Welcome to Dassel-Cokato ISD 466
"Committed to Educational Excellence"
HS Honors Students at Academic Awards Program
Dassel-Cokato High School held its annual Academic Awards program on Tuesday, May 14th. A large crowd was present to honor the top achievements of local high school students, including 52 seniors (pictured above) who received 4-year academic letter awards.
Other awards were presented to academic award recipients for each grade as well as department awards, All-State Academic Award winners and students earning scores of 30 or more on their ACT tests.
Dassel-Cokato Ranked 20th best High School in MN
In a recent US News and World Report ranking of Minnesota's 772 high schools, Dassel-Cokato was rated at number 20.
This very high placement was based on a comprehensive ranking methodology including educating all of its students and showing academic outcomes. More information about the report, as well as complete rankings, can be found on the US News and World Report website.
Paul Beckermann Recognized as Semi-Finalist
at the MN Teacher of the Year Banquet
On June 5th, Education Minnesota recognized the Teacher of the Year nominees and announced the 2013 MN Teacher of the Year at a special banquet celebration. Paul Beckermann was recognized as a semi-finalist and commented that "it is great to represent such a fantastic district."
Top Students Honors at Students of Excellence Banquet
Eric Dahlseng, Anna Webster, Tayler Morris and Isaac Darland were honored at the annual Students of Excellence banquet for their outstanding academic performance at Dassel-Cokato High School. Congratulations!
Fall 2013 Operating Levy
In November of 2007 the voters of Dassel-Cokato approved a 7 year operating levy that raises about 1 million dollars a year for the school. Prior to the levy passing the district had cut budgets for the previous 4 years. When the levy passed the district committed to:
- Continued reduced class size in Kindergarten through Second Grade with a goal of 22 or fewer in each class
- Class size in grades three and four with a goal of 25 or fewer in each class
- Class size in grades five through eight with a goal of 28 or fewer in each class
- Additional foreign language opportunities for high school students
- Expanded science and math opportunities for high school students
- Updating hardware and software more frequently.
- Purchasing more current technology so that our students are ready to compete in the 21st Century workplace
- Updating media collections that are extremely outdated
- Providing more high school classes that offer college and technical school credit
- Providing more support for students who struggle so that they can reach their highest potential
- Better opportunities for students in fine arts and athletics
- Staff and curriculum materials necessary to meet the increased demands placed upon schools by the Minnesota Department of Education
- Continued employment of staff to maintain safety and security within the schools
Even with lots of economic uncertainty, and limited state funding, the district has been able to keep these commitments and remain in a strong, stable financial position.
Unfortunately the state does not provide enough funding for our school district to succeed without a local operating levy. In November of 2013 the district will be asking voters to renew the 2007 operating levy in some form. It is crucial that voters know what they are being asked to vote on. As the school board refines the operating levy question more information will be disseminated. Please contact Jeff Powers at (320)286-4100 extension 1003 with any questions relating to the fall 2013 operating levy.
Faculty Follies Raises Over $5000
For Student Scholarships
Over 1,000 people attended Faculty Follies this past weekend, raising over $5,000 for student scholarships through Dollars for Scholars. The 7 p.m. show was sold out, and the 2 p.m. show was enjoyed by over 300 people. Thanks to all who attended and participated!
New Sport starts at Dassel-Cokato
Adaptive Bowling was approved as a sport at Dassel-Cokato with competitions to begin in April. This activity allows students with physical and/or cognitive impairments to compete against other schools. The program will be under the leadership of Vinne Pokornowski, physical education teacher at the middle school. For more information, contact the activities office at 320-286-4100, ext. 1811.
Moodle becoming a key learning tool in D-C classrooms
If you have a student in the Dassel-Cokato School system, you may have heard the term Moodle being used in conversations about what is happening in class. Moodle is a learning management system (LMS) which is quickly becoming integral to many middle and high school classrooms.
Learning management systems like Moodle are online, virtual classrooms where students log into a secure website to access course materials, assignments and activities. Teachers can use this space to post resources and instructional materials for students, and students can use the space to participate in online learning activities and even submit homework assignments electronically.
Because it is web-based, it is accessible to students anytime and anywhere they have access to a computer and internet connection. This is very useful for students who are absent, forgot to bring an assignment home or simply want to review materials from class.
Students can access a teacher’s Moodle course from any page on the D-C school website. Under the students tab at the top of each page is a link to Moodle. After clicking this link, students can log into the site using their normal network username and password. Once logged in, students will be able to visit any Moodle course for which they have been enrolled. Not all courses have Moodle pages established, but these are becoming more common each year.
While similar to a regular website in many ways, courses set up in Moodle are often better for educational purposes because they are password protected and can offer powerful interactive learning experiences for students. (read more)
FRIDAY IS CHARGER DAY
As a continuation of our school pride theme, all students and staff are encouraged to wear the Dassel-Cokato Charger colors on Fridays throughout the year.
The colors are blue and white.
DC CHARGER SONG LYRICS
Here come the DC Chargers,
fighting to keep our honor;
Cheer for the DC Chargers,
we’ll win this game! (Rah, Rah, Rah!)
Here’s to the blue and white;
with all our might we’ll fight.
Onward to victory,
we’ll win this game tonight! (Fight!)
GO CHARGERS!!!
Jeff Powers,
Superintendent
jeff.powers@dc.k12.mn.us
4852 Reardon Ave. SW
Suite 1700
Cokato, MN 55321
Phone: 320.286.4100
Fax: 320.286.4101