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Message ExpressMora Public Schools June 2025

DistrictSuperintendent:Dan Voce320-679-6200danvoce@moraschools.orgExecutive AssistantKelly Fischer320-679-6200 Ext. 7205kellyfischer@moraschools.orgBusiness Manager:Eric Bartusch320-679-6200 ext. 5520ericbartusch@moraschools.orgPayroll Coordinator:Paula Janousek320-679-6200 ext. 7509paulajanousek@moraschools.orgA/P Coordinator & District
Office Assistant:Julie Belisle320-679-6200 ext. 7502juliebelisle@moraschools.orgActivities & CommunityEducation Director:Charles Whitbred320-679-6200 ext. 7503cwhitbred@moraschools.orgAD/CE/AR Coordinator:Elisa Cosgriff320-679-6200 ext. 7501elisacosgriff@moraschools.orgBuilding & Grounds/Health & Safety Coordinator/Transportation Director:Chip Brandt320-679-6200 ext. 7504cbrandt@moraschools.orgDistrict School Nurse:Shauna Cronk, R.N320-679-6200 ext. 7018shaunacronk@moraschools.orgNutrition Director:Heather Stutz320-679-6200 ext. 5015nutritionmora@moraschools.orgMARSS Coordinator/SynergyAdministrator/Communications/ParaEducator Testing Proctor:Briana Lukenbill320-679-6200 ext. 5331brilukenbill@moraschools.orgDirector of Teaching & Learning:Darcy Qual320-679-6200 ext. 5306dqual@moraschools.orgSpecial Education Coordinator:Jenny Berry320-679-600 Ext. 4006jberry@moraschools.orgDistrict Office118 9th StreetMora, MN 55051320-679-6200Mora High SchoolGrades 7-12118 9th StreetMora, MN 55051320-679-6200Mora ALCGrades 9-12118 9th StreetMora, MN 55051320-679-6200Mora ElementaryGrades PreK-6200 9th StreetMora, MN 55051320-679-6200FAX: 320-679-6258Mora Public Schools Contact InformationHigh SchoolPrincipal:Brent Nelson320-679-6200 ext. 7006bnelson@moraschools.orgAssistant Principal:Nick Bakke320-679-6200 ext. 7004nbakke@moraschools.orgAdministrative Assistants:Grace Kubesh320-679-6200 ext. 7003gkubesh@moraschools.orgMary Schwendeman320-679-6200 ext. 7002maryschwendeman@moraschools.orgHigh School Receptionist:Noelle Niskanen320-679-6200 ext. 7001nniskanen@moraschools.orgGuidance Office:Sarah Ellstrom320-679-6200 ext. 7008sellstrom@moraschools.org
Emmy Kringen320-679-6200 ext. 7007emilykringen@moraschools.orgStudent Services:Jodi Bakke320-679-6200 ext. 7012jbakke@moraschools.orgHealth Office:Judy Wolf320-679-6200 ext. 7017judywolf@moraschools.orgElementaryPrincipal:Randy Qual320-679-6200 ext. 4001rqual@moraschools.orgAssistant Principal:Jennifer Fussy320-679-6200 ext. 4005jfussy@moraschools.orgAdministrative Assistants:Lane Schafer320-679-6200 ext. 4004lschafer@moraschools.orgKaty Leach320-679-6200 ext. 4002kleach@moraschools.orgCounselors:Jackelyn Bekius320-679-6200 ext. 4313jackelynbekius@moraschools.orgTatum Reitter320-679-6200 ext. 4307tatumreitter@moraschools.orgHealth Office:Alicia Sandell320-679-6200 ext. 4007aliciasandell@moraschools.orgEarly Childhood FamilyEducation Coordinator:Carrie Sell320-679-6200 ext. 4999csell@moraschools.orgDistrict Title IX Officer:Charles Whitbred320-679-6200 ext. 7503cwhitbred@moraschools.orgDistrict Human Rights Coordinator:Dan Voce, Superintendent320-679-6200danvoce@moraschools.orgStaff Development Coordinator:Jackie Stevens320-679-6200 ext. 6205jstevens@morashcools.orgTitle I Coordinator:Randy Qual320-679-6200 ext. 4001rqual@moraschools.orgDistrict 504/Title II Coordinators:Brent Nelson - High School320-679-6200 ext. 7006bnelson@moraschools.orgRandy Qual- Elementary320-679-6200 ext. 4001rqual@moraschools.orgALCDirector:Karen Felger320-679-6200 ext. 5399kfelger@moraschools.orgSecretary:Natalie Jensen320-679-6200 ext. 5300nataliejensen@moraschools.orgTransportation/Bus GarageTransportation Assistant:Gayle Stassen320-679-6200 ext. 4255gstassen@moraschools.org

FOR MORE SCHOOL INFORMATION, CLICK HERE!

