In the Middle
Dakota Meadows October Newsletter
Operating Referendum Information
Tuesday, November 7, 2017, is election day. If you would like to vote early, absentee voting is available at the District Office, 10 Civic Center Plaza, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents of Mankato Area Public Schools will vote on an Operating Levy and the election of three School Board members.
As a result of our Operating Levy expiring on June 30, 2018, our School Board has proposed to increase its referendum revenue authority. This proposed authorization would include an increase of $365 per pupil and would increase each year by the rate of inflation and be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2018.
The most common question we hear is, “What will the money be used for?” The dollars go to people, programs and day-to-day operations. Here is a link to our Q & A article which will help answer that question. This is an exciting time for our growing school community. Funding will help us to continue our work and provide the resources we need for the education of each child, retaining and recruiting staff and our daily costs.
Please visit the District website www.isd77.org under “quick links” where you will find more information about the operating levy, a tax impact calculator for your property, and candidate information.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact the District Office at 507-387-1868 or email maps@isd77.k12.mn.us.
To find out more information please click here
Fall Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences
Fall Conferences will be held Thursday, November 16th 3:15-7:30 and Monday, November 20th 3:15-7:30. Online conference sign up will open on Monday, November 6th at 8:00 a.m and will close on Monday, November 13th at 8:00 a.m. A message with instructions on how to sign up online will be sent from the school on Friday, November 3rd.
College Knowledge Month at DMMS
During October students participated in various College Knowledge activities advisory. College Knowledge is the opportunity to learn about life after high school and is related to any kind of schooling following high school (not just 4-year colleges and universities). One of the activities was the door decorating contest.
Advisories planned, created, and decorated their advisory door/space during the month of October. Each advisory could choose to decorate the door based on a specific higher learning institution (community, technical college, private college, trade school or university) or multiple institutions, or college preparedness/readiness themes. The doors were judged based on the following:
Craftsmanship
Visual Impact
Creativity
Originality
The winners were:
6th Grade
1st Place: Ms. Cole
2nd Place: Mrs. Ringhofer
7th Grade
1st Place: Ms. Wenzel
2nd Place: Ms. Trott
8th Grade
1st Place: Ms. Stow
2nd Place: Mrs. Kahle
Families will be able to see these door decorations during conferences in November too!
8th Grade Performs with Dallas Brass
The DMMS 8th Grade Band has been rehearsing to perform with the world famous Dallas Brass on Thursday, October 26 at West High School. The band has been preparing an arrangement of Star Wars and will perform the piece with the Dallas Brass at the concert.
eBook Reading Options for Students at DMMS
What is myOn?
MyOn Readers is an online collections of fiction and non-fiction titles from Capstone Books. Our students have access to over 6,700 titles online anytime, anywhere. Students do have the option to have the books read to them or read them alone. Students can find the myOn link in their OmnID Portal and get started reading today!
What is MackinVia?
MackinVia is an online collection of fiction and non-fiction titles that students have access to 24/7. This collection has about 500 current titles for students to read. Students can also find the MackinVia link in their OmnID Portal and get started reading today!
MackinVIA users can:
Add titles to favorites list
Check out titles/Renew titles
Read/listen online
Transfer titles between devices
Download title for offline reading/listening
Highlighting
Note-taking
Bookmarking
Scholastic Book Fair at November Conferences
Color-A-Thon Success
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all! In total students raised $11, 750. Due to the poor weather on Friday, students celebrated with a Color Jam in the gym.
The follow classes raised the most money on each trail and will be contacted shortly to set up details for a class celebration:
Mendota: Mrs. Hasse
Minnesota: Mrs. Linde
Kasota: Mr. Anderson
Mahkato: Mrs. Healy
Minneopa: Mr. Hebeisen
Sakatah: Mrs. Bemel
Protecting Yourself and Your Family Influenza (Flu) Information for Parents
What is influenza (flu)?
Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that can be prevented by immunization. It is not the same as the “stomach flu.” Flu is caused by a virus that attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.
What are the symptoms of influenza?
Influenza symptoms come on quickly in the form of fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, stuffed-up nose, and body aches. These symptoms can be severe and put you in bed for several days.
What if you think your child has the flu?
• Keep your child home from school if they have a fever of 100 degrees F and a sore throat or cough.
• Have your child rest and drink lots of fluids.
• Antibiotics will not help a person recover from the flu, because flu is caused by a virus, not by bacteria.
• Children may need fever reducing medications to keep their fever under control. Follow your child’s
doctor’s instructions.
• If you are concerned that something does not seem right with your child, call your doctor or clinic.
What can you do to protect your child and family?
• Get vaccinated. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot every year.
• Avoid being exposed to others who are sick with a flu-like illness.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
• Clean your hands often – with soap and water or an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer.
• Do not share drinking cups and straws.
• Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces (door knobs, refrigerator handles, phones, water faucets).
Call your child’s school if your child is home with an influenza-like illness. If you have
any questions or concerns contact the nurse and/or health service at your child’s school.
For more information go to the Minnesota Department of Health website www.mdhflu.com.
Upcoming Events
November 14 - 2-Hour Late Start
November 16 - Student-Led Conferences 3:15 - 7:30
November 20 - Student-Led Conferences 3:15-7:30
Dakota Meadows Middle School
Assuring learning excellence and readiness for a changing world.
DMMS PRIDE
Preparedness - BE READY!
Respect - BE KIND!
Integrity - BE HONEST!
Determination - BE BRAVE!
Excellence - BE YOU!
Website: http://www.dms.isd77.org/
Location: 1900 Howard Drive West, North Mankato, MN, United States
Phone: 507-387-5077