Jefferson Elementary

Neon Night was a massive hit! From the glowing gear and "BINGLO" to the high-energy dance party, our students and families made it a night to remember. Thank you to everyone who came out and lit up the night!

Our 4th and 5th graders recently returned from an incredible overnight trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN. Throughout the experience, students made hands-on connections to our year-long curriculum in science, math, and literacy. Beyond academics, the trip fostered significant social-emotional growth as students collaborated to conquer new challenges and build stronger friendships.

We hope to make this trip a lasting tradition here at Jefferson! Please click the link below to view our daily updates and photos from the adventure.

https://app.smore.com/n/mvwha-news-from-the-north

Our students recently traded their desks for lab coats during a special visit from the local University’s Geology Program. It was an action-packed day of discovery that brought the wonders of earth science right into our school gym! Attached is a summary of the day~ below are a few highlights!

Led by university faculty and five exceptional college student mentors, our K-5 students became "junior scientists" for the day. Here’s a look at what they investigated:

• Hands-On Stations: We set up four interactive stations where students explored real-world geologic samples and conducted experiments.

• Science Journals: Each child received a dedicated lab booklet to record their observations and findings, just like a professional geologist.

• Expert Guidance: Our Exploratory Teacher, Amanda Kroehler, helped students navigate the 45-minute sessions, focusing on how to handle delicate specimens and think like a scientist.

It was a fantastic opportunity for our children to see science in action and meet mentors who are passionate about the earth. A huge thank you to the visiting geology students for inspiring our community’s youngest explorers!

Celebrating our JAGS Leaders! Students who went above and beyond this week were nominated for a special lunch with the principal. These leaders stood out by being prepared, acting safely, showing respect, and always giving their best effort. We had a blast celebrating their hard work!

We are preparing for our upcoming Spring Conferences, scheduled for [Dates]. In the next few weeks, we will send out a link and instructions on how to sign up for a time slot. Please stay tuned for more detail

Tuesday March 24 3:20-8:00

Thursday March 26 3:20-8:00

Tuesday March 31 3:20-8:00

Do you ever wonder how we can better prepare our students for the "real world" after graduation?

We are thrilled to invite all Mankato families to a special community evening with national expert Mark Perna on Wednesday, March 18, at the Mankato Marriott.

Mark is a renowned speaker who specializes in helping schools, parents, and businesses work together to "light a fire" under the next generation. He will share powerful insights on how we can connect classroom learning to high-demand careers and help our students find their purpose.

• When: Wednesday, March 18

• Where: Mankato Marriott (Event Center)

• Who: Open to all parents, business owners, and interested community members.

Let’s pack the room and show our commitment to the future of education in the Mankato region!

[Link to Flyer/Registration: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AG3EwxmTv04oi7tj8UReyuy1PHDaPJ0x/view?usp=sharing]

Each month, we will send attendance letters to families of students who have reached an absence threshold as defined by state attendance requirements. When your student reaches a specific number of tardies, excused absences, or unexcused absences, you will receive a letter sharing this information.

These letters are intended to support our partnership with families in promoting consistent attendance. Consistent attendance means students are present at least 90% of the time.

If you have any questions about attendance, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are happy to review attendance guidelines with you and discuss your student’s current attendance record.

Early Childhood Screening is required before your child can start kindergarten.

This free screening is an important step in supporting your child’s readiness for school. It helps identify strengths and areas where your child may need support in development, vision, hearing, and overall health—giving families and schools valuable information to ensure a strong start in kindergarten.

If your child has not yet been screened, please visit https://mapsisd77ecs.youcanbook.me/ to book an appointment. For additional questions about Early Childhood Screenings, please call (507) 625-4620.

Construction on West High School continues to move along! West High School will be the future home for some of our Jefferson Jags as they head into High School.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_W_jhDeHapTid-4BQY9-6pHQoZjg4hE5/view?usp=sharing

Come join the fun at our April PTO meeting on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:00 PM in the Jefferson STEM Room! We’ll have free pizza and free childcare, so you can relax, connect with other families, share your ideas, and help support our school community. It’s a great chance to stay involved and see what’s happening at school. All families are welcome—we’d love to see you there! 🍕🎉

Traditionally, Jefferson has always provided after school child care on site through our ACES program. We are looking to provide that same care before school for our families who need it. If you are interested click on the link below for details.

Summer ACES registration opened on Wednesday, March 11th

Wanna see what you are in for? https://youtu.be/xI4vprbHd4YACES Program Experience

Still have questions ... book a quick phone call with Amy.

If you'd like to book a phone call with us, we'd love to answer all your questions. Please use the link.

We can answer questions about registration, registration software, billing/payments, what a typical day of programming looks like, etc.