Mora Public Schools Summer Office Hours District Office: June 9th - August 8th 8:00 am - 3:30 pm Mora High School & Mora Elementary: June 4th - June 18th 8:00 am - 3:00 pm IMPORTANT CLOSURE: The Mora HighSchool and Mora Elementary offices will beclosed from June 19th - August 1st. REOPENING: August 4th

To This Year’s Senior Scholarship Donors! American Red CrossAnn Lake WatershedMark Boxrud MemorialEast Central EnergyEast Central MN PFLAGEast Central Pork ProducersEast Central VeterinariansEastern Star #158 in honor of JoanFlueggeEastern Star #158Education MNFederated Co-op Inc.First Citizens BankGreg Jolstad MemorialJoan Fluegge MemorialLeland Everson Cross Country RunningMN Deer Hunters & PheasantsForeverMora CAPP/Debee McGovernMemorialMora Lions ClubMora Masonic Lodge #223Mora Music BoostersMorenson FamilyNeighborhood National BankTown and Country InsuranceWelia Health SystemAdditional Scholarships that werepresented to many-TozerDollars for ScholarsScholarships offered that had noapplicants:Elmer and Phyllis Moe “Friends ofScouting”Tom Schwinn MemorialScholarships offered and awarded tostudents in other schools:Alexis Ann Hasser MemorialBlaze Credit UnionP.E.O Women’sWelia Volunteers

As we approach the end of another school year, it is with great pride that werecognize the Mora High School Class of 2025. This class has led with purposeand with a commitment to excellence, setting a high standard for those whowill follow in their footsteps.Throughout their time at Mora High School, these students have excelled inacademics, athletics, and the fine arts. They have challenged themselves in theclassroom and pursued knowledge with determination. On the field, court, rink,and track, they have demonstrated sportsmanship, teamwork, and a drive tocompete at the highest level. In the arts, they have expressed creativity,inspired others, and brought joy to our school and community through music,performance, and visual expression.But more than their accomplishments, we are most proud of who they are aspeople. This class has shown what it means to be positive leaders. They supporteach other. They welcome others. They model what it means to be respectful,kind, and productive citizens, both in school and in the community.To the Class of 2025: As you take your next steps—whether it's college, career,military service, or other meaningful paths—know that you carry with you thefoundation built at Mora High School. Use what you’ve learned here to make adifference. Continue to lead with character. Stay curious, stay driven, and staykind.We believe in you. We are proud of you. And we look forward to the impact youwill have in Mora and beyond.Congratulations, Class of 2025!Superintendent’s MessageDan VoceSuperintendentdanvoce@moraschools.org(320) 679-6200Check out thegreat thingshappening atMora Schools!Celebrating the Mora High School Class of 2025

This school year, we have been working on updating Mora Public Schools' StrategicPlan and are putting the final touches. Our consultant firm, Teamworks, has guidedus through its process called “From the Classroom to the Boardroom”. Throughout, we have taken stakeholder feedback to identify the desired dailyexperience for students, staff, and families. Below are a few examples of desireddaily experiences for each.Students' Desired Daily ExperienceI am respected and valued by students and staff for who I am.I have options to explore and develop my interests and abilities.Parent/Family Desired Daily ExperienceMy child’s school holds students to high standards of achievement.My child’s school is welcoming, safe, and clean.Staff Desired Daily ExperienceWe enjoy the lasting and valuable relationships built with students andstaff.We hold ourselves and our students to high standards of achievement.Strategic Planning UpdateFollow ourStrategicPlanningJourney!The Mora School Board has also reviewed and clarified our Mission and Visionalong with our Core Values.Mission Statement: Our core purposePreparing self-directed learners to thrive in achanging world.Vision Statement: What we intend to createAn innovative learning environment moving ourcommunity forward.Core Values: Drivers of our words and actionsExcellenceSupportIntegrityBelonging

