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Tomorrow is comfy cozy day.  Wear PJ’s, sweats, slippers, etc.  It is also our ticket bowl reward to camp out and read. Kids can bring blankets to build forts, flashlights to read with, and stuffed animals. Please do not wear costumes or send candy to school.

Send in fun run envelopes tomorrow. Thank you for supporting the PTO and our schools, as 100% of the money raised goes directly to OHA and WW.

Check out our nature trail day photos.  

Each month, Principal Susie Prather spotlights learning happening at our school. This month, the Principal's spotlight focuses on Rigorous & Meaningful Learning.

Dear OHA Students and Families,

At O.H. Anderson, we are committed to providing rigorous, meaningful learning each day with high expectations and strong support for every student.

Our MCA reading scores continue to rise, with 71% of students in grades 3–5 meeting or exceeding expectations in Spring 2025 (state average: 49.9%). Teachers have completed a two-year professional learning series on the science of reading, equipping them with research-based strategies to help students become fluent readers with strong comprehension and vocabulary. Students engage in:

Our math scores are also strong, with 76% of students meeting or exceeding expectations (state average: 45.5%). Instruction includes:

Here are some examples of what our students are currently learning that exemplify the high expectations and high levels of support we have for our students. 

Third graders are diving into their first Wit & Wisdom module, exploring the sea and examining the essential question: Why do people explore the sea? Using the Cat/Fish discussion protocol, students are engaging in thoughtful conversations about books, videos, and art, supporting their ideas with text evidence. Be sure to check out their impressive independent writing—each student crafted a paragraph explaining the central message of a poem we studied.

Fourth Graders are having a Socratic seminar, sharing what makes a great heart literally and figuratively.  They used text evidence from books read, videos, and other learning.  They spoke about how plaque can build up in arteries from eating unhealthy foods and can clog up and cause a heart attack.   They also worked as groups to make posters showing how white blood cells fighting off germs in the Circulatory System.

Fifth graders are learning about different cultures and discussing how cultural beliefs and values guide people.  They are showing their knowledge through Socratic Seminars and writing two-point paragraphs explaining how different texts convey important values of the Nez Perce tribe.  They are connecting this learning to the Ojibwe tribe as we read The Birchbark House.

We make a point to make learning relevant in all subject areas.  We just hosted Nature Trail Day last week, where we are learning in the natural environment.  Students spent time looking for camouflage animals in nature, dissecting owl pellets, learning about birds from the Raptor Center, and more fun experiential learning about nature.

As families, you may wonder how to support your children in their learning. Here are a few ideas for learning at home:

This rigorous education aligns with our district’s mission to equip every student with a world-class education and exceptional learning opportunities. Here are some dinner discussion questions you can ask each night:

Thank you for your partnership in your child’s education.  

Take care of yourself, your family, and each other.

Ms. Prather, Principal of O.H. Anderson

susan.prather@isd832.net

Mahtomedi Public Schools will hold a two-question referendum on November 4 - one for operating revenue and one for facility improvements. Together, these questions reflect a forward-thinking, innovative approach that reinforces Mahtomedi’s leadership in education and prepares students to thrive today and in the future. Learn more at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/elections

Early Voting and Absentee Voting are terms that are used interchangeably. All eligible Minnesota voters can vote early, either in person or by mail, without needing to provide a reason. Early voting is a great option for busy families!

Early Voting Locations

Washington County Gov. Center
14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, MN 55082

Central Service and License Center
1261 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125

Cottage Grove Service Center
13000 Ravine Pkwy, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Early Voting Hours

Weekly Hours: Mon - Fri. 8 am - 4:30 pm
Nov. 1: 8 am - 3 pm
Nov. 3: 8 am - 5 pm

Polling Locations
RESIDENTS OF MAHTOMEDI
City of Mahtomedi, Precinct 1 & Precinct 2 vote at St. Andrew’s Church
900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115.

RESIDENTS OF WHITE BEAR LAKE
White Bear Lake W-4 P-2 vote at Redeemer Lutheran Church
3770 Bellaire Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

All other precincts vote at the COMBINED POLLING PLACE
City of Dellwood; the City of Grant, Precinct 1 and Precinct 2; the City of Hugo, Ward 3, Precinct 6; the City of Lake Elmo, Precinct 2; the City of Oakdale, Precinct 5; the City of Pine Springs; and the City of Willernie vote at the Mahtomedi District Education Center 1520 Mahtomedi Avenue, Mahtomedi, MN 55115

To support our families impacted by the emergency food shortage, our school community will accept shelf-stable food donations and create “emergency grocery grab bags” for our families who need extra food support in November. 

To contribute, starting November 3, drop off donations in the collection bin in the front entrance of any of our school buildings or the District Education Center. District staff will assemble grocery grab-bags with the received donations and distribute them to families in need. 

