October Family Knight Line
STMA Families,
We deeply appreciate the engagement and partnership of our parents and caregivers. Educating your child is a shared responsibility, and this important work requires us to work together.
A strong partnership goes both ways. Our staff is committed to teaching, supporting, and communicating with you about your child’s learning. We need your help, too. Please stay informed by reading school and district updates, stay connected with your child’s teachers and support staff, and reach out with questions or concerns.
At home, make reading a daily priority, help your child establish routines for completing homework, and talk with them about what they are learning. Regular, on-time attendance is also essential. Being at school helps students stay connected, build relationships, and keep up with their learning.
Thank you for your trust, involvement, and commitment to your child’s education. Together, we can help every child learn, grow, and thrive.
In partnership,
Dr. Ann-Marie Foucault
STMA Superintendent
On November 11, we honor Veterans Day—a time to recognize and appreciate the tremendous service and sacrifice of those who have served in the armed forces.
In accordance with state statute, at least one hour of our school day will be dedicated to this observance. STMA will provide meaningful instruction to learners in grades K–12 to ensure students understand and appreciate the contributions of our veterans.
We are deeply grateful to all members of the armed services for their unwavering commitment and sacrifice. Their example inspires us every day to serve others with integrity, compassion, and pride.
At STMA, we believe in putting students first, and listening to their voices is an important part of that commitment! Our students offer incredible insights, and their ideas, experiences, and perspectives are invaluable as we continually strive to improve.
Throughout the school year, we host 24 student forums across our schools to hear directly from students about what they are seeing, hearing, feeling, and experiencing. These conversations provide meaningful feedback about what we are doing well and where we can grow.
Feedback from the forums is shared with school staff and the School Board to help inform decision-making, celebrate our successes, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Thank you to our extraordinary staff! One of the most consistent themes we hear from students is how much they appreciate the caring, supportive relationships they have with staff. Their daily efforts make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students!
We say we put kids first, and listening to them is one way we put those words into action. When we know better, we do better!
Click here to view a summary of student responses from Trimester One.
On October 19, the STMA School Board approved the FY2028 and FY2029 school calendars following a comprehensive and collaborative process.
The process brought together teachers, support staff, principals, district administrators, parents/guardians, and a high school student. The calendars put students first, meet all school board parameters and state statutory requirements, and balance academic priorities with the needs of students, staff, and families.
Both approved calendars are now available on the district website. We encourage families and staff to review them as they plan for the coming school years.
Schools Advocating for Fair Funding (SAFF) recently released updated school district revenue rankings. STMA moved up in the rankings and now ranks 317th out of 326 Minnesota school districts in per-pupil revenue, placing us among the lowest-funded districts in the state.
Our per-pupil revenue increased slightly due to the voter-approved operating levy. While this is a step in the right direction, a significant funding gap remains between STMA and many other Minnesota school districts.
We are incredibly grateful for our community's continued support and investment in our schools. We will continue to advocate strongly with state legislators for fair and equitable school funding to ensure our students have the resources, opportunities, and high-quality education they deserve.
At STMA, we are committed to creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive schools where every student feels valued, respected, seen, heard, and celebrated. Every child deserves to feel safe at school, develop positive relationships, and experience a strong sense of belonging. Preventing bullying is a shared responsibility, and together, we can make a difference.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, an important reminder of the role we all play in promoting kindness, respect, and acceptance. Building a positive school culture requires a strong partnership among students, staff, families, and our community.
PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center offers valuable resources to help recognize, prevent, and respond to bullying. Here are three ways staff and families can work together to make a difference:
- Start the conversation. Engage students in regular conversations about friendships, relationships, and social interactions, both at school and at home. Ask open-ended questions, discuss what bullying looks like, model kindness and empathy, and encourage students to stand up for themselves and others.
- Recognize the signs. Be attentive to changes in student behavior, unexplained physical symptoms, withdrawal from friends or activities, or reluctance to attend school. Whether at home or in the classroom, building trusting relationships, listening, and responding with care can help identify concerns early.
- Speak up and report concerns. If you witness or become aware of bullying, take action. Families are encouraged to contact a school administrator, and staff should follow district procedures for reporting and addressing concerns. STMA School Board Policy #514, Bullying Prohibition, outlines our commitment to preventing and responding to bullying.
Creating a culture of kindness and belonging takes all of us. We are grateful for our extraordinary staff, supportive families, and students who demonstrate kindness, compassion, and respect each day. By working together, we can ensure STMA remains a place where every student feels safe, included, and empowered to learn and thrive.
As electric bikes (e-bikes) and motorized scooters become increasingly popular among students, we want to remind families of the importance of safe and responsible riding.
Minnesota law establishes minimum age requirements:
- E-bikes: Riders must be at least 15 years old.
- Motorized foot scooters: Riders must be at least 12 years old, and those under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.
We encourage families to discuss these laws and reinforce safe riding practices, including wearing helmets, obeying traffic laws, yielding to pedestrians, avoiding distractions, and maintaining safe speeds.
Safety is a shared responsibility. Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our students, families, and community safe.
Congratulations to the four STMA certified staff members who were recognized as Leadership and Education Excellence Award (LEEA) recipients. Honored by their peers, these educators exemplify what it means to be positive role models—inspiring students, uplifting colleagues, and contributing meaningfully to our community. They are outstanding instructors who honor each student as an individual, demonstrating genuine respect, care, and commitment every day.
Congratulations to our LEEA Award recipients:
- Abbey Bonsen - Social Studies Teacher, High School
- Kelly Holtz - 1st Grade Teacher, Big Woods Elementary
- Mallory Lichtenberg - 8th Grade Science Teacher, Middle School East
- Alyssa Odegard - Instructional Coach, Fieldstone Elementary
- Trish Sobiech - 4th Grade Teacher, Fieldstone Elementary