"We Believe in Music," Sunrise's 3rd grade concert, is this Thursday starting at 6:15 p.m.! Four classes will perform at 6:15, and another four classes at 7:15. See flier for specifics. For those who would like to view the concert remotely, here is a livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/loHg1GNr6Pg?feature=share
You are invited to a Winter Storytelling Event, presented by North Branch Indian Education. The event is Friday, Feb. 27, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the glass classroom at NBAHS. The event will feature elder Mary Moose and Abe Sutherland. See flier for additional details.
The NBAEF was in district last week to present staff with their grant awards for the 2025-26 school year. To see all the photos and read the press release, go to the district's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nbapschools
Ella Dick scored a 9.55 on vault to earn her a 6th place finish at the MSHSL state gymnastics meet! SKOL and congratulations, Ella!
🎓 Class of 2039 – It’s Your Time! 🎉
Do you have a future kindergartener at home? We can’t wait to meet you!
Join us for Taste of Kindergarten at North Branch Area Public Schools — a special evening designed just for our incoming kindergarten families. This is your chance to explore the school, meet our amazing teachers, and get your child excited for the big adventure ahead.
📅 Tuesday, March 3
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 North Branch Area Education Center
38705 Grand Ave., North Branch
Families will enjoy fun, hands-on activities throughout the evening — and every future kindergarten student who attends will receive a FREE tote bag!
Plus, families who complete their online Kindergarten registration will receive a FREE Class of 2039 t-shirt. Don’t miss it!
This is an exciting milestone — let’s kick off the kindergarten journey together. We’re ready to welcome the Class of 2039! ❤️🖤
Do you have a future kindergartener at home? We can’t wait to meet you!
Join us for Taste of Kindergarten at North Branch Area Public Schools — a special evening designed just for our incoming kindergarten families. This is your chance to explore the school, meet our amazing teachers, and get your child excited for the big adventure ahead.
📅 Tuesday, March 3
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 North Branch Area Education Center
38705 Grand Ave., North Branch
Families will enjoy fun, hands-on activities throughout the evening — and every future kindergarten student who attends will receive a FREE tote bag!
Plus, families who complete their online Kindergarten registration will receive a FREE Class of 2039 t-shirt. Don’t miss it!
This is an exciting milestone — let’s kick off the kindergarten journey together. We’re ready to welcome the Class of 2039! ❤️🖤
Coming up in Community Ed!
Navigating the Healthcare System / Tuesday February 24th / 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Goldfish Painting Class / Tuesday February 24th / 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Rupture and Repair: Strengthening Connection After Conflict / Tuesday February 24th / 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Floral Design of the Month / Thursday February 26th / 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Flavor Forward Spring Bowl Meals Virtual Class / Thursday February 26th / 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Youth Pickleball Lessons Grades 3-9 / Starts March 2nd / 3:00 - 4:30 PM
Pickleball Lessons / Starts March 2nd / 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Essentrics: Restorative Fitness / Starts Monday March 2nd / 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Future classes filling fast:
Slime-Tastic Art with Kidcreate Studio Ages 5-12 / Wednesday March 11th / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
North Branch Youth Baseball Camp Grades 1 - 8 / Saturday March 21st / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.
Navigating the Healthcare System / Tuesday February 24th / 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Goldfish Painting Class / Tuesday February 24th / 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Rupture and Repair: Strengthening Connection After Conflict / Tuesday February 24th / 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Floral Design of the Month / Thursday February 26th / 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Flavor Forward Spring Bowl Meals Virtual Class / Thursday February 26th / 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Youth Pickleball Lessons Grades 3-9 / Starts March 2nd / 3:00 - 4:30 PM
Pickleball Lessons / Starts March 2nd / 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Essentrics: Restorative Fitness / Starts Monday March 2nd / 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Future classes filling fast:
Slime-Tastic Art with Kidcreate Studio Ages 5-12 / Wednesday March 11th / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
North Branch Youth Baseball Camp Grades 1 - 8 / Saturday March 21st / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.
It’s time to RAID THE RACK! Our Prom glam shop is open to North Branch Area High School students Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9-11 a.m., and Wednesday, March 4 from 3-5 p.m. in room B100. Please enter DOOR 3 on Saturday.
Members of our community have generously donated a variety of gowns and accessories to our North Branch Area High School students to use for Prom. The best part is - it is FREE to our students! Please note this event is first come, first serve; one dress per North Branch Area High School student. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Houle at 651-674-1511 or khoule@isd138.org.
Thank you for your support!
Members of our community have generously donated a variety of gowns and accessories to our North Branch Area High School students to use for Prom. The best part is - it is FREE to our students! Please note this event is first come, first serve; one dress per North Branch Area High School student. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Houle at 651-674-1511 or khoule@isd138.org.
Thank you for your support!
Yesterday the high school recognized robotics teams and state-bound gymnasts with a walking pep rally.
