We have turned the calendar to August. That means our summer programs are complete and we are gearing up for fall sports and activities and the start of school.

New Ulm Public Schools start classes on Aug. 29. When we get to August, there is a concerted effort to finish summer cleaning, prepare our buildings for staff and students, and finalize staffing for each building.

We know that COVID-19 continues to be with us, and that won’t change. We have updated our safe learning plan to reflect our health practices for the start of the school year. Masking will continue to be optional, and we encourage everyone to follow the current MDH and CDC guidelines for COVID-19, whether testing positive or a close contact. You can find our safe learning plan on our website (newulm.k12.mn.us).

We will start year two of classes at our Career Technical Education Center. The center provides students advanced instruction in the following skilled trades: carpentry, cabinetry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, milling/machining, welding, and automotive/auto body. Over the summer, we had an automotive paint booth installed to provide students with industry standard experiences in automotive painting and repair.

This fall, we will spend extra time and resources to provide support to staff and students with mental health programs. We know the past two-plus years have been trying on everyone, and we need to have people in a safe and positive space as we work through the school year. We have added programs and staff who will focus on this priority.

If you haven’t registered your student for school and/or classes, please contact one of our school offices, or visit our website to learn more.

Fall sports and activity registration is open and we encourage all parents to get their student registered early so our coaching staff can plan for the start of the season. For high school, practices start Aug.15. There is a parent/athlete meeting on Aug. 8 at New Ulm High School, starting at 6 p.m. Coaches will be available to meet with the athletes after the general meeting.

We are excited for the upcoming school year and the possibilities it brings for our students and families. As we get closer to the start of the school year, please be on the look out for students walking and biking to and from school and be careful around school buses at all schools in our communities.

— Jeff Bertrang is the superintendent for New Ulm Public Schools District 88.