School Talk, Spring 2024

School Talk

The best start possible

Early Childhood Education: Birth through age five

The best start

When it comes to school, families want the best start possible for their children. That’s why Mounds View Public Schools partners with parents to provide a variety of programs for infants through kindergartners.

“Students who go here, grow here,” says Karl Brown, director of Community Education which offers developmentally appropriate classes for the District’s earliest learners and their caregivers. “We want our parents to know we offer an enriching experience for every child, close to home.”

More than 750 children participate in classes from birth through pre-kindergarten, and about 800 attend kindergarten. Here’s a look at each program.

Early childhood family education (ECFE)

Birth to Age 5

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a parenting education program designed to enhance the ability of all caregivers to provide supportive environments for their child’s learning and development.

In Mounds View Public Schools, infants and their caregivers nurture the parent-child relationship through nonseparating classes like “Baby and Me” for birth - 9 months and “Movers” for 10 - 17 months. Toddlers and parents can spend time together and apart exploring the journey from dependence to independence in classes like “Explorers” for 18-23 months, “Busy Bodies” for ages 2+ and “First Friends” which combines ECFE and preschool. “Family Playtime” offers mixed ages from birth to age 5 a time to explore and play together.

On the cover:

Rhys Casper and Noah MontesBoelter were in pre-kindergarten classes as four-yearolds and are now kindergartners, all in the same building —

Pike Lake Education Center in New Brighton.

School Talk is published by Mounds View Public Schools, Independent School District 621. Send correspondence to School Talk editor, 4570 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, MN 55126 or email schooltalk@mvpschools.org

One or two days a week, and drop in one-time classes

Early Childhood Education Center – New Brighton

Snail Lake Education Center – Shoreview

Fee and free

Register

Connect with us:

Para asistencia en traducciones ó ayuda como intérprete, por favor llama 651-724-2854.

Editors

Megan McKeen

Colin Sokolowski

Designer

Susan Abbott

Photographers

J.J. Killins

Jolesch Enterprises

Lifetouch

Superintendent

Chris Lennox

2024 School Board

Shauna Bock

Alissa Daire-Nelson

Heidi Danielson

Jim DeMay

Diane Glasheen

Yolanda Magee

Jonathan Weinhagen

Megan McKeen nancyjophotography.smugmug.com

Yog

651-724-0396.

Visit us:

Haddi aad ubaahantahay faahfaahin dheerad ah ama turjumaad, fadlan kala 651-262-4577.

Special Education

Early childhood special education helps children with disabilities achieve their potential by providing classes and services to children from birth to age five. Children must be assessed to determine eligibility. Contact the Minnesota Department of Education’s Help Me Grow program to start the referral process at 1-866-693-GROW.

possible

Preschool

Relationships and learning are at the heart of all our work to help children ages three and older develop critical thinking skills, build confidence, grow socio-emotionally and to prepare for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten entrance. Children experience a variety of fun learning activities in science, art, dramatic play, music, literacy and large and small muscle development.

Teacher/student ratios of 1:4 – 1:8

Half-days, morning and afternoon

Early Childhood Education Center – New Brighton Snail Lake Education Center – Shoreview

Limited and fee-based

Tuition and scholarships

Register

Age 3+

Mounds View’s score

Early Childhood Screening

All 3- to 5-year-old children in Minnesota are required to complete early childhood screening. The screening includes a hearing and vision check, a speech and developmental screening and a health and immunization screening. Visit mvpschools.org/ecscreening , email ecscreening@mvpschools.org or call 651-621-7350.

98% of parents in the preschool program trust the teachers to do what’s best for their child.

— November 2023, market research survey, 500 random sample of residents with a preschool child (+/- 4.5%)

PARENT AWARE RATINGS

4 = EXCELLING at use of kindergartenreadiness best practices

1 = SOME use of kindergartenreadiness best practices

The Minnesota Department of Human Services awarded Mounds View Public Schools with its top rating for providing the highest quality early learning programs for children.

Age 4+

Pre-kindergarten

Children ages four and older engage with each other to build positive relationships in the classroom. High-quality, licensed educators use a play-based approach to learning with researchbased curriculum and assessment tools. The classrooms and activities provide a variety of fun learning experiences to prepare children for kindergarten in science, art, literacy, language, math and large and small muscle development.

Teacher/student ratios of 1:5 – 1:10

Half-day and full-day classes with beforeand after-school care available for a fee.

Early Childhood Education Center –New Brighton

Pike Lake Education Center – New Brighton

Snail Lake Education Center – Shoreview

Limited and fee-based

98% of parents in the prekindergarten program would recommend it to their friends.

Tuition and scholarships

— November 2023, market research survey, 500 random sample of residents with a pre-kindergarten child (+/- 4.5%)

Parent Advisory Committee

The Early Childhood Parent Advisory Committee is looking for members. Parents participating in ECFE, preschool or pre-kindergarten programs meet with staff during the school year to talk about classes, experiences and explore fun ideas for family events. We value your input. Contact us at mvecpac@gmail.com

Kindergarten

Students receive developmentally appropriate instruction focused on standards as well as individualized attention and growth goals which are customized according to their unique achievements.

A personalized, full-day kindergarten experience is provided in two buildings Pike Lake Education Center in New Brighton and Snail Lake Education Center in Shoreview. Both sites are exclusively focused on students in the earliest stages of their educational journey, from early childhood through kindergarten. The following year, students attend their home elementary school which serves grades 1-5.

During small-group time, students receive instruction in groups of 1 – 6.

Pike Lake Education Center

Bel Air and Sunnyside kindergarten: 8:20 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Pinewood and Valentine Hills kindergarten: 9:05 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Snail Lake Education Center Island Lake and Turtle Lake kindergarten: 9:05 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Before- and after-school care is available for a fee.

Students who live within the Bel Air, Pinewood, Sunnyside or Valentine Hills attendance areas attend kindergarten at Pike Lake Education Center. Students who live within the Island Lake or Turtle Lake attendance areas attend kindergarten at Snail Lake Education Center.

“Instilling the joy of learning. That’s what the kindergarten teachers are doing, and that’s what the kindergarten year is all about.”

— Aya Maruyama, Pike Lake kindergarten parent

New!

Non-residents welcome to apply

In December, the School Board passed a resolution opening enrollment to non-residents on a limited basis in kindergarten through fifth grade for the 2024-25 school year. Learn more at mvpschools.org/enroll

Resident enrollment

Transportation is provided at no cost for all students.

Program and meals are provided at no cost.

If you have a kindergartner who should be starting school in the fall (5 years old by September 1), please notify the kindergarten office in your attendance area. For Pike Lake Education Center in New Brighton, call 651-621-7400 or email pikelake@mvpschools.org . For Snail Lake Education Center in Shoreview, call 651-621-8000 or email snaillake@mvpschools.org

SCHOOL BOARD

2024 School Board

Officer elections

Every year at its first meeting in January, the School Board holds an organizational meeting to elect officers, make committee and school liaison assignments and settle other routine business. This year the Board elected Diane Glasheen as chair, Heidi Danielson as vice chair, Yolanda Magee as clerk and Shauna Bock as treasurer.

Certify final property tax levy

The Board approved a resolution in December to certify the 2024 property tax levy. The final certification will be forwarded to Ramsey County for processing of the final property tax statement. The tax statements will be sent out in March 2024. The property tax revenue will be available to the District for the 2024-25 school year. The total levy amount is $63,688,606.29. For more information, please visit mvpschools.org/finance.

Audit report

In January, a representative from the audit firm Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co., P.A. reviewed the 2022-23 audited financial statements and supplemental reports. During the presentation to the Board, the representative noted that the audit was clean and there were no findings to report. The audit report is available at mvpschools.org/finance

Non-resident enrollment options 2024-2025

Each year, in compliance with state statute, the District reviews student enrollment along with building capacity and decides whether it has the ability to open to nonresident enrollment or if it must continue to limit enrollment to families living outside the District boundaries. In December, the Board passed a resolution opening enrollment to non-residents on a limited basis in grades K-5 for the 2024-25 school year. The application and more information can be found at mvpschools.org/enroll.

