Owatonna Public Schools
Equipping Students to be College, Career and Life Ready
Watch as Career Pathways Navigator Brian Coleman shares about his role in equipping students to be college, career and life ready.
Preparing the World's Best Workforce
By Michelle Krell, Assistant Superintendent
As I reflect on the challenges of the last few school years, I couldn’t be more proud of our staff and their hard work, resiliency and “do whatever it takes” attitude. Owatonna Public Schools is committed to fulfilling our vision to inspire a community of learners with equitable access to high quality, innovative learning opportunities ensuring all students are college, career and life ready.
Annually, we present a World’s Best Workforce Plan that aligns to current district strategic directions and provides updates in curriculum, instruction, and goals around student achievement. The World’s Best Workforce was presented to the public on November 14. The meeting outlined the progress from the 2021-22 school year and the goals for this school year (2022-23).
Mission Moment
Nils Gantert, son of Stefan and Sarah, was honored as the Mission Moment in November in recognition of his being named as a National Merit Semifinalist.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition that honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Approximately 1.5 million high school students enter the program by taking the PSAT their junior year.
Of those students, approximately 16,000 qualify as Semifinalists, so Nils is in an elite group. Nils is also involved in soccer, basketball, tennis, band, choir and is a member of the Carolers.
We are #OwatonnaProud of Nils and wish him the very best as he completes his time at Owatonna High School this year and goes on to continue his education at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus.
State of the District
View the "Building Our Future" State of the District video from Superintendent Jeff Elstad.
2022-23 ExCEL Award Nominees
Owatonna Juniors Aubrianna Werk and Ethan Armstrong have been nominated for the Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership (ExCEL) Award for the 2022-23 school year.
Sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, the ExCEL Award recognizes high school juniors who are active in fine arts and/or athletic activities, who demonstrate leadership qualities and who are model citizens in their community.
Ethan's involvement at OHS includes National Honor Society, OHS Magnet, Weight Room Assistant, honor roll, Choir, Tenor Ensemble, and Carolers. He plays football, basketball, and baseball. His community service includes Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Toys for Tots, Out of the Darkness - Suicide Prevention, church volunteer/acolyte, Youth Basketball Camp, Little Huskies Football Camp, and baseball umpire.
Aubrianna is involved in National Honor Society, Key Club (vice president), Mock Trial, Peer Tutoring, SHOC, Link Crew, DECA, and honor roll. She plays soccer, basketball, and participates in track and field. She also plays in the band and pep band. She is involved in the community through Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, NHS Blood Drive, Youth Soccer Camp, Medford Elementary Summer School teacher assistant, Family Reading Night, Vincent's Table, Steele County Safe & Drug Free, and church volunteer.
Are you temporarily staying with others or staying in a place that is not home?
If you are not staying in your own home right now, talk to your child's school about it. The school social workers and the McKinney-Vento liaison are here to support you.
McKinney-Vento Liaison - Trina Kasper - 507-444-8081 - pkasper@isd761.org
Visiting Professors from Indonesia
University of Minnesota Professor of Science Education and Associate Director of STEM Education Center Gillian Roehrig brought visiting professors from Indonesia to Owatonna. The STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) faculty were observing the amazing learning happening in our elementary schools.
Follow Owatonna Public Schools (@Owatonna761) on social media to see many examples of what is happening in our classrooms throughout the district.
High School Construction Update
Upcoming Dates
- December 23-January 2: No school
December School Board Meetings
December 12: School Board Regular Meeting, 5:30 pm
December 12: Truth in Taxation Hearing, 6:00 pm
Location: Owatonna High School, Small Group Forum, 333 East School Street (Door #16)
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