October is one of the most exciting months at Nisswa Elementary, and we are ready to celebrate it together with a full lineup of learning, tradition, and community fun! 🍂💙

Our fourth graders will once again visit the Nisswa Legion to learn the traditions of our nation’s flag—how to fold it, honor it, and even respectfully retire it in a special ceremony. Our schoolwide trip to Copper Creek is right around the corner, and we’ll join schools across the state for Kindness in Chalk, spreading messages of encouragement across our sidewalks. 

This month also brings Socktober and our Diaper Drive, along with Fire Prevention Week—where our kindergartners will have the unforgettable chance to ride a firetruck, thanks to the Nisswa Fire Department! 🚒

Of course, October is not complete without the Scholastic Book Fair and a revamped PTO Spooktacular Family Night—complete with dinner, photos, costumes, games, and “not-so-spooky” fun. 🎃 We’ll finish the month in true Warrior style with a schoolwide lunch donated by Nisswa A&W and our annual Halloween Parade down Main Street, thanks to the Nisswa Chamber. 🧡🖤

✨ A huge thank you to Nisswa A&W for their generous donation, to our PTO & Nisswa PTO Pride Lions for their constant creativity and energy, and to the Nisswa Chamber for partnering with us to make this month truly magical. ✨

As always, we encourage you to ask your student about the best part of their day and carve out time each evening to enjoy a good book together. Small, daily moments of connection make the biggest difference.

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community. We are grateful for your partnership and proud of the Warrior spirit that makes Nisswa Elementary such a special place to learn and grow.

With gratitude and excitement,
                                     
 Molly Raske
 Principal, Nisswa Elementary School

🌟 GRIT = Growth 🌟

  Generosity • Responsibility • Integrity • Teamwork

🔗Nisswa Elementary Events Calendar  🔗Early Childhood Calendar 🔗Brainerd Public Schools Calendar 🔗25-26 District-Approved Calendar 🔗Nisswa Elementary website 🍎Breakfast, Lunch & Nutrition Services🍎 🔗Nisswa October Menu 🔗DISTRICT NUTRITION SERVICES LINK Nutrition Services Here is a link to the forms for the 2025/26 Application for Education Benefits. Our school offers healthy meals each day. Starting in 2023-24, we joined Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. All students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts, and other meal programs.

for an hour of fall fun! A permission slip already went home—please be sure it’s signed and returned so your student doesn’t miss out.

October is still our official kick-off for National Bullying Prevention Month, but at Nisswa, kindness isn’t just for one month — it’s an ALL-YEAR effort.

🧡 Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

• Dress in orange!
• Students will write uplifting messages on sidewalks at school and throughout the community.

💙 Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

• Wear blue or your favorite kindness gear.
• Nisswa Elementary is partnering with the Nisswa Lions, Lions International, and the district to GO BIG with a community-wide event at Forestview — and everyone is invited!

📢 Nisswa Elementary – Essential Needs Collection Dates: September 15 – October 15, 2025 Drop-off Location: Nisswa Elementary Front Office Brainerd Public Schools is launching a district-wide Essential Needs Collection to support students and families across all our schools. Each building has been assigned a specific item—and here at Nisswa Elementary, we are collecting diapers (all sizes) 👶. 🍼 Nisswa’s Goal: Diapers for Families in Need 👶 Your donations will help provide comfort, dignity, and support for families who rely on these essentials every day. Please bring new, unopened packages of diapers in any size 🍼 to the front office during the collection period. Your contributions will go directly to our Family Liaison, Allison Van Vliet, who works to ensure that students and families have the resources they need to thrive. 💙 Thank you for your generosity and for helping make a difference in our school community! Questions? Contact Allison Van Vliet, Family Liaison at 218-454-5213. 🧦 #Socktober at Nisswa Elementary 🧦 Did you know that one of the most needed items at local shelters and support closets is a new pair of socks? This October, Nisswa Elementary is joining the national #Socktober campaign while also supporting our own community. We’re inviting every student to bring in one (more if you are able) brand-new pair of socks in their own size (any kind will do!). Donations will be shared with: Our Nisswa Elementary support closet The district family liaison support stock The Lakes Area Women’s Shelter Socks will be collected in each grade-level area, and the class with the most donations will earn a special award! 🏆 Together, we can show our Warriors that small acts of kindness—like a fresh pair of socks—make a big difference. 💙

Flag Collection for the Nisswa American Legion  If you have a flag you would like our 4th graders to bring to the Nisswa American Legion, please send it to school by October 10th. We will make sure it gets delivered with them. SPOOKTACULAR FAMILY NIGHT Thursday, October 30th 5:30 – 7:00 PM Join us for a fang-tastic evening hosted by the Nisswa PTO & Nisswa PTO Pride Lions! Dress up in your costumes and enjoy:  Halloween photo ops Games & activities for all ages The Scholastic Book Fair Plenty of not-so-spooky family fun as a Nisswa community!  No need to cook—food will be available for purchase so you can enjoy dinner right here. It’s sure to be the BEST NIGHT, full of laughter, costumes, and community spirit. We can’t wait to see you there!

1. Volunteers – If your student’s teacher is in need of parade volunteers, please connect directly with them. Be sure you’ve completed the volunteer form found on the Brainerd Schools website under Community Education
2. Watching the Parade– Families may:
   • Wait outside the main Nisswa entrance to cheer on our students as they begin, and/or
   • Walk along with classes (if not volunteering), OR
   • Wait downtown along Main Street to see the full parade route.
   • Be sure to check out the attached parade route so you can plan the best spot to catch a glimpse of your Warrior! 💙⚔️
3. Costumes – Please send costumes in a labeled bag(students will change before the parade so they don’t wear them all day).
   • ❌ No masks, weapons, clown costumes, or violent/inappropriate themes.
   • ❌ No aerosol sprays (e.g., hair paint, glitter) in school—these can trigger asthma. If families choose, students may apply these before coming to school.
   • ❌ All make-up, face paint, or hair styling should be done at home to save time at school.
   • ✅ Costume guidelines apply to both students and spectators to ensure this remains a safe, positive, and family-friendly event.

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 requires two important steps each year: 

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.

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 Family Access

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!

• Family Access Registration Link – For new guardians or password resets

• Student Information Update Instructions – Opens August 22, 2025

• Skyward Attendance Reporting Guide – For reporting absences

• Communication Tools Flyer – See how we connect with you
   📲 Most communication is digital—keeping your contact info current ensures you receive everything you need, from newsletters to emergency alerts.