Academic Achievement- 5-Year Percentile Rank You may have heard in the news recently that state reading and math scores are not improving. That is somewhataccurate in some districts around the State of Minnesota. However, that is not the case at Mora Public Schools. Infact, from 2019 to 2024, the Mora School District has consistently performed above the state average in reading,math, and science on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs).In a recent 5-year comparison and percentile ranking of all the 324 school districts in Minnesota, Mora studentsranked 21st in Reading, 84th in Math, and 60th in Science. Of the 39 Central Minnesota schools, Mora studentsranked 4th in Reading, 14th in Math, and 9th in Science. The reality is that Mora students continue to improve theirreading, math, and science skills at a rate that is much higher than almost all of the schools in the state ofMinnesota.We are extremely proud of our students' academic achievement and improvement over the past 5 years. Ourstudents, parents, school staff, and community members deserve a tremendous amount of credit for ourcommitment to academic excellence.

For moreinformation,check out Mora’sMinnesota ReportCard by scanningthe QR code.Who Are Our Students?Graduation Rate

Elementary UpdateStudents need their tv/streaming services monitored and limited,they need any messaging monitored by adults, and they do NOTneed social media. Social media exposes them to videos that theyhave trouble realizing that it is fictional or staged.They believethat too many of these videos are reality. They begin to mimic thevideos and posts they see. Work with your child to enjoy naturethis summer and put down the tablet and remotes.Remember to:Randy QualPrincipalrqual@moraschools.org(320) 679-6200Ext. 4001Keep Kids Being KidsIt’s June. I hope you are getting ready to enjoy your first week(s) of summer with your children. It’s a busy year, and children needdowntime to be kids and just play. My message going into thissummer to families is to keep kids being kids! We see so manystudents who are dealing with problems and situations that usedto be dealt with at much older grades. 2nd-grade problems usedto be 4th-grade problems and 6th-grade problems used to be 8th-grade problems. Enjoy the great outdoors and whatMother Nature has to offer us.Go camping!Go to state parks!Go fishing!Enjoy sports. Don’t forget to playthe games with your kids!Toss the ball around!Go biking!Go for a hike!Read. Reading just 15 minutes a daystops the summer slide fromhappening. Go to the public library 2-3 timesduring the summer and enjoy afew good books.

Thank you for all you do to help our children be successful at MoraElementary! Enjoy the summer!Randy Qual and Jennifer FussyElementary PrincipalsTravel. It doesn’t have to be far.Minnesota is an amazing state.If you can’t travel, read about thewonderful places in the state,country, and world!Play games as a family.Play a board game a week.Put a puzzle together.Play cards. Many card gamesrequire higher-level thinking andmath skills. Teach them cribbage!WriteJournal about your summerexcitement. Write a poem!Create a play!

It was a beautiful day, filled with sunshine and learning for the Mora Elementary Kindergarten classes, as theMN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) paid us a special visit. The day began with the sight of a DNRhelicopter circling overhead before landing in the ballfield behind the school. Classes were able to tour thehelicopter and learn more about the important jobs helicopter pilots have in documenting and protectingour natural resources. By the time Pilot Grace finished explaining her job, all the students wanted to bepilots, too!Smokey the Bear made a special appearance alongside the forestry division, teaching a whole newgeneration the importance of preventing wildfires with his classic message: "Only YOU can prevent wildfires!"We learned how simple actions can protect our forests.A DNR officer shared boating safety tips, demonstrating how to properly wear life jackets and explaining theimportance of water safety on our lakes and rivers.A fish identification station let us explore local species up close. Students were able to “fish” for sunfish,bass, walleye, crappie, and pike!We also explored displays of native animals. Naturalists displayed taxidermy specimens and pelts of bears,foxes, beavers, turkeys, and more, while sharing information about the animals' habitats and behaviors.Another favorite was the K9 demonstration. The skilled DNR dogs showed off their training, obeyingcommands and tracking scents. It was impressive to watch the bond between the handlers and their caninepartners.It was a perfect blend of fun and education, connecting with nature and the dedicated people who protect it.Thank you so much to the MN DNR for making this a special day for our youngest learners!DNR: Special Day forOur Youngest Learners!

