Mankato
Mankato Area Public Schools District News
November 8th, 2024
Winter Weather Information
Winter weather will be here soon, so it’s a good idea to have a plan for your family in case of school closings, early dismissals, or late starts.
Notices for school closings and early dismissals will be posted on the following websites, radio, and television stations. You can also hear a recorded message on the District Notification Line at 507-387-6046.
Other ways to track school closing delays/dismissals/closures:
● www.isd77.org ● katoinfo.com ● mankatofreepress.com ● southernminnesotanews.com ● keyc.com ● KEYC 12 - TV AND MANY MORE.
Click HERE for a copy of the Winter Weather Information.
New Check Deposit Process for Mankato Area Public Schools
Mankato Area Public Schools is transitioning to Frandsen Bank. This change will allow our business office to directly scan checks for deposits, making our financial processes more efficient.To help make this transition successful, we ask that checks written to the district follow this new format.
Effective immediately, please make checks payable to one of the following:
- Mankato Area School District
- ISD 77
- Mankato Area Public School District
Please note that checks can no longer be made out to individual schools, student activity accounts, MAPS, Nutrition Services, Community Education, CER, or other variations. This will help ensure your payments are processed smoothly and accurately.
If you have questions please reach our to our Business Services office at 507-387-3167.
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Focus Schools Update
We’re excited to share updates on our focus school decisions following the recent school board meeting. During the meeting, we presented our progress, and the school board approved the changes to move forward with focus areas at Bridges Community School (Global Studies), Jefferson Elementary (Outdoor/Nature-Based), and Rosa Parks (STEAM).
In MAPS, we’re proud to offer an innovative learning environment tailored to meet the diverse needs and interests of our students. Our district will now offer multiple elementary school models, each with a unique approach to education:
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.
We know you may have questions, and we’re eager to share more details about this exciting direction. Click on THIS LINK to learn more about information sessions for families.
The next district newsletter will talk more about the admission process and transportation options for our focus schools.
Access Your Student's Assessment Data
MAPS students in grades K-8 now have their Fall DIBELS assessment results available for viewing under the Student Test Detail tab in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
To access your child's reported data in Infinite Campus, simply log in to your parent portal account. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions about accessing or interpreting the data, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's school. Click here for a complete set of directions to help walk you through the process.
Want to learn more about assessment in MAPS? Go to the MAPS Assessment webpage.
Elementary Progress Report Change
MAPS elementary schools will be changing the timing of Progress Reports to increase the frequency of scheduled communication with families about student achievement. Parent teacher conference and progress report will now be at different times
2024-2025 Dates for Conferences and Progress Reports
November 2024 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
January 29, 2025 - Progress Reports -Infinite Campus Parent Portal
March 2025 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
June 10, 2025 - Progress Reports
- A new addition to conferences this year is that you can sign up for conference time with a specials (Art, Music, PE, and STEM). It is not required but is an option if you would like to meet specifically with one of them.
Special Education teachers will report progress toward IEP goals and objectives in January and June, following the same timeline and frequency as general education reporting.
MAPS Highlights
MAPS School Board Student Spotlight
Mik Hanson has gone above and beyond to make positive choices at school.
Mik is a classroom leader! He demonstrates and encourages others to make positive behavior choices with a positive mindset. He is compassionate to the younger students and offers to help others multiple times a day. He is kind and respectful to those around him.
MAPS School Board Staff Spotlight
Ms. Battern is a science teacher at Mankato East High School. In her time within MAPS, she has taught mostly Biology and Wildlife Ecology classes. She is known for taking the time to get to know students and families and as a result, students enjoy their school experience. We feel inspired by her passion for education and commitment to the success of students and her colleagues.
State Bound Athletes
Soccer
We are proud of our Cougar Girls Soccer Team ending their 2024 season with a 1-0 win against Orono and taking 3rd place at the state tournament. Congratulations for Taylor Schilling and Laina Peterson for being named to named to the Class AA All Tournament Team.
Congratulations to Cougar Boys Soccer Jhoel Dillon named to the Class AA All Tournament Team. Also, we congratulate Class AA Section 2 Coaches of the Year - Head Coach Jerrad Aspelund and Assistant Coach Tom Yess.
