REMINDER - Semester 1 finals will be Tuesday, January 25 and Wednesday, January 26. There is NO SCHOOL on Thursday, January 27 or Friday, January 28.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently announced it has officially adopted shortened COVID-19 isolation and quarantine periods of five days. This shift aligns with the new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it focuses on reducing the spread of the omicron variant in schools with fewer disruptions to in-person learning.

The District’s COVID Resources website now contains some clarifications and updates since it was first published last week. To remain current with how schools are operating under the new guidance, visit www.moundsviewschools.org/covidresources.

Congratulations to Irondale Quiz Bowl for its successful competition at North High School in St. Paul last night. Congratulations to Irondale A for qualifying for the state playoffs, with an overall record of 11-1! At the end of regular season competition, Irondale A was the #2 in our division of 30 teams, and Irondale C was #6.

Congratulations to these players, who were the highest scorers on their teams: Puna Ekka, Andy Zheng, Barbara Danku/Noah Besemann (tie), JJ Fleischer, and Geo Beach.

The boys swim team has been busy with two meets this past week. Saturday, the Swim and Dive Knights placed 6th of 8 teams at the 2022 Section 5AA True Team meet. Medal winners for Irondale were: 6th Place 200 Medley Relay (Henry Botten, Logan Ault, Emmett Botten and Samuel Reichert), Henry Botten 5th place 200 IM, Emmett Botten 1st place 50 free and 2nd place 100 fly, and Logan Ault 7th place 100 breast.

Thursday, January 20, the Knights lost to Mounds View 102-69. Some highlights were: Logan Ault 1st place 100 breast, Emmett Botten 1st place 100 fly, and 1st place in the 400 Free Relay (Henry Botten, Derek Wang, Drew White and Lucas Megahan).

Irondale Mock Trial Defense Team competed against Central High School (prosecution) team on January 11. Competition team Kyle Jensen (attorney), Iman Deriche (attorney), Mercy Davies (attorney), Vienna Chang (witness), Sarah Yoo (witness), Sabri Abdusalam (witness), and Isabella Severin (Bailiff/Timekeeper).

Congratulations to Outstanding Attorney Iman Deriche. Congratulations to Outstanding witness Sabri Abdusalam. The defendant was found guilty.

Irondale Mock Trial Prosecution Team competed against Mounds View High School on January 18. Competition team Angelica Severin (attorney), Addy Workman (attorney), Yasmine Mohammed (attorney), Isabella Severin (witness), Samia Abdulle (witness), Iman Deriche (witness), and Sabri Abdusalam (Bailiff/Timekeeper).

Congratulations to Outstanding Attorney Angelica Severin. Congratulations to Outstanding Witness Isabella Severin. The prosecution team WON and got a guilty!!!

A small group of students represented Irondale at the Anoka Speech Tournament this past Saturday. Koharu Ferguson earned 5th place in Creative Expression and Reesa Venterea earned 3rd Place in Original Oratory. Nice work, team!

The Knights competed against the Suburban East Conference teams on Monday at the Battle Creek course. The Knight boys placed 3rd overall and the Knight girls placed 5th overall. Placing in the top 25 for the boys were Noah Besemann 7th, Luke O’Rourke 19th, Finn Rodefeld 22nd, and Will Obrestad 25th. Placing in the top 25 for the ladies were Siri Stolen 5th and Mia Nordberg 21st.

New Financial Aid Webinar Series to Launch in February, Helping Minnesota Students and Families Plan for College

Office of Higher Education, Minnesota Department of Education, and ECMC Group will host five public events to support Minnesotans as they navigate the financial aid process.

St. Paul, Minn.— Kicking off the New Year, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Minnesota Department of Education, ECMC’s The College Place Minnesota, and Minnesota Goes to College are launching a series of financial aid webinars for students and families as they prepare for the college-going process. All sessions will have simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. Participants who attend 4 out of 5 sessions will be eligible to win a $500 scholarship.

The series, which runs Tuesday February 8, through Tuesday, March 1, will focus on a variety of topics, including general financial aid information, details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Minnesota Dream Act for undocumented students, and other ways to pay for college.