Ratification of employment contracts

During public meetings in November, December and January, the Board approved proposed contracts between the District and all of its employee bargaining groups for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 years. This includes contracts for SEIU Local 284 custodians, the Mounds View Education Association (MVEA), the Mounds View Nutrition Services Association, SEIU Local 284 clerical, the Mounds View Principals’ Association and the SEIU Local 284 paraprofessionals.

Jonathan Weinhagen, Diane Glasheen, Alissa Daire Nelson, Heidi Danielson, Shauna Bock, Yolanda Magee and Jim DeMay.

EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Mounds View Schools Education Foundation works in collaboration with Mounds View Schools District leadership to identify programs that require funding to advance opportunities for students throughout the Mounds View District.

For more information on the Foundation visit mvsef.org

Save the date for Rock the School House 2024

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 9, for the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation’s annual Rock the School House.

“Rock the School House is our annual flagship event benefiting all students in the Mounds View School District,” says Erik Rasmussen, President of Mounds View Schools Education Foundation (MVSEF) Board of Trustees. “Each year, we bring together nearly 300 parents, staff and community leaders for a night of fun and fundraising.”

The event is returning to its roots in its 12th year. “We are excited to announce that Rock the School House is returning to the place it all began: The Great Hall at Silverwood Park.”

Tickets go on sale to the community later this summer. Visit mvsef.org/RTSH for sponsorship and volunteer opportunities.

MVSEF welcomes new director

Experience in education, event planning and communications will serve Amanda Duffy well as she takes on her new position as Director of Foundation Operations with the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation.

“I’m excited to join the MVSEF because helping students reach their goals runs in my blood,” explained Duffy. “From being a high school teacher right out of college to helping students decide on a major or career path in college as a career counselor, supporting students is what fulfills me.”

As director of Foundation operations, Duffy will be responsible for managing the MVSEF’s operations, including two annual events: Partnering for Education (150-200 attendees) and Rock the School House (200-300 attendees). Duffy will also collaborate with MVSEF trustees to identify and recruit board prospects and administer the Foundation’s annual giving campaign.

“Amanda’s background in education and connection to the District will be great assets to the Foundation,” said Erik Rasmussen, President of the Board of Trustees. “Her industry experience will play a vital and strategic role in supporting all of our fundraising efforts.”

Duffy will be taking the baton from the Foundation’s former director Jon Ruzek, who led the organization through a successful Rock the School House fundraiser last fall.

Duffy is looking forward to this new role. “I’m excited to use my skills and experiences to build lasting and impactful relationships in a community that I love.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sixth annual PowWow

Join us on Saturday, April 20, for the Mounds View Public Schools sixth annual PowWow to celebrate and honor American Indian students, education and tradition. This free event will include song, dance and more. The grand entry takes place at 1 p.m. at Mounds View High School.

Chalkboard Capers

Chalkboard Capers is a variety show presented annually by the Mounds View Education Association. District teachers and staff host the show to raise money for student scholarships for graduating seniors from Irondale High School, Mounds View High School, REACH Academy, Area Learning Center and Adult Basic Education.

Dates & Times

April 3 5:15 p.m.

April 4 6:30 p.m.

April 5 6:30 p.m.

April 6 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Mounds View High School (1900 Lake Valentine Rd, Arden Hills)

Chalkboard CAPERS

Ticket information can be found at mvpschools.org/chalkboardcapers

District Art Show

Spring plays

Irondale

The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition

April 25 - 28

Mounds View

Cinderella: Enchanted Edition

May 2 - 5

Register for summer day camps!

