CHS Newsletter

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to meet with your student's teachers, discuss their progress, and explore ways to support their success.

Each week, Kristen Arnold's students engage in community service at various organizations throughout the Mankato area. Last week, Kristen Arnold's class gave a helping hand to the United Way by boxing books for their Books for Kids program.

Books for Kids is a Greater Mankato Area United Way program that provides free books and parenting resources to families with young children, helping build literacy skills and support school readiness. Children ages 2 months through 4 years, 11 months may qualify to receive books throughout the year. If you are interested in signing up for monthly books, click here

Did you know Minnesota has a Permanent School Fund that helps support public schools across the state, including Mankato Area Public Schools?

The fund was established to provide ongoing financial support for public education, with earnings distributed to Minnesota school districts each year based on student enrollment. For MAPS, these dollars help support the educational programs and services our students rely on every day.

Minnesota voters will have an opportunity to consider a constitutional amendment related to the Permanent School Fund on the November ballot. We encourage families to learn more about the proposal and what it means for Minnesota's public schools before voting.

Learn more about the Permanent School Fund Amendment:
https://www.mnpsfamendment.org/

Mankato Area Public Schools uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software is utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.

We have an inventory of our curriculum, testing, and assessment tools posted on our district website at bit.ly/4835DET (or directly to our Classlink page https://public-portal.classlink.com/isd77). This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year.

Please reach out to your building principal for additional questions regarding the use of the specific digital tools in classrooms. Please reach out to MAPS technology department regarding data, privacy, and vendor inquiries of the specific digital tools.

Sincerely,

Marti Sievek, Central High School Principal

Angie Potts, Director of Educational Technology

Central students will be able to benefit from What I Need (WIN) Time every Wednesday. This is dedicated time from 1:05-3:05 for students to seek out academic support to ensure their success. Some examples of how WIN Time can be utilized by students are, re-taking a test, making up missing work, working with a teacher on a difficult concept, making up a lab in science, or having a meeting with the school counselor. This is a tier one intervention that all students can access to ensure their academic success.

One way we encourage students and families to utilize WIN Time is by sending out a missing assignment report each Tuesday. Every Tuesday families will receive an email containing a list of their student's missing assignments.

One of the strongest predictors of academic success is regular attendance.

Students who attend school consistently are more likely to:

Earn credits toward graduation

Stay on track academically

Build positive relationships with staff and peers

Access support services when needed

Attendance letters are sent when a student is absent from the same class period on three, five, seven, and ten separate days. These letters are not intended to be punitive; rather, they are meant to keep families informed about their student's attendance and the school's legal obligations regarding the reporting of chronic absenteeism.

If your student is experiencing barriers to attendance, please contact us. We want to work together to identify solutions and connect families with available resources.

Remember: Every day counts.

Career Pathways: A bridge to work for students and young adults with disabilities

Exciting news! PACER will be hosting Career Pathways training in Mankato. If you don't already know about them, they have great resources you can check them out here PACER Center – Champions for Children with Disabilities

Discover career planning options for your transition-age youth with disabilities (age 14-24) and where to find help to support them on their path to employment. Attendees will learn about the importance of work and career development and explore employment services and supports, including the Minnesota CareerForce Career Pathways programs.

They will also walk away with tips to help them begin their own career path!

Mankato: October 20,2026 at MVAC from 6:00 - 7:30pm

Lincoln Community School is providing a great resource for MAPS students, staff,

and their families in the form of a School Based Health Center. Some available services are: Sports physicals, Wellness exams, Vaccinations, Acute illnesses and, Minor injuries.

Click on the flyer in your preferred language below for more information!

Lincoln Community School and Central High School are implementing a new process for guest to enter the building. This added layer of security will not only benefit the safety of our students and staff but also streamline guests' experience when coming to Central High School. To make your experience quick and easy when visiting Central High School, you are encouraged to complete the following steps:

1. Download Raptor Safe - Find "raptor Safe" in the Apple App Store or Google Play

2. Create your Raptor Passport - Enter your mobile number, scan a driver's license, passport or state issued ID, then take a selfie

3. Show your QR code - At school, open the app and swipe up to show your Raptor Passport. Scan you QR a the kiosk.

Click here for a more detailed description of the process

Here is a quick reference for support staff:

Principal, Marti Sievek - msieve1@isd77.org

School Counselor, Janell Sipe - jsipe1@isd77.org

School Social Worker, Kerrigan Chesney - kchesn1@isd77.org

Chemical Health Counselor, Mike Green - mgreen1@isd77.org

Dean of Students, Dan Sharpsteen - dsharp1@isd77.org

Office Secretary, Scott Klinkner - sklink2@isd77.org

Or call our main office at 507-387-3047

If your student arrives prior to 7:45, they may have to wait until the parking lot door opens at 7:45.

Click here for the CHS Lock Down Drills Parent Letter

All families are HIGHLY encouraged to fill this out…whether you qualify for additional services or not. Our school receives funding to help support other programs and services throughout the school year and your child(ren) can receive additional benefits at no cost including but not limited to: waved activity fees, waved athletic fees, free activity pass, etc. for the school year.

Here are the steps to fill out the application on your Parent Portal:

Log into your Parent Portal

Click "More"

Click "Meal Benefits"

Click "Meal Benefits Applications"

You can actually apply online this way vs printing the application and hand filling it out.

Wednesday, October 7: 2hr Early Out / CHS Conferences

Monday, October 12: Holiday - No School

Thursday, October 15 - Friday, October 16: MEA - No School

Tuesday, October 20: Fall Night School Begins (4:30-6:30)