8636 FIRE - Jamison Zarbok, Karen Yang, Gracie Grover, and Wyatt Eilers finished 2nd in their December qualifier. At state they were part of the 5th place alliance.
7288 RoboGlaciers - Rylee Zarbok, Ava Gardner, Rosina Gilkerson, Eliana Smit, Tori White, and Sam Tomas. Team 7288. At state, they were part of the 2nd place alliance, received the Design Award and were one of 7 teams to qualify for the World Championship in Houston, Tx in April!
Two gymnastics qualified for the MSHSL Class A meet this past weekend! Sophia Thorsen placed 6th on beam and was the section champion on vault! Ella Dick placed 2nd on vault, 3rd on floor, 6th on beam, and was 3rd place all-around. Both will compete at 6 pm at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium this Saturday.
8636 FIRE - Jamison Zarbok, Karen Yang, Gracie Grover, and Wyatt Eilers finished 2nd in their December qualifier. At state they were part of the 5th place alliance.
7288 RoboGlaciers - Rylee Zarbok, Ava Gardner, Rosina Gilkerson, Eliana Smit, Tori White, and Sam Tomas. Team 7288. At state, they were part of the 2nd place alliance, received the Design Award and were one of 7 teams to qualify for the World Championship in Houston, Tx in April!
Two gymnastics qualified for the MSHSL Class A meet this past weekend! Sophia Thorsen placed 6th on beam and was the section champion on vault! Ella Dick placed 2nd on vault, 3rd on floor, 6th on beam, and was 3rd place all-around. Both will compete at 6 pm at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium this Saturday.
Thanks to a grant from the North Branch Area Education Foundation (NBAEF), Third grade students in Mr. Grund's Project Lead the Way (Launch) class used drones to simulate a "day in the life" of honeybees; particularly a "worker bee," in the wild. Students used the drones to go flitting from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen to bring back to the hive.
Here are three cool videos that show how it works and how much fun the kids are having learning about the unique characteristics of the creatures that surround us.
Video 1: https://youtu.be/ixcscSDFgdU
Video 2: https://youtu.be/8f-kS_6En4g
Video 3: https://youtu.be/8f-kS_6En4g
Here are three cool videos that show how it works and how much fun the kids are having learning about the unique characteristics of the creatures that surround us.
Video 1: https://youtu.be/ixcscSDFgdU
Video 2: https://youtu.be/8f-kS_6En4g
Video 3: https://youtu.be/8f-kS_6En4g
Join us for Rupture & Repair, a discussion focused on strengthening the parent-child relationship through everyday challenges. We’ll explore how moments of conflict, miscommunication, and big feelings can actually become powerful opportunities for connection and growth.
In this discussion, you’ll learn:
✨ Why conflict is normal (and expected!)
✨ How repair builds trust and emotional security
✨ Simple tools to reconnect after hard moments
✨ Ways to model accountability and emotional regulation
Children don’t need perfect parents — they need parents who come back, reconnect, and repair. 💛
Come learn how small moments of reconnection can make a lifelong impact.
In this discussion, you’ll learn:
✨ Why conflict is normal (and expected!)
✨ How repair builds trust and emotional security
✨ Simple tools to reconnect after hard moments
✨ Ways to model accountability and emotional regulation
Children don’t need perfect parents — they need parents who come back, reconnect, and repair. 💛
Come learn how small moments of reconnection can make a lifelong impact.
SKOL! and congratulations on qualifying for the MSHSL Class A State Gymnastics Meet, Sophia Thorsen and Ella Dick!
This is Ella's second time qualifying for the state meet. She will compete in the All-Around competition after placing 2nd on vault, 3rd on floor, 6th on beam, and 3rd all-around. Sophia earned her first trip to the state meet and will compete on vault and floor. She placed 6th on floor and was the Section 7A floor champion!
The state meet is this Saturday, Feb. 21 at 6 pm at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul.
Last Thursday, the school board was treated to a hoop dancing "sneak preview" from 3rd grader Mattias BigBear before he boarded a flight for Arizona the next morning to compete in the World Hoop Dance Competition. It was awesome!
SKOL! and thanks to the Stacy-Lent Fire Dept., firefighter Eric Coen, and the Teddy's Heart Foundation for the donation of an all-weather AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to the district! The AED will be installed in an outdoor area of the district to be available for use when getting into a building to get an AED might be problematic.
Craig and Emily Dowdle, and Coen, presented the donation to a very grateful school board at last Thursday's meeting.
Craig and Emily Dowdle, and Coen, presented the donation to a very grateful school board at last Thursday's meeting.
"Catch the Rhythm," Sunrise's 4th grade concert, is this Thursday starting at 6:15 p.m.! Four classes will perform at 6:15, and another four classes at 7:15. See flier for specifics. For those who would like to view the concert remotely, here is a livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/Dj_N_xBcNKY?feature=share
Coming up in Community Ed!
