Owatonna Public Schools

We are so excited to welcome back all of our students this week! Watch the video as staff from Owatonna Public Schools share their "first week of school" photos.

By Jeff Elstad, Superintendent

The start of the school year means a fresh perspective on all of the planning that takes place within a school district. For Owatonna Public Schools, this includes a renewed focus on our mission: “Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner. Every Day.” along with our four strategic directions:

• 21st Century Learners

• Safe & Caring Community

• High Quality Teaching & Learning

• Equity

But what exactly does this mean for students in our classrooms?

Continue reading...

In partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools, North Branch Public Schools and Minnesota State University, Mankato, Owatonna Public Schools launched one of Minnesota’s first teacher apprenticeship programs to create pathways to special ed teaching licenses.

OPS apprentices are Jina Herron, Amy Richter, Reagan Schallau, Kari Steiskal, Scott Stevenson, and Abby Sutcliffe; and journey teachers are Wendy Camerer, Alex Seiffert, and Lauren Simon.

Thank you to Chris Picha, OPS human resources director, who led the creation of this program, along with Sarah Knudsen, Kelly Kruger, and Heather Schutte.

Owatonna Public Schools is serving as the Community Campaign Leader for this year's United Way of Steele County campaign. We are proud to support an organization that supports so many of our community partners. Come and celebrate this partnership with us with a fun tailgating event on Friday, September 6!

Students at Owatonna Public Schools benefit daily from the leadership and vision of our school board members.

As we celebrate Minnesota School Board Recognition Month in September, we thank these committed leaders for their dedication. Our school board members invest countless hours each week to guide and support our district, making a lasting impact on our students' education.

Left to right - Eric Schuster, Elizabeth Hedlund, Mark Sebring, Tim Jensen, Lori Weisenburger, Deborah Bandel, and Jolayne Mohs.

The community is invited to join Superintendent Elstad for Coffee and Conversation at the Owatonna Public Schools District Office (333 East School Street - enter through the door on Grove Avenue) on Friday, September 27, from 8:30-9:30am.

Find out what is happening in the district and bring your questions!

School board members are elected during the November General Election on even years. All board members are elected at-large.

School Board Candidate Forum: September 30

Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and Owatonna People's Press will host a Candidate Forum on Monday, September 30, from noon-1:30pm at the Owatonna Country Club. Optional lunch begins at 11:30am. Learn more and register.

Election Day: November 5
Three members will be elected to the School Board for terms of four years each.

Find the slate of candidates and other information

While breakfast and lunch meals are free again this year, families are still encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits to be considered for benefits such as reduced fees for school sports and activities. The application also helps determine state education funding for your children's schools.

Owatonna Public Schools is committed to providing a safe environment for our students. Should an emergency arise, we have emergency procedures in place to respond effectively and appropriately to such situations.

What should parents do in an emergency?

The most helpful thing is to remain calm and wait for accurate information to be sent to the number listed on your child’s contact form. At the beginning of every school year, please check the contact information in the Campus Parent Portal and update it as needed. Be sure to mark the check boxes for the types of calls, emails, or text messages you would like to receive.

For the quick resolution of a situation, it is important that we have your cooperation. In the event of an emergency:

1. Please do not call the school. It is essential to keep phone lines open so school officials can make outgoing emergency calls. If students are ill or injured, their parents will be notified first.

2. Please do not go to the school. When parents and other citizens rush to the school to “help,” they can inadvertently create traffic jams that may block emergency responders from getting to the scene.

3. If you are requested to pick up a child at a reunification site after an evacuation, bring a photo identification card. If someone else picks up your child, be sure they are listed as an emergency contact for your child and that they bring a photo ID. Children will not be released to anyone who is not authorized and who cannot provide appropriate identification.

4. Obtain current information about an incident, including weather-related incidents, from the school and district websites.

5. Monitor local radio and TV stations for updates.

We sincerely appreciate your cooperation in helping us to provide a safe and secure learning environment for your child. If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact us.

Minnesota offers several credits that ease the financial burden for families, renters, homeowners, and working individuals:

Child Tax Credit

• Families may qualify for a Child Tax Credit, even if they do not owe tax.

Visit the Child Tax Credit webpage, or watch the video on the Child Tax Credit.

Credit for Qualifying Older Children

• If the taxpayer has a qualifying child who is older than 17, they may be eligible for this credit.

Visit the Credit for Qualifying Older Children webpage.

Working Family Credit

• Provides a tax credit for working individuals and families, helping to reduce state income taxes and increase refunds.
• Is for working individuals whose income is below a certain level. They may receive a refund even if they do not owe tax.

Visit the Working Family Credit webpage.

K-12 Credit and Subtraction

• K-12 Credit: Helps reduce taxpayers’ state income tax or provides a refund for qualifying education expenses.
• K-12 Subtraction: Allows them to subtract educational expenses from income.

Visit the Qualifying Expenses for the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction webpage, or watch the video on the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction.

Property Tax Refund

Minnesota has both the Homestead Credit Refund (for homeowners) and the Renter's Property Tax Refund:

• Homeowners may be eligible for a refund if their property taxes exceed a certain percentage of their income
• Renters can receive a refund based on their income and the rent they pay

Visit the Property Tax Refund webpage.

• September 4 - Grades 6-8 First Day of School
  
• September 5 - Grades K-5 First Day of School
• September 5-6 - Preschool First Days of School
• September 9 - Adult Education First Day of Classes
• September 27, 8:30-9:30am - Coffee and Conversation, District Office - 333 East School Street
• September 30, 12-1:30pm - School Board Candidate Forum, Owatonna Country Club

• September 9, 5:30pm - School Board Work Session - Charles S Crandall Center, Chambers, 540 West Hills Circle
  
• September 23, 5:30pm - School Board Regular Meeting - Charles S Crandall Center, Chambers, 540 West Hills Circle

Our Schools

Owatonna Bus Company

Nutrition Services

Health Services

Enrollment Office

Community Education

Technology

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!

Follow us:

@Owatonna761

District Calendars

School Websites
Breakfast and Lunch Menus

District Dashboard

Parent Email Community and School Flyers (PeachJar)

School Board Meetings

Feel free to share this newsletter with others interested in the Owatonna Public Schools.

Sign up for news here.