Thank You Team Members, Retirees, and Owatonna Community!
2022-2023 EDUCATION UPDATES Preparing for a great school year
W
hile families squeeze in a few more fun experiences this summer, we at Owatonna Public Schools are busy preparing for a great start to the school year! We look forward to starting classes the week of August 29 on the following schedule: • Preschool and Elementary - Early Education-5th grade students begin Wednesday, August 31. Kindergarten-5th grade students and families have before school interviews on August 25 and 29, and grades 1-5 interviews continue on August 30. • Middle School - 6th grade students have orientation on Monday, August 29. 6th-8th grade students’ first day of school is Tuesday, August 30. • High School - 9th-12th grade students begin Monday, August 29.
Behind-the-scenes action is taking place in all of our schools right now. We are grateful to: • Work crews and custodial staff who are busy cleaning, painting, waxing, laying gym floors, and so much more to give your students a safe and welcoming environment. • Nutrition Services staff who prepared and served meals for children and families throughout June and July and are now getting ready to share delicious, nutritious meals with your students. • Instructional, support, and school-age care staff and administrators who created amazing learning experiences for summer school students and are now focused on providing ways to motivate every student to reach their full potential. We work hard to provide every student with challenging and engaging learning opportunities throughout their time in Owa-
tonna Public Schools. Teachers, support staff, and administrators look forward to building relationships with your students, helping them grow in all aspects of their lives. If you want a glimpse into the amazing opportunities happening each day in our classrooms, we encourage you to follow Owatonna Public Schools on social media (@owatonna761 #owatonnaproud). Photos and videos show our teachers, staff, and students in action. Take these last summer days to enjoy time as a family and begin to prepare your students for the new school year. Connect with their teachers as we move into the year to build a partnership in providing the best experience possible for your students. Together, we will inspire excellence in every learner, every day.
Celebrating Years
THE PRODUCTS THAT DEFINE
PERFORMANCE
Jeff Elstad, Superintendent Owatonna Public Schools
Owatonna Public Schools Welcomes New Principal at ALC
Welcome to Jamie Bates, the new ALC (Area Learning Center) principal. Ms. Bates comes with vast experience working in alternative programs. She began her educational career in 2000 as a history teacher and special education teacher. She served as an assistant principal at Spring ISD and Bay City ISD in Texas and since 2016 has served as a principal in various alternative programs. Ms. Bates brings with her Bates a proven track record of meeting high academic standards, re- developing strong personal reladucing behavior incidents, and tionships with students, teachers,
and the community. “As a principal, it is my responsibility to make sure the needs of the students are being met. My job is to take responsibility for student learning, and build a strong relationship with our community for my campus. I have always loved working with students and it is my goal to make sure they know the importance of their education and that I do everything within my power to make it happen.”
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