Past issues of the eNews are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/enews

Click Here for the OHA Calendar

Check out events for our Kindness Challenge and Kindness Month.

Sign up for conferences on Feb. 12, 13, and 19.  PTC Fast-OHA.

Come and view Screenagers during conferences.

Each month, Principal Susie Prather spotlights learning happening at our school.

This month, the Principal's spotlight focuses on Passions and Interests.

Dear OHA Students and Families,

At O.H. Anderson, we believe that discovering passions is an essential part of learning.  Guided by our strategic plan and our commitment to helping students discover their authentic selves, we intentionally create opportunities for children to explore interests, build confidence, and better understand who they are as learners and people.  Elementary school is a joyful starting point for this journey—one that continues to grow and deepen through middle and high school.

Students at OHA can explore a wide range of pathways that nurture curiosity, leadership, creativity, and service.  From Student Council, Positive Peers, and school tour guides to choir, theater, writing, coding, gardening, strategy games, and broadcasting our daily news, students have meaningful ways to try new experiences and develop skills.  Together, these pathways celebrate student voice, choice, and joy—helping every child begin to see, say, and believe in themselves as important and special individuals.

On May 21, 2026,  O.H. Anderson Elementary students will once again celebrate curiosity and joy at our annual Passion Day.  This special event invites students to discover and explore their interests by choosing from engaging sessions led by OHA teachers and staff, along with generous community volunteers.  Passion Day reflects our strategic plan’s focus on helping students discover their passions and better understand themselves as learners.  From art, music, and movement to science, games, nature, mindfulness, and real-world careers, the wide variety of sessions ensures every student can find something that sparks excitement.  Passion Day is a favorite at OHA—students and staff alike look forward to it each year.  We are proud to continue this tradition annually and welcome community members who would like to share their passions with our students in the future.  Look for volunteer sign-ups coming this Spring.

Thank you for supporting your child’s passions at home and in the community. 

susan.prather@isd832.net

We will be holding conferences on the following dates:

Please review the link below for directions to register.  PTC Fast-OHA

Here is a link to the OHA communication that was sent to families.

You must first eat a lunch from school or home before you can purchase a snack.  If your child is bringing a home lunch, they can bring that up to the register when buying a snack.  We have found that a lot of kids are trying to only buy and eat snacks.  Students need money in their accounts to purchase snacks. 

Please have a conversation with your child about your family’s expectations for lunch and snacks at school.

We are joining over 10 million students in over 15 thousand schools, from over 90 countries, creating over 500 million acts of kindness.  We will be celebrating the entire month of February at OHA!   Your child will bring home a Kindness Challenge Chart to track their kind acts.   Please reflect on that each night.  When they are finished, they will get a prize in the office.

We are continuing our OHA tradition to celebrate Kindness Day on Feb. 12th.    Students may bring in friendship notes, valentines, or small packaged treats to share with their class family and to model kindness. We have notes available for students to complete at home or during WIN time at school.

Each student will decorate bags in school to hold the notes and cards.  We are asking families NOT to send in Valentine's boxes with their student(s).  We are also asking students and staff to wear clothes on Feb. 12 that have kindness messages on them as well.

We will have fun ways to show and celebrate our friendship with everyone in the OHA family and to spread kindness! Some activities planned include:

We are excited to launch the OHA Book Challenge! From January to the end of the school year.

Click here to learn more about the OHA 20 Book Challenge.

There are two current volunteer needs in our school!

The K-5 book fair needs volunteers from February 10 to 20.  The Fair is open to Wildwood and OHA families and will take place at Wildwood Elementary School.  The Book Fair benefits our schools by building classroom libraries and adding new texts to the Media Centers.  No experience necessary, but volunteers must have completed the district volunteer background check. Shifts range 1-3 hours. Click here to sign up.

Candy donations needed!  Did you know the PTO stocks candy drawers for our staff at Wildwood and OHA?  We are looking for donations of bags of bulk candy to treat our hardworking staff. Candy can be delivered to the office. Click here to sign up.

Thank the teachers and staff who make our schools so special!

How It Works:
Donate $12 to MAEF (Now –Feb 3), and we’ll deliver a Hearts of Gratitude card and heart-shaped cookie to a teacher or special staff member on February 12.

A sweet way to say thank you to those who make our schools so special! 

Click here to send Hearts of Gratitude.

Celebrating Wildwood and O.H. Anderson young Artists!  Stop by the Washington County Wildwood Library for an open house celebrating art created by Wildwood and O.H. Anderson Elementary School students.

Open House: February 3 from 4-6 pm
Location: Washington County Wildwood Library at 763 Stillwater Rd. Mahtomedi, MN 55115

If you miss the Open House, you can view the showcased art during business hours in February.

This week’s Ticket Bucket Wall of Fame winners.

Screenagers was a success.   We had over 150 students and families. Thank you MAEF and PTO for sponsoring this event.

Congratulations on the OHA Spelling Bee Winners!  

First Place- David Parr

Second Place- Denis Lukiyanov

Third Place-  Julia Holm

Ms. McCabe is reading to all classes at OHA and talking about how to be an upstander and speak up if people are using unkind words.

Follow OHA on Instagram to see more photos of what we've been doing this week!

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.

We are going to show A Minecraft Movie (PG, 98 minutes) at OHA on Feb. 27 at 6:00pm.  Doors open at 5:45pm. 

Free popcorn donated by Woodbury 10 Theatre-bring your own water, and blankets/pillows to be comfy!  Chairs will be set up around the perimeter of the gym for use as well. 

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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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651-407-2300
www.ohanderson.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/
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