Ahoy, Minnetonka!

Latest Episodes:

Episode 10: Skipper Alumni! Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

Minnetonka High School has graduated 70 classes of alumni, and alumni of Deephaven and Excelsior High Schools (which combined in 1952 to create the school district we have today) are still active in our community, too.

In this episode of Ahoy, Minnetonka!, Superintendent David Law chats with leaders from the Minnetonka Alumni Association: Marietta Jacobsen ’70, association president, and Dr. Matt Andrews ’96, a newer member of the association’s board. Together, they discuss the ways the Alumni Association connects and celebrates Minnetonka students and graduates—from fundraising for teacher grants with the Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation to hosting signature events, such as the annual Alumni Awards Program during Homecoming weekend and the All-Class, All-Friends Reunion, which will take place in Downtown Excelsior this summer on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

Learn more about the Minnetonka Alumni Association at www.minnetonkaalumni.com

Episode 9: Skippers Spirit! Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Homecoming is around the corner, and as our community prepares for this special weekend of celebration and school spirit, Superintendent David Law connected with two key cheerleaders for our schools: Tonka Pride Co-Chair Katie Becker and Skippers Booster Club President Maggie Hillmer.

Together with their teams, Katie and Maggie put in hundreds of hours to prepare the amazing spirit-wear we have for our schools and to bolster community pride. Join in for their chat about the ways they support Minnetonka Schools by encouraging our community to come together as Skippers celebrating what an amazing place this is to work, live and raise kids.

Learn more about Tonka Pride: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/district/partners/tonka-pride

Learn more about the Skippers Booster Club: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/district/partners/skippers-booster-club

Episode 8: Back-to-School Part 4: Welcome to High School! Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

Concluding the back-to-school mini-episodes, Superintendent David Law is joined by two assistant principals from Minnetonka High School, Emily Rosengren and Darren Best. Both Emily and Darren spent decades of their careers teaching at MHS before becoming instructional leaders and administrators. From creating a school culture of belonging, new courses and extracurricular activities to the High School’s newly scheduled “Anchor Time,” this discussion is rich with information and excitement for the coming year.

Find back-to-school information for Minnetonka High School here: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/high-school/mhs/back-to-school

Episode 7: Back-to-School Part 3: Welcome to Middle School! Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

Continuing on with the back-to-school mini-episodes, Superintendent David Law is joined by MME Principal Pete Dymit and MME Parent Teacher Association President Jennie Pryzbilla. Their chat touches on ways to support middle schoolers at the start of the year, ways for parents to stay involved in school throughout the middle school years, how the District’s “middle school audit” this fall will lay the groundwork for innovation and improvement in Minnetonka middle schools, and more.

Find back-to-school information for each of the District’s middle schools here:

Minnetonka Middle School East: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/middle-schools/mme

Minnetonka Middle School West: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/middle-schools/mmw/back-to-school

Tonka Online: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/academics/specialty-programs/tonka-online/for-current-students

Episode 6: Back-to-School Part 2: Welcome to Elementary School! Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

Continuing on with our back-to-school mini-episodes, Superintendent David Law is joined by Principal Curt Carpenter and Head Office Assistant Debbie Guido from Clear Springs Elementary. With decades of experience in supporting elementary students and families, Curt and Debbie share about the ways Minnetonka elementary schools will welcome students and families, from preparing teacher assignments to planning welcome events and encouraging ongoing volunteering throughout the year.

Find back-to-school information for each of the District’s elementary schools here:

Clear Springs: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/cs/back-to-school

Deephaven: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/dh/back-to-school

Excelsior: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/excelsior/back-to-school

Groveland: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/groveland/back-to-school

Minnewashta: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/minnewashta/back-to-school

Scenic Heights: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/elementary/sh/back-to-school

Tonka Online: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/academics/specialty-programs/tonka-online/for-current-students

Episode 5: Back-to-School Part 1: Welcome to Minnetonka Schools- School Board Chat! Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

With the start of the school year on the horizon, Superintendent David Law is joined by School Board Chair Lisa Wagner and School Board Director Chris Vitale to kick off a series of four mini-episodes that will usher in the new school year. From the goals the School Board sets for the District to the tech levy renewal ballot question that will be in front of voters in November, a look at the District’s long-term planning, and more, this episode provides a glimpse “behind the scenes” of how the School Board is involved in the governance of the District.

Learn more about the School Board goals for 2023-24 at minnetonkaschools.org/boardgoals

Learn more about the 2023 Capital Projects (“Tech Levy”) Referendum at minnetonkaschools.org/tech-levy

Episode 4: Summer’s Calling! Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

School’s out for the summer, but the opportunities to become involved in our community never end! In this episode, Superintendent David Law is joined by guests Tim Litfin (Executive Director of Community Education) and Jenny Bodurka (Assistant Director of Community Education) for a chat about the many classes, camps, programs, and events that Minnetonka Community Education offers for Skippers of all ages.

From Boundary Waters trips to tennis classes, from pickleball tournaments to the annual Tour de Tonka bike ride in August, summer is calling – and in Minnetonka, there’s no shortage of ways to answer that call! Get connected today by visiting www.minnetonkacommunityed.org

Episode 3: Superintendent and MHS Principal Discuss Innovative Signature Programs and Experiential Learning Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Ahoy, Minnetonka!, Superintendent of Schools David Law chats with Minnetonka High School Principal Jeff Erickson about the ways that Minnetonka Schools has innovated throughout the years to create signature programs and experiences that have built MHS into a School of Opportunities.

Episode 2: Celebrate, Minnetonka! May 30, 2023

Show notes

The end of the school year brings a lot to celebrate. In Minnetonka Schools, we value celebrating our community all year long -- honoring the dedication and drive that teachers and staff bring each day, lifting up the achievements, milestones and successes of our hardworking students, and fostering growth and connection by celebrating the unique and vibrant voices in our school district.

In this episode, Superintendent David Law and guests Freya Schirmacher (Principal of Minnetonka Middle School West), Mary Cornelius (District Communications Specialist) and Lucy Hiller (Minnetonka High School Class of 2023) share stories about the power of celebration in Minnetonka Schools.

Find more information about Ahoy, Minnetonka! and Minnetonka Public Schools by visiting www.minnetonkaschools.org/ahoy

Episode 1: Welcome to Minnetonka Schools! - Stories of what makes Minnetonka excellent May 16, 2023

Show notes

Ahoy, Minnetonka! In this podcast's inaugural episode, join Superintendent David Law as he leads a chat about the journey of Minnetonka Public Schools and what makes the district excellent. Joining Superintendent Law is School Board Chair Lisa Wagner, Executive Director of Communications Dr. JacQui Getty, and 2022 MHS alumnus Matthew Wadman.

You can find more information about Ahoy, Minnetonka! and Minnetonka Public Schools by visiting www.minnetonkaschools.org/ahoy

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