Dakota Minute

We are super proud of how strong the start of 4th quarter has been. Within the final quarter, comes Dakota Meadows Middle School's first every Polar Plunge! We are excited for this opportunity to participate in a great cause for our Unified Classes and MN Special Olympics. A semi truck will be coming to DMMS on Monday, April 27th for this first ever event.

Please see the photo below for how to register and links! If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's advisory teacher. More detailed information to come.

Please see our video below!

Principal Hyer

Be a part of the DMMS Yearbook!

Want to see your favorite moments in print? We’re looking for your best photos to help make this year’s yearbook a truly memorable keepsake!

Whether it’s spirit days, sporting events, hanging out with friends, or candid classroom moments, we want to see the year through your lens. Help us ensure every student and memory is captured.

How to share your photos:

• Upload here: https://www.buytheyearbook.com/
• Code: 730521
• Deadline to submit: April 5th

Don't let your memories stay on your phone...send them our way!

Hello DMMS Families and Faculty,

We’re excited to share that planning is underway for a new outdoor space and playground for our school and community!

The PTA has identified a potential location and is currently gathering information on the costs to prepare the area for installation. Our next step will be to identify and propose the playground equipment that best fits the needs of our students.

While the PTA has some funds set aside for this project, we will also be seeking additional support through grants, district funding, and donations from local businesses and families.

If you’re interested in contributing—whether through your ideas, time, expertise, or financial support—we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to the PTA via email to get involved at ptadmms@gmail.com.

Additionally, we are currently looking to fill Secretary and Treasurer positions for next year. If you’re interested in supporting the PTA in one of these roles, please let me know!

Thank you for your continued support in helping us create an engaging and enriching environment for our students.

Sincerely,

Meghan Maes

DMMS PTA President

I know we are still in the midst of the sick season. If your student is not feeling well during the school day then they must go to the Health Office. Our Health Office will reach out to families if your student is not well enough to stay in school.

If your student reaches out to you to go home during the school day and it is not the Health Office contacting the parent/guardian, the absence will not be excused through our Attendance Office.

As a reminder, when calling the Attendance Line, please leave a detailed voicemail. Voicemails are checked often. We are not always able to answer the phone; as we we are helping other students and families.You can also email our Attendance Office at dmmsattendance@isd77.org

If you have any questions, please reach out myself or Assistant Principal Henderson

Please see THIS message in regards to upcoming MCA tests at DMMS for English, Math and Science.

Incoming 2026-27 middle school students (current 5th grade students) will have an opportunity to visit the middle school that their elementary school feeds into (DMMS) in late April and early May.

These visits during the regular school day give students a chance to experience the building, meet staff, ask questions, and get a preview of what life as a middle schooler will be like.

During the visit, students will tour the school, learn about schedules and classes, and hear from staff and current DMMS students.The goal is to help students feel comfortable and excited about the transition to middle school.

More details, including specific dates for your elementary school student, will be shared with families as the visits get closer.

• 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:

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.