Monroe students will receive a special treat from our PTO at lunch today for meeting our first goal of $5,000.

Students are prohibited from using cell phones and other electronic communication devices (earbuds, smartwatches, etc.) during the instructional day. Students also are prohibited from using a cell phone or other electronic communication device to engage in conduct prohibited by school district policies including, but not limited to, cheating, bullying, harassment, and malicious and sadistic conduct. If the school district has a reasonable suspicion that a student has violated a school rule or law by use of a cell phone or other electronic communication device, the school district may search the device. The search of the device will be reasonably related in scope to the circumstances justifying the search. Students who use an electronic communication device during the school day and/or in violation of school district policies may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the school district’s discipline policy. In addition, a student’s cell phone or electronic communication device may be confiscated by the school district and, if applicable, provided to law enforcement. Cell phones or other electronic communication devices that are confiscated and retained by the school district will be returned in accordance with school building procedures.

We’re thrilled to share the next steps in our district’s Focus School initiative, following approval at the November school board meeting. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, our district will expand its elementary school offerings to include:

• Bridges Community School (Global Studies)

• Jefferson Elementary (Outdoor/Nature-Based)

• Rosa Parks Elementary (STEAM- Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math)

At MAPS, we are committed to offering innovative educational opportunities that meet the diverse needs of our students. With these updates, families can now choose from three unique elementary school models:

• Neighborhood Schools foster a strong sense of community, helping students feel connected to the people and places around them. These schools include Eagle Lake, Franklin, Hoover, Kennedy, Monroe, Roosevelt, and Washington.

• Neighborhood+ Schools blend the neighborhood school experience with additional enrollment options centered on specific themes, enhancing learning and engagement. These schools include Jefferson and Rosa Parks.

• Community School brings together students from across the district through an application process, offering a specialized, nontraditional public school experience. This includes Bridges Community School.

Focus School Enrollment Timeline
Selecting the right school for your child is an important decision! Here’s what you need to know about the application process:

• Application Window: November 25, 2024 - January 24, 2025

• Notification of Enrollment: February 14, 2025

• Deadline to Accept/Decline: March 1, 2025

If applications are submitted after the window closes, they will automatically be added to a waitlist. Students may be admitted from the waitlist until July 15, 2025.

How to Apply
Applications can be submitted through the Infinite Campus Online Parent Portal now through January 24th, 2025. We encourage families to explore their options by scheduling a tour at the focus schools that interest them most.

To learn more about our focus schools and the application process, visit our Focus School webpage.

We’re excited about this new chapter in our district’s commitment to future focus education.

Blue Earth Area Schools is a smaller school district south of us. When you hear or see this, IT IS NOT Mankato Area Public Schools. This is something that often confuses parents because of the county in which we live

https://www.facebook.com/MonroeElementaryPto

Outdoor Recess

1. All students will go outside daily for recess unless it is raining or the "feels like" temperature is -5 °F or colder.

2. In cold weather, students should wear stocking caps, mittens/gloves, snow pants and a warm coat.

3. Children without boots/snow pants are not allowed off the blacktop at recess during snowy seasons. During the mud seasons, children may need to wear boots to leave the blacktop areas.

4. In the fall and spring, children may still need to wear warm coats in the morning and, as the day warms; they may wish to have a “lightweight” coat to wear at noon.

5. Coats/Jackets are required when the "feels like" temperature is 32 °F or lower. Students should be prepared by choosing the coat/jacket for the weather and activities they do outside.

**Nearest weather station link: Click HERE

The Phy-Ed. Dept. is in need of some children's gym shoes, especially smaller sizes. If you have any gently used gym shoes lying around that you no longer need please consider donating them to our gym closet. Thanks for considering.

We could use some gently used snow pants. If you have any that you would like donate please bring them to the office. Thank you.

For security purposes all visitors are to remain outside.

Your student can check in at the office to get a pass.

Please make sure to call in for each day that your student is absent. Please do not email just the student's teacher for an absence. If the teacher is out that day, we do not always get the message and want to make sure that we are as accurate as possible when marking attendance. Also, please let us know ahead of time if your student will be late due to an appointment or if you need to pick up your student early from school. This helps us to be able to avoid unnecessary attendance issues as well as get your student from their classroom in a reasonable amount of time.

When calling to change after school plans please email the teacher before 10:00 am with your change or call the office before 2:15. The end of the day is very busy and we need that extra time to get the message to the teachers before school lets out.

JANUARY

7 - Club Monroe Resumes

8 - PLC/2 HR Early Release

14 - PTO Meeting - Media Center

20 - NO SCHOOL - MLK Day

27 - NO SCHOOL - Prep Day

29 - Parents can view Mid-Year Progress Reports on IC

FEBRUARY

3 - 7 School Counselor Week

12 - PLC/2 HR Early Release

14 - 1st Grade - Children's Museum

17 - NO SCHOOL - President's Day

19 - Science Fair

22 - Bus Driver Day

Website:

www.me.isd77.org

Location:

441 Monroe Ave, North Mankato, MN, USA

Phone:

507-387-7889

Facebook:

Monroe Elementary PTO - North Mankato

https://www.facebook.com/MonroeElementaryPto