Principal’s Corner by Johanna Thomas

The school day at all elementary schools in the district is 8:20 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Teachers invest their whole selves into providing an engaging, instructional day where learning is a priority and relationships are key. Students also invest mentally, physically and emotionally into their instructional day. 

In addition to the regular school day, there are many after school activities that students are involved in at Halverson Elementary. It is with great gratitude to the teaches and staff for the time and energy that is invested into these activities and to the students for their eagerness to seek out and engage in these opportunities.

The clubs at Halverson include Spanish Club, with 41 students involved; Dance Club, with 16 students; and Puzzle Club, with 12 students.

In addition to clubs, we have team opportunities including Destination Imagination and Math Masters.

The Destination Imagination program is a fun, hands-on system of learning that fosters students’ creativity, courage and curiosity through open-ended academic challenges.  The Destination Imagination team, The Outlaws, will showcase their solutions at a tournament in just a couple of weeks in New Ulm.

Math Masters challenges students to use critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities in mathematics, while recognizing academic effort and achievement. The Math Masters team will compete against other area schools in April.

The recent science fair competition involved 13 students and showcased student projects in science.

For the second year, 40 students participated in Prairie Fire Children’s Theater and performed “Beauty and the Beast.” 

This year, for the first time, the fifth grade participated in a day-long Youth Frontiers kindness retreat. The kindness retreat empowers kids to be “everyday heroes” by using kindness to include others, be respectful and make our school a better place.

We also have 4-H involved with students who attend after school programming through our targeted services.  One day each month, our two incredible Freeborn County 4-H coordinators work with students on various 4-H-related activities. The students are always excited when it is 4-H day, especially in the spring when our chicks hatch here at school.

Even after the school day ends, you will find many extended learning opportunities taking place throughout Halverson.

Johanna Thomas is the principal of Halverson Elementary School.