Monroe Mustangs' Herd Headlines

Dear Monroe Families,

Welcome to the first day of school! We are so excited to have our Mustangs back at Monroe and to officially begin a new school year together.

Our building is already filled with energy, smiles, and excitement as students reconnect with friends, meet their teachers, learn new routines, and begin building strong classroom communities. Throughout the day, students will spend time getting to know one another, practicing our Mustang PRIDE expectations, exploring their classrooms and school spaces, and beginning the learning and relationships that will shape a wonderful year ahead.

We have so many great things in store for our students this year, and we are incredibly grateful to partner with you along the way. Families are an important part of everything we do, and together we can create a school year where every child feels known, supported, challenged, and excited to come to school each day.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being such an important part of the Monroe community. We are looking forward to an amazing year of learning, growth, connection, and Mustang PRIDE.

Here’s to the best school year yet!

Working together,

Mollie Meyer

Principal, Monroe Elementary

Our first Early Release Wednesday comes up quickly this fall due to the late Labor Day. I am certain it feels quick for families—it feels quick for our staff, too! We are just beginning to settle into routines and get back into the rhythm of school after a long summer, so this first early release may feel a little unusual.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your understanding and flexibility, but also to share why this time is so important to your child’s success at Monroe.

Each month, Early Release Wednesdays provide our teachers with a dedicated, uninterrupted block of time to work together in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). This is much more than meeting time. It is focused time for teachers to study student learning, examine curriculum and standards, share effective instructional practices, and make thoughtful decisions about what students need next.

During this time, teachers work together to answer some very important questions:

• What do we want every student to learn?
• How will we know when they have learned it?
• What will we do when a student needs additional time or support?
• How will we extend learning for students who are ready for more?

This collaboration means that your child benefits from the collective knowledge and expertise of an entire team of educators. Teachers can identify needs sooner, respond more quickly, share strategies that are working, plan targeted interventions or enrichment, and ensure greater consistency in learning expectations across classrooms and grade levels.

Perhaps most importantly, PLC time allows us to continually adjust our instruction based on the students who are sitting in our classrooms right now. Rather than waiting until the end of a quarter or semester to see how students are doing, teachers regularly study progress and make changes along the way.

We recognize that Early Release Wednesdays require families to adjust schedules, and we do not take that inconvenience lightly. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership in protecting this important professional learning time. The time you give our teachers ultimately comes right back to our students through stronger instruction, earlier support, greater collaboration, and more intentional learning experiences.

Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to make this an outstanding year of learning, growth, and belonging for every Monroe Mustang!

Please register for Early Release after school care from 12:30-2:30 by using the link below.

• Our new Mustang merchandise store is OPEN! Please place your orders by Sept. 18th using the following link: https://monroespiritstore.itemorder.com/shop/home/
• Breakfast and Lunches continue to be free. If you'd like a daily snack for your child provided by the school, please be sure to follow the directions linked here: SNACK CART LETTER
• All parent volunteers will need an annual background check to volunteer during the school day or attend field trips. Call the office for more information.
• We will hold our first practice Evacuation Drill (also known as a fire Drill) tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 11). I won't always share an update on evacuation drills, but since it is so early I certainly wanted it on your radar.

Dear Families,

Every day at school matters. When students attend school regularly and arrive on time, they have more opportunities to learn, build friendships, connect with their teachers, and feel like an important part of our school community.

We understand that illnesses, appointments, family needs, and other unexpected situations happen. Our goal is not only to track attendance, but also to work with families to help students be at school as much as possible.

This year, we are strengthening the way we support student attendance. Families can expect:

• More communication: We will reach out more often when we notice attendance concerns. Early communication helps us work together before missed days become a larger concern.

• Support when needed: If something is making it difficult for your student to attend school, please let us know. We can help connect families with school and community resources for needs such as transportation, health care, routines, or other challenges.

• Written verification of absences: After a student has reached 5 unexcused absences or 10 excused absences, written medical verification will be required for future absences until further notice.

• Attendance Support Plans: When attendance becomes a concern, school staff will work with families to create a plan. Together, we will identify challenges, set goals, and decide what supports may help improve attendance.

Families are important partners in building strong attendance habits. Regular bedtime and morning routines, preparing for school the night before, scheduling appointments outside of the school day when possible, and making attendance a priority can all make a difference.

If your student is having difficulty attending school regularly or arriving on time, please reach out to us. We want to listen, understand what may be getting in the way, and work with you to find solutions.

Thank you for your partnership in helping every student be here, on time, connected, and ready to learn.

In partnership,
Mollie Meyer

To make this school year a success, we need your help! We are actively looking for enthusiastic parents, guardians, and family members to either join our PTO team or volunteer as needed.

Right now, our PTO is powered by just 3 wonderful, dedicated members whose terms are coming to an end. We've had one additional parent share their interest in helping out using the link below. We desperately need more partners and volunteers share their talents. Volunteers, participants, or members are welcome anytime for as much time as you have to offer. Whether it is 30 minutes, and hour, or more- we'll take all the help that we can get.

Please share you interest by completing the form linked below.

Warmly,

Your Monroe PTO Team

Contact us at monroenorthmankatopto@gmail.com to get involved!

• Sept. 10- First Day of School

• Sept. 11- Evacuation Drill (fire drill) #1

• Sept. 16- Early Release

• Sept. 18: Mustang Clothing Orders Due

• Sept. 22- All School Bus Safety and Evacuation Practice

• Sept. 25- Grades 3-5 at MSU Women’s Hockey Game

The Greater Mankato Mental Health Hub has launched! This hub was developed by Greater Mankato Area United Way's Youth Mental Health/Suicide Prevention Committee and is hosted by the Center for Rural Behavioral Health at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The hub is meant to be a tool for parents and caregivers to easily find information on crisis support, local mental health services, parent education, and more.

Find more information HERE.

• June 2026: Supply List, School Calendar, PTO Updates, Back to School Reminders, ACES registration
• August 2026: School Safety, New Logo, Supply List, Calendar, PTO Support, Back to School Reminders, Pick-up and Drop-off, ACES registration.

Email: mmeyer1@isd77.org
Website: me.isd77.org
Location: 441 Monroe Avenue, North Mankato, MN 56003
Phone: 507-387-7889