Montevideo Public Schools

Happy National School Librarian Day! We appreciate the work of our school library staff in each of our schools: •MHS - Gabi Van Sickle •MMS - Allie Virnig •MES - Karla Peterson and Jessica Cantu Thank you for all you do for our students and staff!

Happy Paraprofessional Appreciation Day 2024! Paraprofessional Appreciation Day is celebrated the first Wednesday in April each year. THANK YOU to our paraprofessionals for the work you do each day to support our students, teachers, and schools! Enjoy your day!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Kristi Arndt! Kristi is the Special Education Assessment Coordinator for Montevideo Public Schools, and this is her fifth year in the district. Kristi’s hometown is Clinton, Minnesota. She graduated high school from Ortonville, Minnesota. Kristi received her undergraduate degree from SMSU in Marshall, Minnesota in K-6 Elementary Education and received additional special education licensures from NSU in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She received her Masters of Special Education from SMSU. Kristi has two daughters and a son. Kortni is studying for her Physical Therapy Assistant certification; Kenadi is a senior at Minneota High School, and she will be attending Bethany Lutheran where she will continue playing basketball and pursue a career in elementary education; Kyson is a sophomore at Minneota and loves to play football, wrestle and play baseball. Kristi’s favorite hobbies are attending her kids' events, reading and relaxing by a campfire with family and friends. A fun fact about Kristi is she taught first grade with De De Epema in the Hendricks school district, Hendricks, MN. Kristi says, “I love coming to work everyday and being part of the Thunder Hawk community!” We’re happy to have you on our team, Kristi! Thanks for all you do for our staff, students and families! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Patrick Mauel. Patrick is our Head Custodian at the Montevideo Middle School. Patrick’s hometown is Appleton, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Maryland, and he served in the United States Air Force. Patrick and his wife Colleen have been married almost 11 years, and they have one daughter, Amelia. Outside of work, Patrick enjoys his walks with Amelia and playing Legos, board games and drawing with her. He enjoys traveling with his wife and going to concerts with her. Some of Patrick’s hobbies include wood carving, model making, painting and reading. Patrick enjoys coming to work at the middle school. He says the staff are truly great and a pleasure to work with, and the students are fun, polite and a joy to be around. A fun fact about Patrick is that he speaks Korean (although he may be a little rusty at it now). Thank you, Patrick, for taking such good care of our school, staff and students! Your dedication, tireless work, and attention to detail is greatly appreciated. #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Due to the weather, Montevideo Public Schools will be closed today, Tuesday, March 26th. This will be an E-learning day. No Head Start, Small World Preschool, ECSE, Community Ed or school activities. Thunder Hawk Care will be closing at 4 p.m.

Due to the weather, Montevideo Public Schools will be opening 2 hours late tomorrow, Tuesday, March 26th. No morning sessions of ECSE, Small World Preschool or Community Ed activities. Thunder Hawk Care will be opening at 7 a.m.

Due to the weather, Montevideo Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, March 25th, 2024. This will be an E-learning day. No Head Start, Small World preschool, ECSE, Community Ed or school activities. Thunder Hawk Care will be opening at 7 a.m.

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER: March 27: Early Dismissal Day March 28: Staff Development Day - No School for Students March 29-April 1: Spring Break - No School

