Community Education eNews August 2025

important dates mahtomedi public schools

Click Here for the Community Education Calendar

Upcoming Community Events

September 9: Referendum Learning Session 5:30 pm at Mahtomedi High School Media Center
September 12: Food Truck Friday 5-7 pm at District Education Center
September 18: Family Literacy Night 6:30-7:30 pm at Wildwood Elementary
October 7: Community Lunch 12-1 pm at District Education Center
October 11: PunkinMania 9 am-3 pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park
November 18: MahtoREADi 6:30-8:30 pm at Mahtomedi High School

Course Registration

Course Registration is always available at https://mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com/

This Issue's Top Highlights

KNOW

Our MahtoREADi event is back this fall, featuring Minnesota author Lief Enger.

DO

Fall registration is open! Register for our fall classes and events on Eleyo.

Connect with your neighbors at our next Food Truck Friday!

Community Education News

2025 Summer Courses & Events

Learners have been busy trying out new classes and experiences over the last month as we soak up the last days of summer and start preparing for fall. Check out our registration website Eleyo to browse our fall programs!

Don't Miss

Don't miss these classes and events! Class descriptions and registration are always available at https://mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com/

⭐️ NEW Car Care 101: Essential Vehicle Maintenance: Open to ages 13 or older; learn the fundamentals of vehicle maintenance, such as performing tire checks, checking and topping off essential fluids, and inspecting serpentine belts and hoses. Click here to register.

⭐️ Dad (or Special Guy) and Me Playdates: Open to children ages 18 months-5 years old: join a licensed parent educator, and enjoy time playing, creating art projects, and exploring the classroom. Click here to register.

⭐️ Boys Basketball Mini Camp: Open to students in grades 4-8; prepare for the upcoming Basketball season with Coach Newman and current varsity players. Click here to register.

⭐️ VR Experience: Skilled Trades Big ideas Truck: Open to students in grades 6-12; learn about exciting career pathways in the trades by stepping into the Virtual Reality Mobile Learning Lab, filled with cutting-edge simulators and immersive technology. Click here to register.

Family Literacy Nights

Family Literacy Nights are back this fall! Mahtomedi Community Education is proud to partner with Washington County Library to provide free monthly Family Literacy Nights for caregivers and children ages 0-5 years old. Hear a story lead by a librarian, participate in a craft, and get some literacy tips to bring home. Please note that our Family Literacy Nights this fall have moved from Tuesdays to Thursdays. Click here to see our current fall dates and register.

Never been to Family Literacy Night before? Get a behind-the-scenes look of a recent class here.

MAC Staff Spotlights

We had another amazing summer of Mahtomedi Adventure Club (MAC), our school-age care program! As we reflect on the season, we are spotlighting the staff members who are at the heart of our program, such as Mahtomedi High School graduate Karen Wiesen. Did you know she attended MAC when she was in elementary school? Click here to read about her journey from student to leader.

Follow Mahtomedi Community Education on Facebook and Instagram to hear more stories about our inspiring MAC staff.

Lief Enger, I Cheerfully Refuse book cover

MahtoREADi 2025

MahtoREADi is back this fall, celebrating its 23rd year! We are excited to announce the MahtoREADi 2025 book selection: I Cheerfully Refuse by Minnesota author Lief Enger.

Set in a not-too-distant America, I Cheerfully Refuse is the tale of a bereaved and pursued musician embarking under sail on a sentient Lake Superior in search of his departed, deeply beloved, bookselling wife.

MahtoREADi was established with the goal of promoting literacy, fostering community, cultivating intergenerational connections, and encouraging exposure to diverse cultures. We hope to see you this fall for this exciting event! Click here to register.

Referendum Information

Mahtomedi Public Schools will hold a two-question referendum on November 4 - one for operating revenue and one for facility improvements. Visit www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/elections for an overview of the referendum, tax impact calculator, and FAQ.

Families, staff, and community members recently came together to explore what’s on the ballot this fall and experience student-led tours of our proposed facilities projects. What is a community learning session like? Click here to see the event in action.

Join us for our next learning session on September 9 at 5:30 PM at the Mahtomedi High School Media Center. The event includes a presentation and a student-led tour. Everyone is welcome!

Around Community Education

Girls Strength Training Program Kicks Off with 40 Students

This summer, Mahtomedi Community Education launched Zephyr EDGE (Empowered, Driven, Grit, Elite), a new strength and conditioning program for girls in grades 8-11. Led by Mahtomedi High School (MHS) Assistant Girls Soccer Coach, Brad Gudenkauf, this program focuses on dynamic warm-ups, speed and power drills, and weight training, all designed to support athletes across a wide range of sports.

Despite being brand new, Zephyr EDGE drew strong interest, with 40 students participating across two sessions. Athletes from soccer, tennis, hockey, volleyball, softball, track, and wrestling joined to prepare for their upcoming seasons. Click here to hear from Coach Gudenkauf and Zephyr EDGE participants about the impact of this program.

Marcia Senkler Honored with 2025 Recognition Award for Outstanding Leadership

Congratulations to Marcia Senkler, School Nurse at O.H. Anderson (OHA) Elementary and Mahtomedi Adventure Club (MAC) Associate, who was recently recognized by the Mahtomedi School Board for outstanding leadership at Mahtomedi Public Schools. The Mahtomedi School Board awards recognize the leadership and contributions staff members across our district are making to advance our strategic plan. Click here to learn more about this special recognition.

Exploring a Passion for Music

Students in private guitar lessons through Mahtomedi Community Education recently had the chance to showcase their talents during the end-of-year recital. From 2nd to 12th grade, each student demonstrated incredible growth and dedication built over the course of the year.

Learning an instrument like the guitar is a powerful way for students to explore their passions and find their personal success. Playing music lays a foundation for lifelong learning by fostering key skills such as creative expression, discipline and patience, and social connection. Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at the recital.

Guitar lessons for the 2025-26 school year are now open for youth and adults! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to build on your skills, find a time that fits your schedule. Click here to register.