Middle school camps are now offered in addition to elementary camps! Registration opens March 25 at 9 a.m. Flip through the digital catalog and register at mvpschools.org/communityed

Students from across the District will have the opportunity to show off their artwork this spring at the District Art Show. The event showcases art from artists ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade. The Art Show kicks off Tuesday, May 7, at 5:30 p.m. at Irondale High School. Art will be available for viewing in Irondale’s common areas for one week following the opening event.

Mounds

Event emcees Jerry Dearly and Deanna Standingcloud join head dancers Holly Miskitoos Henning and Zack Red Bear at the emcee table at the 2023 PowWow.

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Unity Day

Edgewood Middle School hosted a Unity Day event in February, in which students were invited to wear clothing that represented their culture for an after-school carnival and cultural learning event. More than 200 students engaged in learning conversations with cultural table hosts, tried new foods at the cultural concession stand and had the opportunity to “Pie-ATeacher” at one of the carnival stations.

Students testify at Capitol

Mounds View High School seniors Noor Balshe and Peter Zappia visited the Minnesota State Capitol in February to speak with the Education Finance committee on how funding can help improve District schools.

Fall food drive

Chippewa Middle School students and the community donated 788 pounds of food and $2,600 during the fall food drive.

History Day

Highview Middle School eighth graders spent two months researching a historical topic of their choice and had the opportunity to present their findings during History Day in February. Their topics needed to reflect a turning point in history, and topics included the origins of organized crime, the Titanic and the use of Spam during World War II.

Noor Balshe, principal Rob Reetz, Senator Heather Gustafson and Peter Zappia.

Hmong New Year celebration

Mounds View High Schools students hosted a first annual Hmong New Year celebration in January. It was open to the public and featured music, food and performances.

Reducing plastic waste

Four Mounds View High School students launched EcoEats, a business that provides affordable biodegradable utensils to the local community. Daniel Sung, Michael Wang, Chad Diao and Suhaib Aden started the business because they are passionate about environmental issues and want to make a positive impact. “A biodegradable fork can help ease the 40 million tons of plastic waste produced yearly in the U.S. alone,” said Sung. “We want to encourage people to make more eco-friendly choices and reduce their carbon footprint.” EcoEats has already delivered more than 3,000 units of biodegradable utensils to several local restaurants such as Wok Cuisine and Sawatdee.

Native Heritage Celebration

In November, Irondale High School hosted a Native American Heritage Month Community Celebration in partnership with the District’s American Indian education program and Irondale’s Native Student Union.The event consisted of a feast, songs, readings, poetry and performances by traditional American Indian dancers. With more than 100 people in attendance this year, plans are being made to host again in the future.

‘The Jason Show’ visits Turtle Lake

Jason Matheson from Fox 9’s “The Jason Show” spent the day as a fifth-grader in Mr. Turtinen’s class at Turtle Lake Elementary School. Watch the segment at mvps.me/jasonshow.

Student founders of EcoEats deliver biodegradable utensils to Wok Cuisine in Shoreview. From left to right: Michael Wang, Wok Cuisine owner, Chad Diao and Daniel Sung. Photo courtesy of the Shoreview Press

Photo courtesy Rennie Jentzen, Mounds View High School

Fall Performances

Mounds View Theater performs ‘A Curious Savage’

The 130-student Mounds View High School theater program performed the comedy, A Curious Savage. “This play is an engaging experience that presents the true importance of charity and kindness in a world that is often motivated by greed and dishonesty,” said senior Anja Horsman, who played Ethel. In spirit of the show’s theme, theater program members held a toy drive during lunches and at each performance. Students were able to deliver a truckload of games, action figures, backpacks and learning toys to Operation Joy after Thanksgiving.

Irondale Drama performs ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Irondale students performed Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in four sold-out performances. More than 100 students worked on the musical, which featured actors using lifts to fly through the air.

Highview Middle School performs ‘Matilda, Jr.’

Edgewood Middle School performs ‘Mean Girls, Jr.’