Today’s sales calls can become tomorrow’s calls, and apile of files can sit unfiled until the filer feels better.Not so in schools, where hundreds of children arriveeach morning in need of care and guidance fromteachers and support staff.Minnesota’s biennial Teacher Supply and DemandReport, released in 2023 by the Professional EducatorLicensing and Standards Board, shows 89% ofMinnesota’s schools report being “somewhatsignificantly” or “very significantly” affected by asubstitute teacher shortage. Not a new problem - thefigure was 70% in 2021 - the lack of substitute teachershas reached an alarming level in a hurry.Keeping the Classroom Engine Running Reporter, Darren LukenbillStaff absences in many fields of employment can becumbersome, but generally, the wheels of industrykeep turning if an employee needs to miss a day.Substitute teaching became a good fit for Rick Wolf of Braham after retiring from the industry acouple of years ago. “I found that I needed something to do with my time,” says Wolf, whose wifeJudy works in the MHS office. “My wife said they are always looking for substitute teachers, so Iwent and got my license to help out and make some extra income.”Mora’s schools are not unaffected by the trend, but they do have the good fortune of a deep andtalented pool of available substitutes…though some days the pool isn’t quite deep enough; shufflingstaff to cover vacancies has become the norm in office staff’s morning routines.Those who do choose to sub have plenty of positives to say about the experience. “I sub because Ilove working with our students,” says Deb Hallin, a former teacher who has subbed for about sixyears. Students also are what make subbing appealing for Jocelyn Ochowicz. “Getting to work withand know a majority of students and staff in different schools and buildings is one of my favoritethings about subbing.” Ochowicz earned her teaching degree a year ago and is “testing out” schoolsby subbing to find one that feels like a good fit.To substitute for a certifiedteacher in Minnesota schools,one must hold a bachelor’sdegree in any field, thenobtain - via application andfee - a minimum short calllicensure from the MinnesotaDepartment of Education. Or,anyone who holds an activeteaching license canimmediately begin subbing.

Former Mora Elementary special education teacher Jean Mattson prefers to sub at MES, up to thirdgrade. “However, I substitute on occasion at the high school and Isle Public Schools,” she says. Wolf splitshis subbing time between Mora and Braham, while Ochowicz subs in both buildings in Mora and at RushCity High School. She also subbed in the Fargo area before landing in east central Minnesota.“Subbing is a fun way to be involved in our community, to see kids in a different setting, and makeconnections,” says Phoebe Miron-Kroll, who taught in Superior, Wisconsin for 15 years before moving toMora. “It's kinda like being a grandparent - I come in, hang out with the kids, get paid a little, but I don'thave to do any of the prep or go to any meetings!” “Students benefit when others bring outside experiences to education,” says Mattson, explaining whypeople should consider subbing. “Plus, subbing will help you serve your community, filling in gaps forstudents when staff are absent.”Providing a service by meeting a need, substitute teachers are an integral piece in Mora’s educationsystem. Potential subs are encouraged to join the sub list at any time throughout the school year, and arealso encouraged to attend the annual sub workshop on August 13, from 2:00-4:30 p.m. in the MoraElementary commons. Email hr@moraschools.org to register.The flexibility that appeals to Vagts and others - “I like choosing the days I work!” says Hallin - is largelythanks to the Red Rover substitute platform, an app utilized by Mora Schools to fill staff vacancies. RedRover allows subs the freedom to customize their subbing schedule, from building to days to hours topositions to alerts. This is especially helpful for those who sub in more than one district.Julie Vagts taught special education classes in Mora for 34 years, and now has subbed in the districtfor another 13. “I feel that I still have something to give,” explains Vagts of her continued service atMora Schools. “And, I enjoy the flexibility. I can choose the days I want to sub, who I want to sub for,and still enjoy my own time.”

High School UpdateBrent Nelson Principalbnelson@moraschools.org(320) 679-6200Ext. 7006

ART Show2025Mora artists shine at the Section art show!Mr. Gunderson and the Art Show Teambrought 18 diverse pieces to Kimball HighSchool, earning an impressive 8 medals fortheir superior work. Congratulations to all!

