Elementary School
Welcome to
Heart Of The Lakes Elementary!
Dear HOTL Families and Students,
Welcome to Heart of the Lakes Elementary School. We are glad you are here!
HOTL is the educational home to over 600 students in preschool through grade four. Our building is a special place that truly is the heart of Perham and surrounding communities. We are excited to be partners with our families in their child’s first footsteps along their educational journey through the Perham Public School system.
Heart of the Lakes Elementary is such a special place to grow. We are proud of our school and have high expectations for each and every student and staff member. Our incredible staff of educators is committed to your child’s success. Our students are kind, compassionate, resilient, and eager to learn. Together with our dedicated staff, we strive to make connections with students to help them develop a lifetime love for learning, feel valued, understand that they are accepted, and are coming to a school that makes them feel safe.
To help us with a few of our core beliefs, students and staff are united through our motto Jacket BEST. Doing your Jacket BEST means you are “Being responsible, Engaged, Safe, and Taking responsibility. Our motto will continue to guide our mission to provide a positive and nurturing school environment.
We are confident that when you partner with us in education, you will see that Heart of the Lakes Elementary School is a special place.
Mr. Kunza
Heart of the Lakes Elementary Principal
Spanish Version
PARENT & GUARDIAN HANDOUTS
Check here for important handouts for your HOTL student
HOTL NEWS
Keep up to date on our latest news and happenings here
SYMBALOO APPS & WEBSITES
Check out our favorite apps and websites by clicking below!
MEET OUR STAFF
Our dedicated staff providing positive support for all elementary students
Amanda Shaw
Paraprofessional
Amber Perala
Paraprofessional
Amy Ohm
Literacy Coach
Ann Kostynick
Grade 1
Annie Carey
Kitchen
Ariane Goeson
Paraprofessional
Arly Ohm
Physical Education
Ashley Engel
Deaf/Blind Intervener
Ashley Sonnenberg
Paraprofessional
Austin Hendershot
Grade 3
Beth Keckeisen
Music
Betsy Foltz
Paraprofessional
Bob Bauck
Technology
Brenda Sandahl
Health Office
Brianna Tschida
Grade 3
Brittany Johnson
Grade 4
Brooklyn Thompson
School Counselor
Carrie Grindall
Special Education
Chaunce Shaw
Custodian
Chelsea Marthaler
Grade 4
Cheryl Lachowitzer
Kitchen
Chris Pirrotta
Special Education
Christina Sweere
Paraprofessional
Cindy Dewar
Paraprofessional
Danya Dahlin
Kindergarten
Deb Hart
Grade 3
Denise Callander
Paraprofessional
Destiny Kraft
Grade 3
Ellen Kurtz
Art
Erin Gjerde
Paraprofessional
Eryn Moser
ACSEL Interventionist
Faith Wokasch
KindergartenHannah Layman
HOTL Long Term Sub
Hannah Levenhagen
Student Success Coordinator
Heidi Happel
Grade 1
Heidi Solberg
Special Education
Jake Olson
Physical Education
Jena Rosemore
STEM
Jennifer Lindstrom
Social Worker
Jess Kopischke
Reading Corp
Jesse Hein
Grade 4
Jessica Balcer
Paraprofessional
Jessie Werner
Administrative Assistant
Jill Christensen
Special Education
Jill Pirrotta
Kindergarten
Karen Laughlin
Paraprofessional
Karen Wagenman
Reading Corp
Karla Bell
Grade 1
Katelyn Schmitz
Grade 2
KayLee Saga-Krebs
Grade 1
Kelli Heeter
Grade 4
Kelsey Brakke
Speech Language Pathologist
Kendal Ware
Grade 3
Kersten Buskirk
Grade 2
Keshia Fulford
Administrative Assistant
Kim Flatau
Kindergarten
Kim Schlauderaff
Paraprofessional
Krystal Werner
Paraprofessional
Kyler Hanson
Kindergarten
Lindsay Peterson
Paraprofessional
Lindsay Renfrew
Interventionist
Lisa Smith
Grade 2
Lucas Schmitz
Special Education
Lydia Rutten
Grade 2
Madison Lehman
Paraprofessional
Madison VanSanten
Speech Language Pathologist
Maria Mayfield
Paraprofessional
Maria Soto
ELL/ESL
Megan Kirchenwitz
Grade 1
Megan Schmitz
Paraprofessional
Michelle Bormann
Instructional Coach
Mike Kunza
HOTL Principal
Minerva Yubran
Paraprofessional
Missy Line
Paraprofessional
Olivia Kray
Grade 1
Paige Babler
Grade 4
Paul Piepkorn
Maintenance
Penny Riedel
Kitchen/Am. Ind Education
Rebekah Coufal
Kitchen
Ronita Hackel
Physical Education
Sage Becklund-Erickson
Lakeland Mental Health Support
Sally Roe
Paraprofessional
Sarah Ogroske
Kindergarten
Scott Bjerke
Associate Principal
Sherry Larson
Paraprofessional
Shirley Umberger
Paraprofessional
Sonya Grabe
Mental Health Specialist
Staci Schmitz
Paraprofessional
Sue Seip
School Nurse
Tammy Richter
Kindergarten
Taylor Kohler
Special Education
Teresa Anderson
Library Media Specialist
Teresa Bontrager
Kitchen/Cook
Teri Cresap
Grade 2
Tracy Brown
Psychologist
Tracy Marsh
Paraprofessional
Tricia Barthel
Grade 3
Victoria Paavola
Special Education
Wayne Werner
Physical EducationTESTING DATES
The following are dates for different testing that is done throughout the school year.
MCA READING
2022-23
Third Grade: April 18-20
Fourth Grade: April 18-20
MCA MATH
2022-23
Third Grade: April 25-27
Fourth Grade: April 25-27
ACCESS TESTING
2022-23
January 30-March 24
Want more information on testing? Click here.
ENROLLMENT FORMS
Use the forms below for enrollment at Heart of the Lakes Elementary
MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Lakeland Mental Health
800-223-4512 (Crisis Line)
218-847-1676 (Detroit Lakes)
218-736-6987 (Fergus Falls)
Heart of the Lakes Elementary School
Our Mission
Learning respect and responsibility today to build successful tomorrows.
Address
810 2nd Avenue SW
Perham, MN 56573
Hours
School Days (Office Hours): 7:30am – 4:30pm
Phone
218.346.KIDS (5437)
Fax
218.543.8082
Office Staff
Mike Kunza, Principal
Scott Bjerke, Associate Principal
Jessie Werner, Administrative Assistant
Keshia Fulford, Administrative Assistant
Quick Links
Activities Calendar
Announcements
Bully & Harassment Form
Handbook
Manual
Communication Protocol
Infinite Campus
Lunch Menus
School Supply List
Yearly Calendar
School Improvement Plan
Read Well-District Literacy Plan
Comprehensive Needs Assessment
FAQ about ESL
Preguntas frecuentes sobre ESL
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