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The District eNews is the official electronic newsletter of Mahtomedi Public Schools. |
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Now-December 5: Zephyr Service Project Gift Assistance Application Period Open
November: District-Wide Emergency Food Drive
Nov. 3: Early Voting available 8 am-5 pm
Nov. 4: Election
Nov. 5: End of First Quarter
Nov. 7: Teacher Professional Day (No School)
Nov. 10: Zephyr Learning Showcase 6:15 pm at District Education Center
November 18: MahtoREADi 6:30-8:30 pm at Mahtomedi High School Chautauqua Fine Arts Center
Nov. 27 & 28: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
Dec. 1: Teacher Professional Day (No School) |
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This Issue's Top Highlights
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Early voting continues on Monday, Nov. 3 from 8 am - 5 pm. Polling locations for Nov. 4 are noted below. |
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The Zephyr Service Project is our annual district-wide gift program for families in need and is open now until Dec. 5. See details below. |
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On October 27, 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 Referendum: Vote Early or on Nov. 4 |
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
Early voting continues on Monday, Nov. 3 from 8 am - 5 pm.
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This overview video explains the upcoming Mahtomedi Public Schools referendum on November 4, 2025. It outlines the two questions, an operating levy and a facilities bond, and provides background on why they are on the ballot. Watch to learn more, see how the proposals connect to district priorities, and hear from district leaders, together with a teacher’s perspective.
The Referendum Guide gives an overview of our budget environment, descriptions of the ballot questions, details on the projects, and an overview of our recent district initiatives.
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Open 7 am - 8 pm
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.
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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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 start on Wednesday, November 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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Thank you, Mahtomedi Principals! |
October is National School Principal Recognition Month, and we want to thank our principals for their leadership in our district! We see their work in action in so many ways, supporting students, serving as instructional leaders, and managing our schools every day. We are grateful for their dedication to our students, staff, and families, and the important role they play in the success of our school community. Click here to see the message shared on Facebook. |
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Open Positions at Mahtomedi Public Schools |
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MMS Youth Night Volunteers Needed
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The Mahtomedi Middle School (MMS) Youth Night is approaching on Friday, November 14, and Mahtomedi Community Education could use your volunteer help! 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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Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Meetings are held at the Mahtomedi District Education Center
November 10: 6:15 pm Zephyr Learning Session, 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 rigorous and meaningful learning in our schools.
Wildwood Elementary School: Read the Wildwood Spotlight to learn how Wit & Wisdom curriculum is designed to promote deep comprehension by requiring students to engage in strategic questioning, Socratic seminars, and collaborative discussions.
O.H. Anderson (OHA) Elementary School: Read the OHA Spotlight to learn more about the high expectations and high levels of support we have for our students, including Wit & Wisdom modules, and their recent Nature Trail Day.
Mahtomedi Middle School (MMS): Read the MMS Spotlight to learn about the meaningful skills MMS students have been learning, like organization, time management, advocacy, and perseverance, in addition to the school's focus this year in engaging students in writing as a way to express their thinking and learning.
Mahtomedi High School (MHS): Read the MHS Spotlight to learn about concurrent enrollment and AVID, which are programs that challenge students today while building the skills and confidence they’ll use in college, career, and life.
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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 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. Photos from the event are available here. The recognition includes a celebratory electronic program. Click the class links to see the award winners: Class of 2026, Class of 2027, and Class of 2028.
⭐️ Congratulations to our 12x State Champions, MHS Girls Soccer! Congratulations to our Girls Tennis team on their third-place finish at State! This week, our Girls Volleyball team is also headed to State! The team will compete in their quarterfinals at State on Nov. 5 at 7pm at the Grand Casino Arena, tickets here.
⭐️ Congratulations to MMS theatre cast on a wonderful production of The Con by Tracy Wells!
⭐️ Where can elementary students plant seeds, paint watercolors, and explore a 10-acre forest, all in one day? OHA Nature Trail Day! Click here to see a behind-the-scenes look at the special event.
⭐️ Congratulations to Passages graduate, Caroline Smith! Caroline was joined in celebration by her family, friends, and former teachers, including Ms. Sue Cordek, Ms. Suzanne Ericson, and Ms. Shelley Mitchell, who taught her during her time at Mahtomedi. Click here to see photos from the event.
⭐️Congratulations to Mahtomedi High School Class of 2026 students, Landon Hogan and Blake Loida on winning the 2025 High School State Junior Bass Fishing Championship Tournament! Click here to read more.
⭐️ Our groundsperson for Mahtomedi Public Schools, Michael Messingham, is known for his can-do attitude, reliability, and care for every detail. Click here to learn about how his behind-the-scenes work promotes excellence across our schools.
⭐️ Did you know our annual MahtoREADi event, hosted by Mahtomedi Community Education and Wildwood Library, allows you to meet a national bestselling author? This event is one of the longest-standing community reads in the country. Learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here.
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Get Involved with Our Partners
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Save these important dates:
November 3: Card Shark Begins
November 5: MPTO Meeting at DEC 9:30 Rm 121
November 21: Family Fun Movie Night at WW 6 PM
The next MPTO meeting is on Wednesday, November 5th, at 9:30 am at the District Education Center in Room 121. Anyone is welcome to attend and see what the PTO does and how the PTO supports our elementary schools.
Volunteers are needed for Art Adventure at Wildwood. For one session per week during a three-week period in January, “Picture Person” and Classroom Assistant parent volunteers will present artworks in First and Second grade classrooms paired with a small art project. First graders also attend a field trip at MIA to see the artwork in person later in the year. Click here for more information https://mahtomedipto.com/enrichment
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Secondary Volunteer Opportunities
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Volunteers needed in 2025-26 for MMS and MHS! Click the links below to get involved.
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Area Events and Opportunities
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Mahtomedi Area Volleyball Association (MAVA): Registration is closing soon for the winter volleyball season. Evaluations are Thursday, Nov. 13th (10s-12s) and Sunday, Nov. 16th (13s-17s). Visit https://mahtomedivolleyball.sportngin.com/mavaregister to learn more and register. Registration closes on Nov. 6th.
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
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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 November 23, 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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