Montevideo Public Schools

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! This week's spotlight shines on Rachel Paradee. Rachel is a Special Education paraprofessional at the Montevideo Middle School. She has worked for the school district for three years. Rachel's hometown is Sacred Heart, MN. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, camping, swimming at the lake, bonfires, and boating with her children. Rachel says, "The middle school is a great place to work and the staff is super kind and fun to work with!" We are proud to have you on our team, Rachel! Thank you for your service to our students and staff at MMS. #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

We are proud to congratulate our Social Worker, Charlynn Dahl who has been awarded the Minnesota School Social Worker of the Year for 2023. Click the link below for a bio on Mrs. Dahl. https://msswa.wildapricot.org/2023-School-Social-Worker-of-the-Year

Did you know there are tax programs available that property owners may qualify for? They include: Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund, Special Property Tax Refund, and Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral. Learn more about these programs on our Referendum website: https://www.montevideoschools.org/page/referendum Attend an upcoming Community Info Session to learn more: Monday, October 16, 6:00 p.m. at Talking Waters, Montevideo Tuesday, October 17, 12:00 Noon at Montevideo Community Center Thursday, October 26, 6:00 p.m. at Montevideo High School #MontevideoForward

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER Friday, October 6th is an Early Dismissal - Staff Development Day for the Thunder Hawks. Early dismissal times are: Ramsey 1:15 pm Sanford 1:20 pm MHS 1:25 pm MMS 1:30 pm

Keep an eye out for a mailer being delivered to all resident mailboxes soon with information about the district's facilities referendum! #MontevideoForward INVESTING TODAY IN OUR COMMUNITY'S TOMORROW

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! This week's spotlight shines on Sheila Koepke. Sheila is a Special Education teacher at the Montevideo High School, and she is the Jr. Class/Prom Advisor. She has been a Special Education teacher for 28 years, the last six years in Montevideo. Sheila's hometown is Granite Falls. She graduated as a Granite Falls High School Kilowatt. Sheila earned her undergraduate degree at Southwest State University and a Master's degree at St. Cloud State University. Sheila is married with two adult children. She enjoys spending time with her granddaughter and helping keep the family farm running. Sheila says, "I am a believer in the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. I am grateful for the many opportunities that the Montevideo community provides for our youth and the support they show our kids." Thank you, Sheila, for all that you do! Your hard work, dedication and passion for teaching are truly appreciated. #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

A BIG shoutout to our custodial and maintenance staff at Montevideo Public Schools! Today we celebrate National Custodian Day!✨ While many may not see the magic you work behind the scenes, we do! Your tireless efforts to keep our learning spaces at their best do not go unnoticed. On National Custodian Day, we want to thank you and tell you how much we appreciate you and value your dedication and contributions. You are a vital part of our school family! #HawkPride

Question of the week! Q: When and how can I vote on the referendum questions? A: There are three ways you can vote: - In-person, absentee/early voting at the District Office in the Montevideo Middle School, 2001 William Avenue, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm now until November 6 - Request an absentee ballot by calling the School District Office at 320-269-8833 or E-mail: election@montevideoschools.org - In-person voting on November 7 Election Day at the National Guard Training and Community Center between 7:00am-8:00pm #MontevideoForward Investing Today In Our Community's Tomorrow

Please take a moment to watch Mr. McKittrick's latest Superintendent's stream with important information on the upcoming referendum. https://youtu.be/DDdSJEHYAe8 Have a great day! Go Hawks!

The sophomore class attended the Career Expo at SMSU to learn more about careers, labor market info and toured the campus. It was great to talk with a couple of MHS 2023 grads who were representing their colleges at the Expo. The sophomores also completed a formal career assessment when we returned to school which is an important first step to developing their future career paths. They were very engaged and represented Montevideo well!

The Minnesota Judicial Branch - Eighth Judicial District, has chosen Montevideo Senior High School as the location to hear oral arguments of a real case on October 11th. This program will give students an opportunity to witness the Court at work and interact with the justices.

It's Homecoming week which means that our recent alumni/college students might be visiting home this week and attending the Homecoming football game this Friday! Don't miss your chance to vote on the two referendum questions listed on the ballot for the November 7 special elections with early voting available at the District Office. We hope you'll cast your vote while home. #MontevideoForward

The student led HOCO Volleyball match on Monday was a success with twelve teams! Congrats to our winning team : TOON SQUAD

Our staff is in the spirit for HOCO week! M H S Spirit Day Wednesday - BBQ dad v. Soccer Mom

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! Meet Derek Webb, 2nd grade teacher of seven years at Ramsey Elementary School! “I lived in Graceville, MN until I was 10 years old, then moved to Ada, MN, and that is where I graduated from high school. I graduated from SMSU with a degree in Elementary Education (and 5-8 Mathematics Endorsement) in 2014. After graduation from SMSU, I was a graduate assistant basketball coach at South Dakota School of Mines. During that 2-year span, I earned my Master’s degree with North Dakota State University in Leadership in Physical Education and Sport. Marissa and I have been married for 5 years and we have two beautiful children. Baylor (2) and Maverick (5 months). They definitely keep us on our toes, but we are so incredibly happy! Almost all of my hobbies revolve around sports and/or competition of some kind. I am a major sports junkie and a die-hard Duke Blue Devils and New York Yankees fan! I know what you may be thinking, but I promise there is a credible backstory on why I cheer for those teams! I will also be entering my 7th season as the head boys’ basketball coach at Montevideo, and this upcoming spring will be my first year coaching junior high baseball! The thing I love the most about Montevideo and the Thunder Hawk community is that small-town love for one another. Your close friends turn into family, and everyone is rooting for one another to succeed. I would be nowhere without the advice and/or help from my colleagues (past and present), and I don't think that happens in every district. My family and I are so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful school district and the community of Montevideo!” We’re proud to have you on our team, Derek, and we appreciate your work and dedication to your students and the Thunder Hawk community. #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Question of the week! Q: If both referendum questions pass, how much of the total amount will be paid for by the State of Minnesota and not local levy? A: The State of Minnesota will pay 41% of the total $61,310,000 referendum amount. #MontevideoForward

Early voting begins today for the special election! Cast your vote at the District Office. To learn more about the referendum questions on the ballot, visit our website: www.montevideoschools.org/page/referendum #MontevideoForward

Join us tonight to learn more about the upcoming Montevideo referendum. Visit our website for details on the upcoming community info. sessions and to learn about the facilities referendum questions.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! Today’s weekly staff spotlight shines on Lauren Blenker! This is Lauren's first year as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at Ramsey Elementary School. Lauren is from Cold Spring, Minnesota. She enjoys reading, painting/drawing, and spending time with her friends, family and her cats. A fun fact about Lauren is that she likes to hike, and she has hiked the highest point in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Welcome, Lauren! We are happy to have you on our team! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Did you know if you are 65 years or older and have a household income of $96,000 or less, you may be eligible to defer a portion of the property taxes on your home through the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program? The program limits the maximum amount of property tax you pay to 3 percent of your total household income and provides predictability; the amount of tax you pay will not change for as long as you participate in this program. The 2023 Legislature modified the requirements of this program by increasing the household income limit to $96,000. This new income limit is in effect for taxes payable in 2024 and later years. For more information, visit our website, https://www.montevideoschools.org/page/referendum, or the MN Dept. of Revenue website, https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-deferral-senior-citizens.