• February 8, 2022, 7pm – Financial Aid Overview
• February 15, 2022, 7pm – Complete the FAFSA
• February 17, 2022, 7pm – Complete the MN Dream Act
• February 22, 2022, 7pm – Understanding Your Offer Letter
• March 1, 2022, 7pm – Scholarship Search

To register any of the webinars using Zoom, visit the website. Visit HERE for information about each of Minnesota’s financial aid programs. Questions can be directed to the state’s financial aid hotline: (651) 642-0567.

Join us on Saturday, February 19, for the 20th Anniversary of Winter Music of the Knight, where students from across the district will perform, as the Irondale Winter Drumline and Winter Color Guard host their home show in the Varsity Gym at Irondale High School. More than playing music, competing drumlines will march their way into your hearts starting at 1 PM. Come back in the evening to see Irondale’s TWO Winter Color Guards in exhibition, as other schools from the North Star Circuit compete at 6:30 PM. Visit the Irondale Bands website for ticket prices and more information.

District mental health staff and the Shoreview/Arden Hills Lions Club recently hosted a webinar on parenting dilemmas. If you missed it, you can watch the recording HERE.

Mark your calendars for the next discussion (three of four) on Thursday, February 10, 7-8pm.

At the January 11 meeting, the School Board adopted a new opportunity for the public to address the Board prior to meetings. Comments to the Board will begin at 6:30 p.m. before every regular School Board meeting. More information is available here

The Irondale Youth Baseball League is looking for umpires for the 2022 spring/summer baseball season. All Umpires make their own schedule and are paid at the end of each game!

***NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY***. Professional umpire training through MYAS at no cost!

How often are games? That is up to you! Sign up and pick games throughout the season. Games are Mondays

Who can join the team? Anyone with a general understanding of the rules of baseball and age 13 or older.

$30.00 CASH EACH GAME

CONTACT:

IBL Vice President Mike Hanson

Cell: 651-271-5483 (call or text)

Email: Michael.hanson41@yahoo.com

Strategy Gaming Players

Winter Strategy Game Club will be starting the week of January 10.

Registration is now open! If you want to join the group and play some new games,

we meet in the cafeteria after school on Wednesdays.

Chess Players

If you would like to be on the Tournament Chess Team or just play online, we have a Saturday registration option. We practice on Saturday mornings, online on non-tournament days and meet in- person on the tournament days.

Mounds View Schools Community Education offers a variety of opportunities for youth, families, and adults to pursue interests, expand abilities, and improve social skills in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Programming is offered before school, after school, non-school days, and weekends. Click here to see all Community Education offerings!

High school programs starting soon:

• Strategy and role-playing game club
• Online chess team

College Admissions Representative visits have begun. These visits will take place in-person and/or virtual. Check Naviance to sign-up and determine whether or not your visit will be in-person in the Media Center or virtual. All students participating in virtual Admission Representative visits should do so in the Front Commons.

Activity buses will depart at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY. You can find route information and maps here.

The Minnesota Department of Health encourages the following groups to get tested regularly. With the at-home program and community sites offering free testing across the metro, it's easy to find a test.

• Unvaccinated teachers, staff, and students in K-12 should test weekly at a minimum or more frequently per CDC guidance.

• People who are unvaccinated should test before travel (domestic or international).

• Even if you are vaccinated, you should get tested

• if you have symptoms of the virus;

• if you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19;

• if you are returning from international travel;

• or if you have attended a large gathering or event where people are not wearing masks and are not able to stay 6 feet apart.
  
  

Our community continues to have many free COVID-19 testing options available:

• Walk-in or schedule an appointment at one of the state's COVID-19 community testing sites. The Brooklyn Park site continues to offer free saliva testing seven days a week (weekdays from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.).

• Order a free at-home test kit.

• Additional testing options: Ramsey County COVID-19 testing.

Though schools and buses usually have a limited number of extra masks on hand, please make sure your child is bringing their mask to school and/or on the bus each day. As a reminder, Mounds View Public Schools requires that students, staff, and visitors wear masks while inside its buildings. The federal government also requires face coverings for individuals while riding on all forms of public transportation, including school buses. If you are in need of reusable masks for your child, please contact your school.

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.