Robostangs, Science and Technology Leaders!Reporter, Darren LukenbillOf the many extracurricular activities offered at MoraHigh School, few have as strong of an impact onstudents’ career development as FRC.For the uninitiated, FRC is the most efficient title of theFor Inspiration and Recognition of Science andTechnology Robotics Competition. Beginning withpreseason activities in November, Mora’s FRC team isbusy from late fall to early spring.The FIRST Robotics Competition season doesn’tofficially begin until the first Saturday in January whenthe yearly game is revealed. This year’s “Reefscape”theme challenged teams to design a robot that wouldharvest algae, then seed coral, before ascending backto a barge at mission’s end.After a rough performance at Mora’s firstcompetition in Duluth, where a broken robot put adamper on the day, robotics lead coach DukePancake was extremely pleased with how his teamcame together to end the season strong at a secondcompetition in St. Cloud. “We were so much betterin April than we were in March,” said Pancake, whohas been Mora’s lead coach for four years. “We madesome adjustments in team roles, had a robot thatwas ready to perform, and had a better strategy thanwe had in Duluth.”Mora’s 15 team members share a variety ofresponsibilities, chief among them for competitionpurposes are builders and programmers. “The build teamworks on designing and prototyping parts to accomplishthe goals of that season's objectives,” said assistant coachBill Kluge, “while programmers determine the mostoptimal tooling to use and start programming thefoundation of what we will build upon once our design isfinalized.” Kluge acknowledged it might seem odd thatprogrammers can write code for a robot they don't knowthe features of, but tasks like automating scoring, visionprocessing, and path planning can be done before a designis finalized. “Once the build team is set on the design forthe season they will construct a final version of the robot,and that's when the programming team can implementspecific features for the exact components the build teamhas decided to include,” added Kluge.Each season’s game theme changes, but Pancake said therobotic tasks are generally the same from year to year.“To earn points, robots may have to throw, climb, hangfrom a chain, balance, or place items in a specific spot.”During Reefscape, robots had to throw balls of algae intoa processor, retrieve coral “seeds” from humanteammates and place the seeds on a reef, and either hangonto or climb a chain to get back to the barge.In Duluth, Mora’s FRC team earned just 42 points acrossnine matches, averaging 4.7 points per match. The 232points in 10 St. Cloud matches averaged 23.2 points permatch, and included a team record of 35 points in onematch. With a robot that was specifically designed to putalgae in the processor - the strategy component of FRC -Mora ranked number three in that category out of 54teams, a massive improvement over Duluth where theteam ranked 49th in the same stat.Teams compete in 8-10 matches at a competition.Matches are two-and-a-half minutes long; robotscompete autonomously for the first 15 seconds of eachmatch, running on preprogrammed instructions, beforehuman controllers take over for the remaining time. Sixteams compete at once, though the term “cooperatition”replaces competition within a match.

The six teams are divided into two three-team alliances,which are randomly and differently assigned for eachmatch. While teams are trying to earn their own points,teams can earn cooperation points based on how wellthey work with their alliance partners, or even robotsfrom the other alliance. This spirit of cooperatition alignswith FIRST’s core value of Gracious Professionalism,which encourages a positive, respectful, and cooperativeattitude, even in competitive situations. GraciousProfessionalism is one of Pancake’s favorite features ofrobotics, and one of the things that sets robotics so farapart from other competitive activities.As often happens in competitions of all sorts, the bestlaid plans of robotics teams don’t always producedesired results. The adaptations Connolly spoke ofoccur between matches, when teams may have to fix abroken robot, rewrite programming, or changestrategy based on an upcoming alliance. Thesestressful interludes are when another soft skillbecomes necessary.“Leadership also became a significant part of myexperience,” explained Connolly. “Guiding othersthrough the build process or encouraging them duringstressful competition has taught me the value ofpatience, support, and leading by example.”Soft skills development in kids further enhances theparticipation value of robotics, as the technical skillsacquired during a career in FRC translate nicely into awide range of future endeavors. “Robotics looks greaton a resume,” Pancake pointed out, adding,“Employers, colleges, and the military love the STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)kids!”With respect to other extracurricular activities,Pancake noted the vast advantage roboticsparticipants will have in using their high schoolexperiences to secure employment. Great high schoolbasketball players, for example, statistically havealmost zero chance of making basketball theirprofession; not so for robotics team members. “Peoplewho can program or build will get jobs,” said Pancake.“Robotics is really about wanting everyone to be thebest that they can be, regardless of their role or the teamthey belong to,” Pancake explained. “Even though we aretrying to earn points and win matches - sometimes with adefensive strategy - we aren’t trying to put ouropponents down. In fact, robotics teams are alwaysready to help each other succeed, both within matchesand at competitions.” Pancake shared examples of teamsarriving at a competition in need of a forgotten tool, andhaving a dozen other teams offer up said tool. Hittingcloser to home, Pancake noted the saving grace of thedisastrous Duluth trip was the kindness shown byopposing teams when his own was struggling to field aworking robot.Gracious Professionalism is intended, and expected, tobe present within robotics teams, too. Senior teammember Liam Connolly spoke about the soft skills he hasacquired from his years in robotics, skills honed byadhering to the idea of grace. “Robotics is a team sport,”said Connolly. “Whether we are designing a liftingmechanism or making sure we are eligible forcompetition, collaboration is everything. I've learned tocommunicate, listen actively, and adapt quickly whenthings don’t go as planned.”A variety of grants over the years has helped covercompetition fees, and many local businesses donatefunds and/or tools. But a growing program has growingneeds, so how else can the community support aprogram that will someday put quality employees in itsmidst? Unfortunately, robotics isn’t cheap. Pancake explainedthat while the program has built a cache of tools andmaterials, each season brings a new challenge thatrequires additional supplies. In addition, entry fees forcompetitions total thousands of dollars. With a yearlybudget that runs between $10,000-$20,000, Mora’srobotics team relies heavily on community support.

