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Frequently Asked Questions
 
 School Supplies – Middle School

Students 6-12 in the hallway at the same time?

Should my student have a lot of homework each night?

 

Will 6th graders be in classes with other older students?

 

 

When is the mock school day for 6th graders?

Mock School Day for grade 6  will be Wednesday, August 28, from 1:45-4:35pm 
1:45-3:00 – class meeting in the auditorium. We will go over schedules, please bring a paper copy of your class schedule with you.  We will discuss the beginning of the year, your school day, and answer any questions you might have. Mr. Ostrowski and Ms. Schultz will be in to talk a bit about the year ahead of us.

3:00-4:35 Mock School Day – Following our large group meeting, 6th graders will move through their 8-period school day, meeting their teachers and their classmates in each class. This is a great way to become familiar with the schedule and moving on the bell. The orientation will be done at 4:35.

Mock School Day Schedule (No Bells)

1st period 3:00-3:10
2nd period 3:12-3:22
3rd period 3:24-3:34
4th period 3:36-3:46
5th period 3:48-3:58
6th period 4:00-4:10
7th period 4:12-4:22
8th period 4:24–4:34

When is the Open House?
There will be an Open House On August 28, 4-8 pm.  Tours of the High School / Middle School building will take place.  Teachers will be in their classrooms for short visits as well.

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Where can I find information about school supplies?
Supply lists can be found on the Middle School webpage area on the district web site.

When can I see my class schedule?

The plan is to make class schedules live the first week of August.  You can then print it off and take a look at it.

What will a 6th graders day look like?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jeK1ARZ9ntBLGUhldwpC_MoSjpBV6x-PoEaxWQpZjf8/edit

The 6th grade schedule will look a lot like what we have experienced here at DE with our 7th & 8th graders the last few years, an 8-period day, moving from classroom to classroom and switching teachers after each class period.  All students will take the following classes:  Math, Science, Mn History, English, Physical Education

All middle school students are required to take a music class: band, choir or music exploration.  Students in band and/or choir will not take music exploration.  Students can take both band and choir.

6th grade will take these electives on a quarterly basis:

  • Art
  • Computer Tech
  • FACS
  • Media
  • Spanish

Most 6th grade students should have a study hall, unless they choose to participate in both band and choir.  (this also is similar to 6th grade in previous years).

What will a 7th or 8th grade day look like?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CQ1W8LQNUc10SDpxUD1MuIPtMOkVg5KSq39e6LUro_8/edit

All students will take the following classes:  Math, Science, Social Studies (7), Geography (8), English, Physical Education/Health

All middle school students are required to take a music class: band, choir or music exploration.  Students in band and/or choir will not take music exploration.  Students can take both band and choir.

7th and 8th grade will have these elective options.

  • Ag Science 7
  • Ag. Science 8
  • Art
  • Coding
  • Computer Apps
  • FACS
  • Industrial Tech 7
  • Industrial Tech 8
  • Spanish
What will a  8th grade day look like?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kCb8gvJmWBwrRJSmAryjitN4-PmmQZMdi4w1NrVTzYo/edit

If my child is struggling academically, do you have an after-school program?
An after-school program occurs in a teacher’s classroom Monday through Thursday from 3:15 to 4:15 PM each day. The specific room will be announced as it is held in the teacher’s room that is in charge.  Students attending at their own discretion and students who are referred by a classroom teacher or parent utilize the program. It offers an environment in which the student can complete work and get additional help with homework.

What are the building hours?

Office Hours – 7:00 am-4:00 pm each day
7:50 – Bell rings, Doors open for students, students may move about the building

7:50 – Grab & Go Breakfast begins for grades 6 & 7.
3:15 – All students either report to their after-school activity or leave the building

When are late starts?
Each Wednesday, beginning September  11, the school day begins one hour later, 9:10 am.  We use that time for professional development.  We have no planned early dismissals.  Our current academic calendar is posted on the district’s web page, www.www.desch.org; click on “District,” then “academic calendar.”

What time does school begin and end?
The school day begins at 8:10 am, the school day ends at 3:06 pm.

Will my student have a locker?

Lockers are assigned to all students.  Students are not required to use their lockers as most of our students choose to use backpacks and do not use their lockers at all.  

