Past issues of the eNews are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/enews
Mahtomedi Public Schools
Upcoming No School Days
December 23-31: No School (Winter Break)
January 1: No School (Winter Break)
January 20: No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
January 24: No School (Teacher Professional Day)
Upcoming Events
January 14: Preschool Open House (District Education Center 4:30-6 pm & Wildwood Elementary 5:30-7 pm)
January 22: Preschool Registration starts for currently enrolled Mahtomedi Early Childhood families (In-District starts Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 registration opens to the public)
January 23: Kindergarten Registration
January 25: Wildwood Artist Series: Billy McLaughlin (7 pm Chautauqua Fine Arts Center)
January 26: Mahtomedi Outdoor Skate Party (12-3 pm, community rink and warming house north of the District Education Center)
This Issue's Top Highlights
KNOW
Winter break/no school days will take place from December 23-31 and on January 1. We look forward to welcoming our staff and students back to school on January 2.
DO
Winter weather has arrived. Please review this information about e-learning, weather-related messages, and how to update your contact information.
SHARE
We recently wrapped up our district-wide service project. Our collective efforts resulted in supporting over 100 Mahtomedi students with gift assistance this year. Click here to watch a video of the gift packages being assembled.
District News
Winter Break
Winter break/no school days will take place from December 23-31 and on January 1. We look forward to welcoming our staff and students back to school on January 2.
2024-25 Academic Calendar
2025-26 Academic Calendar
Academic calendars are available on the events section of our website and via the mobile app. The Mahtomedi Public Schools app is free and available for download from the Apple App Store or the Google Play store. Learn more here: https://www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/page/app
Winter Weather Communication
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. Be sure to check ParentVUE/StudentVUE to ensure your contact information is current. If your phone or email contact has recently changed, you can update it right into ParentVUE/StudentVUE. Click here for directions.
Click here to read the full email message and details on the types of weather-related emails you may see, as well as learn more about our school-level e-learning plans.
Connecting with Our Legislators
Mahtomedi administrators and School Board members recently invited our District 832 legislators for a coffee and conversations event. At the event, the legislators had an opportunity to connect with our school officials and learn more about the legislative issues impacting our school district. Legislators in attendance included Rep. Brion Curran, Sen. Heather Gustafson, Rep. Wayne Johnson, and Rep. Patti Anderson. The 2025 Minnesota legislative session will begin on January 14, 2025.
Zephyr Service Project
Thank you to our families, staff, students, and community members for their generous donations and for working together on our gift assistance program!
✅Over 300 books
✅Over 270 toys
✅Over $6,000 collected to purchase clothes, pajamas, blankets, and non-toy needs
✅Over $1,200 in gift cards for teenage children
✅Over 350 hats, gloves, socks, and scarves
✅Over 50 rolls of gift wrap
Click here to watch a video of the gift packages being assembled.
Community Education Winter/Spring 2025 Catalog
The 2025 Winter-Spring Catalog is now available and registration is on Eleyo. Preschool open house and registration starts in January, click here to review the Early Childhood Catalog for more information.
The new catalog has hundreds of opportunities for you to explore your passions and interests! Check out some of these upcoming events and classes!
⭐️Intro to Golf (Ages 4-6)
⭐️Multicultural Arts After School Program (Grades 6-8)
⭐️Math & Reading Summer Learning Packets (K-5)
⭐️January No School Day Service Project (Grades 6-8)
⭐️Adult Trip to Nashville (Ages 21+)
Employment at Mahtomedi Public Schools
Special Education Paraprofessionals
The position is responsible for providing an educational environment that will help students with disabilities in learning and fulfill their growth potential. Assists special education teachers to work with students on their academic and social behavioral skills.
Hours: 6.25 hours/day
Starting hourly rate: $20.38
Start Date: January 2, 2025
Click the links to learn more and apply. There are positions available at OHA, MMS, and MHS.
On November 5, three seats for the Mahtomedi School Board were up for election in the Mahtomedi Public Schools 832 school district. You can click here for the election results on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. Superintendent Barb Duffrin shared this about the election, “I want to welcome newly elected school board member, Drew Whitson, and congratulate returning members Stacey Stout and Kelly Reagan. I look forward to continuing our work together to advance our district’s strategic plan. On behalf of the District, I extend my gratitude to outgoing board member Dr. Lucy Payne for her service and dedication to our schools.”
The newly elected Mahtomedi School Board members will be sworn in at the Mahtomedi School Board meeting on January 6, 2025, and will serve until January 8, 2029.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Location: Mahtomedi District Education Center
January 6: 7 pm Organizational Meeting
January 27: 5:30 pm Finance Meeting, 7 pm Regular Meeting
Around the District
Principal Spotlight on Learning
Each month, our principals share a "Spotlight on Learning" in school eNews. Read the spotlights below to learn more about how lifelong learning happens in each school.
