Winter 2026 Bond Referendum for Buildings
Referendum Website Live!
Get referendum details, including photos of facility needs, the tax impact calculator, and site plans with proposed improvements, at the official referendum website - see it here: www.MontevideoReferendum2026.com
Our High School Leadership Team, and members of Madrigal Choir spent time in our community singing carols and chatting with our neighbors. We wish you all a very Merry Holiday Season.
It has been a busy, but fun week in Mrs. Knoop's third grade. In math, students began learning multiplication by using counters to make arrays. We celebrated Grinch Day by creating Grinch self-portraits, drinking green Grinch juice and eating Grinch cereal. We also finished up our Ancient Rome unit in reading by performing a Reader's Theater of Androcles and the Lion.
🗓️SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER - NO SCHOOL
❄️Winter Break begins Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and lasts through Friday, January 2, 2026. Classes will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026!
Safe Travels! With winter break just around the corner, Mrs. Skogrand's First Grade class have packed their passports and suitcases to travel the world. On their travels, they will learn how countries all around the world spend their holiday seasons. Students are exploring the importance of learning about traditions and customs around the globe to better understand people and cultures that surround them. Some of the amazing countries, customs and traditions that are being explored are Mexico's piñatas and poinsettias, Australia's beach style Santa Claus and sandmen, Sweden's Christmas Gnome, and India's Festival of Lights. Welcome Back! After weeks of traveling the globe, don't forget to help your student unpack their suitcases to re-explore their experiences of these unique customs and traditions!
PLEASE JOIN US!
Montevideo Public Schools
December 2025 Community-Public Meetings
Education, Information, and Q&A - Just for YOU!
Right Plan. Right Now!
Winter 2026 Bond Referendum for Buildings
Community Meetings:
December 18th, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Join us in the Board Room at Montevideo Middle School, 2001 William Ave., Montevideo
December 21st, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting - Join us remotely!
Meeting link: meet.google.com/nru-aipg-pwh
Meetings will feature a presentation about the facility needs and proposed improvements, with ample opportunities for questions and answers.
Can’t attend in December? More community meeting opportunities will be scheduled in January 2026.
Friday, December 12th is an Early Dismissal - Staff Development Day for Montevideo Public Schools.
Early dismissal times:
Ramsey 1:15 p.m.
Sanford 1:20 p.m.
MHS 1:25 p.m.
MMS 1:30 p.m.
MES Classroom Spotlight - Mrs. Frank's Music Class
It’s been an exciting week in music at Sanford!
Fourth Grade:
Our 4th graders shined during their winter program “December Nights, December Lights.” They learned about December traditions around the world, created beautiful luminarias inspired by La Fiesta de la Posada, and lit up the stage with glow sticks and flashlights during “Holiday Lights.”
Third Grade:
3rd graders explored musical form and patterns through movement! They “skated” with paper plates to "Skating" by Vince Guaraldi’s and acted out soldiers, toys, and mice during March from
The Nutcracker.
Multiage:
Multiage students learned about Hanukkah through songs, dances, and games. They wrapped up the unit by playing dreidel while practicing teamwork and celebrating the tradition together.
We are so proud of all our musicians and their hard work this week!
No afternoon sessions of ECSE, Small World Preschool, Community Ed, or after-school activities. Thunder Hawk Care will be closing at 4 p.m.
Mrs. Stevens' first graders finished their Gingerbread Man unit in the best way — with gingerbread cookies and hot cocoa. The kids also got to create gingerbread man art pieces. What a fun and delicious way to wrap up the unit!
MES Classroom Spotlight - Mrs. Haff's Class
To prepare for Thanksgiving break, Mrs. Haff's third graders took on our “Unlocking Thanksgiving” math adventure! Students worked together to navigate a Thanksgiving-themed map filled with challenges that reinforced key math standards—multi-step problem-solving, interpreting data, and applying addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division strategies. It was wonderful watching their confidence grow as they used teamwork and perseverance to earn their turkey treats!
We also celebrated the completion of our poetry unit with a “Poetry Party!” The students were so brave sharing the poems they’ve worked hard on. They practiced reading fluency and expression while applying third-grade ELA standards such as using sensory details, understanding rhythm and structure, and following the full writing process from brainstorming to final drafts. We ended our celebration by enjoying their poems with popcorn, juice, and a cozy fall fireplace.
This week all kindergarten students finished up a Unit on Folktales from our new CKLA reading curriculum. The students were introduced to 12 classic stories that have been children’s favorites for generations and some that originate from Brazilian, Japanese and Native American cultures as well. They were introduced to new vocabulary, elements of a story including characters, plot and setting, awareness of language to help introduce better reading and writing, and a moral/lesson learned through these fictional stories. Mrs. Kilibarda’s class had so much fun bringing some of these favorite stories to life. This photo shows some of the students taking part in reenacting the story “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”. They then constructed a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast this story with their class favorite “Somebody and the Three Blairs.” Lots of learning and giggles could be heard during this activity.
Students worked in teams to solve puzzles and complete challenges using everything they’ve learned about classifying animals into groups. Each successful challenge earned them a special “animal family” treat, generously donated by our wonderful classroom parents. 🐢🦁🦋
It was a fantastic day filled with problem-solving, teamwork, and lots of smiles. We’re so proud of how our students applied their knowledge and supported one another along the way! 💛📚🧠
Thank you to our amazing teachers for creating such an engaging experience — and to our parents for helping make it extra special!
Monday, November 24 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 25 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
Wednesday, November 26 - NO SCHOOL
Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28 -
NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
📖 This week, Montevideo Public Schools proudly joins schools across the nation in celebrating American Education Week — a time to recognize the incredible value of public education and the people who make it thrive.
From our dedicated teachers and support staff to our students, families, and community partners — together, we help every child discover their potential and prepare for a bright future.🌟 #HawkPride #AEW2025
🎤🎶You're invited to our 5th-8th Grade Music Concert featuring general music classes, choirs, and bands! See you soon!
Fall Middle School Music Concert
Monday, November 17th @ 6:00 PM in the Montevideo High School Gym
