MAPS Connection District Newsletter

Welcome back! We are thrilled to start another school year filled with learning, growth, and new experiences. Please review the key information and dates below to help your family prepare for a great start. We can't wait to accomplish big things together!

First Day of School Dates

September 8

Classes Begin for 9th Grade

September 8

Classes begin for ALL Central High School Students

September 9

Classes Begin for 6th, 10 -12

September 10

Classes Begin for K-5, 7 & 8

It’s that time of year! School Supply lists are now available for Mankato Area Public Schools.

Find out what your student will need here.

• Bridges students ONLY need gym shoes, headphones, and a backpack.

High School Supply Lists:

• East - students will need notebooks, folders, and writing utensils.
• West - recommend folders, notebooks, writing utensils, and a TI-84 graphing calculator to start.

Each year, Mankato Area Public Schools asks families to review and update their household and student information through the online Census Verification process. Accurate information helps us communicate with families and ensures we have current contact, household and emergency information for each student.

How to complete Census Verification

1. Log in to your Campus Parent account.

2. Select More from the menu on the left side of the screen.

3. Select Census Verification.(I know you have a picture here, does it have alt text)

4. Select Begin Registration and follow the prompts.

If you have any questions, experience difficulty logging in, or have forgotten your password, please contact our Infinite Campus Support Team at icsupport@isd77.org. We’ll be happy to assist you and will respond as promptly as possible during normal business hours.

This school year, Nutrition Services is introducing SchoolCafé Family Hub, a new online platform for managing student meal accounts.

Families will need to create a new account and use their student’s Infinite Campus student number to connect them.

With SchoolCafé, families can:

• Apply for Educational Benefits
• Add funds to meal accounts
• Set up low-balance notifications
• View meal purchases
• Access school menus

Please follow the instructions below to create your account.

Even though school meals are available free of charge to all Minnesota students, families are still encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits each school year.

Completing the application can benefit both your family and our school district. Families who qualify may be eligible for additional programs and savings, including SUN Bucks summer grocery benefits, reduced fees, discounts, and other resources.

The information also helps our community identify where children and families may need additional food support during the summer. Application data helps inform decisions about where Summer Meal Program locations are needed, making it easier to connect children and families with free meals when school is not in session.

Your application also helps our school district receive important funding that supports student programs, academic opportunities, and other educational services.

Please take a few minutes to complete an Application for Educational Benefits for your family each school year. Your application can make a difference for your family, your child, and our entire school community.

Elementary families will be able to view their child(ren)’s teacher(s) in the Parent Portal on August 24. Information about signing up for Entrance Conferences will also be shared with families that day. Keep an eye on your email for all the details!

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on September 8th and 9th.

Prairie Winds uses Google to manage conference scheduling at PWMS. Through the system, families can easily select their child’s advisory teacher and choose a date and time that fits their schedule best.

Google registration will be open for:

• Pure Grade Advisory

• Multi-Age Advisory

• Trail

Keep an eye out for the registration link coming soon to secure your spot!

(Student and family schedules will be accessible starting September 2nd!)

Chromebook Pick-Up Days

• 7th & 8th Grade: Friday, September 18 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

• 6th Grade:Thursday, September 17 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cross Country 7th & 8th grade - 8/17

• Practice @ East (8:00 - 10:00)

Girls Swim & Dive - 7th & 8th Grade - 8/17

• Practice @ East Pool (4:00 - 6:00)

Boys Soccer - 7th & 8th Grade - 8/17

• Practice @ Kennedy (3:00 - 5:15)

Girls Soccer - 7th & 8th Grade - 8/17

• Practice @ Kennedy (8:00 - 10:30)

Football - 7th & 8th Grade - 8/20

• Practice @ PWMS (3:45 - 5:30)

Volleyball - 7th & 8th grade - 8/24

• Practice @ PWMS (3:45 - 5:15)

Girls Tennis 6th - 8th grade - 8/24

• You will be placed into a group with a time and location (East or Prairie Winds)

• Please Contact Head Coach Paul Williams With Any Questions @ eastcougartennis@gmail.com or 507 254 7323

Conferences will take place on September 8th (6th–8th Grade Teachers) and September 9th (7th–8th Grade Teachers).

Dakota Meadows Middle School uses PTCFast to manage conference scheduling. When registering, families should ONLY select their student’s Multi-Age Advisory teacher before choosing a date and time.

Keep an eye out for the registration link and conference schedule coming soon to secure your spot!

Chromebook Pick-Up Days

• 7th & 8th Grade: Thursday, September 10 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

• 6th Grade: Friday, September 11 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Cross Country 7th & 8th grade - 8/17

• Practice @ West Track (8:00 - 10:00)

Girls Swim & Dive - 7th & 8th Grade - 8/17

• Practice @ DMMS Pool (8:00 - 10:00)

Boys Soccer - 7th & 8th Grade - 8/17

• Practice @ DMMS (11:00 - 12:30)

Girls Soccer - 7th & 8th Grade - 8/17

• Practice @ DMMS (8:00 - 10:00)

Football - 8/19 Equipment Pickup and Parent Meeting in Stadium

• 7th grade- 5:00pm Parent meeting in the stadium, Equipment pickup after meeting

• 8th grade- 5:00pm Equipment Pickup in tunnel, Parent meeting afterward in the stadium

Volleyball - 7th & 8th grade - 8/24

• Practice @ DMMS (2:30-4:00) Parent Meeting in DMMS Cafeteria after practice

Girls Tennis 6th - 8th grade - 8/24

• Practice @ Alexander Park Courts (4:00-5:30) Parent Meeting after practice

Get ready for the new school year! Join us for our Back to School Kickoff Days on August 26 and 27, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Arrival & Entry Please park in the front lot and enter the building through Door 24.

What to Do Next Head straight to the 3rd Floor Media Center to take care of your essential start-of-year tasks:

• Take your school picture

• Get your student ID

• Pick up your bus pass

• Check out your Chromebook

• Seniors: Pick up your purchased parking pass

Get ready for the new school year! Join us for our Back to School Kickoff Days on August 26 and 27, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Take care of your essential start-of-year tasks:

• Take your school picture

• Get your student ID

• Check out your Chromebook

• Seniors: Pick up your purchased parking pass

Students can view their class schedules in Infinite Campus starting August 14, 2026. We encourage families to review schedules together before the start of the school year.

Students will also receive a printed copy of their schedule on the first day of school, September 8, 2026.

If you have any questions, please email chs@isd77.org or call 507-387-3047.

Students will receive their Chromebooks on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the first day of school for all Central High School students.

Your Fall Starts Here with Community Education

Welcome to a new season of fun, learning, and adventure with Community Education! Explore opportunities for all ages to learn something new, stay active, connect with others, and make the most of your fall.

Browse the full fall offerings here: https://www.mankatocer.com/ref/brochures

Programs include youth activities, adult classes, and family experiences designed to fit a wide range of interests and schedules. Whether you’re looking to try a new hobby, build a skill, stay active, or spend quality time together, there’s something for everyone.

Fall registration is now open, so now is a great time to explore the catalog, plan ahead, and secure your spot in the programs that interest you.

Start planning your fall today and make this season one to remember!

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!

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