MAPS Connection District Newsletter

Their continued efforts reflect and advance our shared mission: Excellence, Equity, and Empowerment—Every Student, Every Day. We are grateful for their lasting impact and proud to honor their achievements.

25-Year Service Awards

• Kathy Becker — West High School
• Curtis Doell — West High School
• Clarice Esslinger — Adult Basic Education
• Tania Fugazzi — Franklin Elementary School
• Melanie Helling — Intergovernmental Center
• Eric Miller — Washington Elementary School
• Kristin Moore — West High School
• Jenny Reed — Bridges Community School
• Matt Ringhofer — Dakota Meadows Middle School
• Mark Szybnski — East High School
• Marla Trio — Eagle Lake Elementary School
• Chris Wollmuth — West High School

30-Year Service Awards

• Tony Broskoff — Central High School
• Deb Kienholz — Eagle Lake Elementary School
• Shelly Makela — Rosa Parks Elementary School
• Staci Murphy — Hoover Elementary School

35-Year Service Awards

• Laurie Hagberg — East/West High Schools
• Julie Olsen — Bridges Community School

Last week, we had the honor of celebrating National Volunteer Week and recognizing the incredible individuals who generously give their time, energy, and heart to our schools and programs. We also gathered for a special evening to celebrate and thank them for all they do.

We are deeply grateful for our volunteers and the meaningful impact they make each and every day. Their dedication helps shape positive experiences for our students and strengthens our entire community. It was truly a privilege to celebrate them and express our appreciation.

From Early Learning to K–12 and Adult Basic Education, their influence reaches far and wide and it does not go unnoticed.

If you’re interested in volunteering in our schools and being part of something meaningful, we would love to connect with you. Please contact the Engagement Office at volunteer@isd77.org for more information.

AN EXCITING CELEBRATION! The Olseth Family Foundation & Greater Mankato Area United Way invite you to a free community event celebrating a decade of the 4th-Grade Book Project! Every spring for the past 10 years, this initiative has provided free copies of Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends poetry book to all 4th-grade students in public and private schools throughout Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet, and Waseca counties. This project has brought the joy of reading to more than 16,000 students in our region.

Join us as we celebrate the students, school staff and leadership, volunteers, and community supporters who make this impactful literacy initiative possible.

4th-Grade Book Project Celebration: 10 Years of Turning Pages

Presented by the Olseth Family Foundation & Greater Mankato Area United Way

Monday, May 4

4-6 p.m.

Sky One Eleven Event Space

111 S. 2nd St., Mankato - 7th Floor

A short program will begin around 4:15, followed by social hour.

Free & open to the community. Registration required.

Register: MankatoUnitedWay.org/may-4

We invite families and community members to our district-wide secondary art exhibition, featuring student work from East, West, and Central. While the opening night has passed, visitors are still welcome to stop in and view the artwork.

The exhibit, presented by the Mankato East Art Department, opened on Friday, April 17, and will remain on display for approximately three weeks. It is located at 523 S. Front St., Mankato, MN, and is available for viewing throughout the duration of the show.

This year’s exhibition was curated and installed with the assistance of our AP (Advanced Placement) Studio Art students, who gained valuable experience in gallery preparation, presentation, and professional art display practices.

We encourage you to take time to visit and enjoy the creativity and hard work of our student artists.

Get ready to hit the greens and make a difference at the 4th Annual Educare Golf Tournament Fundraiser.

Join Educare at North Links Golf Course for a fun-filled day of golf, connection, and community support. Whether you are a seasoned golfer or just coming for the social hour and dinner, all are welcome.

Location
North Links Golf Course
41553 520th Street
North Mankato, MN 56003

Registration Options
Fore Educare Team ($500)
Includes a team of four, 18-hole scramble, box lunch, dinner, and social time.

Hole Sponsor ($250)

Promote your business or show your support with signage on the course.

Spots are limited, so gather your team and join us for a meaningful day on the course.

Explore new opportunities with Adult Basic Education classes designed to help you build the skills you need to succeed!

South Central College Connects is a FREE program that connects future SCC students to:

• A course to get you ready for college (computer use, reading and career exploration)

• College application and registration assistance

• Guidance navigating the college computer system

• Financial Aid/FAFSA

• Grants and Scholarships

• College classroom support (Tutoring)

• Financial help with books, tuition, supplies and equipment

Learn more about South Central College Connects by attending an Information Session!

