Viking Newsletter

In This Issue

Message from Superintendent Paul
Capital Project Levy Renewal
Snow King and Queen Crowned
The Max Impact
Tiny People, Tiny Prom
Announcements
¡Buen Trabajo, Niños!
Sunrise on Safari
Sharing Our Experience
Help Shape Safe Routes to School

Renewal Vote is Tuesday, February 10

Dear Families,

This issue of the Viking Newsletter celebrates the many ways Vikings show up for one another every day. We are also sharing information about the upcoming special election to renew the existing 2017 Capital Projects Levy.

Inside this issue, you’ll find joyful moments like Snow Week and Tiny Prom, and numerous community engagement updates, along with information to help families stay informed about the February 10 levy renewal election.

Initially approved in 2017, the Capital Projects Levy provides funding for safety improvements and technology infrastructure critical for long-range planning. If approved, the renewal would continue the current levy at its existing rate and would not create a new levy. Click here for more detailed information, including a brief 3-minute video about the renewal.

The election will take place on Tuesday, February 10, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Main Street Church.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact me at spaul@isd138.org or 651-674-1011.

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed.

SKOL! Vikings!

Sara Paul

Superintendent

spaul@isd138.org

Capital Levy Renewal

To learn more about the district’s renewal of the expiring Capital Project Levy, click here or use the QR code at right. There you can access a fact sheet, more detailed information, an FAQ, voting information, and more.

Snow King and Queen Crowned

SKOL! and congratulations to 2026 Snow King and Queen Tate Erickson and Kailey Perrault! For more photos of the King and Queen and the entire court, click here.

The Max Impact

Max Malmquist, local author and NBAHS graduate, has donated $100,000 to create long-term scholarships for NBAPS graduates. He will also be involved in the launch of “The Max Advantage Financial Challenge” this spring. Click here for more details.

Tiny People, Tiny Prom

Over 300 people came together for a magical Tiny Prom earlier in January! Guests walked the red carpet, danced to fun music, and created their own crowns, filling the evening with smiles, laughter, and celebration. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this special event such a success!

Announcements

Pass Down the Gown

From January 20 through February 26, the North Branch High School Prom Committee is collecting gently used Prom dresses for students planning to attend Prom. All donated dresses can be dropped off in the main office of the North Branch High School (Door #1) between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. We accept all colors, styles, and sizes of gently used formal dresses, dress shoes, jewelry, handbags, and any other Prom attire/accessories. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Houle at 651-674-1511 or khoule@isd138.org. Thank you for your support!

Play Pickleball for a Good Cause- All Skill Levels Welcome

North Branch Area Community Education, along with the North Branch Beautification Association, is hosting a Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 21! Proceeds will go toward the Veterans Memorial. The tourney is open to players 12 and up. See the flier for additional details; the deadline for registration is February 16.

Join us for a Patron Tour

Interested in attending NBAPS' Friday, Feb. 20 Patron Tour? Patron Tours start at 7:45 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. Guests enjoy refreshments in the morning, tour every site in the district, and finish the half day with a delicious lunch! In between guests visit classrooms and talk with staff, students, and leadership. It's a great way to learn more about NBAPS from early childhood all the way through high school! To attend, contact Pat Tepoorten at 651-674-1018 or ptepoorten@isd138.org.

2026-27 School Year Calendar Now Available

The approved 2026–27 school year calendar includes several significant updates. View the calendar here or find it anytime on the district homepage under Menu > School Year Calendars.

¡Buen Trabajo, Niños!

Congratulations to 8th-grade students who successfully completed the Spanish Level 1 testing in Senora Anderson’s Spanish 8 class! These students will have the opportunity to take Spanish Level 2 at the high school as a freshman next year! Nice job!

Sunrise on Safari

Fifth graders at Sunrise enjoyed a visit from Sustainable Safari last Friday, who brought along some of their animal friends. Students enjoyed learning about these animals and seeing them up close. See more photos from the event here.

Sharing Our Experience

At the MSBA Leadership Conference, staff, School Board members and students, held a workshop to help school board members gain insights regarding our work to put cell phone restrictions in place.The workshop included a video, available below, featuring a variety of voices talking about the process and the importance of having clear expectations that protect the learning environment.

Help Shape Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School is a statewide effort to make it safer, easier, and more enjoyable for students to walk, bike, and roll to school and around their community. This year, the City of North Branch and North Branch Area Public Schools are partnering with support from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to create a local Safe Routes to School plan.

This plan will recommend practical ways to improve walking and biking routes so students, families, and community members feel safer and more comfortable getting to and from school.

The link below includes a short survey where you can share your experiences with walking and biking to school. You’ll also find an interactive map where you can point out specific locations that feel unsafe or have opportunities for improvement.

For more information about the project, please visit the project website at: mnsaferoutesplanning.org/north-branch

About North Branch Area Public Schools

Email: ptepoorten@isd138.org
Website: www.isd138.org
Location: 38705 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN, USA
Phone: (651) 674-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbapschools
Twitter: @nbapschools