New Ulm Public School

5 Powerful Techniques to Embrace Positive Thinking Positive thinking is about navigating life’s obstacle course with confidence and grace—spotting the silver lining in others, celebrating your own uniqueness, and adding that extra sprinkle of positivity to every challenge you face. Through fun, interactive group discussions, you’ll discover how negative self-talk can hold you back—and more importantly, how to turn those thoughts around. You’ll learn powerful, practical techniques to reframe your mindset, replace negativity with self-belief, and boost your confidence to new heights. This program is specially designed for students in grades 5–12, helping them build resilience, confidence, and a positive outlook during some of the most important years of growth. Through engaging activities and real-life examples, students learn how to handle challenges with optimism, strengthen self-esteem, and develop lifelong tools for emotional well-being. Please bring paper and a pen. Heather Behr, Positive Mindset Coach

High School Game Club Instructor: Matthew Nelson Where: Room #121 When: Tuesdays November 4 - April 28 from 3:00pm-5:30pm. **If there is no school on a Tuesday, club will not be held that day. Who: Students in Grades 9-12 What: High School Game Club is simply a place for students to come and relax after a long day at school, while supplying them with thought provoking games to play. It is a casual environment. Students are welcome to bring any kind of physical board or card game to play with others and enjoy the challenge of the games. The Dork Den in Mankato is also supporting the New Ulm Game Club; they will be supplying the club with a fresh variety of games to borrow for the week.

Home Alone – Level 1 Instructor: Tammy Lorch Date: Thursday, March 19th Time: 6:00–7:30 pm Cost: $25.00 per parent/child pair For: Parents and students in grades 2–4 Location: Jefferson Elementary School (Door #1), Jefferson Media Center Brown County Human Services guidelines suggest that children ages 8–10 can stay home alone for up to three hours at a time. This class is an introduction to staying home alone, designed for parents and their children in grades 2–4. Staying home alone for the first time is an exciting milestone, but it comes with responsibility. In this class, parents and children will have the opportunity to discuss questions and expectations together. Topics include: Developing household expectations Handling sibling conflicts Making healthy choices Problem-solving strategies Identifying and responding to emergencies

Intro to AI Coding Grades 2nd-6th We will introduce kids to the fundamentals of coding and artificial intelligence through Scratch; a visual programming language designed for young learners. Campers engage in hands-on projects and collaborative activities that build foundational coding skills while exploring how AI works in fun and creative ways. Home Technical Requirements For All Classes: ● Computer: PC (Windows 10 or later) or Mac (OSX) with at least a 2GHz processor and 4GB of RAM ● Chromebooks, tablets, and phones DO NOT work. ● Internet: Broadband internet ● Webcam, Microphone, and Speakers ● Zoom Installed on Computer, zoom link will be sent before class. ● Students should be comfortable using a PC, mouse, and keyboard. Additional Technical Requirement: ● Scratch Website ● Scratch Account (sign-up information will be provided before class)

Minecraft Mod Development Grades 2nd-5th Customize your gaming experience! Learn to make Java mods for Minecraft Java Edition Minecraft using MCreator. Basic computer skills are required. Minecraft is a Mojang Studios trademark. This class is not affiliated with them. This class is 2 Wednesday Sessions. Home Technical Requirements For All Classes: ● Computer: PC (Windows 10 or later) or Mac (OSX) with at least a 2GHz processor and 4GB of RAM ● Chromebooks, tablets, and phones DO NOT work. ● Internet: Broadband internet ● Webcam, Microphone, and Speakers ● Zoom Installed on Computer, zoom link will be sent before class. ● Students should be comfortable using a PC, mouse, and keyboard. Additional Technical Requirement: ● MCreator (download instructions and setup information will be provided before class) ● Minecraft Java Edition ($30, not required for the class, but is needed to use the mods later)

Mommy and Me Cookie Decorating for Mother's Day 2-Hour Cookie Decorating Class Artist/Instructor: Sammy's Sweets Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 Time: 10:00am–12:00 PM No Experience Required Course Overview Celebrate Mother’s Day with something sweet! In this Mommy & Me Cookie Decorating Class, Sammy’s Sweets will guide participants through fun, beginner-friendly royal icing techniques as you decorate adorable Mother’s Day cookies together. It’s the perfect chance to create memories—and delicious treats! Each Mommy & Me pair may share one decorating box for $30, or you’re welcome to purchase two boxes for $60 if you’d like to decorate individually. Please indicate your choice when registering. Location New Ulm Area Community Education Room 104 – Lower level of the Washington Learning Center 910 14th St N, New Ulm, MN 56073 Materials All supplies are provided by the instructor.

Spanish for Youth Grades K-5th Experience Spanish from Home with LIVE Virtual Classes this Spring! This spring, bring Spanish to life from the comfort of your home with Futura’s engaging and interactive virtual course! ¡Vamos a Explorar! (Let’s Explore!) is an exciting journey into Spanish language and culture. Students will learn practical travel vocabulary, such as bartering at markets and ordering at restaurants, while participating in dynamic, real-world activities. Get ready to explore, connect, and develop a deeper appreciation for the Spanish language—all in a supportive and lively virtual environment. ¡Vámonos! Classes are held online using zoom.

