Welcome to the Heart of the Lakes Elementary School website!  

Parents,

Heart of the Lakes Elementary School has a proud history of high academic expectations and achievement.  We want your child to be part of that legacy.  

Learning is our first priority and the reason our school exists.  The students, staff and families of Heart of the Lakes are what make this such a truly extraordinary place for that learning to happen.  HOTL staff members are committed to educating the whole child by providing learning opportunities that cultivate deep thinking, encourage creativity, enhance physical and mental wellbeing, and promote problem solving and independence. 

As parents, you can partner with the school to make sure by doing the following:

• Insure a good night’s sleep.
• Make regular attendance a priority.
• Communicate regularly with school staff. 
• Develop a positive homework routine.
• Offer to volunteer in your child’s classroom when you are able.
• Keep the 20/20 Reading 10/10 Math Promise by reading at home a minimum of 20 times and completing a minimum of 10 math activities at home each month.

The information on this website has been designed to help families work as partners with the school.   If you don’t find the information you are looking for, please feel free to contact the Heart of the Lakes office by calling 218-346- KIDS.  

If you are not a member of the Heart of the Lakes family, but are interested in learning more, please give us a call or stop to visit!  We’d love let you see for yourself the great things that are happening here! 

Lance Rach named Perham-Dent Teacher of the Year!

My name is Lance Rach and I have been a teacher in the Perham-Dent School District for the past 19 years.  During that time I have taught first, third, and fourth grades.  I have team-taught with four different teachers.  I looped with multiple classes and I also taught 3^rd and 4^th grade multi-age with Mike Jordahl for nine years.  

During my time at Perham I received my master’s degree in education from Hamline University.  I coached basketball for various age levels for my first ten years in Perham and for the past nine years I have been a Jr. High Football Coach.

Before coming to Perham I received my teaching degree from Bemidji State University.  My teaching career started as I did a yearlong internship at Staples Elementary School.  While I was there I taught in a fourth through sixth grade multi-age classroom.  I also was an assistant football coach and coached elementary basketball.  My high school education was obtained from Verndale Public Schools.  

My interests stem from growing up on a family farm, and now I am proud to own part of that farm and farm it with my dad.  Some of my other interests are going to auction sales, hunting, fishing, and watching my boys play in their sporting events.  I am blessed to have a wonderful wife Lorrie and three great kids, Chandler, Leighton, and Braylon.