Sanford Elementary School

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

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.

Mr. Vik’s class had a blast sprucing up the school grounds today! Small acts of kindness and community service are like sprinkles of joy - appreciated and rewarding!

The 4th-grade students recently visited Minnesota West in Granite Falls. During their trip, they were educated on farm safety practices and gained insights into the various activities conducted on a farm.

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

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!

Big cheers for our MES Hawks of the Week from last week! Our schools are bursting with incredible kiddos! 🌟

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!

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

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER NO SCHOOL - Friday, February 16 & Monday, February 19th Have a nice Presidents' Day Break!

Congratulations to the MES students who have been named Hawks of the Week in February so far. Keep up the great work by continuing to make positive choices!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Janelle DeZeeuw! Janelle is a Food Service/District Office Administrative Assistant. She started with the school district in 2017 as a part-time administrative assistant in the middle school office. She moved to her current, full-time position in the district office in 2018. Janelle grew up on a farm north of Montevideo, and she attended Ramsey Elementary School (K-5), Central Middle School (6-9), and Montevideo High School (10-12). Janelle’s husband Jim is a fuel transport driver for CHS. They have two adult boys, Adam and Tyler, who are both engaged to be married. Their youngest son lives and works in Montevideo, and their oldest son lives and works in the Twin Cities area. Janelle & Jim have one pet cat named Moose who tolerates them living in “his” house! Janelle’s hobbies include reading, puzzles, playing games, camping, snowmobiling, boating & ATV trail riding. She also loves to travel, exploring new areas of the state and country. She doesn’t always get her way, but when Janelle and her husband travel, she loves turning off the main route and trying a different way. She says, “You never know what memory you might make, or things you might see or learn about, by getting off the beaten path.” Your dedication and hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, Janelle. Thank you so much for all you do! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

One of our talented Sanford students captured this stunning photo of the sunrise!

HELLO FEBRUARY! SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER Friday, February 2nd is an Early Dismissal - Staff Development Day Friday, February 16 & Monday, February 19 - NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day Break

Hooray for our MES Hawks of the Week! Keep crushing it with those smart decisions!

Celebrating the MES Hawks of the Week! We're thrilled to announce last week's Hawks of the Week! Their commitment to Hawk Pride is truly remarkable. Congratulations to all of them!