Parent Resources

OUTSTANDING TEACHERS

Our hard working teachers collaborate together, continually learning and growing to be the best educators possible for our students. Our teachers have the most current curriculum and are trained in best teaching practices in addition to being amazing people who love our students and go above and beyond every day!

AWARD-WINNING AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES

Dansville Schools has achieved local, state and national recognition for the work of the staff in implementing best practices in the areas of assessment and grading. School districts from all over the state seek information and guidance from our staff to help them implement our assessment and grading practices.

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT AND ATTENTION FOR EVERY STUDENT

We have implemented intentional, research-based frameworks such as Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Positive Behavior Intervention Supports. We also offer after school programming in a small, family atmosphere fostered by our caring staff members who partner with parents to ensure our students receive individual attention and encouragement every step of the way.

FULL RANGE OF ACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

Students take advantage of K-12 STEAM offerings, as well as specialized middle and high school forensics and engineering electives. Our high school students take AP classes, dual enroll at local community colleges, attend the Wilson Talent Center for vocational and other advanced training and join in several clubs and programs such as Science Olympiad and FFA.

LEADER IN CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH TECHNOLOGY

Dansville Schools was one of the first schools in Michigan to provide iPads for every student at our high school. This was possible because of the willingness of our staff to be innovative and because of the generous donations of our community who partner with the school through the Dansville Schools Education Foundation. This has enhanced learning, increased communication between staff and students, as well as significantly improved student organization.

PASSED $26.5 MILLION BOND IN 2016

Dansville Schools is currently constructing a new high school, which will move our middle school students to the current high school and improve security throughout the district. The district is investing in technology upgrades in every building and making significant improvements to our music/ drama and athletic facilities.

SUCCESSFUL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

Several of our athletes are recognized with All State Honors and finish in the top of the state rankings in their sport every year. We are so proud of each of our athletes, including our top finishing wrestlers, bowlers and many district championship teams.

Aggie Aid is an after-school tutoring program that brings together students, teachers and parents to ensure academic success. 

Although most students use this as a time to study and meet with tutors or teachers, other services include the development of study skills, general academic organization and the tracking of student progress.  Student eligibility is based upon academic and demographic criteria as outlined by federal guidelines.

Contacts:

Middle School
Sydney Hammerstein
517-623-6120 ext. 3126

High School
Matt Hubinger
517-623-6120 ext. 2331

Days and Times

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
2:52-4:00 p.m.

Transportation

For students living in the Dansville school district, bussing is provided on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A Parent's Guide to Standards-Based Grading

Elementary School—Standards-Based Grading

Middle and High School—Standards-Based Grading

More than a decade ago Dansville Schools began our assessment and grading journey because our experiences and research showed that traditional grading actually hurts student motivation. We then dug more deeply into the assessment research to learn what kind of assessment and grading motivates students. Based on our findings, we began our move to standards-based grading and assessment.

What are the benefits of standards-based grading?

• Research shows that standards-based grading motivates students more than traditional grading practices.
• Students take responsibility for their own learning.
• Students have a clear understanding about what needs to be learned.
• A student’s grades communicate only his or her knowledge and skill in each content area.
• Students are taught that work habits are also important life skills and they are intentionally communicated separately to provide clear feedback for students and parents.

16 Ways to Set Your Student Up for Success 

A list of tips you can use with your student to help make them successful in his/her school career.

Kahn Academy

The Kahn Academy has lessons for students of all ages and all subject areas. It is a free resource; however, you do have to create an account to use it. There are resources for students, as well as parents.

Homework Organization For Students (And Their Parents)

Homework Organization is possible for students! Share these proven tips with your child and watch as their homework is completed and turned in faster and easier than ever before.

Helping Students Become Engaged with Math

This article contains many good ideas for parents seeking activities they can do at home to help their children become more engaged in mathematics, including ideas for working with the classroom teacher to improve student achievement. The article also contains ideas and programs to support parental involvement and links to studies supporting increased parental involvement.

Helping Students with Math Attitudes

This article contains excellent ideas for parents looking to improve their child’s opinions and attitudes about math.

WebMath – Discovery Education

This website allows students to ask questions and get help with specific math problems while also explaining the process of solving the problem. Great for parents who want to help their students learn.

Stay Healthy

Good nutrition and a balanced diet help kids grow up healthy. Here's how to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits.​

Closing the Achievement Gap

This article explains how music could help close the achievement gap between poor and affluent students.

The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a FREE preschool program for children that are 4 years old. There are many GSRP classroom sites in the Ingham Intermediate School District, with highly qualified teachers offering curriculums that are proven to help prepare children for kindergarten. Full day and half day programs are available.

Great Start Readiness Program

Ready for Kindergarten?

This is a great article that helps parents understand what skills their future kindergarten teachers expect from their incoming kindergarten students. Not only should they know some letter and number recognition, but there are important readiness skills that set the stage for your child’s learning. This article does a nice job of summarizing some of those skills.

Ingham Great Start Collaborative Readiness Program Resource

This website provides short videos with reading activities you can do with your child pre-k through 5th grade. It also provides resources such as websites, book lists, printables, and math activities for you to do with your child.

Dansville Schools does not tolerate bullying of any nature, but do understand that it does occur. While we continue to work to stop it, we would like to provide the following to help students with it.

1. Remember bullying is the problem – not you. If you are currently dealing with a bully, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed. There’s nothing “wrong” with you that makes you deserve such treatment. Even if others target you for being “different” for whatever reason, they DO NOT have the right to insult or mistreat you.
2. Understand several facts about bullies. First, bullies are often (but not always) lonely and insecure people. When they pick on you, they stop others from picking on them. A second fact about bullies is they often want desperately to be accepted by “the crowd.” For this reason, they sometimes intensify their attacks when they have audiences around them. A final fact about bullies is that the high status they may enjoy in school does not last. Physical, verbal, or social bullying is not accepted in the adult world.
3. If at all possible, tell someone else about your experience. Embarrassment, shame, and fear cause many who are bullied to hide their experiences from others. This decision only increases the isolation and pain of bullying, and it can lead to depression. Talking to others eases these negative feelings and allows you to express the anger and hurt building up inside.
4. Tell a school official. Very few people who are targeted by bullies feel comfortable telling school officials what is happening. Some fear that telling a teacher, principal, coach, or guidance counselor will make the bully retaliate with even harsher treatment.
   
   When you tell school officials about a bully, you help students who are in need and you may be protecting future students from avoidable suffering; you may prevent a tragedy.
    
5. Use specific responses to deal with the bully. There is no simple way to deal with bullies when they strike. Each bully is different, and what you do in one situation may not work in another.
   1. Change the subject
   2. Learn verbal self defense
   3. Physically move away from the bully
       

MAKE SURE TO REPORT THE BULLY TO AN ADULT AT SCHOOL
1. Call or Text Our Anonymous Tip Line at 517-388-6441 

2. Visit OK2SAY Michigan Student Safety Program