This will be the last post for 2025. I hope you all have a relaxing and rejuvenating winter break!
Friendly Reminder - Communication:
This a friendly reminder about communication. This week alone, we fielded many questions that were easily found in the announcements, blog, and the December 19 movie document. Our office is more than willing to help - that's our role. I need you to start reading the announcements, blog, and other documents closely.
Hugging a Porcupine:
As we close out the 2025 year, I want you to reflect back to our opening day "He is Ours" story. Remember how emotional many got as we read about the impact we have on our kids - and how they will always be ours? Then, the challenges, behaviors, and reminders came along, adding stress and frustration to our interactions. Take some time over break to re-read the story and think about what 2026 will look like for you. How can we make the idea of "hugging a porcupine" a part of our every day life?
Environmental Set Up for Sensory Support (from Dr. Dokken):
Dr. Dokken has provided some great tips for sensory support within your spaces.
To our amazing school community -thank you for being the glue, the sparkle, and sometimes the miracle workers who keep our school running day after day. Your hard work, patience, and dedication do not go unnoticed—even when you repeat a direction for the 28th time or the coffee runs out a little too early. As winter break arrives, we hope you trade lesson plans and emails for cozy blankets, good food, and well-earned rest. Please relax, recharge, and enjoy every peaceful moment—you’ve more than earned it. We can’t wait to see you refreshed, smiling, and ready to shine in the new year! ❄️✨
Tiffany Geary and Steph Stolp were nominated by 3rd Grade for "Thank you for doing all that you do for students and staff! You go above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome, safe, and happy here at McKinley! We appreciate all you do!"
Fastbridge Winter 2026 Plan:
When we return from winter break, we will begin our FastBridge Winter Benchmark Assessment window (Jan 7 - 16). Please open and view the relevant parts of this document that has all schedules, resources, and plans for winter benchmark assessments.
ALL staff should look at page 1 (Schedule at a Glance) and note important testing days and times that may impact your schedule.
Classroom Teachers: Read page 1 & 2 and click on the linked assessment plan for the grade you teach. Add dates and times to your calendars & lesson plans.
T2/T3 Intervention Teachers: Read page 1 & 2 and see schedule and plan on linked Intervention Plan Page. Prior to assessment, review testing protocols and gather materials for any assessments you will be giving (linked on your page).
SpEd/EL: Read pages 1 & 2 and linked SpEd/EL Plan page and familiarize yourself with schedules and plans for any grade-levels you support. Prior to assessment, review testing protocols and gather materials for any assessments you will be giving (linked on your page).
Our benchmark assessment window is an important time to collect information and academic growth on all students. There's a lot of pieces to this puzzle and it's very important you are familiar with your role in helping collect all of this information as efficiently and accurately as possible. If you have questions, please talk with Katie Demmer.
Just (another) friendly reminder of our "all in the hall" start to our day. This has been a long standing routine at McKinley - which isn't happening. When kids enter the building at 8am, we need to be moving out of our rooms and into our common spaces. In the last week, I have observed 3 times where students enter the building with no adult greeting them. This "all in the hall" routine is a proven way to start a strong relationship, as well as impact a student's day in a positive way.
Another great week of learning and relationships at McKinley!
Toot Your Horn Thursday:
Congrats to our four winners this week! Don't forget, to nominate someone you can click here!
Xandra Sorenson was nominated by the 3rd Grade Team for "Thank you Xandra for partnering with us on our final project for Module 1! The kids created great artwork to go along with their writing. You are doing amazing things with all McKinley students! Thank you!"
Bernie Jensen was nominated by Kate Tepp for "Bernie provides amazing support in our classroom during math. She purchased some flashcards earlier in the year to help support with multiplication facts. The class was so appreciative and some have never used flashcards before, so they have loved learning how to quiz friends. We are learning how to multiply 2 & 3 digit numbers right now, and she does a great job in supporting the understanding of the "why" when we multiply. Her excitement and push has helped kids become more confident in their skills. I appreciate her so much!"
Kinzie Kruschke was nominated by Mallory Baumann for "Kinzie goes above and beyond every single day! She supports student needs with such care, and makes sure every student she works with feels seen, valued, and capable. Thank you for showing up with heart, for noticing the little things, and for making a positive impact on every student!"
Katie Herbst was nominated by Karen Thurnau for "Katie was so helpful in setting up conferences for a few friends this year. She went the extra mile more than once to ensure that ALL families attended. Katie is so in tune to what is going on with ALL of her students - just like they were her own! She is an amazing coworker!"
Staffing Update:
Nurse - Ashlee Krauss has announced her resignation effective at winter break. Ashlee has accepted a position with Federated. I am so sad to see her leave, as Ashlee was an amazing school nurse. I know she will go on to do amazing things at Federated! Please join me in wishing Ashlee the best! The position is being posted with the hopes of having someone start after winter break.
2nd Grade LTS - Michelle Gadient will be out from January - April. We are excited to share that Hanna Cunnif is joining us in this role. Hanna is a newer educator with some experience with subbing over the last year. Please join me in welcoming Hanna!
