Owatonna Public Schools

Watch as our elementary school counselors share what they do and how they help students, staff and families.

Pictured above: OHS REACH students with Katie Wanous after volunteering with Toys for Tots

Article by OMS REACH Team - Isaac Toenjes and Nate Gendron and OHS REACH Team - Katie Wanous and Matt Skala

REACH stands for Relationships, Education, Accountability, Character, and Hard Work. Lessons and team-building activities focus on these five pillars. REACH takes a holistic approach to student growth and learning—social, emotional, mental, behavioral, and academic. REACH students say it’s a safe place to go and that it’s a second family.

At Owatonna Middle School, the REACH team is Isaac Toenjes and Nate Gendron, along with nearly 60 students from 6th to 8th grade. At Owatonna High School, the REACH team is Matt Skala and Katie Wanous, with 75 students who take the elective course for the entire year, with the opportunity to take it all four years of high school. The REACH teams are composed of a teacher and social worker or counselor who collaborate to create lessons that inspire student learning and encourage attendance and engagement.

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Superintendent Jeff Elstad informed the school board at their organizational meeting on January 6 of his intent to retire from public education on June 30, 2025.

The school board is planning to meet soon to determine the process for selecting a new superintendent. Visit the district website to read the press release and for updates.

ExCEL Nominees

Congratulations to Owatonna High School juniors, Paige Thompson and Ayoub Farah! These exceptional students have been nominated for the Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership (ExCEL) Award for the 2024-25 school year. A well-deserved honor for both of them!

Triple 'A' Nominees

Congratulations to Amanda Clubb and Zach Dahnert, Owatonna High School seniors, who have been nominated for the Minnesota State High School League Academics, Arts and Athletics Award (Triple 'A'). The Triple 'A' Award acknowledges a male and female high school senior with a 3.0 or higher GPA who participates in League-sponsored athletic programs and fine arts activities such as theater, speech and music.

Join in the Community Conversation on the book "The Anxious Generation." In this series of three different sessions, discuss how smartphones and social media are affecting young people's mental health and explore ways to keep our kids safe and healthy in today's world.

A light supper and childcare (ages 2+) will be provided.

Register here. You may also request a free book or childcare at the events on the registration form. You are welcome to attend the event even if you don't have time to read the book - video options are shared on the registration page.

This opportunity is possible due to support from local businesses, organizations and student groups.

For the Mission Moment at the December school board meeting, Superintendent Elstad congratulated Marc Achterkirch for being named the Region 1AA Activities Director of the Year.

Marc is an amazing activities director, coach and mentor to students at Owatonna High School. He works extremely hard to ensure successful experiences for our students, coaches and advisors in all of our high school activities and athletics.

While fielding successful teams is always fun and exciting, Marc knows the most important purpose of athletics and activities is to develop better young women and men. The wide variety of opportunities Owatonna Public Schools offers allows students to connect with peers and adults outside of the classroom, which enriches their high school experience.

Prospective families are invited to learn more about Owatonna Online through upcoming overview webinars. Attend one of the sessions to gain a deeper understanding of Owatonna Online and how student success is supported in an online learning environment.

What You’ll Learn:

• What is Owatonna Online?
• Highlights of what makes Owatonna Online unique
• What to expect as a student and as a parent/guardian
• Opportunity for Q&A
  
  

Webinar Dates and Times:

• Tuesday, January 7, 6pm Google Meet Link
• Monday, January 13, 12noon Google Meet Link
• Monday, January 13, 6pm Google Meet Link

Ron Kubicek and Andrea Van Gelder, new members of the Owatonna Public Schools School Board, were welcomed at the organizational meeting on January 6.

From left to right: Ayoub Farah (student representative), Ron Kubicek, Andrea Van Gelder, Mark Sebring, Elizabeth Hedlund, Jolayne Mohs, Tim Jensen, Lori Weisenburger, Erin Baker (student representative)

The community is invited to join Superintendent Elstad for “coffee and conversation” at the Owatonna Public Schools District Office (333 East School Street) on Friday, January 24, at 8:30am. Hear an update on what’s happening in the school district, and bring any questions you have.

You are invited to the Preschool Open House on Tuesday, January 28, from 4:00-6:00pm at the Owatonna Education Center, 338 East Main Street. Come and learn about Little Learners 3-year-old preschool and Bright Beginnings 4-year-old preschool.

The school board thanked outgoing members Deborah Bandel (4 years) and Eric Schuster (12 years) for their service at the December school board meeting.

Do you have a child who will be five by September 1, 2025? If so, it's time to enroll them in kindergarten!

Find kindergarten frequently asked questions and the enrollment links on the enrollment webpage.

Ready, Set, FAFSA! is a series of free financial aid events available to Minnesota students and families via Zoom. The series, Tuesday evenings in January, is intended for current high school students and will cover general information about the college application and financial aid process; details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Minnesota Dream Act for undocumented students; and other ways to pay for college. All sessions will have interpretation in Spanish, Somali and Hmong. Students who attend any session will be entered into a drawing to win a $1,000 scholarship (one entry per session attended).

For registration, visit the Ready Set FAFSA! landing page.

Watch the December school board business meeting or the January school board organizational meeting on YouTube. Find agendas and other information on the district website.

Upcoming meetings:

• Monday, January 27, 5:30pm - School Board Business Meeting - Charles S Crandall Center, Chambers, 540 West Hills Circle
• Monday, February 10, 5:30pm - School Board Work Session - District Office, 333 East School Street

The OHS Carolers spread holiday cheer around the community throughout December, including area care centers.

OHS Student Council members presented a check for $1,500 to United Way of Steele County, one of the results of Huskies Give Week!

Winter concerts were held throughout the month for all grade levels, including these students from McKinley Elementary, in the Wenger Performing Arts Center at Owatonna High School.

Members of the OMS 8th grade orchestra played holiday music at The Depot restaurant in Faribault.

Daikin Applied professionals brought real world experiences to the classroom, as they shared about brazing (metal-joining process similar to welding) with students in Welding I.

• Friday, January 17 - End of second quarter
• Monday, January 20 and Tuesday, January 21 - No school. Staff development and teacher work days.

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Owatonna Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, or socio-economic status. Students with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education that includes general education, special education and/or related aids and services. Direct reports/concerns to the Title IX Coordinator. More information can be found on the website.

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