DMS Community,

We hope you enjoyed the Celebration of Learning this week. It was an incredible experience as students were able to share their learning throughout the year with families. The energy in the building was high with excitement as families traveled with their child completing a passport of experiences. Since this was our first Celebration of Learning at DMS we are looking for feedback and suggestions on this spring conference model. We ask that you complete this short google form with any input.

As a reminder, DMS has an opportunity for drop-in conferences on Tuesday, March 14th from 3:45-7:15. Please use this opportunity to connect with staff if you were not able to attend the celebration or would like additional time with a teacher. These conferences are intended to be short 5-10 minute conversations regarding your child. If you would like a virtual conference, please reach out to teachers on an individual basis. We are still asking for help with a meal for staff on the night of Tuesday, March 14th. Those interested in providing items can sign-up here.

As always, we appreciate your partnership and support!

Have a great weekend!

Andy Nelson, Principal

We will be discussing our Federal Title Programming. If your child is part of the Title I programs that serve our students needing additional reading instruction in the elementary, or if your child is part of our Title III programs for Multi-Lingual Learners K-12, please feel free to attend to learn more about these programs, ask questions and give additional input.

Please contact Lisa Edwards, Director of Elementary Learning, if you are unable to attend but still wish to give input. You can reach her by email at ledwards@farmington.k12.mn.us or by phone, 651-463-5016.

Dear Parents and Families:

Get Ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them to become Bolder, Prouder, and Stronger Readers. AND—as always—every book they buy earns rewards for our school.

Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from March 9th and March 14th during conferences only. It will be set up in the Media Center.

If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.

Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with online shopping:

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/levipdodgemiddleschool

The countdown to more Bookjoy is on! Catch you at the Fair! Happy reading!

Attention DMS families,

We are happy to announce that through a collaboration with Farmington High School National Honor Society we will be starting an after school homework help program.** This is not a one one tutoring program HS students will work with more than one student. Students who sign up must come prepared with specific work they need to complete and need assistance with.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

• Days of Program: Tuesday/ Thursdays from 3:30pm - 4:30 pm Starting January 31st.

• TRANSPORTATION: Learners will need to have their own transportation arranged.

• MEETING LOCATION: We will meet in the cafeteria

If you choose to have your learner in this program, you may want to pack a snack for them on those days due to food allergies, please do not pack anything with nuts.

If you are interested in this opportunity please fill out this google form.

DMS HOMEWORK HELP SIGN UP

If you have any questions please contact:

Theresa Agerter

8th grade Geography teacher

Tiger Academy Coordinator

DMS Homework Help

tagerter@farmington.k12.mn.us

As the weather cools down and we head into the winter months, please take a moment to review the important winter weather information below:

• Information on school closures, delayed starts, and early releases due to winter weather can be found here.

• Information on planned and emergency flexible learning days can be found here.

• Information on cold weather events in ISD 192 can be found here.

Now is the time to be sure you have a plan for emergency closures and your contact information is up-to-date with your child's school. As the 2022 Annual Update window has closed, please contact the school office to make changes to your information.

An important focus at DMS is food safety for all learners. In support to this goal, we ask that lunches and food brought into the building be intended for and consumed by the children in your household only.

Additionally, we do not allow deliveries from outside food vendors during the school day.

Stretch Yourself – Live to Give can sound a bit selfish. While the best way to get what we want is to give what we can, the real point is to give because it is the right thing to do. When we live our best lives, we do the things we’re great at and get the best results. These results benefit us as well as others and the world around us, and that is the reason to do it. Oprah Winfrey gives millions of dollars to charity, but none of that will likely impact the world as much as the inspiration her talk show provided to billions. Great teachers have an immense impact simply by being great teachers. We give the most simply by being our best and living our ultimate lives.

Make a Difference – The easiest and quickest way to feel better and become happier is to help someone else. Similarly, the best way to bring more good things into our lives is to start giving. When we do this, we create value with our lives and begin to receive value in return. In order to start or expand the flow of abundance in our lives, we must simply start making a difference every day in every little way that we can.

Receive Gracefully – One of the hardest things for people to deal with when they start living their dreams is that they’re uncomfortable receiving the new and wonderful things that come into their lives. They may not feel worthy or know how to react. As a result, when opportunity knocks or people want to help them, they shut the door and don’t allow themselves to accept what the universe is offering them. The problem is that these gifts could be a source of joy, fulfillment, and opportunity to their lives. If we don’t receive gracefully, we cut off the cycle of giving and limit our own potential.

Create a Legacy – The only thing left when we leave this life is the impact we had on others and the world. The true meaning of our lives is only apparent when it transcends us. That’s why it’s vital to find those things that we’re passionate about and orient our lives around the legacy we want to leave. We must make our lives transcend us.

Farmington School District has some great opportunities for you! Have you ever thought about subbing as a teacher? Here is your chance to get more information about it. It is a great way to have the same schedule as your children and be involved in the schools. Effective Dec. 1st, sub pay will increase to $185.00. The links below will bring you to a website that will give you more information on how to get a license.

https://mn.gov/pelsb/assets/Short%20Call%20Substitute%20Teaching%20License%20Guidance%20POST_tcm1113-451855.pdf

https://mn.gov/pelsb/assets/Application%20for%20a%20Short-call%20Substitute%202021%20POST_tcm1113-485445.pdf

Also, please check out the other opportunities in the Farmington School District.

https://www.farmington.k12.mn.us/news/what_s_new/we_re_hiring_

Please take some time to visit the DMS Website where you will find an abundance of helpful information to support your middle school student. Dodge Dish is an electronic publication that you will receive via email every week from our principal Mr. Nelson and the Dodge Dish is always available on the DMS website under “Social Media”. It is very helpful to take time to read through this publication to keep updated on upcoming events and happenings.

Download your free app for Campus Parent ​app (parents/guardians) or the Campus Student app (students) from your device's mobile app store for real-time access to grades, attendance, schedules, announcements and more!

If a student will be absent, a parent/guardian must call Dodge Middle School’s attendance line at 651-460-1505 before 10:00 am each day of the absence. If the school does not receive a call from the parent/guardian the day of the absence, an automated phone call will be placed letting you know your student has been marked absent from school. To request a pre-excused absence, a parent/guardian needs to complete the online “Request to Waive Unexcused Status of Absence” form. This link can also be accessed by visiting the Dodge Middle School webpage under “QUICK LINKS” and “Pre-Arranged Student Absence”.

RevTrak is an electronic enrollment program and online payment system used by Farmington Public Schools (ISD #192). Parents need to create an account with RevTrak to complete the iPad loan agreement for their student; completed iPad loan agreements are required for students to receive a school issued iPad. To create an online account with RevTrak and complete the iPad loan agreement please click HERE. If you need further assistance navigating RevTrak you can click Step by Step Directions to Completing the iPad Loan Agreement.