Mountaineer Minute-August 30, 2026
26-27 School Picture Day Order Forms Available!
Brockway Photography is doing EK-12 Pictures again this year!
Download and Print the Picture Day Order Form HERE or pick one up in the Office!
You can also order online @ brockwayphotography.com
Code: 0648WEA or 0648WEB
North Elementary Picture Day (EK-5) is September 2nd during school hours at each location.
Picture Retakes TBD
"High Five Your Ride"
Monday, August 31st is the First Day of School! 🖤📚💛
Whether you take the bus, carpool or are dropped off, BRING YOUR ENERGY! Some of our Staff/Admin team will be there to greet you, meet you & document the first day in YOUR WAY - at both North campus' and MS/HS! We want to see your not-so-secret handshakes, dances, special hugs, cheek kisses, high fives, etc to celebrate the first day BACK IN BLACK AND GOLD!
Congratulations Mrs. Dawn Hazelwood, Kindergarten Teacher
Dawn Hazelwood is thrilled to fulfill a lifelong dream as she starts her first year as a kindergarten teacher at North Elementary. While this is her first year leading her own classroom, she is a familiar face in the district. She served as an Educational Assistant from 2018 through 2025 and completed her apprentice teaching during the 2025–2026 school year.
Ms. Hazelwood chose IMPS because the district feels like a close family, and she loves how warmly they welcomed her and her family. She is passionate about helping students, and her favorite part of teaching is seeing the big smiles on her students' faces every day. This school year, she is most looking forward to connecting with her new students and building strong relationships with their families. In her free time, her favorite book is Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, a special story she won in a math game from her own second-grade teacher!
Welcome Ms. Marti Nord, School Success Coach North Elementary
Marti Nord is joining Iron Mountain Public Schools as the new School Success Coach at North Elementary. Originally from the area, she graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Social Work and has worked in the mental health field for the past six years. She chose IMPS because of the district's strong commitment to student mental health and its constant effort to improve the learning environment.
Ms. Nord is deeply passionate about making her local community a better place. She actively volunteers with the community theater and works to create more opportunities for local youth. In her new role as School Success Coach, she is most looking forward to teaching students valuable life skills that will help them thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Outside of work, Ms. Nord lives with her fiancé, their dog, and 16 chickens. She enjoys watching reality TV and diving into thriller novels, with Freida McFadden currently being her favorite author.
Welcome Mr. Blair Anderson, Secondary Education Student Teacher Iron Mountain High School
Blair Anderson, a retired Master Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force, is joining Iron Mountain High School as a secondary education student teacher for social studies and history. He will be mentoring under Mrs. Pietrantonio. Born and currently living in Crystal Falls, Master Sergeant Anderson wanted a student teaching placement close to home where he could receive a quality hands-on education to finish his degree. He is excited to learn from the team at Iron Mountain High School and be part of such a great school program! Thank you, Mr. Anderson, for your service & Welcome to IMPS!
2026-27 school year:
- Maintenance Coordinator
- Part-Time Maintenance
- Food Service- Substitute Lunchroom Servers
Apply here - IMPS Employment Website
Looking to Sub? Check out more information at the bottom of this newsletter!
⚫️🟡 Support the CLASS OF 2028 🟡⚫️
⭐️ Store will be open August 1st-September 1st⭐️
🟡 Order & pay online
⚫️ No shipping cost—bags will be sent directly to the school
🟡 Available in black, white, & grey
⚫️ Choose from 3 sizes to fit your needs
📣 Anyone can order, please share this link with family & friends. They make great gifts!
Thank you for supporting the Class of 2028 🖤💛
🛒 Order here: http://imps.news/7ote
Totes will arrive mid October (Class representatives will contact everyone for pick up)
Questions? Call or Text 906-396-1475
⚫️🟡 Support the CLASS OF 2029 🟡⚫️
STADIUM JACKETS & Bundle Options are BACK!
⭐️Store will be open August 14th-September 4th⭐️
We are selling official Stadium Jackets packed with all the accessories. ADDITIONALLY, fall sports t-shirts, long sleeves and football jerseys for kids and adults are also available!
Ordering now ensures you'll have yours just in time for the Fall Season, the kickoff of the new school year, and for years to come.
🛒 Order here: http://imps.news/5oyK
📣 Anyone can order, please share this link with family & friends. They make great gifts!
Thank you for supporting the Class of 2029 🖤
2026 Board of Education Elections
Iron Mountain Public Schools has 2 School Board Seats that will expire December 31, 2026 and will be seeking for elections on the upcoming November 3, 2026 regular school election ballot.