Frog Painting Class / Thursday February 19th / 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Pickleball Tournament (Proceeds for Veterans Memorial) / Saturday February 21st
3.4 and below - Beginner to Intermediate / 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
3.5 and above - Intermediate to Advance / 12:30 - 6:00 PM
Rubber Stamping of Cards / Monday February 23rd / 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Future classes filling fast:
Book Bingo Pizza Party / Friday March 27th / 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Intro to RC Car Racing / Friday April 24th / 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Intro to RC Car Racing / Friday April 24th / 7:10 - 8:10 PM
Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.
Frog Painting Class / Thursday February 19th / 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Pickleball Tournament (Proceeds for Veterans Memorial) / Saturday February 21st
3.4 and below - Beginner to Intermediate / 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
3.5 and above - Intermediate to Advance / 12:30 - 6:00 PM
Rubber Stamping of Cards / Monday February 23rd / 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Future classes filling fast:
Book Bingo Pizza Party / Friday March 27th / 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Intro to RC Car Racing / Friday April 24th / 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Intro to RC Car Racing / Friday April 24th / 7:10 - 8:10 PM
Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.
Two of our Vikettes dancers have earned the incredible honor of being selected for the All-State Dance Team! To earn this honor, the dancers had to learn a challenging dance combination, perform a variety of technical skills and submit their work to be evaluated by a panel of judges.
This year, there were over 500 submissions. Senior Addy Lewerenz was selected for 2A Jazz and junior Shanna Swanstrom was selected for 2A Kick. They will represent the Vikettes on March 14th at Eden Prairie High School performing alongside some of the top dancers in the state! SKOL!
This year, there were over 500 submissions. Senior Addy Lewerenz was selected for 2A Jazz and junior Shanna Swanstrom was selected for 2A Kick. They will represent the Vikettes on March 14th at Eden Prairie High School performing alongside some of the top dancers in the state! SKOL!
A sacred gesture of trust
At last night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Sara Paul was presented with a rare eagle feather by Joe BigBear and his grandson, Mattias BigBear. The eagle feather is a sacred symbol representing honor, trust, and service to the community.
NBAPS values its partnership with the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee and the important work being done to revive and share Native cultural traditions with students and families. During the presentation, Joe BigBear spoke about the significance of carrying traditions forward and strengthening cultural identity for the next generation. Superintendent Paul expressed sincere gratitude and humility, along with appreciation for the trust and relationship represented in the gesture.
At last night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Sara Paul was presented with a rare eagle feather by Joe BigBear and his grandson, Mattias BigBear. The eagle feather is a sacred symbol representing honor, trust, and service to the community.
NBAPS values its partnership with the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee and the important work being done to revive and share Native cultural traditions with students and families. During the presentation, Joe BigBear spoke about the significance of carrying traditions forward and strengthening cultural identity for the next generation. Superintendent Paul expressed sincere gratitude and humility, along with appreciation for the trust and relationship represented in the gesture.
FRC Team 3038 Robotics Team is hosting an open house at North Branch Area High School on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The open house starts at 6 p.m. and the robotics demonstration at 6:30. Come see what the team has been up to this season!
Everyone is welcome! See flier for additional details.
Everyone is welcome! See flier for additional details.
Help Shape Safe Routes to School!
Safe Routes to School is a statewide effort to make it safer, easier, and more enjoyable for students to walk, bike, and roll to school and around their community. This year, the City of North Branch and North Branch Area Public Schools are partnering with support from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to create a local Safe Routes to School plan.
This plan will recommend practical ways to improve walking and biking routes so students, families, and community members feel safer and more comfortable getting to and from school.
The link below includes a short survey where you can share your experiences with walking and biking to school. You’ll also find an interactive map where you can point out specific locations that feel unsafe or have opportunities for improvement.
For more information about the project, please visit the project website at: https://mnsaferoutesplanning.org/north-branch/
Safe Routes to School is a statewide effort to make it safer, easier, and more enjoyable for students to walk, bike, and roll to school and around their community. This year, the City of North Branch and North Branch Area Public Schools are partnering with support from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to create a local Safe Routes to School plan.
This plan will recommend practical ways to improve walking and biking routes so students, families, and community members feel safer and more comfortable getting to and from school.
The link below includes a short survey where you can share your experiences with walking and biking to school. You’ll also find an interactive map where you can point out specific locations that feel unsafe or have opportunities for improvement.
For more information about the project, please visit the project website at: https://mnsaferoutesplanning.org/north-branch/
NBAMS welcomed Chisago County Sergeant Puelston as the Grade 6 Honor Roll reader on Monday, Feb. 9. Sergeant Puelston has been with Chisago County since 2006 serving as a patrolman, coordinating a variety of outreach services, and leading the drone team he established in 2019. Thank you Sergeant Puelston for taking the time to join us in recognizing our Quarter 2 Grade 6 Honor Roll recipients!
