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The District eNews is the official electronic newsletter of Mahtomedi Public Schools. |
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December 24-January 2: Winter Break (No School)
January 10: Missoula Children's Theatre “Red Riding Hood” Performance 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm at Chautauqua Fine Arts Center. Tickets available at the door.
January 14: Mahtomedi Area Preschool Open House 4:30-6 pm District Education Center & 5:30-7 pm Wildwood Elementary
January 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School)
January 20-21: Mahtomedi Area Preschool Registration opens for currently-enrolled Mahtomedi Early Childhood families
January 22: Kindergarten Open House
January 23: Teacher Professional Day (No School)
January 25: Mahtomedi Outdoor Skate Party (Free) 12-3 pm District Education Center Ice Rinks |
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This Issue's Top Highlights
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We hope you have a safe and wonderful Winter Break! Our Winter Break is December 24-January 2. |
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With rising needs across our community this year, our students and staff stepped up in a very big way with the Zephyr Service Project! Together, we are providing gift assistance to 140 Mahtomedi students. |
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On December 15, Superintendent Barb Duffrin shared an update with the Mahtomedi School Board about activities around the district, recent awards and recognition, as well as upcoming district events. For more information, you can review the presentation slides or watch the video here. |
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Please submit an absence request in Infinite Campus for each day your child is sick. When submitting the absence request please indicate the symptoms your child is experiencing. The health offices need to track illness rates and report to the MN Department of Health if illness rates reach a certain threshold so it is important that families report illness information when submitting the absence request.
Your child must stay home from school if they have any of the following:
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- If your child has a fever of 100°F or higher, they must stay home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
- If your child has vomited or has diarrhea, they must stay home for 24 hours after the last episode.
- If your child has any rash of unknown cause, check with your family physician before sending your child to school.
- If your child has been diagnosed with Strep Throat, they must stay home for 12 hours after antibiotic treatment has started.
- If your child has an uncontrollable cough that prevents them from engaging in learning, your child must stay home.
- If your child has tested positive for infectious disease such as influenza, RSV, or COVID-19, they must stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours, and feel well enough to participate in school. Please contact the health office for further direction for any diagnosed communicable diseases.
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Save the Date:
2026-27 Early Childhood Programs |
Exciting things are coming up in Early Childhood! Our Early Childhood catalog will be available soon, and we invite families to connect, explore, and plan ahead.
Early Childhood Catalog
A digital version will be available on Eleyo in early January, and print catalogs will be mailed to Mahtomedi families shortly after.
Mahtomedi Area Preschool (MAP) Open House
Join us on January 14 to meet our teachers, see our classrooms, and learn more about MAP: Times: 4:30-6 pm: District Education Center and 5:30-7 pm: Wildwood Elementary
MAP Registration Dates
Jan. 20-21: Currently enrolled Mahtomedi Early Childhood families
Jan. 27-29: In-district families
Feb. 3: Open to the public
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Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Meetings are held at the Mahtomedi District Education Center
January 5: 7 pm Organizational Meeting
January 26: 5:30 pm Finance Meeting & 7 pm Regular Meeting |
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Principals Spotlight on Learning
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Each month, our principals share a "Spotlight on Learning" in school eNews. Read the spotlights below to learn about the community and global impact in our schools.
Wildwood Elementary School: Read the Wildwood Spotlight to learn more about the Classroom Swap program and how it helps our students connect with students worldwide.
O.H. Anderson (OHA) Elementary School: Read the OHA Spotlight to learn how OHA provides service opportunities to students all school year.
Mahtomedi Middle School (MMS): Read the MMS Spotlight to learn about how MMS students have been impacting the community as well as the developmental impact on the social brain and tips for getting students involved in service in their community.
Mahtomedi High School (MHS): Read the MHS Spotlight to learn how students are exemplifying leadership in the community both individually and in group ways.
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Our district-wide service project concluded this week. The Middle School hit a record in donations this year, collecting $8,653.00 for families in need. On Wednesday, our MHS Student wrapped and assembled all of the gifts. We had over 65 families apply for gifts for over 140 students. Thank you to all our students, staff, and community members who supported our district-wide service project! |
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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. |
⭐️ Congratulations to Mahtomedi’s Into the Woods cast, crew, and staff, who earned state-level honors from the Spotlight Education Program, including Achievement in Musical Theatre and Outstanding Technical Production from Hennepin Arts! This is considered the State Competition for Theatre in Minnesota. This means our Zephyrs are among the Minnesota’s top 25 theatre productions.