Mark your calendar! Coming soon...the 23rd Annual Montevideo Middle and High School Flood of Jazz Undercover! Tickets on sale starting April 1st!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! This week we are proud to shine the staff spotlight on Valeric Villalta! Valeric works at Ramsey Elementary School as a Family & Community Liaison. Valeric grew up in La Libertad Comayagua, Honduras, and moved to Montevideo when she was 11 years old. Valeric is a Montevideo High School graduate, and she is continuing her education at Minnesota West Community & Technical College where she will graduate from this spring. She plans to attend SMSU in Marshall to further her education and pursue a degree as an ELL teacher. Outside of work, Valeric loves being a Thunder Hawk and helping at school and around the community by interpreting for families and friends. Her favorite hobby is going to the gym. Your dedication and hard work is truly appreciated, Valeric! Thanks for all you do for our families and Thunder Hawk community! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Gabi Van Sickle! Gabi is our librarian at the Montevideo High School. Gabi grew up throughout Minnesota and North Carolina. She lives in Granite Falls, Minnesota, and she is a Yellow Medicine East High School graduate. Outside of work, you can find Gabi spending time with her family and friends, or with her nose in a book! She also loves to bake and make crafty things. Gabi says, “I can easily say that I love my job. The students and staff are welcoming, kind, and always there for each other. Building relationships over the past two years with smart and funny students has definitely been my favorite part of being a part of the Thunder Hawk community. Come say ‘hi’ and talk about books with me sometime!” Thanks for being a keeper of books, guardian of knowledge, search engine and so much more, Gabi! We appreciate you! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Bob Foley! Bob is a math teacher at the Montevideo High School. He is an assistant football coach, assistant girls' basketball coach, and a driver’s education teacher. This is Bob’s seventh year working for the district. Bob’s hometown is Philip, South Dakota. He graduated from Northern State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He attended Hamline University for Physics Licensure, SMSU for a Master's degree in Math Education, and St. Cloud State University for Driver's Education. Bob and his wife Joan have three kids; Keely, sophomore at MN State-Fergus Falls, Kiera, a senior at MHS, and Keenan, an 8th grader at MMS. Bob's hobbies are camping with family in the Black Hills, hunting, and attending his kids' activities. We are grateful to have you on our team, Bob! Thanks for your hard work and dedication to teaching and coaching! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Happy School Social Work Week! This week we shine a spotlight on the dedicated professionals who play a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being and success of students across the nation. We celebrate and recognize the dedication and tireless efforts of school social workers, whose commitment to fostering positive school environments directly impacts students, administrators, teachers, parents, and the community at large. A special shoutout to the incredible school social workers in our school district making a positive impact every day! #SSWWeek2024 #ImpactInTheMaking #PearlsOfWisdom #HawkPride Char Dahl – Montevideo High School Todd Swedzinski – Montevideo Middle School Susan Marcinkowski – Montevideo Middle School Morgan Lenning – Sanford Elementary School Kris Kirkeby – Ramsey Elementary School Marissa Webb - MVALC

March 4 - 8, 2024 is National School Breakfast Week #NSBW24 The campaign theme this year is "Surf's Up with School Breakfast" Busy weekday mornings make it a challenge for many families to find time for a healthy breakfast. Fortunately, ISD #129 offers students a free nutritious breakfast to ensure they are fueled for learning each school day.

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER Friday, March 8 is an Early Dismissal-Staff Development Day. Sunday, March 10 is Daylight Saving Time. Spring ahead!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Tania Turcios! This is Tania’s second year working as a Family & Community Liaison at Sanford Elementary School. Tania moved to Montevideo from Honduras at the age of 14. She has lived in Montevideo for 11 years, and she is a Montevideo High School graduate. Tania is in her last semester at Southwest Minnesota State University pursuing a degree in Business Management. Outside of work, Tania likes to spend time with family and friends. Tania says, “I am immensely grateful to the Thunder Hawk Community for warmly welcoming me and helping me grow academically and professionally. I am proud to be an integral part of the community and wish to give back to my fellow members.” Your dedication and hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, Tania! Thanks for all you do for our families and Thunder Hawk community! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Reminder: Join us tonight for Letters & Art Night at Ramsey Elementary School! 5-6pm: Free pizza dinner, celebrate the art of your pre-K to 5th grader on display 5:30-6:30pm: Read with a "celebrity reader" guest, take home a new book We hope to see you at this free & fun family event!

We all want our children to work hard and learn to be responsible members of the community. Every day, our Montevideo Public School board members are leading the way by example. They give hours of their time so our children can have a first-rate education. Thank a school board member today!

Today is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in Minnesota! School bus drivers play a crucial role in our school systems and are important figures in children's lives. We appreciate and recognize the invaluable contributions they make to public education and student safety. Join us in thanking all of the Montevideo school bus drivers at Clark Transportation for going above and beyond every day to safely transport our students to school, to activities, and back home. They are: Dennis Clark, Roland Clark, Gerri West, Dale Janssen, Matthew Olson, Brian Clark, Paul Toft, Shelly Larson, Bradley Larson, Steven Evenson, Paul Dezeeuw, Amy Dingfelder, Julius Hamann, Lou Kuno, Caty Fowler, Robb Miller, Kipp Yackley, Amy Reidinger, Kelly Aalfs, John Albrecht, Kevin Norman, Jake Fiscus, Chloe Nelson and Allen Angrimson. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! #HAWKPRIDE

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! This week we are proud to shine a spotlight on Kelly Bednar! Kelly teaches third grade at Sanford Elementary School, coaches Junior High track, and enjoys helping out with the volleyball program as well. She has worked in the district for seven years. Kelly grew up in Ramona, South Dakota. She is a graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU) with a degree in Early Childhood Education, an English Second Language endorsement and an Elementary Education Certification. Kelly received a Master of Science in Education with Reading emphasis degree through Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU). Kelly and her husband Joe have two sons, Brooks (4) and Hayes (1), that keep them on their toes. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with family, going to the lake in the summer, exercising, baking and house renovating. A fun fact about Kelly is she has as many siblings as she did high school classmates – four! We are grateful to have you on our team, Kelly! Thanks for your hard work and dedication to teaching and coaching! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation