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The District eNews is the official electronic newsletter of Mahtomedi Public Schools. |
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This Issue's Top Highlights
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The Zephyr Service Project is our annual district-wide gift program for families in need and is open until Dec. 5. See collection details below. |
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On November 10, 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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Mahtomedi Voters Approve Both Referendum Questions |
On November 4, the Mahtomedi Public Schools ISD 832 community voted on a referendum that included two questions: one for operating revenue and one for facility improvements. Question one passed: 63.97% to 36.03%, and Question two passed: 59.16% to 40.84%. |
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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. |
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2026-27 Academic Calendar |
Click here for the 2026-27 Academic Calendar for Mahtomedi Public Schools
The Minnesota State Legislature has authorized school districts to start earlier in the fall of 2026, because Labor Day falls so late in the calendar. The Mahtomedi 2026–27 academic calendar includes an earlier start: Grades 6–12 will begin on August 31, and Grades K–5 will begin on September 2. The last day of school for the 2026-27 school year will be June 4. This adjusted 2026-27 academic calendar was drafted by the Mahtomedi Calendar Committee and approved by the Mahtomedi School Board to maximize student learning and engagement. Click here to read the email shared with our school community.
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Thank you! Our Emergency Food Drive goal has been met thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community! We have received more than enough donations to meet the immediate needs of our Zephyr families, and we have concluded the food drive and distributed the food to families in need in our community.
For ongoing food support, sign up for the Backpack Program to receive weekend food bags throughout the school year. Families can also review additional community resources here.
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Zephyr Service Project: Gift Assistance |
Our district-wide service project runs from November 5-December 5 and provides gift assistance for students in need at Mahtomedi Public Schools. In 2024-25, we supported over 100 students in need with gift assistance thanks to the collaborative efforts across our schools to help others.
Families can apply for gift assistance via this Google Form until December 5. Gifts will be distributed to families on December 18 and 19.
During the month of November, all of our schools will be collecting donations. See the list below. Collections will conclude on December 5.
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- Early Childhood, Preschool, and Wildwood Elementary School Students and Staff: New Children's and Young Adult Books
- O.H. Anderson Elementary School Students and Staff: New Toys and Puzzles
- Mahtomedi Middle School Students and Staff: Financial Donations/Ka$h 4 Kidz (students can bring cash or checks to their Middle School Success class; checks should be made out to Mahtomedi Middle School) MMS students will be shopping for clothes, pajamas, blankets, and non-toy needs. Please note MMS collections will run from Nov.5-Dec. 5.
- Mahtomedi High School and Passages Students and Staff: Gift Cards for Young Adults
- District-Wide Staff: Gift Wrap and Gift Bags (Drop off at DEC)
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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 soon 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!
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Substitute Teachers Needed |
Mahtomedi Public Schools partners with Kelly Education to provide substitute teachers throughout our district. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting our students and classrooms as a substitute teacher or paraprofessional, Kelly Education would love to connect with you.
To learn more or start the application process, call 800-713-4439 or visit the Kelly Education website
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Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Meetings are held at the Mahtomedi District Education Center
December 15: 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 staff expertise in our schools.
Wildwood Elementary School: Read the Wildwood Spotlight to learn more about the Responsive Classroom and LETRS training and how it impacts the student success.
O.H. Anderson (OHA) Elementary School: Read the OHA Spotlight to learn more about LETRS professional learning and it focuses on the "how, what, and why" of effective literacy instruction, including phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.
Mahtomedi Middle School (MMS): Read the MMS Spotlight to learn about how the staff strive to offer relevant and meaningful learning opportunities and use professional learning to get better at their craft.
Mahtomedi High School (MHS): Read the MHS Spotlight to learn how MHS staff are recognized as experienced and innovative leaders in our classrooms and across a wide range of extracurricular activities.
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The Zephyr Learning Showcase offers the community a window into the inspiring work happening in our schools. Students and staff showcase projects that reflect the goals in our District and Building-Level Strategic Plans. These events happen three times a year and allow students to showcase their leadership and presentation skills while building connections with our community.
Below are the projects from the November 10 showcase and the student presenters:
Advanced Placement Art Projects: Connor Barry (Class of 2026), June Duclos-Beecher (Class of 2026), Noah Kamrath (Class of 2026), Evan Miller (Class of 2026), Moseh Mouacheupao (Class of 2026), and Greta Plugge (Class of 2026)
Community Theatre: Irina Hill (Class of 2028)
Math Masters: Evie McKee (Class of 2032), Monte Peterson (Class of 2032), Arlo Norton (Class of 2032), Mauricio Samarani (Class of 2032), Quinlan Griffith (Class of 2032), Liv Siegle (Class of 2032), Sean Unger (Class of 2032), and Carl Zervas (Class of 2032)
Zephyr Service Project: Lucy Otto (Class of 2026) and Sylvie Lavigne (Class of 2026)
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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 December 19th. 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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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. |
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Get Involved with Our Partners
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The 2026 Missoula Children’s Theatre production will be “Red Riding Hood”. This is the 28th year that MPTO has hosted the Missoula Children’s Theatre residency for Mahtomedi students to help foster and develop an interest in the theater. Return a separate, completed Registration Form for each student registering to audition. Registrations accepted until December 15. Click here to learn more |
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Secondary Volunteer Opportunities
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Our Gratitude Carts will be starting in December! 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) |
MAEF Fall Fund Drive: Empowering Student Experiences
Today is the final day to support MAEF’s Fall Fund Drive and help spark innovative learning and celebrate student success in our schools. Thanks to generous supporters like you, Zephyr students are exploring new opportunities, fueling curiosity, and building bright futures. Click here to make your gift today! Together, we can make a difference for Mahtomedi students! |
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Area Events and Opportunities
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High School Rec Basketball League registration is open until Nov. 30, 2025. This league is for students wanting to play with their friends in a fun, competitive atmosphere while the January & February snow is blowing. 9-12th-grade students living in the Mahtomedi School District are encouraged to sign up. Single players are welcome and will be placed with a team of similar gender, age, and ability. There will be one practice available per week, with games played on Sundays in White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi. Click here to learn more about the Mahtomedi HS Rec Basketball League Questions? Contact Jerad Nestrud jnestrud@yahoo.com
- The Good Neighbor Club is hosting a Cookie Exchange for a Cause on Monday, December 15, 6:30 PM. It is a great opportunity for community members to learn about the Good Neighbor Club and share home-baked goods with each other and low-income seniors. Click here to learn more and register.
- Please join the Boy Scouts of Troop 433 at the Annual Community Breakfast at St. Jude of the Lake Church, Sunday, December 7, 2025, 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Click here to learn more.
- Sharkey's Cuts for Kids will be hosting a grand opening and holiday celebration for families on Friday, December 12. Click here to learn more.
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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 December 21, 2025. 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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