October 16, 2026

Important Dates
Quarter 1
- October 16 & 19: October Break (no school)
- October 28: Student Study Hall at MNOHS Campus in St. Paul
- October 31: LAST Day for Student School Photos
- November 2: End of Quarter 1
- November 3 & 4: Teacher/Systems Day (no school for students)
Quarter 2
- November 6: First Day of Quarter 2
- November 17: MNOHS Board Meeting
- November 25 - 27: November Break (no school for students)
- December 15: MNOHS Board Meeting
- December 21-January 1: Winter Break (no school for students)
- January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday (no school for students)
- January 19: MNOHS Board Meeting
- January 25: End of Quarter 2
- January 26 & 27: Teacher/Systems Day (no school for students)
FREE pizza!
We invite students to join us for an in-person Study Hall (or join virtually!)
October 28th
10-2
Pizza lunch will be served at 11:30
MNOHS Campus
2314 University Ave W Suite 10
St. Paul MN, 55114
(We have a separate entrance, the door closest to University Ave)
For students too far from campus to attend in person, you can join us virtually via Zoom. Prizes will be mailed after the event! A Zoom link will be sent next week.
🐟Study (or students could complete their STAR assessments if they haven't already by then!)
🐟Visit with fellow students and MNOHS staff
🐟Grab supplies and swag
🐟Play games and have a chance to win prizes
🎨Create an art piece that will hang right here at our St. Paul campus!
We will provide materials for in-person attendees to create an art project (pictured below) for our office. A list of materials will be sent out for anyone that would like to participate from home.
For more information, or if you have any questions, contact Executive Director Tracy Quarnstrom at t.quarnstrom@mail.mnohs.org
Clubs at MNOHS
Did you know we have clubs at MNOHS? Most will begin after Quarter 1. During SWIM, students told us what kind of clubs and activities they are interested in. We'll use those responses to help decide what to offer this year. Keep an eye out for more information!
🌈 GSA
The MNOHS Gender and Sexuality (GSA) meets monthly on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 2:00PM. The GSA is a student-run organization that provides a safe, supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. This is a virtual space where you can be exactly who you are, meet peers, and help build an inclusive community.
All MNOHS students are welcome. GSA is facilitated by Melissa Greene, our Special Education Coordinator, and Anastasia Martin, our Academic Director.
Melissa Greene
Anastasia Martin
Quarter 1 Student Survey
Please take this short survey to tell us more about your experience with our new learning platform and course curriculum.
FREE College Applications
October is COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE MONTH: A month dedicated to apply to college and planning for your next steps after high school. Almost all Minnesota colleges and universities are waiving application fees during the month of October! - and many are free all year!
Reach out to your school counselor for support and more information!
Miriam Birdsell - (Last Names A-L)
Email: m.birdsell@mail.mnohs.org
Call/Text: 651.780.7782
Sarah Benson - (Last Names M-Z)
Email: s.benson@mail.mnohs.org
Call/Text: 651.571.0133
2027 Minnesota Fish Art Contest
Calling All MNOHS Minnows: 2027 Fish Art Contest
Do you like to draw, paint, or design? Minnesota students in grades K-12, including all MNOHS students in grades 9-12, are invited to enter the 2027 Minnesota Fish Art Contest, hosted by the Minnesota DNR's Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine and Wildlife Forever's Art of Conservation program. It's free to enter.
Students create an original illustration of a wild fish in its natural habitat. Pet-store fish such as goldfish, guppies, bettas, koi, or any fish in captivity are not eligible. Traditional art should be scanned, not photographed, and digital art is accepted. Students in grades 4-12 also submit a one-page piece of writing about why protecting our lakes, rivers, and coastlines matters. All work must be the student's own, and AI-generated or AI-edited art is not allowed.
Ninth graders compete in the 7th-9th grade category, and 10th through 12th graders compete in their own. Winners can earn prizes such as a Minnesota state parks vehicle permit, a sketchbook, and a certificate, and first-place Minnesota winners move on to national judging. Some fish species also qualify for specialty awards. Every participant receives a subscription to Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine.
Fish Art deadline: February 28, 2027. Entries are online only, so you will need to scan a copy of your work if it is not digital art (see contest website for details).
Bird lovers, there's a Bird Art Contest too, with a deadline of November 30, 2026.
Questions? Contact Michelle Larson at m.larson@mail.mnohs.org.
Picture "Day" Sessions for Comprehenisve Students: FREE prints and Student ID
Our school photo session window has been extended to October 31!
Every (comprehensive) student will receive 4 free wallet prints plus a student ID for FREE (just pay shipping) when they complete a photo session and log into their gallery by October 31! A voucher for these prints is already loaded to our school account and can be redeemed simply by adding the products to your cart, no additional purchase required. Families just need to pay for shipping and handling.
St. Cloud State Offering Free Tuition
The Huskies Scholars Program is eligible for in-state students graduating high school in 2027 with a 3.5 GPA or higher, and who plan to enter St. Cloud State as a new first year student in Fall 2027.
Information for MN Voters in November
Click photo for downloadable PDF
MNOHS Handbooks and Board Information
Board Brief
What is the MNOHS Board of Directors?
The Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and stewardship for Minnesota Online High School.
Who are the current Board Members?
Tanya Hoskin, President
Heide Miller, Treasurer
Sarah Benson, Secretary
Ben Johnson, Board Member
Amber Lamp, Board Member
Kelley Velleux, Board Member
Kelly Dietrich, Board Member
Lynne Deitz, Board Member
Tracy Quarnstrom, Ex Officio
When are board meetings?
3rd Tuesday of the month @ 6PM
A Notice from MDE: Tax Savings and Resources
Explore Tax Savings and Resources for Minnesota Families
Minnesota families may be eligible for state tax credits and tax relief programs. With the help of the Minnesota Department of Revenue, we are here to make the process simple, so you can feel confident getting the support your family deserves.
Child Tax Credit
- Families may qualify for a Child Tax Credit of $1,800 per qualifying child with no limit on the number of children claimed. They can receive a refund even if they do not owe tax.
- For more information, visit Child Tax Credit.
K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit
- Minnesota has two tax relief programs for families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade: the K-12 Education Subtraction and K-12 Education Credit. Both programs help lower taxes and may provide a larger refund.
- For more information, visit K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit.
Free Tax Preparation
- Families may qualify for free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or AARP Tax-Aide programs. These programs prepare federal and state income tax and Property Tax Refund returns.
- To learn more about eligibility and find a free tax site near you, visit Free Tax Preparation Sites.
Do you need to return student materials?
Complete this form to request a return label for any student materials you no longer need.