The eNews is the official electronic newsletter of Mahtomedi High School. |
|
|
The next issue of the eNews will be published on December 11th. |
|
|
|
|
November 21st & 22nd at 7:00 PM and November 23rd at 2:00 PM, MHS Production of Into The Woods -
November 26: All-School Turkey Bingo!
November 27 - December 1: No School (Thanksgiving Break and Professional Development) |
|
|
This Issue's Top Highlights |
|
|
Please note that, in addition to our Thanksgiving break on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, there will be no school on Monday, December 1 for a Teacher Professional Day. The MHS staff wishes you a warm and Happy Thanksgiving! |
|
We are still in need of Turkey Bingo prizes and gift cards for our district-wide Zephyr Service Project. Please indicate whether donated gift cards are for Bingo or the Service Project. Donations can be dropped off in the MHS main office. |
|
|
|
Principal's Spotlight on Learning |
Each month, Principal Justin Hahn spotlights learning happening at our school.
This month, the Principal's spotlight focuses on staff expertise. |
|
|
At Mahtomedi High School, our staff are recognized as experienced and innovative leaders in our classrooms and across a wide range of extracurricular activities. Whether it be implementing innovative instructional practices, mentoring students as they pursue their interests, or sharing their experience at conferences, this expertise is built within our Zephyr staff. Our staff form the foundation of an excellent learning environment where students find success today and in their future.
Our staff bring their expertise to life through innovative instruction and statewide leadership in co-curricular programs. In October, MHS science teacher, Jim Lane was recognized by the Mahtomedi School Board for his leadership in instruction and as the Mahtomedi Teacher of the Year. He also recently presented at the National Science Teaching Association Conference with other MHS staff, including James Didier, Hans Harlane, and Danny Kurkiewicz. At the November Zephyr Learning Showcase, our art teachers guided Advanced Placement students in showcasing their sustained investigations and reflecting on their learning process. Staff members such as Nick “Sully” Sullivan and Annie Dahl have earned statewide recognition for empowering students through programs like Flag Football and DECA. Most recently, our soccer coach, Dave Wald, supported our students in their 12th State Championship (a state record).
|
|
|
Justin Hahn, Principal, Mahtomedi High School |
|
We also see our staff’s leadership in their professional collaboration within our school community. Within our school, technology mentors Dave Collova, Karen Vidlock, and Abby Holmquist are leading professional learning and supporting colleagues during the rollout of Infinite Campus. In the coming weeks, Mahtomedi High School teachers will engage in professional learning on how to deepen students’ self-awareness and self-direction and will also explore the Portrait of a Graduate and our steps to support its implementation. |
|
|
|
Winter Weather Information |
When cold weather arrives in Minnesota, we want to ensure you have the information you need about weather emergency communications related to closings, delays, and early dismissals. Click here to read the email shared with our school community to learn more about the three types of weather-related messages you may see during emergency weather. Be sure to check your Infinite Campus account to ensure your contact information is up to date.
If your phone or email contact has recently changed, please contact Melissa Burke at melissa.burke@isd832.net
|
|
|
|
Our district-wide service project runs through December 5, 2025 and supports Mahtomedi students in need. Each Mahtomedi school contributes to holiday gift packages filled with books, toys, clothing, gift cards, and more. All items are wrapped and combined to create complete, personalized packages for students. See below for your school’s collection list.
Mahtomedi High School students and staff are collecting gift cards for young adults (drop off in the front office and note it’s for the Zephyr Service Project). Read the email shared with our school community here.
Families can apply for gift assistance through the Google Form until December 5. Gifts will be distributed on December 18 and 19.
|
|
|
|
CLICK HERE
to enjoy the latest edition of the MHS Zephyr Press.
|
|
|
|
Mark your calendars! The Community Education Winter/Spring catalog is coming soon. Registration for classes and events opens on December 9 at 8 am!
How to view the Winter/Spring catalog:
Stay tuned–a virtual edition of our catalog will be available on Eleyo later this month for you to get a first glance at the hundreds of opportunities coming your way this winter/spring.
Print catalogs will be mailed to Mahtomedi families and the community in late November!
|
|
|
|
Mascot Communications Internship |
Don't miss the chance to apply to be a Mascot for the 2025-26 school year! The application closes Friday, November 21! Click here to apply.
We’re looking for two enthusiastic high school students (grades 9–12) to serve as Communications Interns – Zephyr Mascot. These students will bring “Zephy” the Mahtomedi Zephyr to life at events throughout the year and help create joyful experiences for students, families, and community members. Click here to apply and learn more.
|
|
|
Congratulations to Mahtomedi High School student Ryan McCoy, who was recently named 916 Student of the Month! |
Each month, 916 celebrates and honors one student from each of its 17 programs as a Student of the Month. A Student of the Month is characterized by the professional skills of leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, engagement, and communication.
Ryan McCoy (Class of 2027) Automotive Technology
“Ryan has been doing a great job since the beginning of the school year. He is on top of his assignments, doing really well in the shop, and showing himself to be a leader in the classroom by his performance and caring about his progress. Excellent Student! Keep up the good work!”
Students enrolled in Northeast Metro 916 Career and Technical Center courses attend at 916 for 105 minutes and spend the remainder of their day at Mahtomedi High School taking their required core classes. The coursework allows students to explore passions and careers while gaining professional skills, certifications, and in some cases, college credit.
|
|
|
MHS Science Department Attended the National Science Teaching Association Conference |
With support from MAEF, the Mahtomedi High School science department attended the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conference in Minneapolis from November 13 to 15, 2025, to strengthen their professional practice and share their own work with colleagues from across the country. Teachers participated in sessions focused on phenomenon-based instruction, student agency, and effective uses of technology in science classrooms. They also contributed to the conference by presenting their own sessions. These sessions were led by James Didier ("Stoichiometry and Spreadsheets: Engaging Students through Computational Modeling"), Hans Harlane and Danny Kurkiewicz ("The Case of the Disappearing Lake: Exploring Natural and Human-Caused Dynamics of the Water Cycle"), and Jim Lane ("Forest from the Trees: Dendrochronology to Disentangle the History of the Land"). The experience strengthened the department’s collaboration and supported Mahtomedi’s ongoing efforts to design engaging science lessons with real-world applications. |
|
|
National Community Education Day |
|
|
|
Final Performances This Week! |
Don't miss the Mahtomedi High School Theatre's production of Into the Woods! Join Cinderella, Jack, and a Baker and his wife as they pursue their wishes, only to discover that every choice brings its own consequences.
PERFORMANCES:
November 21st, 22nd at 7:00 PM
November 23rd at 2:00 PM.
|
|
|
MHS Swim Team Broke School Records! |
Not just fast. Record-breaking. The Mahtomedi High School Swim team didn’t just race at the State Meet, they made history! The relay teams placed in the top ten and both broke school records! Congratulations to our athletes on this accomplishment!
200 Free Relay (1:39.27)
5th place
(Maddie Ruppel (Class of 2026), Delaney Dumermuth (Class of 2027), Addy Miller (Class of 2029), and Abby Wright (Class of 2027).
400 Free Relay (3:38.42)
6th place
(Aria Armstrong (Class of 2030), Delaney Dumermuth, Addy Miller, and Abby Wright)
|
|
|
Congratulations to Katie Hergenrader (Class of 2026) on being named this week's Athlete of the Week by the White Bear Press. |
|
|
|
Mahtomedi’s Bird Nerds Club Brings Wildlife Watching to Campus |
Bird Nerds is a Mahtomedi High School(MHS) club dedicated to exploring the birds and wildlife around Mahtomedi. It’s available at MHS for any student interested in learning more about birds. The club meets every Thursday during Flex in Mr. Kurkiewicz's room, where the club president, Matthew Studenski (Class of 2026), and Mr. Kurkiewicz share their knowledge and enthusiasm about birds. If the weather allows, the members head outside to listen for bird calls and watch for activity around the building. Many students bring binoculars to get a closer look, and some take pictures of unique birds they see. As the weather continues to cool down, they plan on having indoor meetings where they focus on learning how to identify birds through their calls and appearances. They also run an Instagram account (@mahtbirdnerds) where they share photos of their outdoor meetings. "Bird Nerds is a wonderful opportunity for anyone at the High School interested in not just birds but all types of wildlife that we see around the building,” says club president Mathew Studenski. “Additionally, participants have a wonderful time socializing and enjoying the beautiful seasons of Minnesota."
✏️Written by Norah Jansen, Class of 2028 student at Mahtomedi High School and Mahtomedi Public Schools Communications Intern
|
|
|
DECA Scholarships for Students in Need |
Mahtomedi High School's DECA Chapter is seeking crucial support in funding our students' participation in upcoming regional, state, and international career development conferences. We have students in need who need financial support to participate in upcoming programming. Please consider a donation to help provide a scholarship to remove the financial barrier that prevents many deserving students from participating.
DECA is more than just a club; it is a competitive organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Our students don’t just learn business theory; they apply it, developing critical soft skills like public speaking, teamwork, and professional presentation through real-world case studies and rigorous competition.
|
|
|
|
Robotics Team Seeking Community Donations |
We recently received news that a cornerstone corporate sponsor of our Robotics Team is no longer able to fund our programming. This change leaves a critical and immediate funding gap of approximately $6,500 that will impact the student experience during the upcoming competition season.
The FIRST Robotics Team is a competitive team that engages students in science, technology, engineering, math, business, digital design, and marketing. Through the course of a build season, the students will work with a team of industry mentors to fundraise, create a business plan, and design a robot. The students then have 12 weeks to build, wire, and program their robot while preparing for participation in an international competition at the University of Minnesota.
We are seeking new community partner donations to help us bridge this funding gap and secure the future of our program. Your immediate support is vital to cover the expenses for the 2025-2026.
|
|
|
|
Throughout the school year, MHS hosts opportunities for our students to visit with representatives from a variety of colleges, universities, trade/technical schools, and branches of the U.S. Military.
CLICK HERE to view Mahtomedi High School's upcoming College & Career visits.
Questions about post-secondary options? Stop by the Counseling Office to make an appointment with your MHS Counselor.
|
|
|
Questions about post-secondary planning?
Please reach out to your MHS Counselor.
Ms. Erickson - Students with Last names A-D
Ms. Cole - Students with Last names E-K
Mr. Miley - Students with Last names L-Q
Mr. Akins - Students with Last names R-Z
|
|
|
Class of 2026 Important Links |
|
|
|
MAEF Fall Fund Drive: Empowering Student Experiences |
Your gift to MAEF’s Fall Fund Drive (now through Nov. 23) helps foster innovative learning & celebrate student success in our schools. Because of supporters like you, Zephyr students are discovering new opportunities, sparking curiosity in the classroom, & building bright futures.
Click here to make your gift today!
Together, we can make a difference for Mahtomedi students!
|
|
|
|
|
The School eNews contains information about our students, staff, and programs. The School eNews is published once a week and archives are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/page/enews |
|
|
|