Pinewood Performing Arts Club performs on the big stage

Pinewood Elementary School students in third, fourth and fifth grades brought their production of Seussical Kids to the big stage at Irondale High School this winter. Based on some of the classic Dr. Seuss children’s books, the musical tells the story of friendship and believing in oneself. Over four months, dozens of students participated in rehearsals and planning resulting in successful performances for the community.

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Promoting educator wellbeing

Valentine Hills Elementary School teacher Greta Schramm traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, for a conference on teacher wellbeing. She presented a full-day workshop on Educator Wellbeing and a half-day workshop on educator self-compassion to the more than 1,000 educators in attendance from hundreds of international schools.

Alumni News

Irondale High School graduate Erik Katovich (class of 2011) was recently featured in The Economist for his study of the effect of wind turbines on bird populations. Katovich, an economist at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, found that despite news stories and popular opinion, wind turbines have a negligible effect on bird populations in the United States.

Seniors to Seniors holiday concert

Irondale High School’s music program hosted its annual Seniors to Seniors holiday concert, which attracted more than 300 community members. Every December, the concert choir, symphonic winds and symphony orchestra perform a free holiday concert for parents, grandparents and community members, including caroling and holiday cookies.

Educators Rising

Irondale and Mounds View High School students who aspire to become teachers toured Concordia College’s teaching program in St. Paul in December. The tour was coordinated by Educators Rising, a group for students interested in a teaching career.

Valentine Hills Elementary School teacher Greta Schramm (left) led a session on Educator Wellbeing at a conference in Columbia.

Image courtesy of Getty Images/The Economist.

Flock Day

Once per quarter, Highview Middle School pauses regular classes to participate in Flock Day, where students spend the day with their classmates engaged in community building, projects, special classes and other activities. Students chose from a variety of activities, which included tie blanket-making, crochet, pickleball, board games and even a frog dissection.

Learning to ski

In January, nearly 250 sixth graders at Highview Middle School attended a field trip at Wild Mountain ski area. Students participated in the “Learn to Ski” program, receiving rentals, safety instruction and lessons at no personal cost. More than 125 students skied for the first time.

Promoting diversity through art

Students from Island Lake and Turtle Lake Elementary Schools won first and third place in Shoreview’s 31st annual poster contest to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Fourth-grade students are invited to submit a poster that includes people of different races and cultures engaged in positive activity. The purpose of the contest is to encourage young people to interact more freely and comfortably with those whom they view as different from themselves, and to experience the value of diversity. More than 250 posters from area schools were submitted.

First place: Bailey Hanson, Turtle Lake Third place: Pranjani Verma, Island Lake

SEC Music Festival

Irondale and Mounds View High School all-conference musicians gathered at Forest Lake High School to perform at the 33rd annual Suburban East Conference Music Festival in February. The annual event invites the top student musicians from all 10 schools in the Suburban East Conference to perform for their peers and colleagues, as well as work with highly-trained instructors to improve their skills.

WITH HONORS

Voice of Democracy essay contest

The Brooker Edmond VFW Post 724 sponsored its annual writing program for middle and high school level students and recently awarded the top students. At the high school level, students wrote and recorded a speech on the topic, “What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?” Middle school students wrote essays from the prompt, “How are you inspired by America?” Mounds View High School sophomore Rose Floeder took first place in the District 4 Division, which qualified her for the state competition. Here is a full list of all of the students who won awards and placed at the local level.

Mounds View High School

• Amy Wu (sophomore), first place, third place at the District 4 Division

• Magnolia (Maggie) Taylor (senior), second place

• Qiuyu (Quincy) Shi (junior), third place

Irondale High School

• Boyana Nikolova (sophomore), first place

Chippewa Middle School

• Nandana Nambiar (eighth grade), first place

• Krisha Dubey (seventh grade), second place

• Ava Vance (seventh grade), third place

Top 10 Middle School

Chippewa Middle School was included in the top 10 of U.S. News & World Report’s list of best middle schools in Minnesota. Out of 412 middle schools included, Chippewa was listed at #9.

