Jefferson Elementary
Jaguar Journal August 15th, 2025
Instructional & Specialist Staff
Kindergarten: Dawn Clauson, Amelia Jirak
Grade 1: Alysha Smook, Casie Klockmann
Grade 2: Tonya Wannarka
Grade 3: Sarah Larson, Corinne Ave’Lallemant
Grade 4: Cinthia Ochoa, Berdan, Hannah
Grade 5: Taylor Vargason
STEM: Beth Zarn
Media: Mandy Stenzel
Music: Sarah Payne
Art: Madison Atkinson, Megan Fitzloff
PhyEd/Exploratory: Amanda Kroehler
Resource: Lisa Shea, Mari Considine
Mentor Coach: Katie Soine
Counselor: Abe Kurina, Charisse Wishnack
Social Worker: Nancy Altman
Intervention/ADSIS: Jennifer Cink
Intervention/Title I: Theresa Calsbeek
MLL: Julia Milne
Psych: Jenna Harder
Speech: Chelsea Lawrence
Operational & Support Staff
Office Staff: Jennifer Johnson (Secretary)
Support Staff: Vicki Nessler (Health Assistant), Melissa Brueske (Principal); Margaret Beaty(Media Asst), Jenny Daby (Sped para), Brook New (Sped para), Angie Johnston (Sped/BI)
Kitchen: Wanda Pearson, Colleen Meagher, Marlene Houg (POS)
Lunchroom: Dimeka Walker, Annie Kenne
Custodial: Brad Erickson
External Support
Volunteer: Grandma Kathy Schiffman
AmeriCorps: Anastasia Viland (Reading Corp K-3), Valeria Candejas (Math Corp K-3)
School Linked Mental Health: Monique Sebring
Youth Mental Health Navigator: Megan Schulz
🌿 Nature-Based Learning at Jefferson
This year, all students in Kindergarten–5th grade will spend time learning outdoors. Early in the year, we’ll focus on building routines—like moving safely between indoor and outdoor spaces, caring for materials, and practicing outdoor safety.
Throughout the year, students will explore life, physical, and earth sciences through hands-on nature activities. Each child will keep a nature journal to record observations and track seasonal changes. As a school, we’ll watch the weather and see how it affects trees and birds, learning together from the world around us.
The Importance of Consistent Attendance
At Jefferson, we know that consistent attendance is key to your child’s success. Our goal is for every student to be at school 90% of the time or more, which means missing no more than 14 days in the entire school year.
Getting back into the habit of daily attendance matters more than ever. When students are at school every day, they have the opportunity to:
-
Build routines that help reduce stress and create a sense of stability.
-
Connect with friends and teachers, building relationships that support learning and well-being.
-
Engage in meaningful learning that can’t be replaced by simply making up work.
Research shows that students who attend regularly are more likely to read proficiently by third grade, succeed in middle school, and graduate from high school.
We understand that life happens, and sometimes absences are unavoidable. That’s why we partner with families to support consistent attendance—whether it’s problem-solving transportation challenges, connecting families to resources, or making the school day a welcoming place where students want to be.
Linked below is a resource that explains:
-
Why consistent attendance matters
-
The difference between excused and unexcused absences
-
How we respond when absences become chronic
By working together, we can ensure every child builds a strong foundation for learning and success.
Want to make a difference in the 2025-26 school year? Volunteer with us!
We're looking for passionate volunteers to support students in Early Learning, K-12, and Adult Basic Education programs.
K-12 Opportunities:
• Weekly classroom help
• Reading & math tutors
• Classroom parents/grandparents
• Guest speakers
• School mentors
• EL & AVID tutors
• Financial literacy guides
Adult Basic Education Opportunities:
• EL volunteers
• GED tutors
No experience? No problem! We'll support you every step of the way.
Contact the Family + Community Engagement office at 507-387-5501 or email volunteer@isd77.org.
Minnesota Free School Meals Program
Families will still need to apply to qualify for more educational benefits.
The Minnesota Free School Meals program will cover the cost of one breakfast and one lunch for every student on school days; however, the cost of à la carte items such as an additional milk, other drinks, or extra meal items will not be covered. Students will need to have funds in their meal accounts to purchase any additional food items.
If you believe your household may qualify, please complete and return the application for educational benefits to the nutrition services office or to your child’s school. You can also apply in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal by clicking on the "More" tab, then the "Meal Benefits" tab.
If you need a separate electronic copy follow this link:
As we continue to enhance our communication and streamline access to important information, we are pleased to inform you of a significant update regarding your child's academic progress.
As our data is updated throughout the year, we work to inform you when recent data has been updated in the Infinite Campus parent portal. Your child's Spring Progress Reports are now available for you to view under the “Documents” tab. Please make sure you adjust the year to “24-25”.
To access your child's Spring Progress Reports in Infinite Campus, simply log in to your parent portal account using your credentials. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions about accessing or interpreting the data, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's school administrator or secretary via email.
We believe that by making Progress Reports readily available on Infinite Campus, we can strengthen the partnership between home and school, working together to ensure the academic success and well-being of every student. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's education.
Wishing you a continued restful and enjoyable summer, and we look forward to a successful academic year ahead.
Does your child have medical needs that require a special plan at school?
If your student already has a medical or health plan in place, you can view/update it by logging into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal and clicking on the “Documents” tab. If you have a new medical plan need, the links below will get you what you need for your school plan.
Allergy Plan & Med Consent
Asthma Plan & Med Consent
Diabetes Emergency Plan
Generic Emergency Plan
Health Census Form
Immunization Form
Medication Consent Form
Seizure Plan & Med Consent
Self Administration of Non-Prescription Pain Med
Please return to the school nurse when completed.
*If you choose to fill out the form and email to the school, please download and save the form before filling in the fields.
Transportation registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open and available online.
If you're unsure whether your student qualifies for transportation, you can check eligibility here. If your student does qualify, please complete the registration form by clicking this link.
Families can visit the Central Registration Office at the Intergovernmental Center (10 Civic Center Plaza) to complete the form in person. Transportation for students receiving special education services will be arranged separately by the Special Education Office and your child’s case manager.
Have transportation questions? Contact Tricia Ries by email tries2@isd77.org or call (507)507-387-5949.
We saw a ton of progress this week! The tile is finished in the corridor and both bathrooms, walls have been primed and are starting to get their final coat of paint, and the ceiling grid is up in the hallway. The amphitheater seating and public steps were also poured—exciting to see those pieces coming together!
Next week’s plan includes putting the retaining wall back together starting Monday and beginning work on the trash enclosure. Plumbing fixtures like grab bars and mirrors will go in on Tuesday. Doors will be installed Monday or Tuesday, and cabinets will follow. The Media Center renovation is also almost complete! Cleaning will start on the lower level, and stone will be installed on the addition. It’s really starting to take shape!
Check out the progress on this link: Jefferson
