Irondale News

For seven years, a certain boy wizard battled evil—but this isn't his story. Puffs follows Wayne Hopkins, an ordinary boy sorted into the most overlooked house at a magical school in England. With his friends Oliver and Megan, he navigates a world where the brave, smart, and cunning take the spotlight. Through seven chaotic years, the Puffs strive to find their place and prove they’re more than just background characters. Filled with humor, heart, and plenty of wizarding references, Puffs is a fast-paced, hilarious reimagining of a familiar tale—from the perspective of those always in the background.

Performances:

Thursday, April 24 at 7 PM

Friday, April 25 at 7 PM
Saturday, April 26 at 7 PM

Sunday, April 27 at 1 PM

Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Students and Seniors. Tickets can be purchased online.

Lulu Semakula has been selected as the 2025 Triple A Award winner for Region 5AA.

The award, popularly known as the Triple ‘A’ Award, recognizes high school seniors from across Minnesota for their achievements in academics, the arts/activities and athletics. To qualify, students must have a 3.0 grade-point average or better and participate in League-sponsored athletic and arts/activities programs. Award recipients are selected through a multi-level process involving the League’s administrative regions and a committee of educational, athletic, and arts/activities leaders.

The Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards (MnAiC) program is excited to announce the honorees for the 2025 awards. National and state review teams selected students from multiple high schools across Minnesota. They are proud to recognize and celebrate 48 top-tier honorees and 44 rising star recipients this year. Since 2012 the program has impacted thousands of Minnesota students with over 1,021 being selected as award honorees. Now in it’s 13th year, MnAiC offers year-round programs and activities to inspire and empower girls in grades 9-12 to realize their computing-related education and career aspirations.

Selected from Irondale: Afomia Mesfin – Junior, Irondale Senior High School

Afomia is a National Honorable Mention recipient and State Winner. A junior at Irondale High School, State Speech Champion, and lead of Autonomous Programming on KnightKrawler Robotics, her interdisciplinary interests in personal relations have inspired her to take university-level courses in politics, business and computer systems like Harvard CS50. Her commitment to expanding access to STEM opportunities has led to her spearheading training development on her Robotics team and expanding her impact in programs like Technovation as well as personal projects across various programming languages.

See here for all the honorees.

The Irondale High School Home Run Club is hosting its annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 12, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Cowboy Jack's in New Brighton. In years past, we have been able to raise money to improve the experience for the high school boys in our baseball program thanks to the generosity of people and businesses within our community!

We hope you can join us for this social event for parents/adults! Tickets will be available at the door if you do not have a baseball player to buy from.

Students & Parents: Interested in learning more about MN Trades Academy summer construction internship?

Join the virtual information meeting on Monday, April 8, at 6pm.

Apply for this PAID 8-week summer construction internship and learn valuable knowledge to help you with your post-secondary career. Deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 16. For more information, see the flyer. Any questions, please stop by the Career & College Center.

Just a reminder that you have until Sunday, April 6, to register for the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation’s Partnering For Education Breakfast slated for Thursday, April 10. The breakfast is free to attend. Late arrivals are welcome! Are you new to this event? We've got you covered! Just select the ticket for your school's community table and be seated with fellow parents and familiar school administrators. Reserve your seat at www.mvsef.org/pfe.

During the week of May 5-9, Mounds View Public Schools will recognize all staff during Staff Appreciation Week. Each day during that week, you'll see an employee group spotlighted on our social media pages. Help us send notes of appreciation to our Mounds View Public Schools staff. Last year, more than 3,200 cards were sent to our hardworking staff members! Visit mvpschools.org/thankyou for more information and to create your custom e-card.

In the latest issue of School Talk, read about the District's cybersecurity efforts and how we are working to prevent cyberattacks and protect student and staff data.

ACT scores are going up, while state and national scores are going down

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Senior All Knight Party fundraising opportunities. Dine-in or grab some take out for the family and support the seniors.

Noodles & Company
Tuesday, April 8 | 4 to 8 pm

• 3833 Lexington Ave N., Arden Hills, MN 55126
  
• Irondale All Knight Party will receive 25% of sales

Chipotle Mexican Grill
Saturday, April 26 | 4 to 8 pm

• 2701 39th Ave NE Ste E128, St. Anthony, MN 55421
• Order online for pick up using code ZFPHXCP, or show flyer
• Irondale All Knight Party will receive 20% of sales

To all those who love a Senior in the Class of 2025 - We are selling yard signs for your front lawn (double sided, comes with a stake to place in the ground).

What: The All Knight Party Committee is selling Irondale Knights Congrats Class of 2025 Yard signs. Everyone that loves a Senior is invited to pre-order a sign!