The open seats are for a 4 year term, Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2030.
The deadline for nominations was July 21, 2026.
MORE INFORMATION available on our website.
Join the Iron Mountain High School Academic Booster Club (ABC Club)
Join ABC to support the next generation of students! It’s a small time commitment that makes a big impact.
- Group meets just twice a year; no fundraising required!
- Open to parents, teachers, and community members.
Contact: Russell Kassin at 906-239-9059 or rkassin@fnbimk.com.
Receipts must be turned in by the 10th of each month
We can only accept receipts dated within quarters set by the Community Dollars Program.
Any receipts that are turned in outside the accepted date range cannot be used or exchanged for tokens. *Tadych's Marketplace receipts are no longer accepted.
Q1: Jan-Mar; Q2: Apr-Jun; Q3: Jul-Sept; Q4: Oct-Dec
Earn Cash for Our Schools (EK-8)
YOU can support our schools while doing the shopping you're doing anyway!
Scan or submit your receipt with the Box Tops app within 14 days of purchase, or shop with your Walmart, Walgreens, Meijer, etc connected account, and you'll earn for your school with every Box Tops product you buy. The earnings add up quickly! In order to earn cash for your school, you'll need to use the Box Tops app on your mobile device.
Check your app store or visit https://boxtops4education.com/ to download the app and learn more.
Questions? Contact Becky Perry @ perryb@imschools.org or call 906-779-2610
![A promotional graphic featuring a cartoon mountaineer mascot inside a tilted Polaroid photo frame with placeholder text reading "[Insert YOUR Name]." The bottom section displays a black camera icon next to the text "TALES OF A Mountaineer" against a bright orange background.](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/20c3/thumb-6496b979b5a033f08fc233281499b869.png "A promotional graphic featuring a cartoon mountaineer mascot inside a tilted Polaroid photo frame with placeholder text reading \"[Insert YOUR Name].\" The bottom section displays a black camera icon next to the text \"TALES OF A Mountaineer\" against a bright orange background.")
Tales of a Mountaineer
Mountaineer Alumni, Tell your Tale!
We want to hear from you!
👉 How to get involved:
IF you're interested in being featured throughout the year, or have a family member who is, please email Maria or fill out the Google Form linked here:
📝 Google Form: http://imps.news/Vi2C
📮 Questions? Email Maria Langsford: langsfordm@imschools.org
Help us spread the word! Share this with your classmates and let’s get those stories flowing!
Explore Future Careers Together with Michigan’s Pathfinder Tool!
Are you or your child trying to figure out what comes after high school? Whether you are a student planning your future or a parent helping along the way, Michigan’s Pathfinder tool can help you make smart choices about school and jobs. Pathfinder (Pathfinder.MiTalent.org) is a free website where you can look up popular careers and see the exact training or college degrees you need to get them.
What You Can Do on Pathfinder:
- Compare Different Paths: Filter search results by job type, field, or school. You can even pick a few different paths and compare them side-by-side.
- See the Whole Plan: Once you pick a career goal, Pathfinder builds a clear, step-by-step roadmap showing every bit of training you will need.
If you've used Pathfinder before, check out the updated platform. Planning for the future is much easier when you do it together. Take a look and start exploring today!
Get started at Pathfinder.MiTalent.org
9/11 Pine Mountain Ski Jump Stair Challenge
25 Years. One Climb.
Join in remembering those who paid the ultimate price 25 years ago on September 11, 2001.
Climb the steps at Pine Mountain Ski Jump 4x like the firefighters in NYC did that day; or create a team of 2 to climb twice, etc.
🗓️ Friday, September 11th
⏰ 4:00pm - 6:00pm
📍 Top of Pine Mountain, by the Ski Jump/War Memorial
Get ready for a spooky adventure at Loud Acres Farm!
Their Haunted Farm event, "Field of Screams," is happening this October. New for this year is "Total Blackout"—you have to be there to experience it!
🗓️ When: October 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st
⏰ Time: 7pm - 10pm Central Time (Farm opens at 6:30)
📍 Where: 178 Fisher Road, Crystal Falls, MI
💲 Cost: $15 cash only
The event is "Enter At Your Own Risk," so "Expect the Unexpected!" For safety, no costumes are allowed. There will be security, food, and vendors on site. Kids 12 and under need to bring an adult.
Loud Acres Farm also offers other family events—check their Facebook page for more details!
You can also email them at loudacresfarm@yahoo.com.
