Dakota Minute

As we head into our final two days of school next week, I want to share how proud I am of the focus and spirit our students have maintained during this busy month. Middle school is a time of incredible transformation, and it has been a joy to watch our students navigate their academic goals and extracurricular pursuits with such dedication. While we still have a bit of work to finish before the bells ring for vacation, I hope the upcoming break provides your family with a much-needed opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy quality time together. We look forward to seeing everyone back in the New Year, refreshed and ready for all the opportunities that 2026 will bring.

Reminder! We do have school on Friday, January 2nd! 😀

Principal Hyer

PTA Fundraising Update – We Need Your Help

Dear Families,

We want to share an important update on our PTA fundraising efforts. At this point, we are not yet halfway to our goal and reaching that goal is critical to supporting student experiences this year. See Attached.

PTA funds are what allow us to provide field trips and enrichment opportunities for our students. Without meeting our fundraising goal, we will unfortunately not be able to fully fund field trips for all students this year.

We ask families who are able to consider donating at least $30 per student. Every contribution—large or small—makes a real difference and goes directly back to our school community. You can donate using this link: https://www.givebacks.com/causes/e005c3e2-1841-4059-a3f5-32e338f26581/shop/items/ceae550b95

If you own a business or work for one that makes charitable contributions, this is also a great opportunity to make a year-end business donation. Your support has a direct, meaningful impact on our students.

Thank you for your continued support of our school and our children. We truly cannot do this without you.

Next meeting is January 26 at DMMS from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. or virtually via Teams: Meeting ID: 268 905 990 707 / Passcode: Np3Q4rG6.

Warmly,

Meghan Maes

DMMS PTA President

As winter settles in, we want to make sure all students are ready for outdoor activities. Please send your child to school prepared for the cold. This includes:

• Hat

• Gloves or mittens

• Winter coat

• Snow boots

• Snow pants

If getting any of these items is difficult right now, just reach out and we can support your student. If you have any of these items to donate, we would gladly take donations as well! We are here to help and can assist in getting what they need to stay warm and comfortable.

Thank you for helping us keep all students safe and prepared this winter!

Snow season is just around the corner! In preparation, here is an important resource that is available on the ISD77 website for your review:

Weather Related Information - includes details on where to find out about weather related closings and late starts. Please note the MAPS Notification Line: 507-387-6046.

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.

• 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 (5 Days) (Please notify the office up to one week before so we can help them collect work while they are gone.)

• 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.

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

January 14th. February 11th. 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 20 (our pond side parking lot) is used for buses to pick up and drop off students.

• December 24-31st- No School
• January 1st- No School
• January 2nd- School is IN SESSION
• January 9th- All School Dance
• January 14th- Early Out
• January 16th - End of Quarter 2
• January 19th- No School
• January 20th- No School/PREP Day
• February 11th- Early Out
• February 17th- Panorama Survey
• February 23rd- PTA Meeting