COBRA CONNECTIONS - March 31, 2025

MCA TESTING DATES

Our third, fourth and fifth graders will take the MCA math and reading tests in April.

April 8 & 9 - Reading

April 15 & 16 - Math

April 29 & 30 - Science (fifth grade only)

Student readiness tools (SRTs) can be reviewed ahead of time. Previewing these tools will help students become more comfortable with the test format and design. https://minnesota.pearsonaccessnext.com/readiness-tools/
More information on the MCAs can be accessed on the Minnesota Department of Education Website. http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/fam/tests/
if you want in depth resources on test content, you can access the webpage below. https://testing123.education.mn.gov/test/assess/res/

WELCOME - MS. TANISHA TOPINKA, PRINCIPAL

The Triton School District is pleased to announce that Tanisha Topinka has been selected as the next Principal of Triton Middle and High School. She will be joining the Triton Team beginning July 1, 2025. She will be replacing Luke Lutterman who will take over as the next Triton Superintendent.Ms. Topinka currently serves as the Dean of Students at Mountain Lake Schools. Prior to that role, she taught English at Kindred High School in Kindred, North Dakota. Throughout the interview process, it was clear that Ms. Topinka's energy, skills, and collaborative philosophy align with the Triton School District’s values, aims, and goals.

MCA TESTING DATES

Please mark your calendars for this spring's MCA testing dates. If absences can be avoided, it is helpful, however we realize sometimes it can't be prevented, and we will have make-up dates available. Thank you!

Reading MCA's: 4/15/25 & 4/16/25 (6th-8th grade)
Math MCA's: 4/24/25 & 4/25/25 (6th-8th grade)
Science MCA's: 4/28/25 & 4/29/25 (8th grade only)

Student readiness tools (SRTs) can be reviewed ahead of time. Previewing these tools will help students become more comfortable with the test format and design. https://minnesota.pearsonaccessnext.com/readiness-tools/
More information on the MCAs can be accessed on the Minnesota Department of Education Website. http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/fam/tests/
if you want in depth resources on test content, you can access the webpage below. https://testing123.education.mn.gov/test/assess/res/

MR. NESETH HIRED AS NEXT ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

The Triton School District is pleased to announce that Mr. Brandon Neseth will take over as Activities Director on July 1. Mr. Neseth is currently a Social Studies Teacher at Triton High School and the Head Football and Softball Coach. Mr. Corey Black, Triton's current Activities Director, has been in the role for the past four years.

We are thankful for everything Mr. Black has accomplished as Activities Director and excited for Mr. Neseth to help grow and enrich educational experiences through activities.

APRIL 8 REMINDERS

Ninth Graders - College Visits

On this day, ninth graders will tour and receive an admissions presentation at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Western Technical College.

Students will also experience eating in a college cafeteria (no cost to students).

Tenth Graders - Pre-ACT

Tenth graders will report to school as scheduled to take the Pre-ACT. This test is part of their state requirement for college and career readiness. Triton High School is paying for this test. Students are scheduled to finish the test around 11 AM. Students are excused from school when they finish their tests unless they have missing coursework.

Eleventh Graders - ACT or ASVAB

Eleventh graders will report to school to take the ACT or ASVAB. Testing should be finished by 12:30 PM (students testing with accommodations will likely finish closer to 1:30pm). Students failing classes or missing assignments should plan to stay in school.

Twelfth Graders - CPR Certification

The twelfth graders will be getting their CPR certification as part of their senior seminar course. This will take place in the multipurpose room. Seniors should enter and leave through the activities entrance. Seniors have received information on which session they should be attending.

All students are expected to attend their designated activity to count for their day’s attendance. Students will have limited and supervised access to their lockers on this day and should, therefore, minimize what they bring to school with them.

THS PROM REMINDERS - SATURDAY, APRIL 12

Ticket Sales will be during lunch from March 24- April 3 in the HS cafeteria or come to the Community Ed Office. Triton Juniors and Seniors $50, Underclassmen and Non-Triton Students $60.

Guests must be in high school or under 21 years of age, all non-Triton students must also fill out a guest form and have their respective school principal sign it and it must be returned to the school by April 4. All non-Triton guests will need to bring a photo ID.

Grand March will take place at 3:30 PM in the East Gym. The gym will open at 3:00 PM. Admission for spectators at Grand March will be $5/Adult, $2/Student.

Dinner and Dance are at Somerby in Byron. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Somerby. Students must be at Somerby by 6 PM. The dance will go from 7-9 PM.

Mr. Lutterman and Mrs. Faber reviewed Prom expectations with students on Monday, March 10. A copy of that presentation is available here.

Questions about Prom should be addressed to Kristy Faber or Luke Lutterman.

kfaber@triton.k12.mn.us

llutterman@triton.k12.mn.us

Post Prom information was emailed out to Parents of juniors and seniors. Contact Michelle Petersohn or Larissa Behne with questions.

mpetersohn@triton.k12.mn.us

lbehne@triton.k12.mn.us

Reading (10th Grade), April 14
Math (11th Grade), April 14
Science (10th Grade), April 30 - May 1

Student readiness tools (SRTs) can be reviewed ahead of time. Previewing these tools will help students become more comfortable with the test format and design. https://minnesota.pearsonaccessnext.com/readiness-tools/
More information on the MCAs can be accessed on the Minnesota Department of Education Website. http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/fam/tests/
if you want in depth resources on test content, you can access the webpage below. https://testing123.education.mn.gov/test/assess/res/

CLASS OF 2025 REMINDERS & IMPORTANT DATES

TRITON LIVE STREAMING

Live-streamed games and activities have changed for this year. We will now be streaming through Hudl Fan and not YouTube. All Triton home events that are streamed can be accessed via the link HERE or by visiting www.triton.k12.mn.us and clicking on the Activities tab.

Thank you to the Triton Booster Club and our sponsors for making streaming a free service for our community and Cobra supporters.

Thank you for tuning in and for supporting our athletes and activity participants.

TRITON FFA SHINES AT REGION AWARDS

At the end of every competition cycle before the state competition, chapters from southeast MN gather to celebrate their members' success and accomplishments. Triton FFA had four first-place gold-rated proficiency winners be recognized for their growth and learning from their work experiences or small business enterprises. Two of the members are first-year graduate members that took advantage of the last opportunity to complete these awards applications. Students need to keep accurate records of earning and spending, assets accumulated and sold, hours spent working, and reflections on goals they set and how to continue improving. Typically these are 20-page award applications. Graduate members Tristan Nelson did his application about his work experiences for his family, Steven's Truck, and McNeilus Steel along with John Moenning doing his application on his swine, bee,f and crop operation.

High school member Brady Staub did his application on growing corn and soybeans, and Emma Kruckeberg did her application on her show rabbit and meat rabbit business. Both members' applications were selected as top 3 finalists at the state level and will learn the results at the state convention There are 46 different project areas that FFA recognizes and 113 members in MN are being recognized in these award areas. Region 8 had 13 students that placed in the top three of these award areas and Triton was the only school in Region 8 to have applicants make it in the top 3. Congratulations to all of the members that had success at the region level!

Region 8 FFA Awards night was held in Cannon Falls on March 24. Pictured left to right are Tristan Nelson, Emma Kruckeberg, Brady Staub and John Moenning.