MAPS Connection District Newsletter

Do you know someone who demonstrates leadership, courage, or integrity in our schools or community? Nominate them for the Spirit of Youth Award!

This award honors youth and adults who make a positive impact through their actions and example.

🗓 Nominations are open now through March 2, 2026.

Submit your nomination here: https://www.mankatocer.com/ref/spirit-of-youth-award

Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) – Focus School Information

Some of the dates listed below have already passed, but if you are still wanting information, feel free to reach out to the schools directly. Contact information is included at the end. Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) held several Focus School Information Sessions in November to help families learn about its specialized Focus School programs for the 2025–2026 school year. The district’s three Focus Schools, Rosa Parks Elementary (STEAM), Bridges Elementary (Global Studies), and Jefferson Elementary (Nature-Based Learning), hosted presentations and Q&A sessions with staff to highlight their unique learning approaches and enrollment opportunities.

Dates & Locations:
Rosa Parks Elementary (STEAM)
Thursday, Nov. 6, 4:30 p.m., Rosa Parks Elementary, Door 1 (media center)
Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m., Rosa Parks Elementary, Door 1 (media center)
Bridges Elementary (Global Studies)
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 6:00–6:45 p.m., Bridges Elementary, Door 1
Thursday, Nov. 13, 4:00–4:45 p.m., Bridges Elementary, Door 1
Jefferson Elementary (Nature-Based Learning)
Thursday, Nov. 20, 4:00–4:45 p.m., Jefferson Elementary, Door 1
Monday, Nov. 24, 6:00–6:45 p.m., Jefferson Elementary, Door 1

School Contact Information
Rosa Parks Elementary (STEAM) Phone: (507) 387-7672
Bridges Community Elementary (Global Studies) Phone: (507) 387-2800
Jefferson Elementary (Nature-Based Learning) Phone: (507) 388-5480

The winter months can be challenging for many families. Throughout November, MAPS will share information about local food resources to help connect community members with support. We encourage anyone who may benefit—or who knows someone who might—to explore these opportunities.

Find Help Website - Find Community Resources

Hunger Solutions Website - Find a Food Shelf Near You

BackPack Food Program - Contact: 507-720-8511 - Serves All MAPS Schools - Each pack supplies breakfast, lunch, and snack for weekends and school breaks.

Echo Food Shelf - Contact: 507-345-7508 - Must register for assistance

Explore new opportunities with Adult Basic Education classes designed to help you build the skills you need to succeed! Ready for a career in healthcare? Discover rewarding career opportunities in healthcare through our Long-Term Care Careers classes, where you can learn essential skills, explore career pathways, and get connected to local training and job opportunities in this high-demand field. Our Northstar Digital Literacy classes help learners build essential computer and technology skills for work, school, and daily life through interactive lessons and hands-on practice covering topics like basic computer skills and safe internet navigation, with assessments and certificates to demonstrate progress and proficiency. Don’t miss out. Register today and take the first step toward your future! All Adult Basic Education classes are free, but advanced registration is required; you can submit the online registration form or call (507) 345-5222.

Early Childhood Screening is required before your child can start kindergarten. This free screening is an important step in supporting your child’s readiness for school. It helps identify strengths and areas where your child may need support in development, vision, hearing, and overall health—giving families and schools valuable information to ensure a strong start in kindergarten.
If your child has not yet been screened, please visit https://mapsisd77ecs.youcanbook.me/ to book an appointment. For additional questions about Early Childhood Screenings, please call (507) 625-4620.

We are excited to share a short video we created to introduce families to our district’s Standard Response Protocol. The video explains how we keep students safe and how our emergency procedures work in a clear and supportive way. Our goal is to help parents feel informed and confident about the steps we take every day to protect our school community. Thank you for taking a moment to watch and stay connected with us.

The Mankato Teacher Association is thrilled to announce Michelle Modrow as this year’s Teacher of the Year! Michelle, a dedicated 3rd-grade teacher at Bridges Community School in North Mankato, was surprised with the honor in the school’s Media Center on the morning of Friday, November 7th. Known for her unwavering commitment to student equity, compassionate rapport building, and exceptional leadership among colleagues, Michelle exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator. She believes deeply in creating a classroom grounded in safety, trust, and the development of well-rounded, confident, and compassionate young humans. Michelle’s passion for helping students grow not only academically, but socially and emotionally, shines through everything she does. Please join us in celebrating Michelle for her remarkable dedication, her inspiring philosophy of education, and her well-deserved recognition as Teacher of the Year. Congratulations, Michelle!

We are thrilled to celebrate three outstanding West High School students who are taking their athletic talents to the next level and committing to collegiate sports!

• Livi Down – Basketball – University of South Dakota

• Mason Schreiber – Baseball – Northern State University

• Lydia Banse – Softball – Minnesota State University, Mankato

Your hard work, dedication, and passion for your sports have truly paid off. We are so proud of your accomplishments and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will achieve in this next chapter of your athletic journeys!

We are proud to celebrate three incredible students who are taking their athletic skills to the collegiate level:

Carson Hart – Basketball – Creighton University
Emily Hacker – Softball – University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
Ady Lurken – Track & Field – Augustana University

Your dedication, hard work, and love for your sports have brought you to this amazing milestone. We can’t wait to see all the success and growth you will achieve as you continue your athletic journeys!

On Monday, the Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) Board of Education toured several freshly renovated facilities as part of its Long-Term Facility Maintenance plan. The tour highlighted key improvements, including the newly domed roof at Hoover Elementary, an upgraded auditorium at Bridges, and a brand-new gym floor at Washington. Board members emphasized the importance of these updates, not just for aesthetics, but to ensure safety, functionality, and long-term sustainability of our school buildings. As Director of Facilities Scott Kaminski noted, staying proactive with maintenance helps avoid bigger problems down the road. Superintendent Paul Peterson echoed that trust from the community has allowed MAPS to tackle deferred maintenance responsibly, a smart investment in our students’ futures.

Presented by Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Music Department, the Jazz Mavericks is a large contemporary ensemble. Traditionally formed as a jazz big band, this ensemble has expanded to include multiple instruments and vocalists performing a broad range of jazz related repertoire (jazz, rock, funk, Latin, hip-hop, etc.).

Dates & Time
Monday, November 24 at 7:00 pm
& Thursday December 4 at 7:00 pm

Location
EJ Halling Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center
320 Maywood Ave, Mankato, MN 5600

Free Parking in Performing Arts Lot 16 Gold

Click here to register: https://projectsuccess.jotform.com/team/mankato/jazz-mavericks-holiday-concert-2025

Special Education Paraeducators and Student Success Coaches assist special and general education teachers in supporting individuals or small groups of students in various educational settings, including Early Learning, Elementary, Middle School, and High School. These positions help students meet the goals of their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), attend to physical and health needs, monitor and report student progress, and perform clerical and classroom support duties. Positions are available full-time and part-time for the 2025–26 school year. https://www.applitrack.com/isd77/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?all=1&AppliTrackPostingSearch=title%3Aspecial%20edcuation%20paraeducator%20&AppliTrackZipRadius=5&AppliTrackSort=type&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackJobId=4555&AppliTrackViewPosting=1

https://www.applitrack.com/isd77/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp

Thursday, November 27, 2025, and Friday, November 28, 2025

• No School

• Prep Athlete: West's Jordan Woodford - KEYC 11/12/2025
• East girls swim and dive athletes ready for state - KEYC 11/12/2025
• Signing Day: East athletes make collegiate plans official - KEYC 11/12/2025

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