Owatonna Public Schools
Homecoming Week
It's Homecoming week!
Congratulations to all of the Homecoming royalty, including Queen Addie Gerdes and King Carson Van Gelder!
The Homecoming Parade is Friday, October 2, at 1:30pm in Downtown Owatonna. All schools have a 2-hour early release on Friday. The parade begins at the corner of Broadway and Grove, proceeds west on Broadway, turns north on Cedar and ends at Rose.
Transportation Safety Advisory Committee
The school district Transportation Advisory Committee's purpose is to serve as an advisory committee that ensures that student transportation service is safe.
The committee consists of the superintendent, a representative from Owatonna Bus Company, city/police representatives, staff members, and parents representing elementary and secondary school sites.
2026-2027 meetings are at 5:30pm on the following dates: November 16, January 19, March 15 and May 17.
If you are interested in joining the committee, please complete this application by October 30.
Mission Moment
At the September School Board business meeting, Superintendent Champa recognized the district’s partnership with the Owatonna Education Association and introduced Heather Bae, OEA president, and Dustin Thorson, OEA vice president. Dr. Champa also recognized the School Board of Owatonna Public Schools and thanked them for their service.
Upcoming Surveys
At Owatonna Public Schools, we are always looking for ways to better support every student and strengthen the experiences we provide.
Families will receive an email with a link to a short Parent/Guardian Survey in mid-October. Your feedback will help us understand what is working well and where there may be opportunities for growth. The results will provide insight into the experiences of Owatonna families and allow us to compare our results with similar school districts across the Midwest.
Students in grades 4–12 will also begin taking the Student Life Survey during that same timeframe, giving students an opportunity to share their perspectives.
Survey results will be shared with the School Board at the November 23 business meeting and will help inform our ongoing efforts to improve.
Owatonna Community Walking Track
The Owatonna Community Walking Track program at Owatonna High School begins this week.
October 1, 2026 - April 29, 2027
(days when school is in session)
6:00-9:00 pm
$50 for season pass or free with senior activities pass
Participants must be 18 years or older and are required to wear clean, indoor-only, walking shoes on the track. A senior activities pass (for those 62 years of age and older) will be honored for free admittance to this program. Pick up senior activity passes at Roosevelt School.
MN Financial Aid Survey
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) is seeking input from students and families about Minnesota’s financial aid programs. By filling out the survey, OHE seeks to better understand how students and families experience the state’s financial aid system and identify ways to make it easier to use, more predictable, and more accessible for Minnesotans.
Insights from this survey will inform future financial aid system improvements and policy proposals.
Take the State Financial Aid Survey. Survey closes October 23.
School Board Meetings
Watch the School Board business meetings on YouTube. Find agendas and other information on the district website.
Upcoming School Board meetings:
- Monday, October 12 at 5:30pm - School Board Work Session - District Office, 333 East School Street
- Monday, October 26 at 5:30pm - School Board Business Meeting - Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle
Photo Gallery
OHS students were working hard on a baking project in the culinary arts classroom.
As part of an all-school collaborative art project, Lincoln Elementary students focused on the final line of the book "There's Only One You" - “There’s only one YOU in this world…make it a better place!” Each student designed/colored a fish and were encouraged to make theirs “one of a kind” just like them!
Fourth graders experimented with chemical weathering in science, using vinegar to simulate "acid rain." They made predictions and tested them to see which rocks would have a chemical reaction and break apart.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) offers a variety of classes and opportunities for our youngest learners. Nature Preschool builds kindergarten readiness skills in an outdoor classroom.
Upcoming Dates
Friday, October 2 - Homecoming, 2-hour early release
Thursday-Friday, October 15-16 - No school, MEA
Friday, October 30 - End of first quarter
Friday, October 30 at 8:30am - Coffee & Conversation with the Superintendent, District Office, 333 East School Street
Monday, November 2 - No school, Teacher Work Day/Professional Development
Contact Information
Stay Connected!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram:
@Owatonna761
More Information
Nondiscrimination Policy
Owatonna Public Schools is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all students and staff and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, in its programs and activities, as required by Title IX and MN Human Rights Act (MHRA). This includes prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and unequal access to extracurricular activities.
Any concerns related to Title IX should be reported to Chris Picha, Director of Human Resources & Title IX Coordinator, at 507-444-8602 or cpicha@isd761.org.
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