Owatonna Public Schools

by Bob Olson, Director of Facilities & Intrastructure

Springtime brings new life to our northern climate. New grass, new flowers, new leaves, and for many of us, new attitudes! And this year, a new high school is emerging out of the ground here in Owatonna. Contrary to popular belief, the long winter did not halt construction. Our contractors put in many long hours during the past few months to keep our project on time.

If you have not driven by the site on 18th Street SE lately, you may be surprised to see the progress that has taken place. For those unable to see it in person, we update our construction website monthly with photos and drone video footage at www.isd761.org. Click on “New High School” at the top, then click on “Construction Updates.”

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School social workers support students and families, starting with our youngest learners in early childhood special education and continuing through high school and the ALC. They are the link between school, home, and community, in an effort to support students and parents through issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, parenting struggles, grief, chemical issues, medical and dental assistance, and much more. On top of this, the pandemic has skyrocketed the mental health needs among our students and families.

School counselors help students become College and Career Ready; provide social/emotional support to students through individual and group counseling, referrals, and crisis management; and assist students with academic planning. The role of counselors has shifted greatly in the past two years to focus more support on the mental health needs of our students. They work hard to develop creative, individualized, systemic supports for students and staff.

Nutrition Services is excited to announce our Summer Meal Program will run from June 6 through August 4.

All kids ages 1-18 can eat FREE!

Please check out our Nutrition Services webpage on ISD761.org for the latest information on the summer program as it becomes available.

Kyle DeKam was a long-time community member and public school employee. His last tenure was as principal of the then Owatonna Junior High School. Kyle lost his battle with cancer in 2012, but his legacy lives on. Our students and staff nominated these individuals to move forward as nominees for this prestigious award. This is the highest honor given to the seventh and eighth grade Owatonna Middle School students.

Watch your mailbox for the Community Ed summer brochure, which includes fun opportunities for youth like Tonna Trailblazers, Spanish for kids, art classes, and camps for ages 3-7!

Registration begins Thursday, May 5, at 6 am online or visit the Community Ed office, Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm.

Visit owatonnacommunityed.org to learn more.

Congratulations to our eight Speech State Tournament qualifiers!

Front row left to right: Hailey Kjersten in Original Oratory, Lileigh Nguyen in Storytelling,
Makenna Hovey in Creative Expression, Fardouza Farah in Discussion
Back row left to right: Jackson Hemann in Dramatic Duo, Dakota Kath in Original Oratory, Julia Christenson in Dramatic Duo, Coda Richardson in Extemporaneous Speaking

And congrats to the four finalists: Fardouza placing fourth, Jackson & Julia placing seventh, and Makenna placing eighth. Thanks to head coach Marcia Anderson and assistant coaches Mark Anderson and Halley Ritscher.

Congratulations to the Owatonna Knowledge Bowl team, who earned second place at the state tournament. From left to right: David Smith, Lileigh Nguyen, Henry Bon, Aiden Engel, Gavin Caron, Dan Saehler (Coach/Advisor).

Four OHS FFA members received their State FFA Degrees, the highest honor to earn at the state level for their Supervised Agriculture Experience project. Left to right - Jace Katzung, Anna Fox, Evan Melby, and Natalie Matejcek.

The School Board approved the recommendation for the existing high school from the OHS Citizens' Task Force on Monday, April 25. Learn more...

Does your student thrive in an online learning environment? Would a more flexible school schedule benefit your family?

Owatonna Online is a K-12 online public school open to all Minnesota students free of charge. Some of the benefits:

• A computer/device provided to all students

• Combination of live and independent learning opportunities (Grades K-6)

• Online courses that meet all Minnesota educational and high school graduation requirements

• Support from licensed Owatonna Public Schools staff

• Whole class and small group live sessions

• Regular one-on-one check-ins with the classroom teacher

• Self-paced and flexible scheduling - progressive independence as your child goes through the secondary grades

Visit our website for more information. Questions? Contact Michelle Krell, Director Teaching and Learning, at mkrell@isd761.org or (507) 444-8613.

Congratulations to OHS Senior Dylan Meiners on his appointment to the United States Air Force Academy! This prestigious appointment requires a congressional nomination. Dylan plans to major in astronautical engineering.

• May 3 - Washington Elementary Track Meet
  
• May 4 - McKinley Elementary Track Meet
• May 5 - Wilson Elementary Concert
• May 9 - Owatonna Middle School Choir Concert
• May 10 - Wilson Elementary Track Meet
• May 10 - Owatonna Middle School Band Concert
• May 11 - Lincoln Elementary Track Meet
• May 15 - Owatonna High School Jazz Band Concert
• May 16 - Owatonna Middle School Orchestra Concert
• May 17 - Owatonna High School All Ensembles Concert
• May 18 - All-City Track Meet
• May 25 - Owatonna High School Academic, Scholarship & Athletic Awards Night
• May 27 - Owatonna High School Graduation Concert
• May 30 - No school, district closed
• June 1 - Area Learning Center Commencement
• June 2 - Kyle DeKam Leadership Ceremony
• June 2 - Last day of school
• June 3 - Owatonna High School Commencement
• View sports schedules

Work Session: Monday, May 9 at 5:30 pm

Regular Meeting: Monday, May 23 at 5:30 pm

Location: Owatonna High School, Small Group Forum, 333 East School Street (Door #16)

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Celebrate our students, our staff and our schools by following us on social media. If you like what you see, be sure to share it with others. Together, we are #OwatonnaProud!

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