Poetry contest

Irondale High School senior Elliot Mevissen won the University of Minnesota’s Walter Nathan Library Initiative poetry contest with their poem titled “Hymnal of Migrating Geese.” National Poet Laureate Ada Límon judged the contest, along with esteemed poet Doug Kearney. Elliot performed their poem in front of more than 500 people in attendance at Limon’s poetry reading in November.

Irondale High School senior Elliot Mevissen attended a poetry reading with National Poet Laureate Ada Limon at the University of Minnesota. Elliot read their award-winning poem to the group of more than 500 attendees.

Best Elementary School

Turtle Lake Elementary School was included in the top 20 of U.S. News & World Report’s list of best elementary schools in Minnesota. Out of more than 800 middle schools included, Turtle Lake was listed at #18.

Mounds View High School associate principal Ben Chiri, Qiuyu (Quincy) Shi, Magnolia (Maggie) Taylor, Amy Wu, Rose Floeder and VFW representative Terry Hoye.

MUSIC HONORS

Mounds View High School

SEC Honor

Band Students

Tommy Asch

Will Carrington

Tom Chi

Anna Deane

Elias Hagfors

Matthew Hahn

Lauren Li

Jonin Morgan

Natalie Simms

Miles Smith

Cole Straka

Lillian Widmer

SEC Honor

Choir Students:

Bjorn Anderson

Brooklyn Both

Trinity De Boise

Hridaya Ghosh

Zariyah Howell

Sarah Kolasa

Emma Lamatsch

Gavihn Lee

Charles McKinnon

Ben O’Neill

Joseph Steffes

SEC Orchestra Students

Luke Baker-Trinity

Josiah Chan

Konomu Gustafson

Benjamin Hagel

Evan Hall

James Isaacson

Sarah Pederson

Hannah Song

Molly Strike

Echo Zhai

DECA students to compete at state competition

Sixteen Mounds View High School DECA members placed in the top six of their events at the DECA District Competition in February. These students will move on to the state competition in March. More than 250 students from around the state competed in dozens of events in the areas of entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and other related fields. The competition is designed to simulate and apply one’s knowledge to real-life business scenarios and test students’ academic understanding and skills development.

The students included Yunru Chen, Jason De La Torre Ramales, Kolbe Erickson, Eli Gladke, Samuel Handelsman, Aidan Happel, Aishah Javed, Yewande Lawal, James Moore, Emily Ren, Maryam Shahkhan, Thanishka Shetty, Thievang Thao, Ella Westerman, Cate Winters, and Yohans Yemane.

Thirteen Irondale High School students qualified for the state DECA competition in March. Six students took first place in their categories at the District competition in February, competing with more than 250 students from area schools. At the state competition, they will compete with 3,000 students and 60 schools for a chance to advance to the international competition in April.

The students included Rachel Brander (junior), Brady Donnelly (junior), Taylor Hansen (senior), Taylor Koch (senior), Kelly Martin (senior) and Stephanie Nazareth (junior).

Orchestra honor

Irondale High School freshman Norah Mevissen was accepted into the MNSOTA (Minnesota String & Orchestra Teachers Association) middle level honors orchestra. Norah, a cellist, performed at the Minneapolis Convention Center during the Minnesota Music Educators Association MidWinter Clinic in February.

From left to right: Irondale seniors Grace O’Brien, Kelly Martin, Ciera Herlofsky and Taylor Koch at the district DECA competition in February.

WITH HONORS

Teacher of the Year

Three District teachers were named candidates for the 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award. The program is the oldest and most prestigious teaching award in the state. An independent panel will review candidate portfolios and select a group of semifinalists in the coming weeks. The statewide Teacher of the Year will be named in May.

Youth in Government awards

At the Youth in Government conference in January, Irondale High School seniors Nick Anderson and Greta Jablonski were recognized with special awards. Greta Jablonski was awarded the Servant Leadership Award, and Nick received the award for Outstanding Delegate. More than 1,300 students from across the state participated in the conference, which is a four-day event that simulates a government in the State Capitol complex.

