Montevideo Public Schools

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Erika Zachman! Erika is the district's Payroll & Accounting Specialist. She has worked for the school district for 6 years. Erika's hometown is Montevideo. She is a 2005 Montevideo High School graduate and a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, MN. Erika and her husband Phil have one daughter, Lyla. In her free time, Erika enjoys traveling, camping, golfing, hiking, kayaking and downhill skiing. Erika says, "I am very fortunate to be a part of this great Thunder Hawk community. I grew up as a Thunder Hawk, and I’m excited that my daughter gets to continue her education as one with the great group of educators and support staff we have here throughout the district." We're lucky to have you on our team, Erika! Thank you for all the hard work you put in daily! Know that it is recognized and greatly appreciated. #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Please join us at Montevideo Middle School tonight for our Fall Band Concert: Monday, November 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the MMS Gymnasium. Presented by 6th & 7th Grade Band, directed by Mr. Riley Frank, and 8th Grade Band, directed by Mr. Hunter Hamby.

MES kicked off HAWK Pride last week! Students and staff had so much fun wearing their Hawk Pride shirts together. A BIG "Thank You" to our generous sponsors for providing these t-shirts for our MES students and staff: Friendship Homes, Clean Site, Edward Jones James Bulman, Hughes Real Estate & Auction Service, J & D Construction, Madsen Family Chiropractic, Outlaw Graphics, Tostenson Inc. and VFW Post 380. The sponsors are listed on the back of the shirt. HAWK Pride at MES implements PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). It is a way to create positive, predictable, equitable and safe learning environments where everyone thrives. We Can't Hide Our HAWK Pride! - Have Respect - Act Responsible - Work Hard - Keep Safe

REMINDER - Mark your calendar! Wednesday, November 22nd is an Early Dismissal - Staff Development Day for the Thunder Hawks. NO SCHOOL on Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24th for Thanksgiving Break.

Special thanks go out to 1969 Montevideo graduate, Dewey Smith. Dewey is currently an electrical engineer for Black & Veatch near Sacramento, California. He is back in town for a family wedding. He took time to visit Mr. Schimming's and Mr. Foley's Advanced Math classes and Robotics classes and share his passion for engineering with students. Physics students and Furniture Building students also sat in. Thanks for spending the day with us and sharing your knowledge, Dewey! It was a good day to be a ThunderHawk and learn from a former Mohawk!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on High School Spanish Teacher Erin Lippert! Erin has been teaching Spanish for 22 years, the past 13 years in Montevideo. Erin grew up on a farm south of Prinsburg and graduated from what was then BDRSH (now RCW). When her parents retired, Erin and her husband bought the farm so she literally moved back home again! Erin got her undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University and her Masters in Education from Saint Mary’s University. Erin and her husband Ryan have two children. Their daughter Emily is a senior, and their son Hayden is in 8th grade. Erin loves running, reading, all genres of music, helping on the farm, traveling, watching her kids in their activities and long Sunday afternoon naps. Erin says, “I absolutely love my job. My amazing students make me laugh every day and my MHS colleagues can’t be beat!” ¡Gracias, Erin! Your dedication to teaching and unwavering commitment to your students is truly admirable! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Please join us Monday, November 13th @ 11am in the Montevideo High School gymnasium for a special Veterans Day Program. Guests should enter through the GYM doors at the High School to attend the program. Orange cones are out in the parking lot reserving spaces closest to the gym doors for our guests. This program will be livestreamed on our website.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! This week’s spotlight shines on Adam Eakes! Adam is a paraprofessional at the Montevideo Middle School. In the spring, you’ll find him at the baseball field after school. Adam is also a Montevideo Thunder Hawks Junior High Baseball Coach! Adam grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He has a beautiful family of five: two daughters, two sons, and an amazing wife Karina. In his free time, Adam enjoys spending time with his family. His favorite pastime is baseball, going to games and coaching. We’re proud to have you on our team, Adam! We appreciate all you do to support our students and teachers every day! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Yesterday, six students from MHS's College Now-Intro to Education course attended the Aspiring Educators Day at SMSU. The conference focused on Mental Health and shared knowledge about using the QPR method to intervene preventable death (suicide). #smsucollegenow #aspiringeducatorsday #duckcupmemorial #mindingyourmind #qprinstitute

Preliminary Election Results: School Board: Dustin Shourds- 1,595 votes, Daniel Ohmacht- 1,528 votes to win the two open school board positions. Referendum Q1: 1,021 Yes to 1,097 No Referendum Q2: 1,018 Yes to 1,098 No Thank you to everyone who went out to vote.

Last night, over 350 students and their parents attended the career fair at the Montevideo High School gym to talk with over 48 post-secondary programs and employers! Students were able to explore careers with many hands-on activities. We want to thank the employers and colleges who attended, parents and students for attending, our featured partners and donors for making the free meal possible, Plazita Restaurant for catering, and this group of teachers who put in their own time to make this the best event for our students!

It's Election Day! Your vote matters. Cast your informed vote on the two referendum questions during today's special election. Polling Location - National Guard Training and Community Center (TACC), 711 South 17th Street, Montevideo, MN Polling Hours - 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

REMINDER MHS students & their families...come to the CAREER FAIR tonight at the MHS Gym from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Learn about local career opportunities, post-secondary options and enjoy a free meal sponsored by the Southwest Initiative Foundation. We hope to see you there!

Congratulations to our 2023 Pumpkin Decorating Contest winners: Mrs. Stueck's TA! This TA gets bragging rights, a traveling pumpkin trophy, and enjoyed donuts today. Thank you to all who voted.

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER: NO SCHOOL on Thursday, November 9 & Friday, November 10, 2023 Conferences November 9: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. November 14: 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

This week is National School Psychology Week, November 6-10, 2023, and we are celebrating School Psychologist Nicole Redmann! Join us in thanking Nicole for going above and beyond to support our students, families and staff! We are grateful to have her serving in our district. #HawkPride #SchoolPsychWeek

Question of the week! Q: If the referendum is approved, and the Ramsey site is sold, what will that money be used for? A: The school board and administration have been listening to community feedback on this topic and have committed to putting any proceeds created from the sale of the Ramsey site to pay down the debt associated with the referendum approved projects. #MontevideoForward

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Cassie Nelson! Cassie is in her 8th year teaching Small World Nursery School (SWNS) and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE). Cassie was born and raised in Montevideo! She earned her Bachelor's degree at Southwest Minnesota State University. Cassie taught for Head Start prior to becoming a SWNS teacher. Cassie is the proud mom of Ryzen, a senior at Montevideo High School. In her free time, Cassie enjoys lake weekends with family, walking, biking, kayaking, playing board games, and traveling to beautiful places. Cassie says, “I am proud to spend my days having fun, creating smiles, encouraging a love of learning, and fueling the light that shines in Montevideo's young Thunder Hawks. I am grateful and fortunate to work alongside some amazing, hard-working superstars at the Hawks Nest.” Thanks for all you do for our young Thunder Hawks, Cassie, and for your love for teaching! We appreciate you! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER Friday, November 3rd is an Early Dismissal - End of Quarter 1 for the Thunder Hawks. Early dismissal times are: Ramsey 1:15 pm Sanford 1:20 pm MHS 1:25 pm MMS 1:30 pm

Reminder! Come join the MHS Band and Choir TONIGHT at 7pm in the MHS Gymnasium for an evening filled with wonderful live music! We hope to see you there!