Ahoy, Minnetonka!

Latest Episodes:

S3 E7: Supporting Well-being and Mental Health Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

This episode of Ahoy, Minnetonka! explores the District’s comprehensive approach to supporting mental health and well-being for students and staff. Executive Director of Communications and podcast host Dr. JacQui Getty is joined by Annie Lumbar Bendson, Health Services Director, and Dr. Christine Breen, Executive Director of Student Support Services, to discuss initiatives that support mental health and well-being, such as social emotional learning approaches and resources, bullying prevention efforts, mental health initiatives and more. The conversation also highlights partnerships with national organizations and offers practical tips for families during the holiday season.

S3 E6: Mid-School Year Update - Conversation with Superintendent David Law and Executive Director of Communications, Dr. JacQueline Getty Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

As Winter Break nears, join Minnetonka Schools Superintendent David Law and Executive Director of Communications Dr. JacQui Getty for a mid-school year update, covering topics ranging from School Board goal-setting and the District budget forecast to educational screen time and the local impact of federal shifts at the Department of Education.

S3 E5: Community & Resource Night Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Minnetonka Schools is committed to supporting our students and families in meaningful ways. In this episode, learn more about the history and impact of the upcoming Minnetonka Community & Resource Night—a unique event that connects families with an incredible variety of local resources to meet various needs, from housing and healthcare to food support, energy assistance and more. This year’s Minnetonka Community & Resource Night will take place on Friday, November 21 from 6-8pm at Minnetonka Middle School East.

The conversation features three of the people who have been involved in the planning, development and support of the event, including Cari Lindberg, coordinator of the Minnetonka Family Collaborative, and two student leaders from the Tonka Neighbors Initiative club at Minnetonka High School.

S3 E4: Connecting through Volunteering, Celebrating Service Nov 17, 2025

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Serving the greater good is a core aspect of the mission of Minnetonka Public Schools. In this episode, listen in as podcast host and executive director of communications, Dr. JacQui Getty, connects with student leaders from the Minnetonka High School Interact Club and with Sarah Johnson, the District’s Community Service Specialist who coordinates the Tonka Serves office.

Together, they discuss the importance of volunteerism, as well as a timely opportunity our community has to pull together and support those who are experiencing food insecurity. The Interact Club is hosting a food drive to support the high school’s food shelf site, which it has built in partnership with ICA Food Shelf, at Minnetonka High School, on Saturday, November 22.

S3 E3: State of the District - Conversation with Superintendent David Law and Executive Director of Communications Dr. JacQueline Getty Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

As we near the end of first quarter, join Minnetonka Schools Superintendent David Law and Executive Director of Communications Dr. JacQui Getty for a State of the District conversation, covering topics from fall event updates and middle school programming to the District budget, School Board goal setting and the upcoming building bond referendum.

S3 E2: Student Voice on the School Board Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

In Minnetonka Schools, students are at the heart of everything we do. Elevating student voice has been an important priority for our School Board and District leadership. One of the most recent ways this effort has come to life has been with the addition of student representation on the School Board. Join podcast host and Executive Director of Communications Dr. JacQui Getty in a conversation with School Board Chair Patrick Lee-O’Halloran and two of our Student Representatives to the Board, Chip and Zayn, to learn more about this pilot initiative.

S3 E1: Welcome Back, Skippers! A Chat with Superintendent Law about the Year Ahead Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

The 2025-26 school year is now underway, and we’re excited for the year ahead! Join Minnetonka Schools Superintendent David Law and Executive Director of Communications Dr. JacQui Getty for a conversation to kick off the year, covering topics from the District’s new theme and School Board goals for 2025-26 to the upcoming building bond referendum, literacy efforts, middle school programming, and school safety.

S2 E19: Summer Opportunities Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

School’s out and summer has arrived! Minnetonka Schools offers a wide range of events, classes and programs for families to get involved with over the summer months. In the final podcast episode of this year’s season, Superintendent David Law connects with Executive Director of Community Education Kim Carlson and Director of Community Education Jenny Bodurka to discuss what’s ahead and how our community can join in the fun.

S2 E18: Year-End Reflections with Elementary Principals Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Ahoy, Minnetonka!, Superintendent David Law chats with elementary principals Andrew Gilbertson from Groveland Elementary, and Jennifer Smasal from Excelsior Elementary.
Listen in for a conversation that touches on the highlights of the year—from the programs that make each Minnetonka elementary school unique and impactful for students–to the belonging efforts that strengthen each school’s community– to the ways that family involvement, such as the elementary PTO and PTA groups, support the schools’ success.

S2 E17: Class of 2025, Ahoy! Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Join Minnetonka Schools Superintendent David Law as he connects with three MHS seniors just ahead of graduation. As the Class of 2025 becomes Minnetonka’s newest alumni, these student leaders reflect on their various experiences in Minnetonka Schools- from the academic opportunities that challenged and inspired them to the extracurricular activities that fostered their community of friends and peers. They share what’s ahead for each of them as they begin their next steps, and they offer advice for the new students who will enter Minnetonka High School in the fall.

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