MAPS Connection District Newsletter
MAPS Connection Newsletter
April 15th, 2025
2025-2026 Calendar Adjustment Approved by School Board
The MAPS School Board adopted the adjusted 2025-2026 school calendar during the April 7th School Board Meeting, providing additional time for construction in the summer of 2026.
Please review the 2025-26 calendar to see all the changes.
2025 Graduation Information
Central High School
- Wednesday, June 4, 2025
- 5:00pm
- Lincoln Community School Auditorium - 110 Fulton Street, Mankato
- Thursday, June 5, 2025
- 5:30pm
- Mayo Health Systems Event Center - 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato MN 56001
- Thursday, June 5, 2025
- 8:00pm
- Mayo Health Systems Event Center - 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato MN 56001
Can't make it to graduation? No problem! We'll be sharing a streaming link!
Help Us Celebrate Our Amazing MAPS Staff – May 5–9!
We’re so grateful for the dedication of our MAPS staff, who inspire creativity, empower resiliency, and build strong connections across our community. Their impact is felt every day—and we’d love your help in recognizing their efforts during the week of May 5–9!
If you'd like to share a message of appreciation, please take a moment to fill out THIS form. You're welcome to include a photo, too!
Thank you for being part of the MAPS community and for helping us celebrate the people who make our schools such special places to learn and grow.
MAPS Highlights
MAPS Student Spotlight - Lily Freitas
Celebrating Our MAPS April Student School Board Spotlight!
We are proud to celebrate Lily Freitas, an 8th-grade student at Dakota Meadows Middle School, for her remarkable leadership, advocacy, and compassion. Lily’s kindness, strong voice for equity, and unwavering commitment to doing what’s right have made a lasting impact on the school community. From her perfect attendance to her everyday actions that lift others up, Lily leads by example and truly represents the heart of what it means to be a MAPS student. We can’t wait to see what incredible things her future holds!
MAPS Staff Spotlight - Micah Degner
Celebrating Our MAPS April Staff School Board Spotlight!
Let's give a big shoutout to Micah Degner for his outstanding contributions to Mankato West High School! From reimagining math education through innovative courses like Geometry in Action to mentoring student leaders as a Link Crew advisor, Micah embodies MAPS mission of Excellence, Equity, and Empowerment—Every Student, Every Day. He goes above and beyond to create engaging, future-focused learning experiences while also serving as a dedicated leader in our school community. Thank you, Micah, for all you do to support students and staff—you make West stronger every day!
Groundbreaking at Mankato West
Excitement was in the air as students, staff, construction teams, school board members, and district leaders gathered for a special groundbreaking ceremony at Mankato West. This moment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Scarlets community. With shovels in hand and smiles all around, the group celebrated the future of learning and growth in our schools.
Mr. Basketball Finalist - Brogan Madson
Congratulations to Brogan Madson on being named one of the top five finalists for the Minnesota Mr. Basketball award! This annual honor is given to the top senior boys basketball player in the state and recognizes outstanding performance and impact on the court. Brogan’s skill, leadership, and dedication to the game have made a lasting impression, and this recognition reflects his hard work throughout the season.
Need Employees? Join Our TEEN JOB FAIR!
Teen Job Fair – TEEN CONNECT EVENT
Need workers or volunteers? Mankato Area Public Schools is hosting a job fair to connect local businesses with teens seeking employment, volunteer opportunities, and enrichment programs. Employers looking for motivated young workers and teens ready to gain experience should attend.
Local businesses, don't miss this chance to make valuable connections for the summer!
$25 registration fee includes the following:
A Table in the Mankato West Gymnasium
Advertising to Students and Families
School Personnel Supervision & Management
* Employer Table Registration closes May 7th. Registration Link
FORE EDUCARE - Monday, June 23, 2025
Join us for our 3rd annual Educare Golf Tournament Fundraiser. Enjoy an afternoon on the greens and a social that includes our silent auction and punch wall. Not a golfer? Grab a social ticket and join us for dinner and social after golf.
Please consider a hole sponsorship. Your business name and logo will be placed on a hole during the tournament. Social media recognition is also included.
Community Education
Summer 2025 Catalog
☀️ Summer Starts NOW! ☀️
The Community Education Summer 2025 Catalog is
LIVE and ready for you!
From awesome camps to exciting classes, there’s something or everyone—kids, teens, and adults alike! Don’t miss out on the fun—start planning your best summer yet!
Online! → www.mankatocer.com
Mail Delivery: Keep an eye on your mailbox!
Summer ACES
Want to learn all about Summer ACES + what you'll experience this summer?
Click here to schedule a time to chat! https://calendar.app.google/XwFgrY5rvvD5HaUc6
Calendar Reminders
Friday, April 18, 2025
- No School K-12 - Good Friday
Monday, April 21, 2025
- 5:00 p.m. - School Board Meeting & Work Session - Minnesota River Room
- 6:30 p.m. - School Board Senior Spotlight Recognition - Civic Center
Monday, May 5, 2025
- 5:30 p.m. - School Board Meeting - Mankato Room
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Early Release
Monday, May 26, 2025
No School K-12 - Memorial Day
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Last Day of School
Graduation
MAPS in the Media
- Mankato district says Walz’s budget would impact special ed transportation funding - Free Press 4/3/25
- Mankato school board set to approve changes to 2025-26 calendar - KEYC 4/4/25
- Mankato School Board approves 2025-2026 calendar adjustment - The Free Press - 4/7/2025
- Tennis courts coming to Dakota Meadows, district reconstructing Washington and Kennedy playgrounds - The Free Press - 4/7/2025
Prep Athlete of the Week, Ruby Marble of Mankato West - The Free Press - 4/7/2025
West baseball defeats Faribault in season opener - KEYC - 4/8/2025
Prep sports: West softball gets 14 hits in win - The Free Press - 4/8/2025
Classes set to begin in August for Mankato school student after calendar change approved - KEYC - 4/8/2025
East baseball defeats Northfield in home opener - KEYC - 4/8/2025
Prep sports: West softball gets 14 hits in win - The Free Press - 4/8/2025
Stangl sisters will help Cougars chase a three-peat - The Free Press - 4/8/2025
- Prep sports: East's Javens sweeps hurdles - The Free Press - 4/9/2025
- Mankato East baseball team hopes to build on trip to state - The Free Press 4/9/2025
Prep sports: West boys tennis downs Austin - The Free Press - 4/10/2025
Mankato West baseball team will have new look this spring - The Free Press - 4/11/2025
Mankato boys lacrosse secures win in home opener - KEYC - 4/11/2025
East softball defends home field against Rochester Century - KEYC - 4/12/2025
Prep sports: Beaty helps Cougars past Rochester Century - The Free Press - 4/12/2025
Prep lacrosse: Local teams look to keep building - The Free Press - 4/13/2025
Prep Athlete of the Week, Carter Schwartz of Mankato East - The Free Press - 4/14/2025
Prep Athlete of the Week, Lydia Banse of Mankato West - The Free Press - 4/14/2025
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