Spanish: Middle School Spanish Prep Grades 6th-8th Ignite Your Language Journey is a LIVE virtual 8-week Spanish class for middle school students, designed to build conversation skills, vocabulary, and grammar. Students will learn noun gender, verb conjugations, and restaurant vocabulary while exploring Spanish traditions, soccer, flamenco, and the Running of the Bulls. This engaging, fun course provides the building blocks for lifelong Spanish success—sign up today! (Online portal resources and practice tools included.) Classes are held online using zoom.

Monday, July 6th - Saturday, July 11th, 2026 Pearl has it all in the depths of the ocean. As the youngest daughter of King Triton and Queen Scylla she should be perfectly content…. but she dreams about the surface world. She wonders what it would be like to walk on the land and be amongst its people. When she saves a young rock star from sleeping with the fishes, she realizes she will do whatever it takes to leave the underwater kingdom behind. When he parents tell her that she can’t go ashore, all hope seems lost…until she remembers that he Uncle Caliban used to tell her stories about walking on land. But King Triton banished Caliban from his underwater kingdom. Uncle Caliban and his gang of underwater henchmen agree to help Pearl, but only if she can get up on land and win the beach part dance competition. If she fails to win the competition and the heart of her rock star crush, she will turn into one of Caliban’s eels and live under his control forever! But Pearl has never walked on two feet before and is finding it rather difficult to find her land legs. Plus, everyone isn’t as nice on land as they are beneath the sea. Will Pearl be able to dance her way into the rock star’s heart, or will sinister Uncle Caliban find a way to take control of the sea from his brother? Casting Roles: Pearl, King Triton, Queen Scylla, Caspian and the Beach Bums, Ryan Seashore, the Royal Daughters, the Sea Creatures, the School of Fish, the Eels, and the Beach Buddies. Cast Total: up to 73 students All rehearsals and performances will take place at the New Ulm High School Auditorium. Auditions for specific parts will take place Monday, July 6th from 8:00am to 10:00am, with rehearsal following 10:00am-12:15pm. Rehearsal times will fall between 8:00am and 12:15pm Monday, July 6th through Thursday, July 9th. Rehearsal times may vary depending on the the part your child is cast, so flexibility for pick-up/drop-off times is needed. On Friday, July 10th, rehearsal will begin late afternoon and will run right up until show time. Bring a snack and water bottle to each session! Performances are Friday, July 10th at 7:00pm and Saturday, July 11th at 11:00am. You must attend ALL rehearsals to participate. All costumes, music, and scenery are provided, and are included in the $25.00 registration fee. Ticket for the performance can be purchased at the door right before the performance and prices are as follows: Adult - $5.00 Students K-12 $3.00 Pre-School & Under - Free

