MAPS Connection District Newsletter

By enrolling early, your family will receive important updates and information to help prepare for your child’s kindergarten experience. Did you know you can register all children in your household, even if they are not yet entering kindergarten? Registering your children allows your family to receive information about upcoming events tailored to their age.

Get started today!
Visit isd77.org/enroll to complete the registration process. Once enrolled, your child’s school will keep you informed about upcoming events and next steps.

📅 Save the Date: Kindergarten Connection – April 10

Have questions or need assistance enrolling a child? Call Central Registration at 507-387-2125. Welcome to MAPS!

The MAPS School Board will be adopting a revised 2025-2026 school calendar in order to provide additional time for construction in the summer of 2026.

On March 4th, a proposal was shared with the school community that outlined changes to next year’s calendar. Since that time, another option has been identified that would end the school year even sooner, eliminating the need to start the 2026-27 school year a week after Labor Day.

On Monday, March 17, the School Board met and discussed the attached 2025-26 calendar option that would:

• Start the school year before Labor Day.

• Hold school on November 25, November 26, January 2, March 13, March 23, April 1 and April 2.

• Hold Parent-Teacher conferences during the evenings in November and March and move the ‘no school days’ associated with conference days (teacher comp days) to the end of the school year.

• Set the last day of school as follows:

• Elementary: Monday, May 18, 2026
• Middle: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
• High School: Thursday, May 21, 2026 (graduation)

The School Board is scheduled to determine next school year’s calendar at their meeting on April 7.

Central High School

• Wednesday, June 4, 2025
• 5:00pm

• Lincoln Community School Auditorium - 110 Fulton Street, Mankato

East High School

• Thursday, June 5, 2025
• 5:30pm
• Mayo Health Systems Event Center - 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato MN 56001

West High School

• Thursday, June 5, 2025
• 8:00pm
• Mayo Health Systems Event Center - 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato MN 56001

Graduations at Mayo Health System Event Center will have a streaming link shared later.

The goal of the mental health hub is to make local resources more easily accessible to our community. Experts from Mankato Area Public Schools (District 77), Mankato Clinic, Mayo Clinic Health System, The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Center for Rural Behavioral Health at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato’s Mental Health Counseling Program, PrairieCare, and Wells Fargo developed and filtered the content for the website. Thank you as well to the subject matter experts that contribute to the website’s original content.

Hub link

MAPS student-athletes delivered outstanding performances at the state level. In boys’ swimming, Elliot Bartell was repeat state champion in the 100-yard butterfly, setting a new Class A record, while Dani Mauri earned a remarkable second-place finish in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle. In gymnastics, Rylie Hansen shined as a Class A top-five gymnast and an Elite All-Arounder, while Grace Jacobson had an outstanding meet, earning second place in vault and third in floor exercise. On the wrestling mat, Max Morgan battled his way to an impressive third-place finish. Additionally, congratulations to Kellen Britz and Davaris Woods for being selected to the 2025 All TruStoneFCU Adapted Floor Hockey CI All-Tournament Team! Their outstanding performances on the floor showcased their dedication and skill, earning them this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations to all these athletes for their incredible achievements!

Congratulations to Mankato East senior and chapter president Guillaume Bibbee, who was named Minnesota's 2025 Grand Champion in the Employment Interview - Advanced Level competition and earned third place in Personal Financial Literacy. Additionally, congratulations to Mankato West's Addison Lawrence for her outstanding leadership as a MN DECA State Officer this year and for qualifying for the international competition in Orlando, FL, in the Accounting competition.

On March 14th, MAPS educators engaged in Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) with expert faculty from Minnesota State University, Mankato’s College of Education. Rosa Parks (STEAM), Jefferson (Outdoor Learning), and Bridges (Global Studies) are exploring hands-on strategies designed to ignite student curiosity and boost engagement.

Bridges welcomed new families during a building tour on Monday March 10. It was exciting to share with families what is in store for next year at Bridges.

Jefferson welcomed new families during a building informational session and tour on Wednesday, March 12. It was great to share plans for next year. We are inviting all 2025-26 families to our We Are Jefferson Night on April 15th.

Rosa Parks had the opportunity to invite families to a STEAM night where we partnered with MSU- Mankato and students and families got to experience first hand some exciting and hands-on STEAM experiences. They also just had STEAM experiences for students through The Works Museum in Bloomington where students and teachers were able to complete hands-on activities that engage students in critical thinking and problem solving.

Explore new opportunities with Adult Basic Education classes designed to help you build the skills you need to succeed! Whether you're looking to move into leadership roles, improve your tech skills, or become a trained community interpreter, we’ve got the perfect course for you:

• Professional Leadership: Gain the skills to advance in leadership roles.

🗓️ Register by April 1

• Google Apps for Education: Learn by doing with step-by-step lessons on Google tools like Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

🗓️ Register by April 1

• Community Interpreter Training: Learn to interpret effectively in settings like healthcare and education, with a focus on ethics and cultural sensitivity.

🗓️ Register by April 11

SCC Connects offers FREE support for future students, including college preparation, application assistance, financial aid guidance, and classroom support. Ready to start a career in healthcare or manufacturing? Check out our specialized bridge programs:

• Healthcare Bridge: Start your journey in programs like Medical Assisting, Nursing, and more.

🗓️ Register by May 1

• Manufacturing Bridge: Get ready for a career in fields like Welding, HVAC, Mechatronics, and more..

🗓️ Register by May 1

Don’t miss out—register today and take the first step toward your future!

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

• No School for K-5 Students - Conferences

Thursday, March 27, 2025

• No School for K-12 Students - Conferences

Friday, March 28, 2025

• No School for K-12 Students - Conferences

Monday, March 31, 2025

• No School for K-12 Students - In Observance of Eid

Monday, April 7, 2025

• 5:30 p.m. - School Board Meeting - Mankato Room, IGC

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

• Early Release

Thursday, April 10, 2025

• Kindergarten Connection

• Mankato East, Waseca boys hope to continue special seasons at state - The Free Press - 3/18/2025

• Names & Notables - The Free Press - 3/17/2025

• Longtime Mankato East basketball coach Joe Madson looks to win first title with son Brogan leading the charge - The Minnesota Star Tribune - 3/16/2025

• Mankato East, Waseca boys get state tournament seeds - The Free Press - 3/15/2025

• Mankato East boys surge past Marshall to reach state tournament - The Free Press - 3/12/2025

• East boys basketball takes care of business in Section 2AAA title game - KEYC - 3/12/2025

• Prep Athlete of the Week, Dani Mauri of Mankato West - The Free Press - 3/10/2025
• MAPS staff in DC for nutrition programs as local legislators discuss mandates back home - The Free Press - 3/9/2025
• Mankato East boys down West to reach section final - The Free Press - 3/8/2025

• East boys basketball defeats West to advance to Section 2AAA championship game - KEYC - 3/8/2025

• Prep sports: East/Loyola's Bartell wins state title in 100 butterfly - The Free Press - 3/8/2025

• Elliot Bartell and Dani Mauri bring home hardware at the Boys Class A State Swim and Dive Meet - KEYC - 3/8/2025

• Knights heading to second straight state tournament - KEYC - 3/7/2025

• Mankato West boys start section playoffs with win over New Ulm - The Free Press - 3/5/2025

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