November Minne Scoop

A Note from Mr. Archer

Minnehaha Family,

Halloween is now behind us and we can start thinking about the upcoming holiday season! This year's Winter/Holiday program is tentatively planned for December 11th. Watch for more details coming out soon.

It’s going to get colder.

It has been a very warm October but we all know that won’t last. Remember once snow falls we require students to have snow pants to play at recess. If anyone needs assistance with winter clothing please reach out to Rachel Howard, our school counselor. We may be able to assist you. Her extension is 8421.

Welcome back our parents!

Over the past few years, increasing security concerns followed by Covid shutdowns caused us to keep visitors from coming into our building. As a result, we lost some neat things we used to do. Our remodel addressed security concerns. We have more secure entrances and expanded and improved camera systems. We also now have the ability to screen visitors for security concerns via the “Raptor system” in the office.

This year we allowed parents into the building for the holiday parade and we look forward to more opportunities to host events for parents. Additionally, we once again are allowing parents to come in and eat lunch with their child in the cafeteria. Parents need to let the teacher know that they will be eating lunch with their child and should check into the main office before lunch. If you plan on eating hot lunch, please put money in your child's lunch account, and use your child's lunch account number at lunch time to purchase the meal. This can be a fun and meaningful experience for both student and parent.

New training for better results.

Did you know every teacher at the Minnehaha is going through intensive training on the science of reading. LETRS training will take place over the next 2 years. This is a significant undertaking and we expect the impact on students' academic progress to be great.

Additionally, the district is undergoing a 2 year implementation of the Minnesota Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MnMTSS). MTSS is a focus on developing tiers of intervention for students who struggle academically and behaviorally.

Help protect our new playground.

We have a new incredible playground. We have a very safe “pour and play” surface under the equipment and swings. We have a paved area for basketball and a new artificial turf section for all different types of activities. It is also a neighborhood playground we want our community to enjoy. However, we need children to treat it with respect. Please talk to your child about respecting the playground and not to bring pets and bikes into the playground surfaces. We do have great camera coverage on the playground which we hope will help us deal with vandalism.

School patrol needs your help:

We have a dedicated school patrol who are concerned with EVERYONE'S safety. They have requested that I remind parents to please allow the school patrol students to make sure it is safe to cross before you cross the street. Thank you school patrol!

Have a great November!

Staff Spotlight~Annmaire Ulvestad~4th Grade Teacher

Hello! My name is Annmarie Ulvestad.

It has been so welcoming joining the Minnehaha Staff this year as a fourth grade teacher.

I was born and raised in Duluth MN, and graduated from Duluth East High School. I completed a Bachelor’s Degree in teaching at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I taught in Duluth at Laura MacArthur Elementary running their after school programming for two years then taught kindergarten and first grade. Then I got my Wisconsin License. I took a job teaching 4th grade in Superior where I had been for the last six years! I am so thrilled to be teaching 4th here this year!

My father's family has deep roots to Two Harbors, where my grandfather served as a teacher at the high school, as a member of the City Council, and even as the mayor for many years Growing up hearing stories of his dedication to education and community service instilled in me a profound appreciation for the values that define this area. I am eager to contribute to the legacy of excellence established by educators like my grandfather and to play a role in shaping the future of the North Shore community.

I have been married for the last twelve years to my husband Dave. We have two amazing daughters. Josie who is ten and Harper eight years old. This last winter we had to say goodbye to our best fur friend Summit and welcomed Scout, our energetic lab puppy to the family. I believe every child has an opportunity to succeed and finding each student's strength to ensure success is the passion I have behind being a teacher!

I deeply value time spent with my family and the opportunities that travel provides. I believe that real-life experiences and exposure to different cultures are invaluable for personal growth and learning. I strive to bring these insights back to my classroom, aiming to not only educate successful fourth graders but also to nurture future role models for our community. One of the highlights of our summer was spending July traveling around Europe with my family, an experience that brought immense joy and enriched my perspective.

Proper Clothing

With the temperatures getting cooler, we ask that your kids come with the proper clothing for both indoors and outdoors. That includes, pants, sweaters, hat, mittens, warm jackets, boots, and snow pants. If you are need of any outdoor clothing items, please call the office or there will be a table out at conferences.