YOUR SCHOOL NAME HERE
Eagle Lake Elementary School
September 19, 2025
MORNING DROP OFF
Our parking lot can be very congested before and after school. When dropping off, please pull forward as far as possible to allow the maximum number of vehicles access to the sidewalk. We ask that you pull all the way up to the 2nd crosswalk by Door #1 to drop off your students. This allows more cars to drop off at once and students to step right onto the sidewalk. If you need more than a few seconds to drop your student off, we ask that you park in a Visitor's parking spot. Vehicles should not be left unattended in the drop off area.
AFTERNOON PICK UP
The afternoon pickup has been going great. Although the line of cars gets long at times, we still ask that all cars are here by 2:35 so that students can be picked up by 2:40.
To maintain a safe environment for students, please consult the small map with traffic flow plan of our school parking lot and driveway.
UPCOMING LOCK DOWN DRILL & PARENT OPT-OUT INFORMATION
Our next lock-down drill of the year is scheduled for this Monday, September 22, 2025 at 1:50 pm. In accordance with a Minnesota state statute, we must notify families at least 24 hours prior to a lock-down drill. The statute also allows you to opt your child out of the drill. If you would like for your student to be excused, please notify the school office by phone or email before the drill. We would ask that any students opting out be picked up before 1:30 and returned to school after 2:00.
For a more detailed explanation of lock-downs, please review this Parent Letter.
Calendar Reminders
10/1/25 ~ Bike & Walk to School Day
10/1/25 ~ 5th grade Kindness Retreat
10/2/25 ~ 4th grade Kindness Retreat
10/3/25 ~ Eagle Lake & Madison Lake Fire Departments visit with K/1st/2nd
10/5/25 - 10/11/25 ~ Fire Prevention Week
10/6/25 - 10/10/25 ~ Buddy Classroom Week
10/6/25 ~ PTO Meeting @ 5:30pm
10/8/25 ~ Early Release Day (dismiss 12:30)
10/9/25 ~ Fund Run NOTE DATE CHANGE!
10/10/25 ~ MSU Women's Hockey field trip 3rd/4th/5th
10/13/25 ~ No school
10/15/25 ~ School picture retakes
10/15/25 ~ Lock Down Drill & Fire Drill
10/16/25 - 10/17/25 ~ No school
10/29/25 ~ Preschool Parent Involvement Day 9:30-10:30am
11/2/25 ~ Daylight Savings Time ends
11/3/25 ~ No school
11/4/25 ~ Lock Down Drill & Fire Drill
Grades 3–5 Field Trip Opportunity!
MAPS students in grades 3–5 are invited to attend the Maverick Women’s Hockey game on Friday, October 10. The puck drops at 12:01 p.m., with student arrival between 11:30–12:00.
This exciting event will give our students the chance to experience a live hockey game, enjoy lower-level seating, and maybe even see themselves on the big screen! Buses will have students back to school in time for students'normal dismissal at 2:30.
Yearbook Cover Contest
WHO? ALL Eagle Lake Elementary School students K-5
WHAT? Yearbook Cover Design Contest
WHEN? Deadline to submit an entry is Friday, October 24.
WHERE? Completed artwork/designs can be dropped off at the school office between the hours of 8am-2:30pm.
WHY? Your design could be chosen to be on the front cover or back cover of this year’s school yearbook!!
~ Artwork must be on plain white, 8 ½ x 11 paper.
~ Designs must be hand drawn.
~ Student name must be on the back side in pencil.
Optional for grades 3, 4 & 5:
Include the words “Eagle Lake Elementary” and “25-26” (or “2025-2026”) on the drawing.
Students will vote on their favorite artwork. They will choose 1 winner from the student artwork in K/1/2 and 1 winner from 3/4/5.
News from the Counseling Office
Mrs. Wisch has started counseling minute meetings this week. These are quick 1-2 minute check-ins with every student to get to know them better and see how to best support them. Counseling classroom lessons this month talked about when and how to get help from the school counselor. Lessons next month will talk about emotional regulation.
If you have any concerns about your child’s social-emotional development or mental health, feel free to reach out at any time to me!
Check out the Greater Mankato Mental Health Hub (https://ahn.mnsu.edu/services-and-centers/greater-mankato-mental-health-hub/) for mental health support and resources in our area.
Mrs. Wisch (cwisch1@isd77.org)
School Store
This is our school SOAR store. Students earn SOAR slips for a variety of positive emotional and academic behaviors (first time listening, quietly completing work, helping others, completing extra reading at home, etc.). Students then get the opportunity to use these SOAR slips to purchase the items seen in the school store.
New this year, students will be able to work together with their class to purchase celebrations (pajama day, ice cream party, movie, etc.). Items in the school store are provided by our PTO and by parent donations. If you would like to donate items, please drop them off at the school office. Candy, stuffed animals, and fidget toys are always big hits among the students. Students can also save up their SOAR slips to purchase larger items from the school store. Items do not need to be brand new, but must be clean and in good condition. If you would like to send an item directly to school, feel free to check out the store’s amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3W3PFP0H9OWBR?ref_=wl_share
Thanks!
Message from our Mentor Coach
Hey! My name is Jen Kluntz. I am the Mentor Coach at Eagle Lake. I split my time between Eagle Lake Elementary and Bridges Community School. I help our students with assessments and help with different tasks throughout the building. I mostly help teachers use data to drive their instruction, coach on phonics instruction, and support our new teachers as well as supervise student teachers. My mission is to support our students and staff to make sure our Eagle Lake students have a successful academic year!
Message from our Resource Room
Hello! My name is Eric Beckner, and I’m excited to join Eagle Lake Elementary as a new Special Education teacher. While this is my first year teaching in the district, it's my second year overall here, and I’m thrilled to step into this new role. I hold an undergraduate degree in Environmental Education, completed a licensure program in Early Childhood Special Education, earned a Master’s Degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders, and received my Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. Outside of school, I enjoy golfing, fishing, and spending quality time with friends and family. I’m truly looking forward to getting back into the classroom and becoming part of the supportive community at Eagle Lake Elementary.
Message from our Speech Teacher
My name is Sandy Ewel and I am proud to be the Speech Language Pathologist serving Eagle Lake Elementary School this year. I have been serving the Mankato Area Public Schools since 2004, where I enjoy working with children to support communication skill development. I am originally from the Buffalo, New York area, but have lived in Mankato with my husband Dave since 1998 where we raised our three children. My family circle also includes four grandchildren. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, biking, hiking, and time with friends and family.
One form. Five minutes. Big impact.
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.
PTO Fundraiser
You can help support our school by dining at Chipotle on Sunday, October 12, from 4pm-8pm. Chipotle will donate 25% of their sales from that time frame to Eagle Lake PTO to help support our students! See poster for more details.
Looking for a way to connect to MAPS? We strive to connect our community to our district and schools. Subscribe to this newsletter to get the current information and links to events.
Follow MAPS Facebook and Instagram for student celebrations:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISD77MAPS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isd77maps
MAPS Website: https://www.isd77.org