⭐️Did you know? At O.H. Anderson Elementary School, each morning begins with a live, school-wide broadcast of the morning announcements via Google Meet. Click here to watch a behind-the-scenes video of the announcements.
⭐️ When Mr. Jim Lane, science teacher at Mahtomedi High School and 2025-26 Mahtomedi Teacher of the Year, was recognized by the Mahtomedi School Board, Class of 2026 student Julian Cisek shared these words of impact during the recognition. Mr. Lane is known for building meaningful relationships with students in the classroom, through activities, and across the community, exemplifying how educators shape meaningful learning experiences and inspire students to grow academically and personally.
⭐️ Mahtomedi Community Education was recently awarded an Outstanding Project Award from the Minnesota Community Education Association! This award honors districts across Minnesota for creative, impactful initiatives that exemplify the very best of community education. Click here to learn more about this honor.
⭐️James Fisette, Night Lead Custodian at Mahtomedi Middle School, was recently recognized by the Mahtomedi School Board for outstanding leadership at Mahtomedi Public Schools. Mr. Fisette plays a key role in ensuring our programs and community partners have access to the space and support they need. Click here to read about his recognition.
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Career Day Volunteers Needed |
The 2026 Mahtomedi Middle School Career Day will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The event is intended to foster career awareness for students and support them in learning from local professionals.
The commitment for career presenters will be 12:45-2:40 pm on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Volunteers will present their career slideshow to three different sessions of students, each lasting approximately 25 minutes, including time for student questions. More guidance will be provided closer to the event.
If interested, please fill out this form by January 5. If there are more volunteers than spots, presenters will be randomly selected through a lottery system. All volunteers will receive an email by early January. Questions? please contact Counselor, Christian Kolb, at christian.kolb@isd832.net
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Get Involved with Our Partners
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The next MPTO meeting is on Wednesday, January 7, at 7:00 pm at OHA in the Flex Room. Anyone is welcome to attend and see what the PTO does and how the PTO supports our elementary schools.
Join us for the Missoula Children’s Theatre presents “Red Riding Hood”. The cast will consist of K-8th-grade students. The performances are Saturday, January 10 at 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm. Tickets available at the door. Cash or check payable to Mahtomedi PTO. Adults - $8 | Students - $5 | Pre-K & Under - Free
Volunteers are needed for the Art Adventure After School Program at OHA. For one session per week during January and February, “Picture Person” and Assistant parent volunteers will present artworks to 3rd-5th graders paired with an art project. Background checks must be on file before the first class on Tuesday, January 6. Click here to volunteer.
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Secondary Volunteer Opportunities
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Our volunteer-run Gratitude Carts at MMS and MHS are a unique opportunity to celebrate our staff! Click the links below to learn more and make a donation or sign up to drive the cart.
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Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation (MAEF) |
Donate. Wow. Make an Impact. The MAEF Zephyr Gala online auction fuels support for Mahtomedi Public Schools, and it starts with our community. Donate an item, service, or one-of-a-kind experience and help spark exciting bidding that makes a real impact for our students.
Click here for more information about the Zephyr Gala Online Auction and how to donate an item.
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Area Events and Opportunities
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Winter Walk & Open House: Join the Lake Links Association for their annual January Winter Walk on January 9. The event starts at 5 pm at the Mahtomedi District Education Center with hot cider and cookies, and learning opportunities about the around-the-lake trail, the Mahtomedi Garden Club, and Mahtomedi Public Works. The walk will be along the lighted path from the District Center to Streetcar Park, and the covered bridge starts at 5:30 pm and will include a short “scavenger hunt” quiz along the way. Free event 5-6:30 pm.
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Softball: Registration is now open for the Mahtomedi Fastpitch Association 8U softball. This is a great opportunity for girls to learn the fundamentals of softball in a fun, fair-play environment. Girls aged kindergarten through third grade are eligible. For more information and to register, please visit: www.mahtomedifastpitch.org/reg
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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 each school year are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/enews
The next issue of the District eNews will be published on Feb. 1, 2026. Would you like to submit content for inclusion in our District eNews? Email Alice Seuffert at communications@isd832.net
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All families and staff are subscribed to the District enewsletter. Community members or extended family may also subscribe by clicking here. |
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