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O.H. Anderson Elementary School |
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The eNews is the official electronic newsletter of O.H. Anderson Elementary School. |
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This Issue's Top Highlights |
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Next week we will complete our Spring Fastbridge Testing. |
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Teacher Appreciation Week is Next week! Please complete the Zephyr Celebration Form to thank a teacher. If you would like to donate a gift card, plant, or a treat for the drawing, please sign up here. |
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We need more volunteers for OHA Passion Day on Friday, May 22, 2026 2:45-3:30
Sign up here if you are interested in sharing your passions with our students.
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Principal's Spotlight on Learning |
Each month, Principal Susie Prather spotlights learning happening at our school.
This month, the Principal's spotlight focuses on Self-Aware and Self-Directed.
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Dear OHA Families,
At O.H. Anderson, we are helping students grow into learners who understand themselves and take ownership of their learning. Our goal is to build a learner agency—the ability for students to play an active role in shaping their learning, using self-awareness, confidence, perseverance, and reflection to direct their own learning.
Being self-aware means students understand themselves as learners. They know their strengths, set goals for growth, and use strategies that help them learn best. We practice this every day at school. Students regularly self-assess their learning by giving a thumbs up, thumbs down, or using a fist-to-five to show their confidence with a new skill. Writers use checklists and rubrics to reflect on their work, and students in reading interventions track their progress by monitoring their words-per-minute growth. In February, students also shared their voices during student-involved conferences, highlighting their strengths and the next steps in their learning. Our fifth graders from Ms. Anderson’s class even shared this process at the Zephyr Showcase in March! Check it out here.
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Self-directed learners take initiative and own their own learning. They set goals, find resources, and reflect on their progress. This helps build independence, motivation, and a growth mindset. At O.H. Anderson, we support this by giving students choice and voice in their learning. Students may choose topics to explore or select different ways to show what they know. We also teach organization skills using home folders and planners so students can track assignments and celebrate when they complete them. Each day, we have WIN Time—“What I Need” Time, which is a 30-minute block when students receive extra support, enrichment, or work on skills they want to strengthen. Beginning in third grade, students use choice boards with “must do” and “may do” options. By fifth grade, students are learning to fully direct their learning. For example, they may choose to practice keyboarding, build math fact fluency, or revise a writing piece they are working to improve.
These skills of being self-aware and self-directed learners prepare students for middle school, high school, college, and future careers. Most importantly, they help students become confident, capable lifelong learners.
Thank you for your partnership in helping us grow independent, reflective, and motivated learners at O.H. Anderson!
In partnership,
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Spring Fastbridge Assessments |
Next week we will be completing Spring Fastbridge testing in reading, math, and mySAEBRS . May 5: Math; May 6: Reading; May 7: MySABERs |
We use these data points to determine growth throughout the year and to monitor if students need extra support or challenges. The MySAEBRS is a screener measure that is used to identify supports a student may need to be successful at school. The MySAEBRS asks questions about how students feel about school and connections to adults and peers while at school. A list of the questions is provided here.
The results will be available in Infinite Campus.
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Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8
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Please join me in thanking our amazing teachers at O.H. Anderson by recognizing them with Good News Phone Calls. I am hoping every teacher will receive one. Can you please spend 10 minutes with your child to recognize 1-3 teachers for their work this year by filling out the Zephyr Celebration Form.
Please fill it out by May 1st. Thank you for acknowledging our teachers at OHA. We will also have a drawing for prizes on Wed. May 6. If you would like to donate a gift card, plant, or a treat for the drawing, please sign up here.
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OHA Passion Exploration Volunteers Wanted |
We are looking for volunteers who would like to share their passions and interests with OHA students. We are looking for you to spend 45 minutes with a small group of OHA students sharing a hands-on learning experience with your group. Ideas may include: Cooking, Cake decorating, Art Project- finger painting, knitting, tie-blankets, origami, Photography, Yoga, Basketball, Fishing, Robotics, Drama, Dance, etc. |
When? Friday, May 22, 2026 2:45-3:30 pm
Why? Volunteers will share their passions and students will learn from them and explore their personal interests.
How? Sign up here if you are interested. We can reimburse you for expenses from PTO up to $20 a class. Please save receipts.
All volunteers will need to complete a background check through the district.
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Walk, Bike, and Roll Day at OHA
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We want to encourage our students to walk, bike, or roll to school on May 8, 2026. Our Safe Routes to School committee has worked to recommended Safe Routes to OHA. Check out the safe routes map linked here. These are suggested routes that are intended to encourage adults and students to consider walking and biking to school. Adults are responsible for choosing the appropriate option based on their knowledge of the route and the skill level of the student. A test run is suggested to evaluate the suitability of the student.
Join us to celebrate all students and staff that participate in this event on May 8, 2026 at 8:45 at the OHA Playground. You will get a sticker, make a tally for your class, enjoy some fruit and water, and play with friends. The class in each grade that has the most students and staff participating will win an extra recess and treat with Ms. Prather.
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You are invited to attend the upcoming 3rd Grade Welcome at OHA on May 18, 2026.
Students:
What? Student presentation and scavenger hunt with a 3rd grade buddy at O.H. Anderson
When? May 18, 2026, at 9:30 or 10:40 am
Where? O.H. Anderson
How? Wildwood students will be bussed to OHA for an in-person visit
Parents/ Caregivers Only:
What? Parent Night with tours and a presentation at O.H. Anderson
When? May 18, 2026 6-7 pm
Where? O.H. Anderson
What? You will have a presentation by Ms. Prather and two third-grade teachers and tours by OHA students. Family slideshow
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Volunteers Needed for Track and Field Day |
Let's give our Zephyrs a memorable experience during field day! We are seeking volunteers for each day of our field days on May 26th, 27th, and 28th. Please use the following link to sign up to be a volunteer. |
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3rd grade: Tue. May 26th 9:40-2:45
- 4th grade: Wed. May 27th 9:40-2:15
- 5th grade: Thurs. May 28th 9:40-2:30
- Make up date in case of bad weather: Friday May 29th
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Volunteers will be asked to manage field day stations and record performance of each class. Volunteers will check in at the front office between 8:45 and 9:15 am and meet behind the building on the playground to prepare for the day. Please wear your volunteer badge at all times.
All volunteers will need to complete a background check prior to the first day through the district. Feel free to contact Beth Hennen or Katie Malek at 651-407-2300 with any questions.
Thank you for your help!
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Not attending Mahtomedi 2026-27 school year |
If you are moving or not planning on attending Mahtomedi schools, please complete this Student Unenrollment Form for us to update our coming school year records.
Please contact Beth Hennen, beth.hennen@isd832.net if you have any questions. Thank you.
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This week’s Ticket Bucket Wall of Fame winners. |
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Bus Driver Appreciation Day was on Tuesday. We gave them all treats to thank them for getting us to school safely. |
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The Student Council did a service project with Buckthorn removal in our school forest. |
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Ms. Romero was recognized at our board meeting. Check it out here. |
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Thank you to everyone who brought in items to donate to the Woodbury Animal Humane Society to celebrate Milton’s 4th birthday. |
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April has been a month of showers- appreciation showers! The MPTO is very thankful for our paras and administrative assistants! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our students! |
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If you want to celebrate a teacher or staff member please fill out this Zephyr Celebration Form. It makes a staff member's day for going the extra mile. We will deliver the kind wishes to them and we will celebrate how they make a difference in the lives of a child. |
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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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