MSAD's Family Newsletter
November Newsletter
Director's Corner
Hello Families & Students,
As we head into November, it has been so nice to settle into the stability of our daily routine without the constant anticipation of switching into Distance Learning at any given time. While our Health & Safety continue to be paramount in making sure we are able to operate at full capacity, it has been great to get back to a semi normal routine of in-person learning, events on campus and outdoor field trips. We are in a much different place than we were last year!
Included in this newsletter you will see snippets from student experiences this past month with our school wide Anti-Bullying initiative, a recap of academic competitions and class field trips. Also included below are upcoming dates, information on our winter sports season, October's Trojans of the Month, and a message from our mental health team. Be sure to also check out our Parent Teacher Staff Association (PTSA) workshop this month too!
Thank you for your support and the many ways you encourage each other and our students to ACHIEVE, CARE and THRIVE!
Sincerely,
Anne Grace Donatucci
Attendance Reminder
If there is a change to your child/children's after school plans, please notify Sandy Caron by 11am.
Winter Sports Season
No School/Early Release
Early Release at 2pm on Wednesday, November 24th.
Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021, 02:00 PM
615 Olof Hanson Drive, Faribault, MN, USA
Upcoming Dates
November 3rd-5th - Virtual GPSD Academic Bowl Competition
November 5th- Virtual Gallaudet Visit
November 9th - Picture Retake Day
November 11th - Veterans Day (school will be in session)
November 15th - Varsity Girls Basketball Begins
November 15th-19th - Middle School Battle of the Books (BOTB) Preliminaries
November 16th - PTSA Workshop, 6pm
November 18th - Fall Feast
November 18th - Accuplacer Testing
November 18th - MN Give To The Max Day (supporting our International Studies Club)
November 22nd - Varsity Boys Basketball Begins
November 25th & 26th - No SchoolAcademic Competitions
Gallaudet University Youth Programs - Trivia Cup
MSAD has 12 students from middle and high school participating in this year's Trivia Cup. They all participated in these competitions.
Here are the results from this year's Trivia Cup:
At the high school level, those who made it to the Top 32 for the following categories:
Mathematics: Benny Dow, Dalina Schwartz, Hannah Sheets
Science and Technology: Benny Dow, Jordan Iseri, Dalina Schwartz, Hannah Sheets, Holly Sheets
Language and Literature: Jordan Iseri, Dalina Schwartz, Hannah Sheets
Social Studies: Jordan Iseri
They took the ranking test on the week of October 25-29th to move onto the next level. Without further ado, here are the results of Top 16:
Mathematics: Benny Dow in 5th place
Science and Technology: Dalina Schwartz in 4th place and Hannah Sheets in 16th place
Language and Literature: Dalina Schwartz in 6th place and Jordan Iseri in 10th place
Social Studies: Jordan Iseri in 12th place
Next step for these Trivia Cup finalists are the playoffs which take place on November 10th.
At the middle school level, Nathan Schwartz made it to the Top 4 for Science and Technology. He will be competing against 3 other students in the Finals on November 8.
Information is posted on Instagram: @guyouthprograms
Middle School - Battle of the Books
Tuck Library
In promotion of reading and literacy, students may check out books and take them off campus to read at home. Families, if you would like to reserve a book for your student, here is the link to our library system - Follet.
If you have any questions, reach out to our school librarian Matt Kevan at Matt.Kevan@msa.state.mn.us
Field Trips From September & October
Middle School - Big Island Rendezvous
K-2nd Grade - Barten's Farm
High School Living Skills - Fireside Orchard & Great Day Farm
Shanada's Class - Afton Apple Orchard
ECE - Fireside Apple Orchard
ECE - Campus Firetruck Visit
Message From Our Mental Health Team
Our mental health team continues to provide social emotional learning (SEL) lessons and activities for our students. SEL involves critical skills like self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.
SEL can be carried over at home too! Your daily family life often creates opportunities for your children to learn valuable skills. Check out this website for strategies you can use at home: https://positiveschoolsolutions.com/blog/f/it-takes-a-village-social-emotional-learning-at-home
Anti-Bullying Week
Weekly Parent American Sign Language Class
Zoom Information:
Topic: Parents ASL Class
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5060227045?pwd=M05LcUlQUTV1aDV6UDVLTDRJY2h0QT09
Meeting ID: 506 022 7045
Passcode: blueSZ
Meeting ID: 506 022 7045
Passcode: 475731
Tuesday, Nov 2, 2021, 06:00 PM
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Trojans of the Month
We are Safe, Respectful and Responsible
Parent Teacher Staff Association (PTSA) Virtual Workshop
Health & Safety Measures
Facial Coverings - Masks
Facial coverings may be reusable cloth or disposable masks. Make sure that your student has a supply of at least 10 masks when on-campus services begin. Please make sure each mask is marked with your child’s name.
Day Students -
Please make sure your student has a daily supply of 2 masks, one for them to wear during travel to school and a backup in their backpack, if needed.
If you are having difficulty obtaining masks, please let me know.
Trojan Health & Safety Measures
Our classrooms are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Each educational building will be equipped with:
- Plexiglass sheets for the front office areas
- Health screening station in Quinn Hall and at parent drop off location. Equipped with hand sanitizer, posters and health screening questions.
- Social distancing rules and guidelines
- Poster promoting health and safety practices
- Mass communication messages in American Sign Language
- Hand Sanitizers in each pod area.
- Cleaning materials for each classroom. For example microfiber towels with disinfectant
- Room/bathroom disinfectant sprayer schedule - daily in educational buildings with students.
MSAD's Trojan Corner
We are looking forward to connecting with students both in and out of the classroom!
Bus/Parent Drop Off Locations
Superintendent Video
- Other Resources -
Summer Wilderness Inquiry Opportunity
One of our biggest programs, Canoemobile, is going to be traveling on the Mississippi River and other local waterways such as the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes or the Cannon River in 2022. The Canoemobile team travels the country with a fleet of 24-foot-long Voyageur canoes and provides participants with an awesome on-water experience. Typically, we also offer a range of land-based activities, ranging from teambuilding to water quality investigation.
Does this sound like a field trip your school would be interested in for 2022? In terms of cost, we have financial aid available for qualifying groups. I have included a link to our Canoemobile website, as well as an informative video.
MSAD Foundation Amazon Smile
This is a great way to donate to the MSAD Foundation is by using this Amazon Smile account when shopping.
Parent Teacher Staff Association - PTSA
Faribault Deaf Club
For more information, join Faribault Deaf Club Facebook Page or Youtube channel.
Spring 2020 Companion
Hard copies are available, for request - contact Donna Hanson in the front office of Quinn.
Parent & Student Resources
Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf
MSA provides a rigorous, student-centered educational program in a fully accessible, language-rich environment to maximize each student's full potential. Additionally, MSA provides statewide resources and professional expertise to parents, families, partners and educational programs in Minnesota.
Email: annegrace.donatucci@msa.state.mn.us
Website: https://msad.msa.state.mn.us/
Location: 615 Olof Hanson Drive, Faribault, MN, USA
Phone: 507-384-6600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Minnesota-State-Academy-for-the-Deaf-170771429656710/