MAPS Connection District Newsletter

Winter weather will be here soon, so it’s a good idea to have a plan for your family in case of school closings, early dismissals, or late starts.

Notices for school closings and early dismissals will be posted on the following websites, radio, and television stations. You can also hear a recorded message on the District Notification Line at 507-387-6046.

Other ways to track school closing delays/dismissals/closures:

● www.isd77.org ● katoinfo.com ● mankatofreepress.com ● southernminnesotanews.com ● keyc.com ● KEYC 12 - TV AND MANY MORE.

Click HERE for a copy of the Winter Weather Information.

As winter settles in, we want to make sure all students are ready for outdoor activities. Please send your child to school prepared for the cold. This includes:

• Hat

• Gloves or mittens

• Winter coat

• Snow boots

• Snow pants

If getting any of these items is difficult right now, just reach out and we can support your student. We are here to help and can assist in getting what they need to stay warm and comfortable.

Thank you for helping us keep all students safe and prepared this winter!

Mankato Area Public Schools follows the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol to help keep students and staff stay safe. One of these responses is called HOLD. A HOLD is used when hallway movement needs to be temporarily paused so staff can address a situation such as a medical need or student concern. During a HOLD, classroom instruction continues as normal, students and staff remain in their classrooms, and no additional action is required unless directed. A HOLD is not a lockdown and does not indicate immediate danger; it is a short-term, preventative measure that helps maintain a safe and orderly learning environment.

There is still an opportunity to enroll in our schools, and we are excited to help you find the best fit for your student. Families are invited to schedule a tour at any school. This is a great chance to see our learning environments and meet our dedicated staff.

If you are interested in exploring your potential neighborhood school or a focus school, simply call the school’s office to schedule a tour at a time that works for you.

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

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.

Construction work on the west side of the campus will continue throughout December. Crews will be finishing the steel structure for the new secure entrance, pouring concrete floors, and beginning roofing to make the area weather-tight. Inside the building, workers will start framing walls and continue installing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, along with adding fire protection to the steel. Work will also move forward on the athletic addition, including building foundations, waterproofing them, and filling in soil as sections are completed. Outside, crews will continue building exterior block walls. Inside the facility, mechanical work will progress with new equipment being brought into the mechanical room. In the basement, workers will pour a concrete floor to support new equipment, install that equipment, and connect it to existing systems.

Dakota Meadows Middle School proudly celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by educating and engaging students and staff around the importance of inclusion and kindness. DMMS earned 2nd place in the Unified Champion Schools Inclusive Schools Week Challenge, competing with other schools across Minnesota to further promote inclusion throughout the school community. This recognition highlights the inclusive culture that is built every day and the dedication of both students and staff.

Mankato Area Public Schools is welcoming its first student representatives to the School Board. Vivian Collins and Corrigan McLaughlin, along with Henry Smentek, Nolan Bleck, and Rosemary Sullivan, now attend board meetings to provide input and share student perspectives. The students do not vote but participate in discussions on policies and programs. The program was created to give students a regular voice in school decisions and has already brought valuable input to the board. Collins focuses on advocating for neurodivergent students, while McLaughlin brings broader student concerns to the policy process. The program will continue in the coming years, highlighting the district’s commitment to including student voices in decisions that affect their education.

Check out some articles where our students were featured while participating in Project Success!

Mankato Area Public Schools is seeking Substitute Teachers to work on an on-call basis.

Qualifications:

• Valid Minnesota teaching license required

Compensation:

• $200 per day

How to Apply:
Visit www.isd77.org and click on Employment Opportunities.

This position will be filled based on the experience, competency, and qualifications of the applicant, as well as the needs of the District. Mankato Area Public Schools (District 77) complies with all state and federal fair employment regulations.

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

December 15, 2025

• School Board Meeting

December 24, 2025 - January 1, 2026

• No School

• Informer: Planetarium show to discuss space travel - Free Press 12/1/25

• MAPS considers 10% levy increase - Free Press 12/2/25

• East’s Petzel signs National Letter of Intent - KEYC 12/3/25

• Mankato West students launch holiday light recycling drive - KEYC 12/8/25

• West boys hockey skates to tie with Bloomington Jefferson - KEYC 12/4/25

• East girls hockey wins big over Austin - KEYC 12/4/25

  
  

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