MPS Elementary Newsletter

All of these dates and more future dates can be found on the school website OR this calendar link- https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bWlubmV3YXVrYW4uazEyLm5kLnVzX2RhZHU0ZDR0dHRsNTE2dWllazRqa3FkMzA4QGdyb3VwLmNhbGVuZGFyLmdvb2dsZS5jb20

Thank you to all the families who have joined us and will be joining us this month for our family activities. We could not educate your students without you as partners! One of our schoolwide goal is to increase family involvement through family classroom activities, family nights, conferences, communication, etc. We love seeing the increase in families coming into the classrooms!

FUN FACT: Our average participation from families at classroom activities was 59% this fall! Last spring, our average was 34%! ❤️🔥

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) received federal funding through their Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to provide teachers with a STEM learning opportunity for first through fourth grade teachers. This grant will enable NDDA to provide teachers with two microgreens kits to learn about plants, how they grow and how microgreens are used in basic recipes.

Both our first and fifth grade classes applied for this grant and received it. See some pictures of the 1st graders results below!

What I prefer students to call me: Miss Connie

How long I have been a teacher: 25 years

How long I have been teaching at MPS: 5th Year

When/how is the best time to contact me: Call 701-473-5306 anytime during the school day!

What I want to share about my reason for working at MPS: Confidence is gained by being uncomfortable and sometimes failing. Everyone can learn and be better than they were yesterday!

Fun facts about me:I am the proud Nana of our first grandson, Nolan. I train and compete in barrel racing.

What I prefer students to call me: Ms. Lindsey

How long I have been a teacher: 16 Years

How long I have been teaching at MPS: 16 Years

When/how is the best time to contact me: Any time from 2:45-4:00. You can call the school and be transferred to my office.

What I want to share about my reason for working at MPS: My reason is I want every kid to succeed and be the best person they can be

Fun facts about me:

What I prefer students to call me: Mrs. Walter

How long I have been a teacher: 10 Years

How long I have been teaching at MPS: 10 Years

When/how is the best time to contact me: The best way to contact me is: 701-473-5306 or alyssa.walter@minnewaukan.k12.nd.us or messaging me on Rooms

What I want to share about my reason for working at MPS: My reason for teaching is that I love the way a student's face will light up when they have learned something new!

1. I have 3 kids!

2. I live on a farm with all kinds of animals!

3. I could eat spaghetti everyday!

North Dakota has an incredible opportunity to become the first state in the nation to provide the All Kids Bike program to every kindergartener across our great state. The All Kids Bike (AKB) program through the Strider Education Foundation is on a mission “to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten.” Governor Burgum has committed to use Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds to launch this effort.

The All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Learn-to-Ride Program includes: teacher training and certification, a fleet of 24 Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, pedal conversion kits, student helmets, an instructor bike with pedal conversion kit and helmet, 2 rolling metal bike storage racks, and access to a resource portal and live support.

Our kindergarteners had their first experience with the supplies and curriculum this week and they said they loved it!

We have 5 girls who will be going into the 7th grade who have been accepted into InStem at Valley City State University this summer! We are excited for this new opportunity for students from our school and proud of the girls for applying and being accepted! The school has 8 students in grades 7-12 who have been accepted!

InStem Information

Students: Jaylee Lenoir, Larissa ThreeIrons, Talisa Black, Caelyn Wetzel, Caelyn Jackson (not pictured).

They will be recognized on the school website and FB page as well as receive a small reward for their accomplishment.

Student engagement staff will look for when nominating a student of the month:

• Good Attendance!
• Completion of Work!
• Collaborates well with peers and staff!
• Follows school expectations!

Check out last months students of the month on our website!

https://www.minnewaukan.k12.nd.us/

What is Summer Brain Drain?

• Kids can lose 2–3 months of learning over summer if their brains aren’t active.

Easy Everyday Learning Ideas:

• Read daily:

  • Visit the library weekly.

  • Have reading picnics outside.

  • Listen to audiobooks on trips.

• Practice real-life math:

  • Measure ingredients while cooking.

  • Run a lemonade stand and count change.

  • Estimate steps or distances on walks.

• Encourage writing:

  • Keep a summer journal.

  • Write and mail postcards.

  • Make up silly group stories.

• Explore science and nature:

  • Keep a nature journal with drawings.

  • Try simple home science experiments.

  • Learn constellations under the stars.

• Build life skills through planning:

  • Let kids plan a family outing or trip.

  • Organize a garage sale or event.

  • Help with lists and budgeting.

• Play brain-boosting games:

  • Play board games like Scrabble or Uno.

  • Solve puzzles or scavenger hunts.

  • Use fun educational apps.

Reminder:

• A little bit of learning each day keeps kids growing all summer! 🌞📚

Elementary Expectations MPS

Elementary Expectations MPS Videos

Email: mackenzie.moen@minnewaukan.k12.nd.us
Website: https://www.minnewaukan.k12.nd.us/
Location: Minnewaukan Public School
Phone: 701-473-5306
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinnewaukanSchool