Raccoon News

Jan. 3, 2025

WINTER WEATHER CLOTHING

It is that time of year and the weather is cold! Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for cold weather. Students are outside before school and for recess every day, even in cold temperatures. Please make sure your child has warm clothing (coat, hat, mittens, snow pants, boots, etc.) each day. If your child is in need of winter clothing, please let us know. We have resources available to help.

FOCUS SCHOOL UPDATES

Exciting Updates on Focus School Applications for the 2025-26 School Year!

We’re thrilled to share the next steps in our district’s Focus School initiative, following approval at the November school board meeting. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, our district will expand its elementary school offerings to include:

Bridges Community School (Global Studies)
Jefferson Elementary (Outdoor/Nature-Based)
Rosa Parks Elementary (STEAM- Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math)

At MAPS, we are committed to offering innovative educational opportunities that meet the diverse needs of our students. With these updates, families can now choose from three unique elementary school models:

Neighborhood Schools foster a strong sense of community, helping students feel connected to the people and places around them. These schools include Eagle Lake, Franklin, Hoover, Kennedy, Monroe, Roosevelt, and Washington.
Neighborhood+ Schools blend the neighborhood school experience with additional enrollment options centered on specific themes, enhancing learning and engagement. These schools include Jefferson and Rosa Parks.
Community School brings together students from across the district through an application process, offering a specialized, nontraditional public school experience. This includes Bridges Community School.

Focus School Enrollment Timeline
Selecting the right school for your child is an important decision! Here’s what you need to know about the application process:

Application Window: November 25, 2024 - January 24, 2025
Notification of Enrollment: February 14, 2025
Deadline to Accept/Decline: March 1, 2025

If applications are submitted after the window closes, they will automatically be added to a waitlist. Students may be admitted from the waitlist until July 15, 2025.

How to Apply
Applications can be submitted through the Infinite Campus Online Parent Portal now through January 24th, 2025. We encourage families to explore their options by scheduling a tour at the focus schools that interest them most.

To learn more about our focus schools and the application process, visit our Focus School webpage.

We’re excited about this new chapter in our district’s commitment to future focus education.

Winter Weather Info

Winter weather will be here soon, so it’s a good idea to have a plan for your family in case of school closings, early dismissals, or late starts.

Notices for school closings and early dismissals will be posted on the following websites, radio, and television stations. You can also hear a recorded message on the District Notification Line at 507-387-6046.

Other ways to track school closing delays/dismissals/closures:

● www.isd77.org ● katoinfo.com ● mankatofreepress.com ● southernminnesotanews.com ● keyc.com ● KEYC 12 - TV AND MANY MORE.

Click HERE for a copy of the Winter Weather Information.

Please note: Blue Earth Area Schools is a smaller school district south of us. When you hear or see this, IT IS NOT Mankato Area Public Schools. This is something that can be confusing because of the county in which we live.