Students 6-12 in the hallway at the same time?

Regarding the intermixing of students, they will be in the hall with other students, but we have hall supervision between classes with almost every staff member in the hallways between classes. Most of our high school students have classes upstairs (except for science) and MS students have most downstairs classes. 

Will 6th graders be in classes with other older students?

All classes will be made up of only 6th-grade students. Only in the hallways and possibly during PE classes.  The gym is a shared space, and there may be other PE classes using part of the space for their class.  We have two locker rooms; one is for grades 10-12, and the second one is for grades 6-9.

Where should I drop off/pick up my child at school?
Please use the High School Main Entrance (East Side of HS, by the flags) at all times when dropping off students. This avoids interfering with the bus pickup and drop off on the west side, creating a safer environment.

What if my child will be absent from school?
To report a student’s absence, please call our automated absence reporting line at 507-545-2762.  In your message, please include
Student’s first and last name.
Student’s grade level
Date and time of the absence
reason for the absence.  If the student is ill, please include the symptoms they are experiencing.
You may also report an absence digitally through the JMC family App!  Simply download the app (QR code in HS/MS office) and log in.  The School PIN code is 0373.

What if my child does not feel well once they are here at school?
Students must visit the nurse’s office to see School Nurse Jennifer Pagel; she will evaluate the student and call the parents. A call to come and pick up your student should only come from the HS/MS secretaries or the school nurse. Students should not call parents without first going to the nurse’s office.

What if my student is late for school?
Any student who has been absent for any part of the day is required to report to the principal’s office upon returning to school to acquire an admit slip. The student will then show the slip to all teachers.

What if my child needs to leave early for an appointment?
If a student has been in school for any part of the day but plans to be absent later, the parent must notify the school before the student leaves. The student must acquire a Permit to Leave the Building pass from the principal’s office before leaving the school building.

How can I find out what is happening at the HS/MS building?

There are several ways in which we try to keep students and families up to date with things happening at the HS/MS.  For example, daily announcements are read at the beginning of the day, paper copies of announcements are hung throughout the building, and they are posted on our district website, and the TVs in the commons and lobby also scroll through announcements throughout the day.  Mr. Ostrowski also emails a newsletter home at least every other week, at times it may be more frequent due to the urgency of information that needs to be shared.

Do we have daily announcements available to parents?
Daily announcements are available to students, parents, and community members on the high school and middle school websites. Look for the “Middle School Daily Announcements” button on the main district page and Middle School webpage. Many DE parents have found the Middle School daily announcements very helpful.

Will breakfast and lunch be free for students in 204-25?

Free School Meals for Kids Program on Friday, March 17, 2023, Governor Walz signed the Free School Meals bill into law. This will take effect with the July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 school year. This legislation provides reimbursement for a free breakfast and lunch to students who receive meals through their school’s participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP). Schools participating in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must now participate in the state-funded Free School Meals Program. Congregate meal service is required in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Meals may not be taken off campus, sent home, delivered, or picked up by parents or others. Dover Eyota Public Schools will be providing a free breakfast and a free lunch to all students attending school. Any additional entrees or a la carte items will be charged to a student’s account. A la carte purchases will not be allowed if the student does not have money in their account. Free Meals start this Fall 2023. If your student has a negative balance, you must still pay the amount owed. Negative accounts will be turned over to collections at the end of June. Applications for Educational Benefits (Free and Reduced Meals) must still be filled out. These applications qualify the school and the students for many things besides meals. Please continue to fill out the applications; it will benefit our school. More information will be shared as it becomes available. As always, it is our goal to provide nutritious, inviting meals to fuel our students as they learn. Direct questions to Amy Renken, Food Service Director amyrenken@deschools.org 507-585-8242

How do I put money into my child’s lunch account?
Dover-Eyota Public Schools use a computerized pre-paid meal accounting system. A payment into the student’s lunch account is necessary prior to or on the first day of school.

Prior to the first day of school, meal payments may be mailed or delivered to:
D-E District Office, Food & Nutrition Department
615 South Avenue SW, Eyota, MN 55934.

Payments will also be accepted at the Elementary and High School Open House.

