Monroe Newsletter
What's New at Monroe
~May 2018~
From the Principal
Spring is here! It's hard to believe that only 2 weeks ago, we had quite a bit of snow on the ground, and now, it's in the 70s and (mostly) sunny. We have had another great school year and I thank you for your partnership in making that a reality.
Here are some highlights from this school year:
Our teachers, paras and support staff have done a great job working collaboratively to ensure that the needs of all 520+ students are met. Through class instruction, WIN time, reading interventions, Special Education support, ExCEL, cluster and rising scholars support, Word Master, and Math Masters, we have found ways to meet individual needs!
The daily use of Monroe PRIDE, both at school and beyond, has been excellent. Continue to use these terms with your students at home.
Preparedness: I will bring a positive attitude and the materials I need everywhere I go.
Respect: I will be considerate of others, all property, and myself.
Integrity: I will do the right thing even when no one is looking.
Determination: I will never give up.
Excellence: I will challenge myself to do my best.
Monster Reading: Our reading theme, Scare Up a Good Book, helped to keep students excited about reading. We have already surpassed the 1 million minutes of reading mark as a school and are on our way to 1.5 million this year! Please continue to support your student’s reading this summer by listening to them read or asking them questions about what they are reading. You are invited to the “All School Read Out” on Friday, May 11th from 1:45-2:15!
A few thank you’s:
Thanks to our teachers and paras for all of the passion, dedication, and excellence that they bring everyday when working with our students. You have modeled Monroe PRIDE to our students through your words and actions!
Thanks to our front office staff for keeping the building going with a positive attitude and lots of laughter!
Thanks to our custodial staff for keeping our almost 60 year old building in wonderful shape and looking great!
Thanks to the kitchen staff for serving over 500 meals everyday with a smile and Monroe manners!
Thanks to the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for all of their assistance and leadership at Monroe. They helped to run successful events: the parent breakfast on the first day of school, the fall Open House, 3 McTeacher nights, our 2nd Annual Night at the Children’s Museum, Kindergarten Round-up, the School Carnival and the upcoming Color Run. The PTO provided funds for classroom books, teacher requested items, transportation to field trips, and educational lyceums. Thank you to every parent and teacher who volunteered their time in classrooms, attended PTO meetings, provided food/treats for staff, and were involved in other class events and parties.
Thanks to you! We appreciate your support of the staff and the work we do at Monroe as well as your involvement in your student’s education.
Have a great rest of the school year and enjoy your summer!
Steve Johanson
Math Masters
3rd Annual Monroe Color Run
When: THIS Saturday, May 5, 2018
Where: Spring Lake Park, North Mankato
Time: 9:00 am
We are still looking for people to help with the Color Run. You can sign up at sign up genius
PLC- 2 Hour Late Start-May 8
On the second Tuesday of every month the teachers meet for a Professional Learning Community Meeting. Buses will run 2 hours late on late start days. Monroe School will begin at 10:00 AM, rather than 8:00 AM on these days. To accommodate parents that need childcare on late start days, we will provide supervision beginning at 7:40 AM for students needing this service. However, parents MUST complete the online form to sign your child up. There will be no charge but it is very important that we have an accurate count of students arriving early to plan for adequate adult supervision.You will be asked to complete a registration form for each month. To sign up for the May 8th PLC please, click here. Activities for students during this time may include such things as homework help, quiet reading time, and story time. Breakfast will be available serving from 7:40-7:50 AM.
**If you sign your child up and they DO NOT come, we ask that you CALL THE SCHOOL by 8:00 AM that morning as we WILL be taking attendance.
Children not needing childcare on the late start days should arrive at school between 9:40 and 9:50, with the tardy bell going at 10:00 AM.
Play Day-May 29
Volunteers are needed for the upcoming annual Play Day! Parents who volunteer will help run the different stations for the event.
- 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades--8:15 to 11:25 am
- Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades--12:10 to 2:15pm.
Outstanding Volunteer Award
LouAnn Herbeck was awarded a 2018 Outstanding Volunteer Award for her eight years of service to Mrs. Substad's kindergarten classroom. LouAnn serves as a classroom assistant and extra caring adult helping with individual work, small group work and as a reading partner. LouAnn also goes up and beyond her classroom volunteerism by sharing her creative side with the class. She develops and organizes projects to go along with classroom themes AND creates a pillow for each of the classroom students including their artwork and handprint to have as a keepsake (and sometimes a quilt for the teacher too!)
A quilt made for Mrs. Substad by the Class of 2023.
LouAnn Herbeck with her award and flowers.
A quilt made for Mrs. Substad by the Class of 2025.
Last Day of School - June 1
Please send one or two paper or plastic bags with your child the last day of school so s/he can clean out their desk and locker.
Class Lists Will Be Posted On-Line This Year
Make sure you are signed up for the Parent Portal. If you are not, please visit Central Registration at 10 Civic Center Plaza in order to get your username and/or password.
If you have signed up but have forgotten your username and/or password, please email icsupport@isd77.org. (it may take 48 hours to get a response)
More information will be coming out in August pertaining to signing up for Entrance Conferences.
