MAPS Connection District Newsletter

At Mankato West’s recent Homecoming, the Scarlets pulled off a thrilling upset in their football game, defeating the No. 2 Chaska Hawks. The win electrified the crowd and added to the excitement of an already fun and spirited week. Students celebrated with themed dress-up days, a lively pep fest, and plenty of school pride throughout the halls. The Homecoming coronation was held during school, where students gathered to cheer on the court and watched Salma Musse crowned queen in front of her classmates. With energy and enthusiasm all around, Homecoming 2025 was a memorable celebration for everyone involved.

At this year’s Mankato West Hall of Fame ceremony, five outstanding individuals were honored for their exceptional achievements and lasting contributions. Becky Poole, class of 1997, was recognized for her accomplishments in the performing arts, having built a successful acting career that included work with the renowned Second City Improv Theatre. Rod Urtel, a retired choir director, was celebrated for his decades of dedication to music education and for inspiring generations of Scarlet singers. Ashley (Goettl) Hanley, class of 2009, was inducted for her excellence in academics, athletics, and community service, including her work as a news professional and executive director of the Miracle League of North Mankato. John Biewen, class of 1979, earned his place for his impactful career in journalism and audio storytelling, with work featured on NPR and in documentary media. Finally, Michelle “Mitzi” (Ohman) Hanson, class of 1984, was honored for her leadership as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate, having raised over a million dollars for charity and made a strong mark on both the West community and the Mankato area.

Mankato East's Homecoming 2025 was a week full of school spirit and celebration, culminating in a thrilling football victory and a heartfelt coronation. The Cougars secured a dramatic 22–21 win over Waconia in a game that came down to the final play, showcasing their resilience and determination. Throughout the week, students participated in themed dress-up days, a spirited pep fest, and various activities that brought the school community together. The festivities reached their peak during the coronation ceremony, where Bridgette Ketter was crowned Homecoming Queen, adding a special touch to the memorable week. Overall, Mankato East's Homecoming was a celebration of tradition, pride, and Cougar spirit.

The 2025 Mankato East Hall of Fame inducted six remarkable individuals who have left a lasting impact on the school and community. Claire (Ziegler) Petersen, a 2014 graduate, was honored for her outstanding athletic career in basketball, volleyball, and track, as well as her contributions as a coach and social worker. Jordan Benesh, class of 2010, earned recognition for his achievements as a scholar-athlete and his professional success in accounting. Dan Quame was celebrated for his multifaceted role as a student-athlete, coach, teacher, and administrator at Mankato East. Shafi Qanyare, a 2008 graduate, was inducted for his excellence in soccer and leadership both on and off the field. Gary Noren was recognized for his lifelong dedication to athletics, coaching, and mentorship within the Mankato East community. Lastly, Sarah (Brozik) Osterberg, class of 2010, was honored for her impressive athletic career and leadership in finance and community service. Together, these inductees embody the spirit, pride, and excellence of Mankato East.

Kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open! Families with children entering kindergarten can now begin the enrollment process. Applications for Focus Schools are also open and will close in January. If you are interested in one of our specialized programs, be sure to apply before the deadline. We look forward to welcoming your child to our school community!

Focus School Application-New to MAPS Students

Focus School Application-Currently Enrolled Students

We are in our second year of Learn to Lancer, a program for youth ages 7–15 who are eager to explore the artistry of dance, movement, and twirling with the award-winning 77 Lancer Color Guard. Participants will explore flags, rifles, and pom-poms.

This introductory course is designed to build confidence and teach foundational skills that will prepare students for future success. Participants will have performance experiences at local high school sports events and winter color guard circuits.

Program Information

Don’t miss this exciting chance to be part of the Lancer tradition while learning teamwork, artistry, and performance skills!

For more information contact Community Education at 507-387-5501 or go online https://mankato.ce.eleyo.com/course/3743/fall-2025/learn-to-lancer-color-guard-flags-rifles-poms-performance.

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.

A new school year brings new opportunities to make a lasting impact. By volunteering with Mankato Area Public Schools, you can support learners of all ages and help strengthen our community.
Opportunities are available in classrooms across Early Learning, K-12 & Adult Basic Education.
To learn more about all of the volunteer opportunities and how to be a part of our team, please contact the Family and Community Engagement office by calling 507-387-5501 or emailing volunteer@isd77.com.

We are excited to work with you so please reach out today!

MAPS' schools are required by state law to hold 11 safety drills with students each year: 5 fire drills, 5 lockdown drills, and 1 severe weather drill. At MAPS, we use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) from I Love U Guys, which uses simple, action-based terms so students and staff know exactly what to do to stay safe. You may hear some of this language from your child when they talk about drills.

The first action we are highlighting is Evacuate, which is used for fire drills.

Evacuate is the protocol used to move students and staff from one location to a different location in or out of the building. An on-site evacuation is conducted usually because of a mechanical failure that would disrupt the school day, such as a power outage. An off-site evacuation may be necessary when it’s no longer safe to stay in the building.

In this month’s School Board Spotlight, we are proud to recognize Jodi Evers from Dakota Meadows Middle School for her outstanding leadership and dedication to fostering inclusivity. Jodi has been the driving force behind the creation and success of the Unified Classes program, which brings together students of all abilities to create a welcoming and supportive learning environment. Her vision and commitment have helped break down barriers, ensuring that students with disabilities fully participate alongside their peers in shared educational experiences. The impact of this program is clear, as students consistently share that their unified class is “the best part of their day,” where they develop important skills in teamwork, leadership, and friendship. Jodi’s work embodies the values our school board champions, and we extend our sincere gratitude for her tireless efforts to make Dakota Meadows Middle School an inclusive community where every student belongs.

In this month’s School Board Student Spotlight, we are proud to recognize Raymond Tipton from Central High School for his positive spirit, strong work ethic, and creative leadership. Ray brings warmth and joy to the CHS community, consistently going above and beyond in both his academics and relationships with peers. Known for his kindness and integrity, Ray is a role model who uplifts those around him and leads by example.

This fall, Ray has taken on a self-directed project to master the school’s diode and CO2 lasers in the woodshop. He has created custom leather keychains, engraved images onto wood, and begun experimenting with PVC materials, all while laying the groundwork for a future CHS SOAR Store product line. His innovation, initiative, and collaborative mindset are a testament to the values we celebrate. We are grateful to have Ray at Central High and proud to highlight him in this month’s spotlight.

Special Education Paraeducators and Student Success Coaches assist special and general education teachers in supporting individuals or small groups of students in various educational settings, including Early Learning, Elementary, Middle School, and High School. These positions help students meet the goals of their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), attend to physical and health needs, monitor and report student progress, and perform clerical and classroom support duties. Positions are available full-time and part-time for the 2024–25 school year. https://www.applitrack.com/isd77/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?all=1&AppliTrackPostingSearch=title%3Aspecial%20edcuation%20paraeducator%20&AppliTrackZipRadius=5&AppliTrackSort=type&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackJobId=4555&AppliTrackViewPosting=1

https://www.applitrack.com/isd77/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

• Focus School, Pre K, Kindergarten, Community Education One Stop Shop Night - Center for Learning - 5:30-7 pm

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

• Early Release

Monday, October 13, 2025

• No School

Thursday, October 16, 2025, and Friday, October 17, 2025

• No School

• Mankato East honors hall of fame class of 2025 - KEYC 10/03/2025
• Mankato West names Hall of Fame class of 2025 - KEYC 9/24/2025

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