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Nisswa News | January 2026

Posted Date: 01/04/26 (04:00 PM)



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January • 2026
Welcome to January, Nisswa Warriors!january
A new year gives us a chance to pause, reflect, and reaffirm our shared goals for every Nisswa student: strong learning, a sense of belonging, and continued growth in both skills and character. Our classrooms are full of curiosity and creativity, and our staff remains focused on providing engaging instruction and supportive learning environments where students can thrive.

January is a busy and meaningful month at Nisswa. Just a reminder that we do not have school for students on Monday, January 5, for staff development and to prepare for our learners to be back on Tuesday. We also have a few half days this month and so please refer to the  Nisswa School Calendar often. Early in the month, you are invited to attend the Nisswa PTO Pride Lions Meeting and Nisswa PTO Meeting on January 12 to get involved and support many of the happenings, including Glow Run planning and coordination. These groups are also collecting and seeking Bloom donations so if you or someone you know has a special skill or willingness to donate, please send them the donation form. Links and details are included within this News, and support is appreciated if you are able.

Mid-month brings important academic milestones. Report cards and FastBridge Family Letters will come home in backpacks on January 20. Semester 2 begins on January 19, and for our fifth-grade students, Quarter 3 also begins, including the start of Media Arts and Health (Grade 5 only). These transitions offer a natural opportunity to celebrate progress and set goals for continued growth.

Later in the month, excitement builds as we kick off the Nisswa PTO Glow Run on January 22. Glow Run activities include prize drops, a multi-day fundraiser, and the Glow Run Event Day on January 30. Families are welcome to come to school, make a sign, and cheer on their Nisswa Warrior during their child’s scheduled class time. Specific schedules are included in the Glow Run details below, and more information will be shared as the event approaches.

Volunteers will be requested to support Glow Run set-up, prize distribution, and other event needs. Volunteer information will be shared soon—thank you for your continued support and flexibility.

For the most up-to-date information, please continue to watch ParentSquare, reference the Nisswa School Calendar, and review classroom communications from teachers, which will include grade-level and classroom-specific details.

Thank you for your partnership and trust as we support students’ academic, social, and emotional growth each day. 
Go Warriors! 💙

 Molly Raske
Principal, Nisswa Elementary

🌟 GRIT = Growth 🌟

  Generosity • Responsibility • Integrity • Teamwork


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Dear Champion of Our Students,

We are excited to share that the 21st Annual Bloom Auction & Fundraiser for Nisswa Elementary School is officially on the horizon! This year’s celebration will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026, at The Catalyst on Clark Lake in Nisswa.

For more than twenty years, Bloom has played a vital role in enriching the educational experience of every student who walks through our doors. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Nisswa Elementary has been able to offer enhanced art and science opportunities, updated technology, active classrooms, field trips, family engagement nights, essential classroom resources, books, and so much more. Your support truly makes a difference—every year, for every child.

We invite you to contribute to this year’s event by using the Bloom 2026 Donation Link. If you know a business or individual who may be interested in supporting our school, please feel free to pass it along. All donations are tax-deductible and directly benefit Nisswa’s students.

We also warmly welcome you to attend this year’s gala—Duck, Duck, Bloom, a Minnesota-themed celebration! Enjoy an evening filled with great food, entertainment, and both live and silent auctions, along with the beloved traditions that make Bloom such a special part of our community. Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite Minnesota flair, from flannels to team jerseys; we welcome it all!

Stay tuned for more details by following the Nisswa PTO on Facebook, where we’ll be sharing sneak peeks and event updates.

Thank you for your continued support of Nisswa Elementary School. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in helping our students learn, grow, and thrive.

Welp, thanks again!

The Nisswa Elementary PTO

Shae McKibbon, PTO President

nisswapto@gmail.com

👋Visitors & Volunteering🙌

All visitors to Nisswa Elementary will be asked to present a government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport card) upon entering the building. This is part of our new Raptor security system, which quickly scans IDs and checks them against a national database to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
The term “visitor” includes parents/guardians and community members who come for school events, classroom parties, dropping off materials, or other large-group activities. Classroom visits and field trip support will always be coordinated directly through your student’s classroom teacher.
Volunteers-We love our volunteers! To participate as a classroom volunteer, working in the classroom, field trip chaperone, book fair helper, or in any other volunteer role, the district requiresI appreciate you two important steps each year:
Step 1: Complete the Volunteer Application
Step 2: Read the Volunteer Guidelines and complete the Verification Form
👉 Please note: Applications take 5–7 business days to process. Be sure to plan ahead if you’d like to help with an upcoming event or field trip. 
Thank you for supporting our school—we couldn’t do it without you! 💙
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🏆 Traveling Trophy 🏆
🏆 Congratulations to Mrs. Baker’s Class for earning the 🏆 Traveling Trophy!
Your class has shown outstanding Warrior Pride through teamwork, responsibility, and positive choices throughout our school. Way to lead the way! 
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WARRIOR BUCKET WINNERS
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🌟 GRIT = Growth 🌟

Generosity • Responsibility • Integrity • Teamwork
This year’s theme reminds us that strong character helps us learn and thrive.Each month at our Warrior Way Rally, we’ll celebrate one student from each classwho shows outstanding GRIT! 💙


STUDENT COUNCIL 

Kindergarten: Quinn Hite, Layna Peterson & Rafin Hoque

Grade 1: Greyson Winter & Zoey Cook 

Grade 2: Addison Chouanard & Daphne Heath

Grade 3: Ezmae Fox & Lore Stumvoll

Grade 4: Tristan Anderson & Otto Reinke

Grade 5: Astrid Stumvoll & Claire Nickelson


📣Skyward & ParentSquare📣

District Communication Tools (Parent Square and Skyward): Flier LINK

  1. The new District website is live at isd181.org

  2. For new families/guardians or for those who have forgotten their password: Go to the Family Access registration link and complete the Family Access form.

  3. If families/guardians need to update contact information, these changes must be made in Skyward Family Access, which opens on 8/22/25, using the directions in this LINK

  4. Reporting Attendance…

    1. Enter the absence in Skyward at least 2 hours in advance-Family Access Attendance

    2. Call the Nisswa Elementary Office (Jill Ostendorf is our building Secretary) at 218-961-6860.

📣 ParentSquare & New Website 📣

We’re excited to share that our new district website is live at isd181.org!
 ParentSquare is our primary communication platform—download the app or check messages from your Skyward-connected email.

🌐 Skyward Family Access

If you haven't activated your ParentSquare account yet, please do so by taking the following steps. Check your email or text messages for your invite

2. Download the free app or visit www.parentsquare.com

3. Log in using the email address we have on file for you at school

Skyward is our go-to tool for student information, attendance, grades, and school communication. Please take a moment to make sure your contact info is up to date!