Another great field trip last week! 6th to 12th grade and staff all met at Caribou coffee for some warm drinks in Eagan and then we all went to Feed My Starving Children. We worked together to pack meals and then into boxes that get delivered to schools, orphanages, clinics and feeding programs around the world to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

At MTCS, we remain committed to providing safe and equitable learning environments for ALL students. Our educators are fierce protectors of the spectrum of difference and our schools, classrooms and virtual spaces will remain places where all children are seen, heard and valued for the nuanced versions of themselves. Fortunately, we also live in Minnesota which has its own protections that are not impacted by changes to federal law. Here is a link to the MN Human Rights Law MN Human Rights Law and the Safe and Supportive Schools Act Safe and Supportive Schools Act  for your reference.

Minnesota Virtual Schools (MNVS) believes that community is an important part of  education.

In the MNVS Elementary K-5 program, students have live instruction with their teachers and classmates in the morning, and have flexible time in the afternoon. This balance creates good online learning habits and lets children get to know each other and build relationships.

MNVS has also developed a full calendar of activities and clubs that are available to all its students. Recently, staff and students met at Grand Slam. Students of all ages met to have fun with fellow students and staff. From playing games in arcades, laser tag, mini golf and more, students got to deepen relationships with classmates and staff while having so much fun! MNVS organizes events throughout the school year.

School clubs are also vibrant part of MNVS. Recently students got together for the Cosplay Club, a performance art activity where students wearing costumes to represent specific characters. There are so many opportunities to express yourself and meet fellow classmates. To learn more, visit https://mtcs.org/virtual/clubs-activities/.

If you are 18 on November 5, you are eligible to vote in this year’s election! 2024 is a national election year, and this is your chance to use your voice and vote for candidates who you want to represent you. And if you are 16 or 17, you can pre-register and get prepared for the next election.

There is a lot of information on the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State website. Here is a link to great information about getting ready to vote, voting and other questions you might have.

https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/get-involved/high-school-student-resources-for-elections/

If you have questions, want some help getting set, or support getting to your voting location, reach out to a staff member and we will help. We want to hear your voice!

When you think of online school, you might picture students alone, pulled up to the kitchen table at home, working on a math problem, or writing an English paper. But at Minnesota Virtual Schools we know sometimes you need other people around.  MNVS invests in opportunities for students, and staff, to gather, share ideas, and participate in activities and work together. 

For example, recently a Veterinary Technician, Nicole, joined one of the MNVS Cat Club gatherings (one of the many clubs at MNVS) to talk about her career journey. She had helpful advice about how to build a career working with animals. She not only talked about her education journey, but she also shared her story and how she adapted jobs and opportunities to create a work life that really fit. Students asked questions and told stories about their pets—learning and connecting.

This creates a strong school community. 

Every year MNVS adds new clubs, activities and opportunities for students to get together, in person or online, and share ideas and just have a good time. From the garden guru club, Dungeons and Dragons club, esports teams, cooking club or school organized activities, there are so many ways that students can get together. 

Recently there have been a number of activities: the student outreach committee packaged food for Feed My Starving Children, students participated in an adventure to the puzzle room, the Bell Museum, Ice cream social at MNVS and an afternoon of physical activity at Sky Zone.

If you are looking for a school that blends flexibility with community, check out Minnesota Virtual Schools! Register by June 14 and guarantee your spot for fall 2024.

Along with being able to soar with your online learning goals at your own pace—MNVS students also have a chance to get to know each other and build a bit of community. Recently MNVS invited students to come leap together at Skyzone, a fun recreation center in the Twin Cities. Students spent time with each other and some of their teachers and counselors and had a lot of fun.

Online learning can involve quite a bit of time alone, and Minnesota Virtual Schools creates opportunities for students to join fellow students and staff for different events and activities throughout the year to meet and have a good time. The laughter and connections were invaluable.

This is just one of the ways the Minnesota Virtual is different and more personal than online programs. If you are interested in learning more about the clubs and activities or would like to enroll, please visit MNVS.org. We do online better.

The November MTCS Board meeting marked the official placement of the candidates elected in the 2023 election. We are thrilled with the level of representation of our programs on the board  and the immediate engagement of our board members upon their placement. The work of our board of directors will help lead MTCS toward a strong future.

During the November meeting, Chairman Brian Lloyd announced his resignation from the board due to personal reasons. I would like to thank Brian Lloyd for his vision and leadership during his board service. As an alumnus, staff member, and chairman of the board, Brian brought a unique vision and wisdom to his work. Brian’s consistent message has been to listen to your constituents and advocate for your people. Thank you Brian for your service to the MTCS community.

Also during the November meeting, newly elected members Nikki Reinardy – incumbent (teacher from MN Virtual Schools), Peter Rand (teacher from MN Virtual Schools), and Imani Edwards (parent of an MTS Secondary student) were seated on the board. Following the seating of the elected board members, the board of directors made appointments to the remaining open board positions. Tyler Frankhouse (community member) was appointed to fulfill the remainder of Brian Lloyd’s term (2 years). Zahra Farah (teacher at Banaadir Elementary) was appointed to the open two year term and Allison Raney (teacher) was appointed to the remaining one year term.

Board officer nominations and elections followed the appointment of directors to the open positions. Nikki Reinardy was elected secretary / treasurer, Peter Rand was elected vice chair, and Tyler Frankhouse was elected board chair.

Tyler Frankhouse will be serving his second term as the chairman of the MTCS Board of Directors. Previously as board chair, Tyler Frankhouse led the board through the strategic planning process and the search process that resulted in my appointment as executive director. I speak for myself and the board of directors in expressing our gratitude for his resumed service to the board, bringing much experience and knowledge.

The full 2023 MTCS Board of Directors is: Tyler Frankhouse, Chair, Peter Rand, Vice Chair, Nikki Reinardy, Secretary/Treasurer,  Sara Roberts, Alinasir Samatar, Sam Trojan, Imani Edwards, Zahra Farah and Allison Raney. When you see them around the district, feel free to ask them questions about the work of the board and remember to thank them for their service to the MTCS community.

MTCS is thrilled to celebrate and honor the gifts, talents and unique traditions of Native Americans. MTCS has a vibrant and expanding Indigenous Education Program that supports Native American students in all of our schools. We also fully enjoy the month of November’s opportunity to go deeper into some of the beautiful traditions and share them with students and staff.

The MTCS Indigenous program coordinator arranged a beautiful display of artifacts and information in the MTCS District and MTS Secondary building.

Following the Indigenous games and movement experience, the schools were visited by the Gakaabikaang Drum and Dance Troupe. Powerful drumming and singing filled the gym and dancers in full dress, complete with feathers and bells. The soulful songs and the deep drumbeat was very moving. The MTCS virtual schools also participated through online connections.

The dancers shared a bit about their background and experience—an important reminder of the beautiful and unique traditions we have to share with one another.