MPS Elementary Newsletter

All of these dates and more future dates can be found on the school website OR this calendar link- https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bWlubmV3YXVrYW4uazEyLm5kLnVzX2RhZHU0ZDR0dHRsNTE2dWllazRqa3FkMzA4QGdyb3VwLmNhbGVuZGFyLmdvb2dsZS5jb20

Parents/Guardians,
Please complete the attached form. All students in PreK–6th grade are required to participate in the morning 21st program. This is required for our 21st Century state funding. We will begin calling families after Christmas break for any forms that have not been completed.

Registration Link Below.

IF YOU HAVEN"T DONE THIS YET, we will have to call you!!

Focus Goal: Minnewaukan Public Schools will decrease the percentage of 3-12th graders indicating they would prefer to skip school from 30% to no more than 25% by May 2025 as measured by the SEL Connection Survey.

Teachers in grades PK-6 are to incorporate the Grandfather Teachings into their classrooms and/or the North Dakota Native American Essential Understanding into classrooms to help student feel a sense of belonging at the Minnewaukan Public School. These lessons are taught biweekly.

Why Your Involvement Makes a Difference

When families and schools work together, children thrive. Research shows that students with engaged families:

• Achieve higher academically

• Develop stronger confidence

• Attend school more regularly

• Build better behavior and social skills

• Feel supported and motivated to learn

Your involvement sends the powerful message: “Learning is important, and I believe in you.”

⭐ Simple Ways to Support Your Child at Home

1. Stay Connected With the School

• Check in with your child’s teacher regularly.

• Read classroom newsletters, notes, or online updates.

• Ask questions when you’re unsure—partnership is key.

2. Create a Learning-Friendly Space

• Provide a quiet spot for reading or homework.

• Keep pencils, paper, and books available.

• Even 10 minutes of focus time helps!

3. Talk About School Every Day

• Ask: “What did you learn today?”

• Ask: “What was something that challenged you?”

• Conversation builds confidence and language skills.

4. Celebrate Effort

• Praise trying, not just getting the right answer.

• Encourage your child to keep going when things feel hard.

• This builds a growth mindset.

5. Read Together—Often

• Read bedtime stories, take turns reading, or listen to your child retell a book.

• Reading is the foundation for all learning.

What I prefer students to call me:

Mrs. Walter

When/how is the best time to contact me:

You can contact me during the day through Rooms or email! If you call the school office, they will give me a message to call you back when I can.

How long I have been teaching at MPS:

This is my 11th year!

What do you love most about teaching at MPS?

The students and staff are so great! I love when kids are so proud of themselves for reading or solving a math problem. When kids have a huge smile on their face, it makes my day!

2-3 fun facts about me (kids, pets, silly facts, anything!)

1. I have 3 kids, about to be 4 kids in November! 2. I live on a farm with a ton of different farm animals! 3. I absolutely LOVE spaghetti!

What I prefer students to call me:

Miss HIlary

When/how is the best time to contact me:

You can contact me anytime after school. You can call the school and leave me a message. You can always text me (218-255-0358) or send me an email (hilary.kratzke@minnewaukan.k12.nd.us). I will try my best to answer any questions throughout the day.

How long I have been teaching at MPS:

This is my 6th year of teaching at MPS.

What do you love most about teaching at MPS?

I love teaching first grade. I really enjoy watching my students learn to read. They start the year reading a couple words, and by the end of the year they are more independent readers. They also learn so many math skills.

2-3 fun facts about me (kids, pets, silly facts, anything!)

1. I have a tailless cat named Monet.

2. I have a little boy named William. He is three years old.

3. I really like to cook and try to make new and fun foods for my family. I will try any food once.

What I prefer students to call me:

Mrs. Baumtrog

When/how is the best time to contact me:

Email, anytime of the day. Phone call after school from 3:30-4:00

How long I have been teaching at MPS:

This is my 8th year

What do you love most about teaching at MPS?

I love the students, the staff and the small school atmosphere.

2-3 fun facts about me (kids, pets, silly facts, anything!)

I am married, I have two kids and I love bears!

What I prefer students to call me:

Mrs.A, Mrs.Allmaras, Ms.Devin

When/how is the best time to contact me:

You can email me anytime. I am pretty good at checking my email frequently.

How long I have been teaching at MPS:

First year

What do you love most about teaching at MPS?

Seeing the smile on every kid's face!

2-3 fun facts about me (kids, pets, silly facts, anything!)

I have two kids. My son is 7 and my daughter is 6. I was born and raised in Colorado. I absolutely love baking anything and everything.

This months- Grandfather Teaching: Honesty

This months- Expectation Area: Bathroom

Elementary Expectations MPS

Elementary Expectations MPS Videos

The 1st graders in Miss Hilary's room has worked really hard this year and learned so much. They are really creative. They love to read and challenge themselves to try new things. They had been working really hard on a play to perform in front of an audience. They had to learn their lines, and practice acting. They performed The Gingerbread Man and then decorated cookies. It was so fun to watch them learn how to become actors and performers. This group of first graders also love to draw and sing. x

They have been working really hard in reading. They are learning to blend sounds together to read a story. They also are learning to understand what they are reading. They are becoming more and more confident.

In math, we have been learning many adding and subtracting strategies so they are more fluent in math. They have worked really hard to learn their math facts. They get so excited for math everyday.

They are such a great group of students. They continue to challenge themselves and want to learn at school. They will continue to learn to read longer stories. They will also be learning to tell time, recognize money, and learn about the world.

They will be recognized on the school website and FB page as well as receive a small reward for their accomplishment.

Student engagement staff will look for when nominating a student of the month:

• Good Attendance!
• Completion of Work!
• Collaborates well with peers and staff!
• Follows school expectations!

Check out last months students of the month on our website!

https://www.minnewaukan.k12.nd.us/

Email: mackenzie.moen@minnewaukan.k12.nd.us
Website: https://www.minnewaukan.k12.nd.us/
Location: Minnewaukan Public School
Phone: 701-473-5306
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinnewaukanSchool