The eNews is the official electronic newsletter of Mahtomedi High School. |
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Nov. 1: Early Voting available 8 am-3 pm Nov. 3: Early Voting available 8 am-5 pm Nov. 4: Election Day (see polling locations below)
November 5: End of 1st Quarter November 7: Teacher Professional Day - No School November 14, 15, 21 & 22 @ 7PM and November 16 & 23 @ 2PM, MHS Production of Into The Woods November 27-28: Thanksgiving Break - No School December 1: Teacher Professional Day - No School |
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This Issue's Top Highlights |
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Student Leadership Council will be hosting our annual A.B.L.E. Mental Wellness Day on Wednesday, November 5th. Don't forget to wear green to show your support for mental wellness. |
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Our Girls Soccer Team is headed to the State AA Championship Game tomorrow! If your student plans to attend, please be sure to report their absence through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. To help minimize classroom disruptions, students attending the game will be dismissed at 11:20 a.m. at the end of Period 4. |
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Come see MHS Theatre’s production of the Tony Award-winning musical Into the Woods! Enjoy a magical night and support our talented students.Ticket information is below. |
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Principal's Spotlight on Learning |
Each month, Principal Justin Hahn spotlights learning happening at our school. This month, the Principal's spotlight focuses on rigorous and meaningful learning. |
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When we think of rigorous and meaningful learning, two ways Mahtomedi High School is bringing it to life are through our concurrent enrollment and AVID programs. These programs challenge students today while building the skills and confidence they’ll use in college, career, and life.
Over the MEA break, several families shared that they were beginning to schedule college tours and one family shared that they hadn’t realized how valuable concurrent enrollment courses could be in saving on college costs. We’re proud to offer rigorous, college-level coursework right at MHS, through Advanced Placement, College in the Schools, and Articulated Credit.
Mr. Rob Garry recently received a note from a Class of 2025 family whose student’s CIS University of Minnesota Spanish IV credits transferred:
“Based on the information we had received, we were fully expecting he would receive 5 semester credits to transfer in, so you can imagine our pleasant surprise when his transcript reflects 8(!) total credits (4 for each semester) that transferred from U of M Twin Cities for his Spanish IV CIS during his 2024-2025 academic year at MHS. Thank you SO MUCH for offering these college-level courses at MHS. It really DOES help to better prepare students for the academic rigors of post-secondary education, as well as providing a cost-saving way to earn college credits while being able to stay on the MHS campus with their friends.”
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Now in our second year of implementation, AVID strategies are impacting every student at MHS. Aligned with our Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Graduate, AVID helps close the opportunity gaps and prepares students for college and career success. Teachers use high-impact, evidence-based strategies. Our Media Specialist, Ms. Jean Oswald, has also supported our teachers in implementing these strategies. She has been speaking to social studies and English classes and providing digital literacy and research instruction. In the AVID elective course, students strengthen their self-advocacy through peer solution groups, tackling challenges like essays or grade improvement together. They offer feedback using sentence stems such as “Have you tried…” Through both AVID and concurrent enrollment, MHS students are experiencing what it means to engage in rigorous and meaningful learning. These experiences prepare them for college, career, and life.
Justin Hahn, Principal, Mahtomedi High School
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Referendum: Early Voting & Polling Locations |
Mahtomedi Public Schools will hold a two-question referendum on November 4 - one for operating revenue and one for facility improvements. Together, these questions reflect a forward-thinking, innovative approach that reinforces Mahtomedi’s leadership in education and prepares students to thrive today and in the future. Learn more at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/elections |
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Early Voting and Absentee Voting are terms that are used interchangeably. All eligible Minnesota voters can vote early, either in person or by mail, without needing to provide a reason. Early voting is a great option for busy families! |
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Early Voting Locations
Washington County Gov. Center
14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, MN 55082
Central Service and License Center
1261 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
Cottage Grove Service Center
13000 Ravine Pkwy, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
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Early Voting Hours
Weekly Hours: Mon - Fri. 8 am - 4:30 pm
Nov. 1: 8 am - 3 pm
Nov. 3: 8 am - 5 pm
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Polling Locations
RESIDENTS OF MAHTOMEDI
City of Mahtomedi, Precinct 1 & Precinct 2 vote at St. Andrew’s Church
900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115.
RESIDENTS OF WHITE BEAR LAKE
White Bear Lake W-4 P-2 vote at Redeemer Lutheran Church
3770 Bellaire Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
All other precincts vote at the COMBINED POLLING PLACE
City of Dellwood; the City of Grant, Precinct 1 and Precinct 2; the City of Hugo, Ward 3, Precinct 6; the City of Lake Elmo, Precinct 2; the City of Oakdale, Precinct 5; the City of Pine Springs; and the City of Willernie vote at the Mahtomedi District Education Center 1520 Mahtomedi Avenue, Mahtomedi, MN 55115
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To support our families impacted by the emergency food shortage, our school community will accept shelf-stable food donations and create “emergency grocery grab bags” for our families who need extra food support in November.
To contribute, starting November 3, drop off donations in the collection bin in the front entrance of any of our school buildings or the District Education Center. District staff will assemble grocery grab-bags with the received donations and distribute them to families in need.
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Items in Need
Accepted donations should be non-perishable and shelf-stable grocery items such as pantry staples and grains (rice, pasta, oatmeal, tortillas, cereal, peanut butter, pasta sauce, jams), quick-prepare meals (mac and cheese, ramen, microwaveable meal cups, canned foods), snacks (nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, crackers, granola bars), and non-food essential items (brown paper grocery bags, toilet paper, paper towels).
Support Resources
If you need food support, please contact our district social worker, Ali Middlebrook, ali.middlebrook@isd832.net or call 651-407-2304 or your child’s school counselor. You may also check out additional community resources for food support at this link here.
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Donations Needed for Turkey BINGO |
On Wednesday, November 26th, the Mahtomedi Student Leadership Council will host an all-school Turkey Bingo, and we need your help with prize donations.
Between now and November 25 at noon, we will be collecting prize donations. Here are some popular prize ideas (but not limited to):
Gift cards to favorite teen hotspots, such as Caribou, Starbucks, gas stations, Raising Cane's, Ulta, Chipotle, Amazon, Crumbl, and Taco Bell. Tumblers and water bottles Electronics Movie tickets Bath & Body products Candy and fun snacks
The more prizes, the more WINNERS! Donations can be dropped off in the MHS Office by parents or students by November 25 at noon. Thank you for supporting this fun school tradition!
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AP Test Payment Due Nov 14 |
Students taking full-year AP classes and planning to take the exam in the spring must submit payment by Friday, November 14th.
If your class is Semester 2 only, no payment is due at this time.
Click here for AP Exam Payment Link.
If payment is not made by this time, your exam will be cancelled and will not be ordered until paid in full, including a $40 late fee issued by the College Board.
Please reach out to Mr. Akins if you will NOT be taking the AP exam for an AP course in which you are currently enrolled or if you need financial assistance.
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CLICK HERE to enjoy the latest edition of the MHS Zephyr Press. |
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MMS Youth Night Volunteers Needed |
The Mahtomedi Middle School (MMS) Youth Night is approaching on Friday, November 14, and Mahtomedi Community Education could use volunteer help from parents/guardians! If you are willing to share some of your time, please complete the volunteer form. There are several shifts available between 2-5:15 pm, so you don't have to stay the whole time.
MHS students are also welcome to help volunteer and should complete this student volunteer form.
Thank you for helping us provide this meaningful opportunity for our MMS students to socialize and connect with their peers!
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Academic Achievement Awards |
Congratulations to our MHS students who were awarded Academic Achievement Letters this month! The Academic Awards at Mahtomedi High School recognize a student’s past year’s academic achievement. It takes considerable time and effort to receive this recognition, and we are very proud of their accomplishment. At school, we held a recognition celebration and presented students with their Mahtomedi Letter (if it was their first Letter) and a certificate. Photos from the event are available here. Click the links below to see the Academic Awards programs by class. To see more pictures from the event, click here.
