Past issues of the eNews are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/enews
O.H. Anderson Elementary School
Upcoming Events
March 28: 3rd Grade Music Program 3B (Nestrud, Loosbrock, Dworak, Hanson)
March 31: Dress Up Day- We “read” all month - Wear red
March 31-April 8: Pennies for Playground Coin Collection for MAEF
April 3: Free Family Bingo at WW. 6:15-8:00 PM
April 4: No School- Professional Learning
April 7-10: MTAS Assessments
April 10: 2:00- 4A Grade Music Program
This Issue's Top Highlights
KNOW
No school for students on Friday, April 4, on the day off, you can complete the optional family input form for class placement in 2025-26 is open from March 21- April 11. Our teachers will be planning for their final Wit and Wisdom Module, reflecting on progress monitor data, and planning for 2025-26.
DO
Bring coins in for the MAEF Pennies for Playgrounds Fundraiser Pennies for Playgrounds March 31- April 8, 2025.
SHARE
PTO Family Bingo Night is coming Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 6:15 at Wildwood. Pizza is available for sale and teachers will be Bingo Callers along with Ms. Prather and Mr. Briske.
Principal's Spotlight on Learning
Each month, Principal Susie Prather spotlights learning happening at our school.
This month, the Principal's spotlight focuses on Leadership.
Dear OHA Students and Families,
Our Mahtomedi Strategic Plan fosters student leadership by empowering all students to leverage their unique strengths and interests to serve others with purpose and action.
Leadership is nurtured early in elementary school. Students develop leadership by explaining their math problem-solving strategies, assisting peers, and collaborating on group projects to teach key concepts. They take on leadership roles in the daily news show, as tour guides for new students, and as student ambassadors, classroom helpers, and peer mentors. Most recently, they have demonstrated leadership through student-led conferences, where they showcase their strengths, learning examples, and goals for the remainder of the school year.
Recently, we empowered students to take the lead in envisioning new playgrounds at O.H. Anderson and Wildwood. Twenty-one students in grades 3-5 dedicated a lunch and recess to discussing what they enjoy about our outdoor spaces, what they don’t use, and how we could enhance them.
Their ideas focused on age-appropriate equipment, inclusivity, and safety. They also explored potential new equipment and provided feedback, which was shared with playground vendors. Based on their input, a challenge course prototype was designed, along with a 10-spin inclusive merry-go-round, allowing ten children to sit or stand together. A built-in pathway will ensure accessibility for all students.
This project will be the focus of the MAEF Fund-a-Need initiative in April. To support this effort, students have created a promotional video and signs for the Pennies for Playground fundraiser, running from March 31 – April 8. The class that raises the most money for the new playgrounds at Wildwood and OHA will win a pizza party!
This is a powerful real-world example of how O.H. Anderson fosters authentic student leadership. Key aspects of leadership development for this age group include:
Communication Skills:
Teach active listening and how to clearly express thoughts and ideas.
Encourage open dialogue and respectful communication.
Teamwork:
Create group activities that require collaboration and shared responsibility.
Highlight the value of working together towards a common goal.
Problem-Solving:
Present scenarios that require critical thinking and creative solutions.
Encourage brainstorming and considering different perspectives.
Decision-Making:
Give kids choices and opportunities to make small decisions within appropriate boundaries.
Explain the process of weighing options and considering consequences.
Empathy and Responsibility:
Discuss the importance of understanding others' feelings and perspectives.
Encourage taking ownership of actions and being accountable for decisions.
Positive Role Models:
Model positive behaviors and actions for their peers.
We sincerely thank MAEF for enhancing our outdoor space and enriching the OHA school day with joy and physical activity. If you’d like to contribute to the MAEF Fund-a-Need project, click here to donate.
Take care of yourself, your family, and each other.
Ms. Prather, Principal of O.H. Anderson
susan.prather@isd832.net
School News
Annual Report
The Annual Report to Our Community is a print piece mailed to all district residents, staff, and families. The 2023-24 school year issue was recently mailed to stakeholders. The report contains current district data and showcases the academic excellence at Mahtomedi Public Schools. Click here to view the 2023-24 Annual Report.
No Cash at School
Please do not send cash to school for à la carte items at lunch. Students can only purchase items if there is money in their account which has been added by families. Students can purchase juice, cookies, chips, crackers, yogurt parfaits, granola bars, and more. Please review prices on our website. If you’d like to set spending limits or opt your child out, you can update their account through SchoolCafe. We have had issues with money brought into school, buying snacks for others, food leaving the cafeteria, and more. We are trying to mitigate these problems.