4th Grade LTS - I am still in process of finding a candidate. If you know of anyone, please reach out to them and encourage to apply (and let me know, too).
We Filled the Jar - December 19:
Please don't share any details yet with kids - they will get the announcement on Monday morning. Linked is a plan for December 19 for you to reserve the date and time.
I hope each of you had a great American Education Week! You all play such an impactful role for our students. I can't think of a better group of people to work with. I hope you had a week full of support and appreciation!
December 1 Connection Day:
A huge thank you to our 3rd grade team for planning the 12/1 Connection Day!
December 8-12 is Inclusive Schools week. During that week, all four elementary schools will be participating in some opportunties to learn more about inclusion. Linked is our plan for the week. More to come!
Stress Response in Kids: As we enter into the holiday season, the below graphic is a great reminder for us on all the ways that stress appears in students that may not appear (to an outsider) as "typical" stress. I saw this and was reminded of my (the adult) response. Students may be appearing to show refusal, defiant, or off-task. However, when we think of what is really happening, could it be stress? Personally, when I ground myself in that, I think my response to the situation changes greatly.
We had two receipents this week - congrats to Rachael & Amy!
Rachael Eickhoff was nominated by Danika Beck for "Rachael has shown amazing dedication this year as we’ve implemented Wit and Wisdom. She’s always eager to learn, collaborate, and support our students. Her positivity and teamwork make K2 a wonderful place to teach and learn!"
Amy Wencl was nominated by Danika Beck for "Amy goes above and beyond every day in K2! She jumps in wherever she’s needed and brings such positive energy to our classroom. Her natural ability to connect with students helps them feel valued and excited to learn. K2 is a better place because of Amy!"
American Education Week:
Next week is a time to celebrate EACH OF YOU! Below is our plan to celebrate the amazing people in this building. Reminder - each of you are an "educator"!
November 25 Early Out:
As you know, we have an early release on November 25. Bob Olson sent an email last Friday with some details. Due to this, the lunch schedules (staff and students) have been changed. Please click here to see that plan.
Just a reminder -
- Teaching Staff - if you have your required trainings done, you are done at 12:40pm.
- Non-Teaching Staff - you will be doing a safety training at 1:10pm at OHS that afternoon. We will get you a lunch in and you will have time to travel over at 12:40pm.
Unified PE Fundraiser - OMS:
Unified PE is partnering with Special Olympics Minnesota again this year to offer a t-shirt fundraiser. Proceeds from the sale will help provide experiences and equipment to the Unified PE students at OMS and OHS. Orders will need to be placed and paid for by December 1st. Shirts are $15 each, and payment options and pick-up information are on the form. The link is also in this week's Husky Howler. If you would like to order, please follow this Shirt Link.
This Monday (1pm), the Owatonna Fire Department will be doing a controlled burn in the nature center. Maintenance is aware of this and will monitor wind direction to ensure that the smoke is not being brought into the building. Please avoid the nature center and that area of the school grounds Monday afternoon.
Student 1:1 Interviews:
As part of our building goals, we are conducting 1:1 student interviews to hear voices about their level of belonging. Starting next week, we have a team (Amanda, Annette, Katie, and I) who will be coming around to do student interviews. We will pull students out one by one - each interview should only take 1-2 minutes. When we arrive, we will have a roster and just start pulling students out. Below is our schedule:
Monday, November 10 (12:30-2:00) - Kindergarten & 2nd Grade
Tuesday, November 11 (9-10am) - 4th Grade
Wednesday, November 12 (9-10:30) - 1st & 3rd Grade
Thursday, November 13 (12:30-1:30) - 5th Grade
Please note - this is a tenative schedule. We will come to your room when we are ready. This note is just an FYI (nothing you need to do).
United Way Fundraiser:
Take advantage of these opportunities to have fun and donate to a great cause! 2nd Grade has already bought the "Kiel Covers Your Recess" for a WHOLE WEEK!
October ORD (Office Referral Data) & Defiant Behavior:
We decreased to 25 office referrals for the month!
Tuesday is our highest day for requests.
1-2:40pm is our highest time for requests
Defiance continues to be our most frequent behavior (see video below for strategies).
What can you do for defiance? The video above is great - below is the summary:
1. Be calm - don't match their energy level.
2. Reduce verbal interactions - don't engage in power struggles; give directions 1-3 times and move on to incentives or consequences.
3. Give teacher approved choices - "feed the need for control" - have choices already generated and give them the control to make a choice.
4. Use classroom management systems - utilize your incentives and consequences. One idea she shares is "owed time".
Snow Day Choice Boards:
We will be waiting this year to send the paper copies home (they are being updated). They will be sent home after the first snowday, and you can also send them digitally if we get to the point of the third snow day. Remember the first two snow days are not e-learning days.
Toot Your Horn Thursday:
We had a few receipents this week - congrats to the following people:
Kinzie Kruschke was nominated by Ashlee Krauss for It is so clear that Kinzie is very passionate about kids and her care for them. When she brings kids into my office for any concern, she is amazing at being their voice and making sure their needs are being met. The students and staff are so lucky to have Kinzie here at McKinley. Thanks for all you do!
