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April 10, 2026 - Issue 16

April - Arab History Month

16 Band Spring Pops Concert 6:00 pm

20 MCA Reading Test (morning)

22 MCA Math Test (morning)

23 Choir Spring Concert 6th 5:30 pm, 7/8th at 7:00 pm

24 Anthony School Wide Dance 6:00-8:00pm

Stay in the know. Check our Anthony Events Calendar often.

7th grade band represented Anthony Middle School at the Southwest Area Band Festival last night on April 9. FABULOUS JOB to the students and Ms. Linne!

Thank you to Ms. Ellingham, Mr. Lemay, the staff, and parent volunteers for making today’s Model UN a success. The students represented themselves and our school exceptionally well — outstanding effort by everyone involved!

April 24th from 6:00-8:00pm

For a while now, the Student Council has been wanting to put together a dance. They have partnered with the Anthony Administration, Anthony PTA, and Community Education Program to host a school-wide dance for all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders on April 24 from 6:00-8:00pm.

Students will need parent permission to attend the dance. Linked here is the permission form that students will receive in Advisory next week. The permission form is due on April 20 to help us plan for food.

The cost of the dance is $5 which will go towards food and decorations.

We do NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS to help make the event a success. If you can assist, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4FACA92CA1FF2-63354953-anthony#/

Please note that we will also need volunteers for the 8th grade dance on June 5 (details to follow). Thank you for supporting our students!

MCA testing in April

Every year, students in all three grades take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) in Reading and Math, while 8th graders also take a Science assessment. These assessments demonstrate your student’s progress in meeting the Minnesota Academic Standards - the skills and knowledge the state has determined every 6th, 7th, and 8th graders ought to know by the end of the year.

Students receive a score which is categorized as Exceeds, Meets, Partially Meets, or Does Not Meet the standards. This helps in both our individualized work with students and in our curriculum and instructional planning as a whole.

To provide a focused and calm environment, testing will occur during extended advisory periods from 8:40 AM to 11:58 AM. Please mark your calendars for these testing dates, and please try to avoid scheduling appointments during these times:

Reading (Grades 6–8): Monday, April 20
Math (Grades 6–8): Wednesday, April 22
Science (Grade 8 only): May 5, 6 and 7 during Science class

Student achievement reports are shared by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) in the fall prior to October parent-teacher conferences.

The Panther Radio Hour

7th grade Explore is a rotation that nearly all Anthony students take, but one of the most common questions I get is, “What is Explore, and why can’t we write made-up stories?” While our 6th grade Explore class is dedicated to creative fiction and our 8th grade class focuses on mysteries and research, 7th grade is all about creative nonfiction and public speaking. Our class is titled "The Panther Radio Hour," and we focus on the specific traits of effective storytellers.

We start each rotation by watching and analyzing videos from "The Moth," a live storytelling platform. Students identify what makes a story stick, write two true stories from their own lives, and then perform them live for our "Panther Radio Hour." Through this class, students learn about the power of their own voices, the art of storytelling, and the importance of sharing their unique experiences with others.

Special Education and Understanding the Difference Between a Medical Diagnosis and an Educational Disability

In my work as a special education teacher, this is a topic I find myself discussing with families, educators, and therapeutic service providers often. Many caregivers come to the school with a medical diagnosis in hand, often with a recommendation to look into special education services, but a medical diagnosis rarely translates directly into special education services. This can cause frustration and confusion for all parties involved.

A medical diagnosis of a learning disorder, such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, is typically based on criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). This determination is made by medical or clinical professionals. These criteria allow for some clinical judgment and often include language such as “ a history of difficulties with…,” which gives providers flexibility to consider patterns over time, not just current test scores. Additionally, negative impacts of the medical diagnosis do not have to be apparent at school to meet the criteria for a medical diagnosis. Because of this, a student may demonstrate overall skills in the average range on standardized measures but still meet criteria for a medical diagnosis based on persistent challenges, effort required, or uneven skill development. Within the medical model, the diagnosis of a learning disorder identifies a cause for the symptoms and guides treatment decisions.

In contrast, criteria for a learning disability within special education law in Minnesota are clearly defined and must align with standards set by the Minnesota State Legislature. This determination is made by a team of individuals within the school, which includes the parent. School teams follow specific eligibility criteria, which often include documented evidence of a significant discrepancy or a lack of growth given targeted academic interventions. These criteria must have clear data showing that the student’s learning difficulties adversely affect their educational performance which includes academic, social, and emotional developmental domains. These determinations rely heavily on standardized assessments, progress monitoring, and observed or reported significant negative impact within the school environment. Because of this structured and data-driven process, students whose skills fall within the average range often do not meet the threshold for an educational disability, even if they have a medical diagnosis. The school team might consider any clinical or medical information that is available when determining eligibility, but the diagnosis alone does not satisfy legal requirements for special education eligibility.

For more information:

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-a-school-identification-and-a-clinical-diagnosis

Track & Field registration window is now open! The registration window is open from March 17th through April 17th.

Registration Link (please note: checks can be written out to MPS Athletics and dropped off in the main office).

Dates to know:

The 1st Team Practice will be held the week April 27 (stay tuned for more information).
Regular team practices (Subject to change) will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30pm-5pm.
Track & Field Meets schedule (on Saturdays in May)

After School Sign-Up Link - Anthony Youth Programs

Family Day - Planning Committee

This is a carnival-style celebration after school on Thursday, May 21, for all students and families. There will be free food, a dunk tank, and performances from the band & choir. With this annual event, most of the planning structure is already in place, but we’d love a few more people to help share ideas and keep things running smoothly!

Committee volunteers would need to attend the event and 2 planning meetings beforehand. No experience necessary. Email anthonyPTAVolunteers@gmail.com if you'd be interested in contributing.

2026-2027 PTA Board Interest

Want to stay informed and support the Panther Community? Join the PTA board for the next school year! Email anthonypta23@gmail.com for more information or attend the next meeting on Wednesday, 4/15 at 5:30. Open positions include Secretary, Assistant Treasuer and Fundraising.

COME ON OUT FOR GIRLS TENNIS!

The Southwest High School girls tennis team would like to invite you to grab a racket and join our team this fall! The season starts in mid-August and runs through the first week of October. No experience required.

If you are interested, please reach out to coach Malini Wijesinghe at malini.wijesinghe@gmail.com for more information. You will also be added to our communication list for important summer updates.

Check out our website for team information and summer details https://www.mplsswtennis.com/ and follow us on instagram @southwestgirls.tennis for additional summer opportunities, USTA Junior Team Tennis, captain’s practice and tryout dates.