Wildwood Elementary School: Read the Wildwood Spotlight to learn more about how Morning Meetings, teaching Second Step, and effective reading instruction are essential components in the lifelong learning journey.
O.H. Anderson Elementary School (OHA): Read the OHA Spotlight to learn more about how OHA fosters curiosity and empowers all Zephyrs with the agency to guide their learning journey. See how the new curricular resource, Wit and Wisdom poses questions for students to think about in each module.
Mahtomedi Middle School (MMS): Read the MMS Spotlight to learn more about how MMS students have a wide variety of experiences in and out of the classroom that allows them to explore subjects and activities that could spark interests that turn into future careers or lifelong hobbies.
Mahtomedi High School (MHS): Read the MHS Spotlight to learn about our educators’ commitment to continuous improvement in Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). MHS has had over 40 teachers trained, and they continue to dedicate professional learning time to advance learning in this area and embed it into their teaching practice.
Excellence in Action Spotlights
Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram to see the great things happening every day around our district! Check out the spotlights below to see excellence in action at Mahtomedi Public Schools.
⭐️ Mahtomedi High School Class of 2025 student Max Egan has found a new purpose as an entrepreneur after a devastating injury. Read more about Max's perseverance and his recent opportunity to attend Rotary Camp Enterprise.
⭐️This past month, our Advanced Academics programming has been securing top awards in National Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl and the Knowledge Bowl!
⭐️ Developing the skill of being a lifelong learner begins as early as preschool. Students in the Mahtomedi Community Education Mahtomedi Area Preschool (MAP) start their academic journey with foundational learning experiences that teach size recognition, placement, and sequence skills. MAP teaches our students these foundational learning skills through the curriculum Handwriting Without Tears and a hands-on song activity called “Mat Man.” Click here to watch a video about the Mat Man activity.
⭐️ Mahtomedi High School students in the NASA HUNCH program have been busy since September researching and designing projects to submit to NASA. They recently showcased their projects! Click here to learn more about this next generation of innovators.
⭐️ MHS Class of 2021 Alumna Genevieve LaValle recently visited with MHS students about her experience as a student at the University of the Arts London, London College of Fashion in costume for performance. During her presentation, she shared the fashion work she has done for Lady Gaga as well as other work and clients. Read more about Genevieve here.
Get Involved with Our Partners
Mahtomedi Elementary PTO
Don't forget to purchase your elementary yearbook! Elementary Yearbook Prices go up January 1st - Purchase Here
Did you know the Elementary PTO distributed 13,000 free books to our elementary school students so they could enjoy a "new to them" book over winter break? Click here to see photos our students picking out their books!
Secondary Volunteer Opportunities
Middle School
Doughnut Day is on January 15 and volunteers are needed! Click here to help volunteer.
The Gratitude Cart is our unique way of regularly expressing our gratitude to Mahtomedi Middle School staff! We are in need of cart drivers for January 17! Click here to sign up.
Wildwood Artist Series
Don’t miss SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin presents “The Young and the Rest...” A tribute to Neil Young and the rest of your favorite acoustic acts from the 70’s!
When: Saturday, January 25, 7 PM
Where: Chautauqua Fine Arts Center - Mahtomedi High School
Tickets: $35 Adult | $30 Senior | $5 Student
To buy your tickets now, visit: bit.ly/WASTickets2425
Use Promo Code: Holiday5 to save $5 on Adult Tickets
Area Events and Opportunities
Mahtomedi Outdoor Skate Party
Celebrate winter at this annual event with a bonfire, hot beverages, and food. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. This event is Free, and registration is not required.
Sunday, Jan. 26: 12-3:00 PM (In case of bad weather: makeup day is Feb. 2)
The winter festivities occur at the community rink and warming house north of the District Education Center.
Sponsored by Mahtomedi Parks Commission, Mahtomedi Youth Hockey Association, and Mahtomedi Community Education.
Looking for Winter and Spring 2025 activities and athletics? Visit Mahtomedi eleyo for Community Education offerings or visit the links below for local athletic associations and organizations.
About eNews
The District eNews contains information about our students, staff, schools, and programs. The District eNews is published once a month. Past issues of the eNews are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/enews
The next issue of the District eNews will be published on January 12, 2025. Would you like to submit content for inclusion in our District eNews? Email Alice Seuffert at communications@isd832.net
All families and staff are subscribed to the District enewsletter, community members or extended family may also subscribe by clicking here.