• Tuesday, May 5 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Thursday, May 7 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Date: Saturday, May 16 & Sunday, May 17

Time: 5:00 pm
Location: St. Peter High School
2121 Broadway Ave, St Peter, MN 56082

Link: https://projectsuccess.jotform.com/team/mankato/dorothy-2026

This event is FREE for Mankato Area Public Schools' students in grades 6–12

Dates: Saturday, May 16 & Sunday, May 17
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Orpheum Theatre
910 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Link: https://projectsuccess.jotform.com/form/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-2

This event is FREE for Mankato Area Public Schools' students in grades 6–12

Mankato Area Public Schools is hiring!

We are looking for a Facilities and Safety Department Secretary to support the Director of Facilities and Safety, staff, and district partners while ensuring smooth coordination of departmental operations, records, and communication.

Start date: As soon as possible

Schedule: Full-time, 12-month position (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

This role is perfect for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities while providing strong administrative and customer support in a school district setting.

Responsibilities include:

• Serving as a central contact for schools, custodial staff, vendors, and district departments
• Coordinating substitute custodial coverage and daily operations
• Maintaining health, safety, and departmental records and reports
• Assisting with safety manuals, training materials, and publication

Questions?
Contact Human Resources at 507-387-3017.

Enrollment opportunities are still available. Families may schedule a tour at their neighborhood schools by contacting the school office directly.

We look forward to welcoming you and supporting your family through the enrollment process!

We invite families to explore our high-quality preschool programs designed to support young learners as they grow, explore, and thrive. Linked below is the 2026–2027 Preschool Program Guide, which includes detailed information about our preschool offerings, enrollment process, and important dates.

We are excited to welcome new learners and partner with families for a successful school year.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact us at

(507)-625-4620. We’re happy to help!

Early Childhood Screening is required before your child can start kindergarten. This free screening is an important step in supporting your child’s readiness for school. It helps identify strengths and areas where your child may need support in development, vision, hearing, and overall health—giving families and schools valuable information to ensure a strong start in kindergarten.

If your child has not yet been screened, please visit https://mapsisd77ecs.youcanbook.me/ to book an appointment. For additional questions about Early Childhood Screenings, please call

(507) 625-4620.

May 4, 2026

• School Board Meeting

May 13, 2026

• Early Release

May 18, 2026

• Last Day of School K-5
• School Board Meeting

May 19, 2026

• Central/Freedom High School Graduation

May 20, 2026

• Classes End Grade 12
• Classes End Grades 6-8
• East High School Graduation
• West High School Graduation

May 21, 2026

• Classes End Grades 9-11
• School Board Meeting

• Mankato boys lacrosse falls to New Prague - KEYC 4/24/26

• 4.17.26-District 77 Supt. Paul Peterson, Melissa Brueske and Brett Riss-Sustainability - Radio Mankato 4/17/26

• Mankato Area Public Schools to Launch New Class Options Under Secondary Redesign Initiative - Southern MN News 3/3/26

• East softball defeats West in rivalry match-up - KEYC 4/21/26

• East baseball wins over rival West - KEYC 4/21/26

• Mankato girls lacrosse wins big over Mayo - KEYC 4/20/25

• West softball walks it off against Mayo - KEYC 4/17/26

• East softball falls to Century in extra innings - KEYC 4/16/26

• West baseball defeats John-Marshall - KEYC 4/16/26

• Signing Day: East athletes ink their NLI - KEYC 4/15/26

• Area sophomores get career headstart with help of career expo - KEYC 4/15/26

• East baseball falls to Mayo in home opener - KEYC 4/14/26

• West baseball takes down Century - KEYC 4/14/26

• Mankato Area Public Schools spring construction update - KEYC 4/13/26

• Damaged guitar turns into a lesson of human kindness - Free Press 4/11/26

• Mankato district to implement new reading curriculum for K-5 - Free Press 4/11/26

• Mankato boys lacrosse gears up for 2026 campaign - KEYC 4/10/26

• MAPS partners with MSU for Adaptive Track and Field Day for special education program - 4/10/26

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