Monroe Messenger

Monday October 6

Picture retake day is Monday, October 6th for those that have not had their school pictures taken. If you would like to have your child retake pictures and you purchased a packet, please return the packet to school.

mylifetouch.com

School Name: Monroe Elementary School (North Mankato)

Picture Day ID: EVT2FXJ7R

If you haven't signed up your child for snack cart yet please do so as soon as possible. You can go on the parent portal to make a payment. If your child will not be taking snack from the snack cart please let your child's teacher know or the office at me@isd77.org

If you need assistance please call the office.

Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff,

There have been confirmed cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in our school. Please read the following information regarding HFMD. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Rachel Mariner, RN, LSN at rmarin2@isd77.org.

Message from the Principal:

Hello Mustang Families,

Do you know someone who is passionate about supporting kids and making a positive impact in schools? Monroe Elementary is hiring a general education Student Success Coaches and we’d love your help getting the word out. This position has been vacant for over a year and we are eager to hire a qualified candidate.

Our Student Success Coaches work closely with our school counselor, teachers, and principal to provide social, emotional, and behavioral support to students. Whether it’s helping students navigate challenges, apply coping strategies, or stay on track with their goals, our success coach plays a key role in helping Monroe students succeed.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with kids, is calm and caring, and believes in the power of relationships and positive guidance.

To apply, please visit ISD77.org and select careers. Once on the careers page, view the open positions and select student support staff. The application is found toward the bottom of the page.

Position Highlights:

Coaches work on days students are present
Hours are Monday-Friday, 7:45-2:30
Starting pay: $17.78–$18.96/hour
Work closely with amazing Monroe staff and students
Make a real difference every single day

Minimum qualifications:
Applicants must have 60 college credits, an Associate’s Degree, or a ParaPro Assessment score of 460+. The ParaPro Assessment can be taken here at Mankato Area Public Schools.

If you or someone you know would be a great fit, please encourage them to apply!

Questions? Feel free to email me at mmeyer1@isd77.org. I’d be happy to share more!

With appreciation,

Mollie Meyer

Monroe Principal

Hello Monroe Families!

As we begin Week 5, I wanted to share a quick STEM update.

Over the past few weeks, students have explored:

Collaboration & teamwork
Making mistakes & learning from them
Treating others with respect
Being a good listener
Engineering & design thinking
Being a maker: engage, explore, explain
Upcycling & recycling
Gravity (Kindergarten)
Sound & pitch (2nd grade)
Exploring creativity
Bernoulli’s Principle (3rd grade)
Growth mindset
Digital citizenship (how to be safe and responsible online)

A major focus in all of my classes has been growth mindset. We connect this to respect and responsibility, which we practice each time we come to STEM. Growth mindset is all about thinking positively, practicing, and improving—even when mistakes happen. Along the way, we’re weaving in countless social-emotional concepts.

We are off to learning and creating great things!

-Mrs. Udermann

The Application for Educational Benefits takes just a few minutes, and it may unlock valuable support for your family all year long:

Filling out this quick, confidential form may help your family access:

● Summer grocery benefits (Sun Bucks)

● Discounted internet and utilities

● Lower college exam and AP test fees

● After-school and summer programs

● Tutoring and academic support

It also helps schools receive essential funding for programs that support students.

Not sure if you qualify? Have questions? Call Nutrition Services at (507)388-7442 and we’re happy to walk through it with you.

Hello Mustang Families,

As we settle into the school year, we wanted to send a friendly reminder about our school's cell phone and electronic device policy. We understand the desire to stay connected with your children throughout the day, especially in case of emergencies, and we truly understand that mindset.

However, our primary goal is to maintain a safe, focused, and distraction-free learning environment for every student. This policy is in place to protect student privacy and ensure a positive academic atmosphere.

Our Policy on Mobile Phones and Electronic Devices

Based on ISD77 policy, all student mobile phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and other personal electronic devices must be kept silent and out of sight during the instructional day.

This means devices should be put away in a backpack or locker from the moment the school day begins until the final bell rings. We ask that parents and guardians please refrain from texting or calling your child during the school day.

We ask for your support with this policy for a few key reasons:

Privacy and Safety: Students and staff have a right to privacy. The policy strictly prohibits taking photos, videos, or recordings of other individuals without their consent. This is especially important in private areas like restrooms and locker rooms.
Focus on Learning: When devices are put away, students are better able to engage with their teachers and classmates without the constant distraction of notifications or messages. This allows for deeper learning and more meaningful interaction.
Academic Integrity: This policy helps prevent cheating and ensures that all students are completing their work honestly and independently.

We know that emergencies can happen. If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our front office at 507-387-7889. Our staff will make sure your message is delivered to your child promptly and securely.

Your partnership in upholding this policy is essential to our school community. Thank you for helping us create a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all of our students.

Best regards,

Mollie Meyer

Monroe Elementary Principal

Please use door 1 when visiting the school. For the safety of the students and staff, during school hours, please refrain from walking onto the playground without first checking in with the front office.

The Health Office is in need of girls short sleeve t-shirts in all sizes. Please drop any new or gently used donations off in the front office.

The yearbook is in need of your school activity photos. Any first-day-of-school pictures, field trips, classroom parties, book fairs, and general fun photos that you take in any school-related activity can be submitted to Amy Demaster at amydemaster@gmail.com.

Understanding Title I Programs

Title I is a federal program that provides financial assistance to schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families. The goal is to ensure all children meet challenging academic standards. There are two main types of Title I programs: Schoolwide and Targeted Assistance.

Feature

Schoolwide Title I (All School)

Targeted Assistance Title I

Who benefits

All students in the school

Only identified students most at risk academically

Eligibility requirement

At least 40% of students must be from low-income families

No percentage requirement, but students must be identified as needing help

Use of funds

Can be used for schoolwide improvements: teaching, curriculum, materials, technology, staff training, after-school programs

Must be used only for targeted students: tutoring, interventions, supplemental instruction

Focus

Improving the entire educational program

Providing extra support to specific students

Example

Smaller class sizes for all, new reading curriculum, technology upgrades

Pull-out reading groups, math tutoring for select students

In summary:

A Schoolwide Title I Program helps every student in the school, while a Targeted Assistance Title I Program provides additional support only for the students who need it most.