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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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March 1-31: National Reading Month
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March 26: 3rd Grade Music Program- Dworak, Feustel, Hanson, Loosbrock, Nestrud
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March 27: 3rd Grade Music Program- Ostrowski, Rustin, Voit, Zemke; Dress Up Day: Dress up like a favorite book / Team up for reading- sports clothes day.
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March 31: Dress Up Day: We “read” all month - Wear red day! All School Read.
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April 2: Family Fun Free Bingo @ WW 6:15pm-8pm
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April 2-10: MAEF Zephyr Gala Online Auction
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April 3- NO SCHOOL for students- It is a Professional Development Day
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April 9: 4th Grade Music Program- Hoffman, Mattson, Samson, Schaal
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April 10: 4th Grade Music Program- Bacon, Baker, Kerner, Lewis, Merges
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April 10: MAEF Zephyr Gala
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April 15 and 16: Reading MCA’s grades 3-5
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April 19: Yearbook Orders Due Order Here
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April 21 and 22: Math MCA’s grades 3-5
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April 23 and 24: Science MCA’s grade 5
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This Issue's Top Highlights |
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Just a reminder that there is no school on Friday, April 3rd as it is a professional learning day for teachers. We will be working on our LERS Science of Reading learning and begin planning for next year. |
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Tomorrow, March 27th, is another dress up for National Reading Month. Kids can dress up like a favorite book or team up for reading by wearing sports clothes. |
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MCA’s are coming in April! |
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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 Innovative and Creative Thinking.
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Dear OHA Families,
At O.H. Anderson, learning is full of curiosity, creativity, and joyful discovery. Our Wit & Wisdom program encourages students in grades 3–5 to think deeply about what they read, share ideas with others, and express their learning in creative ways. Instead of simply remembering facts, students analyze texts, explore big questions, and apply their knowledge in new and meaningful ways.
Each Wit & Wisdom unit is built around big questions that spark curiosity and inquiry. In fifth grade, students explore questions such as:
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- How do cultural beliefs and values guide people?
- How and why do writers play with words?
- How did the Civil War impact people?
- How can sports influence individuals and societies?
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These units are cross-disciplinary, meaning students connect reading and writing with social studies, science, and the arts.
Across all grades, students participate in thoughtful discussions called Socratic seminars. During these conversations, students share ideas, ask questions, and support their thinking with evidence from texts. These discussions help students learn to listen carefully, think critically, and build understanding together.
In third grade, students dive into exciting topics like the sea and space exploration. They bring their learning to life through creative writing and hands-on projects. For example, students might write a journal entry from the perspective of a sailor crossing the ocean or a story from the point of view of a sea creature, blending imagination with facts from the texts they read. When studying space exploration, students deepen their understanding by designing model spacecraft, building timelines of space travel, and creating infographics that explain how astronauts live and work in space. Check out the timelines of space travel!
In fourth grade, students explore important questions about the world around them, including how humans impact the environment. They analyze texts, discuss different perspectives, and support their ideas with evidence. Fourth graders also discover the power of poetry while reading Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. Inspired by the poems in the story, students write their own original poems while experimenting with literary techniques and developing their voices as writers.
In fifth grade, students investigate big historical and cultural questions through reading, writing, and discussion. Their units connect literacy with social studies, science, and the arts. For example, while learning about the Civil Rights Movement, students read speeches and historical texts, write letters advocating for social change, and create presentations about individuals who helped shape history. These experiences help students understand how ideas from the past continue to shape the world today.
We are proud of the thoughtful conversations, creative work, and strong effort our students show every day. In classrooms across O.H. Anderson, students are asking questions, supporting their ideas with evidence, and learning how to express their thinking clearly. These are skills that will serve them far beyond elementary school, and it is exciting to watch them grow as readers, writers, and thinkers.
In partnership,
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Minnesota is bound by federal and state law to administer the following Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs): |
- Reading: grades 3-5
- Math: grades 3-5
- Science: grade 5
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They will be administered from April 15 to April 24, 2026. |
- April 15-16: 3rd-5th Reading 9:30-11:30
- April 21-22: 3rd-5th Math 9:30-11:30
- April 23-24: 5th Science 9:30-11:30
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Here are some tips to support your students with the MCA testing: |
- Encourage students to do their best work and show what they know.
- Eliminate wrong answers and check your work.
- Don’t rush. It is not a timed test.
- Get a good night's sleep.
- Eat a good breakfast.
- Avoid absences.
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Do not bring Phones or SMART watches as they will be collected.
- Bring wired headphones. No Bluetooth or wireless.
- Please ensure your child has a fully charged Chromebook, charger, and headphones daily.
