Montevideo High School

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER: Winter Break - No School December 25 - January 1

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Montevideo High School Science Teacher Christopher Giese! This is Christopher’s 25th year teaching at the Montevideo High School! He grew up in his hometown of Benson, Minnesota and graduated from Benson High School in 1991. Christopher attended the University of MN – Morris and attained a B.A. in Chemistry. In his free time, Christopher enjoys spending time in the outdoors and gardening. He also likes to play games. Christopher says, “I like the sense of fun and community we have at the high school.” Thank you for your years of service, hard work and dedication to teaching, Christopher! We’re lucky to have you on our team! #longevity #greatemployees #staffappreciation

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER Friday, December 15 is an Early Dismissal-Staff Development Day for Montevideo Public Schools. Winter Break - No School December 25-Janauary 1

Mark your calendar! The Montevideo High School Band & Choir will present their Yuletide Concert on Monday, December 18th, 7:00 p.m. at the high school gymnasium.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! Shining in this week's Staff Spotlight is Sarah Smiens, District School Nurse! Sarah grew up in and still lives in her hometown of Montevideo. After high school, she continued her education at MN West Community and Technical College and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2015. She started back to school again in 2021 at Western Governor's University and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in September of 2022. Since then, Sarah has obtained her MN Public Health Certification and School Nurse License. Sarah is married to her husband Jeremy and has four children-Brett, Erin, Braden, and Gwyn, and one grandchild Cooper. Sarah's hobbies and things she likes to do outside of work include playing cards with her kids, hunting, fishing, babysitting Cooper, watching her daughter Gwyn play sports, and spending time at her lake cabin on Big Stone Lake in the summer with her family. A Fun Fact about Sarah - she held the school record at Sanford Elementary School for girls doing the most pull-ups, and she still has the trophy that she received from Mr. Wasnick! Sarah says, "I love my hometown of Montevideo and being a part of the amazing school system that I was lucky enough to have attended when I was a child." We're proud to have you on our team, Sarah! Thank you for the caring and compassionate work you do for the health and wellness of our students and staff. #StaffSpotlight #staffappreciation

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Deb Hinde! Deb is the Activities/Principal Administrative Assistant at the high school. She has worked in her current position for 20 years! Prior to her current position, Deb worked as a paraprofessional and Community Education Program Assistant. She started with the school district in 1994. Deb is a Montevideo High School graduate. Outside of school, Deb enjoys traveling, relaxing at the cabin, and spending time with her entire family which includes four grandkids. Deb says, "My two kids are third generation Hinde's who are proud graduates of Montevideo Public Schools. We all look back fondly of the great education and relationships we made when we were in school. To this date, some of our greatest friendships are those we made connection with while students at Montevideo High School." #HawkPride Thanks for all you do, Deb! We greatly appreciate your dedicated years of service and loyalty to our schools and the Montevideo community. #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #longevity

From our Thunder Hawk family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Erika Zachman! Erika is the district's Payroll & Accounting Specialist. She has worked for the school district for 6 years. Erika's hometown is Montevideo. She is a 2005 Montevideo High School graduate and a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, MN. Erika and her husband Phil have one daughter, Lyla. In her free time, Erika enjoys traveling, camping, golfing, hiking, kayaking and downhill skiing. Erika says, "I am very fortunate to be a part of this great Thunder Hawk community. I grew up as a Thunder Hawk, and I’m excited that my daughter gets to continue her education as one with the great group of educators and support staff we have here throughout the district." We're lucky to have you on our team, Erika! Thank you for all the hard work you put in daily! Know that it is recognized and greatly appreciated. #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

The High School Students and Staff were challenged by Student Council to gather donations for the Chippewa County Food Shelf this holiday season. The goal was 500 items. The deal was sweetened when Principal Weber agreed to wear a Turkey costume if they met the goal. Our students and staff donated over 700 items! Congratulations to Mr. Giese's homeroom for donating the most as a TA. Mr. Nelson, Activities Director, added to the celebration with his cat costume. If you are in a position to donate, or if you are in need of food, please visit: https://oyh.org/resources/chippewa-county-food-shelf/

MHS students participated in the Morris Youth Challenge Institute at the U of M Morris campus last week. They learned about sustainability practices, impacts, the Morris Model and careers available in these fields. The Morris Challenge Youth Institute is a life-changing experience at the University of Minnesota Morris where high school students engage with local leaders and experts on critical global challenges, participate in hands-on activities, and explore exciting ways to make a difference in Minnesota and around the world. For more information: https://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm?nodeID=94910&audienceID=1

REMINDER - Mark your calendar! Wednesday, November 22nd is an Early Dismissal - Staff Development Day for the Thunder Hawks. NO SCHOOL on Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24th for Thanksgiving Break.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on High School Spanish Teacher Erin Lippert! Erin has been teaching Spanish for 22 years, the past 13 years in Montevideo. Erin grew up on a farm south of Prinsburg and graduated from what was then BDRSH (now RCW). When her parents retired, Erin and her husband bought the farm so she literally moved back home again! Erin got her undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University and her Masters in Education from Saint Mary’s University. Erin and her husband Ryan have two children. Their daughter Emily is a senior, and their son Hayden is in 8th grade. Erin loves running, reading, all genres of music, helping on the farm, traveling, watching her kids in their activities and long Sunday afternoon naps. Erin says, “I absolutely love my job. My amazing students make me laugh every day and my MHS colleagues can’t be beat!” ¡Gracias, Erin! Your dedication to teaching and unwavering commitment to your students is truly admirable! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Yesterday, six students from MHS's College Now-Intro to Education course attended the Aspiring Educators Day at SMSU. The conference focused on Mental Health and shared knowledge about using the QPR method to intervene preventable death (suicide). #smsucollegenow #aspiringeducatorsday #duckcupmemorial #mindingyourmind #qprinstitute

It's Election Day! Your vote matters! Cast your informed vote on the two referendum questions on today's ballot. Polling Location - National Guard Training and Community Center (TACC), 711 South 17th Street, Montevideo, MN Polling Hours - 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER: NO SCHOOL on Thursday, November 9 & Friday, November 10, 2023 Conferences November 9: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. November 14: 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

REMINDER MHS students & their families...come to the CAREER FAIR tonight at the MHS Gym from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Learn about local career opportunities, post-secondary options and enjoy a free meal sponsored by the Southwest Initiative Foundation. We hope to see you there!

This week is National School Psychology Week, November 6-10, 2023, and we are celebrating School Psychologist Nicole Redmann! Join us in thanking Nicole for going above and beyond to support our students, families and staff! We are grateful to have her serving in our district. #HawkPride #SchoolPsychWeek

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER Friday, November 3rd is an Early Dismissal - End of Quarter 1 for the Thunder Hawks. Early dismissal times are: Ramsey 1:15 pm Sanford 1:20 pm MHS 1:25 pm MMS 1:30 pm

Student council once again hosts the TA pumpkin decorating contest with a movie theme this year. Please *like* the picture of your favorite pumpkin. (There are a total of 15 pumpkins between 2 posts) Voting ends at 2:00pm! The winning TA will receive a treat and the traveling trophy. Happy Halloween!

Student council once again hosts the TA pumpkin decorating contest with a movie theme this year. Please *like* the picture of your favorite pumpkin. (There are a total of 15 pumpkins between 2 posts) Voting ends at 2:00pm! The winning TA will receive a treat and the traveling trophy. Happy Halloween!