Heelys not Permitted at School
Students are not allowed to wear shoes with wheels at school, such as Heelys.
Volunteers Needed at MHS
Mahtomedi High School is seeking businesses and organizations to attend its career fair on April 11. Volunteers will visit with students about careers and potential employment, internships, or volunteer opportunities. Click here to sign up. Times are flexible.
MCAs in April
Students at OH. Anderson Elementary School will take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) in April (schedule below). The MCAs are state tests in reading, math, and science that are used to meet state and federal legislative requirements. The MCAs help us to understand how well we have aligned our lessons (day-to-day) to the standards and how well-aligned the resources are that we use to help us to deliver instruction in the areas of reading, math, and science. We also use this as another part of a students’ data story to determine if students may need additional interventions or extensions to meet their needs. For more information about teaching and learning at Mahtomedi Public Schools and our annual assessment calendar, please visit our district website.
Support Tips for Students
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 during the testing period.
Please make sure your child has their Chromebook fully charged, a charger, and wired headphones (not Bluetooth) each day. If they do not have wired headphones, headphones will be provided.
Please make sure kids do not bring cell phones and SMART watches as they are not allowed in the rooms.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. McCabe pamela.mccabe@isd832.net or Ms. Prather susan.prather@isd832.net.
We are Celebrating National Reading Month in March at OHA!
Our school-wide goal is that every student is forming a reading habit and is reading, or being read to, for 20-30 minutes a night.
What school events will we have?
Dress up days
March 31- We “read” all month - Wear redBook Brackets like March Madness
Decorate school with our hot reads
Mystery staff readers on announcements
High School Guest Readers
All School Read (DEAR) will be on March 31st
#CaughtReadingatOHA- 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.
Pennies for Playgrounds
When? March 31- April 8, 2025
What? Bring in pennies and other coins to help get our playgrounds updated at WW and OHA. Families will have the opportunity to donate money through MAEF Fund a Need at the Gala on April 11. If you’d like to contribute to the MAEF Fund-a-Need project, click here to donate.
Why? Update playgrounds at WW and OHA. Make them more engaging and accessible for our students to use some of this equipment.
WW- Slide, 10 spin
OHA- Obstacle course, 10 spin
The winning class will win a pizza party at WW and OHA.
Family Input form for 2025-26
Each spring, teachers and support staff meet and confer to develop class lists for the coming year, striving to create classes where optimum learning for all students can take place. Although teacher requests are not considered, if you have specific information about your child that should be taken into consideration, please complete this 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. This is due April 11, 2025. Note: all of this information is confidential and only shared with Mr. Briske and Ms. Prather.
Not attending Mahtomedi 2025-26 school year
If you are moving or not planning on attending Mahtomedi schools, please let the office know at beth.hennen@isd832.net.
OHA Job Opening
We are hiring for a part-time lunch/ recess para at OHA. You would work M, W, F from 11:30-2. Apply here if interested.
Around the School
Zephyr Learner Showcase
Congratulations to Ms. Swarthout and fourth graders from Mr. Kerner’s class for sharing about Science Class at the Zephyr Learning Showcase on March 24th before the school board meeting. They shared about experiments with streamtables. They were articulate in describing erosion and weathering.
A shout out to:
Hadley Hackworthy
Clara Hornickle
Ivy Wieland
National Reading Month
High School Zephyrs came to read to OHA students on April 21 to show their love for reading.
World Down Syndrome Day
On World Down Syndrome Day, March 21st, people wear mismatched socks to raise awareness and celebrate the diversity of individuals with Down Syndrome, as the date symbolizes the three copies of chromosome 21.
Circuits
Fifth graders made circuits in science. They lit lightbulbs, made fans, and created music.
Socratic Seminar
Check out our fourth graders sharing their thoughts about the book Hatchet. They communicate clearly, defend their thinking with text evidence, and add on to others’ thinking.
Thank You, Volunteers!
A big THANK YOU to all the amazing volunteers who made our Card Sharks & Strategy Games event a success! Your time, energy, and enthusiasm created a fun and engaging experience for our students. We’re so grateful for your support in making our school community stronger!
Wall of Fame
Congratulations to this week’s Wall of Fame honorees! Every week, students are selected from our Ticket Bowl for being Respectful, Responsible, and giving everyone the right to learn.
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
MAEF is Hiring!
MAEF seeks a dynamic leader to step into the Executive Director role and guide the foundation's strategic, operational, and financial growth. This position requires a passion for our mission, strong leadership skills, and nonprofit fundraising experience.
Know someone who would be a great fit? Please share this opportunity!
Deadline to apply: Friday, April 18
Learn more about the position here.
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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