Minnesota New Country School

Reminder: We have an Early Release this Wednesday 1/31. Elem 1:00 HS 1:10. Have a wonderful week!

Welcome back Mrs. Kelsie Kluender! Today is her first day as the Advisor for the Frog classroom and we are thrilled to have her here at MNCS Elementary! Here is a little more about Mrs. Kluender: "After graduating with my license to teach K-6 Elementary Education, I spent 2014-2021 teaching at the Teacher Lead Project-Based School, Minnesota New Country School, as their 1st and 2nd-grade teacher/Hedgehog teacher. During those seven years, I taught a group of 18 students in both 1st and 2nd grades. This mixing of grades in one classroom helped me learn how to differentiate for a large range of student needs and teach each student their individual strengths and weaknesses. I played a key role in introducing many new curriculums for use in my school. I was a member of the school board for two years and also sat on the school’s finance team, Q-Comp team, Supporting Students Together team, and the Project-Based Learning team over the past 7 years. While on the Project-Based Learning team our school was published two years in a row and also had the opportunity to speak at Gustavus College in St Peter, MN to share the meaning of “Project-Based Learning”. I have had the opportunity to work with students of all ages and academic learning stages over the past 20+ years. What has stuck with me about educating students, is that all students are different and differentiation is key. What I have learned from being the only 1st/2nd-grade teacher in a school, is that having a team of educators to collaborate with is an essential tool to use to successfully meet the needs of individual students. My experiences during my student teaching in a Kindergarten classroom, in a seventh and eighth grade English setting, clinical experience in grades 2, 4, 6, and in special education have prepared me to meet a wide range of needs and ages, improve my classroom management skills as well as my ability to get to know my students. I am an organized person who not only keeps my personal space in order but also has high expectations for my students to do the same. I am excited to help start this new adventure together!"

Santa Claus is coming to...MNCS! The Frog and Woodland Critter students recently had a surprise guest! They recently wrote and sent a letter to Santa Claus, and Santa ended up showing up to our school to hand deliver the letter with some gifts for our students and Advisors. Students were filled with excitement and was such a special surprise! THANK YOU Santa for visiting and making our student's day! With the holidays fast approaching we want to take a moment and extend thanks to all members of our MNCS community. We are a community of amazing students and their families, and of devoted staff members with a passion and commitment toward providing a positive learning environment and fun project based learning experiences to all our students. We look forward to the year ahead and the lasting influence this past year has been with memories made and fostered friendships. To our parents and guardians, you have been such a critical part this past year and we are grateful for you all and your partnership in your student's learning journey! To our wonderfully creative, talented, inquisitive, and positive students, thank you for a job well done! This new year will bring new learning experiences, new challenges, and so much more fun!!!

No School - Winter Break December 22 - January 2 We will see everyone back on January 3 Happy Holidays!

Reminder: There is an early release on Thursday, Dec 21, leading us into Winter Break! Elem 1:00pm HS 1:10pm

High School Presentation Night is tomorrow, Thursday, Dec 14 starting at 5:00pm. Come support our students and all their hard work!

Happy Rainbow Tie Dye Spirit Day at MNCS! It was a sea of vibrant colors today and peers dazzled each other with wearing their assigned class color to make a magnificent giant MNCS rainbow! Staff participated and wore tie dye and we all came together to take a colorful group photo! Sometimes all you need is a little splash of color...

What a WONDERFUL Pajama Day at MNCS Elementary!!! So many students participated in wearing their coziest and festive pajamas today for a fun and comfy day of learning! Some students were able to bring in their cuddly stuffed animal friends for the day as well in celebration. Thank you for the support of the parents for helping their kids get ready this week with all the fun and creative outfits! We've had a blast so far and what a great show of MNCS pride by students and staff this week!

Today is dress like your favorite animal day for our MNCS Elementary Spirit Week!!! It's a zoo in here today! From an array of different types of cats, dogs, deer, bear, and even unicorns! Staff members and students both participated in well thought out costumes today and was wonderful to see all the creative ideas and enthusiasm. What a great way for our school to come together as a community and show some school spirit in a fun and positive way- way to go MNCS Elementary!

Reminder! We have an Early Release this Wednesday 11/29 Elem 1:00 HS 1:10

No School Nov 23 & 24 for Thanksgiving Break! We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Reminder! We have an Early Release this Wednesday 11/22 leading us into Thanksgiving break! Elem 1:00 HS 1:10

Vertical Endeavors is always a blast!

On Friday a group of students went to visit the Vet program at the UofM to learn about it and see some fun animals!

If you are interested in being part of the Archery Team this year, students MUST attend the meeting on Thursday, Nov 16 at 2:00pm in the Conference Room. Email Reta at [email protected] only if you can not make the meeting.

Let's make butter! The Frog students recently had a fun time whipping butter into shape! Last Friday they did a science activity and all that was needed was cream, a bag, and some elbow grease! The goal was achieved as students put the cream in a bag and shaked their way, watching the butter form. Voila, a tasty batch of homemade butter! The experiment was a hit with our students and proved to not only be a tasty science experiment but allowed the students to have fun and dance around in the process!

Some more pictures of the MNCS Halloween fun last week...

No tricks- all treats!! The MNCS Elementary Annual Trick-or-Treat on Main Street was a blast last week! Ghosts, superheroes, favorite movie characters, literary heroes, sport stars, and some furry animal friends were all present this year! Whether dressed in cute, funny or spooky costumes, both the students and staff enjoyed and exhibited the Halloween spirit! Over fifteen of our local Henderson businesses participated in the trick-or-treat event, handing out treats to our students. We greatly appreciate all of our local community members who brought smiles to our students faces and a bag full of Halloween goodies! Thank you for the Halloween fun!

On Friday a group of High School students went out into the world and did some community clean up service!

Some more pictures and of the ceremony to award the top three places...Everyone did such a great job!