Past issues of the eNews are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/enews
O.H. Anderson Elementary School
Upcoming Events
January 31: 4th Grade Choir 8:25 AM, MPTO Movie Night: Monsters University - Doors open 5:45 PM
February 3: 5th Grade Parent’s Night at Middle School 5-6:30, Students will meet with MMS staff during school that day.
February 3-13: Access Testing for EL
February 5-7: Ice Fishing Field Trip
February 10-21: Student Council Food Drive
February 13: OHA Kindness Day, Evening Conferences 4-8
February 14: 8-11:45 Conferences. 12:15-4 Staff Development Day
February 17: No School Presidents Day
February 20: Evening Conferences 4-8
February 21: Student Council Dress Up Day- Dress up as your favorite food
This Issue's Top Highlights
KNOW
The Kindness Challenge started this week and will continue for the month of February. Please ask your child to do at least 1 kind act each day from the kindness chart that they brought home.
SHARE
Check out volunteer opportunities at OHA this month including ice fishing, kindness stations, and cross country skiing.
Principal's Spotlight on Learning
Each month, Principal Susie Prather spotlights learning happening at our school. This month, the Principal's spotlight focuses on Passions.
Dear OHA Students and Families,
Our OHA strategic plan emphasizes helping students discover their authentic selves, celebrate their passions, and embrace self-discovery. We want our students to know themselves as learners and make decisions to grow as a person.
At the elementary level, we provide pathways for students to explore and develop their interests, laying a foundation that continues to evolve through middle and high school. Pathways for Developing Passions at OHA. Exploring passions is essential for kids because it helps them discover who they are, builds confidence, and fosters a love of learning. Here's why it's important:
Self-Discovery and Identity: Exploring passions helps children understand what excites and motivates them. This sense of self-awareness is crucial for building their identity and developing a sense of purpose.
Increased Motivation and Engagement: When kids are encouraged to explore activities they love, they are more likely to engage deeply and stay motivated, which can spill over into other areas of their life, including academics.
Building Confidence: Pursuing interests allows children to develop skills in areas they excel at or enjoy, boosting their self-esteem and reinforcing a growth mindset.
Stress Reduction: Passionate activities often serve as a healthy outlet for stress and provide joy, which supports their emotional well-being.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Exploring hobbies or interests often involves overcoming challenges, fostering creativity, and developing critical thinking skills.
Foundation for Future Opportunities: By discovering their passions early, kids can make more informed decisions about future educational and career paths. Passion-driven exploration may also help them uncover hidden talents.
Empowerment and Voice: Encouraging kids to pursue what they care about teaches them that their interests and choices matter. This sense of agency fosters independence and resilience.
For example, students interested in helping others and engaging in service learning might join the Positive Peers. When asked what they enjoy about Positive Peers, Julia and Mabel said, “ We get to do fun activities to help others like the breakfast bags and welcoming new students at a breakfast.”
Students passionate about leadership and creating change in the world may choose to run for the OHA Student Council. When asked what they enjoy about Student Council, Quincy said, “I like coming up with spirit days.” Calista said, “It is fun to help others with projects like our food drive.”
For those with a love of music, joining the Choirs or music ensembles led by Mr. Pontious can be a great fit. When asked what they enjoy about these opportunities, Cora said, “It’s fun because you get to sing extra songs in the program like Green Eggs and Ham, Grand Old Flag, This is Me. You also get to sing the Star Spangle Banner at the Twins game.” Fiona added, “Mr. Pontious is awesome!” Brynn added, “It’s fun because we get to sing fun songs and solos too.”
Students who enjoy public speaking might become tour guides or serve as news anchors on our daily news show. When asked what they enjoy about these roles, Evie shared, “I like to tell others what I like about our school when I am a tour guide.” Beau said, “I like making the news slides because I felt like I was a part of the class working together to create the slides for the news.”
Each year, we host a Passion Day in May, tentatively scheduled for May 23 this year. This event is a celebration of learning and exploration, where both adults and students share their passions, creating opportunities for students to learn from one another. We invite volunteers to showcase their interests, and last year’s offerings included classes in blanket making, basketball, dance, digital animation, finger knitting, frisbee golf, fishing, origami, singing, soccer, and more. Look for more information on volunteering this Spring.
Take care of yourself, your family, and each other.
Ms. Prather, Principal
susan.prather@isd832.net
School News
Conferences are coming soon!
Click here for the family message that was shared on January 23, 2025. To schedule an appointment please use the following link: PTC Fast-OHA
During these winter conferences, we want all students to attend the conferences so they can share their perspectives about school.
Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025- (4-8 PM)
Friday, Feb. 14, 2025- (8 AM-12 PM)
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025- (4-8 PM)
This is an opportunity for you to sign up with all the teachers your child works with. This may include Homeroom Teacher, Partner Teacher (if applicable), Specialist Teachers (Phy Ed, Music, Art, Media, Science), Special Educators, Interventionists, and Counselors, and SEL Specialists.
Contact Beth Hennen beth.hennen@isd832.net if you have any questions or need assistance with conference scheduling.
Volunteers Needed for Cross Country Skiing
Mr. Wanner is excited to give our Zephyrs a memorable experience during his cross-country ski unit, but he needs your help. He is looking for 20-24 volunteers for each day. The cross-country skiing unit begins on February 12th and continues through February 20th.
Sign up here if you are interested in volunteering!
3rd-grade students will be participating from 1:55-2:45 or 2:45-3:10
4th-grade students will be participating from 9:45-10:35 or 10:35-11:25
5th-grade students will be participating from 11:30-12:20 or 12:20-1:10
If you are wanting to volunteer, please note that if you have not completed your volunteer background check, this will be needed to volunteer. You can access the background check through the district website or use the following link to complete VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECK. If you are unsure if you've had one, please contact Beth Hennen or Tonya Voight at 651-407-2300.
OHA Kindness Day Feb. 13
We are in need of volunteers for our Kindness Service Stations during recess Click here to sign up to Volunteer!
Fun activities we have planned for Feb. 13:
Dress Up: Wear clothes that have kindness messages on them.
Notes: Students may bring in friendship notes, valentines, or small packaged treats to share with their class family and to model kindness.
Decorating Bags: 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)
Kindness Conversations at lunch
Kindness Stations with activities
OHA Ice Fishing Permission Slip Reminder
We have an exciting school-wide opportunity for OHA students to go ice fishing on White Bear Lake from February 5th to 7th. Students need to wear their Winter 5 so they are dressed appropriately for the weather. Permission forms were sent home last week and must be returned to the classroom teacher by Friday, January 31. If you would like to chaperone, please complete a background check. If you are unsure whether you already have one on file, you can check with the front office staff. Click here to volunteer for the OHA ice fishing event.
Student Art Show Open House
Stop by Wildwood Library for an open house celebrating art created by Wildwood and O.H. Anderson Elementary School students on Tuesday, February 4th, from 4-6:00 PM.
Admire the artwork hung throughout the building, participate in a scavenger hunt featuring the art pieces, and create some drawings to hang up in the library! Light refreshments will be provided, as will photo-op props. Art will be on display through the month of February.
Show Your Appreciation with Hearts of Gratitude!
Make a $12 donation to MAEF between January 23 - February 4, and we’ll send a Hearts of Gratitude card and a heart-shaped cookie to your teacher or special staff member. Hearts of Gratitude will be delivered on February 13.
Click here to send Hearts of Gratitude!
Around the School
Wall of Fame
Congratulations to this week’s Wall of Fame honorees! Every week, students are selected from our Ticket Bowl for being positive community members.
Fun Photos This Week
Follow OHA on Instagram to see more photos of what we've been doing this week!
Celebrate Our Staff
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.
Get Involved
Don’t miss these OHA Community Education Classes starting soon! Join us for the Before School Let’s Go with the Animals Spanish class, After School Jewelry Basics, or After School Lacrosse.
Card Sharks
Does your student love games and friendly competition? Sign them up for Card Sharks (WW) or Strategy Games (OHA) - an enrichment activity designed to challenge minds and build strategy skills while having FUN!
Spots fill quickly, so don’t wait to register!
Bonus: If you volunteer, your child is guaranteed a spot!
Learn more about both and sign up here: mahtomedipto.com/enrichment. We’re looking for students to join the fun and volunteers to help make it happen. Let’s make this program a win for everyone!
MAEF Carole Fargo Summer Enrichment Scholarship
The application window for the MAEF Carole Fargo Summer Enrichment Scholarship is now open!
This scholarship is available to students in grades K–11 from Mahtomedi Public Schools who demonstrate an interest and passion for the visual arts. This includes areas such as drawing, design, painting, print media, film/video, website design, sculpture, decorative arts, applied arts, and literature. The scholarship supports students in pursuing summer camps, workshops, or enrichment programs that foster creativity and artistic expression. Scholarships are up to $500 per student. For more information and to apply for the Carole Fargo Summer Enrichment Scholarship, visit: maefgives.org/scholarshipscf or click on the graphic below. The deadline to apply is February 28.
About eNews
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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