The team works some Saturdays as competition nears(in addition to their usual four-day-a-week practiceschedule), so something as simple as providing snackscan be a boost to team morale. As is the knowledge thatthe community is watching and cheering on a group ofkids who might not always get many headlines in anactivity that tends to lie on the fringes of schoolculture. But Connolly knows first-hand just howimpactful robotics can be.Connolly went on to emphasize robotics’ role instudents’ futures. “FRC opens doors to futureopportunities, giving students a taste of what careers inengineering, programming, and design might be like.For many of us, it’s the first time we can see ourselvesin those roles. It builds confidence and gives us a headstart in college preparation, especially when writingresumes or applying for STEM scholarships.”With support from school and community, roboticswill, in turn, send support back from whence it came.Fostering confidence in kids who will becomeemployable adults makes robotics a win-win forMora’s students and future.“Robotics engages students in STEM in a way thattextbooks and lectures simply can’t. When we’re testingdriving stability or designing custom parts for ourrobot, we're problem-solving in real time. This kind ofin-your-face experience inspires curiosity and grows apassion for science and technology.”“Supporting our fundraising efforts helps, of course,”said Pancake. “Adult mentors with experience in STEMcareers are invaluable. We lost our mechanic coach, sowe need someone to guide our builders. And, we havean Amazon wish list on our website (team4166.org).”

Chip BrandtBuildings and Grounds &Transportation Director, MHS Dean of Studentscbrandt@moraschools.org(320) 679-6200Ext.7504Keep Kids SafeKnow the Rules.Make sure you know and follow these school bus safety rules formotorists. It's not only smart; it's the law!Yellow Flashing Lights signal that the bus is getting ready to stop and loador unload children. This means you should slow down and prepare tostop.Red Flashing Lights & Extended Stop Arms signal that the bus hasstopped, and children will be entering or exiting the bus. This means youshould stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, theextended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus resumes moving.As always, be alert and watch out for children whenever you are behindthe wheel.Scan for tips onbeing schoolbus aware!