You must be signed up for the parent portal in able to find out who your child's teacher is in August.
Kindergarten Round Up--Thank You!!
Thank you to all of the awesome volunteers that helped at this year's Kindergarten Round-Up! Because of you the evening was a great success!
Thanks to these Fifth Graders:
Abby Harpestad, Aiden Erpelding, Alex Broskoff, Liz Roll, Kamryn Kitts, Chris Squires, Grace Lustig, Emmy Gengler, Esther Geer, A.J. Tobin, Madison Chapman, Nicole Kroells, Emy Mason, Ashley Smook, Cody Joerg, Amos Anderson, Violet Menk, Isabelle Voss, Katelyn Landwer, and Hazel Tweten.
Thanks to these Parents:
Darcy Ewert Roll, Amy DeMaster, Tricia Tobin, Jessi Hornick, Bill Erpelding, and Rose Voss.
~News From the PTO~
Monroe PTO-Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2018
Welcome and Introduction: Jackie Murray, co-chair, led the meeting. Welcome and introductions were done by all present.
Secretary’s Report: Trisha Anderson presented the minutes from the last meeting. The report was approved by Jackie Murray and seconded by Rose Voss.
Treasurer’s Report: Trisha Anderson, treasurer
The Fun Run has brought in $611.
All upcoming expenses (buses for the Planetarium field trip, Children’s Museum admission and buses for the kindergarten classes, Minneapolis Children’s Theatre admission and buses for the 4th graders, para and support staff gift cards, and math masters) are paid for.
The storage shed for PTO supplies has been bought and is set up on the Bridges campus.
Principal’s Report: Principal’s Report: Steve Johanson, Monroe Principal
Mara Dehning, school secretary, is putting together the school calendar for 2018-2019 and is looking for dates. The PTO meetings will continue to be held on a rotating schedule of Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The open house will be held in October again and there will be another night at the Children’s Museum in February.
Committee Reports:
Color Run: The Color Run will be on May 5th. There are 115 participants so far.
T-shirts with a generic Monroe Fun Run logo will be given with each online registration. Extra t-shirts will be first come, first serve for registrations on the day of the event.
There will be a decorating booth for the t-shirts and a hair spray booth. A suggestion was brought up to to have a water misting station. If the t-shirts are wet, the color powders will stick better.
This year only 4 boxes of powder will be ordered instead of 6.
Donors have been contacted to donate items for the swag bag.
Students who volunteer will get a t-shirt.
McGowan’s has donated items to play with (stilts, carts, etc…) These will need to be picked up by a volunteer.
Carnival:
The carnival will be held Friday, April 27th from 5:00 until 7:30. More volunteers are needed.
Cub Foods donated $25 for the cereal walk.
We will be using $100 of Scholastic books for bingo prizes. The Knights of Columbus will be borrowing bingo boards to the PTO.
The book fair will be a buy one get one free. There will be boxes of books that are discounted for PTO/school purchase.
Vinnie’s Shaved Ice will be at the carnival. Pepsi Co. donated 96 2 liter bottles of soda.
The North Mankato Fire Dept. will be contacted for a donation of their coolers and ice.
Miscellaneous:
Campus Upgrade Ideas:
No bids have been received yet for the noise reduction in the cafeteria.
Parent ideas: Some parents have expressed a desire to have more events where parents can get to know each other better. A movie night was one idea that was brought up.
The last McTeacher Night brought in $708. Darcy Roll who has headed up McTeacher Night (and has done a fantastic job) will not be doing this again next year. A new person to head this up will be needed. Darcy has all the information needed and will be willing to train in the next person.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
~Coming Soon~
May
- 5- Monroe Color Run
- 8- PLC 2-Hour Late Start
- 9- MN Zoo, 3rd Grade
- 10-Children's Museum, VanOverbeke & Jaqua
- 11- DMMS Tour for 5th Grade
- 11- DMMS 8th Grade Band & Orchestra Concert, Gym
- 11- All School Read Out, 1:45
- 16- Children's Museum, Eccles & Schwarz
- 17- PTO Meeting, 6:30 pm
- 18- MSO @ East HS, 4th & 5th Grade, 9 am
- 21- Ecology Bus, Anderson & Nadeau
- 22- Ecology Bus, Evans & Smook
- 24- Children's Museum, 4th Grade
- 25- Fishing Day, 4th & 5th Grade
- 28- NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
- 29- Play Day
June
- 1- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Monroe Tuesday Folder
Click on link above to view the Tuesday Folder.
~Lunch Menus~
About Monroe
Email: me@isd77.k12.mn.us
Website: www.me.isd77.org
Location: 441 Monroe Avenue, North Mankato, MN, United States
Phone: (507) 387-7889
Facebook: facebook.com/MonroeElementary-PTO
Twitter: @MonroeMAPS
Phone Numbers
Weather Hotline 386-4777
Hours
Building Hours 7:30-3:30
Office
Secretary- Mara Dehning
Clerical Asst.- Mary Krueger
Health Asst.- Madeline Veroeven