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MPS Elementary Newsletter
February 2025
Upcoming Events
All of these dates and more future dates can be found on the school website OR this calendar link- https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=bWlubmV3YXVrYW4uazEyLm5kLnVzX2RhZHU0ZDR0dHRsNTE2dWllazRqa3FkMzA4QGdyb3VwLmNhbGVuZGFyLmdvb2dsZS5jb20
Bus Notes
From here on out bus notes will not be taken after 3:10.
On early outs they will not be taken after 12:40.
We want to make sure we ensure all students get on the right buses and this can be very difficult to do when notes are coming in while students are loading the buses. Also, if you call after this your child may not get the note of where they need to go.
Meet Mrs. Jordaan!
What I prefer students to call me: Mrs. Jordaan or Mrs. Rachel
How long I have been a Speech Language Pathologist: 11 Years
How long I have been teaching at MPS: This is my 9th Year at MPS
When/how is the best time to contact me: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays
What I want to share about my reason for working at MPS: Everyone deserves to be able to communicate and I love helping individuals to communicate better.
Fun facts about me:
I have 2 kids - so excited for my youngest to be at Minnewaukan this year!
I like crafting and taking pictures
I have a twin brother
Meet Ms. Taylor!
What I prefer students to call me: Ms. Taylor
How long I have been a teacher: 8 Years!
How long I have been teaching at MPS: This is my 8th year! All years in third grade :)
When/how is the best time to contact me:
What I want to share about my reason for working at MPS: I love watching how excited students get when they learn new concepts- it is such a rewarding feeling. I want to make every student feel like they are loved, special, and can do anything that they set their mind to!
Fun facts about me:
I have one son, Easton (7).
Our family recently got our first pet, our puppy Togi!
Math is my favorite subject
Behavior Data at MPS!
You may have received a SWIS report in the mail stating an undesired behavior your student has exhibited at school. I am outlining the purpose of us keeping track of some of these behaviors. We want to find out if behavior is repetitive over time in order to provide students with supports if they need them. Our school is an MTSS school which means multi tiered systems of support. We have academics supports and behavior supports. It isn't only our job as educators to teach students math, reading and other content area..it is also our job to teach students how to regulate their behavior and follows expectations in a system. We teach to the whole child in order to prepare them for skills they will need in adulthood. We appreciate our families as partners through this process. Below you will find some documents that may help you to understand this process better.
Elementary Buffalo Crew
Our elementary Buffalo Crew are directly alligned to behavior at MPS!
They plan and host all of our elementary assemblies in order to share expectations and teach about the 7 Grandfather Teachings while being role models in our school.
They plan a monthly fun activity for all of the elementary students to participate in too!
Cooke Decorating w/ Buffalo Crew
Cooke Decorating w/ Buffalo Crew
Cooke Decorating w/ Buffalo Crew
Student of the Month
They will be recognized on the school website and FB page as well as receive a small reward for their accomplishment.
Student engagement staff will look for when nominating a student of the month:
- Good Attendance!
- Completion of Work!
- Collaborates well with peers and staff!
- Follows school expectations!
Check out last months students of the month on our website!
Kenadie Longie- 4th Grade
Haisley Jo Matheny-Greywind- 1st Grade
Brinlee Poulsen- 2nd Grade
Wiyaka Hischase- 3rd Grade
Declan LaVallie- Prek
Mateo Camero- Kindergarten
Procedures
Modeling Kindness at Home- 7 Grandfather Teachings
At our school, kindness and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply connected to the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which guide us in nurturing strong, respectful, and successful students. These teachings—wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth—are represented by seven animals that help us remember their significance. By modeling these values at home, you not only foster kindness but also help your child succeed both academically and socially.
Here’s how you can model these important teachings at home, using the animals that represent them:
Ways to Model Kindness Using the Seven Grandfather Teachings:
Wisdom – The Beaver
- What You Can Do: Share your knowledge with your child, helping them understand the importance of making thoughtful decisions. Encourage problem-solving and learning from mistakes.
- How It Helps: Just as the beaver builds strong dams, wisdom helps children build strong foundations for their academic and life choices.
Love – The Eagle
- What You Can Do: Show unconditional love and affection to your child, encouraging them to feel confident and supported.
- How It Helps: Like the eagle’s protective wings, love gives children the strength and security they need to soar in their academic and social lives.
Respect – The Buffalo
- What You Can Do: Treat everyone with respect, listen attentively, and honor the feelings of others. Show your child the importance of respecting all living things, from family members to nature.
- How It Helps: The buffalo is a symbol of strength and abundance; teaching respect helps children build strong relationships and fosters a cooperative, respectful classroom environment.
Bravery – The Bear
- What You Can Do: Encourage your child to face challenges with courage, whether it’s trying something new or standing up for what is right.
- How It Helps: Like the bear’s bravery in the wild, teaching your child to face fears with confidence helps them tackle academic challenges and persevere through difficulties.
Honesty – The Sabe (Bigfoot)
- What You Can Do: Model truthfulness in all your interactions, teaching your child the value of being honest, even when it’s difficult.
- How It Helps: The Sabe represents honesty and integrity. When children practice honesty, they build trust, which is essential for healthy relationships and success in school.
Humility – The Wolf
- What You Can Do: Show humility by acknowledging your mistakes and learning from them. Teach your child to value the contributions of others and practice humility in their interactions.
- How It Helps: The wolf’s humility teaches the importance of working together. When children learn humility, they develop empathy and the ability to collaborate, both in school and in life.
Truth – The Turtle
- What You Can Do: Teach your child to seek the truth and stand up for what is right, no matter the circumstances.
- How It Helps: Like the turtle’s steady path, truth teaches children to live with integrity, helping them make confident and moral decisions in all areas of life.
Why It Matters:
When you model these teachings, you help your child develop the social and emotional skills that lead to success both in school and beyond. Research shows that children who practice kindness, respect, and other core values tend to perform better academically. These values help children build strong relationships, manage stress, and develop the resilience needed to face life’s challenges.
By living the Seven Grandfather Teachings, we not only nurture children who are kind and compassionate but also prepare them for success in every aspect of their lives.
Thank you for partnering with us to create a positive, respectful, and thriving school community.
Minnewaukan Public School
Email: mackenzie.moen@minnewaukan.k12.nd.us
Website: https://www.minnewaukan.k12.nd.us/
Location: Minnewaukan Public School
Phone: 701-473-5306
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinnewaukanSchool