December 13 Update

Happy Friday!

Toot Your Horn Thursday:

We had two "Toot Your Horn Thursdays" yesterday.  A huge congrats to Eric Oppegard and Xandra Sorenson!

Eric was nominated by Jen Bricko for "being brave to remove the “dead animal” from the boys’ bathroom! It turned out to be some type of dehydrated amphibian! Never a dull moment. :)"

Xandra Sorenson was nominated by Karen Thurnau for "I am thanking her for taking the time to attend conferences for some of my students. Sometimes when you have challenging behaviors from students as the classroom teacher you feel like you are the only one communicating with family at home. When other teachers support you with these behaviors it's helpful to have others communicating with family too! We are all in this together to support ALL of our students!"

Winter Break - Clean Up Before You Go:

Next Friday, December 20, we head off for Winter Break.  We resume back January 2 (Connection Day - more to come).  Before you head out, please take care of the following:

• Students - clean out locker areas, desks, and common spaces.  This is a great time to send a lot home!  
• Clean up classrooms and common spaces.  Things should be put away.  All electronics should be shut off and unplugged, if possible.  This is a great time to get rid of, put stuff away, or throw.  
• Check fridge in Staff Lounge
• Check staff mailbox

Next Week - Behaviors:

Just a reminder - this time of year is exciting for some, but very hard for others.  The time before breaks (and breaks from school) create change - change in schedules, expectations, safety structures, etc.  Please be aware of this as we work with kids next week - it's a tough time.  Many of our learners thrive off structure and consistency.  This will be challenged next week.    Many kids may need more grace and teachable moments in the next 6 days.  Additionally, our staff are humans, too.  We may need grace and check-in's on each other, too.  

"A Family Night at Home - January 9"

We are hosting a "A Family Night at Home" for families on January 9.  Similar to last year, families will sign up to get a bag that contains everything for a family night - activities, videos, and ingredients for a pizza meal.  The RSVP will be shared with families this morning.  This is just an FYI for you.

Foundation Grant:

Applications for the ISD 761 Foundation Grant were released in the Staff Connections.  Below is the process.  This is a great grant opportunity that has benefitted McKinley in the past (MakerSpace cart, Outdoor Learning Cart, Guided Math library, etc).  If you have a need in your grade level, consider filling this out.  If you have an idea for the building, please let me know ASAP.  Thanks!

Deadline: January 15, 2025

Every spring, the 761 Foundation awards approximately $100,000 in mini-grants to Owatonna Public Schools teachers and principals.

Grants are awarded based on the following criteria:

1. Benefits a large number of students.
2. Meets an important need, which is not likely to be funded in other ways.
3. Maximizes good cost-to-benefit ratio.
4. Shows creativity and innovation.
5. Needed funds to continue a past approved project.

761 Foundation Grant application
(it will automatically ask if you want to make a copy which will be in your Google Drive)

Requirements:

• Please itemize and prioritize requests that include multiple items/expenses.

• Applicants must discuss the feasibility and implementation of the proposal with the appropriate building administrator. Comments and a signature from the building administrator must be included in the application.

• Projects that include the purchase of technology also require a technology request form, which can be found at the end of the grant application.

• No incomplete or late applications will be accepted.

• Grants are for the 2025-2026 school year. Awards will be announced in March. Recipients may not make purchases using grant funds until July 1, 2025.
• Note: If this is a technology request, please also remember to complete the technology request form.

Questions? Contact Sarah Hoffman by phone (ext. 8610) or email (shoffman@isd761.org)

Building Weekly Newsletter:
Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

Have a great weekend! 

-Justin