If you need help staying up todate with your favorite teams,check out our Calendar byscanning the QR code.You can also download the rSchools Activity Scheduler app to see the same information on your phone.Charlie WhitbredMHS Director of Athletics,Activities, Community Education, and Medical Career Explorationcwhitbred@moraschools.org(320) 679-6200Ext.7503Mora High School proudly recognized several student-athletes this week as they signed theirNational Letters of Intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiatelevel. The signing event, held in front of family, coaches, teammates, and friends, marked theculmination of years of hard work, commitment, and passion for their respective sports.Mora High School Signing DayCongratulations to the following athletes:Rhiannon Ashworth – St. Catherine University(Hockey)Gage Braiedy – University of Wisconsin–Superior (Basketball)Amber Fix – University of Wisconsin–RiverFalls (Track)Carter Gmahl – St. Cloud Tech (Baseball)Josh Heggernes – Luther College (Basketball)Curtis Maegi – St. John’s University (Track)James Merry – Concordia University, St. Paul(Cross Country & Track)Noah Oberfeld – Dakota Wesleyan University(Basketball)Cole Schwarzbauer – University of Wisconsin–River Falls (Track)Ellie Whitbred – University of Wisconsin–RiverFalls (Golf)These student-athletes have not only excelled in competition but have also demonstratedleadership, perseverance, and sportsmanship throughout their time at Mora. We celebrate theiraccomplishments and wish them continued success as they take their talents to the next level.To our athletes: Today is a day to celebrate all of your hard work, dedication, and achievementsas high school athletes. Today, you will be signing your national letters of intent to play collegesports.Each one of you has put in countless hours of practice, training, and competition to get to thispoint. This is not just a celebration of your athletic abilities, but your commitment andperseverance in pursuing your dreams as student-athletes. College athletics will present newchallenges and opportunities for your personal growth.As you sign your letters of intent, remember that this is just the beginning of a new chapter inyour lives. Take some time today to thank all the people who have supported you throughoutyour athletic careers - your coaches, parents, family members, and friends. They have beenthere every step of the way, pushing you to be your best and encouraging you when youneeded it the most.I also want to remind you to never forget where you came from. Your time as a Mustang hashelped shape you into the people you are today, and that should always be remembered andcherished. Your school and community are proud of you, and we can not wait to see what thefuture holds for you. Congratulations to each of you and best of luck in your future!

What an INCREDIBLE year to be a Mustang!

Incoming Kindergarteners, 7th graders, and seniorsmust have updated immunizations on file. Letters weresent home this spring for students needing updates.Please ensure that immunizations or notarizedexemption forms are submitted before the first day ofschool in September 2025 to avoid exclusion.Student-athletes must have an updated sports physicalon file with the district in order to participate in schoolsports.Shauna CronkDistrict School NurseBSN, RN, PHN, LSNshaunacronk@moraschools.org(320) 679-6200Ext. 7018VISIT OURVISIT OURVISIT OUR WEBSITEWEBSITEWEBSITEThank you to everyone for another wonderful year at Mora PublicSchools!In March, we proudly hosted our very first Staff Wellness Fairwith incredible support from Welia Health and Kanabec CountyPublic Health. We are immensely grateful to both organizationsfor their collaboration and dedication to staff well-being. Theevent was a great success—Mora Therapeutic Massage joinedus, offering relaxing services that were a huge hit with staff. Itwas a fantastic day of learning, self-care, and connection, and welook forward to continuing these wellness initiatives in thefuture.In May, our 4th-grade students took part in an important annualtradition: learning and practicing the Heimlich Maneuver. Usingour Heimlich dolls, students got hands-on experience with thislife-saving technique. It’s always a favorite activity, and we’reproud to help equip our students with practical, real-world safetyskills.A friendly reminder regarding medications at school: If your childneeds to take any medication—prescription or over-the-counter—during the next school year, a new Medication Administration Formmust be signed annually. Medications and forms do not carry overfrom one year to the next. This also applies to students with healthplans for allergies, asthma, seizures, diabetes, and other conditions.For more information, please visit our school website or reach outdirectly to your child's school health office.If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me viaemail at shaunacronk@moraschools.org, or connect with:The MES Health Office at 320-679-6200 ext. 4007The MHS Health Office at 320-679-6200 ext. 7017Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and joyful summer vacation!As we begin planning for the 2025–2026 schoolyear, we want to remind families of severalimportant health requirements:

Out with the Old (Buckthorn), In With the New!Reporter, Darren LukenbillCommon buckthorn has become a commonproblem in Minnesota’s forests. Purposelyintroduced to the state’s landscapes as anornamental shrub, buckthorn is now classified as arestricted noxious weed in Minnesota. A non-native invasive species from Europe and Asia,buckthorn has the potential to significantly alterthe diversity and health of woodlands throughoutthe state.An array of features gives buckthorn an edge overmany native species when competing fordominance. It grows in a wide range of soil types,and is generally considered a fast-growingspecimen. Buckthorn’s leaves open early in springand hang late into the fall, blocking sunlight toshorter seedlings. An extensive root system drawsmoisture and nutrients away from other species.Mature female trees produce berries containingup to four seeds which can remain viable for twoyears; the berries also attract birds, an effectivemeans of seed dispersal.These numerous advantages make it clear whyMinnesota’s DNR calls buckthorn “a real threat toour forests.” Prevalent in central and southeasternMinnesota, there are now few counties in the statethat haven’t reported buckthorn populations. Tofight the spread, landowners are encouraged toeradicate all buckthorn specimens from aproperty. Mora Public Schools has joined the fight.There are 67 acres of managed school forest onMora’s campus; the acreage constitutes the northand east edges of the school property, andcontains eight different cover types. A seven-plusacre parcel adjacent to the elementary wing andparking lot - a mix of northern hardwoods, aspen,and Norway pine - became overrun with buckthornin the last decade. An area once bisected by naturetrails that highlighted the small parcel’s woodeddiversity turned nearly impenetrable, any sign ofnative forest regrowth scarce.Attempts to eliminate or slow the invasiveonslaught have been futile. Now retired ForestrySpecialist Tony Miller and his crew spent significanthours “weeding” the acreage by hand-pulling youngbuckthorn. A labor intensive option, pulling youngtrees can be effective, but if even a portion of thelarge root system remains in the ground a new treewill sprout. Pulling trees also disturbs the topsoil -akin to opening a wound - leaving open areas forother non-native species to take root.Some of the earliest established buckthorntrees, too large to pull, were cut off, theremaining stumps wrapped with black plastic tochoke off any last life. Each stump became awoodland Hydra; while the original stumpremained covered and dormant, the roots sentup multiple replacement shoots.

“Kanati really treats a property like it’s theirown,” said Mora Elementary assistant principalJennifer Fussy, who spearheaded the project. Acombination of school funds and DNR cost-share grant monies is paying for Kanati’sservices. “The school’s portion of the cost camefrom our school forest fund,” explained Fussy,“money earned from a timber sale on ourCounty Line school forest. We are using oneforest to help improve another.”Now, a new solution is underway. Mora Schoolshas hired Kanati Land Management to rescue itsforest from buckthorn. Founded in 2019 andbased in Avon, MN, Kanati uses a four-stepmethod to combat a buckthorn takeover. First,the brushy understory of a parcel is removed viagrinding, which was done at Mora in lateFebruary. In early summer, any remainingbuckthorn will be hand-cut and chemicallytreated, followed by a widespread spraytreatment done by hand to avoid eliminatingdesirable species. Lastly, a native grass mixturefor woodland shade will be seeded throughoutthe parcel. Developed by the University ofMinnesota, these fast-growing grasses havebeen shown to significantly slow the regrowth ofbuckthorn.After Kanati’s services conclude, school andforestry personnel will be tasked with guidingthe forest forward. Immediate removal of newbuckthorn will be critical. So will planting nativespecies, as seen in the accompanying photos ofMiller planting white spruce with Mora firstgraders on Arbor Day.Rescuing seven acres won’t solve Minnesota’sbuckthorn problem. But, a clean and healthyforest right outside school doors can lead tobigger changes, as future foresters and landmanagers learn lessons about what belongs in aforest, and how to deal with what doesn’t.

Heather StutzNutrition Directorheatherstutz@moraschools.org(320) 679-6200Ext. 5015Nutrition Update Breakfast & Lunch MenusAs we close out the current school year, we are already planning menusand getting ready to place our first of many food orders for next schoolyear! We tried some new things this year and hope to do the same nextyear.At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I want to stress howimportant it is that ALL families fill out the Application for EducationalBenefits for the 25/26 school year, regardless of breakfast and lunchbeing free for all students. These applications help with ourreimbursement rates as well as funding for other programs yourstudents may participate in. The easiest way to access or fill out anapplication is online through your family account atfoodservice.edutrak.com. There is also a link to print a paperapplication that can be mailed, dropped off or sent with your studentthe first day of school. Please note, only one (1) application is neededper family. Please do not fill out multiple applications. Next schoolyear’s application will be available after July 1, 2025. The earlier youcan get it in, the better!Parents of graduating seniors, congratulations! If your senior is your laststudent in Mora schools and you have money remaining in their lunchaccount, please let me know what you would like to do with it, a refundvia check or it can be donated to other students in need. Please send aquick email to heatherstutz@moraschools.org with your students firstand last name, your first and last name and if requesting a refund,please verify the mailing address.From myself and all our fabulous lunch ladies and gentleman, have awonderful and safe summer! See you next year!