Join Minnetonka Schools Superintendent David Law as he connects with guests Molly Bahneman, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and Preschool Coordinator, and Dustin Tauer, ECFE and Preschool PTO President, for a conversation about the ways Minnetonka Schools supports our District’s youngest learners.   Serving children ages two and a half to five years old, Minnetonka Preschool encourages students to learn about the world around them through exploration, discovery and play. Curriculum emphasizes early literacy, helps children develop a love of learning and uses leading technology to ignite imaginations. Licensed teachers create a safe, nurturing environment focused on building a child’s confidence and providing them with skills that prepare them for Kindergarten.   Minnetonka’s ECFE program provides weekly classes where families explore new experiences, meet other families, and grow and learn together with their children. There are many different classes available, serving children ages birth through age five.    Families are invited to learn more about both programs through an in-person open house happening this weekend, on Saturday, January 27 from 9:30-11:30am at the Minnetonka Community Education Center. Learn more by visiting MinnetonkaSchools.org/Preschool.

You won’t want to miss the final Ahoy, Minnetonka! episode of 2023, as Superintendent David Law reconnects with Thomas Murray, nationally renowned educational speaker from Future Ready Schools and podcast host of “Leading Through Unprecedented Times,” a top national educational podcast.Tom Murray empowered Minnetonka Schools administrators and staff in August with an inspiring message of the power of getting to know students’ stories to foster well-being, connection and belonging.    Now, mid-way through the school year, in a robust discussion, Tom Murray and Superintendent Law chat about everything from innovation and what makes a school or district “future ready” to the importance for educators and students to recharge and revitalize during winter break. Listen in to learn more!

In this episode of Ahoy, Minnetonka!, Superintendent David Law connects with Kristen Turnblad, Assistant Supervisor of Nutrition Services, and Derek Nelson, Interim Cook Manager at Clear Springs Elementary. Kristen has 12 years of experience working in the District’s Nutrition Services department and is both a District resident and an MHS alumna. Derek is a District parent and has worked in Minnetonka’s Nutrition Services department in both part- and full-time roles.   Together, they discuss Minnetonka Schools’ new free breakfast and lunch program, the process for planning and selecting food options, and flexible career opportunities available as part of the Minnetonka Public Schools Nutrition Services team.

Join Minnetonka Schools Superintendent David Law as he connects with Dr. Christine Breen, Executive Director of Special Education, Faith Kasper, S.A.I.L. teacher, and current S.A.I.L. student, Jack Campbell, for a conversation about Minnetonka’s transition education program.    Now in its third year, S.A.I.L.–which stands for “Students Achieving Independent Life”–supports Minnetonka students with special needs ages 18-22 in gaining skills and connections to nurture their future goals and independence. The program includes collaborative and supportive community partnerships and is based in a newly-renovated building near MHS that is uniquely designed to support the needs of transition students. Listen in to learn more!

In this episode of Ahoy, Minnetonka!, Superintendent David Law connects with Mike Dronen, Executive Director of Technology for Minnetonka Schools, and Scott Gerlicher, the District’s new Security and Emergency Management Coordinator. Together, they discuss the ways Minnetonka Schools invests in technology inside and outside of the classroom and in the safety and security of our students and staff. Listen in to hear more about everything from cybersecurity, data protection and physical building security processes to the innovative approach Minnetonka has taken in envisioning ways that tech tools can support classrooms to serve as an accelerator for student learning.

Minnetonka High School has graduated 70 classes of alumni, and alumni of Deephaven and Excelsior High Schools (which combined in 1952 to create the school district we have today) are still active in our community, too. In this episode of Ahoy, Minnetonka!, Superintendent David Law chats with leaders from the Minnetonka Alumni Association: Marietta Jacobsen ’70, association president, and Dr. Matt Andrews ’96, a newer member of the association’s board. Together, they discuss the ways the Alumni Association connects and celebrates Minnetonka students and graduates—from fundraising for teacher grants with the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation to hosting signature events, such as the annual Alumni Awards Program during Homecoming weekend and the All-Class, All-Friends Reunion, which will take place in Downtown Excelsior this summer on Saturday, July 27, 2024.  Learn more about the Minnetonka Alumni Association at www.minnetonkaalumni.com   

Homecoming is around the corner, and as our community prepares for this special weekend of celebration and school spirit, Superintendent David Law connected with two key cheerleaders for our schools: Tonka Pride Co-Chair Katie Becker and Skippers Booster Club President Maggie Hillmer.  Together with their teams, Katie and Maggie put in hundreds of hours to prepare the amazing spirit-wear we have for our schools and to bolster community pride. Join in for their chat about the ways they support Minnetonka Schools by encouraging our community to come together as Skippers celebrating what an amazing place this is to work, live and raise kids.  Learn more about Tonka Pride: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/district/partners/tonka-pride Learn more about the Skippers Booster Club: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/district/partners/skippers-booster-club

With the start of the school year on the horizon, Superintendent David Law is joined by School Board Chair Lisa Wagner and School Board Director Chris Vitale to kick off a series of four mini-episodes that will usher in the new school year. From the goals the School Board sets for the District to the tech levy renewal ballot question that will be in front of voters in November, a look at the District’s long-term planning, and more, this episode provides a glimpse “behind the scenes” of how the School Board is involved in the governance of the District. Learn more about the School Board goals for 2023-24 at minnetonkaschools.org/boardgoals Learn more about the 2023 Capital Projects (“Tech Levy”) Referendum at minnetonkaschools.org/tech-levy

Continuing on with our back-to-school mini-episodes, Superintendent David Law is joined by Principal Curt Carpenter and Head Office Assistant Debbie Guido from Clear Springs Elementary. With decades of experience in supporting elementary students and families, Curt and Debbie share about the ways Minnetonka elementary schools will welcome students and families, from preparing teacher assignments to planning welcome events and encouraging ongoing volunteering throughout the year. Find back-to-school information for each of the District’s elementary schools here: Clear Springs: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/cs/back-to-school  Deephaven: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/dh/back-to-school  Excelsior: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/excelsior/back-to-school  Groveland: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/groveland/back-to-school  Minnewashta: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/minnewashta/back-to-school  Scenic Heights: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/sh/back-to-school  Tonka Online: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/academics/specialty-programs/tonka-online/for-current-students

Concluding the back-to-school mini-episodes, Superintendent David Law is joined by two assistant principals from Minnetonka High School, Emily Rosengren and Darren Best. Both Emily and Darren spent decades of their careers teaching at MHS before becoming instructional leaders and administrators. From creating a school culture of belonging, new courses and extracurricular activities to the High School’s newly scheduled “Anchor Time,” this discussion is rich with information and excitement for the coming year. Find back-to-school information for Minnetonka High School here: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/high-school/mhs/back-to-school