Cross Country
Cougar Lauren Henkels finished her country season strong with a time of 19:46 and a 43rd-place finish at the state meet.
Scarlets Ephraim Staley finished 38th with a time of 12:32.4 and 93rd Tyler Kirchoff finished with a time of 17:12.0 at the state meet.
Scarlets Lila Adams finished 35th with a time of 19:37.0 and Landree Quint finished 37th with a time of 19:39.2 at the state meet.
9th Graders Dive Into Real-World Science on the Minnesota River
Enriched Earth Science 9th-grade students are back on the Minnesota River for their second trip of the season. Partnering with Patti Braulik from Friends of the Minnesota Valley's River Watch program, they’re hands-on, collecting river water samples and submitting vital data to the MPCA’s tracking system. Using a VSI Digital Water Analyzer, students tested the physical and chemical properties of water drawn directly from the river.
Shaping Futures: Hands-On Skills in Welding and Metal Fabrication
In our Welding and Metal Fabrication course, students gain hands-on experience with essential tools and techniques used in the industry. They will learn various processes, including Arc welding, MIG welding, TIG welding, and oxy-acetylene welding. Additionally, they'll work with equipment like milling machines, lathes, forges, plasma cutters, and CNC mills. Check out these photos of our students in action, honing their skills and trying out what a career in metalwork could look like.
School Board Candidates Results
Voters have selected Christopher Kind, Liz Ratcliff, Erin Roberts and Elizabeth Hanke to serve on the MAPS School Board, with terms beginning on January 6th, 2025.
All results are unofficial until canvassed by the current school board on November 13, 2024 in a special meeting at 5 pm.
For additional information on school board activities, meeting schedules, and district initiatives, please visit the Mankato Area Public Schools website at https://www.isd77.org/experience/school-board or contact (507) 387-1868.
Community Education
Registration OPEN for ECFE Classes
- Great Start Infant (0-9months)
- Busy Bodies (10-18 months)
- Little Wigglers (13-24 months)
- 2’s & 3’s
- Fantastic 3’s
- Multi-age fun including Messy Art, STEM, Books & Beyond, and Cooking with Kids!
📍 **Location:** Center for Learning, 15 Map Drive, Mankato, MN 56001
📧 Contact us: earlylearning@isd77.org
📞 Call: 507-625-4620 📲 **REGISTER HERE** https://mankato.ce.eleyo.com/
Early Learning Family Open Gym and Playtime
Parents and their children (birth to age 5) are WELCOME to join us for Family Open Gym & Playtime! It's a fantastic opportunity for large muscle development with riding toys, balls, and more available.
- Thursday Evenings: 5:30-7:00 pm and Friday Mornings: 9:30-11:30 am
- Location: Center for Learning, 15 Map Dr., Mankato
- FREE admission! Come join the fun!
Calendar Reminders
Monday, November 11, 2024
No School K-12 - Teacher Workshop
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Early Release
Monday, November 18, 2024
School Board Meeting/Work Session
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
MAPS No School K-5
Wednesday - Friday, November 27-29, 2024
MAPS No School K-12
MAPS in the Media
- Golden Apple: Dakota Meadow's Troy Schoeneberger - KEYC 10/23/24
- Mankato district talks future of Hoover roof on tour of “big ticket” maintenance projects - Free Press 10/28/24
Mankato East girls will lean on scoring depth in state semifinals - Free Press 10/29/24
Updated: Mankato East girls fall to Mahtomedi in state semifinals - Free Press 10/29/24
Mankato East girls soccer team takes third in Class AA - Free Press 10/30/24
Mankato East girls soccer program has become a force- Free Press 10/31/24
The gift of life: community rallies around seventh grader who got heart transplant - Free Press 11/3/24
Updated: Mankato East boys finish third at state cross country meet - Free Press 11/2/24
Chanhassen scores late TD to defeat Mankato East - Free Press 11/1/24
East's victory over West shows anything's possible this season Free Press - 11/1/24
East football prepares for `challenging' rematch with Chanhassen - Free Press 11/1/24
Cross Country state championship recap - KEYC 11/2/24
East falls to Mahtomedi in Class AA State Semifinals - KEYC 10/29/24
Girls hockey: Local teams looking to take next steps - Free Press 11/7/24
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