Checks should be written out to D-E Food and Nutrition. Please write your student’s first and last name on the bottom of your check. You may write one check for multiple students as long as all students are in the same building. If you have students at both buildings, please submit a separate check for each building. Please place the check in an envelope marked LUNCH PAYMENT. After the first day of school, payments can be sent to school with your students.

Submit a prepayment of $200.00 or more per student account, and each account will receive a $10.00 bonus. The bonus money will be added directly to your student’s lunch account and may be used to purchase meals or a la carte items. Don’t miss out!

Be sure to check out Option #3 of the payment options.
Parents love the convenience of the Automatic Prepayment Plan, which is free!

PayPams.com Online Payment Solution provides parents with a safe and convenient way to prepay for students’ school meals online. PayPams.com alleviates lost and forgotten lunch money, and the issues associated with students carrying cash to school. PayPams charges a $1.95 service fee for each per student transaction. For more information, log onto www.paypams.com.

INSUFFICIENT FUNDS POLICY
The Dover-Eyota School District has a no-charging policy: students must have money in their account to receive a meal.
Secondary students (Grades 6-12) are verbally warned when their account is $5.00 or less.

What if my student’s account balance falls below zero? K-12 students will not be allowed to purchase lunch or ala carte items but will be offered a sandwich and a carton of milk.

Will my child be issued a new lunch number?

 All students will have a lunch number that will be used at the HS/MS.  Their lunch number will be the same number they used at the elementary school.

What are the procedures for lunch and recess time?

  • Students come in and sit down and will be dismissed table by table.
  • Everyone eats lunch, and no one leaves the commons until a specific time. Eat, relax, and there is no reason to hurry; you will have plenty of time.
  • No one dismisses you after eating your lunch; take care of Tables, chairs, garbage, silverware, etc.
  • Passes are needed to go to classrooms
  • Whistle in the gym means stop, sit down.
  • If you have a ball, walk it back to the ball rack area when instructed
  • Teachers will dismiss groups of students and leave in an orderly fashion.
  • Supervisors may require all students to go outside or stay inside, or they may give students the option of going inside or outside.

Tell me about the 8th-grade trip to Eagle Bluff.

This is a three-day, two-night school-sponsored trip that involves fun and learning. We have chosen activities that align with academic standards in math and science. Also, activities such as the Tree Tops High Ropes Course and Group Challenges support the social and emotional growth of our students, giving us opportunities to respect and encourage each other. We also have some fun activities planned each evening: a campfire with S’mores, a night hike, and campfire-type games. We will have snacks for them each evening.  The cost per student is minimal, and all 8th graders are expected to attend.

What are RISE tickets?

RISE tickets are part of a positive behavior recognition program in which teachers and staff “catch” students being Respectful, Intentional, Supportive, and Engaged. Students receive orange tickets, which they can redeem in the HS/MS office. Each Friday, we randomly pick winners, and students can choose their prize. Students can save tickets, put them into each week’s drawing, or save them and put many tickets in the ticket jar.

Who are the HS/MS secretaries?

Our HS/MS secretaries are Ann Frericks and Amanda Ellringer. You need to stop in the office if you are late to school, will be leaving early from school, or just need information. They are important people in our school. This is a “safe place” to go to find help since they can always be found in the same place all day.

Is my 6th grade child able to participate in Minnesota State High School League activities?
Sixth graders are not allowed to participate in MSHSL activities.  All sports participation at the 6th-grade level is done through Dover-Eyota Community Education.

What sports are available to Dover-Eyota students in 7th & 8th grade?

FALL SPORTS

Football                                                          

Girls’ Volleyball

Cross-Country (boys and girls)                                 

Girls’ Soccer

Boys’ Soccer

WINTER SPORTS

Boys’ Basketball   

Girls’ Basketball

Wrestling                                                        

Dance Team
Boys Hockey – cooperative agreement with Rochester Lourdes.

SPRING SPORTS

Golf (boys and girls)                                                            

Track (boys and girls)  

Baseball                                                          

Softball
Clay Target – takes place on Sundays.

Are there opportunities to volunteer at the Middle School?
Volunteers are eagerly welcomed in our school. Talk to your child’s teacher about specific needs but some of the ways you could be helpful would be to volunteer.

Please sign the volunteer notebook (in the main office) each time you come to school to volunteer. You may be asked to wear a visitor pass while in the building

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