U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates

Three Mounds View High School students were named candidates for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars program. Established in 1964, this esteemed program recognizes and honors excellence in high school seniors around the country. Each year, up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

Student recipe contest

The Nutrition Services department celebrated National School Lunch Week by holding student recipe contests at each elementary school. The winners won the opportunity to serve their winning recipe to their classmates at lunch for one day. Winners had their recipes served at school throughout the month of November.

Tegan Brennan, Bel Air

Edgar Nauss, Bel Air

Avery Nesler, Island Lake

Clara Johnson, Pinewood

Quincy Freeman, Pinewood

Lily Buranen, Sunnyside

Eleanor Vogel, Sunnyside

Owen Scott, Sunnyside

Julie Quarforth, Turtle Lake

Caleb Enke, Valentine Hills

Howie Lubeznik-Warner, Valentine Hills

Michael Wang

Ellen Guo

Maeve Edgar

Michelle Morse-Wendt Turtle Lake Elementary School

Shawna Poncelet Irondale High School

Jessica RaaenTolzmann Pike Lake Kindergarten

Third-grader Eleanor Vogel serves her winning recipe, pizza pasta, at Sunnyside Elementary School in December.

Quiz Bowl champions

Edgewood Middle School’s quiz bowl teams placed first and fifth out of 30 teams at a recent meet, earning the team two spots at the national competition in Chicago in May.

Congressional App Challenge

Mounds View High School junior Isaac Tsai was awarded first place in the Fourth Congressional District’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge. His app, NTRL, helps young people open up about mental health issues. Isaac will have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., for the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception, demo his app and to have his entry featured in a display at the U.S. Capitol building. View Isaac’s app demonstration at the QR code below.

One Act champions

Irondale Drama placed first in the 4AAAA One Act regional competition, moving on to the statewide competition.

Mock Trial art competition

Irondale High School senior Aaron Muenzer was named a finalist in the 2024 Minnesota State Bar’s Mock Trial Courtroom Artist Competition. Aaron will compete at the 2024 Mock Trial state tournament as a courtroom artist in March.

Back row: Coach Dan Perucco, Eli Braun, Hank O'Hara, Sophia Hammond, Chase Klaphake, Mira Thyen; Front row: Erik Molstad, Ruth Schuh and Noah Johnson.

IRONDALE SPORTS UPDATE

Clay target team

The Clay Target Team took second place overall for the fall season in both trap and skeet. Cashen Wood (senior) earned a third place medal in skeet.

Wrestling

The boys wrestling team had an impressive showing at the Class AAAA sections tournament. Ryder Jacobs came in first place, while Arlo Brinkman and Clayton Solberg each came in second place. All three wrestlers advanced to the state wrestling tournament in February.

facebook.com/ IrondaleHighSchool

For the most up-to-date news, visit the Activities and Athletics website at mvpschools.org/irondale

Nordic ski

At the Nordic skiing state tournament in February, skiers Azelle Besemann (sophomore) and Mia Nordberg (senior) earned sixth place overall in the sprint relay race. Luke O'Rourke (junior) and Gabe Hart (senior) finished seventh overall in the sprint relay.

Get your tickets online

Ticket sales for all home athletic contests are now online. Purchases can be made on a smartphone, tablet or computer. Learn more and purchase tickets online or download the Hometown Ticket app here: mvpschools.org/tickets.

Track co-curricular activities on your mobile devices.

Search MOUNDS

VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS in the app store.

Irondale Knights on Twitter @GoIrondale

Nordic skiers Azelle Besemann (sophomore) and Mia Nordberg (senior) earned sixth place overall in the state tournament sprint relay race.

College signings

Five student athletes signed letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level.

Boys Swim and Dive

At the state tournament in February, sophomore Lucas Megahan finished eighth overall in the 200m freestyle race. Junior Henry Botten finished fourteenth overall in the 200m individual medley.