Suzuki Spark - 6 Session Introductory Violin Course Instructor: Paula Anderson & Jessie Sobania Date: Wednesdays - February 25, March 4, 11, 25, April 1, 8 Time: 5:30–6:30 pm Cost: $150.00 per child (6 week session) For: Children Ages 4-8 Location: Oakwood Methodist Church (1630 Oakwood Avenue, New Ulm) CLASS DESCRIPTION SUZUKI SPARK — 6‑Session Introductory Violin Course (Ages 4–8) Ignite your child’s musical journey with this playful, ear‑first course that teaches posture, bow hold, basic rhythms, and a first solo through listening, imitation, and short daily practice. Parents receive simple practice guides and listening playlists to support steady progress at home, while children build confidence, musical memory, and healthy practice habits in a joyful, supportive group setting. COURSE PHILOSOPHY Suzuki Method Foundation: Children learn music as they learn language — through listening, imitation, repetition, and loving encouragement. Parents are active partners in daily practice and in creating a listeningrich home environment. Ear-First Learning: Emphasize listening to repertoire and teacher demonstrations before attempting new skills. Repetition and small, achievable goals build tone, intonation, and musical memory. Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate effort and progress; use short, consistent practice sessions to build confidence. Early Violin Habits: Introduce primary rhythms using rhythm instruments, posture, bow hold, violin hold, and parts of the instrument, and through playful, teacher-led modeling and parent-supported home practice. Family Partnership: Provide reading materials, clear, simple home practice tasks and listening assignments so families can support steady progress. SESSION BY SESSION TEACHER GUIDE Session 1 Welcome to Listening and the Violin Focus: Listening, rhythm imitation, and parent orientation including concept of note taking during lesson In-class Activities: Group listening: play Twinkle Variations from Suzuki Book 1 and invite children to move or breathe with the music. Make Foot Charts with “Rest Position” and “Playing Position” Feet on one side and “Violin Hand” and “Bow Hand” on the opposite side. In addition the basic Twinkle Rhythms are written out on the foot chart. Practice “growing” their trees using their bodies. Learning the basic Twinkle Rhythms using song, rhythm sticks, and drums. Home Practice: Daily listening to Suzuki recordings, parents practice clapping the 5 rhythm variations with child, and parents begin reading the assigned books. Materials: Links to Suzuki Book 1 recordings, copies of “Nurtured by Love” and “Ability Development from Age Zero” by Dr. Suzuki, foot charts Session 2 Posture, Bow Hold, and Listening Games Focus: Review of previous activities, posture, bow hold basics, continued listening. In-class Activities: Review activities from last session. Practice basic rhythms using “secret” handshake and “washing” arm. Learn to make “bunny rabbit” shape for bow hold Bow hold introduction using “stick bow” Home Practice: continue practicing rest position/playing position feet, basic rhythms, handshake and arm washing, bunny rabbit nose formation and bow hold exercises with parent support. Continue listening assignments and reading. Materials: Stick bows. Session 3 Review of previous exercises and additional bowing practice Focus: Development of flexible bow hand and reinforce rhythm exercises In-class Activities: Review all previous exercises using drums, rhythm sticks, foot charts, stick bows, etc. Continue developing bow skills by “playing” the rhythms on the shoulder Introduce box violin and how to hold the instrument using song Home Practice: Continue reinforcing previous skills; e.g., rest position/playing position, clapping rhythms, making bunny rabbit noses, secret handshake, washing arm, bow hold, rhythms on shoulder, placing violin on shoulder, etc., continued listening and continued reading Materials: Box violins Session 4 Rhythm, Repetition, and Simple Repertoire Focus: Continued review and repetition of previous skills In-class Activities: Review all previous activities. Name parts of the violin and bow. Play listening games (Go Tell Aunt Rhody pitch game, hide the frog, etc.) Discuss with parents ideal practice routines. Home Practice: Reinforce all skills introduced so far and continued listening. Finish reading books. Materials: No new materials Session 5 Individual Turns and Group Repertoire Focus: Reinforce previous skills In-class Activities: Review and reinforce all previous activities. Introduce foam violin Each child has a turn at performing a “solo” such as “Up Like a Rocket”. Home Practice: Review all skills introduced so far emphasizing importance of repetition and continued home listening Materials: No new materials Session 6 Sharing, Celebration, and Next Steps Focus: Culminating sharing, reinforcing home routine, and setting goals In-class Activities: Review all previous skills. Teacher-led demonstration of next Suzuki steps and what families can expect after the course. Family reflection time: invite parents to share observations and ask questions about continuing Suzuki study. Students get to open their box violins to reveal a “treat”. Home Practice: Continue daily listening and short practice routines; teacher provides a clear next-step practice plan. Materials: Violins, certificates, take-home practice plan, Suzuki Book 1 listening list. MATERIALS AND TEACHER PREPARATION Teacher Supplies: Box violins and stick bows, child-sized foam violins in appropriate sizes, shoulder rests, Links to Suzuki Book 1 recordings, “Nurtured by Love” and “Ability Development from Age Zero” by Shinichi Suzuki, parent handouts, and practice journals. Classroom Setup: Comfortable seating, clear demonstration area, quiet listening space, visible practice routine chart. Parent Resources: One-page practice guides, listening playlists, demonstrations of posture and bow hold, contact info for follow-up questions. TEACHER INSTRUCTION STYLE Model First: Demonstrate every skill slowly and clearly before asking children to imitate. Use Ear-Based Language: Encourage listening first — “Listen, then try.” Keep Practice Tiny and Frequent: Recommend 3–10 minutes daily, broken into very small goals. Engage Parents as Partners: Give parents simple scripts and cues to use at home; coach them to be encouraging observers and practice partners. Celebrate Effort: Focus praise on persistence, correct habits, and musical listening rather than perfection. HOME PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR FAMILIES Daily Listening: Play assigned Suzuki recordings during routine times (meals, car rides) to build musical memory. Short Practice Sessions: 3–10 minutes daily; split into posture/bow-hold warm-up and one focused musical task. Mirror and Model: Parents mirror teacher demonstrations and use the same language and cues. Practice Journal: Note what was practiced and one positive observation each day. End on a High Note: Stop while the child is still engaged to keep practice joyful.

YouTube Video Production Grades 2nd-6th Learn how to create content for YouTube! Students will practice tricks that pro filmmakers use for better shots, lighting, and sounds. They will receive hands-on experience editing videos, adding transitions, and inserting a soundtrack. The finished product can be shared with family and friends! This class is 2 Saturday sessions. Home Technical Requirements For All Classes: ● Computer: PC (Windows 10 or later) or Mac (OSX) with at least a 2GHz processor and 4GB of RAM ● Chromebooks, tablets, and phones DO NOT work. ● Internet: Broadband internet ● Webcam, Microphone, and Speakers ● Zoom Installed on Computer, zoom link will be sent before class. ● Students should be comfortable using a PC, mouse, and keyboard. Additional Technical Requirements: ● Cell phone, video camera or external webcam ● Wondershare Filmora (download instructions and sign-up information is provided before class)