March 24, 2022

Dear O.H. Anderson Students and Families,

March is National Reading Month. We are celebrating our love for reading by sharing great books with each other, reading every day during IDR time, listening to the OHA Read Alouds, and last week we dressed up as our favorite book characters.  Thank you for your support in coming up with fun costumes. 

At O.H. Anderson we believe in celebrating students being respectful, responsible, and giving everyone the right to learn.  Students earn tickets each day to fill our ticket bowl. We met our goal for March so tomorrow is our read and feed day to celebrate our love for reading at OHA. Here are some reminders for tomorrow:

• Wear comfy clothes

• Bring snacks for yourself only.

• Bring blankets and pillows

• Bring a good book

• Each class can choose 30-60 minutes for a Read and Feed

• What was your favorite book as a kid?  Why?

• How do you read now for fun and work?

• What are tips you have to be a successful reader?

Please make sure each child reads for 20 minutes at home each day.
 

Take care of yourself, your family, and each other.

Ms. Prather, Principal

susan.prather@isd832.net
 

Passion for Life & Learning Highlight of the Week.

Our fourth graders had the Science Museum come to OHA for a field trip with hands-on science experiments. We love learning with hands-on activities.

Please check out the lost and found items in the photos. We are asking all students to stop by and claim their items by end of day April 1. All items will be donated to a local charity after that time. Please spend some time with your kids identifying items from the photos and remind them to claim them at school. You may also come and take a look at items before or after school.

Minnesota is bound by federal and state law to administer annually the following Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs)

• Reading: grades 3-5

• Math: grades 3-5

• Science: grade 5

Tests will be administered from April 11 thru April 29, 2022. Here is the schedule for the assessments. 

Here are some tips to support your students with the MCA testing:

• Encourage students to do their best work and show what they know.

• Eliminate wrong answers and check your work.

• Don’t rush. It is not a timed test.

• Get a good night's sleep.

• Eat a good breakfast.

• Avoid absences.

• Please make sure your child has a Chromebook fully charged, charger, and headphones each day.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. McCabe pamela.mccabe@isd832.net

or Ms. Prather susan.prather@isd832.net.

Each spring, teachers and support staff meet and confer to develop class lists for the coming year, striving to create classes where optimum learning for all students can take place. It is our goal to have balanced classes across each grade level.  Although teacher requests are not considered, if you have specific information about your child that should be taken into consideration, please complete this form. Note that this form is optional. This form must be filled out each year.  Additionally, information that comes in after the deadline will be more difficult to consider since the placement process will have already started.

We consider many factors as we try to balance our classes and accommodate individual needs such as emotional/social combinations, the balance of performance levels, special learning needs, teaching/learning styles, and behavioral factors.

Please consider sharing academic interests and abilities, emotional and behavioral development, e.g., social awareness or interpersonal skills, and any additional information you think would help us plan for your child.

This is due March 31, 2022.

Family Input Form for Class Placement

Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented has shared a list of summer programs for gifted and talented students. The list is included Here. To become a member of the Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented Students you can sign up Here.                                                  

Are you looking to enhance your running skills while being with friends? Girls on the Run is an after-school program designed to inspire girls of all abilities to recognize and embrace their inner strength. Lessons emphasize the important connection between physical and emotional health. At the end of the program, girls complete a 5K, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment, setting a confident and goal-oriented mindset into motion.

Mondays and Wednesdays

April 4 - May 25, 2022

3:30 - 5 pm 

$175 (fee assistance is available if needed with GOTR)

Registration link https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/MNProgramSpring2022

Dress for Weather - Winter and Spring!
Please make sure you send your child to school each day dressed for the weather as we will have outside recess unless it is raining.
It would be wise to send extra clothes for your student's locker such as dry socks, pants, shirt, underwear, etc...
We have run out of extra clothing in our office, students will need to call home if they are wanting dry clothing because they are wet from outside play.

We will continue to use our standard Big 5 Rules unless the temperature is over 50 degrees. Here are those guidelines for dressing for the colder weather. 

• Jacket or Coat
• Hat or Hood
• Mittens or Gloves
• Snow Pants
• Boots

AM Drop-Off
Please do not sit parked in the drop-off lane it is blocking the flow of traffic during drop-off times. Reminder Doors Open at 8:50 for breakfast, 8:55 for school, and class starts at 9:05.

PM Pickup
Try not to line up for PM pickup before 3:10. If you do come to the pickup lane before 3:10- please do not idle your cars. Be aware of the homes on Warner Ave. and please do not block driveways.

E-Learning Days
Our school district will use e-Learning days during the 2021-22 school year during emergency weather closings. We intend to use e-Learning days immediately with our first emergency weather closing.
Check out the O.H. Anderson e-Learning Days Plan

Quarantines
When students are in quarantine due to COVID, we have outlined how we will support students both academically and socially emotionally. Please click here for more information.
 

The Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation (MAEF) Board of Trustees invites you to join us for our signature fundraising event Legacy Night!

Click the image below to learn how you can participate in the Legacy Night fundraising event!                  

MAEF Presents the Carole Fargo Student Scholarships Fund Opportunity
   

Strategy Games is back! Students are invited to play before-school strategy games on Tuesday mornings in the media center with other kids and volunteers! (Chess, Stratego, Otrio, and more) Upon arrival, students should put backpacks in lockers (do not go into classrooms) then go and wait outside media center doors for a volunteer to let them in. 
We will excuse students to class at the 8:55 bell.
Your child may attend on any or all of the below Tuesday dates:
March 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
8:15 - 9:00 AM
OHA Media Center 
Interested in volunteering? Email Beth Hamen at bblomlie@yahoo.com
 

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM YOUR PTO!
Are you interested in becoming more involved in your student's schools?
The Mahtomedi PTO supports only Wildwood and O.H. Anderson Elementaries and is a dues-free organization, providing vital funding and volunteers for our classrooms. Volunteers can work "behind the scenes" as well. There are volunteer opportunities to fit everyone's schedules!

For the 2022-23 school year, we are seeking…..

President-Elect - The President-Elect spends a year "shadowing" the current PTO President and providing support to committee chairs, as well as drafting the strategic calendar for the following year.
 
Corresponding Secretary - The Corresponding Secretary is responsible for outward-facing PTO communications, including Facebook posts, weekly e-News submissions, and 2-3 articles in the district Globe newsletter each year.

Recording Secretary - The Recording Secretary in charge of taking the minutes at monthly board meetings, posting them to the PTO website, and reserving meeting space. This volunteer position would ideally start in March.

Committees like the Fun Run and Art Adventure are seeking members, as well as other popular student events! Volunteer opportunities are extremely scalable in time commitment, ranging from several hours a week to a couple of hours a year. Only a few hours of your time can make a big impact on our schools!
For more information about PTO or specific positions, please reach out to the President at president@mahtomedipto.com 

Visit our website: www.mahtomedipto.com 

And follow us on Facebook! Mahtomedi PTO

• COVID-19 Testing: Our students have access to free rapid tests and the use of our COVID-19 student testing site. For full details on accessing testing options, please visit our website.
• Our School Year Plan Health & Safety Protocols are outlined and posted on our School Year Plan website at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/schoolyearplan under the 2021-22 Health & Safety Protocols Overview tab.
• Mahtomedi COVID-19 Dashboard is available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us/dashboard 

O.H. Anderson e-Learning Days Plan
2021-22 Back to School Information & Events Guide.Mahtomedi  School Year Plan Health & Safety Protocols Mahtomedi COVID-19 Dashboard
OHA Plan for students in quarantine

Transportation Department at trans@isd832.net or 651-407-2431