OHA eNews September 25, 2025

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

important dates mahtomedi public schools

Upcoming Events

September 26: Fun Run at OHA 9am-2pm
October 2: Zephyr Get Together (4:30-7 pm) at Pine Tree Apple Orchard
October 3: Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus
October 8: PTO Meeting @ OHA 7pm
October 9: Picture Retake Day
October 14-24: OHA Bookfair
October 16-17: Fall Break
October 20: No school for students-Professional Learning & Evening Conferences 4-8
October 21: No School for Students Conference Day 8-4
October 22: Unity Day- Wear Orange
October 23: Evening Conferences 4-8. Spirit Wear @ WW and OHA Volunteer Sign Up Click Here. Hospitality Teacher Buffet Volunteer Sign Up Click Here
October 24: Nature Trail Day

This Issue's Top Highlights

KNOW

Tomorrow is our fun run. Wear tennis shoes, Zephyr Clothes, dress for the weather, and bring a water bottle. We still need volunteers. Please sign up here.

DO

all conferences.

Early Voting is now available. Free childcare is available on October 3. Click here to Learn More.

Principal's Spotlight on Learning

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

Dear OHA Students and Families,

We are deeply grateful to MAEF and the Mahtomedi Area Community for their generous support in making the new and updated playground at O.H. Anderson a reality. This project is a true example of what can happen when schools and the community come together to create meaningful opportunities for students. The partnership with MAEF continues to be essential in supporting our schools and strengthening the experiences we can offer our children.

The vision for this playground began with our students. Last year, twenty students spent multiple lunch periods sharing their hopes and dreams for the space. They carefully examined different equipment options, discussed accessibility, and provided thoughtful recommendations. Their top choices included an obstacle course/Ninja course and the 10-Spin—a feature that is ADA accessible so that all children, regardless of ability, can enjoy it. These students also helped spread the word by appearing in the MAEF fund-a-need video, highlighting just how much this project meant to them and to our school.

Today, their ideas and voices have come to life. The playground is now a space where students can challenge themselves, stay active, and build connections with each other. Check out this video of our updates.

We invite you to take a look at our new playground and hear directly from O.H. Anderson students about what it means to them. Here is what our students and staff are saying:

“I like the wall you run up because it gives you strength and energy.” Owen 3- Nestrud

“I like the obstacle course because you can run around and have fun.” Easton 4- Samson

“It is fun and productive and keeps us busy during recess.” Emmy 5- Dibos

“It’s like the Ninja Warrior Course. It gives us energy when we climb things and pumped up to meet new challenges with our friends." Hattie 5- Morreim

“I love the 10 spin because it is accessible to all students, promotes teamwork, and is like a safer merry-go-round from my day.” Ms. Prather, Principal

Their excitement and appreciation are a testament to the lasting impact this community partnership has made. Together, we have created something special that will serve our students for years to come.

School News

Fun Run

The Fun Run is tomorrow. The Fun Run is our biggest fundraiser of the year! 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. The Fun Run is an opportunity for every class to get outside, get active together, and help raise money for their schools.

How to Donate:
Zeffy: Donate and share with family and friends. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/2025-fun-run-sponsor

Cash/Check: Send in your donation in the envelope provided, made payable to Mahtomedi PTO.

Venmo: Find us at @MahtomediPTO.
https://www.venmo.com/u/MahtomediPTO

MPTO Website: Donate directly on our website (note: a 5% fee is deducted).

Envelopes are due Oct. 15.

The only way to attend the Fun Run is as an approved volunteer! Thank you to all of the volunteers. There are a few spots available. Volunteers MUST have the required background check completed and on file with the district prior to the event.

Click here to volunteer for the OHA Fun Run.

Conferences

Welcome to O.H. Anderson Fall Conferences!

Conference time for O.H. Anderson Elementary is fast approaching, and we wanted to share with you our plans.

Our goals at conferences are to:

Share the strengths of the child, both academically and social emotionally
Share goals or areas for growth, both academically and social emotionally
Share your student's work with you
Discuss plans to support your child both at school and home
Answer any other questions you may have

We will be holding conferences on the following dates:

Monday, October 20, 2025 from 4-8pm
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 8-4pm
Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 4-8pm

This is an opportunity for you to sign up with all 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
Counselors and SEL Specialists

I am available to attend any conferences as well. Just let the teacher know you would like for me to join you and I will be there.

All conferences need to be scheduled as it is difficult to accommodate drop-ins. We will be using our conference scheduling system PTCFast to facilitate appointments.

To schedule an appointment please use the following link: PTC Fast-OHA

Please contact Carey Otto at carey.otto@isd832.net if you have any questions or need assistance with conference scheduling.

Our staff looks forward to connecting with you.

Safe Routes to School

On October 3, 2025, we are having our OHA Walking School Bus to celebrate Walk, Bike and Roll Day which is a part of the Safe Routes to School.
What is it?
A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. We follow a planned route and pick up kids on the route and our walking school bus grows.
Why would you want to participate?

Have fun.
Learn pedestrian safety with adult guidance and supervision.
Participate in physical activity as part of their day.
Socialize with friends and get to know children of other ages.
Arrive at school alert and ready to learn.

When is it?
Oct. 3 2025 8:10am.

What is the route?
You can join us at any spot. Please come 5 minutes early to join us. Families can drop students off at the Lincoln Place Apartments or along the way. Please click here for the route.

How can you help?
Click here to volunteer. You must have completed a background check. To begin the process, please visit our volunteer application and background check system.

Thank you to the PTO for supporting this with water and fruit for all participants!

OHA Walking Bus Information

What is on the Referendum Ballot for Mahtomedi Public Schools?

Mahtomedi Public Schools will hold a two-question referendum on November 4 - one for operating revenue and one for facility improvements. Voters will consider two ballot questions:

Question 1 is an operating levy that would provide $575 per student to maintain class sizes, preserve academic programs, and support long-term financial stability.
Question 2 is a $28 million bond for district-wide safety, security, and infrastructure improvements, modern learning spaces, ADA-compliant fine arts updates, and athletic upgrades. The passage of Question 2 is dependent on the approval of Question 1.

To learn more about the referendum, visit our referendum web page at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/elections

Around the School

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

Calling All Card Sharks and Strategy Game Enthusiasts!

Sign-ups are officially OPEN for Card Sharks/Strategy Games, and we can’t wait to see kids dive into the fun! This is a great opportunity for students to learn new games, build problem-solving skills, and bond with friends.

Here’s what you need to know:
Spots fill up quickly, so don’t wait!
Volunteers needed! As a bonus, if you volunteer, your child automatically gets a spot.

Find all the details and sign-up information here: https://mahtomedipto.com/enrichment

Let’s make this an unforgettable experience for everyone involved! Who’s ready to shuffle the deck and strategize?