The Kindergarten Classroom Teachers were nominated by Caryn Boetel for These ladies are working with several adults in and out of their classrooms. They have 2 each co-teachers with heavy demands of planning. They are learning 2 new curricula. Each of them have major behaviors to juggle. Even when feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, they love their kiddos every day - all of them. They find delight in each of the little or big acheivements of their classes. This is a very hardworking team that needs to be celebrated
Lynn Jensen nominated Jayme Ulrich for I want to recognize Jayme Ulrich for her exceptional creativity, positive attitude, and dedication to creating a fun and engaging learning environment. Jayme brings learning to life through imaginative activities that spark joy and curiosity in her students. Her caring personality and genuine connections with students and colleagues make her classroom a welcoming place for everyone. Jayme’s enthusiasm and warmth remind us all of the power of kindness, creativity, and positivity in education.
The Physical Education Team was nominated by Danika Beck for I had the opportunity to sit in on part of PE today (Halloween), and it was such a joy to see! The students were having fun, fully engaged, and moving with energy and excitement. It was clear that this didn’t just happen by chance, but it’s the result of the thoughtful planning, creativity, and dedication that our incredible PE teachers put into every lesson.
Just a heads-up - we have an early release on Tuesday, November 25 (12:40pm). An email will be coming, but please plan on the following:
- Teaching Staff - if you have your required trainings done, you are done at 12:40pm.
- Non-Teaching Staff - you will be doing a safety training at 1:10pm at OHS that afternoon. We will get you a lunch in and you will have time to travel over at 12:40pm.
Let's fill this school with compliments, shout out's, and positivity! Click here to recognize someone as the Toot Your Horn Thursday!
Veteran's Day:
In honor of Veteran's Day, we need one hour of instruction provided on this special day. Below are some things we will do to celebrate Veteran's Day: Please note - do not use Wit & Wisdom time for these activities.
Star Spangled Banner - meet in the library on Friday at 8:15am to listen to Mrs. Huse sing the Star Spangled Banner. She will start promptly at 8:15am.
And, finally, happy Veteran's Day to our staff who are veterans. Your service is appreciated!
Family Teacher Conferences - PLEASE READ:
As you know, we have Family Teacher Conferences are coming up (November 10, 13, and 14). A few years ago, we made some changes to conferences to increase family engagement and build deeper relationships. Some of those included moving away from "parent" conferences to "family" conferences to be more inclusive of who is the table. Also, we made a change to move away from hearing about just scores and the report card to more of a conversation. This conversation involves the family sharing their hopes and dreams, as well as the teacher being authentic and purposeful in the feedback and goals they have set. We wanted families to truly feel a partner and to know exactly how to support their child.
Below are some tips from the Search Institute on how to deepen your conferences. Please read -
Think of this (short but important) meeting as a relationship-creating opportunity. Use intentionality. Start off by sharing a bit about yourself, ask about the parents. Share a few wonderful observations about their child. Build a connection. This will set a positive tone for the meeting and create the kind of conversation that will yield benefits throughout the year.
Be the expert, but listen to parental concerns. Parents expect you to be adept at teaching, but they want to feel that you value their input too. Not focusing only on the child’s weaknesses, but also their strengths, can help parents feel like you know and care about their child.
Don’t start with the negative. Don’t begin the conversation with “I have no concerns”—that starts the exchange in deficit mode. Instead, start with a simple, plain-language description of the three things you hope the students learn by being in your class.
Emphasize your goals. Giving a syllabus or written materials is great, but talking clearly, even passionately, about your goals for the class is better. Talk about what you hope to accomplish during the semester with excitement, and you’ll be amazed at how the parents become your partners in learning.
Provide feedback—both good and bad. Give them the feedback you need to provide, such as a review of grades and assignments. But if you feel it’s necessary to point out a deficit, find a way to do it with understanding, and try also to point out a strength.
Before they leave, ask one last question. This is one of the most important ways a parent can see that you really notice and care about their child and are seeking to develop a positive relationship with them; that they are more than just one among many. Something such as “What do you think I should know about your son or daughter to help him or her thrive in my class?” works. Or something more specific, such as “Tell me about your child’s sparks,” or perhaps their strengths, struggles, or “How might I be able to help your child navigate these challenging times, or give him or her extra support?”
Take notes on what you learn. Integrate what you learn from the parent into your interactions with the student, and return to your notes at your next parent-teacher conference.
Remember it’s about the relationship! Parents want to know their child is seen and cared for and that you are paying attention to the insights they are sharing with you about their child. They want to feel like they have built a connection with you. They—and you!—want to build on that connection next time you meet.
American Education Week - coming your way!
November 17-21 is American Education Week! This is a week to honor EACH of you as EDUCATORS (anyone who has a role supporting students is an educator). Below are some special events for the week....
Openings:
We have the following openings. Please help with any recruitment if you know of a great candidate -
4th Grade LTS for Kate Tepp from mid February to end of May (position is posted)
2nd Grade LTS for Michelle Gadient from January to mid April
Both positions are posted online. If you know of anyone, please help share the word (and let me know)!
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