option 2 or via email:Laurel Dorn, RN ldorn1@isd77.org

• If you are needing to reach either of our Counselors:
• please call (507)387-5077 Option 3 or via email: Leah Anderson Lander3@isd77.org Matt Ringhofer MRingh1@isd77.org

• If you are needing to reach a Secretary:
• please call (507)387-5077 Option 0 or via email at: dmms@isd77.org

Please see our 2026-2027 school supply list HERE.

Students and families are invited to come to school to kick off the 2026-2027 school year. This is an opportunity for students to meet their teachers and see their schedule. Families are welcome to come anytime from 4 PM to 7:30 PM on Wednesday, September 2nd.

School Pictures will occur during the school day on Friday, September 25th. Lifetouch will be taking photos. As time gets closer, we will also have paper ordering forms, if needed. PDF Digital Copy

Picture Retake day will be: Thursday, October 29th.

At DMMS, we are proud to have multi age advisories! What does this mean? It is an enhancement to our middle school experience. In this new model, your child will be grouped with students from different grade levels and remain with the same dedicated teacher-advisor for multiple years. We believe this innovative approach will significantly enhance your child's middle school experience by providing:

• Stronger Relationships: Students will develop deep, lasting connections with their consistent teacher-advisor and peers, creating a stable support system.
• Personalized Support: Teachers will gain a comprehensive understanding of each child's individual academic, social, and emotional needs over time, allowing for more tailored guidance.
• Peer Mentorship: Older students will have opportunities to mentor and inspire younger peers, while younger students will benefit from the guidance and experience of their older classmates.
• Enhanced Social-Emotional Skills: Students will learn to interact respectfully with a wider range of ages, fostering empathy, cooperation, and effective communication—essential life skills for navigating diverse environments.
• Increased Sense of Belonging: This consistent, small-group community within the larger school will help every student feel known, valued, and deeply connected.

It's important to note that this advisory period will take up only one portion of your child's school day. This multi-age advisory program is designed to create a more nurturing and supportive environment where all children can truly thrive, complementing their existing academic schedule.

• 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.
• HERE is how traffic should flow. Please do not drop off or pick up your student/s off at Door 1 during pick up and drop off times.

• Students will be allowed to carry their backpacks during the school day. PBIS lessons during the first few days of school will teach expectations.

• Please see this important page in regards to cell phones at DMMS and our expectations.

• At DMMS we expect that students will not have airpods and if students have cell phones during school, we will follow these school wide expectations.

As a reminder, all bus pass requests are ONLINE. If your student needs a bus pass, you will need to complete the form HERE. If you have already completed this form, no further action is needed.

• Bus passes will ONLY be available during Conferences with advisory teachers.
• If your bus pass has not arrived by the time of Conferences, the Main Office will call the parent/guardian to notify and call the student down to the office to receive the pass.

Please see our 2026-2027 School Year Calendar HERE.

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.

Please see our MAPS Quick Guide HERE

• September 2nd- DMMS Open House & Family Access to Schedules
• September 8th- 6-8th Grade Conferences
• September 9th- 7th & 8th Grade Conferences
• September 9th- First day for 6th Grade ONLY
• September 10th- First day for 7th & 8th Grade; 6th Grade second day of school
• September 16th- Early Out
• September 18th- 6th Grade Wacipi Education Day
• September 22nd- 6th Grade Bus Evacuation Drill
• September 25th- Picture Day
• October 2nd- All School MSU Hockey Field Trip
• October 7th- Early Out
• October 12th- No School
• October 15th & 16th- No School
• October 29th- Picture Retake Day
• November 11th- Early Out
• November 12th- Last Day of Quarter 1
• November 13th- No School; Teacher PREP Day