Items in Need
Accepted donations should be non-perishable and shelf-stable grocery items such as pantry staples and grains (rice, pasta, oatmeal, tortillas, cereal, peanut butter, pasta sauce, jams), quick-prepare meals (mac and cheese, ramen, microwaveable meal cups, canned foods), snacks (nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, crackers, granola bars), and non-food essential items (brown paper grocery bags, toilet paper, paper towels).

Support Resources
If you need food support, please contact our district social worker, Ali Middlebrook, ali.middlebrook@isd832.net or call 651-407-2304 or your child’s school counselor. You may also check out additional community resources for food support at this link here.

Our Students reached the $20,000 benchmark for fundraising from the Fun Run! That means students earned a treat! Candy will be handed out on Friday, October 31st to celebrate. Thank you to everyone who contributed! The funds raised help support discretionary spending for teachers, specialists, and principals, teacher hospitality, assemblies and music programming, field trip subsidies, school events like Nature Day and Field Day and enrichment programs such as Art Adventure, Missoula Children’s Theatre. We also fund special requests—like the Lü System and adaptive climbing wall at Wildwood and various other items. 

When & Where:
Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the OHA Main Office

Who:
Screenings will be led by District Nurse Megan McMahon and nursing staff. We are also seeking 1–2 parent volunteers (9:30–3:30). If interested, please email Megan at megan.mcmahon@isd832.net. A district background check is required.

What to Expect:

Vision: Students will be screened using the Welch Allyn SPOT device, which detects common vision risk factors. Families will receive a referral if further evaluation is recommended.

Hearing: Screenings will be conducted using an audiometer. Students who do not pass the initial test will be rescreened. If concerns remain, families will be notified with a referral for follow-up.

Why It Matters:
Although not required in Minnesota, early screening helps identify vision and hearing concerns that can affect learning.

Opt-Out:
Parents/caregivers who do not want their child screened should contact Megan McMahon at megan.mcmahon@isd832.net

O.H. Anderson will honor Veterans during our all-school Zephyr Time on Tuesday, November 11, from 9:25–10:00 a.m.

Students may invite a family member or friend who is a Veteran to join the celebration. Families will sit with their Veteran and have the opportunity to introduce them to the school community.

If you plan to invite a Veteran, please RSVP by November 4  with this link.  If you would like to donate treats for our Veterans, sign up here.

Please read here to find out more about Milton, our new Therapy dog that will be coming to OHA on Oct. 27th. We are aware that students may have allergies, fears, or other beliefs, so we want to make sure everyone is comfortable and feeling safe around Milton, so you may opt out of interaction with Milton. If you do not wish to have your child participate with or be around the therapy dog, email Ms. McCabe at Pamela.Mccabe@isd832.net. 

Thank you for partnering with us at conferences. We want to make sure everyone is:  

It is cooling down so we want to remind you of our schoolwide expectation to bring consistency in how we dress for the weather.  If the temperature is below 50 degrees F, we ask that you wear a jacket or sweatshirt. If it is 50 or warmer, it’s your choice.  If students don’t follow the 50-degree jacket/ sweatshirt expectation. They will write in their planner a reminder to remember a jacket tomorrow and then go to recess or break.

Bus Logical Consequences for Pre-school - Grade 5 Students

First Offense- Warning to student
Second Offense- Warning to student and parent/guardian notification in addition, the student will be assigned a seat on the bus
Third Offense- Suspension of bus service for 3 days and parent/guardian contact
Fourth Offense- Suspension of bus service for 5 days and parent/guardian contact
Fifth Offense- Suspension of bus service for 10 days and parent/guardian contact

Dinner Discussions

The MPTO Family Fun chair is sponsoring a free movie night at Wildwood for the whole family!  All children with a parent/guardian are welcome. 

($5 suggested donation to help cover the cost of movie licensing)

It's time for the OHA Spelling Bee! The Scripps Spelling Bee competition is open to all fourth and fifth graders. Students will participate in a classroom Bee and the winners will move on to the Schoolwide Bee in December. If your child would like to participate, please complete THIS FORM by November 14. Contact Kathryn Marget for more information: kathryn.marget@isd832.net

This week’s Ticket Bucket Wall of Fame winners.

OHA won the state award for the most math problems completed in September on Prodigy.  Congratulations to all who have practiced their math.

At OHA, we stand up against bullying.  We wore orange on October 22, which is Unity Day.

Check out our Nature Day Photos!  Our favorite activities were:

Thank you to PTO for giving the school $750 toward this fun event of learning. 

Thank you to Mr. Pontious and MAEF for bringing an artist in  residency to OHA. Tonic Sol-fa, an a cappella group, had two members share their work with all OHA students.

Thank You for another Spooktacular Trunk or Treat!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us this year at our annual Trunk or Treat! With 23  amazing trunks and 500+ kiddos in costume, it was a fantastic time with Halloween fun. We hope everyone had a blast and can’t wait to host trunk or treat again next year! 

A special shout-out to the Custodian at Wildwood for his incredible help in making the day run smoothly—thank you!

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.

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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

All OHA families and staff are subscribed to this newsletter.

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