Why: Display Knight pride, honor your Senior, convey congrats & show your love for the Seniors AND a Fundraiser, the proceeds will benefit the Class of 2025 All Knight Party.

How: Cost is $25/sign

*Pre-order by paying $25 per sign via Venmo (see QR code). Limited quantities available.

Venmo is an easy and free app that you can download on your phone.

Link to Venmo: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3242468455743488575

Venmo address: @IrondaleSeniorParty

When you search for this account you must select Business. There will be an option to select People or Business after you enter the Venmo address. Select Business. If you do not get an option for Business, you may need to update your Venmo App. You can do this on the App Store.

Important: Pay for the number of yard signs that you want. Optional - enter a name in the comments section of the Venmo transaction. The Venmo payor list will be used for sign pickup, so consider adding a name if your Senior or anyone else may pick up your sign.

**If you miss the pre-order, there MAY be a few extra signs available on pick-up days, $25 each cash or check only (first come, first serve).

When: Signs are available for pre-order NOW through Monday, April 21.

Signs will be available for pick-up at Irondale in the horseshoe lot beginning in April.

Distribution dates, 5-7PM: Tuesday, April 22, Tuesday April 29, Wednesday May 7.

Please contact nathaliepeffer@gmail.com or 651-295-7031 with any questions.

The Irondale Baccalaureate is scheduled for Sunday, June 1, at 2:00 PM at St. John the Baptist Church (835 2nd Ave NW, New Brighton, MN 55112) and ALL Irondale students, families, staff, and surrounding community are cordially invited! The Baccalaureate is a worship service of celebration that honors and blesses the Senior class before they go off to their next step in life. It is a multi-faith, non-denominational, student led service featuring student musicians, vocalists, readers, and selected guest speakers. Please note, while it has been a tradition for it to be graciously hosted at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, there is no need to be Catholic to attend, every faith and everyone is welcome!

We are still looking for students (especially Seniors!) to help plan and participate in the ceremony.

If you are interested in singing special music, leading a hymn, playing any musical instrument, reading a verse or blessing, please contact Melanie Dowell mjdowell05@gmail.com with your interest and any questions. THANK YOU!

Congresswoman Betty McCollum is very pleased to announce the 2025 Congressional Art Competition, "An Artistic Discovery." The Competition is open to all high school students either attending school or residing in the Fourth Congressional District (Ramsey County and central Washington County). The winning entry from the Fourth District will be displayed as part of a national exhibit in the U.S. Capitol. Entries by the second and third place runners-up will be displayed in her congressional offices in Saint Paul and Washington, D.C. All entries received will be digitally posted to her website.

Artwork may be mailed to or dropped off at 661 LaSalle Street, Suite 110, Saint Paul, MN 55114. Entries must be received no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Only one submission per student is allowed (complete guidelines and entry form). Students are encouraged to include a written paragraph discussing their work.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum is hosting a Service Academy Information Night, Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30 PM to learn about the application and nomination process. Representatives from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the other federal service academies will be there to answer questions.

High school and middle school students interested in attending a service academy are encouraged to attend. Congressional staff will be present to explain the nomination process. Family members, counselors, and educators are welcome. The details are as follows. See the flyer for more details.

April 15, 2025 - 6:30 PM

Mounds View High School - Auditorium

1900 Lake Valentine Road

Arden Hills, MN 55112

All students at these institutions of higher education receive full tuition, room and board, and books at no cost.

All Seniors are invited to attend the Irondale Senior All Knight Party 2025, scheduled to be at Bowlero right after graduation on Monday, June 2. Celebrate your accomplishments! Sign up for an amazing once in-a-lifetime opportunity to be with friends, have some fun, and make lifelong memories. There will be games including casino, bingo, laser tag, arcade games, bowling, etc., as well as raffles for awesome prizes. EARLY BIRD PRICING NOW!

Check out the website for more details and use this registration form to register. Forms can be returned to the front office. Questions? IDHSAKP2025@gmail.com

Orders for the 2024-25 Irondale yearbook are now OPEN! Use the online store here to place your order. Remember, the earlier you purchase your yearbook, the less expensive they are. Yearbook prices have increased to $75 until April 1. They will increase to $80 after that, with the store closing on May 3. Order yours today!

College Admissions Representative visits have begun. These visits will take place in-person in the Career and College Center. Check Naviance to sign-up. If you have any questions, see Mr Rock (fritz.rock@mvpschools.org) in the Career & College Center.

Check out what is happening at Irondale and around the community. Here you will find additional information that might not be included in the daily announcements.