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March is National Reading Month |
Keep reading for the 20-book challenge.
Reading Milestone Rewards (Purchased by the PTO):
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- 5 Books: OHA Reads Water Bottle Sticker
- 10 Books: OHA Zephyr Reader Rubber Bracelet
- 15 Books: Snacks (Takis, candy, etc.)
- 20 Books: OHA T-shirt
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- March 27: Dress up like a favorite book / Team up for reading- sports clothes day
- March 31: We “read” all month - Wear red day!
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Email fun photos of kids reading at home to Ms. Prather at susan.prather@isd832.net. They will be displayed in the display case by the office #CaughtReadingatOHA |
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The fifth grade party committee is busy planning. We have students having a t-shirt design contest. We need to know your child’s size for their t-shirt. Please complete this order form by April 3rd so we can order correct sizes.
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K-5 Family Input Form for 2026-27 School Year
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Although teacher requests are not considered, if you have specific information about your child that should be taken into consideration, please complete the Family Input Form. This form is optional. Previous family input forms do not carry over from year to year.
Additionally, information that comes in after the deadline will be more difficult to consider since the placement process will have already started. Please consider sharing academic interests and abilities, emotional and behavioral development, e.g., social awareness or interpersonal skills, and any additional information you think would help us plan for your child.
This is due March 31, 2026. Note that all of this information is confidential and only shared with Mr. Briske and Ms. Prather.
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Not attending Mahtomedi 2026-27 school year
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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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Mahtomedi Summer Reading Programs
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Keep students reading and writing this summer through these two new exclusive Mahtomedi programs.
Forge Your Legend: The Master World-Builder’s Workshop
Mini-Camp for Fantasy Lovers! For more information and registration, please use this link.
The Page Turners Challenge
Summer reading challenge with fun incentives! For more information and registration, please use this link.
If you have questions about these two programs, please contact Kathryn Marget, Advanced Academics Coordinator; kathryn.marget@isd832.net
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Young Authors Conference is coming up in May
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The Young Authors Conference (YAC) is a fabulous one-day field trip for grades 4-8 that takes place at Bethel University. Hundreds of students spend the day learning from and writing with professional Minnesota authors. They leave with new strategies, ideas, and skills to become stronger writers. To learn more and to register, please use this link.
***When registering, please note the date difference for grades 4-5 (OHA) and grades 6-8 (MMS)***
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Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Learn more about Girls on the Run here!
We are excited to have two OH Anderson teams this spring, and there are spots available. Teams will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45 to 5:15 PM starting April 6 through May 30. The Twin Cities 5K to end the season will take place on May 30. If registration becomes full, please make sure to register for the Girls on the Run Twin Cities communication, and you will be be informed of upcoming sessions (Fall 2026). You can find registration here.
Become a Coach!
Interested caregivers or community members are encouraged to register as a coach for future sessions to maintain teams at OH Anderson. More information is available here.
Please contact program@gotrmn.org or (612) 217-4472 with any questions. Email is preferred.
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Lunch/Recess Para
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30-2pm.
Click here to apply.
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Save the Date: PTO Bingo Night is April 2! |
Join us Thursday, April 2nd from 6:15pm - 8:00pm at Wildwood for a fun, free evening with your family! Enjoy Bingo games, win prize baskets, and connect with our community! Pizza will be available for purchase. All community members are welcome to attend! (Please note: There is no school on Friday, April 3) |
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This week’s Ticket Bucket Wall of Fame winners. |
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Congratulations to all OHA Students and Staff at the Zephyr Learning Showcase on March 23, 2026. |
- Ms. Anderson, Ben, and Kinsley shared student led conferences from OHA.
- Dr. H, Ms. McCabe, and Ms. Anderson shared Screenagers parent night.
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Ms. Marget, Ellie Marek, Etta Van De Velde, Emerson McNamara, Ivy Smith, Julia Horn shared their Zoo Zooms STEM Project. The fifth-grade students took second place in the statewide competition which challenged teams to create enrichments for zoo animals.
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Thankful Thursday is all about showing a little extra appreciation for our amazing teachers and staff, and last week’s goodies did just that. A huge thank you to Erica and Meghan for generously providing treats and helping make the day feel a bit more special.
Your kindness and support go a long way in reminding our staff how valued they are. We’re so grateful for volunteers like you who help bring Thankful Thursday to life.
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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 MPTO is already getting ready for the Spring Fling! It takes a village to make the event a success. This is where you come in! We need over 100 volunteer slots filled. Please consider donating an hour (or more) of your time to this fan favorite event! Click here to volunteer. |
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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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