Class of 2026
Class of 2027
Class of 2028
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Inside the Classroom: AP Psychology |
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AP Psychology is a year-long Advanced Placement social studies course at Mahtomedi High School open to students in grades 9-12. In this class, students have the opportunity to look into psychological studies, research brain and body development, and understand why people think and behave the way they do. This class is a rigorous learning opportunity where students use college-level study skills to earn college credit right here at the high school. The instructor of the class, Ms. Emily Larson, shared what it takes to be a teacher of an AP class: “AP teachers must have a deep understanding of their specific content area, and have a desire to teach upper-level content to students.” Recently, the students participated in a class discussion on the past and present use of genetic technology and how it could be used in the future. ✏️Written by Norah Jansen, Class of 2028 student at Mahtomedi High School and Mahtomedi Public Schools Communications Intern |
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Exploring College Pathways and Building Academic Skills with AVID |
On October 8, AVID Elective students attended a College Fair where they had the opportunity to speak with representatives from a variety of colleges and universities. They asked thoughtful questions, gathered information, and continued to explore their post-high school options.
Additionally, students began their AVID tutorials, which are structured, student-led sessions designed to deepen their understanding through collaborative inquiry. These tutorials not only support academic success but also develop essential skills such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
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Leading with Listening and Collaboration |
Josie Schifsky, a Mahtomedi High School Class of 2026 student, embodies the Communicator qualities of the Mahtomedi Portrait of a Graduate by listening with empathy, expressing ideas clearly, and helping others learn through connection.
Josie first picked up volleyball the summer before middle school. Now, she's come full circle, coaching our middle school volleyball team through Mahtomedi Community Education and guiding students who are just starting their own journeys. Click here to learn more about how she embodies a Communicator while supporting our middle school students!
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Congratulations, MHS Girls Tennis! |
The Mahtomedi High School Girls Tennis team had a send-off at the high school with their families, and our SRO, “Sully,” and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office escorted the team on their way to the Minnesota State High School League State Competition. Click here to see the video. The team had their first game at the State Class AA competition on October 21, defeating St. Peter 4-3, and in the semi-finals on October 22, they lost to Rockridge (Virginia) 7-0. The team then defeated Hill Murray 5-2 and secured third place at State! MHS Class of 2028 student and Mahtomedi Public Schools communications intern, Ellie Driscoll captured this behind-the-scenes video of what it's like to compete at State. |
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Girls Soccer Returns to the State Championship! |
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Zephyr Runners go to State! |
Good luck to Cross Country runners Emily Alexander and William MacChesney, who qualified for the State Class AA Cross Country Meet!
They will represent Mahtomedi High School at the University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course this Saturday, November 1st. The boys race is at 12:15 pm, followed by the girls race at 1:00 pm.
Go to mshsl.org for more information.
Go Zephyrs!
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Zephyr Volleyball is Headed Back to the State Tournament! |
Congratulations to the Zephyr Volleyball team, Section 4AAA CHAMPIONS! They will compete in the MSHL State Tournament on Wednesday, November 5, at the Grand Casino Arena (formerly known as Xcel Energy Center). Their opponent and match times are yet to be determined. Click here for tournament information. |
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Congratulations to Kayla Poirier (Class of 2026) who was selected as the White Bear Press Athlete of the Week on October 22! |
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Congratulations to Harlow Berger (Class of 2026) who was selected as the White Bear Press Athlete of the Week on October 15! |
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Mahtomedi Theatre Presents, Into the Woods |
James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim bring everyone's favorite storybook characters together in a timeless and relevant tale that has become a rare modern classic. With a Tony Award-winning book and score, Into the Woods is both enchanting and touching.
The story follows a Baker and his wife, Cinderella, and Jack—each chasing a wish. When the Baker and his wife discover they are cursed by a Witch, they set off on a quest to break the spell. Everyone’s wishes come true—but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
PERFORMANCES:
November 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd at 7:00 PM
November 16th and 23rd at 2:00 PM
Click here to get your tickets
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Winter Sport Registration is Open |
Registration is now open for students who plan on participating in an MHS Winter Sport. Students must have a current Sports Physical Form on file with the MHS Activities prior to registering AND students must be registered prior to participating in practices or try-outs.
The link to register is available here
Questions about registration? Please reach out to Assistant to the Activities Director Lisa Gacek
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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.
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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
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Class of 2026 Important Links |
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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 |
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