New school record

Sophomore swimmer Lucas Megahan set a new school record in the 200 meter freestyle with a time of 1:42.53, compared to the previous record of 1:42.85 set in 1990. Lucas also set the record in the 100 meter freestyle with a time of 47.08, compared to 47.56 set in 2005.

Some brotherly competition ensued when Henry Botten (junior) set a new school record in the 100 meter breaststroke with a time of 59.68 seconds. His brother, Emmett Botten, set the previous record of 1:00.37 in 2023.

Swimmers Lucas Megahan (sophomore) and Henry Botten (junior) recently set new school records.

Johnny Slack, baseball, University of Wisconsin - River Falls

Talia Jorgensen, softball, St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame

Emerson Mandell, football, University of Wisconsin

Garrett Mahlum, football, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Terrell McCoy, football, Bemidji State University

MOUNDS VIEW

College signings

Twelve student athletes signed letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level.

Avelyn Anderson, lacrosse, David & Elkins College

Amelia Gregory, soccer, Michigan Tech

Tyler Guerin, baseball, University of Iowa

Evan Hatton, South Dakota School of Mines

Ben Hoiland, football, University of St. Thomas

Megan Jaros, rifle, University of Memphis

Audrey Kocon, volleyball, Providence College

Emily Mehta, cross country and track, West Point

Tyler Nystrom, University of Wyoming

Bria Stenstrom, basketball, Winona State University

Ella Westerman, lacrosse, Northern Michigan University

Anya Westlund, soccer, California Baptist University

Prep Athlete of the Week

Senior basketball guard Bria Stenstrom was named one of the Star Tribune’s Prep Athletes of the Week in February. She leads the team in scoring with an average of 23.4 points per game. In a recent game against Champlin Park, she set a single game scoring record with 44 points.

Mountain biking team

The Mounds View-Irondale-Totino Grace mountain biking team sent 30 participants to the state final in Mankato this fall. Katerina Kostal finished third in junior varsity, and Madeline Dornfeld placed eighth in varsity.

Get your tickets online

Ticket sales for all home athletic contests are now online. Purchases can be made on a smartphone, tablet or computer. Learn more and purchase tickets online or download the Hometown Ticket app here: mvpschools.org/tickets

Wrestling

The Mounds View High School wrestling team came in second place at the 3AAA state tournament in March. This follows an impressive season in which the team went undefeated (28-0) and was ranked first in the state. This was the first time the team competed at the state tournament since 2007.

Dance team

The dance team finished first in the Suburban East Conference (SEC).

RAMS adapted floor hockey

The RAMS adapted floor hockey team recently played to a soldout crowd at Mounds View High School.

Gymnastics

Senior Avery Dox earned All-State in gymnastics, finishing sixth overall in the All-Around event.

Swim and Dive

Hot Highlights

Inside linebacker and football captain Joey Muhlstein (junior) was named a KARE 11 Hot Highlights winner in November, and accepted a $2,500 donation to Mounds View High School from TrueStone Financial.

The boys swim and dive team finished in second place at the True Team Sections meet. Nathan Hare, Danny Bai, Ben Lawrence, Peyton Kwan, Luke Schmitzer and Tyler Quattri placed first in their events.

Mounds View

P UBLI C SCHOOLS

Independent School District 621

4570 Victoria St. N Shoreview, MN 55126

Nordic Ski

Mounds View High School freshman Linnea Ousdigian claimed her first Nordic individual state title with a two-race pursuit time of 27 minutes, 43.8 seconds.

STATE CHAMPIONS!

Wrestling

Top-ranked Mounds View senior Quin Morgan captured the state 215pound championship in Class 3A against a wrestler from Maple Grove.

Alpine Ski

Irondale High School senior Anthony Petkov won first place in the alpine ski state tournament with a two-run time of 1 minute, 15.69 seconds.

Mounds View junior Brett Swenson took first place in the Class 3A 114-pound state championship against a wrestler from St. Michael-Albertville.