In the Middle
September News from Dakota Meadows Middle School
September School Conferences
DMMS 6th Grade Students Attend Pow Wow
This activity is in correlation to the 6th graders' studies of Minnesota's history.
The Mahkato Wacipi has been held in Mankato for 44 years. It celebrates the reconciliation of the tragic events of the Dakota-U.S. War of 1862.
Knowledge Bowl
8th Grade Art on Display
Have you seen the colorful art in the Media Center? That artwork was made by the 8th graders on Minneopa Trail using their name to create a 3-dimensional structure. Students were using elements and principals of design. Most students enjoyed making it, but others thought it was difficult having to make them stand by only using tape. Students thought it was fun designing their name and having it displayed in the media center.
--Article created by Julia J. and Brooklin S.
Homecoming Week is October 3 -7
Monday - Jersey/Sports Day
Tuesday - Trail Color Day
Wednesday - Pajama Day
Thursday - USA Day
Friday - Black-out - Scarlet Pride
Trail Colors
Minnesota - White
Mendota - Gray
Kasota - Green
Sakatah - Purple
Mahkato - Red
Minneopa - Blue
6th Grade Mandala Art on Display
Connections After School Program
This year we are excited to offer the Connections After School Program. Connections is an after school program for middle school students. It is a student interest driven program framed and facilitated by caring and qualified staff. While at Connections, middle school students are provided hands-on leadership opportunities where they can invest in their ideas, desires, and interests. Additionally, Connections offers academic support and recreational activities to promote personal growth and student success.
Please click on this link to learn a little more about this program.
AVID
AVID Elective Update Dakota Meadows is very excited to have 45 students selected to participate in the 7th and 8th grade AVID elective classes this school year! The AVID program which has been in place at West High School for six years is in its first year at DMMS. We can now offer AVID to our students from 7th - 12th grade. The AVID program is designed to prepare students with the skills they need to be successful in rigorous classes that will prepare them to enroll in college and graduate on time. The students have spent a lot of time getting to know each other to build strong relationships skills which is critical in collaborating with their peers. All AVID students also have a binder they use to keep everything they need for the day organized and are learning the art of taking Cornell Notes and how to use those notes on a regular basis to learn the material in class.
iLearn 77
What is iLearn77 1:1?
The 1:1 learning environment (one computing device for each student at all times) is the model for technology that will best support 21st century teaching and learning. Personal computing devices will be the norm at all levels of education for our children’s future and our district must prepare students to make intelligent use of them. Technology, when used well, is a tool that can greatly enhance teaching and learning by:
Allowing students to be more engaged in their learning by solving problems, completing projects, demonstrating their learning, gaining information, and learning how to be a literate user of the Internet.
Provide immediate and continuous access to information and learning opportunities.
Allow teachers to respond to questions, discussions and teachable moments immediately instead of trying to anticipate the need and scheduling time to go to a lab.
Allow teachers to personalize instruction by providing access to information according to ability and interests of each student
- Facilitate positive collaborative communications centered around educational goals among students.
Each In the Middle Newsletter, we will try to share information about the iLearn 77 initiative.
Chromebooks
Over the course of the last week, we asked students and staff members about the new Chromebooks?
The teachers think the Chromebooks are useful if students are focused. They also believe they are easier to use than the iPads, but like the iPads students can still be distracted. Some 7th and 8th graders think that the iPads were better because they were easier to carry, and they had better ‘apps’, but most of the students thought the Chromebooks were easier to type on because they aren’t so laggy and like how they are a touch screen. Some students however don’t like how some of the websites are blocked and there’s no games. Overall the teachers and the students like the new Chromebooks.
Mr. Ringhofer stated, “They are much easier to type on the the iPads. The Chromebooks are a great investment and more helpful than the iPads.”
The 6th graders didn’t have many opinions about the Chromebooks because this is their first year being able to use a device. They still like how they are touch screen and like the bag to carry them around to each class. Sixth graders are looking forward to the day they will be able to take them home at the end of the school day.
Heather S., a student in 7th grade, stated, “I think they are way easier to carry around. They are very useful, but can be distracting some of the time. It's nice to take them home, so we are able to do homework and have easy ways to get help.”
Levi T. personally likes them better than the iPads and thinks they are way more productive.
--Article created by students Julia J. and Brooklin S.
Bundle Me Warm
Bundle Me Warm
October 10 - November 11, 2016 - Located in the Youth Center at The Salvation Army - Weekdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
We need your help this winter. The Mankato Salvation Army is collecting new or gently used winter wear items for the Bundle Me Warm Program year round for individuals and families in need. You can drop off your donations at The Family Thrift Store located at 201 Star Street in Mankato between 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday or 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
For more information, please contact Leslie Johnson at 507-345-7840 ext. 29.
8th Grade Science - Pop Can Lab
The question for the lab was...
Does the brand of soda have an affect on how the can crushes?
Does crushing the can decrease the mass of the can?
Students needed to write a hypothesis, make qualitative and quantitative observations during the lab and conclusion stating whether the results support the hypothesis or not.
Calendar of Events
West Homecoming week October 3 - 7
Late Start - October 11
Picture Re-take Day - October 14No School - October 20 - 21
School Dance - October 28
Box Tops for Education
- Purchase any of the hundreds of products with Box Tops. See the complete list.
- Send Box Tops to your School.
- Box Tops are worth 10 cents each and they add up fast.
- DMMS will send in the Box Tops twice throughout the school year to redeem them for cash to purchase school supplies needed here at DMMS for students and staff. Our first turn-in day is Friday, October 28th.
- Have your child drop the Box Tops off in the office.
- There is an app in the iTunes store and the Google Play Store. Through the month of October users can double rewards.
- The Free Press had an article on the Box Top program on October 3rd. Please see the article here.
Hy-Vee Receipts for Education
Planners for Sale in the Office
Have you noticed if your student is struggling a bit with organization?
DMMS has planners for sale for $5 and they can be purchased in the office.
Dakota Meadows Middle School
Website: http://www.dms.isd77.org/
Location: 1900 Howard Drive West, North Mankato, MN, United States
Phone: 387-5077